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For more great commentaries on Acts, be sure to check:
Commentaries on the Whole New Testament & Whole Bible Commentaries
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Order of Contents 55+
The Best Commentaries 15
Commentaries 40+
Early Church 3
Medieval Church 1
Jewish Background to 2
Words of Christ & the Apostles 4
On Acts Generally 6
Acts & Pentecostalism 1
Chapters in Acts
In Poetry 1
Lives & Theology of the Apostles 15+
Life, Letters & Theology of Paul 26+
Bible Characters in Acts 15
Harmony of Acts & the Epistles 1
Bibliography 1
The Authenticity of Acts 1
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The Best Commentaries on Acts
Reformer
Calvin, John – Commentary on Acts
*** – Spurgeon
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Simple, Practical and Devotional
Arnot, William – The Church in the House, a Series of Lessons on the Acts of the Apostles
Arnot was of the Free Church of Scotland.
*** “Intended to be read in families on Sabbath afternoons; but all who are acquainted with Dr. Arnot will know that even his simplest expositions are rich and full. He hath dust of gold.” – Spurgeon
Bonar, Horatius – Light and Truth, vol. 3 d. 1889
Bonar (1808-1889) was a minister in the Free Church of Scotland and was brother to Andrew Bonar.
*** ‘…The passages selected are popularly expounded, but the thought is not deep. The volumes will be more prized by the ordinary reader than by the minister.’ – Spurgeon
De Graff, D.G. – Promise and Deliverance, vol. 4 (Acts) 1900’s
De Graaf was Dutch Reformed.
“De Graaf studies the Old Testament with an eye on the covenant and the kingdom of God. The book is written in an easy-to-undrstand style.” – Tremper Longman III, 4 out of 5 stars
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Intermediate
1800’s
Alexander, J.A. – Acts of the Apostles Explained, vol. 1 (1-12), 2 (13) 1857 American Reformed, Princeton
*** “In all respects a work of the highest merit.” – Spurgeon
“An exhaustive, thorough exposition which gives valuable help on the meaning of Greek words, defends Stephen’s accuracy of chronology in Acts 7, and provides preachers with an abundance of usable material. Reformed.” – Cyril J. Barber
Denton, William – A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, vol. 1 (1-12), 2 (13-28) 1874 Advanced comments are kept to the footnotes.
*** – “A complete list of all authors upon the Acts will be found in this very learned and exhaustive work. We do not always agree with the author, but he has done his work thoroughly well.”
Dick, John – Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles 1850
Dick was a minister and professor in the Scottish Secession Church, known for his systematic theology.
** “Interesting lectures upon selected portions of the Acts. This work has been reprinted in America, whence we obtained a copy of the second edition; this shows that it has been highly esteemed.” – Spurgeon
Fawcett, John – An Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles, 3 vols. Buy
*** “A fine series of expository discourses. Sometimes we differ.” – Spurgeon
Kitto, John – ‘The Apostles and the Early Church’ being vol. 8 of Daily Bible Illustrations
*** ‘They are not exactly a commentary, but what marvelous expositions you have there! You have reading more interesting than any novel that was ever written, and as instructive as the heaviest theology. The matter is quite attractive and fascinating, and yet so weighty, that the man who shall study those eight volumes thoroughly, will not fail to read his Bible intelligently and with growing interest.’ – Spurgeon
Stock, Eugene – Lessons on the Acts, For Sunday School Teachers and other Religious Instructors Buy
*** “For half-a-crown the teacher may here obtain one of the most useful books known to us. Though produced for members of the Church of England, we recommend it heartily to ministers and others who are preparing addresses to the young.”
Vaughan, Charles – The Church of the First Days: Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles, vol. 1 (1-8), 2 (9-28) 1873
*** “Not only does Dr. Vaughan expound his texts in the ablest manner, but he introduces passages of Scripture so aptly that he suggests discourses. Bating his Churchianity, we cannot too highly commend him.” – Spurgeon
“A series of sermons accompanied by a paraphrase of the Greek text and providing some penetrating insights into the Scriptures. Arminian.” – Cyril J. Barber
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1900’s
Bruce, F.F. – Commentary on the Book of Acts Buy 1954 in the New International Commentary on the New Testament
“Perhaps the best expository work for the pastor. Sound exposition based upon careful exegesis and a thorough knowledge of the historical background.” – Cyril J. Barber
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Advanced
Alford, Henry – Prolegomena & Commentary This is a commentary on the Greek text.
On Alford’s Homilies on Acts 1-10: *** “Not so good as his critical notes [this work here]; but such an author always deserves attention.”
Gloag, Paton – A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, vol. 1 (1-12), 2 (13-28) 1870
*** “Dr. Hackett says of Dr. Gloag’s work: ‘I have examined it with special care. For my purposes I have found it unsurpassed by any similar work in the English language. It shows a thorough mastery of the material, philology, history and literature pertaining to this range of study, and a skill in the use of this knowledge, which places it in the first class of modern expositions.'” – Spurgeon
“A thorough exposition which dates the origin of the church from Acts 2, maintains that the ‘tongues’ at Pentecost were known languages, and claims that James gives God’s plan for the church age in Acts 15.” – Cyril J. Barber
Hackett, Horatio – A Commentary on the Original Text of the Acts of the Apostles 1858 324 pp. in the American Bible Commentary Series
Hackett (1808-?) was an American Baptist seminary professor.
“An exhaustive and carefully expounded, verse-by-verse commentary, this work is prefaced by an informative and concise time-line chart to show the reader at a glance the chronology of events recorded in this important and pivotal New Testament book.” – The back-flap
*** “Hackett occupies the first position among commentators upon the Acts. The Bunyan Library edition omits some of his most valuable critical observations.” – Spurgeon
“A valuable verse-by-verse treatment. Calvinistic.” – Cyril J. Barber
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Commentaries on Acts
1500’s
ed. Chung-Kim, Esther & Todd Hains – Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Acts Buy
Gwalther, Rudolph – A 175 Homilies or Sermons upon Acts 1572
Gwalther was reformed and was the successor to Heinrich Bullinger in Zurich, Switzerland.
** “Full of Protestantism. The author judged that, as Luke who wrote the Acts, was a physician, his book was meant to be medicine to the Church.” – Spurgeon
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1600s
Du Veil, Charles-Marie – A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles
Du Veil (1630-1685) was Reformed.
** “Claude’s prefatory lettter highly commends this work. The author defends the immersion of believers with earnestness.” – Spurgeon
“Reprinted from the first edition which appeared in 1685. Lengthy exposition by a man whose theological pilgrimage took him from Judaism to Roman Catholicism, to Anglicanism and finally to the Baptists. Supports all the cardinal doctrines of the faith. Argues for immersion.” – Cyril J. Barber
Pearson, John – Five Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles and Annals of St. Paul The first half of the book covers Acts 2-9, the second half on the annals of St. Paul, covers much of the rest of the book.
Pearson (1613-1686) was an Anglican, known for his commentary on the Apostles’ Creed.
Cradock, Samuel – The Apostolical History, containing the Acts, Labors, Travels, Sermons, Discourses, Miracles, Successes and Sufferings of the Holy Apostles, from Christ’s Ascension, to the Destruction of Jerusalem, by Titus d. 1706
Cradock was a reformed puritan.
* “Tillotson, Reynolds, Doddridge, and others highly commended the works of this Puritan writer. The style in which the ‘Apostolical History’ is got up is most uninviting; the book is nearly all italics. Many modern works far excel it.” – Spurgeon
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Simple, Practical & Devotional
1800’s
Bennett, James – Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles Buy 1847
Bennett (1774–1862) was an English Congregationalist minister and college principal.
** “A good specimen of plain and popular pulpit exposition. Dr. Bennett fights very earnestly for the Congregationalist view of Baptism, for which we do not blame him; for common humanity leads us to admire a man who struggles for a weak cause.” – Spurgeon
It is probable that by ‘the Congregationalist view of Baptism’ Spurgeon means the view that a minister may only administer the sacraments to those in his congregation or those coming into his congregation, restricting the administration of the sacraments to membership in a particular local congregation only. As Spurgeon rightly points out, that is not what is seen in the Book of Acts.
Bouchier, Barton – Manna in the House: or, Daily Expositions of the Acts of the Apostles, Adapted for the use of Families 1858
** “Superior family reading. Bouchier did not write for students, but for households, yet even the more advanced may learn from him.” – Spurgeon
Pearson, Arthur – The Acts of the Holy Spirit 1895
“A devotional book which rightly stresses the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the work of the early church.” – Cyril J. Barber
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1900’s
Thomas, William Henry Griffith – Outline Studies in the Acts of the Apostles 1905
“An extensive series of homiletical outlines.” – Cyril J. Barber
Erdman, Charles – The Acts: an Exposition 1919 175 pp.
“A devotional and practical commentary of great help to preachers.” – Cyril J. Barber
Walker, Thomas – The Acts of the Apostles 1919
“Warm and fervent in style, but provides little connection between one verse and the next.” – Cyril J. Barber
Morgan, G. Campbell – Acts of the Apostles n.d.
“By many regarded as being THE most important single expository work for the pastor.” – Cyril J. Barber
Macaulay, Joseph – A Devotional Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles Buy 1946
“A homiletic commentary.” – Cyril J. Barber
Scroggie, William G. – The Acts of the Apostles Buy
“Abounds in helpful outlines, wholesome exposition, and usable illustrations.” – Cyril J. Barber
Woodbridge, Charles – A Study of the Book of Acts: “Standing on the Promises” Buy 1955 Baker
“Challenging messages on each chapter.” – Cyril J. Barber
Gerstner, John – ‘Acts’ in The Biblical Expositor: The Living Theme of the Great Book with General and Introductory Essays and Exposition, vol. 3 Buy ed. Carl Henry 1960
This little known commentary set by leading evangelicals (many of which were reformed) is brief (think airplane view) but helpful.
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Intermediate
1800’s
Baumgarten, M. – Apostolic History, vol. 1, 2, 3
** “‘An exposition at once profoundly scientific and sublimely Christian, one of the most pressing wants of our times.’ – Eclectic Review. Alford calls it excellent, though somewhat fanciful.” – Spurgeon
“Technical and helpful. Adds depth to an understanding of the church in the first century A.D.” – Cyril J. Barber
Cook, F.C. – The Acts of the Apostles; with a Commentary, and Practical and Devotional Suggestions 1850 390 pp.
** “Contains many useful notes, instructive to fairly educated readers.” – Spurgeon
Ford, James – The Acts of the Apostles, Illustrated (Chiefly in the Doctrinal and Moral sense) from Ancient and Modern Authors 1856
** “Those who wish to see what the Fathers said upon the Gospels, and to read the choicest sayings of the early Anglican bishops, cannot do better than consult Ford, who has made a very rich collection. Some of the extracts do not materially illustrate the text, but they are all worth reading.” – Spurgeon
Howson, John S. & Donald Spence – The Acts of the Apostles in A Popular Commentary on the New Testament, ed. Philip Schaff 1879
Howson was of Coneybeare and Howson’s Life and Letters of St. Paul’s fame, which volume Spurgeon gives the highest recommendation to. Howson was THE authority on St. Paul in his day, though he had some liberal tendencies. Spence was the one who co-edited The Pulpit Commentary, a respectable production, though also having some liberal tendencies.
Jacobus, Melancthon – Notes, Critical and Explanatory, on the Acts of the Apostles 1859
Jacobus was a northern, old school presbyterian minister who had graduated from old Princeton Seminary. He was also a professor at Western Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania.
On his Notes on the Gospels: *** “Jacobus is sound and plain, and is therefore a safe guide to Sunday-school teachers and others who need to see the results of learning without the display of it.” – Spurgeon
His writings are: “characterized by solid learning, sound doctrine, and lucid statements, a pleasant style, and the most serious spirit of piety.” – William S. Plumer
“The excellent Commentaries of Dr. Melancthon Jacobus have deservedly attained a high reputation, and their wide circulation proves how well they are adapted to the wants of both ministers and laymen. They present, in a brief compass, the results of extensive erudition, abound in judicious exposition and pertinent illustration, and are, moreover, distinguished by doctrinal soundness, evangelical character, and an eminently devout spirit.” – Charles Hodge, William Henry Green, J.W. Alexander
“Jacobus writes in the popular style of Albert Barnes, and is solidly Reformed. Some commentators make you plow an acre to find a single nugget; but not Jacobus. His exegetical notes are concise but meaty, with rich veins of practical exposition.” – Robert P. Martin
Lange’s Commentary – Commentary on Acts
** “Adds nothing to our knowledge of the Acts; but the homiletical hints are useful.” – Spurgeon
Lindsay, Thomas – The Acts of the Apostles with Introduction, Notes and Maps, vol. 1 (1-12), 2 (13-28) 1884 in Hand-Books for Bible Classes, ed. Dods & Whyte
Lindsay was a professor of the Free Church of Scotland.
“An introduction with brief expository notes. Reformed.” – Cyril J. Barber
Lumby, Joseph Rawson – The Acts of the Apostles with Maps, Introduction and Notes 1890 460 pp. in The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
“Two works of great value [the other work is in the advanced section] which obviously contain many similarities in content. The latter [advanced] volume is of particular importance for its handling of syntactical problems. For those who lack a knowledge of Greek, the former work [here] still is helpful.” – Cyril J. Barber
Mimpriss, R. – The Acts of the Apostles and Epistles Historically… According to Greswell’s Arrangement 1837
** “A handy book for teachers.” – Spurgeon
Norris, J.P. – A Key to the Narrative of the Acts of the Apostles 1871
** “A well executed sketch of the Acts of the Apostles, giving the student a clear idea of the run of the book. Like the same author’s ‘Key to the Gospels’, it would be most useful in Bible classes.” – Spurgeon
Olshausen, Hermann – Commentary on the Acts, vol. 4
** “Denton says that ‘this is a brief, hasty, and not well-digested supplement to Olshausen’s volumes on the Gospels.’ He thinks all the German writers to be much overrated, and we are much of his mind.” – Spurgeon
Peck, Thomas – Notes on the Acts of the Apostles in Miscellanies, vol. 3, pp. 31-208 Immediately following this are Peck’s sermons through the book of Acts. See the table of contents. Peck was an American, southern, presbyterian.
Thomas, David – Homiletic Commentary on the Acts 1870
** “Many of the homiletic outlines strike us as ‘much ado about nothing’; still, if a man should read this work and get no help from it, it would be his own fault.” – Spurgeon
“A homiletic commentary which gives 111 sermons on different paragraphs in the Book of Acts.” – Cyril J. Barber
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1900’s
Rackham, Richard – The Acts of the Apostles: an Exposition 1901 515 pp.
Rackham (1863-1912) was a member of the Community of the Resurrection, an Anglican community whose members combined scholarly, educational and evangelistic work.
“A helpful exposition which tends to over-emphasize the sacraments and church offices, but compensates for this by providing a brilliant perceptive study of the text. Deserves to be regarded as a classic!” – Cyril J. Barber
“The greatest of all [commentaries on Acts]” – Wilbur M. Smith
“A classic” – S. Lewis Johnson
Emmett, Allen Frank – The Acts of the Apostles Buy 1931 820 pp.
Findlay, J. Alexander – The Acts of the Apostles: a Commentary 1934
Findlay was a professor at a Methodist college in England and had liberal tendencies.
“Brief comments on the text of the RV of 1881.” – Cyril J. Barber
Rice, John – Filled with the Spirit: A Verse by Verse Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles Buy 1963 550 pp.
Dr. John R. Rice was a fundamentalist and the founder of Sword of the Lord Publishers. He argues that the filling and baptism of the Spirit has nothing to do with the modern tongues movement and he argues against dispensationalism.
“A homiletical verse-by-verse commentary.” – Cyril J. Barber
Gainer, Richard – The Life and Ministry of the Apostle Paul, as Presented in 32 Sermons [as given] Buy 2004 322 pp.
Gainer was a professor at Bob Jones University teaching Greek and on the Pauline Epistles. He has been a long time pastor since 1964. At the time of publishing he was a member of a PCA church in Greenville, SC.
Kent, Jr., Homer A. – Jerusalem to Rome: Studies in Acts Buy 1972 200 pp. Baker
Vaughan, Curtis – Acts: a Study Guide Buy 1974 156 pp.
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Advanced
1700’s
Benson, George – The History of the First Planting of the Christian Religion, taken from the Acts of the Apostles and their Epistles, vol. 1 (1-11), 2 (12-28), 3 1755 The table of contents is at the end of vol. 1, along with subject and textual indices.
Benson was an Anglican.
* “Dull, but displaying considerable research. Benson was an Arian.”
Pearce, Zachary – A Commentary with Notes on the Four Evangelists and the Acts of the Apostles, vol. 2, pp. 1-196 1777
Pearce was an Anglican.
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1800’s
Humphry, William Gilson – A Commentary on the Book of the Acts of the Apostles 1854
* “Exegetical remarks upon the Greek text. Very good from a philological point of view, but professedly of an elementary character.” – Spurgeon
Lumby, Joseph Rawson – The Acts of the Apostles with Maps, Notes and Introduction 1891 530 pp. in Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools
“Two works of great value [the other one is in the intermediate section above] which obviously contain many similarities in content. The latter volume [this one] is of particular importance for its handling of syntactical problems…” – Cyril J. Barber
Neander, Augustus – Of the Planting and Training of the Christian Church 1844
** “The work rather of an historian than of a commentator. Bold, devout, learned, and, on the whole, sound. The result of wide research, and deep learning.” – Spurgeon
Trollope, W. – Commentary on the Acts, with Examination Questions for the B.A. degree 1854 400 pp.
* “Well adapted to accomplish the design indicated in the title.” – Spurgeon
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1900’s
Bruce, F.F. – The Acts of the Apostles: the Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary Buy 1951
“An exegetical work not to be confused with the author’s exposition in the NICNT. Takes into account the most recent research into all questions of authorship, sources, style, etc., and then sets forth a commentary based solely upon the Greek text.” – Cyril J. Barber
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The Early Church on Acts
ed. Martin, Francis – Ancient Commentary on Scripture: Acts Buy
Ford, James – The Acts of the Apostles, Illustrated (Chiefly in the Doctrinal and Moral sense) from Ancient and Modern Authors 1856
** “Those who wish to see what the Fathers said upon the Gospels, and to read the choicest sayings of the early Anglican bishops, cannot do better than consult Ford, who has made a very rich collection. Some of the extracts do not materially illustrate the text, but they are all worth reading.” – Spurgeon
Chrysostom – Homilies on John, vols. 1, 2, Acts, vols. 1 (1-12), 2 (13-28)
** ‘Enough of solid truth and brilliant utterance will be found here to justify this father’s title of ‘Golden Mouth’; but still all is not gold which fell from his lips, and to modern readers Chrysostom is not so instructive as he was to his own age [A.D. 349-407].’ – Spurgeon
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The Medieval Church on Acts
Arator – On the Acts of the Apostles: a Baptismal Commentary Buy
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Jewish Background to Acts
Lightfoot, John – Hebrew and Talmudical Exercitations upon the Acts of the Apostles mid-1600’s
Lightfoot was a reformed divine and Hebraicist who was invited to the Westminster Assembly. He mined the Jewish writings for anything and everything that may be of help in understanding the New Testament. Here are his results.
This is the only work of its kind in English; the scholarly, more complete work (vol. 1, Mt; vol. 2, Mk-Jn) that has improved, in some ways, upon Lightfoot, done in the early 1900’s by H. Strack and P. Billerbeck, has still not been translated out of the German.
* “Few now-a-days will care for this author, whose learning ran mostly in Talmudical channels. He was profound, but not always discreet.” – Spurgeon
Black, Matthew – An Aramaic Approach to the Gospels and Acts Buy Oxford 1954
Black was a liberal. While Aramaic studies may be helpful in understanding the background to the Gospel, as much of the language of Christ’s day was a form of spoken Aramaic, it ought to be remembered that the Greek of the gospel-writers in which they wrote their gospels is what is inspired and has been providentially preserved by God.
“Serves as a valuable corrective of those who see Hellenizing or Hellenistic sources behind practically everything in the early books of the NT.” – Cyril Barber
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The Words of Jesus and the Apostles in Acts
Words of Jesus
Stier, Rudolph – Words of the Risen Savior 1859 Stier expounds Acts 9:4-6, 10-16; 10:13-16; 11:7-10; 18:9-10; 22:7-10, 17-21; 23:11; 26:14-18; 2 Cor. 12:9
*** “No one can be expected to receive all that Stier has to say, but he must be dull indeed who cannot learn much from him. Read with care, he is a great instructor.” – Spurgeon
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Words of the Apostles
Stier, Rudolph – The Words of the Apostles 1869 517 pp.
*** “Devout, scholarly, full of thought. To be used discreetly.”
“An extensive, scholarly study of sermons and addresses by Peter, Stephen, Philip, James, and Paul as recorded in the Book of Acts. Excellent!” “Rudolph Ewald Stier (1800-1862) the brilliant German exegete and Bible commentator of a generation past… His material is very full. He treats carefully each reference to the Old Testament, and so ably explains the thrust of each passage in keeping with the unity of Scripture, that he has earned the respect and praise of God’s people… we welcome the reprinting of this fine work comprising the expository sermons which Dr. Stier preached to his congregation at Eisleben.” – Cyril J. Barber
Fraser, Donald – The Speeches of the Holy Apostles 1882 270 pp.
Fraser was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He wrote the Life of, and edited the Diary of, Ebenezer Erskine.
Ridderbos, Herman – The Speeches of Peter in the Acts of the Apostles Buy 1962
“Comprises the Tyndale New Testament Lecture for 1961. Provides a scholarly exposition of Peter’s speeches.” – Cyril J. Barber
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On Acts Generally
1800’s
Stifler, James Madison – An Introduction to the Study of the Acts of the Apostles 1892
“Provides a helpful introduction to and an interpretative analysis of the Acts.” – Cyril J. Barber
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1900’s
Ramsay, William M. – Pictures of the Apostolic Church: its Life and Thought 1910 390 pp.
Ramsay was a conservative Scottish archaeologist.
“Studies which highlight important facets in the history and growth of the early church.” – Cyril J. Barber
Warfield, B.B. – ‘Some Characteristics of the Book of Acts’ 26 pp. in Selected Shorter Writings: Benjamin B. Warfield, vol. 2, pp. 21-47
Robertson, A.T. – Luke the Historian in the Light of Research 1920 280
Olson, Arnold Theodore – The Pacemakers Buy 1957
“A devotional study of six conversions in the Book of Acts.” – Cyril J. Barber
Moule, Charles Francis Digby – Christ’s Messengers: Studies in the Acts of the Apostles Buy 1957
“Brief studies on the subject of ‘witness’. Contains helpful material on Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, Stephen’s speech, and Paul’s address at the Aereopagus, and an excellent discussion of the etymology of Greek words. Anglican.” – Cyril J. Barber
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Acts & Pentecostalism
Bruner, Frederick Dale – A Theology of the Holy Spirit: The Pentecostal Experience and the New Testament Witness Buy 1970 350 pp.
Dr. Bruner was a graduate of Princeton Seminary and the University of Hamburg.
The first half of the book is a description of the Pentecostal movement and experience from their primary sources. The second half of the book (why you need to buy it) is the best exegetical consideration available of the key primary texts throughout Acts that relate to modern Pentecostal issues. Brunner even-handedly argues from the text that the ‘tongues’ of Acts were real languages, argues for cessationism and that Pentecostal theology and practice is not reflective of the experience and teaching of the book of Acts. His treatment of Acts 2 and 1 Cor. 14 is masterly.
Besides a handful of isolated, somewhat liberal statements, the work does full justice to the authenticity, truth and integrity of the Book of Acts.
“Haled by reviewers, this book is one of the best analyses of Pentecostalism written in the twentieth century. Dr. Gordon Clark called it ‘masterly’, ‘exceedingly well researched’, ‘superb’, and a ‘penetrating analysis’. No one, whether sympathetic or unsympathetic to the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement, should be without it.” – The Trinity Foundation
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Acts 1-14
Tye, Christopher – The Acts of the Apostles [chs. 1-14], translated into English meter… for all Christians that cannot sing, to read the good and Godly stories of the lives of Christ’s Apostles 1553
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Acts 1-12
Lightfoot, John – A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, chs. 1-12 in Works, vol. 8, pp. 1-295 Reformed
** “Few now-a-days will care for this author, whose learning ran mostly in Talmudical channels. He was profound, but not always discreet.” – Spurgeon
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Acts 1-10
Alford, Henry – Homilies on the Former Part of the Acts of the Apostles, Chs. 1-10 These are expository lectures.
*** “Not so good as his critical notes; but such an author always deserves attention.”
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Acts 1-7
Calvin, John – Sermons on the Acts of the Apostles: Chs. 1-7 Buy
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Acts 1
Calvin, John – Sermons on the Ascension in Diverse Sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the Divinity, Humanity, and Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, as also touching his Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension: together with the Coming Down of the Holy Ghost upon his Apostles: and the First Sermon of St. Peter (London, 1581)
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Acts 2
Calvin, John – Sermons on Pentecost in Diverse Sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the Divinity, Humanity, and Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, as also touching his Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension: together with the Coming Down of the Holy Ghost upon his Apostles: and the First Sermon of St. Peter (London, 1581)
Morgan, G. Campbell – The Birth of the Church: an Exposition of the 2nd Chapter of Acts Buy 1968
“Deals with events which took place on the day of Pentecost. Devotional.” – Cyril J. Barber
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Acts 2-3
Fairbarin, Patrick – ‘St. Peter’s Discourses in Acts 2 & 3’ 1866 in reference to prophecy, in Prophecy, pp. 505-510
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Acts 6-8
Goulburn, Edward – The Acts of the Deacons: being a Course of Lectures, Critical and Practical, on Acts 6-8 & 21:8-15 1866
** “An interesting topic well handled.” – Spurgeon
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Acts 10
Krummacher, F.A. – Cornelius the Centurion 210 pp.
F.A. Krummacher (1767-1845) was the father of F.W. Krummacher.
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Acts 16
Todd, James – The Apostle Paul and the Christian Church at Philippi, an Exposition, Critical and Practical, of Acts 16 and Philippians 1864 The exposition of Acts 16 is ch. 1, being 107 pp.
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Acts 17
“Two things strike me in that wonderful sermon of Paul at Athens: his considerable tact in recognizing all the good he found in Athens, and how he laid the axe to the root of the tree of Attic pride.”
John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan
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MacDuff, J.R. – St. Paul in Athens: the City and the Discourse 1887 260 pp.
Stonehouse, Ned – Paul before the Areopagus and Other New Testament Studies Buy 1957
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Acts 21
Goulburn, Edward – The Acts of the Deacons: being a Course of Lectures, Critical and Practical, on Acts 6-8 & 21:8-15 1866
** “An interesting topic well handled.” – Spurgeon
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The Acts in Poetry
Tye, Christopher – The Acts of the Apostles [chs. 1-14], translated into English meter… for all Christians that cannot sing, to read the good and Godly stories of the lives of Christ’s Apostles 1553
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The Lives of the Apostles
Lives & Theology of the Apostles
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The Life, Letters of & Theology of Paul
The Life, Letters & Theology of Paul
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Bible Characters in Acts
Whyte, Alexander – Bible Characters d. 1921
Matthias the Successor to Judas Iscariot
Ananias and Sapphira
Simon Magus
The Ethiopian Eunuch
Gamaliel
Barnabas
James, the Lord’s Brother
Stephen
Philip, Deacon & Evangelist
Cornelius
Apollos
“aner logicos,” Acts 18:24 – “Not [an] eloquent, but an intellectual man, a ratiocinative thinker.” – John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan
Eutyches
Felix
Festus
King Agrippa
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Harmony of Acts and the Epistles
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Bibliography on Acts
Mattill, A.J. & M.B. Mattill – A Classified Bibliography on Literature on the Acts of the Apostles Buy Brill 1966
“Similar in scope to Metzger’s Index to Periodical Literature on Christ and the Gospels. Contains 6,646 numbered entries drawn from approximately 200 journals and is divided into 9 main sections. Lists of material from the period of the Church Fathers to 1961. Includes index of authors.” – Cyril Barber
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The Authenticity of Acts
Machen, J. Gresham – ‘Recent Criticism of the Book of Acts’ 1919 24 pp.
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