“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,” Acts 1:1.

Now we get to looking at the actual words of this wonderful book! It is a record of what the apostles did in founding and establishing the Christian church.

The writer has always been recognised to be Luke. It was written about AD 63. We will in our studies consider those places where it is indicated that Luke was the author. The writer indicates that he was in the company of Paul on his journey to Rome, near the end of the apostle’s life.

“And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band,” Acts 27:1.

Furthermore, Paul wrote to Timothy from Rome, in what was his last epistle, “Only Luke is with me,” 2 Timothy 4:11. Luke was obviously a faithful friend who stood by Paul to the end!

It is commonly believed that Luke was a physician: “Luke, the beloved physician,” Colossians 4:14. It is also believed that he was a Gentile. His name means, ‘Light-Giving’. He certainly shines light on the early years of the church for us.

Naturally, we will start at verse 1.

I. WE ARE INTRODUCED TO A FRIEND OF LUKE’S.

1. His name was Theophilus. It is not a name you will hear too often. It is a Greek name, meaning ‘Friend of God’. He is named in the introduction to the Gospel of Luke. “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed,” Luke 1:1-4.

2. He was a man instructed in the truth of the gospel. He was “instructed” or taught the truth of the gospel. But he was to receive more instruction. Girls and boys, like Theophilus, we ever need more instruction in the things of God. If you are ‘saved’ today, then you have been wonderfully blessed BUT ‘still there’s more to follow!’ As Peter says: “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen, ” 2 Peter 3:17-18. The best way, the only way to avoid “being led away with the error of the wicked” is to increase in the “knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”