Do you have trouble keeping the journeys of Paul straight? Do you wonder about how Paul really got along with Peter? Exactly how did Luke come to join Paul on board ship and record the narratives of the church's birth? No matter if the answers to these questions are clear to you from reading Acts, you will want to watch the new ACTS videos. Seeing and hearing the action reveals much more than just reading.
But the authority of Scripture has not been lost in this enactment. The script is word for word from the Bible (NIV version), just as it was in Visual Bible's Matthew, released earlier last year. (Video 1 covers Acts 1:1-8:3; video 2 covers Acts 8:4-13:52; video 3 covers Acts 14-20; video 4 covers Acts 21-28).
The videos were filmed on location in Tunisia, Morocco, and South Africa with a cast of thousands. The costuming is historically accurate, and the photography is stunning in its colors and clarity of focus. Each video runs about 45 minutes.
Most of all, we experience the great sacrifices made by the first Christians. Seeing Paul face the Sanhedrin or bound in chains by the Romans makes us realize anew the price paid to make Christ's flame grow.
This reenactment is now available in audio (4 cassettes, total running time of 3 hours), which has particular benefit for the blind. It also calls more attention to the appropriate background music and gives an appreciation for Luke's incredible writing effort. Those who have seen the video may find the audio version too slow and lacking in action. For example, in the healing of the lame man at Lystra at the first of tape 3, excitement is lacking and we need to hear the crowd calling out and renaming Paul and Barnabas with the names of Greek gods.
Watch for a new video from Visual Entertainment in time for Easter --The Passion: The Last Twelve Days, hosted by Larnelle Harris. Whether you watch or listen to ACTS, be sure to keep your Bible nearby to read along. A memorable trip back to first-century Christendom is strong motivation for all of us.
Jay Graham is a reviewer in Greensboro, NC.
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