WHO: Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts
- the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14)
- a fellow laborer (Philemon 1:24)
- with Paul in his last days (2 Timothy 4:11)
‘We’ and ‘they’ passages in Acts show that Luke joined Paul in Troas (acts 16:10-11), remained at Philippi (Acts 17:1), joined Paul again as Paul went back to Troas (Acts 20:1-6), went with
Paul to Rome as Paul was imprisoned (Acts 28:16).
WHEN: 62 or 63 AD. Paul arrived in Rome in AD 60. Luke mentions that Paul was under house arrest in Rome for 2 years. That is where Luke's writings end. What followed was tumultuous:
- Paul, James and Peter were all executed in the mid-60s.
- Emperor Nero started a persecution in Rome and surrounding area in 64 AD
- The Jewish wars with Rome commenced in 66 AD.
- The Jewish temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus in 70 AD.
Luke records the martyrdoms of Stephen and James the son of Zebedee but not Paul and Peter because He completed the book of Acts shortly after Paul's house arrest in Rome and he probably wrote it during that time.
Acts 1:1-3 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Luke 1:1-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
- He consulted prior writings
- He spoke to eyewitnesses
- He conducted a careful investigation
- He wrote an orderly account
- So that the reader may have certainty regarding what actually happened.
TO WHOM:
Theophilos (God-lover).
May have been a lawyer (“most excellent”). Possibly Luke is preparing evidence for Paul’s trial in Rome. Acts reads like a testimony of eyewitnesses.
Acts 1:4-8 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
THEME: Obey Jesus by going and being witnesses who testify to the life and work of Jesus.
Structure of Acts
- The Witness to Jerusalem (1:9 - 8:3)
- The Witness to Judea and Samaria (8:4 – 12:25)
- The Witness to the Ends of the Earth (13:1-28:31)
Acts 1:9-11 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath days journey away.
FIRST STEPS:
- They prayed (“Come, Holy Spirit”).
- They secured leadership (Who is the Lord choosing to lead?)
