Acts

This commentary is a unique blend of interaction with scholarly argument and guidance for the contemporary church based on Acts. The Asian identity of Fernando highlights some aspects of the Christian life, seen in Acts, that are sometimes overlooked by Western commentators. For example, his comments on the Christian experience of suffering in his comments on the martyrdom of Stephen are challenging to the Western view. Rather than the Western approach to escape from suffering, Fernando advises embracing a Christian theology of suffering. The number of commentaries that have academic credibility as well as a credible, powerful influence on ministry is very small. Fernando has done the church the gift of adding one more to this list.

An excellent resource tool for students and preachers alike. It provides good textual analysis allied to insightful and clear contextual bridges to contemporary society.

Fernando offers the 21st Century family of faith a very helpful bridge into the 1st Century family of faith in the Book of Acts. His commentary includes historical-cultural comments, "bridging the centuries" comments and contemporary application comments. Fernando writes from the refreshing perspective of life in ministry in Sri Lanka, offering a missiological perspective to his contemporary comments about the church, the great commission and practical implications for the Gospel of Jesus Christ as God people continue to "go into all the world and make disciples of all nations". I've drawn upon this resource through two separate preaching excursions through the Book of Acts and continue to discover riches both in the Book of Acts and in today's family of faith, the living Body of Christ. For two other titles concerning the family of faith, look at "The Family Cloister: Benedictine Wisdom for the Home" (Crossroad, 2000), and "The Family Toolbox: 52 Benedictine Activities for the Home" (Crossroad, September 2001), by written by David Robinson. God's best to you and your family of faith.

Ajith Frenando's commentary immediately struck me as arising from the persepctive of one working every day in the Mission Field. He clearly understands that Acts witnesses to the power of the Spirit who equip God's people for witness and service. One can easily see that the author believes in the gifts of the Spirit and the fact that these did not disappear with the Apostolic age. Fernando's commentary has many unique features, notably the "life application" and "bridging" sections that try to connect the witness of the Book of Acts to our Christian walk in the 21st century. Missing is the original Greek along/under the English (NIV) translation. Though not a critical deficiency, it would have been useful to have the Greek nearby as a reference. Having a good study bible along side will provide additional cross references to aid in understanding the text. Having taught the Book of Acts for a number of years, and having referred to numerous other commentaries, it is refreshing to read a commentary which believes that what the early church experienced of the Spirit's power and equipping we are to also experience today. Along with all this, his scholarship shines through. A must-have in a bible teacher's library.

I was glad to see the editors chose Ajith Fernando as the author of the study of Acts. It is good to read a perspective of the Early Church from someone who is not from North America or Eurpoe. Ajith is from and ministers in Sri Lanka. His illustration concerning prejudice in the Acts, Chapter 10, was enlightening.