Acts 1:1-5

v. 1 This book was written to Theophilus by Luke.

“former treatise” (was the Book of Luke)

Theophilus means “a friend of God”, so he was a believer.

Back in Luke 1 Theophilus was addressed by his nobility.

Many letters in the NT are written to churches, many to individuals.

To trace back some of the things he said, go to Luke 1:1-4

What is Luke saying here? He is saying he was not one of the apostles, disciples:

Matthew, Mark, John had been previously written (he mentions them here).

This book was being written later after Luke became friends with those who had been with Jesus. The others were Jews, Luke was not.

Luke was the only Gentile writer of the NT. He was led of the Holy Spirit to also write a book. He was the only writer who was not a Jew in the NT. His book was written more to the Romans, Gentiles – had more of a Gentile flair to it.

Luke also wrote Acts – the transition from Jesus’ ministry to Gentile countries. God had chosen a Gentile to write this particular book.

He brings out here in Luke that he had so much communication with the apostles that the Holy Spirit directed him to also write a book. He directs it to Theophilus. Here in Luke it is discovered that Theophilus is nobility. Hence the term, “most excellent”. That term is used a couple of times – this phrase also is used in Acts 23:26 speaking of Felix. It is also used in Acts 26:25 speaking of Festus. So, it is used for nobility. Theophilus was some type of dignitary because of the title given to him in Luke 1.

Acts takes up where the Book of Luke leaves off. A good title would have been 2nd Luke, but men assigned the titles to the Books.

The Book of Acts refers to the acts and deeds of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles.

Acts takes us from the ending of the earthly ministry of Jesus (Book of Luke) into the first developing of the Church - first chapter of Acts – (the passing of the mantle) passing of the torch to those who are doing the same ministry as Jesus Christ.

All through the Book of Acts people change, but the Holy Spirit remains the same. In other words, many people are used, but it is the same Holy Spirit – the message remains the same.

In the OT we have a ministry of the Holy Spirit- He was present in the nation – He empowered individuals at times to do great things – exploits, miracles, battles, etc.

The great majority of people were never used by the Holy Spirit though. Even though the Holy Spirit was present in the nation.

In the wilderness, they saw great things happen through Moses, through Aaron, Joshua, etc.

In Acts, we see the Holy Spirit being poured out upon the general Christian population. Once a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they can move into the anointing of the Holy Spirit by receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is a great gift God has given us today.

The central theme of Acts is the diminishing of the Jew and the increasing of the Gentiles. The theme is found in Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me in all Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.”

(The transition: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, uttermost parts of the earth. It is seen first of all in the local churches.)

1. Chapters 2-10 the local church is ordained- Jerusalem, the Jews Even in Paul’s writings he goes to the Jews first, then the Gentiles. Jesus came to His own, but they received Him not.

2. Then chapters 11-7 we have the rise of the 2nd church. It is Antioch where the Gentile church begins.

3. Then chapters 18-20 the church at Ephesus – the uttermost parts of the earth – even though there are some Jews there, it is the main rise of the Gentile churches.

Jerusalem had some Gentiles, but mostly Jews.

Antioch had some Jews, but mainly Gentiles and it was the same with Ephesus.

Acts of the Apostles Pt 1

Acts 1:1-5