“O Theophilus”
Acts 1:1-3
As we embark on this new chapter in our lives I would like to examine the book of Acts.
There are 28 chapters and I have no idea how long this will take.
Our goal will not to rush through the book but rather to examine each week the Word of God to learn from it and to challenge each of us in our walk with the Lord.
Let’s begin with our human author, Luke, and his goal for this letter.
Written with the same design to furnish an authentic and full narrative of events concerning which there would be many accounts.
It is presumed that “Acts” was written sometime around 60-90 AD.
There is no description of the destruction of the Temple yet we see that there were activities in and around the Temple described in Acts.
It is referred to as “THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES”.
Albert Barns “Since these events pertained to the descent of the Spirit, to the spread of the gospel, to the kind of preaching by which the church was to be collected and organized, and as the facts in the case constituted a full proof of the truth of the Christian faith, and the conduct of the apostles would be a model for ministers and the church in all future times.”
It is of great importance that a fair and full narrative of these things should be preserved.
Luke was the companion of Paul in his travels, and was an eye-witness of no small part of the transactions recorded in this book.
We will witness that Acts is written in the 3rd person and one who is making observations.
To Theophilus
We know little about Theophilus only that his name seems to indicate his deep desire to know God and Luke was writing to him to strengthen his faith.
Early tradition says that Theophilus was the master of Luke and after his conversion set Luke free to travel with Paul.
Since we do not have that event recorded in the Bible we will set it aside as nice to know.
What we do know is that Luke wrote to Theophilus on 2 occasions and we know them as “Luke and Acts.”
We will need to start our journey in Luke 1:1-4
Luke 24:1-53 brings us to the conclusion of the first letter to Theophilus.
There seems to be one goal in these letters; Luke 1:4 “That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”
Acts1:1 “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,”
The former treatise - The former book. The Gospel of Luke
Treatise - logos (log’-os) a word, uttered by a living voice, the sayings of God, doctrine, teaching
Theophilus - "friend of God"
Theos = God
Philos (fee’-los) = friend
Some believe that there is no person but that it was written to all that are friends of God.
When there is a statement we need not spiritualize or diminish what is written.
There is no indication that this was to anyone but “most excellent Theophilus.”
Theophilus was the person for whom Luke originally wrote his two books: the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles.
It is interesting to note that around 26% of the New Testament was written to Theophilus in Luke’s writings.
Luke’s desire was to prove to Theophilus the truth of Jesus the Messiah’s life, death and resurrection.
Then He would continue his letter by showing the walk of the Apostles’ after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
The name Theophilus appears in only two places in the Bible, Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-3.
So as we study Acts we will read of the evidence that Luke had written to Theophilus.
“Of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,” -
As Luke wrote to his friend in the past it was to show him that Jesus was who He said He was, the Son of God (God in the flesh).
That was all of what we know as the book of Luke.
Acts 1:2 “Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:”
Until the day in which he was taken up – Luke wrote this record and it was complete through the Ascension.
Luke 24:50-53 “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”
“After that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:” -
Once ascended Jesus no longer spoke directly to the Apostles but rather the “Comforter” that was promised would be the link that has continued even now.
Prior to His ascension we see verse 3
Acts 1:3 “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”
Passion - Place or time of suffering (We often hear “The Passion of Christ”)
Infallible - that from which something is surely and plainly known.
Dictionary = absolutely trustworthy or sure: an infallible rule.
Unfailing in effectiveness or operation; certain:
Proofs - evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true
John 20:26-29 “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
1 Corinthians 15:5-7 “And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.”
Being seen of them forty days - There are no less than thirteen different appearances of Jesus to his disciples recorded in these 40 days.
Speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: -
Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God can be summarized as the everlasting realm where God is sovereign and Jesus Christ rules forever.
The Kingdom of God is mentioned more than 80 times in the New Testament.
The teachings of Jesus Christ center on the Kingdom of God.
Another name in the Bible for the Kingdom of God is the Kingdom of Heaven.
John preached in Matthew 3:2 “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
In the “Kingdom Of God” we see both present-tense and
future-tense in the Bible.
In the present we are The Kingdom of God; that is in us!
In the future we will arrive in God’s Kingdom where He reigns supreme.
Both are the result of salvation.
Are you saved?
Conclusion:
Theophilus was the physical person that wrote Acts but it is clear that the Holy Spirit directed this to be written for the same reason He wrote it to a friend.
Luke 1:4 “That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”
Acts will not just be a lesson in history but will be a lesson of “His Story” and how the first believers walked in obedience to the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Again, do you know for certain that you are saved?
