Acts of the Apostles (NT)

Bible Commentaries on the Book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles)

The Book of Acts (also known as “The Acts of the Apostles”) is uniquely significant among the New Testament books because it provides the historical framework for the first 30 years after the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ. If you know Acts, you have “hooks” on which to hang most of the rest of the New Testament books. It provides accounts of the conversion of various people from sinners to saints, which serve as a wonderful complement to Paul’s teachings about justification, regeneration, and conversion. By studying Acts you can also gain a better understanding of how God’s church got its start and the way in which the apostles and other primitive Christians related to each other and to the Lord. In an effort to help you in your selection process, I will be adding comments here and there, as I am able. They will all be in this same navy-blue color. —Steve

Commentaries on the Book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles)

Acts-Philemon: The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary, New Testament
By Craig Evans / Cook CommunicationsThis powerful reference tool written canonically–book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter–provides an in-depth look at the historical, geographical, cultural, and economic background of Acts-Philemon. The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary series opens a window to transport the reader back into the setting of the New Testament.

Mercer Commentary on the Bible, Volume 7: Acts and Pauline Writings
By Watson E. Mills & Richard F. Wilson, eds. / Mercer PressVolume 7 of the Mercer Commentary on the Bible comprises commentaries on Acts and the Pauline writings plus appropriate articles from the Mercer Dictionary of the Bible. This convenient text is for the classroom and for anyone who wishes to focus on the study of Acts and Paul.

The Book of Acts, New International Commentary on the New Testament, NICNT, Revised
By F.F. Bruce / Eerdmans Publishing Co.The original Acts volume for this series was first published in 1954. F.F. Bruce undertook a chapter-by-chapter revision and expansion of his book. It reflects both his deepened understanding from years of further study, and the best elements of other modern works on Luke-Acts. This new edition uses Bruce’s own fresh translation of the Greek text.

Acts, Tyndale New Testament Commentary
By I. Howard Marshall / Eerdmans Publishing Co.I Howard Marshall brings this revised edition of the work previosuly done by E.M. Blaiklock. Dr. Marshall evaluates and offers a polemic of the work of E. Hacenchen. This exegetical commentary focuses on the historical questions raised in Acts and is aimed at all readers, but is intended to be especially useful to theological students.

Acts 1-14 (Volume 1), International Critical Commentary
By C.K. Barrett / ContinuumFor over one hundred years, the International Critical Commentary series has held a special place among works on the Bible. It has sought to bring together all the relevant aids to exegesis – linguistic and textual no less than archaeological, historical, literary and theological – with a level of comprehension and quality of scholarship unmatched by any other series.No attempt has been made to secure a uniform theological or critical approach to the biblical text: contributors have been invited for their scholarly distinction, not for their adherence to any one school of thought. The first paperback editions to be published cover the heart of the New Testament, providing a wealth of information and research in accessible and attractive format. [TOP]

Acts 1-12, MacArthur New Testament Commentary
By John MacArthur / Moody PublishersThe Book of Acts is the story of the new Church, young in years but mature in faith and purpose. In this passage-by-passage study, MacArthur focuses on the powerful lessons the new Christians were learning—through the experience of Pentecost, Peter’s sermon, and the persecution they faced—as they began to transform the world with the Gospel. MacArthur’s trademark clarity, a bibliography, and Greek, Hebrew, and Scripture indexes make this an invaluable study tool for leaders and laypeople. 341 pages, hardcover from Moody.

Acts 13-28, MacArthur New Testament Commentary
By John MacArthur / Moody PublishersFrom its explosive beginning at Pentecost to Paul’s final imprisonment at Rome, the early church turned the ancient world upside down. In this sequel to Acts 1–12, John MacArthur explores the second half of Acts to show you how God’s Spirit empowered, shaped, and refined the church. Great for Bible study help or sermon inspiration. 400 pages, hardcover from Moody.

The Book of Acts: Twenty-first Century Biblical Commentary
By Steve Ger / Amg PublishersSteve Ger’s commentary on the book of Acts makes the early church come to life and will instruct and encourage you to be a witness for Jesus Christ in your home and community.

The Preacher’s Commentary Volume 28: Acts
By Lloyd J. Ogilvie / Thomas Nelson / WLloyd Ogilvie superbly combines exegesis and contemporary application in this volume. He mirrors the beginnings of Christianity and through this treatment, you are drawn into the story as a participant. Ogilvie displaysthe movement of the Holy Spirit in the lives of early Christians.The Preachers Commentary Series combines rich resources of historical setting and textual interpretation with spiritual insights and contemporary illustrations specifically designed for communicators.

Acts, New International Biblical Commentary
By David Williams / Hendrickson PublishersThe International Biblical Commentary Series uses the New International Version of the Bible and is an Evangelical scholarly treatment of each book of the Bible. This work on Acts by David Williams approaches the book as historical, yet takes seriously the discussion surrounding this aspect of the book. The Introduction takes into account issues of date, occasion, sources and historical accuracy. The commentary itself focuses on each event in Acts and comes with copious notes. A good commentary for the scholar and advanced lay person. [TOP]

You Are My Witnesses (Acts), Welwyn Commentary Series
By Gordon Keddie / Evangelical PressActs is first and foremost the history of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church. It brings together two great promises of “another Counsellor”, who would lead the disciples into all truth and the Great Commission to preach the gospel to the whole world in the assurance that he would be with them always, “to the very end of the age.” Acts is also the record of costly campaigning against a fiercely resistant enemy, over the eternal destiny of lost men and women. The sounds of battle echo from almost every scene. But so also does the scent of victory, as lives are changed and the light of Christ spreads from nation to nation!

Faith & Courage: Commentary on Acts
By Derek Carlsen / Christian Liberty PressCapture the zeal that burned in the hearts of the first Christians! Recounting the breathtaking miracles and world-changing events recorded in Acts, Faith & Courage describes how God worked through earthen vessels to advance his kingdom to the ends of the earth. Blending solid exposition and devotional insight, Derek Carlsen pens a practical commentary that you’ll find easy to read and hard to ignore. 536 pages, softcover, Christian Liberty Press.

Witness to Christ: A Commentary on Acts
By Stewart Custer / Bob Jones University PressThe believer in the Lord Jesus Christ must not be satisfied with a shallow knowledge of the Scriptures. THis commentary is designed to help the student of Sripture gain a mastery of the Book of Acts so that it s content may master his soul and make him a better witness to the power of Jesus Christ. Dr. Stewart Custer is convinced that the key to understanding the Book of Acts is faith in the verbally inspired text of God’s holy Word. From this perspective he has written a trustworthytool that is scholarly yet practical, that is comprehensive without being cumbersome, and that remains doctrinally sound.

Acts, NLT Life Application Bible Commentary
By Bruce Barton / Tyndale HouseThis commentary series is for those who love the Life Application Study Bible and want a more in-depth treatment of the verse. The commentaries provide explanation, background, and application for every verse in each book. It provides help, teaching notes, and sermon ideas that will address needs, answer questions, and provide help for daily living. Features include: charts and diagrams on the same page as the related verse; based on the NIV, NRSV, NKJV and NLT; coordinated with the outline of the Life Application Study Bible; key information is graphically highlighted. [TOP]

Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
By Philip A. Bence / Wesleyan Publishing HouseWhen we want to know about the life of Christ, we can look to four different inspired records: the Gospels. But Luke alone gives us the biblical history of the next thirty years: the book of Acts. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection offer the finished work of Christ. Yet, Jesus was just beginning His ministry of reaching the world. Philip Bence shows us the progressive action of the church’s missionary expansion from the birth and establishment of the Christian church in Jerusalem to the ongoing life of the church and finally its movement out to Rome.Written from a Wesleyan perspective, this commentary follows your Bible, paragraph by paragraph, making it easy to find answers to the questions that arise in your personal devotions or in Bible study.

Acts, Holman New Testament Commentary Volume 5
By Kenneth O. Gangel / Broadman / HolmanThis commentary presents the book of Acts in a format that allows those with the time to delve into some detail of the book, while those with less time can quickly see the main points and issues of the book. Each chapter of Acts is broken down into 8 parts: an introduction, the commentary, a conclusion, life application, a prayer, deeper discoveries which add depth to the commentary, a teaching outline, and issues for discussion. Main ideas as well as supporting ideas are clearly laid out so one can easily get a feel for the passage. It is a verse-by-verse commentary that is non-technical so that lay people as well as pastors will be able to access it. This volume is written by Kenneth Gage, edited by Max Anders. New International Version.

The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary
By Ben Witherington / Eerdmans Publishing Co.The Acts of the Apostles breaks fresh ground in providing a detailed social and rhetorical analysis of the book of Acts. This commentary interacts with the scholarly discussion found in the various excursuses in the book , draws on the best new insights from a number of disciplines (narratological studies of Luke-Acts, archaeological and social scientific study of the New Testament, rhetorical analysis of Acts, comparative studies in ancient historiography) to provide the reader with the benefits of recent innovative ways of analyzing the text of Acts.In addition, Witherington gives detailed attention to major theological and historical issues, including the question of the relationship of Acts to the Pauline letters, the question of early Christian history and how the church grew and developed, the relationship between early Judaism and early Christianity, and the relationship between Christianity and the officials of the Roman Empire. Acts is seen as a historical monograph with affinities with the approaches of serious Greek historians such as Thucydides and Polybius in terms of methodology, and affinities with some forms of Jewish historiography (including Old Testament history) in terms of content or subject matter.The book is illustrated with various pictures and charts, which help to bring to light the character and setting of these narratives.

Reading Acts: A Literary and Theological Commentary
By Charles H. Talbert / Smyth & Helwys Publishing, IncAnswers to the usual introductory questions do not yield sufficient harvest to enable an intelligent reading of Acts. The approach of this book is to ask how ancient Mediterranean auditors would have heard Acts when it was read in their presence. To be successful Talbert divides this approach into two parts: how Acts would have been heard in its precanonical context and in its canonical context.
The Reading the New Testament commentary series presents cutting edge biblical research in accessible language that is both coherent and comprehensive.

Acts – NIV Commentary: College Press
By Dennis Gaertner / College Press Publishng CoThe College Press NIV Commentary has been designed for the serious student as well as the growing Christian. Volumes contain the following features; Biblically Sound Exegesis;Objective Approach;New International Version ;Practical footnotes;Fresh Style and Study Format;Concise Introductions;Key Greek Word Translation and Clear Exposition Dr.Gaertner’s approach in this commentary is to appreciate the theological motives of Luke’s work while not rejecting this record as the most valuable source we have regarding the developing church.[TOP]

Acts NIV Application Commentary
By Ajith Fernando / Zondervan Corp.Acts stands as one of the most important books in the New Testament. It records the actions of the Church and serves as a textbook example for the Church today. It records the promise and delivery of the Holy Spirit, and the effect of that supernatural power on the spread of the gospel. Ajith Fernando gives us a masterful commentary that discusses the importance of Acts and its benefits for us today.

Acts: Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament
By Gerhard A. Krodel / Augsburg / FortressBased on the RSV, this English Bible analysis is ideal for laypersons, students, and pastors. Emphasizing the exegetical craft of listening, asking questions, and seeing differences, Krodel clarifies issues of authorship, historiography, and theological intent. Of particular interest is the narrative strand of salvation that binds this second Lukan writing to the first. Biblical text not included. 527 pages, softcover.

Acts, New American Commentary
By John B. Polhill / Broadman / HolmanThis commentary traces the advancement of the Christian mission from its beginnings in Jerusalem to the Gentile dominated church in Rome. Along the way the readers see afresh the movement of the Holy Spirit in Peter, Stephen, Philip, and Paul. Based on the NIV translation, the actual text is printed section-by-section for the reader as well as verse-by-verse, detailed exposition and person, subject, and scripture indexes.

Acts, Crossway Classic Commentary
By John Calvin / Good News PublishingEven now, decades or centuries later, the brilliance of men like Calvin, Hodge and Spurgeon still speaks through the Crossway Classic Commentaries, which present the all-time best, written commentaries on individual books of the Bible. Each volume has been abridged and stylistically adapted for today’s readers by series editors J.I. Packer and Mister McGrath, while carefully preserving the meaning and message of the original expositors.

Acts Intervarsity Press New Testament Commentary
By William Larkin / Inter-varsity PressPastors with a passion for sound exposition have joined forces with scholars to produce this exciting new commentary series. These volumes, informed by the best of recent evangelical scholarship, expound the implications of each New Testament book for today’s church. Within the unique series format, pastors, teachers and Bible study leaders alike will find clear, forceful presentations of the heart of each NT author’s message, coupled with helpful attention to tough exegetical issues. Seldom have such readable commentary and solid help been available in the same volume.

Acts of the Holy Spirit: A Modern Commentary on the Book of Acts
By C. Peter Wagner / Gospel LightScholarly, accessible, and practical. C. Peter Wagner’s commentary on the entire book of Acts is a wonderful exposition of the story of the early church and the activity of its awesome God, in which Wagner attempts to answer important questions like “Is there one true Church?” “Why are there so many differences?” and “What is essential?”. One major emphasis in Wagner’s exposition is the description of how the first disciples of Christ learned to overcome spiritual and cultural resistance, which has particular relevance to contemporary missionary endeavors.What sets this commentary apart is its focus on bridging the gap between the early church and our current church, which offers us a vivid picture of God’s plan for His church, both then and now. John Maxwell says of this commentary, “What a joy it is to add C. Peter Wagner’s creative new commentary on Acts to my library!” Missionary expert Thom Rainer states that “No other commentary on Acts has so captured its missiological and church-growth perspectives.” And Jack Hayford describes it this way: “C. Peter Wagner’s blend of scholarship, fearless faith, personal devotion and commitment to evangelism flavor this vibrant study of the Acts of the Apostles.”Overview of The Acts of the Holy Spirit, by C. Peter Wagner:

Theologically conservative
Written from a charismatic perspective, with a particular emphasis on missions and evangelism
Based on the New King James Version (NKJV), but also uses the New International Version (NIV), Today’s English Version (TEV) and The Living Bible (TLB)
A section-by-section look at the entire book of Acts
Connects the activities in Acts with the writings of Paul
Non-technical (no knowledge of Greek necessary)
Offers a blueprint for fulfilling the Great Commission in our time[TOP]