Therefore, one of the most common theories is that theophilus was possibly a roman officer or highranking official in the roman government. The person to whom luke addressed his gospel and the acts. Theophilus the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The orthodox faith volume i doctrine and scripture. In the introduction to the acts of the apostles, which is read for the ascension, luke writes. This is the second lesson in our series the book of acts. The book of acts records the spread of the gospel, beginning in the city of.
Free reading plans and devotionals related to acts 1. Theophilus, whose name is greek and means loved of philus god theo, was a gentile government official. Luke wrote two letters to theophilus, a greek nobleman whom he called most. Her second appearance also in the gospel of luke is on easter sunday when she and other women visits the empty tomb. Also previously published under the titles testament of theophilus, the seven hills, and merchant of. The former treatise have i made, o theophilus, of all that jesus began both to do. The abrupt ending of acts prior to pauls trial before caesar lends support to the idea that it may have initially served as a legal brief in pauls behalf cf. Theophilus definition and meaning bible dictionary. The book of acts, of course, is the very next book after the four gospels. If he did, the book is a sequel to the gospel of luke. Luke addressed both the gospel of luke and the book of acts to theophilus. The book of the acts of the apostles was written by saint luke toward the end of the first century, as the second part of his history for theophilus about christ and his church.
According to church tradition, luke wrote the book of acts. Together, the gospel of luke and the book of acts comprise about twentyfive percent of the new testament. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. These two commentary excerpts deal with these introductions to the books. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. As mentioned, our lesson today, lesson number one is entitled you will be my witnesses.
Gospel of luke, marcion, theophilus, and the simple solution. However, there are many questions regarding the identity of this individual. Theophilus who is theophilus in the bible luke and acts. The guy named theophilus, who the author likely luke writes to and says, hey. Some have concluded that theophilus was the magistrate who heard pauls case in rome and that acts and luke was a legal brief in pauls defense isbe, theophilus 3. The name appears only two times in scripture and both times in the writings of luke luke 1. Lukes writings have made a significant contribution to the churchs collection of holy scripture. His first is what we today call the gospel of luke. For, if the theme of the story be what christ did, then the book is, not the acts of. Theophilus books christinspired books and publishing. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. From the fact that luke applies to him the title most excellent, the same title paul uses in addressing felix acts 23.
Who was theophilus at the beginning of luke and acts. What struck me about the book was the devotion and service of the followers of the lord and their courage in persecution. This honorific adjective, which in antiquity a person might use when approaching someone of a higher social class than himself, was deemed especially appropriate for. It was a common name among both romans and jews at that time, so theres little we can know about him for certain. It is uncertain what role in the early church he played but he is noteworthy in the thinking of luke for he directs both the gospel account and the acts account to theophilus. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of god. See introduction as to the title thus given to the book. Contemporarily with the earliest manuscripts of acts, link to acts manuscript dating there is historical evidence that establishes that the theophoric name, theophilus was used as an honorific for a king or emperor, julian the emperor, oration ii, and eusebius in reference to constantine, eusebius history of the church book x, 8.
Were the gospel of luke and the book of acts written by. A fluent tongue and an elegant style afford pleasure and such praise as vainglory delights in, to wretched men who have been corrupted in mind. The book of acts is telling me that if ive given my allegiance to jesus, im a part of a. Jesus did not nail gods perfect, loving, and beneficial instructions to and for mankind to the cross he nailed the penalty of sin to the cross. Another possibility is that theophilus was a wealthy and influential man in the city of antioch. In this initial chapter of his second volume, luke prepares his readers for the major events still to come. In the first book, o theophilus, i have dealt with all toggle navigation go.
Theophilus is the person to whom luke addressed both his gospel and the acts of apostles. That acts was a companion book to the gospel of luke is witnessed by lukes words in acts 1. We have entitled this lesson structure and content because we will be looking at the ways luke organized his. Paul used the same term when addressing felix acts 23. Theophilus encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. This honorific adjective, which in antiquity a person might use when approaching someone of a higher social class than himself, was deemed especially appropriate for addressing government officials. Luke wrote acts to describe the continued ministry of in the early church, completed by in the work of.
In this series, we are exploring the record of the early church as it continued the ministry of jesus. Vocabulary and style are very similar in the two books. The startup of christianity bibleproject the bible project. Leithart examines the liturgical features of creation. When you stop to think how god used this personal relationship throughout the world and down through the years, one can see the need to lead and assist the followers of christ to. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. Both works are dedicated to a man named theophilus and share a common writing style. The book of acts begins with a summary of the previous volume, the gospel of luke, and then introduces the second volume. A brief introduction the gospel of luke and the book of acts were written by the same author. The first account i composed, theophilus, about all that jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after he had by the holy spirit given orders to the apostles. Luke wrote the acts and in the book theophilos becomes the adoptive father of loukas. Luke uses it, of what we should call the several books or portions of his histories. A packed and succinct ebooklet on why christians should keep the sabbath by showing clearly why they do not. It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent theophilus, acts 1.
In my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the. The book begins with an account of the lords ascension and the election of matthias to. In fact, he is the only person mentioned in the scriptures to whom writings were specifically dedicated tootoole, 1992. When theophilus, a roman merchant, is tasked by king herod to find the body of christ and prove he didnt rise from the dead, theophilus goes down a road that will change everything he ever believed in. It is thought that both the gospel of luke and acts of the apostles were written by the same author, and often argued that the two books were originally a single unified work. In my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to do and to teach. Acts 1 web the first book i wrote, theophilus, bible. Just as his gospel opens with a dedication to theophilus, so also does acts. Michael obrien brings the life of the early christians vividly to our inward sight.
It describes the early christian church, and theres a number of important lessons that we will find in our study through the book of acts. I venture to assign to theophilus a conjectural date of birth, circiter a. The identity of theophilus is a mystery to bible students. Abide bible sleep talk down i will be with you with calming relaxing peaceful music to beat. You will be my witnesses the book of acts amazing facts. Luke uses this strategy as he addresses the book of acts and previously the gospel of luke to one individual named theophilus. Theophilus is the person to whom luke addresses the book of luke and the acts of the apostles.
Each book bears witness to gods mission to restore and renew creation, first through the crucified and risen jesus, and then through his followers. What if in luke and acts theophilus is not a person, but an address to all people who love god. The book of luke and acts, it would seem is a account written by the beloved physician luke, to theophilus. Since this book was written to the same individual as the former, it was evidently written with the same design to furnish an authentic and full narrative. The evidence is overwhelming that god has not abandoned his statutes, laws, or commandments.