Acts: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible) by Justin S. Holcomb
We had this book in our church lobby, so we could check out the series. Since I was reading Acts, and had some questions, I looked through this book to see if the author dealt with the troublesome section. In particular, I was baffled, why Stephen, in Acts 6 and 7, gave a long historical narrative of Israel. I just didn't see why Stephen gave that lecture.
So, turning to "Week 5: Stephen," I discovered that Dr. Holcomb knew the answer! In the section, "Christ and the Whole Old Testament," the author explains that Stephen was refuting the false notion that Christianity was some thing totally apart from Moses and the Old Testament. Stephen was showing how Jesus was the fulfillment of all Jewish history. That is, Christianity was not some new, disconnected religion. And just as Israel of days gone by rejected the prophets, the current leaders of Israel were just as hostile and hard-hearted.
Dr. Holcomb brings a lot of scholarship to this little study guide. I am impressed by this book. And I learned something really important!
Of course, the study guide includes lots of study questions. But I really like the "big picture" that the author brings to this book.
I put the study guide right next to my Bible. The next time I have a meaty question, I am seeing what Justin Holcomb has to say about the subject!
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