Acts for Everyone, Part One: Chapters 1-12 by Tom Wright

Acts for Everyone, Part One: Chapters 1-12 Reviews

• 
  Neil R. Coulter

  N. T. Wright’s comments on the Acts of the Apostles help me see the deeper structure of Luke’s narrative. It’s not just a series of interesting stories (though it is that, too), but it’s a very skillfully crafted literary work. Wright’s choice to split the commentary into two volumes highlights this structure nicely. This first volume takes the story through the realization of Jesus’s charge to his followers to be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth” (1:8). That’s exactly the story, in that order, that Luke tells in chapters 1–12, and now all the pieces are set for the series of journeys and conflicts that will lead to Rome itself by the end of the book.
  
  I also appreciate Wright’s comforting and honest responses to some of the difficult questions that arise as we read Acts—in particular, the question of why James was executed and Peter was set free. Wright allows for the mystery of unsettling details in the story. To me, this gives Luke’s book more weight and truthfulness than if everything was obvious and easy.
• 
  Becky B

  Like the rest of the series, Acts for Everyone, Part 1 breaks down the Scripture being studied section by section. Starts off with Wright's translation of the passage into easily understood modern English. Then he tells a story that helps bring out one of the points of the passage, throws in any necessary historical, political or geographic background (there are nice maps of the ancient world throughout). And concludes with the main point of the passage for the original readers and application for today. Each of these sections is about 4-5 pages. So they're nice, readable, bite-size bits to chew on, especially for people on the go who don't have the time or energy to slog through more scholarly Bible commentaries on a regular basis. But just because it isn't per se "scholarly" writing, Wright can't help but let his deep wells of background research seep through. That is to say, though it is an easy read, it is not lacking in depth.
  
  I don't know how many times I've read and re-read the book of Acts or heard sermons from this book...let's just say lots, or maybe lots and lots. You would think that there'd be little room for new insights after so many years of revisits, but N.T. Wright (obviously with the help of the Holy Spirit) still managed to bring to light various things I had never thought of before or that had never jumped out of the texts. For example, the section on the passage where Peter is rescued from prison by an angel and then shows up at the house where the other believers are praying and gets left standing outside the door by the overexcited servant girl. Everyone finds the servant girl's excitement funny, but this was the first time I'd had anyone point out the irony going on with the rest of the believers. Here's a group of people who've seen tons of miracles and modern Christians seem to hold them up as shining examples; in the process, we sometimes forget their human faults. Like in this passage, they're praying for Peter's miraculous release, they get told by the servant girl he's standing at the door and what is there response? Not, "Of course, it's the answers to our prayers!" Nope, they say, "You're imagining things. It's impossible Peter's not in prison (even though that's the whole reason we're here praying)." The way these "super" believers themselves struggled to with faith and doubt was encouraging to me, but this was the first time I'd ever had that aspect of the story pointed out. And that's just one example of things I got out of this commentary. So even if you think you know Acts inside and out, you might be surprised by the ways God uses this to teach you new things.
• 
  Martijn Euyen

  Tom Wright neemt me mee in de eerste helft van het boek Handelingen. Met humor en een persoonlijke noot plaatst hij het boek handelingen inde context van het Oude Testament, de 1e eeuw na Christus en het heden van de kerk. Wright laat zien dat het in de Bijbel en dus ook het boek Handelingen gaat over God die door zijn zoon Jezus zijn redddingsplan voor de mensheid uitvoert.
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  Rebecca Davidson

  Always a big fan of Tom Wright!
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  Jeremy Manuel

  It always impresses me when acclaimed scholars can write in ways that non-academics can utilize and appreciate. N.T. Wright seems to be one of those scholars who can do just that. I don't exactly know how you'd classify this book. It's kind of like a commentary, but not really. It's a walk through the book of Acts that everyone can appreciate.
  
  The book is set-up one section of Acts at a time. Wright presents the text that he'll be working with and then presents almost a mini-sermon on it. He starts with a story or illustration on each section and then will work through the story of the passage. I found it very enjoyable and insightful. Wright also includes a glossary at the end of the book with definitions for terms that people may or may not know.
  
  While I enjoyed it quite a bit, there are some aspects of the book that could be viewed as potential negatives. First, this isn't an academic commentary. I'm not judging it as one and that's not its purpose. Even so I think it can hold its ground against a good number of official commentaries even though it's not really trying to be one. So go in understanding this.
  
  The second thing is connected to this first point. Wright doesn't really present any kind of references for any of his work. This is most likely because it is not trying to be an official commentary or an academic source, but for some that may be problematic. If you're familiar with the more academic work of Wright, then you probably aren't too worried about this, but I'll put it out there anyhow.
  
  Third, Wright's illustrations and stories are hit or miss. Personally, this didn't bug me because I was usually more interested in how he handled a certain passage rather than how he introduced it. Plus I think that is the nature of trying to take that approaching, coming up with that many illustrations for various sections of Acts would be hard to do in a consistent manner.
  
  Last, I find it rather weird that this is divided into two parts. Maybe there is a good reason for it, but I just found it kind of strange. Again this is not a big deal, but just something that I didn't really expect when I was looking for the book.
  
  Overall, I found this to be a useful little book. Personally I've found it very helpful as a resource when preparing a Bible study that I help lead at my church. I understand that there are some things people may take negatively about the volume and I find it's a little weird to be split into two parts. Despite that I still recommend this book highly. I think that everyone could find something of use in this look at Acts, even those who may want something a little more academic.
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  Lori

  Only read parts of the commentary as I used it as a study help for a Bible study on Acts 1-12. I don't think I will purchase the 2nd book Wright wrote for the last half of Acts as the first one was not as helpful as I had hoped. It is best suited for someone who wants a casual overview of the book, not in-depth commentary verse by verse.
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  Andy

  Easy to read and not too verbose. I enjoyed the personal narratives and application.
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  Lydia

  Covers the first twelve chapters of the book of Acts, breaking it down into sections and discussing the topics and principles of each section.

  Acts is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and I feel fairly familiar with it, but Mr. Wright's discussions helped me consider new aspects to the sections and dig deeper into the historical backgrounds as well as the principles of Acts weaving the whole book into an overarching "plot" and showing how it connects, reflects and builds on the story of the Bible as a whole. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in figuring out the story of God.

  Content notes: No language or sensuality issues. Acts does tell of some of the first Christian martyrs, with their deaths somewhat described; as well as various attacks and attempts to kill more Christians and other peoples' deaths; Mr. Wright doesn't focus on these, but doesn't ignore them either, generally giving more historical background for methods and meanings (what purpose governments of the time used certain deaths to punish), but not the gruesome details of the actual deaths.
• 
  Bob

  Whether this is the first you have read the Book of Acts or a later re-read, N.T. Wright's version provides guidance and comments following each short segment of Acts that help grow and solidify understanding of Acts. The provide a dimension and depth often missed in biblical reading.
  
  His coverage is insightful. It expands an understanding of Acts and is an avenue to additional understanding. His ideas and opinions are not always in exact agreement with other readers and theologians, but he is open about that. It encourages additional reading and study for those willing to consider further is contained in those pages.
• 
  Christine Ottaway

  Yet another excellent addition to the '.... for Everyone' series. Using these books to aid your reading of a New Testament book gives real insight and help in understanding the context and culture that these books were written in.
  
  I always feel I have a better understanding of the book, in this case, Acts than just by reading the book even in a Study Bible.
  
  My only regret that Dr Wright does not cover Old Testament books.
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  Jonathan

  Incredible guide to the first 12 chapters of the book of Acts! Although filled with stories and sharp illustrations (rather than footnotes), this book had me thinking with freshness about the 1st century Church as much as any academic book might have. Very helpful as I prepare a teaching on this Biblical book. Looking forward to the 2nd part!
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  Joy Carter

  So easy to read and understand. I love the format of the book. The verses are in the book. You simply read the verses, and then read Mr. Wright's explanation and thoughts on those verses. I have already purchased Acts Part 2 because I enjoyed and learned so much from Part 1. I was part of a women's Bible study group for this, and it was awesome. We did a chapter per week.
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  Alisa

  I put this book down for awhile to finish other reading. As I returned to it, I remembered why I love reading this “...for Everyone” series of commentaries by Wright. They are devotional. They are wonderfully accessible for laymen. And they make the people and times of Scripture come alive. I am so thankful for N. T. Wright.
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  Harriette

  Readable, conversational style. Each passage being commented on is included in the text, and words in bold are defined in the convenient glossary. New historical insights and practical applications are shared.
• 
  Matthew Bonzon

  This is fine.
  Wright often had a creative reading and explanation.
  I somewhat frequently didn’t come to the same conclusions as him. Nonetheless, in preaching, it could be helpful for illustrating the text.
• 
  Michael

  Really quite good!
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  Brent

  A nice introduction to the book of Acts. N.T. Wright's writting style is accessible and entertaing as well as informative.
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  Karen Crouch

  This is the first book in there series I have read and I'm pleased with how the author has made it so easy to understand and relate to the first part of Acts. I've started into Part 2.
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  Joelle

  Great supplemental commentary on Acts!
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  Terri D

  A great series.
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  Jeffrey N. Hora

  Excellent and highly readable translation and commentary on an action-packed book of the NT.