Acts

Rating:
Summary: From the persepctive of the Mission Field
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The family of faith
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Good insights from a "3rd world" prospective.
Review: 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.