In Acts chapter 1, we have a very interesting verse of scripture regarding the word Theophilus.
Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,"
The word former is translated from the Greek wordprotos. Strong's defines this word as "first in time or place, also first in any succession of things or persons." Thus, we have the word former in the authorized version.
Most commentaries agree that Luke not only wrote the Gospel which bears his name, but he also penned the book of Acts. The next word in verse 1 is the word treatise. This is the Greek word logos. Logos has many usages, thus logos may have different meanings. Strong's again defines logos many ways.
1. word 2. speech 3. the sayings of God 4. what is declared 5. anything reported in speech, narration, narrative
Logos can be referring to "that which is written or that which is taught or spoken." Luke indicates here that he made or as the Greek reads (poieo) to make or to prepare, to declare. "The former (earlier, previous, first) treatise (logos) words or narrative." Most commentators allude that Luke was referring back to the gospel of Luke.
Luke 1:1-3 1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Most are quick to site the usage of the word Theophilus in Acts 1:1 and compare it to its usage in Luke 1:3, thus supporting their opinion that Acts 1:1 is referring back to Luke 1.
The cannon of the scripture seems to support this fact; the chronology of the scripture does also. Most theologians agree that the book of Acts was written somewhere around 60 AD and spans approximately 35 to 37 years.
Now, there are many different dates theologians give for the writing of the Gospels. I will give you a range from 50 to 100 AD and I am very safe within this range. Most believe the upper end of the scale, 80 to 100 to be more accurate with the gospel of John. However, for safety's sake , I propose the base of 50 to 100 AD. So, we can see that the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts fit into this time line.
When Luke wrote the former treatise in Acts 1:1, he was referring back to the gospel of Luke. Some believe that Theophilus refers to an individual of high rank who lived in Rome. The word theophilus, according to Easton's Bible Dictionary, means "lover of God."
ISBE Bible Dictionary suggests that theophilus is merely a generic term for "all Christians who are beloved of God." I am of the same opinion. I do not think Luke was addressing a single individual in his gospel or in the book of Acts.
There are different books written to individuals in the scriptures. However, if you take time to read them, the content of these books support that truth.
I Timothy 1:1-2 1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Note verse 2 "unto Timothy."
I Timothy 1:18-20 18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Here we see specific instruction to Timothy regarding certain leaders in the church.
I Timothy 5:11-16 11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house;, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully., 15For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
In verse 12 we see instruction to Timothy regarding his youth. Verse 13 gives instruction on giving attendance to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine. Verse 14 gives reference to his gift ministry. Verse 15 gives exhortation to mediate and to give himself wholly to Paul's advice (i.e. reading, doctrine, prayer, etc.) Verse 16 urges Timothy to take heed to thyself.
See how personal this epistle is? Although we can learn many things from this letter to Timothy, the context and body of the scripture clearly show that this letter is written to Timothy. We can learn many things from this letter to Timothy despite the context and body of the scripture clearly showing this letter is written to Timothy. We can learn many things from this epistle and apply them to our lives today as they fit in light of the full gospel addressed to us.
However, it's clear to see that Paul is addressing Timothy in this book. The same pattern is not present in Acts or Luke to support the belief that Luke was writing to a person named Theophilus, for his name never appears in the narrative again.
Now, we can learn much from I Timothy, but this book was written, not authored, by Paul to Timothy, a leader with a ministry in the church. He gives Timothy specific instructions as to how to conduct his life and ministry in relationship to the church.
Look at Titus.
Titus 1:1-4 1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Again, note verse 4 "To Titus". Verse 5 indicates some of Paul's instructions to Titus.
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
One of Titus' jobs was to set in order things, specifically to ordain leadership. You see how the scriptures support this truth? Look at Philemon.
Philemon 1:1-3 1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house: 3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Note verse 1: "Paul and Timothy unto Philemon." Note verse 2: "and to Apphia and Archippus and the church in their house." Now, if you take the time to read Philemon, you will see that the reason Paul and Timothy were writing Philemon was to implore him on behalf of Onesimus, a newly saved brother, whom Philemon had issues with from the past.
Now we can clearly see how the scriptures support epistles or letters to an individual or to several individuals. But, to imply that Theophilus is a single individual of authority living somewhere in Rome makes very little sense. Nowhere in Luke's gospel can this be observed.
Luke gives the account of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Starting with Zaccharias, Jesus' uncle and his cousin John the Baptist we proceed through his birth, temptation, his passion, and conclude with this ascension. You would be hard pressed to conceive that 24 chapters are written to one individual.
The same holds true for the book of Acts. It is difficult to conceive that this book was written or intended for one special high ranking person, living somewhere in Rome.
I Corinthians 1:23-27 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Note that this doesn't imply that a noble or wise or mighty person isn't called of God. However, to imply that an entire gospel was written to one individual doesn't fit with Luke. Furthermore, to imply the same about the great book of Acts with the birthday of the Christian church, the giving of the holy spirit and the rise and expansion of the first century church doesn't fit either. How is this all written to one individual as a personal letter? Although Acts is very personal, it is written to all of the church of God.ÿ
Note: All scripture is from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. NIV indicates The New International Version, NLT indicates the New Living Translation, NAS indicates the New American Standard version, NKJV indicates the New King James Version, ASV means the American Standard Version, NJB means the New Jerusalem Bible, BBE means the Bible in Basic English, DBY means the Darby translation, NAU means the American Standard Version, 1995 Edition, and NAB means the New American Bible translation. For more information, go to the Works Cited page.