FULL LIFE BIBLE COMMENTARY TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

Here’s a detailed summary of the Full Life Bible Commentary to the New Testament, edited by French L. Arrington and Roger Stronstad — a major work in Pentecostal biblical scholarship:

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📖 Overview

The Full Life Bible Commentary to the New Testament (Zondervan, 1999) is a comprehensive, Spirit-filled commentary that explains every book of the New Testament from a Pentecostal and evangelical perspective.
It is designed as a companion to the Full Life Study Bible (later renamed Life in the Spirit Study Bible), emphasizing both academic depth and spiritual application.

The commentary contains contributions from multiple scholars, with Dr. French L. Arrington serving as general editor and primary contributor. It reflects the Pentecostal approach to biblical interpretation—rooted in faith, empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the continuity of spiritual gifts within the church.

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✝️ Central Themes

1. The Centrality of Christ
Every New Testament book is interpreted in light of the person and work of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the revelation of God’s plan of salvation.

2. The Work of the Holy Spirit
True to Pentecostal tradition, the commentary highlights the active role of the Holy Spirit—inspiration, regeneration, empowerment, sanctification, and continuation of the Spirit’s gifts in the church.

3. Faith and Experience
The text bridges academic exegesis with spiritual experience, insisting that proper interpretation of Scripture leads to a deeper relationship with God and active Christian living.

4. The Church’s Mission
A recurring theme is the church’s calling to continue Christ’s ministry through Spirit-empowered witness, echoing Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

5. Ethics and Holiness
Moral transformation and holiness of life are seen as the natural fruits of Spirit-led faith. Ethical instructions in the epistles are read as applications of life “in Christ.”

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📚 Structure and Coverage

The commentary is organized book by book and covers the entire New Testament canon:

🕊 The Gospels

• Emphasizes the life, miracles, and teachings of Jesus as both historical and theological revelation.

• Notes how each Gospel writer presents a distinctive view of Christ:

• Matthew: Jesus as Messiah and fulfillment of prophecy.

• Mark: Jesus as suffering servant and Son of God.

• Luke: Jesus as compassionate Savior and bringer of the Spirit.

• John: Jesus as the divine Word (Logos) revealing the Father.

🕎 Acts of the Apostles

• The heart of the Pentecostal message.

• Strong focus on baptism in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and the continuation of apostolic signs and wonders.

• The Church is portrayed as a Spirit-driven missionary movement.

📜 Pauline Epistles

• Detailed exposition of Paul’s theology—justification by faith, life in the Spirit, and unity of the Church.

• Emphasizes Paul’s teaching on the gifts of the Spirit, particularly 1 Corinthians 12–14.

• Interprets sanctification and holiness as an ongoing work of the Spirit in believers.

🕊 General Epistles (Hebrews–Jude)

• Presents faith, endurance, and moral integrity as central marks of Spirit-filled discipleship.

• Highlights Hebrews as portraying Christ as the perfect High Priest and mediator of a new covenant.

🌟 Revelation

• Offers a futurist and premillennial interpretation.

• Sees Revelation as a message of hope and triumph: the victory of Christ over evil, the establishment of God’s Kingdom, and the renewal of creation.

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🧭 Method and Style

• Readable yet scholarly: avoids overly technical language, making it accessible for pastors, teachers, and lay readers.

• Devotional tone: each section encourages faith, prayer, and Spirit-empowered living.

• Biblically conservative: upholds the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture.

• Hermeneutical balance: blends grammatical-historical analysis with theological reflection guided by the Holy Spirit.

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🔍 Purpose and Audience

The Full Life Bible Commentary aims to:

• Provide clear exposition of the New Testament for Spirit-filled believers.

• Support preaching, teaching, and Bible study.

• Encourage Pentecostal identity within global Christianity.

• Equip readers to apply biblical truths under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Its audience includes:

• Pastors and ministry students.

• Bible study leaders and Sunday-school teachers.

• Devout laypersons seeking deeper understanding of Scripture.

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🪔 Summary in One Line

“A comprehensive New Testament commentary that unites Spirit-filled theology with faithful exegesis—helping believers understand, experience, and live out the Word of God.”