Reset Password
Reset Link Sent
| Blogs > Katididaustralia > Katididaustralia |
|
The Book Of Acts Writer: Luke Place Written: Rome Writing Completed: c. 61 C.E. Time Covered: 33 - c. 61 C.E. In the 42nd book of the inspired Scriptures, Luke gives an account covering the life, activity and ministry of Jesus and His followers up to the time of Jesus' ascension. The historical record of the 44th book of the Scriptures, Acts of Apostles, continues the history of early Christianity by describing the founding of the congregation as a result of the operation of the holy spirit. It also describes the expansion of the witness, first amoung the Jews and then to people of all nations. The greater part of the material in the first 12 chapters covers the activities of Peter and the remaining 16 chapters, the activities of Paul. Luke had an intimate association with Paul, accompanying him on many of his travels. The book is addressed to Theophilus. Since he is referred to as "most excellent," it is possible that he occupied some official position, or it may simply be an expression of high esteem. (Luke 1:3) The account provides an accurate historical record of the establishment and growth of the Christian congregation. It commences with Jesus' appearances to His disciples following His resurrection and then records important events of the period from 33 to about 61 C.E., covering approximately 28 years in all. From ancient times the writer of the Gospel of Luke has been credited with the writing of Acts. Both books are addressed to Theophilus. By repeating the closing events of his Gospel in the opening verses of Acts, Luke binds the two accounts together as the work of the same author. It appears that Luke completed Acts about 61 C.E., probably toward the close of the two year stay in Rome while in the company of the apostle Paul. Since it records events down to that year, it could not have been completed earlier, and its leaving Paul's appeal to Caesar undecided indicates that it was completed by that year. From the most ancient times, Acts has been accepted by Bible scholars as canonical. Parts of the book are to be found amoung some of the oldest extant papyrus manuscripts of the Greek Scriptures, notable the Michigan No.1571 (p38 ) of the third or fourth century C.E. and Chester Beatty No (p45) of the third century. Both of these indicate that Acts was circulating with other books of the inspired Scriptures and hence was part of the catalog at an early date. Luke's writing in the book of Acts reflects the same remarkable accuracy as we have already noted marks his Gospel. Sir William M. Ramsay rates the writer of Acts "amoung the historians of the first rank," and he explains what this means by saying: "The first and the essential quality of the great historian is truth. What he says must be trustworthy." (St. Paul the Traveller, 1895, pg. 4) Illustrating the accurate reporting that so characterizes Luke's writings, we quote Edwin Smith, commander of a flotilla of British warships in the Mediterranean during World War 1, writing in the magazine The Rudder, March 1947: "The ancient vessels were not steered as those in modern times by a single rudder hinged to the stern post, but by two great oars or paddles, one on each side of the stern; hence the mention of them in the plural number by St. Luke. (Acts 27:40)... We have seen in our examination that every statement as to the movements of this ship, from the time when she left Fair Havens until she was beached at Malta, as set forth by St. Luke has been verified by external and independent evidence of the most exact and satisfying nature; and that his statements as to the time the ship remained at sea correspond with the distance covered; and finally that his description of the place arrived at is in conformity with the place as it is. All of which goes to show that Luke actually made the voyage as described, and has moreover shown himself to be a man whose observations and statements may be taken as reliable and trustworthy in the highest degree." Archaeological findings also confirm the accuracy of Luke's account. For example, excavations at Ephesus have unearthed the temple of Artemis as well as the ancient theater where the Ephesians rioted against the apostle Paul. (Acts 19:27-41) Inscriptions have been discovered that confirm the correctness of Luke's use of the title "city rulers" as applying to the officials of Thessalonica. (Acts 17:6,8 ). Two Maltese inscriptions show that Luke was also correct in referring to Publius as "the principal man" of Malta. (Acts 28: 7) Further, the various speeches made by Peter, Stephen, Cornelius, Tertullus, Paul and others, as recorded by Luke, are all different in style and composition. Even the speeches of Paul, spoken before different audiences, changed in style to suit the occasion. This indicates that Luke recorded only what he himself heard or what other eyewitnesses reported to him. Luke was no fiction writer. Very little is known of the personal life of Luke. Luke himself was not an apostle but was associated with those who were. (Luke 1:1-4) In three instances the apostle Paul mentions Luke by name. (Col. 4:10, 14; 2Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24) For some years he was the constant companion of Paul, who called him "the beloved physician." There is a shifting back and forth in the account between "they" and "we," indicating that Luke was with Paul at Troas during Paul's second missionary tour, that he may have remained behind at Philippi until Paul returned some years later, and that he then rejoined Paul and accompanied him on his trip to Rome for trial. (Acts 16:8, 10; 17:1; 20:4-6; 28:16) Yours Sincerely, Katidid. |
|
