Ninsight in the book of acts who is theophilus

He writes to theophilus to explain the truth about jesus. Those who hold this theory believe that lukes purpose in writing luke and acts was to write a defense of. Imagine what it would be like if the book of acts were missing. The aim of this article is to investigate the nature of theophilus as the original reader of luke acts. Much of the dating of the book of luke depends on the dating of acts. The former account i made, o theophilus, of all that jesus began both to do and teach. The person to whom luke addressed both his gospel and the acts of apostles. Name the couple that died because they lied about that money they gave god. His first is what we today call the gospel of luke. Who was theophilus, that new testament man of mystery. Yet another theory about the identity of theophilus is that he was the roman lawyer who defended paul during his trial in rome. The fact is that we really do not know who theophilus was, which is why there are several different theories as to who he might be. Luke, as a medical man, also shows compassion and insight into people and.

It gives forty devotional insights from the book of acts for todays churchand for you. Therefore, one of the most common theories is that theophilus was possibly a roman officer or highranking official in the roman government. Book of acts part 2 who was theophilus at the beginning. Others have concluded that theophilus was a roman official to whom luke writes in order to familiarize him with the christian origin and beliefs. This title accurately reflects the contents of the book, which is a series of vignettes chronicling the lives of key apostles especially peter and paul in the decades immediately following christs ascension into heaven. The book of acts gives us an important look into the early history of the christian. Name the couple that befriended paul who were tentmakers just like paul acquila and priscillatent makers. In fact, he is the only person mentioned in the scriptures to whom writings were specifically dedicated tootoole, 1992. Can someone learn about god by reading the book of mormon. The title of the book of acts comes from the greek word praxis, a word often used in early christian literature to describe the great deeds of the apostles or other significant believers. His importance lies in the fact that he was the original recipient of two magnificent pieces of inspired literature. The bible contains two letters from luke to theophilus. Casey, executive director, christian legal society it makes a constructive, fresh, and fascinating contribution to the understanding of acts.

A fluent tongue and an elegant style afford pleasure and such praise as vainglory delights in. The book of acts should be regarded as a continuation of the story of the gospel good news that luke had proclaimed to theophilus in his former book 1. It was a common practice throughout most of history for books to be addressed to a patron who helped to support the author while he was writing the book, so a plausible theory is that theophilus was wealthy person who gave luke money or other assistance while he was researching his gospel and during his missionary trips with paul. What struck me about the book was the devotion and service of the followers of the lord and their courage in persecution. Theophilus was an individual interested in the gospel. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document. Unfortunately, neither of these theophilus s nor any other known theophilus lived during the time frame that most scholars think that luke was written in 80s ad. Lukes second letter to theophilus is what we today call the acts of the apostles, and by the he wrote it. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. Luke addressed the books of luke and acts to theophilus, but who is he.

Who was theophilus in lukes gospel and the book of acts. 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. The book is a terrific addition to any lawyers library. The first reading is from the beginning of the acts of the apostles and starts, in the first book, theophilus, i dealt with all that jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up acts 1. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. 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. Theophilus is a very important person in the new testament, yet we know next to nothing about him. Rabbi tovia singer explains why the author of the book of luke.

The place where the book of acts is written is relatively certain. Book of acts part 2 who was theophilus at the beginning of luke and acts. Dr adam bradford gives a fascinating insight into theophilus to whom luke addressed his gospel and the acts skip navigation. Acts 1 web the first book i wrote, theophilus, bible. The man theophilus is mentioned by luke twice in scripture in his introductions to his two books, the gospel of luke and the book of acts. Friend of god, an honorable person to whom the evangelist luke addressed his gospel, and the acts of the apostles, luke 1. Theophilus was certainly used as a given name by people in the right era. The book is filled with some of the finest saints ever to live, coming into contact with some of the most evil enemies of the cross ever to trouble the church. The identity of theophilus is a mystery to bible students. This arises out of the fact that both felix and festus, two roman governors of judea, are addressed as most excellent in the book of acts acts 23.

The acts of the apostles a book written by luke the writer of the third gospel and addressed also to theophilus as was his gospel and which tells of the early christian church after the. The name theophilus means lover of god, an appropriate title because the book of luke is for anyone who loves god. The name appears only two times in scripture and both times in the writings of luke luke 1. I recently learned that some scholars believe that the historical theophilus ben ananus is the theophilus to whom luke dedicates his gospel and sequel, the acts of the apostles. Theophilus, whose name is greek and means loved of philus god theo, was a gentile government official. Who was theophilus at the beginning of luke and acts.

Moreover, why does luke address theophilus as most excellent only in the gospel narrative. Theophilus ben ananus was the high priest in jerusalem from about a. It makes the book of acts come alive with new and useful insights. Justs luke, ambrose, the fourthcentury church father, says. In my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to do and to teach. At the inception of theophilus third book, autolycus was apparently still of the opinion that the word of truth was an idle tale.

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. The result was the first part of a twovolume work written to theophilus. However, there are many questions regarding the identity of this individual. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. Favorite answer the author of the book of acts is st. Michael obrien brings the life of the early christians vividly to our inward sight. In calling him most excellent luke is addressing a man of prominence. Book of luke overview insight for living ministries. This form of address is applied to only two other people in the new testament. Theophilus who is theophilus in the bible luke and acts. While both the gospel of luke and the book of acts have applications for all christians, they were probably written to a specific individual whom. We can only say of him, in general, that most probably he was a man of some note, who lived out of palestine, and had abjured paganism in order to embrace christianity.

Now the author of the book of acts writes in acts chapter 1 the first account i composed, theophilus, about all that jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after he had by the holy spirit given orders to the apostles whom he had chosen. The name theophilus means friend of god and i have always assumed that it was an honorary title granted to lukes patron. The book of acts begins with a summary of the previous volume, the gospel of luke, and then introduces the second volume. Theophilus apparently was a christian, having been orally taught about jesus. Paul used the same term when addressing felix acts 23. Heathen literature is compared with the scriptures in theophilus third book. Here the former treatise or writing would be in reference to the book of luke, so we understand from this that luke, the beloved physician, wrote both the book that bears his name, and the book of acts. Acts includes apostles, prophets and miracle workers. Characters of the acts of the apostles bible study guide. Who was the narrator in luke and acts of the apostles. Is lukes theophilus an actual person or an allegorical. Luke wrote the acts and in the book theophilos becomes the adoptive father of loukas. Theophilus appears to have been the patron to whom the author of lukeacts dedicated his. The name theophilus means a friend of god and is a distinctively hebraic name.

This honorific adjective, which in antiquity a person might use when approaching someone of a higher social class than himself, was deemed. So, after doing thorough research, luke wrote the facts about christ the gospel of luke and early christianity the book of acts for his friend. Theophilus encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. The conclusion of the book of acts ends with paul still alive and under arrest awaiting trial, suggesting it was the intention of the author to update theophilus on pauls history to provide for an explanation of his travels and preaching and serve as evidence in support of his innocence under roman law. Study guide for acts 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. He is writing to his friend called theophilus about his other book, the gospel of st. Theophilus is the person to whom luke addresses the book of luke and the acts of the apostles. The gospel record of luke and the book of acts have been. This fact has led to some speculation about whether theophilus was really a substitute for the real name of lukes addressee, or perhaps luke wrote generally to all. 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 second book to autolycus argues against popular heathen religion, speculation, philosophers, and poets. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. At one time the gospel of luke and the book of acts were joined together as one book with two volumes.