The NIV Application Commentary: Acts

The NIV Application Commentary, New Testament #5

by Ajith Fernando

In the NIV APPLICATION COMMENTARY series, this volume looks at the book of Acts, which tells the story of early church leaders continuing the work of Jesus. This commentary gives portraits of the church in action around the world by one whose ministry mirrors many of the stories told in Acts.

Genres: Reference, Christian, Theology, New Testament, Christianity, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies

Hardcover

First published August 24, 1998

About the author

Ajith Fernando serves as Teaching Director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka after being National Director for 35 years. Ajith is a visiting lecturer and Council President of Colombo Theological Seminary and also serves as Visiting Scholar at Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto. He has written 15 books and his books have been published in 19 different languages. The Call to Joy and Pain was awarded the Christianity Today Book of the Year Award for church and pastoral leadership.

Reviews

[Trevor Rolls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good commentary on the book of Acts. I read it as one of two text-books in an undergraduate course on Acts. This commentary is more on the casual end of commentaries while still maintaining a healthy level of academic integrity. I studied it along side a more academic commentary for comparative analysis.

[Phil Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

really liked this commentary, i have a lot of respect for fernando as a down to earth, but not dumbed down commentator.

[Tyler Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this commentary for my Book of Acts course under Dr. Dean Flemming. It is written in an Evangelical strain, without much ecumenical or historical-Christian input. Although I view such narrow focus as a loss, I appreciated Fernando's writing and insight. This would be a great commentary for an introductory level student or a layperson seeking the next layer of study past a study Bible. In such a sense, this commentary is accessible, fulfilling its goal of being "Application" focused. For someone looking for a deeper analysis than that (containing deeper historical background information, textual criticism, word study, or literary analysis) however, this commentary will not satisfy, and they should seek another resource. That is what I will do in the future.

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the years I have come to love the NIV Application Commentary Series. I have felt the blend between the original, bridge, and contemporary application challenging.

I was eager to read Acts by Ajeth Fernando. I first heard Fernando speak at Urbana 87 a long time ago. I still remember his dynamic speaking ability and exegesis.

No doubt my theology has changed since then and I find it yet continuing to evolve still to this day. However, there were several places in his Contemporary Significance section I found myself squirming a bit.

Yet, I still enjoy this commentary series and I will continue to reach for the next volume.

[Dan Curnutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information commentary for the Book of Acts. I like the application points that Ajith Fernando brings out with his writing.

The verse by verse commentary is very good and meets with my basic conservative theological beliefs as an Evangelical Pastor.

I believe that Lay people will enjoy this commentary just as much as Pastors will.

I used the text as part of a recent Bible Class on the book of Acts for my church parishioners.

[Abby Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this commentary. Definitely a more relaxed take on commentaries than others I have read. I liked the different sections of understanding for each passage. Gave good context while also giving application. I liked that he incorporated themes and verses from previous passages in Acts as he continued through the book. Helped the knowledge stick and grow an understanding of the continuation of ideas throughout.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic commentary, written in a not-so-common style. While it's not easy to read, Fernando manages to employ an almost conversational tone throughout the book that is interesting, but deeply informative. If you need to study the book of Acts, you should definitely start with Fernando before you move on to anything else.

[nate]

Another one of the commentaries I read throughout a 48 part sermon series I did in the book of Acts. Fernando writes from a global perspective (not simply through Western eyes) which is a great asset in a commentary on Acts.

[Jamie Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful

This commentary is perfect for my needs. It digs into the theology and then helps to bring those truths into today’s world. I also appreciate all the other sources referenced in this commentary. I frequently went and sought those out to dig deeper.

[Sergio Barrios · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revelatory

Learned a lot with the "original meaning" part of this commentary, its research is deep and relies upon Greek translations and cultural background.

[Layne Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful in understanding and application. I like the way the NIV application commentary organizes the book

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful commentary provides potential application points to consider throughout.

[Frank Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good popular level (non-academic) commentary from the NIV Application Commentary series. I recommend this series as devotional reading as well as for extra material in preparation of bible studies or sermons. This author, from Sri Lanka provided a view that covered both a western as well as and eastern perspective. This was very valuable. The author is clearly not a cessationist, and approached the book from this perspective.

[Mike Grober · Rating 3 out of 5]

The NIV Application Commentary series is my favorite. In Acts the author not only offers his own understanding of Luke's second book but helps us understand the views of other commentators.

The "bridging contexts" and "contemporary significance" sections provide valuable insights into a good understanding of the original meaning of the text.

I am currently reading Romans in this series.