Acts - An Interpretive Paraphrase with Notes
It is no exaggeration to say that the Book of Acts is one of the most graphic and important writings in all literature. Rackham wrote: “To it we owe all we know of the spreading of Christianity in Asia Minor and Europe; of the original gospel preached by the apostles; of the life and work of S. Peter, S. Stephen, and (apart from the notices in his epistles) of S. Paul”.
It is more than “acts”, it also contains sermons and teaching. It is not a full history of the period it covers, but a selection of events revealing the main themes and tendences, the principles and passion, of that first generation of Christians in the world. This is both its charm and value. Each new page flames with some surprise, and one if held in suspense to the end— and then left to dream dreams of all that has been recorded— and of all that followed after.
The original manuscripts have different titles. Some have called it “The Work of the Risen Lord Through the Apostles”, others “The Acts of the Holy Spirit”. It does present the Lord and the Spirit in action through the Apostles.
This brief study guide is a digest of a larger work done on Acts years ago. It is not intended for the scholar, but the busy pastor and laymen. No claim is made for originality or finality. I have sought to deal with the main themes and difficult passages. Those sections that were clear without lengthy interpretation I have dealt with lightly. Where key Greek words appear I have put them into English characters and explained them.
I am grateful to friends who have suggested what to include and what to omit. I am thankful to Mrs. Debbie Mays for doing the word-processing and typing. I will ever be in debt to the many prayer partners whose gifts make possible my ministry.
SOLI DEO GLORIA
John Bob Riddle
Birmingham, Alabama
Additional Details
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John Bob Riddle, DDS
Dr. John Bob Riddle (1924 – 2012) was a beloved expositor, Bible scholar, pastor and teacher for over sixty years. Often called the Prince of Preachers by his admirers, Dr. Riddle was a friend and contemporary of such men as W. A. Criswell, R. G. Lee, Vance Havner and J. Vernon McGee, appearing often with these giants in Bible conferences and other speaking venues. As both a scholar and pastor Dr. Riddle’s dream was to translate the entire New Testament from the most reliable and authentic original Greek sources into conversational English without losing any of the impact of the original language. Prior to his death in 2012 he had completed 20 such “Study Guides,” several with his son, Dr. Bob Riddle, President of Pastorsworkshop. Several of the “Study Guides” offered through Pastorsworkshop have the original teaching notes in the margins. These have been preserved for the readers’ benefit.
Though a beloved pastor/teacher, Dr. Riddle’s passion was teaching the deep truths of Scripture to other pastors, many of whom lacked the opportunity for higher education or the ability to study Scripture in the original languages. That legacy is now continued through the distribution of his life’s work through the Pastorsworkshop and its global outreach.
