Acts

Acts: An Expositional Commentary is a verse-by-verse exposition of the book of Acts, tracing the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth through the ministry of the Apostles under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Dr. R.C. Sproul guides readers through the full narrative of Acts, from the ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost through Peter’s early ministry, Paul’s conversion and missionary journeys, and the gospel’s expansion from Jewish communities to gentile nations. Adapted from sermons preached at Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., this book reflects the ancient practice of lectio continua—continuous exposition through a biblical book—and addresses both the meaning of the text and its application to Christian faith and practice.

Sproul attends to the historical reliability of Luke’s writings, the theological significance of key events such as the Jerusalem council and Paul’s defense before Roman authorities, and the role of God’s providence in the growth of the early church. Rather than offering a technical commentary, this book focuses on the major themes and ideas that shape each passage, serving as an accessible overview and introduction to Acts for pastors, small groups, and individual readers.

Key Themes

• The Holy Spirit’s role in empowering the Apostles and directing the church’s mission
• The obedience of the early church to Christ’s Great Commission
• God’s providence in the spread of the gospel from Jews to gentiles
• The relationship between repentance, faith, and the work of the Spirit in salvation

Featured Quotes

“In the book of Acts we see the footprints of the Holy Spirit in and through the footprints of the Apostles.”

“What follows in the rest of Acts is a drama of the highest magnitude—the drama of the obedience of the early church to the mission that Christ had given to it.”