There was no doubt that Saved by Nancy Guthrie would be a great read. She's an intelligent woman who loves the Lord and His word. What a gift it is to be able to learn from her. Each chapter helped grow my understanding of Acts. Just as Blessed did for Revelation.
I also find it helpful that she has a podcast to discuss scripture with scholars. She makes concepts reachable for laywomen.

*I received this dARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my review.

Nancy Guthrie guides readers into a robust understanding of what it means to be saved, and since Luke uses the word or some form of it twenty-one times, he’s clearly interested in challenging his readers to open our eyes to all the ways God is working out his salvation purposes in our own unique stories. Guthrie begins each chapter with a compelling hook, dives into a manageable chunk of Luke’s story, and then captures the implications for present-day believers. I especially appreciated her skillful connection of Old Testament themes that have been picked up and carried forward in Acts.

For those of us trusting for Spirit-motivated obedience in our walk with God, the book of Acts is both a kick in the seat of the pants and a reassuring hand on the shoulder. Like Jesus’s New Testament witnesses, we can be assured that Jesus is active in our lives enabling us to:
*boldly speak the name of Jesus
*give generously toward the needs of others
*carry his name to people who are still spiritually blind
*reject pride, exclusivity, and ethnic superiority
*practice wisdom in evaluating disagreements within the church
*submit to the decrees of King Jesus
*receive the deep and lasting impression of the word of God
*reject self-preservation and follow Jesus wherever he leads
*desire holiness and a clear conscience
*trust that God’s purposes will be accomplished

More than any other resource on the book of Acts, Saved has pointed my heart’s affection and my mind’s attention to the big picture story that God’s glory will indeed reach the ends of the earth. He will accomplish the work of salvation, all his promises will be fulfilled, and we are honored to cooperate with him in his great work.

Nancy Guthrie has such a gift for expounding the Scriptures, making connections with other passages & cultural context. This journey through the book of Acts is so helpful in getting a better framework for reading & understanding this book. It also shows just how pivotal this book is to the whole of Scripture & Christianity.

A big 'thank you' to NetGalley and Crossway for an advanced read copy of this book!

I've completed several studies by Nancy Guthrie over the years and appreciate the Biblical wisdom she shares in her books. I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this book at the same time I was engaging in a personal study of the book of Acts. This book was a welcomed resource to my personal devotion time. Nancy's summery of Acts paired beautifully with my bible study and the commentary I used. I love how each of her chapters wraps up with implications for your life that are grounded in Biblical truths.

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

Purpose of the Book

Table of Contents

Summary

My Take: The Spirit at Work Through the Word

My Recommendation

Quick Stats

More Like This

Scriptures About Salvation

Follow Along


quote from Saved by Nancy Guthrie

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.”


quote from Saved by Nancy Guthrie

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.


quote from Saved by Nancy Guthrie

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


quote from Saved by Nancy Guthrie

[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).




More Like This





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)

Follow Along

*A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review!

Nancy Guthrie took me on a journey through the second part of Luke’s writing. The apostle presented Jesus’ birth narrative, ministry, death, and resurrection in the book bearing his name. Luke gives an account of the continuing story after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven in Acts and what happened when the third person of the triune God descended on His people. She gave a straight-forward, expository reading of the book of Acts in her Bible study. She also provided historical background and commentaries she referenced as she demonstrated how Acts fits into the bigger picture of God’s rescue plan for His people. Her companion book, Saved Personal Bible Study, will publish on Aug. 27, 2024 and have added questions and lessons for individual or small group study.

Nancy said, “The book of Acts is set within the larger story of the outworking of God’s plan to save for himself a people from every nation—the story that runs from Genesis to Revelation.” Let’s start first with the end of Luke's ch. 24. Jesus opened the minds of His disciples to understand everything written about Him in the Law of Moses, as well as the prophets and psalmists. Those 40 days after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1) became a time of preparation for the apostles. Jesus gave them a key message to use when they spoke to first the Jews and then Gentiles in Luke 24: 46-68, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

Nancy chose to organize this study into three parts based where Jesus sent His disciples to share the Gospel: Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:7-9) She also organized this study by what the third-century church might have been thinking when they named the book “Acts.”

The Acts of the 12 Apostles
Nancy said Acts is about the actions of Jesus’ chosen twelve as the Holy Spirit leads them to carry out the great commission. (Matthew 28: 16-20). The divinely called apostles of Christ were those who witnessed His death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus used his chosen twelve to continue His ministry. (John 15: 26-27) Luke focuses on Peter’s ministry in the first half. In Acts 9, God added Saul after he meets Jesus on the road to Damascus. In the second half of Acts, Luke focuses on Paul’s conversion and ministry. Paul included in his compelling testimony about the fact he had been a Pharisee who hunted down and killed people of the Way, seen then as a sect of Jews. And then Paul would tell them about his miraculous encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus that changed the course of his life. Luke provides an account of other times Christ shows up to speak with Paul. Paul must make it to Rome. The Lord meets with him to encourage him to press on and not fear (Acts 23: 11 ), and He also sends an angel of the Lord while Paul is journeying to see Caesar while on a doomed ship on stormy seas (Acts 27: 24).

The Actions of the Holy Spirit
The book of Acts is about the actions of the promised Holy Spirit. John the Baptist, a forerunner of Christ, told his followers in Luke 3:16, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Jesus told the disciples that He would provide a Helper. (John 14:15-17) Before He ascended to Heaven, Jesus told the disciples to wait for this Helper, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s descent and indwelling is central to this book, Nancy said. On the day of Pentecost, 120 believers were in the upper room when the Holy Spirit rushed in like a mighty wind. Tongues of fire rested on each believer. (Acts 2:1-4)

The Holy Spirit enabled these “largely uneducated Galileans” to speak foreign languages. Nancy said. People from other nations dwelt in Jerusalem and heard the sound of the wind and marveled over what they heard: the full Gospel in their native tongue. But some scoffed and thought those testifying were drunk. Peter used this moment to tell them about the Messiah and how they crucified Him. Nancy said the Jews were “cut to the heart” when they heard this and wanted to know what to do. Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.”(Acts 2: 38-39)

Thousands came to Christ. The Gospel message spread like a wildfire. (Acts 2) They baptized people in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just as before, the new believers received the promised Holy Spirit. They showed the same outward signs as the 120 believers on the day of Pentecost.

Nancy wanted readers to keep the theme of “tongues” in mind while studying Acts. Luke made sure to add “filled in the Spirit” as he gave an account of all that was spoken on the journey to every nation. The Spirit of Jesus speaks through God’s people then and now to share the good news about the kingdom of God.

The Actions of the Enthroned Jesus
The book of Acts is also about the actions of the “enthroned Jesus.” Luke doesn’t transition from Jesus’ ministry to the disciple’s ministry. Jesus Christ is alive and at the center of the action, Nancy said. In fact, the apostles didn’t make a move until the Spirit told them to move. Nancy said they often planned out their journey, but sometimes Jesus would step in and tell them not to go to certain places. An example of this is found in Acts 16:6-10. His Spirit is at work within His apostles. The apostles also heal people in Jesus’ name.

Opposition to the Gospel followed the apostles as they made the journey. The Pharisees didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah, and the Sadducees took issue with Christ’s resurrection since they didn’t believe in life after death. These bold men of faith would face the same chief priests who condemned Jesus Christ to die on the cross. They experienced the same persecution Christ suffered. Nancy pointed out the places in Luke’s account where the apostles also experienced the same events Christ encountered during his time on earth.

Nancy wished to show believers today how the Holy Spirit acted through those first believers to renew a desire within each one to boldly reach others for Christ. While the early acts of the Holy Spirit are unique to that time, the same power of the Spirit is at work in us. He helps us pray, obey Christ, and proclaim the Gospel. (Acts 16:31) The Spirit uses Scripture to “cut to the heart” of each person God calls to Him, and He helps us read God’s Word. The book of Acts in particular provides a number of examples for us to follow on how to tell others about Jesus.

My Review
I noticed Nancy sometimes veered from talking about textual facts to imagining what people might have been thinking and feeling. I counted at least 75 “perhaps,” 22 maybes, 10 “I wonders” about thoughts and behavior. Sometimes I disagreed with what she interpreted. That's kind of the issue we have though with English translations of the Bible. I have no problem imagining how these people thought and felt, but I don't think we can definitely say for sure unless the Scripture writers tell us.

Nancy talked about Christians who put themselves in harm’s way to tell others about Jesus. She said personal safety has become an accepted idol for many of us. We’d rather be safe and secure than advance the Gospel. That’s probably true to some extent; however, I thought God called people to different assignments. He places the desire in the hearts of those He calls. He will equip us, just like His chosen apostles.

Salvation in the Old Testament was but a shadow of what Jesus did for us, Nancy said. God is actively pursuing us, not sitting back and hoping people find Him. We should think of saving faith in Jesus like this: “I am saved. I am being saved. And I will be saved.” I enjoyed reading about those supernatural moments experienced in Acts. The Spirit carried Philip away after he finished talking to the Ethiopian eunuch about Isaiah, confirming his status as God’s representative. (Acts 8:26-40) Peter slept chained to two guards in jail one moment, and another moment is led out by an angel, not leaving a trace of how that happened. (Acts 12: 6-19) Paul and Silas are in prison when a great earthquake opens the doors, and everyone’s shackles are unfastened. The guard panics and is about to commit suicide, thinking the prisoners escaped on his watch. Better that than to face humiliation and a painful, Roman death. Paul and Silas assure him they are all still with him, and the jailer wants to know how to be saved.

I think I would use this book as a jumping off point, but not as the only source when studying the Book of Acts. She has solid information in here and she did answer questions I had after reading each chapter of Acts.

First sentence: If you think about it, Acts is kind of a funny name for a book, isn't it? It immediately raises the question, "Whose acts? what acts?"

Saved is a commentary for the book of Acts by Nancy Guthrie. It is more detailed than a general, broad overview. It is not thorough, however. IF by thorough you mean it covers (in a commentary style, method) verse by verse, chapter by chapter. There are seventeen chapters that cover twenty-eight chapters of Acts.

It definitely provides a good, basic overview or outline of the book of Acts. You do pick up on recurring themes and significant, key passages. The 'lens' through which Acts is viewed is SALVATION and what it means to be saved, to live saved, to walk that 'saved' life. Salvation has a "now what?" element to it. Salvation changes, transforms, etc.

This blends devotional elements into the commentary, HOWEVER, it isn't a traditional devotional OR a traditional commentary. If you are looking for something less-blended, and more strictly one or the other, this might disappoint.

This book was so easy to read and flowed so nicely as Nancy Guthrie took the readers through Acts. She made this so easy to understand that it could be used for middle school and up. Once you started, it was very hard to put down because she made the stories so easy to understand with incredible background and detail and the Bible text. This is a great book for morning Bible study as you read the Book of Acts.

One thing I really liked and appreciated about this book was how organized it was. She would quote a passage and then talk about it from every angle, almost like you were in the story watching this all happen with Luke. The stories about Paul and his travels were described so well and so much context to understand what Paul was doing, the risk he put himself in for the sake of Jesus, and the mission that Jesus told his disciples to go to the ends of the earth with this gospel message. My understanding of Acts has deepened tremendously by reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crossway Publishing for the advance copy to review, which has my honest impressions.

Nancy Guthrie is an excellent Bible teacher, and her latest book is no exception. Saved: Experiencing the Promise of God in the Book of Acts is a high level, expository overview of the book of Acts. In the same vein as her other studies, this book really dials in to finding Jesus in the body of the work; and for the book of Acts, which is primarily describing the building of the early church and Paul’s missionary journeys, the reframe is particularly refreshing and thought provoking.

This book would be so helpful done as a group study with time for discussion. Unlike some of her other Bible study books, there are no discussion questions at the end of each chapter; however, the content lends itself to discussion in a group setting. I really enjoyed this commentary.

I’d like to thank Crossway and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nancy Guthrie is one of those authors I trust, and this new book she wrote on the book of Acts didn’t disappoint. Saved – Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Acts by Nancy Guthrie is a book that will help you read through the book of Acts, and learn more of the history and meaning behind what the apostle’s were doing at that time, the importance of the Holy Spirit, and along with helping the reader understand the conflict the Jewish had with the Gentiles. Nancy is a great writer and also explains things to help make it easy to understand and apply.

She stated another title or explanation of the book of Acts is: “The enthroned Lord Jesus is at work by his Spirit through his apostles who are preaching the word, taking the gospel to every nation, and it is accomplishing its intended purpose: people are being saved.”

This is also a timely book for me, as our Sunday school class is studying through the book of Acts.

Here are a few highlights from the book I found helpful:

“He works through His Word. It is usually slow rather than instant. It is more often ordinary rather than dramatic.“

“Our role is to proclaim what these witnesses saw and heard and were taught from the Scriptures. We are to proclaim the gospel according to the apostles as recorded in the New Testament. We are to hold fast to the gospel they proclaimed rather than embellish or alter it. And in the same way, they were dependent on the Holy Spirit to make their witness effective, so we are to be completely dependent on the Holy Spirit…“

“Why would Jesus specifically choose twelve to be named as apostles? Israel as a nation had been built on the foundation of the twelve tribes of Israel. To be a part of God’s people was to be connected to these twelve tribes.”

“The people of Israel thought of themselves as the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, the nation through whom all the Families on the earth would be blessed. But Peter says no, this blessing comes through Jesus, the true Israelite.”

“They’re not depressed about the increased violence against them. They’re rejoicing. They’re not wondering if speaking of Jesus is going to be worth what it may cost them. They’ve done the math and are happy to be “counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

There is more I could share because Nancy is great at explaining, and she uses the Scriptures to explain. So yes, while we are learning about and reading Acts, she is also sharing many other parts of the Bible too that help with putting it all together.

This would be a great book to use as a resource as you study the book of Acts and also with others. Nancy offers a study guide to go along with this and helpful tips on how to use the book. I always find I get more out of a book when I study it with others, so I highly encourage the reader to do that.

Absolutely beautiful book! I loved it. I was very engulfed from the first chapter. Wonderfully done.