I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  ~ Acts 1:1-2

Luke, the author of the gospel of Luke is also the author of the book of Acts. Acts is actually the sequel to Luke’s gospel, written as a second edition to what Luke had previously written in his gospel.

The footnotes of the NET Bible translation says the following regarding the uses of the word former in verse 1.

tn Or “first.” The translation “former” is preferred because “first” could imply to the modern English reader that the author means that his previous account was the first one to be written down. The Greek term πρῶτος (prōtos) does not necessarily mean “first” in an absolute sense, but can refer to the first in a set or series. That is what is intended here—the first account (known as the Gospel of Luke) as compared to the second one (known as Acts).

The gospel of Luke is the first in the series, and Acts follows in the series as it relates to the events regarding Christ and the gospel. In one sense of the word, each need the other to get the full picture.

Imagine watching a movie and only seeing the sequel. You may really enjoy the movie and get a lot out of it, but if you haven’t seen the first one, you are missing out on a lot. When we think of Acts as the continuation of the story Luke is telling us in his gospel, it takes on a whole new dimension.

When Luke wrote his gospel, it was written specifically to a person named Theophilus. Theophilus is for all intents and purposes historically unknown, but Luke’s respect for him comes through in his address to him.

In Luke 1:3, he refers to him as, most excellent Theophilus. His name means friend of God.

Since there is no historical evidence (yet) as to who Theophilus was, it is possible that this name is symbolic for all true believers who are friends of God. Imagine for a moment if that is the case, then that would mean that Luke intended to write these editions with all of God’s people in mind, including you and me.

It is possible that Theophilus was simply an honorable Christian, businessman, or politician, but whoever he was, he was well respected by Luke.

Theophilus is the receipt of both editions written by Luke.

Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning.  So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed  all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know for certain the things you were taught. ~ Luke 1:1- 4

I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  ~ Acts 1:1-2

I would be remiss if I did not point out that Luke makes a point that many had labored to compile an account of the testimony of Jesus, namely those who were eyewitnesses of his ministry. Likewise, Luke had carefully taken the time to write of these events in order. That is something of major importance as we consider Luke’s gospel and the book of Acts.

As pointed out, Acts is the continuation of the account that Luke began with his first edition to Theophilus, which we know as the Gospel of Luke. Luke and Acts run together as one continuous story. And that just fills my heart with joy and excitement!

We’ll see more regarding Luke throughout the study as Luke was a companion of Paul in the ministry.

Recently, I began a study in the book of Acts. I didn’t realize it would grow into the study it is becoming, but I want to share with you how I got here.

I started with a desire to learn more about the people mentioned in Acts, particularly the people who are actively living and playing a role in the narrative. There are people mentioned in Acts such as King David, and John the Baptist, whose lives and ministry have an impact on the history of the early church as recorded in Acts, but I wanted my focus to be on those who were active participants in the story being told throughout the pages of Acts. However, I don’t want to leave any out because a large segment of people in Acts were influenced by John the Baptist, who isn’t a living participant at the time period Acts documents, but his impact on people in the early church is well documented in Acts.

For instance, Apollos, who is described as an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, was heavily influenced by the ministry of John the Baptist. Even though he only knew the things taught by John the Baptist, he was boldly proclaiming the Word of God he knew at the time.

When Aquila and Priscilla heard him speak, they pulled him aside and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly. Appollos then continued his ministry and Luke tells us the following after he was tutored by Aquila and Priscilla.

When Apollos wanted to cross over to Achaia,  the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he assisted greatly those who had believed by grace, for he refuted the Jews vigorously in public debate, demonstrating from the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. ~ Acts 18: 27-28

Apollos would go on to be a companion of Paul in the ministry and is mentioned several times in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.

The brief time that I have engaged in this study has been so good and refreshing. It’s amazing what you find in a study like this. There are so many players in the story of Acts that extend into other parts of the New Testament and just open a whole new world of understanding. This study actually started by me wanting to get acquainted with the people who interacted with the apostle Paul in Acts, such as Crispus, the leader of the synagogue in Corinth.

When Paul first visited Corinth to evangelize, he received opposition from the Jews, and while there he lodged with a man named Titus Justus, who was a Gentile and a worshipper of God. Titus Justus just happened to live next door to Crispus (the leader of the synagogue), who along with his entire family came to faith in Jesus.

Paul mentions Crispus in 1 Corinthians 1:14. 

Both Apollos and Crispus show up in Acts 18, but connect us with Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. Because this study was so enriching, I decided to go back to the first chapter of Acts and work my way through the entire book of Acts, and Wow! The first chapter is loaded. What’s amazing is it is leading me down a lot of other avenues of study, that are chopped full of edifying truths.

So with all that being said, I am venturing into a study of the people in Acts, and I would like to share with you some of the things I learn and come across. This study just keeps expanding, and I hope you will rejoice with me as I dig into the book of Acts, and I pray that it refreshes your soul as well. There is something about learning about the people in scripture that helps us to understand the faith we embrace so much better.

The next post, which I plan to share promptly will focus on Luke and Theophilus. Some of the posts in this study will be short, some will be longer, and some may venture into other areas, but I haven’t felt this excited about a topic of study in a while. I hope you will join me in this journey.

Blessings!