Sermon Tone Analysis

Let me tell you about it

Did you ever have to do a research paper, or a research project?

(expand on this)

Luke did, it would seem he was commission to research Jesus and he ended up writing 27% of the N.T. (word wise that is).

Embarking on a journey that is vital for the church today, as it was vital for the church then.

Without the book of Acts we would not have the history of the early church (about 30 years of history).

Without the book of Acts we would not have the ascension of Christ or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Without the book of Acts we would not have how Saul of Tarsus became the Apostle Paul; nor how the gospel came to the Gentiles.

Acts is a history book, covering, not moment by moment, but many critical events of the early church.

If you are passionate about something you want to share it with people and the book of Luke the precursor to the book of Acts make Luke passionate about Jesus for him to continue to write and to tell about the works going on since Jesus.

Tonight we start this journey but it is only fair to set the stage for it historically first.

Author

You may say it is Luke, but it does not identify him as the writer.

Only way to link Luke to it is

So then we look at

Still he is unnamed, but early christian writers, historians all agree that it was Luke the physician was the writer.

Little is said about Luke in the N.T. (oh we may say alot, but the N.T. does not)

So from this mention we know he is a physician and that he travelled with Paul

Philemon1:4

Ph

2Tim4:

So a doctor who travelled with Paul, more than likely treated Paul’s ailment (thorn in the flesh)

We can tell he was, or can deduce, he was a Gentile from Col4:11-14 where Paul is speaking of Gentiles who were helpful to him and travelled with Him.

It was common for physicians at that time to be slaves, it is possible that Luke was a slave to Theophilus and was commission to go investigate this “Jesus” he had heard about.

Luke is very detailed for someone who was not a witness, there is no mention of Luke in the gospels so we have no information that he knew, saw, was a witness of Jesus at all.

If he was he would have mentioned it in the gospel by some “we” statements or “I” statements, but only in Acts does he add some “we” statements inferring to Paul.

Recipient of the letter(s)

No questions on this one Theophilus

Lk1:

Name Theophilus means: loved of God

There are several views when it comes to Theophilus.

This is a general name, not to a particular person because would put person at risk, hence the name loved by God.

Theophilus is a person, and because of the “most excellent” which is a term only used for high government officials

Between Luke and Acts, the “most excellent” title was dropped, the relationship between Luke and Theophilus may have changed and Acts was Luke giving Jesus and history to Theophilus

We can tell

So now that brings us to the next point.

Why?

The Purpose of the Letter

We know that the purpose of Luke was to confirm what Theophilus was previously taught

According to ISBE (international Standard Bible encyclopedia) there is evidence that Luke composed the book of Luke to prove that neither Jesus nor his followers were politically dangerous to the Roman government.

As for book of Acts.

It tells us

He is going to continue.

Now here is another theory that Theophilus was a magistrate who heard Paul’s case in Rome and the book of Acts is a part of the legal brief for Paul and on Paul’s behalf since Luke already knew Theophilus.

That too is noted in the ISBE.

Now interesting fact, when Acts ends Paul is in prison, but we don’t know the outcome.

It is safe to assume that the writing of Acts was prior to the disposition of Paul’s case

Luke’s purpose was to inform Theophilus after he investigated Jesus what he found out and the history, growth of the early church.

With the dropping of the “most excellent” in the book of Acts it is possible that Theophilus had responded to the gospel for a christian would not accept a title of “most excellent.”

Christians do not use honorific titles

So the heart of the letter: It’s value

In Luke’s gospel it is the most historical in chronological order of the 4 gospels and is widely used to introduce people to the Good News, the Gospel.

Luke wanted to make sure he had it historically correct

His attention to details there show us he was educated and was thorough .

Luke in acts shows many conversions and is a great evangelistic tool for us today to show the path to becoming a Christian

F

Act2:39-

There are many conversions in the book of Acts.

Act2 - 3000 added to the church

Act8 - Samaritans/ Ethiopian Eunuch

Act9 - Saul

Act10 - Cornelius

Act13 - Proconsul and the Gentiles

Act16 - Lydia as well as the Jailer

Act17 - Dionysisus and Damarius

Act18 - Apollo’s

You can clearly see the methods used for evangelism in the early church

We should have assurance by our study of the book of Acts of our own conversion and salvation.

Did we respond to the Gospel in like manner as they did?

It’s value is it gives us the history, the growth, the organization and worship in the early church.

What they were devoted to

What they did.

It is hard to believe that many have drifted away from what what established then.

So in Conclusion.

If you like history you will enjoy this journey in book of Acts

If you like to know about evangelism; you will enjoy the journey

If you like drama, you will enjoy the journey

If you like to learn, you will enjoy the journey

Think about this if you read the book of Acts, study the book of Acts you have read, studied over 25% of the N.T.

You can know for certain the things you have been instructed (see Lk1:1) and you can continue in your life today.

So in closing a question (invitation)

Do you follow the things you have been instructed

Are you devoted to the things you were instructed

If not

(Insert Invitation slide)

If so then be comforted by your assurance of salvation and walk in that.