Here are four perspectives from four influential Christian thinkers on the Book of Acts, highlighting its central themes: the Holy Spirit, the growth of the early church, the mission of believers, and the spread of the Gospel.

John Stott — The Holy Spirit and the Church

“As a body without breath is a corpse, so the church without the Spirit is dead.”

John Calvin — The Kingdom and the Gospel

“His kingdom consisteth in the preaching of the gospel.”

Matthew Henry — The Early Christian Community

“They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion.”

Alexander MacLaren — The Mission of Every Believer

“The great work we have to do in the future is to be witnesses for Christ.”

Christianity began not as an elaborate religious institution, but as a movement of believers empowered by the Spirit, devoted to one another, and determined to spread the message of Jesus.