Acts 1:1-3 | Anchored Part 1
Acts Introduction
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2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Acts 1:1-3
I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach
First narrative? Luke’s gospel.
Acts is the Part two of an account to Theophilus
This is Dr. Luke talking. Who was he?
ABOUT LUKE:
■ Luke was a physician.
■ Luke was not one of the 12 apostles.
■ The Greek name “Luke” appears only three times in the
New Testament.
• Colossians 4:14
• 2 Timothy 4:1
• Philemon 24
■ Luke was either a Hellenistic Jew or a Gentile.
• It is more likely that he was a gentile.
• In Colossians 4:10-14, Paul lists three fellow workers who
are “of the circumcision” (Jews) (vs. 10-11) and then
includes Luke’s name with two Gentiles (vs, 12-14).
Luke was the only gentile writer of NT book
■ According to tradition:
• Luke remained unmarried.
• Luke died at the age of 84.
■ Luke gives the most complete account of Christ’s:
• Ancestry
• Birth
• Development
Who was Theophilus?
His name means friend of God
26% of the NT is written to this man
Luke calls him “Most Excellent” which was a salutation for an elected official in Greece at that time
Was more than likely a higher-up official who know Luke potentially in a social context
2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
Jesus was taken up in front of witnesses
Jesus had SPENT TIME with his disciples and the apostles
Remeber, Luke was not an apostle, but he was a disciple
Jesus, our King and Redeemer did the work Himself of discipleship
This is our calling as well
Luke is discipling Theophilus
Discipleship is Holy Spirit filled, meaning God is present in our discipleship relationships
John 14:25-26
“I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
God has chosen His people. You are not a random choice made by Jesus, no you were chosen. You were selected.
3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Jesus suffered
Jesus, the perfect discipler that He is, led by example, not just with words
Jesus appeared to people for a 40 day window before He returned to Heaven.
He spent the whole time period encouraging people about where they were headed. Do we do this?
Six ways Jesus discipled his disciples:
Jesus brought them to a place/situation where there were others who were in need. (feeding of the five thousand, numerous healings, the synagogue, parties, etc.)
Jesus had given them real teaching prior to this point.
Jesus connected them to God and to each other.
Jesus had equipped them and released them to do ministry
Jesus shared truth that was new to them.
Jesus modeled discipleship to them as they were all together
https://discipleship.org/blog/six-things-jesus-did-to-equip-his-disciples-for-ministry/