They are addressed to the same individual, theophilus. The muratorian canon, which was an early list of important christian writings, from around the end of the 2nd century, calls the author of lukes gospel and acts luke the physician and companion. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. The ending of acts plays an important role in route of determining the book s date. Study 1 going through the book of acts words of life. Luke was not, then, an eyewitness of the gospel events. Both were written by luke, a physician who traveled with the apostle paul.
The introductions are similar in other ways as well. Once readers assume luke and acts come from the same pen, they can begin to look for evidence within these books which points toward the authors identity. The author of acts had written a former account of jesus life. Luke wrote his gospel and also the book of acts compare luke 1. You have been experiencing the bible personally by reading through the book of luke this week, and now your group has gathered to experience the bible in community with each other. The author s name does not appear in the book, but much unmistakable evidence points to luke. This same luke is usually identified as the author of the gospel of luke and acts.
Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. In certain sections of acts, the author uses the first person plural in the narrative acts 16. Carson and douglas moo note that both luke and acts are anonymous, the prologue to luke acts alludes to an author who is well educated, not an apostle, versed in the old testament, and knowledgeable of first century society, which all align with a. Lukes involvement with the gospel of lukeacts is documented by justin martyr, irenaeus, papias, and others. Luke, also called saint luke the evangelist, flourished 1st century ce. A chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 2 acts. What made luke different from the other gospel writers. The title acts of the apostles was first used by irenaeus in the late 2nd century. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Within three verses, luke lists seven places on the way to jerusalem.
For the following reasons, luke is generally considered to be the inspired author of acts. If luke, pauls companion wrote the book, then we are looking at a fairly early date around 65 ad. These are usually referred to as the wesections and would indicate that the author of acts accompanied paul. The inauthentic passages describe luke as the beloved physician. Luke acts makes up 28% of the new testamentmore than that written by either paul or john. Readers will discover that these books are actually the two parts of a single story that tells how the community of jesus followers began. Last in the nt authorship series for the four gospels. The books of acts and luke are both addressed to whom. Both works are addressed to the same person theophilus.
In verses 911, we see what happened when jesus left them on the 40th day. In a theology of luke and acts, a video study, top new testament scholar darrell l. Therefore, it is reasonable to include luke s purpose for acts as falling under his purpose for the book of luke. Authorship of actsluke is the author of the book acts. May 28, 2019 to seek and to save the lostthe vocabulary of salvation occurs more in lukes writings than in those of any other new testament author. A secondcentury document, the muratorian canon, states that the third gospel and the book of acts were written by luke. Both books are addressed to theophilus, and the latter acts refers. Various scholars have also pointed out that the style and the choice of words in luke and acts are very similar. Clip taken from jill mcsheehys bible study journey through acts. Some argue that this prologue extends through the two volume set lukeacts. This study guide will take individuals or groups through luke and acts in 32 sessions that correspond with their natural parts. Many commentators see it as one story in two parts, the gospel of luke being part 1 and acts being the follow up volume. Welcome to session 2 of the community bible experience. In acts, the gospel expands not through human strength, but through weakness, opposition, and persecution.
All evidence points to luke as being the author of this fascinating account of life for those at the epicenter of one of the most pivotal times in. The book of acts course a, lesson 1 free bible study. It is not known whether this was an existing title or one invented by irenaeus. Carson and douglas moo note that both luke and acts are anonymous, the prologue to lukeacts alludes to an author who is well educated, not an apostle, versed in the old testament, and knowledgeable of first century society, which all align with a. That saint luke was the author of the acts of the apostles, as well as of the gospel which bears his name, is evident both from the introduction, and from the unanimous testimonies of the early. Jun 25, 2019 the first to identify the luke in pauls letters with the author of the gospel according to luke and acts was irenaeus, bishop of lyons in the late 2nd century. Bock offers an indepth study of luke s gospel and the book of acts. Since luke is the author of acts, any date between ad 60 and 100 is reasonable as conzelmann points out. The ending of acts plays an important role in route of determining the books date. The authentic passage describes him as someone working with paul.
Bible study tips for the book of acts unlocking the bible. The earliest possible date of lukeacts is immediately after the events that luke recorded in acts 28, which would have been c. The book continues but amplifies its predecessors value in opening up luke s twopart work, especially for those commencing university or college. The acts of the apostles often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament.
They are addressed to the same individual, theophilus, and the second volume refers to the. Author though he does not mention himself by name, the author is undoubtedly luke, physician and frequent traveling companion of the apostle paul. The date of the gospel must be in the early 60s due to the necessity of acts being completed by ad 64. Consider acts as a continuation of the gospel of luke.
He wrote this gospel and its sequel, the book of acts. Jul 10, 2014 acts is a sequel to the gospel of luke. Both books are addressed to theophilus, and the latter acts refers to the former luke. He edited traditional material of which he came into possession. Luke wanted to show how the church penetrated the world of his day in everwidening. Think of your discussion as more of a book club than a bible study.
This new edition of george shillingtons introduction to the study of luke acts remedies that neglect. He was also the author of its companion work, the gospel of luke. Because the book of acts is the sequel to luke, it should be considered when trying to define the author. Heres a simple timeline we could put together about the life of jesus before. The similarity in the outline elements of the gospel of luke and acts show they come from the same author. The story of the storytellers the gospel of luke from. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. A better title for this book is the acts of the holy spirit and because of this the book of acts is an unfinished book.
As was stated, acts is the second part of what was originally a twopart, single volume i. Intro to luke biblica the international bible society. Introduction to the book of acts acts study guide medium. The book of acts ends with paul in house arrest waiting to present his case before caesar. Readers will discover that these books are actually the two parts of a single story that tells how the community of jesus followers began with his life and ministry and then spread around the world. The papyrus bodmer xiv, which is the oldest known manuscript containing the ending of the gospel dating to around. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel.
When facts have been questioned in times past further research has vindicated luke as an accurate writer, never taking liberty with the truth. Though it does not prove that he wrote lukeacts, frequent use of medical terms agrees with lukes being a physician. The background of acts 2009 by third millennium ministries. Therefore one would conclude that the book of acts also originates from the pen of luke. Who was luke, the author of the book of luke and acts. Bible study summary with videos and questions questions introduction questions. The book continues but amplifies its predecessors value in opening up lukes twopart work, especially for those commencing university or college. A full chapter by chapter study would take more than six months, so feel free to select from our available lessons below.
The author quite certainly was luke for the following reason. Saint luke, the traditional author of the gospel according to luke and the acts of the apostles. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. The story of luke, the author of acts, has to be pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle mon 22 dec 2008 04. Bock offers an indepth study of lukes gospel and the book of acts. The book of acts, above all else, is a story about the churchand what a story it is. Nov 16, 2015 luke the historian there are modern historians that declare lukes gospel and the book of acts to be one of historical veracity and accuracy. Luke could, however, have witnessed some events in acts.
The gospel of luke and the book of acts form a single, twovolume work. Luke is uniformly identified as the author acts by the second century a. This new edition of george shillingtons introduction to the study of lukeacts remedies that neglect. The first to identify the luke in pauls letters with the author of the gospel according to luke and acts was irenaeus, bishop of lyons in the late 2nd century. The consensus of scholars puts the date of acts between 6580 ad. Introduction to the gospel of luke study resources. Acts and the gospel of luke make up a twopart work, lukeacts, by the same anonymous author. The author considers acts as the second of a twopart work. Before delving into the text of the book of acts, lets answer a few preliminary questions to help familiarize yourself with the author and what luke had written. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. Four significant factors point to a lucan authorship of the book of acts.
The gospel of luke and acts have similar style, language, and organization. Both books are addressed to theophilus, the authors patronand perhaps a label for a christian community as a whole as the name means beloved of god, and the preface of acts explicitly references my former book about the life of jesusalmost certainly the work we know as the gospel of luke. The dating of acts is largely determined by the author. Luke was a physician and a travel companion of the apostle paul. Lukes vivid, fastmoving report offers a gospel of reconciliation and celebration.
Holcomb designed for individuals and small groups alike, this 12week study through the book of acts explores the history of the early church after christs ascension. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. The book of acts ends with paul in house arrest waiting to. The author of the acts of the apostles is the same author of the gospel of luke. Luke is by the same author as the book of acts in the new testament, the book that tells the story of the beginnings of the christian movement and down through the time of pauls career. As a second volume to luke s gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1.
Besides linking the gospel narratives on the one hand and the apostolic letters on the. Acts leaders notes and all ten studies in one file. The authors name does not appear in the book, but much unmistakable evidence points to luke. This versebyverse bible study and commentary of the acts of the apostles the book of acts or simply acts is indepth but uses plain language that everyone can understand, as well as a format that will engage you. Jan 10, 2017 what made luke different from the other gospel writers. Luke as author of the book of acts lives transforming. Acts intro to acts biblica the international bible society. Already the church father ireneus ca 140202 mentions that luke is the author of the book of acts. Many commentators see it as one story in two parts, the gospel of luke being part 1.
Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on the. Luke wrote the gospel of luke and the book of acts. Dec 22, 2008 the story of luke, the author of acts, has to be pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle mon 22 dec 2008 04. Paul the apostle, and the most literary of the new testament writers.