the intended recipient of the book of acts QUESTION

[Alithis]

im sure its been asked,probaly oh so many times . but on reflection of the meaning of the greek name ...

why is it more widely assumed that the book of Acts was addressed to a singular person by the name of theophilus (as was the book of Luke )
and not to the wider audience implied by the meaning of the word Theophilus .. 'those, friends of .. or Loved of God. or as the apostles use the term .. "the beloved"
.iv heard it said the account is a legal witness by luke (surmised) in terms of paul's legal defense in Rome .and while there is some small good reason behind this ..
there is just as much good reason for him to be writing an account of everything that took place .. to ALL the "loved of god " so as to preserve a record of it .. which it has done so well.
would this motivation not make more sense then the first .since paul showed no desire to avoid rome nor the imprisonment he knew awaited him at the hands of the romans .

 

[psalms 91]

It is accepted that Luke wrote Acts and it makes sensethat it was another corrrespondence to Theopolis

 

[visionary]

Communications were rare and had to be addressed to someone they knew would share it in the manner most preservably in the spirit in which it is given. In this case, Luke wanting to share to adventures of faith that he followed to encourage the hearers that progress in the faith is growing, with bumps and bruises along the way, especially in Paul's case.

 

[Alithis]

Communications were rare and had to be addressed to someone they knew would share it in the manner most preservably in the spirit in which it is given. In this case, Luke wanting to share to adventures of faith that he followed to encourage the hearers that progress in the faith is growing, with bumps and bruises along the way, especially in Paul's case.

so ,perhaps, as in the case with so many scripture ,we see the hand of god at work and the multiplicity of meaning displayed yet again . in that , while it is seemingly addressed to an individual-
it is ALSO addressed to all those loved of God .. being "Theophilus "-

 

[tango]

im sure its been asked,probaly oh so many times . but on reflection of the meaning of the greek name ...

why is it more widely assumed that the book of Acts was addressed to a singular person by the name of theophilus (as was the book of Luke )
and not to the wider audience implied by the meaning of the word Theophilus .. 'those, friends of .. or Loved of God. or as the apostles use the term .. "the beloved"
.iv heard it said the account is a legal witness by luke (surmised) in terms of paul's legal defense in Rome .and while there is some small good reason behind this ..
there is just as much good reason for him to be writing an account of everything that took place .. to ALL the "loved of god " so as to preserve a record of it .. which it has done so well.
would this motivation not make more sense then the first .since paul showed no desire to avoid rome nor the imprisonment he knew awaited him at the hands of the romans .

I figure the kicker is with the starting words "the former account I made", which suggests that Luke wrote one account and sent it to a man named Theophilus, and subsequently wrote further accounts for the same man.

It may be Luke intended his account to be for the benefit of one man named Theophilus and also for the benefit of everyone who might be described as "Theophilus" but to me it seems a bit of a stretch to make the text mean that.

 

[Alithis]

I figure the kicker is with the starting words "the former account I made", which suggests that Luke wrote one account and sent it to a man named Theophilus, and subsequently wrote further accounts for the same man.

It may be Luke intended his account to be for the benefit of one man named Theophilus and also for the benefit of everyone who might be described as "Theophilus" but to me it seems a bit of a stretch to make the text mean that.

Not the text.. The name theophilus.
Well any way,its jus a thought.not going to build a denomination on it

Sent from my LG-V500 using Tapatalk

 

[tango]

Not the text.. The name theophilus.
Well any way,its jus a thought.not going to build a denomination on it

Sent from my LG-V500 using Tapatalk

Sure, the text includes the name Theophilus

It's an interesting thought for sure, I'll give you that

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

Imo, the Book of Acts was meant as a continuation (of sorts) to the Book of Luke. It served as an eyewitness account (or an account of other eyewitnesses passed down to Luke), of the origins and teaching of the early church. Many mistakes that we make are to skip the book, and go directly to Romans for an account of the salvation message - missing the importance of the first messengers of the Gospel.

 

[Alithis]

Well the point is.to whom is it addressed..
To a person called theophilus AND to those in corperated within the meaning of the name theophulis.
The beloved of god.

-as for skipping it.that would be unwise.
As in it is the first recording of the actual Gospel that is to be preached.
Jesus commanded the gospel be preached and that repentance for the forgivness of sin be preached
And acts 2 records the first clear cut instance of the message called .the Good news ofJesus.the Christ.

That all men every where must repent towards God,be baptised and recieve the holy ghost.as the only acceptable act of obedience to the truth that Jesus became one of us,he died on the cross violently,for OUR sin,lay in the ground 3 days and 3 nights and rose again from the dead.and he is returning to judge rightously every one with rightous judgment. And those who do not respond obediently to the good news..will perish.

 

[psalms 91]

Wonderful message

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

In Luke 1: 3-4, this same 'Theophilus' is addressed, and is seems to me to be a single person:
"it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught (lit. "orally instructed in")".

To give such an orderly account the way Luke has, seems to be for the purpose of assuring (without doubt) that what this person has been instructed in is the truth. Our benefit is the same. Acts merely continues the message.

 

[psalms 91]

Acts gives us a glimpse at the first churchs

 

[Alithis]

In Luke 1: 3-4, this same 'Theophilus' is addressed, and is seems to me to be a single person:
"it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught (lit. "orally instructed in")".

To give such an orderly account the way Luke has, seems to be for the purpose of assuring (without doubt) that what this person has been instructed in is the truth. Our benefit is the same. Acts merely continues the message.

Yes we know this..
And yet this account God has seen fit to preserve for some 1800 years (nearly 2 millenia)

so ,perhaps, as in the case with so many scripture ,we see the hand of god at work and the multiplicity of meaning displayed yet again . in that , while it is seemingly addressed to an individual-
it is ALSO addressed to all those loved of God .. being "Theophilus "- as that is what the name means.
And also all those in that day were taughtmostly,orally .
For all who repent and obey are the beloved of God.

 

[psalms 91]

All I know is that Acts shows us what should be the church

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

Yes we know this..
And yet this account God has seen fit to preserve for some 1800 years (nearly 2 millenia)

so ,perhaps, as in the case with so many scripture ,we see the hand of god at work and the multiplicity of meaning displayed yet again . in that , while it is seemingly addressed to an individual-
it is ALSO addressed to all those loved of God .. being "Theophilus "- as that is what the name means.
And also all those in that day were taughtmostly,orally .
For all who repent and obey are the beloved of God.

This is true. Imo, the message given to one has been passed down to many.