Acts: The Church Afire

Preaching the Word

by R. Kent Hughes

Dynamic churches–congregations that are experiencing phenomenal growth, Christian ministries that God is using to take down walls, churches where souls are being saved and lives transformed–inspire us and make for great reading. The book of Acts, the divinely inspired history of the early church, is all this and more. In the author's "One reason I love to study the book of Acts is its uniqueness. It is the sourcebook for the spread of early Christianity. Without it we would know little about the apostolic church except what could be gleaned from Paul's epistles. It is the chronicle of the spreading flame of the Holy Spirit." In this welcome addition to the Preaching the Word series, Pastor Kent Hughes explores the key narratives of the book of acts, including the birth of the church, bold gospel preaching resulting in the prospering of the church, and the dramatic missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul.

Genres: Christian, Theology

382 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 1996

About the author

R. Kent Hughes (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is senior pastor emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, and a visiting professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hughes is also a founder of the Charles Simeon Trust, which conducts expository preaching conferences throughout North America and worldwide. He and his wife, Barbara, have four children and an ever-increasing number of grandchildren.

Reviews

[Grant Chlystun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great commentary to help guide your study of the Word! This book on Acts was the first one I’ve read and I really love the way it helps you engage with the text. I’ve done verse by verse commentaries but this one takes each 20-30 verse section (roughly) and mines it for theological principles, reading much more like a sermon manuscript than study notes which I actually found to be really refreshing! I just picked up the one on Isaiah and am excited to let this series guide my study again. Highly recommend!

[Jonathan Sussex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from the preaching the word series, Very enjoyable and lots of helpful illustrations and stories, and as always very biblical and Gospel focussed.

[Dave Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great companion to the book of Acts. Lots of added insight and thought. Helps to bring the book of Acts to life and challenges the Church to catch on fire for the the Gospel Message of Christ. Good stuff!

[Nicole Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second reading of this commentary. Still much enjoyed it.

My 4th or 5th R. Kent Hughes commentary, these are my favorite addition to my Bible reading. Easy to read and powerful. I believe they're written for pastors, but I find them so easy to understand that I've stuck with them, as simply a student of the Word.

[Matt Maples · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kent Hughes is a very good commentary author. He is a go-to for me, and I really appreciate how he handles the scriptures. This commentary series is a collection of sermons on the text so it's definitely not a technical commentary, but it's useful and practical.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kent Hughes’s commentaries are consistently solid, well written, and easy to read.

[Sam Chretien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one of R. Kent Huges classic . Will be reading more of Huges !! Loved the prayers at the end of each chapter.

[Bryn MacPhail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pairs well with a good technical commentary. I appreciate R. Kent Hughes' very practical and sound presentation of the biblical narrative. Not only do I highly recommend this particular commentary, but every volume in the "Preaching The Word" series has been excellent and helpful.

[Andy Littleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pastoral style commentary, that furnishes illustrations. I feel like this is a good fit for ministers in established Christian contexts, seeking a solid and simple way of explaining and applying Acts.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful series of sermons through the Book of Acts. Hughes is useful to me in terms of ideas for sermon illustrations and introductions especially. A good resource for pastors.

[Emily Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible study on the book of Acts. I asked for a couple of commentaries on Acts from family for my birthday, and my sister gave me this one. While it's not necessarily the kind of commentary I was expecting, it is a huge treasure trove. I love the insights and the personal application here - and when I read Hughes' take on Acts, it was like reading far beyond for study purposes. I found joy as a reader in this study.

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a class in Bible College, and it was the best commentary I've ever read on Acts, it clearly presents the book and breaks down the passages, showing the different views, it also does a tremendous job of being educational while easy to read and follow. I would highly recommend this book for anyone studying the book of Acts.

[Rohan Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb