Changes

==Authorship==

==Authorship==

This is the work of one author, given the unity of style and its artistic completeness, as such an effect could never arise from the piecing together bits of writings of different authors. The writer writes as an eyewitness and companion of [[Paul]]. The passages 16:10 - 17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1; 28:16 are called the "we passages". In these the writer employs the first person plural, closely identifying himself with Paul. This excludes the theory that Acts is the work of a redactor. Renan <ref>Ernest Renan, The Acts of the Apostles (Les Ap“tres, 1866), trans. from the French. (New York: Carlton, Madison Square, 1866)</ref> held that such use of the pronoun is "incompatible with any theory of redaction".

This is the work of one author, given the unity of style and its artistic completeness, as such an effect could never arise from the piecing together bits of writings of different authors. The writer writes as an eyewitness and companion of [[Paul]]. The passages 16:10 - 17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1; 28:16 are called the "we passages". In these the writer employs the first person plural, closely identifying himself with Paul. This excludes the theory that Acts is the work of a redactor. Renan<ref>Ernest Renan, The Acts of the Apostles (Les Ap“tres, 1866), trans. from the French. (New York: Carlton, Madison Square, 1866)</ref> held that such use of the pronoun is "incompatible with any theory of redaction".

We know from many proofs that [[Luke]] was the companion and fellow-laborer of Paul. Writing to the Colossians, in his salutation Paul associates with himself, "Luke, the beloved physician" (4:14). In II Tim 4:11 Paul declares: "Only Luke is with me". To Philemon (24) Paul calls Luke his fellow-worker. Many suppose the Lucan authorship of the third Gospel as proved. The writer of Acts in his opening sentence implicitly declares himself to be the author of the third Gospel. He addresses his work to [[Theophilus]], the addressee of the third Gospel. The writer also mentions his former work and in substance makes known his intention of continuing the history which, in his former treatise, he had brought up to the day when the Lord Jesus was received up. There is an identity of style between Acts and the third Gospel. An examination of the original Greek texts of the third Gospel and of the Acts reveals that there is in them a remarkable identity of manner of thinking and of writing. There is in both the same tender regard for the [[Gentiles]], the same respect for the [[Roman Empire]], the same treatment of the Jewish rites, the same broad conception that the [[Gospel]] is for all men. In forms of expression the third Gospel and the Acts reveal an identity of authorship. Many of the expressions usual in both works occur rarely in the rest of the [[New Testament]]; other expressions are found nowhere else save in the third Gospel and in the Acts.  

We know from many proofs that [[Luke]] was the companion and fellow-laborer of Paul. Writing to the Colossians, in his salutation Paul associates with himself, "Luke, the beloved physician" (4:14). In II Tim 4:11 Paul declares: "Only Luke is with me". To Philemon (24) Paul calls Luke his fellow-worker. Many suppose the Lucan authorship of the third Gospel as proved. The writer of Acts in his opening sentence implicitly declares himself to be the author of the third Gospel. He addresses his work to [[Theophilus]], the addressee of the third Gospel. The writer also mentions his former work and in substance makes known his intention of continuing the history which, in his former treatise, he had brought up to the day when the Lord Jesus was received up. There is an identity of style between Acts and the third Gospel. An examination of the original Greek texts of the third Gospel and of the Acts reveals that there is in them a remarkable identity of manner of thinking and of writing. There is in both the same tender regard for the [[Gentiles]], the same respect for the [[Roman Empire]], the same treatment of the Jewish rites, the same broad conception that the [[Gospel]] is for all men. In forms of expression the third Gospel and the Acts reveal an identity of authorship. Many of the expressions usual in both works occur rarely in the rest of the [[New Testament]]; other expressions are found nowhere else save in the third Gospel and in the Acts.  

Acts takes up the narrative here and records events which were evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit, through chosen humans. It is a condensed record of the fulfillment of the promises of Jesus Christ. The Evangelists record Christ's promises which He made to the disciples;

Acts takes up the narrative here and records events which were evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit, through chosen humans. It is a condensed record of the fulfillment of the promises of Jesus Christ. The Evangelists record Christ's promises which He made to the disciples;

*regarding the establishment of the Church and its mission <ref>Matthew 16:15-20</ref>

*regarding the establishment of the Church and its mission<ref>Matthew 16:15-20</ref>

*the gift of the Holy Spirit <ref>Luke 24:49; John 14:16, 17</ref>

*the gift of the Holy Spirit<ref>Luke 24:49; John 14:16, 17</ref>

*the calling of the Gentiles <ref>Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46, 47</ref>

*the calling of the Gentiles<ref>Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46, 47</ref>

==Agency of the Holy Spirit==

==Agency of the Holy Spirit==

Being an integral part in a well-ordered series, Acts "assumes" its readers know the [[Gospel]]s and itself continues the Gospel narrative. The Four Evangelists close with the account of the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. <br>

Being an integral part in a well-ordered series, Acts "assumes" its readers know the [[Gospel]]s and itself continues the Gospel narrative. The Four Evangelists close with the account of the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. <br>

Acts takes up the narrative here and records events which were evidence of the working of the [[Holy Spirit]], through chosen humans. It is a condensed record of the fulfillment of the promises of Jesus Christ. The Evangelists record Christ's promises which He made to the disciples;

Acts takes up the narrative here and records events which were evidence of the working of the [[Holy Spirit]], through chosen humans. It is a condensed record of the fulfillment of the promises of Jesus Christ. The Evangelists record Christ's promises which He made to the disciples;

*regarding the establishment of the Church and its mission <ref>Matthew 16:15-20</ref>

*regarding the establishment of the Church and its mission<ref>Matthew 16:15-20</ref>

*the gift of the Holy Spirit <ref>Luke 24:49; John 14:16, 17</ref>

*the gift of the Holy Spirit<ref>Luke 24:49; John 14:16, 17</ref>

*the calling of the Gentiles <ref>Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46, 47</ref>

*the calling of the Gentiles<ref>Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46, 47</ref>

Acts records the fulfillments. The history begins at Jerusalem and ends at Rome. With divine simplicity Acts shows us the growth of the religion of Christ among the nations. The distinction between Jew and Gentile is abolished by the revelation to Peter.  

Acts records the fulfillments. The history begins at Jerusalem and ends at Rome. With divine simplicity Acts shows us the growth of the religion of Christ among the nations. The distinction between Jew and Gentile is abolished by the revelation to Peter.