Acts is the sequel to Luke's gospel and tells the story of Jesus's followers during the 30 years after his death. It describes how the 12 apostles, formerly Jesus's disciples, spread the message of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean against a background of persecution. With an introduction by P.D. James

This is the most complete translation of the Acts of Paul in English, together with a detailed commentary. The orientation is primarily literary, with detailed attention to the history of composition and revision. Unlike many studies, this commentary does not focus upon the story of Thecla.

This is the first modern book, which studies the most important aspects of this early Christian treatise, of which especially the Acts of Thecla and the Martyrdom of Paul were immensely popular in the Christian Church from Armenia to Anglo-Saxon England. The volume studies (1) the readership of the Acts, (2) important themes such as the resurrection, possible gnostic elements, the role of women (with a detailed study of the Acts of Thecla), Paul's encounter with the lion, his physiognomy, the events after Paul's martyrdom, the relationship with the canonical Acts and the text of the famous Codex Bezae, parallels with the Old and New Testament, and (3) the popularity of Thecla in later times. The wealth of episodes and details in these Acts makes the book of great interest to church historians, ancient historians, students of the New Testament, early Christianity, the ancient novel and of Women's Studies.

Acts of Paul is a collection of early Christian traditions that were not included in the canonized Acts: the Acts of Paul and Thekla, 3 Corinthians, the Martyrdom of Paul, and other fabulous stories, such as Paul baptizing a lion. By the end of the second century, there was a rumor in North Africa that Acts of Paul had been fabricated by a presbyter in Asia Minor (Tertullian, De baptismo 17.5) and to this day, it is alleged that Acts of Paul is later than and inferior to the traditions preserved in Acts - historically, theologically, and otherwise. But what evidence is there for the composition and reception of Acts of Paul? In this study, Glenn E. Snyder critically examines Greek, Latin, and Coptic witnesses to Acts of Paul from the second to sixth centuries, with chapters on the independently circulating acts, extant collections, and other evidence for the formation of Acts of Paul.

Presented here are two volumes of apocryphal writings reflecting the life and time of the Old and New Testaments. Stories told by contemporary fiction writers of historical Bible times in fascinating and beautiful style.

JOHN W. MAUCK provides an exciting new way of understanding the Book of Acts. With great skill and powerful arguments, the author contends that Acts was written primarily to defend Paul for his forthcoming trial in Rome. After reading Mauck's volume, the read we will not only gain a fuller understanding of Acts, but also obtain rock-solid arguments for defending Christianity and understanding its Jewish roots. What's Inside: A fresh study of Acts as a legal "brief" Insights gained from understanding of Roman law Numerous Charts that outline Luke's "argument" Recorded speeches viewed as "witness testimony" A section-by-section review of all of Acts A powerful apologetic defending the claims of Christianity Endorsements: "The book is a terrific addition to any lawyer's library. It makes the Book of Acts come alive with new and useful insights." -- Samuel B. Casey, Executive Director, Christian Legal Society "It makes a constructive, fresh, and fascinating contribution to the understanding of Acts." -- Dr. Donald Hagner, Author of Matthew in WBC, Fuller Theological Seminary

"The Book of Acts depicts Paul as a commanding speaker to both Jewish and Greco-Roman audiences. Based on an analysis of five episodes of Acts, Arco den Heijer suggests that this depiction of Paul served to counter negative views of Christians in both Roman and Jewish circles."--