The Announcements About the Writing (Acts 1:1–3)

1. The Review in the Announcements (Acts 1:1,2)

In this introduction, Luke first begins by reviewing his former “treatise” (Acts 1:1)—the Gospel of Luke—which he had written to “Theophilus”(Luke 1:3).

treatise a systematic exposition or argument in writing including a methodical discussion of the facts and principles involved and conclusions reached

The mention of the previous writing.

“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus” (Acts 1:1). The reference to the former treatise (Luke) shows that this new treatise (Acts) is a sequel to the book of Luke.

The message of the previous writing.

“Of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen” (Acts 1:1,2). Luke gives a capsule summary of the book of Luke in this introduction.

First,the commencing of the message.

“All that Jesus began both to do and teach.” The word “all” is relative—Luke did not record everything that Christ did—John has told us to do that “the world itself could not contain the books that should be written” (John 21:25). Luke’s Gospel was Christ-centered, for it was all about Jesus.

Second, the conclusion of the message.

“Until the day in which he was taken up”(Acts 1:2). The contents of the message of the Gospel of Luke went from the announcement about the birth of Christ to the ascension (“taken up”) of the body of Christ.

2. The Recipient of the Announcements (Acts 1:1)

“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus” (Acts 1:1). Luke wrote the book of Acts which he called a “treatise” to a single person. He had done the same with his Gospel.

Luke’s desire was to prove to Theophilus the truth of Jesus the Messiah’s life, death and resurrection

The name of the recipient.

“Theophilus.” This name means “love of God”. Theophilus evidently became what his name means, for Luke wrote two Bible books especially to this man.

The noteworthiness of the recipient.

“O Theophilus” (Acts 1:1). He is called “most excellent” in Luke 1:3 which means he had some rank in society. But greater honor than his earthly rank was in the fact that he became the recipient of two of the original books of the Bible in that Luke wrote his Gospel and the book of Acts to Theophilus. This does not mean these writings are not for us, for most books of the New Testament were written originally to some person or group.

3. The Reaffirmation in the Announcements (Acts 1:3)

“To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion [crucifixion] by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”(Acts 1:3). Luke adds a note about the confirmation of what he had written about Christ in his Gospel.

The coverage of the reaffirmation.

The reaffirmation or confirmation of the message about Christ covered many areas.

First,the showing.

“He showed himself alive after his passion.”

The resurrection was more than a rumor; it was an actual occurrence proven by the fact that the resurrected Christ “showed himself alive” on a number of occasions.

Second, the seeing.

“Being seen of them forty days.” The apostles saw Christ. And they saw Him repeatedly over a forty day period. This was not passing momentary vision but a six-week experience.

Third, the speaking.

“Speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” The disciples not only saw Christ, but they also heard him, and the message He spoke was the same one He had spoken before His crucifixion.

The character of the reaffirmation.

“He showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3). The message about Christ is not a fairy tale or hoax passed off on people. It is a great truth that has great proofs supporting it.

First, quantity. “Many.”

The work of Christ is supported by a multitude of proofs. Nothing is supported by such great proof as the Gospel.

Second, quality. “Infallible proofs.

” These two words are a translation of one Greek word. It means “that from which something is surely and plainly known … indubitable evidence” (Thayer). The proofs for the ministry of Christ and the Gospel are the finest of proofs. We do not hang our faith on a flimsy philosophy or wistful thinking but upon a great amount of the best of proofs.[1]