This commentary on the book of Acts is written from a Reformed perspective and is intended for the common man. It is designed to provide "… study helps that are simple but without being simplistic." As part of The Plowman Study Series, it is designed largely as a devotional commentary but also includes doctrinal instruction.

While the author describes the faith and courage of key characters in Acts, he emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit in this commentary. This text is not simply a history of the early days of the Church, but rather it describes Christ's continuing work by His Spirit through members of the early church. As you read you will see that the One who enabled these characters to so greatly expand the Church in the first century A.D. is also the same as He who through faith dwells in our hearts today.

This book is is organized in very manageable sections. Rather than comment on large passages of Scripture, Acts has been divided into modest portions typically ranging from one to five verses. It does not include Greek within either the text of the commentary or the footnotes. You will need to have your Bible with you when you use this book, since it does not include passages of Scripture. This will allow you the freedom to use whichever Bible translation you prefer.

Dr. Carlsen served as a missionary pastor in Zimbabwe, southern Africa, for ten years and now pastors a church in the United States.