This first Acts volume traces the church from the ascension and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost through the apostolic sermons, the common life of the earliest believers, the opposition of the Sanhedrin, the appointment of the seven, the martyrdom of Stephen, the conversion of Saul, and Peter's visit to Cornelius, where the gospel crosses decisively to the Gentiles.

Each volume in the MacArthur New Testament Commentary works verse by verse through the Greek text, explains the passage in its context, and presents its theology with precision, in the service of expository preaching rather than academic debate. The series is written for pastors preparing sermons, teachers preparing lessons, and any believer willing to study carefully, and it is the fruit of more than five decades of pulpit ministry at Grace Community Church.