What do you think?
Rate this book
Retelling the Story #3
The Mission of the Body of Christ
"God had not just sent his Messiah into the world. He had sent him to them. They were known. In all their guilt—intended and unintended—they were known and invited to find refuge in the grace of God, accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son. And the church continued to grow."
Jesus sent his followers into the world. Russ Ramsey's dynamic narrative traces the journey of the early church with thirty-one daily readings through the book of Acts, as the people of God carried out Jesus' mission as his ambassadors. This unlikely band of believers faced enormous challenges yet experienced God's power and grace as they moved forward in the Spirit. Through this new community, a movement spread around the world that continues to this day.
Come discover the transformation that energized the early church. And you too can play your part in the unfolding story.
Also including The Advent of the Lamb of God and The Passion of the King of Glory, the Retelling the Story series explores the narrative arc of the Bible from Genesis through Revelation in compelling language that is faithful to the text of Scripture. The stories are told afresh to help readers hide God's word in their hearts by way of their imaginations.
Jesus sent his followers into the world. Russ Ramsey's dynamic narrative traces the journey of the early church with thirty-one daily readings through the book of Acts, as the people of God carried out Jesus' mission as his ambassadors. This unlikely band of believers faced enormous challenges yet experienced God's power and grace as they moved forward in the Spirit. Through this new community, a movement spread around the world that continues to this day.
Come discover the transformation that energized the early church. And you too can play your part in the unfolding story.
Also including The Advent of the Lamb of God and The Passion of the King of Glory, the Retelling the Story series explores the narrative arc of the Bible from Genesis through Revelation in compelling language that is faithful to the text of Scripture. The stories are told afresh to help readers hide God's word in their hearts by way of their imaginations.
224 pages, Paperback
Published July 10, 2018
21 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Russ Ramsey
15 books237 followersRuss Ramsey and his wife and four children make their home in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church and the author of Struck: One Christian’s Reflections on Encountering Death (IVP, 2017), Behold the Lamb of God: An Advent Narrative, and Behold the King of Glory: A Narrative of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is a graduate of Taylor University (1991) and Covenant Theological Seminary (MDiv, 2000; ThM, 2003). Follow Russ on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 20, 2018
A gifted writer with a pastor's heart (or a pastoral writer who is really good at what he does), Russ Ramsey is a favorite. He has sentences that blow me away, not with flourishes or flower-y-ness (if you will) but with punchy depth and insight.
This book is the third of his "Retelling the Story" trilogy. It's a narrative of the book of Acts, the early days of the church. Ramsey is very careful in his expansion from the biblical text, mostly adding historical details and context rather than speculative could-have-happened elements. I found the effect very helpful as it gave me a better understanding of the issues at hand when the New Testament epistles were written. Information I've heard in various sermons through the years is brought together smoothly and the stories of the first Christians took on fresh life. In particular, Paul's remarkable testimony and missionary journeys felt more rounded and real than they have previously for me, and his imprisonment and journey to Rome were a comprehendible courtroom drama.
(full disclosure: the agency I work for represents Russ and this book; I read an early draft of the book)
This book is the third of his "Retelling the Story" trilogy. It's a narrative of the book of Acts, the early days of the church. Ramsey is very careful in his expansion from the biblical text, mostly adding historical details and context rather than speculative could-have-happened elements. I found the effect very helpful as it gave me a better understanding of the issues at hand when the New Testament epistles were written. Information I've heard in various sermons through the years is brought together smoothly and the stories of the first Christians took on fresh life. In particular, Paul's remarkable testimony and missionary journeys felt more rounded and real than they have previously for me, and his imprisonment and journey to Rome were a comprehendible courtroom drama.
(full disclosure: the agency I work for represents Russ and this book; I read an early draft of the book)
February 18, 2019
Russ Ramsey is a really engaging writer and his insights into the book of Acts were. inspiring and stirring. The book crescendoed into the final chapter, which moved and touched me.
February 18, 2025
Rated this a 3 just because Russ’ other books are at least 4s and this one isn’t on the same level. However, still a great read! Retelling of the book of acts — our small group read through acts most of 2024 so it’s pretty fresh in my mind but I like the details added. Would highly recommend his books for advent and lent!
July 15, 2018
Russ Ramsey has a gift for writing. His writing is compelling and he wrote in such a way that I was sucked right in. I joined the launch team for this book not having read the other two books in the series and not knowing a lot about this book.
It was absolutely engaging to read this retelling of the book of Acts. It also helped me understand this familiar story in a new way. Russ is writing really made it all come alive for me. I highly recommend this book.
It was absolutely engaging to read this retelling of the book of Acts. It also helped me understand this familiar story in a new way. Russ is writing really made it all come alive for me. I highly recommend this book.
May 16, 2021
This book consists of 31 chapters that cover the book of Acts. Russ tells the story of the early church through the eyes of Peter, Paul, and a host of other people. In the first paragraph of the introduction, Russ reminds us that Scripture was written in thrift. These chapters provide further historical context, human context, and content from other books of the Bible. With 28 chapters in Acts, the 31 chapters of this book almost go chapter by chapter. A key idea was how the gospel united people of different cities, races, religions, and views. Another idea was Paul's concern for the conscience of believers. The book finishes with the statement that we live between two advents.
Overall, a fantastic series that fulfilled Russ' stated goal of "capturing your imagination and serve your lifelong study of the Bible." I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Overall, a fantastic series that fulfilled Russ' stated goal of "capturing your imagination and serve your lifelong study of the Bible." I thoroughly enjoyed this.
July 13, 2018
I joined the launch team for these books without knowing much about the series but knowing that I love Russ's writing. This is the first of the 3 books that I read, and I jumped in right away honestly without much background.
At first, I felt as if I was reading a novel, except all of the characters and story line were Biblical. Thankfully ;) I figured out later that this was exactly Russ' intent! It was impossible to not be captured by the "action" of the story, but I was deeply struck by the clarity and consistency of the stories to the Scriptures. If you want to dig deep into the stories of the early church (as told in Acts) from an attainable narrative perspective, this book is for you!
At first, I felt as if I was reading a novel, except all of the characters and story line were Biblical. Thankfully ;) I figured out later that this was exactly Russ' intent! It was impossible to not be captured by the "action" of the story, but I was deeply struck by the clarity and consistency of the stories to the Scriptures. If you want to dig deep into the stories of the early church (as told in Acts) from an attainable narrative perspective, this book is for you!
July 11, 2018
This is the second book of Russ Ramsey’s series that I have read and I have really enjoyed them both. He writes in such a way that the stories come alive and stick with you. He takes the scriptures and masterfully weaves in historical context, what perspectives and feelings different characters may have been experiencing, and narrates it all so that the reader comes away with a better understanding of what it would have been like to live through these events. The book of Acts felt new and alive again. It is an amazing story after all! The Mission of the Body of Christ also made for an interesting Bible study reading this book and then looking up the passages in the Bible and now I’m looking forward to reading this with the whole family as well.
July 11, 2018
I have enjoyed Russ Ramsey's writing for years and this book is no exception. In his "Retelling the Stories" series, he once again engages the reader in entering the true stories of the Bible and enjoying them afresh. This section came alive for me: "For these early believers, Christ was the light by which they saw the world. Nothing made any sense apart from him. In the face of persecution, they prayed for Christ’s name to be glorified—for his light to shine brighter. ... They prayed that their passion would be stronger for his glory than for their comfort." Oh, that God would ignite such passion in His church today.
July 12, 2018
The Mission of the Body of Christ, a retelling of the book of Acts from the Bible, is a vibrant look at familiar stories. Russ Ramsey is a gifted writer who helps scripture come to life in a refreshing way. He approaches biblical events in a way that makes me rethink them and understand them better.
Whether you are familiar with the events of Acts or not, this book is a wonderful way to read about the spread of the early church through the Roman Empire. If you are looking for a fresh understanding of Acts or just an introduction to it, this book is an outstanding choice.
Whether you are familiar with the events of Acts or not, this book is a wonderful way to read about the spread of the early church through the Roman Empire. If you are looking for a fresh understanding of Acts or just an introduction to it, this book is an outstanding choice.
September 27, 2018
Russ draws us into the narrative told in the book of Acts. Using the text itself, historical research, and the power of his own storytelling, he makes the people and places come alive.
Russ writes with the voice of an intricate storytelling, weaving in the text of Acts along with other passages that expand the scope and depth of the story. It’s the kind of book I want to read out loud at bedtime and the kind of story I get sucked into during my morning reading. I’m finding myself understanding this familiar story in a new way; I’m learning and praising and praying all the way through it.
Russ writes with the voice of an intricate storytelling, weaving in the text of Acts along with other passages that expand the scope and depth of the story. It’s the kind of book I want to read out loud at bedtime and the kind of story I get sucked into during my morning reading. I’m finding myself understanding this familiar story in a new way; I’m learning and praising and praying all the way through it.
August 24, 2018
Loved it! This book had me laughing and crying at the same time over the wonderful Gospel. Gah! It really is Good News. Paul is so inspiring, and I love his single-minded purpose - that every last person would receive Jesus and enjoy His benefits.
And now to order my next Russ Ramsey book...
And now to order my next Russ Ramsey book...
November 4, 2021
Just like the previous two in the series, this is very well written, and I love the "color" Ramsey layers onto the Biblical narrative in terms of historical context and some plausible emotional context. I hope he'll keep writing!
July 6, 2025
A great look at the early church. This book is different in tone from the other two in the series. It offers good historical context and helped me consider sections of the New Testament in conversation with each other in an eye-opening way. His writing is always highly readable as well.
September 19, 2019
Excellent wrap up to Russ Ramsey's trilogy that encompasses the Bible in narrative form.
October 29, 2019
This series of books by Ramsey are incredible! Simply putting a book of the Bible into a story format. Loved the writing style and it stayed true to scripture.
November 28, 2019
It is just a summary of Acts, I was hoping for more than just paraphrasing.
March 16, 2023
A nice narrative. Enjoy the Advent one best.
November 6, 2023
I slow read this a chapter at a time, just like the other two.
Great retelling of the book of Acts. I recommend them all to get a fresh, narrative, yet faithful retelling of the Bible.
Great retelling of the book of Acts. I recommend them all to get a fresh, narrative, yet faithful retelling of the Bible.
August 11, 2020
A chronological story of the book of Acts, this book solidified a lot of my understanding of when events happened and how they came about. I enjoyed getting to know the heart of Saul / Paul.
May 4, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. Very well paced, exciting and easy to follow. Russ is a very talented writer! Looking forward to reading more of his work!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews