Ninsight in the book of acts who is theophilus

Others have concluded that theophilus was a roman official to whom luke writes in order to familiarize him with the christian origin and beliefs. The book of acts begins with a summary of the previous volume, the gospel of luke, and then introduces the second volume. Luke, as a medical man, also shows compassion and insight into people and. Name the couple that befriended paul who were tentmakers just like paul acquila and priscillatent makers. Theophilus ben ananus was the high priest in jerusalem from about a. 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. Theophilus, whose name is greek and means loved of philus god theo, was a gentile government official.

The identity of theophilus is a mystery to bible students. However, there are many questions regarding the identity of this individual. Heathen literature is compared with the scriptures in theophilus third book. 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. The name theophilus means lover of god, an appropriate title because the book of luke is for anyone who loves god. Theophilus is a very important person in the new testament, yet we know next to nothing about him. 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. 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 place where the book of acts is written is relatively certain. 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. His importance lies in the fact that he was the original recipient of two magnificent pieces of inspired literature. Characters of the acts of the apostles bible study guide. Theophilus appears to have been the patron to whom the author of lukeacts dedicated his. 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.

Michael obrien brings the life of the early christians vividly to our inward sight. The person to whom luke addressed both his gospel and the acts of apostles. Theophilus was an individual interested in the gospel. Theophilus was certainly used as a given name by people in the right era. Book of acts part 2 who was theophilus at the beginning of luke and acts. The name appears only two times in scripture and both times in the writings of luke luke 1. In my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to do and to teach. 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. Who was theophilus at the beginning of luke and acts. 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.

The aim of this article is to investigate the nature of theophilus as the original reader of luke acts. Theophilus encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. 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. In calling him most excellent luke is addressing a man of prominence. 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. Luke wrote the acts and in the book theophilos becomes the adoptive father of loukas. Casey, executive director, christian legal society it makes a constructive, fresh, and fascinating contribution to the understanding of acts. Moreover, why does luke address theophilus as most excellent only in the gospel narrative.

The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. It makes the book of acts come alive with new and useful insights. Book of luke overview insight for living ministries. The book is a terrific addition to any lawyers library. 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. 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. Favorite answer the author of the book of acts is st. What struck me about the book was the devotion and service of the followers of the lord and their courage in persecution. His first is what we today call the gospel of luke. Imagine what it would be like if the book of acts were missing. He writes to theophilus to explain the truth about jesus.

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. Theophilus is the person to whom luke addresses the book of luke and the acts of the apostles. Much of the dating of the book of luke depends on the dating of acts. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Those who hold this theory believe that lukes purpose in writing luke and acts was to write a defense of. The bible contains two letters from luke to theophilus. Acts includes apostles, prophets and miracle workers. 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. Friend of god, an honorable person to whom the evangelist luke addressed his gospel, and the acts of the apostles, luke 1. Who was the narrator in luke and acts of the apostles. Yet another theory about the identity of theophilus is that he was the roman lawyer who defended paul during his trial in rome. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. The second book to autolycus argues against popular heathen religion, speculation, philosophers, and poets.

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 28 chapters of the acts of the apostles provide a wide variety of compelling characters, both good and bad. 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. Dr adam bradford gives a fascinating insight into theophilus to whom luke addressed his gospel and the acts skip navigation. Therefore, one of the most common theories is that theophilus was possibly a roman officer or highranking official in the roman government.

Can someone learn about god by reading the book of mormon. The name theophilus means a friend of god and is a distinctively hebraic name. Rabbi tovia singer explains why the author of the book of luke. Book of acts part 2 who was theophilus at the beginning. He is writing to his friend called theophilus about his other book, the gospel of st. 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.

A fluent tongue and an elegant style afford pleasure and such praise as vainglory delights in. The name theophilus means friend of god and i have always assumed that it was an honorary title granted to lukes patron. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. 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. This honorific adjective, which in antiquity a person might use when approaching someone of a higher social class than himself, was deemed. The result was the first part of a twovolume work written to theophilus. Paul used the same term when addressing felix acts 23. 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. It gives forty devotional insights from the book of acts for todays churchand for you. Who was theophilus, that new testament man of mystery. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document.

Acts 1 web the first book i wrote, theophilus, bible. At one time the gospel of luke and the book of acts were joined together as one book with two volumes. Lukes second letter to theophilus is what we today call the acts of the apostles, and by the he wrote it. 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.

Who was theophilus in lukes gospel and the book of acts. 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. The gospel record of luke and the book of acts have been. 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. Is lukes theophilus an actual person or an allegorical. Theophilus apparently was a christian, having been orally taught about jesus. Study guide for acts 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. The book of acts gives us an important look into the early history of the christian. The former account i made, o theophilus, of all that jesus began both to do and teach. Theophilus who is theophilus in the bible luke and acts. At the inception of theophilus third book, autolycus was apparently still of the opinion that the word of truth was an idle tale.