Believers Church Bible Commentary

The Believers Church Bible Commentary (BCBC) series is a cooperative project of Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren Church, Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. The BCBC series represents the Anabaptist believers church tradition as a key perspective for interpretation, providing a readable series of commentaries for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today—Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers.

The BCBC series is published for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today. The series is based on the conviction that God is still speaking to all who will listen, and that the Holy Spirit makes the Word a living and authoritative guide for all who want to know and do God’s will. Each volume illuminates the Scriptures; provides historical and cultural background; shares necessary theological, sociological, and ethical meanings; and, in general, makes “the rough places plain.” Critical issues are not avoided, but neither are they moved into the foreground as debates among scholars. The series aids in the interpretive process, but it does not attempt to supersede the authority of the Word and Spirit as discerned in the gathered church.

The commentaries are organized into sections according to the major divisions of the text. Each section comprises five parts: (1) an introductory preview, (2) a summary outline of the section, (3) explanatory notes, (4) the text in its biblical context, and (5) the text in the life of the church. The two focused articles at the end of each chapter, “The Text in Biblical Context” and “The Text in the Life of the Church,” are unique features of this series. Especially in the latter, believers church perspectives come through clearly. These include believers baptism, commitment to the Rule of Christ (Matthew 18:15-20) as part of the meaning of church membership, belief in the power of love in all relationships, and a willingness to follow the way of the cross of Christ. There are comprehensive outlines, biographical aids, helpful charts, indexes, maps, glossaries, and essays on points that need further development.

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Editorial Council:

• David W. Baker, Brethren Church
• Derek Suderman, Mennonite Church Canada
• Christina Bucher, Church of the Brethren
• John Yeatts, Brethren in Christ Church
• Gordon H. Matties (Chair), Mennonite Brethren Church
• Jo-Ann Brant, Mennonite Church USA

Old Testament Editor: Douglas B. Miller
New Testament Editor: Loren Johns