Acts

Craig S. Keener (Author), Robert P. Menzies (Author), Holly Beers (Series Editor), Craig Keener (Series Editor) Part of Word and Spirit Commentary on the New Testament Series Release Date: 8/19/25

Overview

The Spirit who inspired the authors of the New Testament is at work today around the globe, as evidenced by the explosive growth of pentecostal, charismatic, and renewalist movements; the number of adherents is now estimated at more than half a billion. There is a clear need for a balanced, affordable, and accessible commentary series aimed at Christians who identify as Spirit-filled.

The Word and Spirit Commentary on the New Testament series emphasizes how we listen alongside ancient audiences for the Spirit's voice in our time and contexts. Written by pastorally sensitive biblical scholars from the Spirit-filled tradition, these commentaries explore how God works in the biblical texts and how Christians can expect God to work today, even if in new or culturally surprising ways. Series editors are Holly Beers, Westmont College, and Craig S. Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary.

In this addition to the series, respected New Testament scholars Craig Keener and Robert Menzies engage Acts in its ancient setting and explore its message for Spirit-filled Christians today. Images, illustrations, and sidebars on pentecostal/charismatic/revival history or insights are included.

Authors

Craig S. Keener

Craig S. Keener (Ph.D., Duke University) is F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is author of 37 books, 5 of which have won awards in Christianity Today. More than a million copies of his books are in circulation; the most popular is The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, which provides cultural background on each passage of the New Testament. Craig is also the New Testament editor for the NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, which won the International Book Award for Christianity and Bible of the year in the Christian Book Awards. Craig is editor of the Bulletin for Biblical Research and is past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Craig's wife, Dr. Médine Moussounga Keener, was a refugee in her home country of Congo; their story appears in Impossible Love: The True Story of an African Civil War, Miracles, and Hope against All Odds (Chosen, 2016). His blog site is www.craigkeener.com.

Robert P. Menzies

Robert P. Menzies (PhD, University of Aberdeen) has lived in East Asia for most of the past three decades and serves as director of the Asian Center for Pentecostal Theology. His books include Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal Experience and Empowered for Witness: The Spirit in Luke-Acts.