Turning the World Upside Down: Lessons for the Church from Acts 1–8 (Duguid)

Description

In their eagerness to share the gospel, modern churches can focus on the wrong things, such as political influence, attendance numbers, or ministry techniques. This is nothing new. In the book of Acts, even Jesus’s disciples wondered which of these earthly methods he would use to establish God’s kingdom. But Jesus taught his followers then—and continues to teach us today—how the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, will take the gospel to the nations.

In this accessible exposition of Acts 1–8, Iain Duguid explores the continuing work of Jesus after the ascension. Drawing practical lessons from the life of the early church, as well as his own 30 years as a church planter, Duguid encourages believers today toward gospel-driven, Spirit-filled mission. In a culture that is increasingly hostile toward Christianity, Turning the World Upside Down equips ordinary Christians to witness to the eternal power of the gospel.

• Edifying: Challenges believers to take seriously the Great Commission, and grow in their knowledge and love for the gospel and one another
• Comprehensive: Explores how believers can carry on God’s mission through the power of the Holy Spirit, faithful prayer, fellowship, and more
• A Great Resource for Small Groups, Sunday School Classes, or Individual Study

Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Mission Earth – Acts 1:1–11
Chapter 2: Waiting for God – Acts 1:12–26
Chapter 3: Power from on High – Acts 2:1–21
Chapter 4: The Heart of Good News – Acts 2:22–41
Chapter 5: New Life, New Lifestyles – Acts 2:42–47
Chapter 6: At the Name of Jesus – Acts 3
Chapter 7: Holy Boldness – Acts 4:1–31
Chapter 8: Don’t Get Caught Dead in Church – Acts 4:32–5:16
Chapter 9: Suffering with Joy – Acts 5:17–42
Chapter 10: The Gospel and the Poor – Acts 4:32–35; 6:1–7
Chapter 11: Preaching to the Deaf – Acts 6:8–7:60
Chapter 12: The Gospel Spreads – Acts 8:1–25
Chapter 13: An Open Doorway to God – Acts 8:26–40

General Index
Scripture Index

Endorsements

“Iain Duguid’s Turning the World Upside Down—based on the opening chapters of Acts—is a splendid gift to us from a writer who stands in the church’s best tradition of being both a professor and pastor. It skillfully combines interpretation of Scripture with clear and relevant applications. It is scholarly yet readable, simple yet enriching, enjoyable yet challenging, packed with expositions of the ‘there and then’ that help us see and feel their implications for the ‘here and now.’ Here is a book to help both the church and the individual Christian turn our world ‘upside down’ in order to turn it ‘the right way up.’”
—Sinclair B. Ferguson, Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; Teaching Fellow, Ligonier Ministries

“Though undergirded by Iain Duguid’s profound scriptural knowledge, Turning the World Upside Down is not a dense theological treatise on the important New Testament book of Acts. Rather, it walks through the story told in the first eight chapters, presenting its profound truths in a conversational way, making penetrating and personal applications at every step.”
—Nancy Guthrie, author, Saved: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Acts

“My colleague, friend, and former pastor Iain Duguid has dedicated his life to understanding the Scriptures at their full depth, teaching biblical truths in an understandable way, and growing healthy churches by developing godly leaders. This makes him the ideal pastor to do what he does so helpfully in Turning the World Upside Down: connect the story of the first church to the ministry needs and gospel opportunities of the church in today’s post-Christian, prerevival society.”
—Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College

About the Author

Iain M. Duguid (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. He has planted churches in England, California, and Pennsylvania. He is the author of numerous commentaries and articles.