Acts 1

Luke, the gospel writer, wrote 2 books, the gospel of Luke and Acts. In both of these books he states that they were written to a man named Theophilus.

Even though we don’t know who Theophilus is, it is important to talk about the different theories about who he is. 

First let’s look at both of these introductions to Luke and Acts. 

Luke 1:1-4 ESV

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Acts 1:1-5 ESV

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

• “Most excellent” is a term used to address someone in an official position. 
• Paul used this term while defending his faith to Roman officials. 

1. He was possibly a Roman official. 
2. There was a man named Theophilus who was a leader in Antioch during Luke’s time, it could have been him. This would explain the desire to give an orderly account. 
3. Theophilus ben Ananus was high priest in Jerusalem in A.D. 37-41. This would have the nephew of Caiaphus. 
4. There was another high priest that served later named Mattathias ben Theophilus, who served in Jerusalem in A.D. 65-66.
5. Some think he was a lawyer that was defending Paul in Rome. 
6. Some believe he was a wealthy supporter of Paul to whom he was giving account for Paul’s missions. 

Luke stated his purpose for these writings in Luke 1:3-4. He desired that Theophilus would have certainty that what he was hearing was in fact true and trustworthy. 

There is still one more theory that is most definitely true. I believe Luke was most likely writing to an individual but he was definitely writing to us today. He wanted us to know that the things we have heard were in fact true and trustworthy. 

Have you ever met someone named Christian? That name comes from the original word Christos that means the anointed one. It was first used to describe the disciples in Acts who were followers of Jesus. 

To understand this last theory we will need to look at the definition of the name Theophilus which means friend of God, lover of God, or loved by God. 

• To be a friend and lover of God there are standards.
• We must love as defined in 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a ESV

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends.

• Looking at my love towards Him, the standard of 1 Corinthians 13 are the same but I waiver based on desire, busyness, stress, and many other things. 
• To be loved by God is all inclusive. 
• God loves His creation and offers salvation and forgiveness to all who would come to Him. 
• He cannot accept our sin but will separate it from us. 

1 John 2:1-6 ESV

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Luke wrote his gospel and Acts to Theophilus who may have been a specific person but by definition it was written to all who are a friend or lover of God and to all who are loved by God. 

He wrote this for the purpose of our certainty that Gods works are true.

According to these writings God is still working in the same way today.