Thoughts of Luke and Theophilus
“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” (Luke 1: 1 – 4)
“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1: 1 – 5)
These are the opening remarks of Luke to a man named Theophilus regarding the declaration of things most surely believed, and things pertaining to the kingdom of God, the church of Christ. These are the only passages mentioning Theophilus by name. Should the reader read and study the book of Luke (describing the life of Jesus Christ) and then the book of Acts (describing the beginning and growth of the Lord’s church) then the reader would have the same as what Luke desired to give Theophilus: viz. “the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed.”
Luke is known as “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14), and from reading the book of Acts, we learn he was a companion in work and travel with the apostle Paul. By examining the name Theophilus, we can learn something about this man as well. “Theo” means “God” and “Philo” means “love.” Combining the two, we can see “a lover of God” in the name, and certainly, this is indicated in the greetings sent to Theophilus from Luke. One might note that Luke loved Theophilus as well, else he would not have bothered to write him regarding the truth of Jesus Christ and His church.
Note Luke 1: 3 – 4 and the reasons Luke cared enough to write his friend. 1) “To write unto thee in order.” The sequence of Luke’s writings goes from the birth of Jesus to His death, burial, and resurrection. As Luke writes, he includes several miracles Jesus worked, and several parables Jesus taught; all a “step by step” system to prove Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. 2) “That thou mightiest know the certainty of those things.” Luke knew the life of Jesus would be challenged by several critics, and therefore desired Theophilus to know the truth of these matters, i.e., “the certainty of those things.” There was no room for speculation: Theophilus (as all others) needed to know the truth!
When Luke wrote again to Theophilus, he desired him to know the result of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. That would be the church of Christ. Luke shows the apostles had been given the Lord’s commandments, and they had seen Him after His passion “by many infallible proofs, … and speaking of those things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Luke cared enough for Theophilus to give him the whole story!
Today, we Christians need to express the same type of love and consideration for our friends as Luke expressed toward Theophilus. No one knows if Theophilus ever obeyed the gospel. Granted, from Luke 1:4 we know he had been instructed, but instructions are not always followed. We would hope he obeyed: there is certainly enough evidence in Luke’s letters to convince any serious-minded “lover of God” … a definition of Theophilus we pray is not only found in his name but was proven in his actions of obedience.
Paul addressed this thought when he wrote, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” (2 Corinthians 4:3) He knew, and we must realize as messengers of the gospel of Christ, i.e., US, we have the obligation to share the gospel of Christ with everyone we meet! If souls are lost because the gospel has been hidden from them, then what do you think God will do with those of us who KNOW the gospel and have OBEYED the gospel if we hide it from the very souls who NEED the gospel?
There is nothing of greater importance than the gospel of Christ and our obedience to it! Were all the riches of this world combined and offered to man in one lump sum, they would not equal the immeasurable love of God, and His gift to the world to save us from sin! (John 3:16; Matthew 16:24:26) Sadly, far too many souls seek the riches, fame, and power of a sin-cursed world instead of the freely given saving power of God (Romans 1:16 – 17). Even those who begin listening to God’s truth are often easily swayed away by the sounds of worldly-minded mouths. Luke was not this way! He loved Theophilus enough to share the truth of Jesus Christ and His church with him. From his name and the words Luke shares with us about this man, we can surmise Theophilus loved the reception of this truth. Do we love it as well? Are we sharing it with the souls of our families, friends, and even our foes? If not, why not? Let’s be like Luke and never hesitate to “set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us.”