Are you looking for a personal bible study or something for your small group?
As fall approaches we're on the lookout for materials to gather us around the Word, and if you've been thinking about the book of Acts, Saved: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Acts by Nancy Guthrie should be added to your list!
Saved: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Acts | Book Review
Content
My Take: The Spirit at Work Through the Word
Content
Purpose of the Book
Nancy journeys through the book of Acts, exploring themes, narratives of the lives of the apostles after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, and the work of the Spirit empowering the Word to spread. Salvation is the promise of Scripture and we see how the Lord is working this out.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part 1: Salvation in Jerusalem
Chapter 1: You Will Be My Witnesses (1:1–26)
Chapter 2: I Will Pour Out My Spirit (2:1–47)
Chapter 3: In Jesus the Resurrection from the Dead (3:1–4:31)
Chapter 4: You Will Not Be Able to Overthrow Them (4:32–5:42)
Chapter 5: The Most High Does Not Dwell in Houses Made with Hands (6:1–7:60)
Part 2: Salvation to Judea and Samaria
Chapter 6: They Were All Scattered (8:2–40)
Chapter 7: God’s Chosen Instrument (9:1–31)
Chapter 8: What God Has Made Clean (9:32–11:18)
Chapter 9: The Hand of the Lord Was with Them (11:19–12:25)
Part 3: Salvation to the Ends of the Earth
Chapter 10: All That God Had Done with Them (13:1–14:28)
Chapter 11: Saved through the Grace of the Lord Jesus (15:1–16:5)
Chapter 12: There Is Another King, Jesus (16:6–17:9)
Chapter 13: I Have Many in This City Who Are My People (17:10–18:22)
Chapter 14: The Word Continued to Increase and Prevail Mightily (18:23–20:38)
Chapter 15: Paul Resolved in His Spirit to Go to Jerusalem (21:1–23:35)
Chapter 16: So I Always Take Pains to Have a Clear Conscience toward God and Man (24:1–26:32)
Chapter 17: It Will Be Exactly as I Have Been Told (27:1–28:30)
Summary
The book goes step by step through Acts and how God is working out his promise of salvation.
She summarizes Acts in this way: “The enthroned Lord Jesus is at work by his Spirit, through the apostles, who are preaching the Word and taking the gospel to every nation and it is accomplishing its intended purpose—people are being saved.”
My Take: The Spirit at Work Through the Word
"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news" (Rom. 10:15)
The book of Acts challenges and inspires us as we learn how the disciples respond to the commission of Christ. We're encouraged by their boldness to preach the gospel, astonished at the thousands who come to believe, and convicted by their courage in face of persecution.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the good news goes to the nations.
Sharing the gospel message is our obedient response to God's work in our own lives, to love and care for those in our circles (and outside) who are floundering in darkness without the Light of the world to guide them.
In The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer describes the good news this way:
The gospel message embodies three distinct elements: an announcement, a command, and a call. It announces the good news of redemption accomplished in mercy; it commands all men everywhere to repent and it calls all men to surrender to the terms of grace by believing on Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
What a beautiful, succinct summary: an announcement, a command and a call. It's a message inviting a response. Yet, a response of surrender requires a movement of God in their heart, a softening, a prodding, an inkling to open their spiritual eyes to understanding.
I remember humid days under a mango tree along the east African coast receiving the deer-in-the-headlights looks, other times angry, hostile words, some polite nods, and the one who actually got up and ran away.
Discouragement abounds.
But I remembered it isn't my work to save people, salvation is in the sovereign hands of God who, by his Spirit, unveils the truth to those unseeing. This is both comforting and compelling, because walking in faithfulness, growing in our love and knowledge of God propels us to get the good news out into the world and trust the Lord will bring fruit to bear.
May this truth firmly root us in our obedient responses as we make the person and work of Christ known to those we encounter today.
My Recommendation
If you’re studying the book of Acts, this will make an excellent companion to your reading. It’s easy to read and follow as she highlights themes and context.
There’s a personal bible study workbook available, as well as a leader’s guide, and video sessions (Find them HERE) so you can go through with your bible study group.
Quick Stats
# of Pages: 304
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 4 stars
[LISTEN] More From the Author
Here's a new podcast season with Nancy Guthrie as she journeys through the book of Acts. This first episode of season 2 introduces the book and theme of salvation. (Season 1 is on the book of Revelation).
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Scriptures About Salvation in the Book of Acts
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family (Acts 16:30-33).
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Acts 13:47)
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:21)
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*A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review!
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