Study Commentaries

Acts is a book of action. But whose actions does it follow? The most obvious answer is the Apostles’. The book’s full name is the Acts of the Apostles, for it recounts their efforts to take the gospel to the nations. Yet we can also think of it as the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Poured out like a mighty rushing wind (Acts 2:2), the Spirit empowered the Apostles’ witness and opened hearts to believe. In this volume, Dr. R.C. Sproul offers an in-depth study on the Spirit’s work through these Christians and in the growth and spread of the early church.

As the world’s most popular annual Bible commentary for more than three decades, Standard Lesson Commentary (SLC) provides 52 weeks of study in a single volume.

What does Oprah Winfrey have to do with the Book of Ruth? Why are Catholic priests (meant to be) celibate? Which king - other than Elvis - died on the toilet? The Bible: A Student's Guide answers these questions and more. Aimed at humanities students, it's a quick tour of the Bible: telling its most famous tales, quoting its most famous lines. Along the way it points to a few landmarks: everyday phrases we owe to the Bible, great literature and art it's inspired. So if your knowledge of the Good Book isn't so good, this is just the place to begin. Jon David has also published Be Happy! (...

An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of the Scriptures. Explore each verse of this narrative of the life of Jonah as He is called by God to preach salvation to the Ninevites. Organized as four individual Bible studies that are intended for about 30 minutes of personal study, or about one hour of small-group discussion. Table of Contents 1:1-16. Running from God. 1:17 - 2:10. Turning to God. 3:1-10. Obeying God. 4:1-11. Playing God. Bibliography.

Immerse yourself in the captivating pages of this book and uncover the timeless wisdom found within Jesus' parables. H.K. Holland breaks down these awesome stories, uncovering their universal themes and how they can apply to our daily lives.

"Finishing Well" is the name of the game. Here was a rich, young ruler - a first century "yuppie" if you will - who, although getting off to a rather problematic beginning, finished well, indeed. A rich young ruler questioned Christ about what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Mark's Gospel includes a detail that Matthew and Luke failed to mention: "And Jesus looking upon him loved him..." This hints at the possibility that young John Mark himself may have been that rich young man.

The book of Acts bursts with the passion of early Christians embracing God's work and spreading Jesus's message worldwide. It also lays bare the challenges churches face, demonstrating that 'normal church life' has never been plain sailing. Acts is a dynamic narrative of journeys, trials, and triumphs, inspiring us in our own spiritual journeys. Acts, Part 1 spans from Luke's introduction to Herod's death in chapter 12.

An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of the Scriptures. Walk through the letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the community of faithful Christian believers who were scattered about the region of ancient Asia Minor as he sought to share the gospel message in an encouraging and instructive manner. This was Peter's magnus opus, a work that has served to encourage and guide Christians for these many centuries. The text is organized into 18 short Bible studies, each useful for a 30-minute personal study, or an hour group study. Table of Contents 1 Peter 1:1-12. An Affirmation of Hope 9-2 1 ...

Unlock the mysteries of the Bible with "The Seven Dispensations: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical History and Prophecy." This groundbreaking book offers a panoramic view of God's divine plan, meticulously outlined through seven distinct ages of time. Whether you're a seasoned theologian or a curious seeker, this guide will illuminate the path of God's sovereign timeline from Genesis to Revelation. Dive deep into the rich tapestry of biblical history and prophecy, where every era unfolds with purpose and precision. Discover how each dispensation reveals God’s unchanging character, His ...

The African American Guide to the Bible makes the case for the relevance of the Bible from the perspective of people of color. It presents a comprehensive biblical view of topics of interest to African Americans and clarifies racial issues for White people.

In the early 19th century, Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, conceived the idea of extracting a gospel purified of what he saw as extraneous philosophical, mythological, and theological elements. To do so, he took verses from the four canonical gospels and arranged them into a single narrative, focusing on the actual words of Jesus.

Immerse yourself in the transformative power of God's Word with Devotional Commentary on the Amplified Bible's Unique Interpretations. This inspiring devotional journey explores key scriptures through the lens of the Amplified Bible, offering deep insights into the life-changing truths of Scripture. Each chapter unpacks the amplified meanings of God's Word, helping you to fully grasp the richness of His promises, His love, and His call on your life.

In recent years, the theological—and, more specifically, Roman Catholic—question of the supernatural has made an astonishing return from seeming oblivion. David Bentley Hart's You Are Gods presents a series of meditations on the vexed theological question of the relation of nature and supernature. In its merely controversial aspect, the book is intended most directly as a rejection of a certain Thomistic construal of that relation, as well as an argument in favor of a model of nature and supernature at once more Eastern and patristic.

Autobiographies from the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Talmud teaches that the ancient patriarchs were all prophets, and that each one of them left testaments for their descendants to read. These contain commands for their children, moral lessons, and prophecy. This legend is not only repeated among the Essene community, but fragments of 20 such records have been found in the Dead Sea Scrolls!

The multi award-winning SmartPass study guide, with and without commentary options. This is a full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. Soak up the atmosphere of ancient Rome. Decide for yourself whether Caesar's power and ambition was a threat to the Republic, and whether assassination can ever be justified.

Sinai to Zion is an exciting study of how the Bible uses the Exodus story as the basis for its vision concerning the glorious and triumphant return of Jesus the Messiah. For the first time, this book presents a thorough examination of many often overlooked, yet critically important Old Testament texts that the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament authors looked to as describing the return of Jesus.

Combined for great value! The multi-award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. Full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play.

"And nothing is, but what is not." Macbeth may be mystified by the Weird Sisters' words but this intense performance with incisive commentary cuts to the heart of Shakespeare's complex psychological tragedy.

We know a great deal about Muhammad—or so it seems. Islamic tradition contains an astonishing wealth of information about the founding figure of the Islamic faith, and most historians take for granted that this material is generally reliable. In his latest book, historian and Islamic scholar Robert Spencer shows that there is no agreement in the earliest Islamic sources about the most fundamental details of this towering figure's life. Muhammad takes a detailed look at the Islamic traditions regarding Muhammad and lays bare their contradictions, inconsistencies, and incoherence.

Combined for great value! The multi-award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. Full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. The poetry of Shakespeare's star crossed lovers is poignantly performed and expertly explained in this unique production: "Passion lends them power."

Over the past several decades, globalization has homogenized what we eat, and done so ruthlessly. The numbers are stark: Of the roughly 6,000 different plants once consumed by human beings, only nine remain major staples today. Just three of these - rice, wheat, and corn - now provide 50 percent of all our calories. Dig deeper and the trends are more worrisome still.