Acts Made Actual
For many years the standard commentary on the Book of Acts has been the New Commentary on Acts of Apostles, by J. W. McGarvey. Which work is yet unsurpassed in its treatment of the sacred history of the church from the standpoint of accuracy and as a commentary. However, the public has now been given a new work of the Book of Acts called, "Acts Made Actual," by Don DeWelt, published by the College Press, Joplin, Missouri, which is more than merely a commentary. .Many brethren have needed for years a practical aid in teaching the Bible. This need is to a large degree supplied in this book, Acts Made Actual, This work is in fact three books in one: Do you need a commentary? This is a good one, conservative and reasonably accurate. (Several matters in which we dissent will be pointed out later.) Do you need something in the way of a workbook? This is the answer to your needs. Do you need a Teaching Manual to guide you in a systematic method of studying and teaching the book? We have not seen a better one than the book under consideration.
An Outline
One of the finest ways of studying the Bible is to obtain a bird's eye view of the section which you wish to study or teach. Acts Made Actual has an exhaustive outline providing such a view of the book of Acts which is eleven pages in length. After reading the text from the Bible, one should then have the outline given in front of this book by DeWelt. If you are planning to study the book of Acts, you will find this outline particularly helpful when you begin to discuss the evangelistic journeys of Paul.
Questions
The asking of questions is one of the most effective of teaching methods. Yet the average Bible class teacher is not able to formulate the most effective and profitable questions for his class. This is a particularly valuable feature of Acts Made Actual At the bottom of each page there are pertinent questions covering the material on that page for the person studying for private edification, or for the teacher in preparation for his class. The 1026 questions in the book demonstrate DeWelt's adeptness at forming excellent questions. In addition to this, there is an addenda called, "Questions on the Acts of the Apostles," by Albert Barnes. This is the first place we have seen this work. The title expresses just what it is — literally thousands of questions on the book of Acts. Barnes treats the entire sacred history, taking it up chapter by chapter and verse by verse, in questions only. After looking over this section you will agree that Barnes "wrings every verse dry." This section by Barnes is priceless.
Examinations
If your class is relatively small, and especially if your class is of the ages between Junior High School and College age, you will find the eight examinations provided at intervals in the book very profitable. The exams contain True and False, Multiple Choice, Fill in Blanks Finding Mistakes in a given paragraph, Affirm or Deny and Tell the Reason Why, etc. These examinations have been used by DeWelt in class at the Ozark Bible College, of which he is president. They will prove helpful in your private study of the book of Acts.
The Holy Spirit
In the back of Acts Made Actual there is a "Special Study On The Holy Spirit." You will very likely not agree with everything the author says, but you will agree that it is a very stimulating study of the subject. DeWelt discusses such vital themes as "The Personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit in the Life of Christ, The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Special Gifts of the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit and the Christian.
Reservations
As we said before, we do not agree with every position taken, nor every view expressed in the book. Indeed this can hardly be done with any uninspired work. We recommend the book highly, with the faith that the reader will have the willingness and the ability to read and think for himself, weighing the book carefully with the entire Book of God. In several instances we dissent from the position taken by DeWelt. For example, in Acts chapter 8, he says of Simon the Sorcerer, that "He was doubtless afraid and remorseful but not willing to forsake sin." Such a charge against Simon is certainly an assumption which the Bible does not set forth. Also, in Acts chapter 11, concerning the dearth in Judea, and the assistance given, he says of the brethren in Antioch, "They took up a free will offering for the brethren in Judea and sent it by the hands of Barnabas and Saul to the elders of the Jerusalem church." This, too, is an unwarranted position, and unsustained by the New Testament. The contribution was sent to the elders of the churches where the need was — in Judea. Others might be given, but these two instances will serve as an admonition for you to think and study as you read and use this book, Acts Made Actual.
Acts Made Actual can be obtained from the Gospel Guardian Company, Box 470, Lufkin, Texas, for $4.95. Order it today. You will be glad you did.
— 1102 N. Mound, Nacogdoches, Texas