Theophilus encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. Jan 02, 2020 paul used the same term when addressing felix acts 23. Learn book of acts theology with free interactive flashcards. The book of the acts of the apostles was written by saint luke toward the end of the first century, as the second part of his history for theophilus about christ and his church. Why did god choose luke to write a gospel and the book of acts. Contemporarily with the earliest manuscripts of acts, link to acts manuscript dating there is historical evidence that establishes that the theophoric name, theophilus was used as an honorific for a king or emperor, julian the emperor, oration ii, and eusebius in reference to constantine, eusebius history of the church book x, 8. Theophilus is the person to whom luke addressed both his gospel and the acts of apostles. Luke uses this strategy as he addresses the book of acts and previously the gospel of luke to one individual named theophilus. Just prior to acts, his gospel can be considered as a prequel. The book of acts continues the narrative that luke began in his gospel.
We also find it used in reference to festus, who followed felix as governor in acts 26. Theophilus is the person to whom luke addresses the book of luke and the acts of the apostles. The acts of the apostles, better known to us as acts, is the story of the birth of the church. May 20, 2017 theophilus is the person to whom luke addressed both his gospel and the acts of apostles. Who was theophilus at the beginning of luke and acts. This is not the first time theophilus appears in scripture. One story in two parts reformed theological college.
Who is theophilus, the man to whom luke addressed what we call today the gospel of luke and the acts of the apostles. Containing gospels, history, epistles, and prophecy b. Luke wrote the third gospel and acts in the city of antioch, syria. 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. The aim of this article is to investigate the nature of theophilus as the original reader of lukeacts. It is thought that both the gospel of luke and acts of the apostles were written by the same author, and often argued that the two books were originally a single unified work. Check out our current groups meeting throughout the portland metro area. In the first book, o theophilus, i have dealt with all that. Theophilus who is theophilus in the bible luke and acts. Therefore, one of the most common theories is that theophilus was possibly a roman officer or highranking official in the roman government. When you stop to think how god used this personal relationship throughout the world and down through the years, one can see the need to lead and assist the followers of christ to.
Theophilus theophilus literally, the name means lover of god. Each day at noon, we will be gathering via zoom for approximately 1015 minutes and praying the midday prayers from the book common prayer. One of lukes purposes in writing to theophilus, possibly a roman official whom. Theophilus books christinspired books and publishing. Rick rogers, theophilus of antioch lexington books 2000. To continue the story begun in the gospel of luke ac 1. 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. So, this term may indicate that theophilus was a man of great political importance in his day.
Peter himself, meanwhile, has a dream in which god commands him to eat. Some written to people at large, others to individual christians and churches 2. The difficulty with this statement is that theophilus goes on to tell the narrative in some detail, and to provide some exegesis. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. The book begins with an account of the lords ascension and the election of matthias to. Jesus did not nail gods perfect, loving, and beneficial instructions to and for mankind to the cross he nailed the penalty of sin to the cross. As luke wrote to theophilus and the early church, he highlighted the vital importance of spreading the gospel of the kingdom of god through their witness to the nations of the earth in the power of the holy spirit. You will be my witnesses the book of acts amazing facts. The person to whom the books of luke and acts were written luke 1. Therefore, luke wrote to theophilus in order to provide him with an accurate account of what jesus had taught. In the first book, o theophilus, i have dealt with all that jesus began to do and teach.
It is commonly referred to as the book of acts or simply acts. See introduction as to the title thus given to the book. In my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to do and to teach. Both the gospel of luke and the book of acts are addressed to theophilus. Both luke and acts are addressed to the same person, theophilus luke. 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, after he had by the holy spirit given orders to the apostles. Acts 1 kj21 in the former treatise, o theophilus, i. Luke uses it, of what we should call the several books or portions of his histories.
The book of acts is a remarkable work of history and theology. The dreams and visions in the acts of the apostles bryce new testament october 7, 2008 july 21, 2012 3 minutes the book of acts tells us that on the day of pentecost, following the death, resurrection and ascension of jesus into heaven, the holy spirit came and filled the apostles and they began to speak in other languages acts 2. Since this book was written to the same individual as the former, it was evidently written with the same design to furnish an authentic and full narrative. The good news of the holy spirit six weeks with the. Ever wanted to know whether your faith is based on your hopes and dreams or on. Theophilus was an individual interested in the gospel. The evidence is overwhelming that god has not abandoned his statutes, laws, or commandments. Theophilus has 17 books on goodreads with 290 ratings. Both luke and acts were written in a refined koine greek, and the name, as it appears therein, means friend of god or loved by god or loving god in the greek.
He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of god. 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. Oct 07, 2008 the dreams and visions in the acts of the apostles bryce new testament october 7, 2008 july 21, 2012 3 minutes the book of acts tells us that on the day of pentecost, following the death, resurrection and ascension of jesus into heaven, the holy spirit came and filled the apostles and they began to speak in other languages acts 2. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. 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. Luke inscribes his gospel and the acts of the apostles. What pharisee was responsible for saving the lives of the apostles in chapter 5. It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent theophilus, acts 1. Theophiluss most popular book is fathers of the second century. The book of acts, of course, is the very next book after the four gospels. In my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to do and to. So i decided to take on another book by obrien and chose theophilos. The book of acts begins with a summary of the previous volume, the gospel of luke, and then introduces the second volume.
Paul and travel with him on his missionary journeys. Some have concluded that theophilus was the magistrate who heard pauls case in rome and. All that can be conjectured with any degree of safety concerning him comes to this, that he was a gentile of rank and consideration who. Choose from 500 different sets of book of acts theology flashcards on quizlet. The person to whom luke addressed his gospel and the acts. Luke addressed his gospel and the acts of the apostles to a man name. Acts 1 in the first book, o theophilus, i have dealt. Theophilus is probably some kind of roman official because of the title most excellent which luke uses only for roman officials like felix acts 23. While the gospel of luke displays an interest in the fall of jerusalem, acts. Another possibility is that theophilus was a wealthy and influential man in the city of antioch. Methods and protocols methods in molecular biology hardcover dec 05, 2005 pells, steve by pells, steve editor new. But still more detail is given in the book of genesis itself chapter 4, and it will be. The first book, luke explains to theophilus, emphasized jesus life and teachings until the day when he was taken up into heaven acts 1. In my first book, theophilus, i wrote about everything jesus did and taught from the beginning, net bible i wrote the former account, theophilus, about all that jesus began to do and teach aramaic bible in plain english i wrote the former book, oh theophila, about all those things that our lord yeshua the messiah began to do and to teach.
Gospel of luke, marcion, theophilus, and the simple solution. Acts 1, new international version niv the bible app. The orthodox faith volume i doctrine and scripture. The book of acts table of contents letters to theophilus 1. In fact, he is the only person mentioned in the scriptures to whom writings were specifically dedicated tootoole, 1992. The holy spirit had to orchestrate visions and dreams to finally get. In acts, jesus departs, the spirit descends, and a dynamic new faith is born. Smiths bible dictionary, harpers bible dictionary, and holman bible dictionary give the meaning as friend of god. We find this term most excellent used in reference to felix, the governor of judea in acts 23. Theophilus, whose name means loved philus of god theo, was a gentile government official.
His importance lies in the fact that he was the original recipient of two magnificent pieces of inspired literature. As mentioned, our lesson today, lesson number one is entitled you will be my witnesses. A packed and succinct ebooklet on why christians should keep the sabbath by showing clearly why they do not. Acts 3 now peter and john were going up to the temple at.
Theophilus the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Paul used the same term when addressing felix acts 23. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. Theophilus n e h friend of god the person to whom st. We then take up the book of the acts of the apostles and read. Every doctor i know in this church has dreams bigger than mending bodies. We meet together in smaller groups throughout the week. It describes the early christian church, and theres a number of important lessons that we will find in our study through the book of acts. Jun 02, 2009 the book of acts begins with a summary of the previous volume, the gospel of luke, and then introduces the second volume.
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