The last sight the world had of the itinerant preacher from Galilee who claimed to be the Son of God was Calvary. They had finally rid the land of His message and His disciples had been proven to be following a hoax. The world would be finished with this whole affair. Or would it?
It had been reported that His disciples had stolen the body and were claiming a resurrection. But then that could be easily denied. Or could it?
He had risen! He was alive, and to a select but significant band of followers, He had shown Himself in many ways and He had now gone to His Father. But He had not left them as orphans. He sent His Holy Spirit to empower them with the greatest message this world had ever known. In a short but action- packed 35 years, this gospel had spread from that upper room where about 120 disciples had gathered– with one accord, in one place, with one purpose, to wait for the promise of the Father–to a force that had begun to change the very fabric of society. And it has gone on to prove that it is the greatest force of change this world has ever known. What is this gospel? Who proclaimed it? How did it spread? What is its relationship with Judaism? How does it relate with pagan kings? Is it a political force to be crushed by imprisoning its followers? Is it a religious power to be dealt with in the seat of Jewish power–the Sanhedrin? All these questions and more are answered in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Reading it will move you emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually as you follow this band of disciples from Jerusalem to the outer reaches of the known world. I would like to suggest three books that will help you catch the enthusiasm, the dynamic, the realities dealt with in this great book of the Bible.
For the beginner and those who would like to catch the spirit of this book, get “Dynamic Christianity” by William MacDonald. You will get so caught up in this commentary, you will not be able to put it down. Written in a style that helps catch the spirit of this era with pointed applications, it will prick your conscience as to your own life-style in light of the life-styles of the first disciples. I can’t seem to find it anywhere in print at the present time, but you should be able to find a copy around in a library. Borrow it and be challenged by the first century Christians.
The second book to read is G. Campbell Morgan’s book “The Acts of the Apostles.” An excellent, non-technical expository commentary, it will help you to understand the times and the context of each section. It is arranged in a paragraph-by-paragraph exposition which helps to understand the reasons why particular events were recorded and the relationship of one part of the book with the other. Some good, practical applications are sprinkled along the way also. This one is published by Revell Company and should be found in many Christian bookstores.
The third book I would suggest is a more recent work named “True to the Faith” by Dr. David Gooding. He was, for many years, a professor of Classical Literature at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He brings that discipline to the study of the Word of God and provides fresh insight into the literary structure of this magnificent book. He argues quite capably that Luke is just as interested in what the gospel is and its relationship with Judaism and the Gentile world as he is in telling of the spread of the gospel. This fresh insight will, as brother Gooding would desire, help us love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. And again you will catch the dynamic of the book of Acts. You will see the great struggles of the early Church as it faced the Sanhedrin, its own prejudices, and the world rulers of their day. Published in England, you can get copies through CMML in New Jersey.
Jesus said, “I will build My church.” That process is still going on today. As you study the book of Acts, may its principles and practices have a positive effect on your life today.