The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke's Account of God's Unfolding Plan (Volume 27) (New Studies in Biblical Theology) - Softcover

Thompson, Alan J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830826289 ISBN 13: 9780830826285

Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press,US, 2011

Synopsis

When the book of Acts is mentioned, a cluster of issues inevitably springs to mind, including speaking in tongues and baptism with the Holy Spirit, church government and practice, and missionary methods and strategies. At the popular level at least, Acts is still often used more for answers to debates that were not necessarily Luke's concern than listened to for his own emphases.

Alan Thompson's aim is not to address such debates, but rather to offer a biblical-theological framework for interpreting the book of Acts, so that Luke's major themes may be identified and related to the book as a whole. He especially highlights Acts as an account of the 'continuing story' of God's saving purposes: Luke intends his work to be read in the light of Old Testament promises and the continuing reign of Christ in the inaugurated kingdom of God. In this light, Luke's key themes are better understood and integrated.

Furthermore, the emphasis on the kingdom of God is as relevant for Christians today as it was in the first century. All who follow the Lord Jesus this side of the cross and resurrection need to know that God is accomplishing his saving purposes even now through the reign of Christ.

Author's preface (extract)

'The richness of God s Word is amazing. The book of Acts, in particular, is full of challenge, encouragement and comfort. In studying Acts I have been amazed again at God s faithfulness, the kindness and power of the risen Lord Jesus, the enablement and transforming work of the Spirit sent by Jesus, and the privilege of receiving the good news of God's saving grace in Christ. Although I hope this book may make some contribution to the academic study of Acts, my main goal is to help believers who read, teach or preach through the book of Acts to see Luke's framework of God s kingdom and the reign of Christ more clearly and to rejoice in, be encouraged and reassured by, and proclaim the good news of God s saving purposes in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

About this title

About the Author

Alan J. Thompson is lecturer in New Testament at Sydney Missionary and Bible College, Croydon, New South Wales, Australia. He is the author of 'One Lord, One People: The Unity of the Church in Acts in Its Literary Setting' (T. & T. Clark).

Edition details

• Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press,US
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0830826289
• ISBN 13: 9780830826285
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232