The Acts of the Apostles

by James D. G. Dunn, Scot McKnight (Foreword by)

Overview

Authored by one of the world's leading New Testament scholars, this commentary on the Acts of the Apostles was originally published in 1996. James Dunn first takes the reader through questions of authorship, audience, date, purpose, and literary structure. He then considers the kind of history writing that we find in the narrative of Acts, delineates the book's theological teaching, and offers bibliographic comments on sources and selected studies, including work published between 1996 and 2016. This commentary as a whole provides the information and perspective necessary for reading to best effect what Dunn believes is the most exciting book in the New Testament.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802874023
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	09/03/2016
Pages:	421
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

James D. G. Dunn (1939–2020) was a renowned New Testament scholar and the longtime Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at Durham University. His numerous books include The Theology of Paul the Apostle, Jesus according to the New Testament, and the magisterial Christianity in the Making trilogy.


Scot McKnight teaches in the Doctor of Ministry program at Houston Theological Seminary. His many books include The Jesus Creed, A Community Called Atonement, A Church Called Tov (coauthored with Laura Barringer), Kingdom Conspiracy: Returning to the Radical Mission of the Local Church, The Second Testament: A New Translation, and multiple volumes in the New Testament Everyday Bible Study series.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Introduction ix

Part I Beginning in Jerusalem (1-5) 1

1 The Prologue: Awaiting the Spirit 3

2 When the Spirit Came 22

3 The Power of the Name (1) 38

4 The Power of the Name (2) 49

5 Defining the Boundaries 61

Part II The Initial Expansion (6-12) 75

6 The Stephen Affair 79

7 Stephen's Defence and Martyrdom 89

8 In Samaria and to the End of the Earth 102

9 The Conversion of Saul and Peter's Mission in the Judaean Coastal Plain 117

10 The Conversion of Peter and the Acceptance of Cornelius 131

11 Peter's Action Ratified and Confirmation of the Breakthrough at Antioch 147

12 Update on Events in Jerusalem and Judaea 159

Part III The Mission from Antioch and the Jerusalem Council (l3-15) 169

13 The Mission from Antioch (1) 171

14 The Mission from Antioch (2) 186

15 The Council at Jerusalem 195

Part IV The Aegean Mission (16-20) 212

16 Beginnings in Philippi 215

17 Crisis in Thessalonica and Confrontation in Athens 225

18 A Firm Foundation in Corinth 239

19 A New Centre in Ephesus 252

20 The Close of the Aegean Mission 265

Part V The Final Acts: From Jerusalem to Rome (21-28) 277

21 Arrest in Jerusalem 280

22 Paul's First Defence in Jerusalem 291

23 Paul between Jewish Hostility and Roman Protection 300

24 On Trial before Governor Felix 310

25 The Build-up to the Hearing before Governor Festus and King Agrippa 317

26 The Hearing before Governor Festus and King Agrippa 323

27 The Voyage to Rome and Shipwreck 334

28 Paul Reaches the Goal and Final Centre of His Mission, Rome Itself 343

Index of Names 358

Index of Ancient Sources 362

Editorial Reviews

Scot McKnight (from the foreword)
— Northern Seminary
"In this little commentary by Dunn you have insight, measured judgment about history and theology and context, and suggestions that take the preacher to the heart of what the book of Acts can mean for us today. I always begin any study of any passage in the book of Acts by pulling out Jimmy's commentary. I go to others when I'm done, but often enough I get all I need in Dunn."

From the Publisher