The Book of the Acts of the Apostles (1)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on September 11, 2016
Topic: The Author and Audience of the Book
(use the audio to study)
Background
Over a period, spanning the last one year or more, we have, at different times, been speaking about the Church of the Living God. We have spoken of the Church in terms of whether or not it still has power; we have spoken of the Church as the household (family) of God; and, we have, most recently, spoken of the Church as the Tabernacle of David rebuilt.
We now want to look at the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, which is the Historical Book of the New Testament, and which documents the early days or beginnings of the Church of the Living God, spanning a period of thirty (30) years, following the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Book documents the message, mission, and ministry of the Church; and is, in reality the documentation of the acts of the Holy Spirit in, and through, the Apostles and the Early Christians—for we see the Holy Spirit birthing the Church, and, breathing upon, directing, appointing, etc., its leaders. We also see in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, the power, the passion, the prayer, the progression, and, the persecution of the Church.
The Book of the Acts of the Apostles gives us the foundation of the Church, upon which we are expected to build (1 Corinthians 3:1-15; Ephesians 2:19-22; Matthew 16:13-19). Not building on this foundation that has already been laid is clearly contrary to what is expected of us by the Godhead. As we study this Book, we are can see and apply the pattern for the Church today, as well as, discard all unscriptural practices.
Scripture Text(s)
Acts 1:1-3
In today’s study, we shall be introducing the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, by focusing on the author and audience of the Book, which is to be found in the very first verse of the Book. It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit will give us understanding of the message He wants us to receive, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Without contradiction, the human author of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles is Luke, a physician or medical doctor in today’s nomenclature. However, there is more that we want to learn from the authorship of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. We also, find that the audience is one Theophilus, who is only mentioned twice in the bible—the introduction of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. We shall be learning a thing or two about this, as well.
Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Colossians 4:14; Luke 5:10; Amos 7:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 15; Ephesians 4:24; Romans 8:28; 2 Timothy 3:1, 2, 4; Acts 9:2; 24:14, 22; 2 John 1-2; Acts 11:26; Mark 13:37; John 17:20-21.
Conclusion
We see that the human author of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles is Luke, a medical doctor, by profession. But it was not in Medicine that he got his renown; it was in doing the work of God that Luke is known for. Likewise, Peter was a fisherman, but it was not in fishing that he got his renown; rather, it was in fishing for men that he became known. Also, we have seen the case of Amos, who was in the profession of agriculture, before God took him and called him into the ministry of prophet. It is the same for countless thousands over the Centuries. In the same way, we are not to expect that our ministry will have any direct bearing on our profession or vocation, rather, the work that God has called us into is to be done by a new man who has been created to manifest the true nature of God (the nature of righteousness and holiness)!
On the other hand, when we look at the audience, we see that the Book was written to one man—Theophilus. Besides him being mentioned in Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1, nothing else is heard of him; and, the meaning of the name, “Theophilusâ€, which is, “lover of Godâ€, speaks more to us than it first appears. The fact that the Early Christians did quite a bit of nicknaming to avoid over-exposure to the Civil Authorities of their day, brings us to the inference that “Theophilus†was probably another nickname for the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. And, even if that is not the case, we ought to be aware that whatever is said by God to one believer, and that becomes public knowledge, is usually meant for all believers—to learn from and not fall into the same error, where it is negative, and where it is positive, to help us make progress in our walk with, and work for God.
Therefore, we conclude that the Book of the Acts of the Apostles is the Holy Spirit’s (who is the real Author) message to us—the believers in Jesus Christ (the real audience). Luke was but a human vessel who documented the things therein for our own benefit, as is the case with all the books of the bible (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11; Romans 15:4).
We must therefore, prepare ourselves to learn about the Church of the Living God and the Early Christians, so that we can function, conduct ourselves, and serve God as we ought to, as we apply its admonitions and inspirations to us.
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