Page 8 - Acts Student Textbook

Study Section: 2 Acts 1:1-6:7: The Ascension of Christ and
Birth of the Church in Jerusalem

2.1 Connect.
When you have a beloved one who you know you will no longer see again in the same sense
either by death, transfer, or by other means, you definitely want to hear what they have to
say. Possibly what they say at the end become the most important things you will treasure
for the rest of your life. Depending on how important or influential that departing person
was to your life, what they say at the end may give direction to how you will live the rest of
your life. In the same way, we will see the book of Acts opening with the apostles who were
with the resurrected Jesus, about to ascend to heaven. They stay closer to Him and listen to what He
has to say to them. What He says leaves an impact that would channel their lives to the point of
death. Let’s follow along and see how that turns out…

2.2 Objectives.

1. The student should be able to describe the connection between the book of Luke and
Acts.

2. The student should be able to analyze the importance of verses 6-8.

3. The student should be able to determine the importance of the ascension.

4. The student should be able to describe the qualifications of an apostle which are quiet contrary to
the rise of the apostleship of the 20th c. to 21st c.

2.3 Introductory information

Since at this point we have already established the facts about the identity of the author, we
will not get into that discussion here. However, in helping us connect the book of Acts to the
gospel of Luke the very opening verses indicate that Luke is the obvious author of both the
Gospel of Luke and Acts (compare Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-2). Dr. Bob Uttly says, “The term
"volume" was used in Greek for a historical narrative. Technically (i.e., in Classical Greek) it
implied one of at least three works. It is surely possible that the unusual ending of Acts might be
explained by Luke's plan to write a third volume.”
1

Knowing that the identity of the recipient is out of question here since we have already discussed it,
we will just get into a further description of our already known addressee. "Theophilus" Uttly says,
“This name is formed from (1) God (Theos) and (2) brotherly love (philos). It can be translated "God
lover," "friend of God," or "loved by God."”
2

Here Uttly says, “The title "most excellent" in Luke 1:3 could be an honorific title for a Roman
governmental official (cf. Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25), possibly used of the equestrian order of Roman
society. Church tradition names him as T. Flavius Clemens, cousin of Domitian (A.D. 24-96). This
3
takes us to the discussion of the importance of verses 6-8.”

1 Bob Uttly, Bible commentary; New Testament commentaries, Bible Lessons International, The Lockman Foundation, © 2012,
(Acts 1:1)
2 Ibid
3 Ibid, (Luke 1: 3)
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