The Prologue of Acts

A prologue is an introduction, opening speech, or preliminary event; and the prologue to Acts is full of important insights and information (Read Acts 1:1-3).

The understanding of any Bible story, book or verse begins with the Context and Intention. The interpretation is determined by considering its context, as well as the reason (intention) for which it was written. This means the author’s motive, audience and purpose are important; as is the historic and cultural context.

Let’s take a look at some insights found in Luke’s introduction:

1. Dr. Luke’s Former Book? (Acts 1:1 for Lk 1:1-4)- This opening background reference is to Luke’s Gospel. There, Luke reveals his subject: “the Word” and “the things most surely believed.” He gives the sources of his information: “eyewitnesses and ministers;” explains his method: “carefully investigated and accurate, orderly account” (chronological); and declared his intention: so “Theophilus may know the certainty of Christian teaching.”

2.     Devoted to Theophilus- Luke wrote his Gospel and the book of Acts for one man, “Theophilus.” His name literally means “Lover of God” or “Mr. God-friendly.” As the audience to benefit from 4 years of Luke’s research and writing, some believe this is a fictional person of symbolic significance. In other words, he is writing to all who “love God.” The opening could be saying “Dear Mr. Sincere Enquirer;” or to the “God-seeking…God-friendly” meaning anyone interested in finding God or understanding the Christian faith.

          If he was a real person, his title of “Most Excellent” shows he was obviously an important person, who possibly held some public office. Some believe this title makes him a lawyer or judge involved in Paul’s trial.

3.     A Defense Brief- Acts is apparently the second of 2-volumes that Luke has prepared for Paul’s defense trial in Rome.

          As previously mentioned, the title of “Most Excellent” given to “Theophilus” designates him as an important person, probably in some public office, who is often thought to be either Paul’s defense lawyer or the judge at his trial. This makes sense because both would need a full brief detailing the circumstances leading to the trial. It’s also worth noting that this is the same title used of Festus and Felix when they presided over Paul’s trials (Acts 23:26, 24:3, 26:25).

4.     Demonstrating Jesus’ Resurrection Life- Luke writes to show that Jesus is Alive, Ascended and Active-Lk 1:2/Acts 1:3, 22, 3:15, 5:31-32. He reports that Jesus’ appearances and eyewitness accounts prove the resurrection, and the events recorded are some of the “many convincing proofs.” Also, the baptism and outpouring of the Holy Spirit by Jesus is used as proof of life (Acts 2:31-36).

5.     A Declaration of the Faith- “…of those things most surely believed/that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those eyewitnesses…”-Lk. 1:1-2,

·        As a Record of History and Theology-

“Acts can be called ‘theological history’-a narrative of interrelated events from a given place and time, chosen to communicate theological truths. It views God as acting in the arena of history and through that revealing His ways and His will to His people…Our task is to find those truths and see what abiding principles we can glean from them that we can apply to our thoughts, lives and ministries today.” (Fernando)

·        For Christian Testimony and Inspiration-

Here we see the Apostles and early Christians living out the commands of Jesus.

·        To Provide Examples and Models-

Acts is “the only Church history we have in Scripture. Presumably the Holy Spirit wanted it included so that we would know what God intends for His people…It is important that we use Acts as a model; for if we do not, we can fall into the error of believing that another period of Church history is the one we want to duplicate. The Bible provides a sufficient model and is the ultimate standard.” (Pawson)

            Here we see a modeling of Christian faith, life and discipleship; and find model leadership, churches, prayer, missions, etc. We also have the examples of the early Church’s struggles with hypocrisy, prejudice, and arguments within, and persecution, false accusations and doctrinal disputes without.

            “Acts is a selection of events showing the tendencies, passion and patterns of early Christians, and “every story reveals principles and laws, operating with undeviating regularity, and contributing the secrets of the amazing spread of Christianity in the world.” (GCMorgan)

“Acts is the remarkable account of the spread of Christianity. Luke sifts the evidence and selects the events that chart this expansion, providing a model for church life and a missionary manual to enable the expansion to continue. Simultaneously he achieves his overall goal of briefing Theophilus so that his friend the apostle Paul might be declared innocent at his trial. At the same time God intended that we should understand how He is at work in building His Kingdom, so that whoever we are and wherever we live we might be clear about the ideals for which we should work and pray.” (Pawson)