Author’s preface
Author’s preface
The richness of God’s Word is amazing. The book of Acts, in particular, is full of challenge, encouragement and comfort. In studying Acts I have been amazed again at God’s faithfulness, the kindness and power of the risen Lord Jesus, the enablement and transforming work of the Spirit sent by Jesus, and the privilege of receiving the good news of God’s saving grace in Christ. Although I hope this book may make some contribution to the academic study of Acts, my main goal is to help believers who read, teach or preach through the book of Acts to see Luke’s ‘framework’ of God’s kingdom and the reign of Christ more clearly and to rejoice in, be encouraged and reassured by, and proclaim the good news of God’s saving purposes in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
This book could not have been accomplished without the generosity and help of many. I wish to thank Geoff Harper, Michael Thate and especially my wife, Alayne, for reading through and offering helpful advice on earlier stages of this book, the Principal, David Cook, and Board of Sydney Missionary and Bible College for granting a sabbatical that enabled the book to be completed, the staff and research facilities at Tyndale House, Cambridge, for helping make the sabbatical both productive and enjoyable, and our girls, Deborah and Rebekah, for their joyful participation in our travels. I also wish to thank Don Carson for his advice and encouragement, and for accepting this book into the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, and Philip Duce and the staff at IVP for their help in the editorial process. This book is dedicated in memorium to Doug Hewlett in gratitude for his faithful teaching and godly example in bringing honour to the name of the Lord Jesus.
Alan J. Thompson