The Holy Spirit - crystal

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

I like what David said about Theophilus being a lover of God ... some commentator I read siad that he may have been Luke's sponsor. What I noticed most is that Luke places a lot of emphasis on the holy Spirit, its guidance and inspiration. As the intro in the NAB writes ...

In the development of the church from a Jewish Christian origin in Jerusalem, with its roots in Jewish religious tradition, to a series of Christian communities among the Gentiles of the Roman empire, Luke perceives the action of God in history laying open the heart of all humanity to the divine message of salvation. His approach to the history of the church is motivated by his theological interests. His history of the apostolic church is the story of a Spirit-guided community and a Spirit-guided spread of the Word of God.

Acts 1:1-3 (David)

At first blush there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of meat here. Three teeny tiny verses. A recap of Luke 24.

At a kind of critical level what jumps out at me is: Theophilus. Theophilus means lover of God. It could be a proper name. It could be a term used for initiates for baptism or a name used in the faith communities Luke worked in for fellow followers of the Way (i.e., Christians). There were also in ancient times a significant number of pagans who basically converted to Judaism yet for various reasons refused to take full circumcision and I seem to remember but cannot confirm from any books on my shelf that these folks were referred to by the Jews as god-lovers.

Why is this important (to me?). Because I tend I try to be mindful of who the intended or ideal reader of a book is. I think it gives me perspective and limits the range of interpretations I might bring. To a certain extent a text like this is something I cannot claim to own but rather borrow and so I have a kind of obligation to Luke in this regard.

So questions raised here: Is this a book for seasoned members of the faith? For prospective initiates -- like handing a book on the background of Quakerism to someone interested in joining your meeting? Or is this a tract for curious outsiders?

The other words which jump out at me, for very different reasons: he gave his instructions, through the Holy Spirit, to the special messengers of his choice.

Interesting a whole mess of ways. The apostles had access to Jesus' instructions through the Holy Spirit before Pentecost. Is this a recap of Luke 24 or is this new information?

Luke 24:32. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?"

Luke 24:46. and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day.

His disciples, the ones he personally trained during his earthly life, needed a resurrected Christ to instruct them in the meanings of both their current situation and in the meaning of the scriptures that point towards that present situation. And he does so through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:2).

Acts 1: 1-3 Introduction

Introduction
My Dear Theophilus, In my first book I gave you some account of all that Jesus began to do and teach until the time of his ascension. Before he ascended he gave his instructions, through the Holy Spirit, to the special messengers of his choice. For after his suffering he showed himself alive to them in many convincing ways, and appeared to them repeatedly over a period of forty days talking with them about the affairs of the kingdom of God.

J.B. Phillips

* * *

1 IN THE former account [which I prepared], O Theophilus, I made [a continuous report] dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and to teach

2 Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) whom He had chosen.

3 To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.

Cross references:
1. Acts 1:1 : Luke 1:1-4

Amplified Bible

ACTS of the Apostles

Well a sense of the meeting seems to be crystallizing and that sense seems to be the book of Acts -- known affectionately as Luke II: The Sequel. If anyone has any objections to this let them speak now or forever hold their peace.



A question and a request. If anyone has any suggestions for changes in process -- how often we post scripture, approaches, etc., feel free to mention them now. And if anyone knows of any good links to sites with insight on scripture study, scripture study helps -- or Acts in particular please let me know and I'll post them in the sidebar.

And yes, it looks like Jeff has indeed joined the Baker Street Irregulars. A link to Jeff's blog has been placed in the side bar for your perusal.

our next project (recap of discussion thus far)

Most folks do not want a break. If a break a very short one.

Suggested topics (in order suggested):

• something canonical - preferably NT;
  
• Tobit;
  
• One of the epistles;
  
• Romans.
  

Additions? Comments? Preferences?