The Living Legacy of Acts

The Book of Acts stands as God's divine chronicle of the early church, a masterful bridge between Christ's earthly ministry and the establishment of His worldwide church. As Augustine profoundly observed, it serves as "the Gospel of the Holy Spirit," documenting the fulfillment of Jesus's promise: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Through two millennia, this sacred narrative has been illuminated by countless faithful servants, each generation adding new dimensions to our understanding while standing firmly on the foundations laid before them. Like the noble Bereans who "received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily" (Acts 17:11), scholars, pastors, and believers across the ages have diligently searched these inspired words, uncovering ever-deeper treasures of divine wisdom.

The comprehensive study of Acts reflects God's providential care in preserving and illuminating His Word, echoing the Psalmist's declaration, "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts" (Psalm 145:4). From the early church fathers to modern scholars wielding new tools of discovery, each has added their voice to this grand chorus of understanding, proving Solomon's wisdom that "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed" (Proverbs 15:22).

The Book of Acts continues to speak with fresh relevance to each new generation, for as Isaiah declared, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever" (Isaiah 40:8). Through various lenses of historical, theological, practical, and academic study, we witness the fulfillment of Paul's words that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Some Bible Theologians and Pastors Who Have Written About the Book of Acts

As Jesus prayed "that they may all be one" (John 17:21), these diverse voices demonstrate how the Book of Acts speaks across denominational boundaries. Like the Jerusalem Council's recognition that "we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will" (Acts 15:11), these scholars and pastors, despite their differences, share a commitment to understanding God's work in establishing His church.

This diversity fulfills Peter's recognition that "God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34-35). Each voice contributes unique insights while maintaining, as Paul urged, the "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).

Reformed/Calvinist Tradition

  • John MacArthur - "Acts: The Spread of the Gospel"

  • R.C. Sproul - "Acts: An Expositional Commentary"

  • John Piper - "Finish the Mission: Acts Sermons"

  • Martyn Lloyd-Jones - "Authentic Christianity"

  • Sinclair Ferguson - "The Acts of the Apostles"

  • James Montgomery Boice - "Acts: An Expositional Commentary"

Baptist/Evangelical

  • Warren Wiersbe - "Be Dynamic: Acts"

  • Charles Swindoll - "Acts: A Bridge to the First Century Church"

  • Adrian Rogers - "Adrianisms: Acts Series"

  • David Jeremiah - "Acts: The Birth of the Church"

  • Chuck Smith - "Acts: The Word of Life"

Anglican/Episcopal

  • N.T. Wright - "Acts for Everyone"

  • John Stott - "The Message of Acts"

  • Michael Green - "Thirty Years That Changed the World"

  • Fleming Rutledge - "Acts: A Theological Commentary"

  • Tom Wright - "Acts for Everyone"

Catholic Scholars & Clergy

  • Raymond E. Brown - "Introduction to the New Testament"

  • Hans Küng - "The Church and Acts"

  • Jean Daniélou - "The Theology of Jewish Christianity"

  • Henri de Lubac - "Scripture in the Tradition"

  • Scott Hahn - "Acts and Letters"

  • Pope Benedict XVI - "The Apostles" (teachings on Acts)

Orthodox Perspectives

  • Fr. Lawrence Farley - "The Acts of the Apostles"

  • John Chrysostom - "Homilies on Acts" (modern translations)

  • Archbishop Averky - "The Acts of the Apostles"

  • Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon - "Acts: An Orthodox Commentary"

  • Metropolitan Kallistos Ware - "The Orthodox Way Through Acts"

Jewish Scholars on Acts

  • Daniel Boyarin - "The Jewish Gospels"

  • Amy-Jill Levine - "The Jewish Annotated New Testament"

  • David Flusser - "Jewish Sources in Early Christianity"

  • Pamela Eisenbaum - "Paul Was Not a Christian"

  • Mark Nanos - "The Mystery of Romans"

  • Jacob Jervell - "Luke and the People of God"

Pentecostal/Charismatic Voices

  • Gordon Fee - "God's Empowering Presence"

  • Jack Hayford - "Living in the Book of Acts"

  • Derek Prince - "The Spirit-Filled Church"

  • Roger Stronstad - "The Charismatic Theology of St. Luke"

  • Robert Menzies - "Empowered for Witness"

Contemporary Integrative Approaches

  • Timothy Keller - "Gospel in Life: Acts"

  • Ajith Fernando - "Acts (NIV Application Commentary)"

  • Dennis Johnson - "The Message of Acts"

  • Mark Moore - "Acts Revolution"

  • Craig Van Gelder - "The Ministry of the Missional Church"