Study Resources

Acts sermon index, recommended commentaries, and resources to deepen your understanding of biblical proclamation and Spirit-led teaching.

📖 Acts Sermon Index

Every major sermon in Acts follows the pattern: text → Jesus → response. Study these to see the spine in action:

Acts 2:14-41
Peter at Pentecost
Joel's prophecy fulfilled → Jesus crucified & raised → Repent & be baptized
Acts 3:12-26
Peter after healing
God glorified His servant → Jesus rejected & killed → Repent & turn to God
Acts 7:2-53
Stephen before Sanhedrin
Israel's history of resistance → Messiah betrayed → Stop resisting the Spirit
Acts 10:34-43
Peter to Cornelius
God shows no favoritism → Jesus' ministry, death & resurrection → Believe in Him
Acts 13:16-41
Paul in Pisidian Antioch
Israel's story leads to David → Jesus is David's descendant → Believe & be justified
Acts 17:22-31
Paul at Areopagus
Unknown God revealed → Raised Jesus from dead → Repent before judgment
Acts 20:18-35
Paul to Ephesian elders
Paul's ministry example → Gospel of God's grace → Guard the flock & remember the poor
Acts 22:1-21
Paul's testimony (Jerusalem)
Before: persecutor → Encounter: Damascus road → Now: apostle to Gentiles
Acts 26:2-29
Paul before Agrippa
Before: zealous Pharisee → Encounter: Christ appeared → Now: witness to all

Pattern to observe: Each sermon connects Scripture to Jesus to a specific response. Context shapes emphasis, but the spine remains consistent.

📚 Recommended Acts Commentaries

These resources from the Project Context library will deepen your understanding of Acts:

Major Commentaries

Keener, Craig S. Acts: An Exegetical Commentary (Vol. 3: 15:1-23:35). Baker Academic, 2014.
Exegetical Comprehensive Primary source for detailed historical-cultural background and textual analysis
Witherington III, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Eerdmans, 1997.
Rhetorical Cultural Context Essential for understanding Greco-Roman rhetorical patterns and social structures
Gentino, David. Acts: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching. Kregel, 2023.
Preaching Focus Practical Most useful for sermon preparation and homiletical insights
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Acts of the Apostles (Anchor Bible). Doubleday, 1998.
Technical Greek Focus Advanced Greek exegesis and textual criticism
Bruce, F. F. The Book of Acts (New International Commentary on the New Testament). Eerdmans, 1988.
Classic Reliable Gold standard for evangelical scholarship on Acts
Schnabel, Eckhard J. Acts (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Zondervan, 2012.
Exegetical Mission Focus Excellent on the missiological themes and geographical progression in Acts
Rowe, C. Kavin. World Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age. Oxford, 2010.
Theological Cultural Analysis Brilliant analysis of Acts' subversion of Roman imperial ideology

🔍 Luke-Acts Theological Studies

Understanding Acts requires seeing it as part 2 of Luke's larger work:

Luke-Acts as Unified Narrative

Thompson, Alan J. The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke's Account of God's Unfolding Plan. New Studies in Biblical Theology. IVP Academic, 2011.
Biblical Theology Systematic Traces Luke's unified theological vision across both volumes
Rowe, C. Kavin. Studies in Luke, Acts, and Paul. Mohr Siebeck, 2024.
Recent Theological Cutting-edge scholarship on Luke's theological contributions
Oliver, Isaac W. Luke's Jewish Eschatology: The National Restoration of Israel in Luke-Acts. Fortress, 2021.
Eschatology Israel Theme Essential for understanding Luke's vision of Israel's restoration through the church
Pao, David W. Acts and the Isaianic New Exodus. Baker Academic, 2016.
Exodus Theme Isaiah Connection Demonstrates how Acts portrays the church's mission as the fulfillment of Isaiah's new exodus prophecies

📖 Accessible Acts Resources

Great for group study or personal reading:

Devotional & Study Guides

Wright, N. T. Acts for Everyone, Part One: Chapters 1-12. SPCK, 2008.
Devotional Clear Accessible exposition perfect for small groups and personal reflection
Wright, N. T. Acts for Everyone, Part Two: Chapters 13-28. SPCK, 2008.
Devotional Clear Continuation of Wright's accessible series on Acts
Marshall, I. Howard. Acts of the Apostles: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. IVP, 1980.
Tyndale Commentary Balanced Excellent balance of scholarship and readability for pastors and students

🛠️ Additional Formation Tools

Biblical Resources

Project Context Studies

🎉 Formation Journey Complete

You've now explored all seven steps of the Prophetic & Teaching Formation pathway:

Foundation

Learn & Build

Practice

"For the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and consoling." — 1 Corinthians 14:3