How does Acts 1:1 establish the purpose of the Book of Acts? Text of Acts 1:1 “In my former account, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach” Literary Bridge Between Two Volumes Luke opens Acts by calling his Gospel “my former account.” That phrase welds Luke-Acts into a single, two-part historical work. The Gospel records what Jesus “began” to do; Acts records what Jesus continues to do—now from heaven through His Spirit-empowered witnesses. The one sentence therefore signals continuity of theme, method, and purpose. Identifying Author and Recipient Addressing “O Theophilus” revives the dedication of Luke 1:3–4, where Luke promised an “orderly account” so that Theophilus would “know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Acts inherits the same apologetic purpose: to furnish rock-solid, carefully researched history that strengthens faith and answers critics (cf. Colossians 4:14; early attestation in Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus dating to the mid-4th century). Scope Statement: “All that Jesus Began to Do and to Teach” The verb “began” (ἤρξατο) is programmatic. It implies Jesus has not finished His work; Acts will chronicle its ongoing phases. The narrative unfolds how the living, risen Christ (Acts 1:3) continues to act through: • the outpoured Holy Spirit (1:5, 8; 2:33) • apostolic preaching and miracles (3:6–8; 5:12–15) • geographic advance from Jerusalem to Judea–Samaria to the ends of the earth (1:8; 28:30-31) Historical Reliability as a Purpose Luke emphasizes eyewitness data (Luke 1:2) and embeds verifiable details in Acts—titles such as “politarchs” in Thessalonica (17:6; confirmed by the 2nd-century Vardar Gate inscription), the “proconsul Sergius Paulus” in Cyprus (13:7; attested by a Latin inscription at Soli), and “Gallio the proconsul of Achaia” (18:12; dated by the Delphi inscription to AD 51-52). These markers demonstrate the author’s intent to anchor the gospel in space-time reality, inviting readers—ancient or modern—to test the claims. Theological Aim: Glory to the Triune God Acts 1:1 stands on the confession that the risen Jesus is still active. Luke’s purpose is to glorify God by tracing the Father’s plan (2:23; 4:28), the Son’s reign (2:33-36), and the Spirit’s power (1:8; 2:4). Every conversion, healing, and missionary breakthrough magnifies divine sovereignty rather than human ingenuity. Missional Blueprint Embedded in the Opening By recalling Jesus’ deeds and teaching, Luke readies the reader for the Commission restated in 1:8. The book will demonstrate: 1. Proclamation—what Jesus “taught” continues through apostolic preaching. 2. Demonstration—what Jesus “did” repeats in Spirit-empowered miracles. 3. Multiplication—the pattern Jesus modeled becomes normative for the church’s expansion. Catechetical Function Acts is not a random travelogue; it is discipleship literature. Luke showcases sermons (e.g., 2:14-36; 17:22-31) as models of faithful gospel presentation. By situating these within historical narrative, he teaches how doctrine intersects culture, economics, politics, and philosophy—meeting both Jewish Scripture-grounded audiences and Greco-Roman thinkers. Defense Before Outsiders The dedication to an apparent Roman official signals another purpose: legal and social vindication of the Christian movement. Luke marshals courtroom speeches (24:10-21; 26:1-29) and repeated “no charge” verdicts (18:14-15; 23:29; 25:25) to demonstrate that followers of Jesus are neither revolutionaries nor criminals but benefactors of society. Continuation of Covenant History “Began” also links Acts to the Old Testament storyline. Luke cites or alludes to Joel 2, Psalm 2, Psalm 110, Isaiah 49, Amos 9, and more, showing that the events are the outworking of Yahweh’s covenant promises—an unbroken salvation-historical arc from Creation and Abraham to David, the Messiah, and now the church. Conclusion: Purpose Encapsulated in One Verse Acts 1:1 is Luke’s thesis sentence. It: • Connects Acts to the Gospel of Luke as Part 2 of one saga. • Announces that the ministry of Jesus is ongoing. • Signals historical accuracy for strengthening faith and providing apologetic defense. • Lays the groundwork for the Spirit-driven worldwide mission that fulfills Scripture and glorifies God. Thus, from its very first breath, Acts declares itself a trustworthy, theological, missional history of how the risen Lord continues to act until the gospel reaches “the ends of the earth.” |
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