Acts And Theophilus Essay, Research Paper
1. Theophilus Lover of God, a Christian, probably a Roman, to whom Luke
dedicated both his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. Nothing beyond this is
known of him. From the fact that Luke applies to him the title ?most
excellent?, the same title Paul uses in addressing Felix and Festus, it has
been concluded that Theophilus was a person of rank, perhaps a Roman officer (Henneke).
2. John the Baptist John was Jesus? cousin. He was to prepare a way for the
messiah by baptizing people into repentance. He is only mentioned in Acts in
passing. He had been murdered by King Herod years before. 3. Jesus He is the
suffering servant, the messiah. He is God in flesh. He is the main focal point
of the book of Acts. 4. Peter His name meant rock or stone. He was the brother
mof Andrew. He was a fisherman called by Jesus into his early ministry. He is
well known by his 3 time denial. He was one of Jesus? favorite disciples. He
became the leader of the chosen twelve. He was one of the few to witness Jarius?
daughter?s resurrection, and the transfiguration. After Pentecost, his
ministry appeared in three stages: 1. Leader of activities in Jerusalem. 2. He
opened the door to gentiles with the conversion of Cornelius. 3. He and his wife
started the Zenana missionary. 4. He became a martyr and was crucified upside
down (Henneke). Peter was a quick, perceptive, and impulsive man, given to
bursts of enthusiasm-and depression. He recognized his own unworthiness of his
Lord?s faith in him. Peter was the first one to declare Jesus as Christ. He
raised Dorcus from the dead, and performed many other miracles. The transition
form Judaism to the full acceptance of Christ?s teaching was not easy of
Peter. He was strong and stubborn before the notion that Samaritans and Gentiles
could be Christians without first becoming Jews and circumcised. A direct vision
was required to make him understand that the Lord?s saving work was performed
for all who would believe in him. Once convinced, however, he tried to stand
with Paul on the question of admitting Gentiles to the church (Alexander). 5.
John He was the younger brother of James, and an apostle. He was known as the
disciple whom Jesus loved. He was a native of Galilee. His parents were cousins
of Jesus. He was a fisherman by trade. He was in the inner cabinet of three. He
is mentioned in Acts as at the appearance on Pentecost (Henneke). 6. James James
is best known as the brother of John. He and John were called the Sons of
Thunder. He was a fisherman who left all to follow Christ. He became one of
Christ’s most beloved apostles. He was present at the transfiguration. His
mother asked that he be given a place of power in Christ’s kingdom. He went with
Christ to the garden of Gethsemane before the crucifixion. He was present at
Christ’s death. Jesus allowed only Peter, John, and James to be present at the
healing of Jarius’ daughter. He and John wanted fire from heaven to punish the
Samaritans. James was one of the first to give his life for Christ (Henneke). 7.
Andrew Brother of Simon Peter and an apostle. He was a follower of John the
Baptist. It is suggested that he became the patron-saint of Russia (Lockyer). 8.
Phillip He was an apostle but not much was known of him after that. 9. Thomas
The apostle who was given the name ?the doubter? (Alexander). 10.
Bartholomew He is one of the twelve. He was also known as Nathaniel and a
suggested writer of a gospel (Alexander). 11. Matthew A tax collector before he
became a disciple. He was also known as Levi (Smith). 12. James He was the son
of Alphaeus. He was known as the little or the less, probably because of his
small stature, or because he was young. His brother was Joses. He was one of the
twelve (Lockyer). 13. Simon the Zealot One of the twelve. An interesting thing
about him was that even after he became a follower of Christ he did not cease
being known as a zealot (Smith). 14. Judas, son of James One of the twelve, not
to be confused with Judas Iscariot. 15. Judas Son of Simon (John 6:71; 13:2,
26), surnamed Iscariot. His name is uniformly the last in the list of the
apostles, as given in the synoptic Gospels. The evil of his nature probably
gradually unfolded itself till "Satan entered into him" (John 13:27),
and he betrayed our Lord (18:3). Afterwards he owned his sin with "an
exceeding bitter cry," and cast the money he had received as the wages of
his iniquity down on the floor of the sanctuary, and "departed and went and
hanged himself" (Matt. 27:5). He perished in his guilt, and "went unto
his own place" (Acts 1:25). The statement in Acts 1:18 that he "fell
headlong and burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out," is
in no way contrary to that in Matt. 27:5. The suicide first hanged himself,
perhaps over the valley of Hinnom, "and the rope giving way, or the branch
to which he hung breaking, he fell down headlong on his face, and was crushed
and mangled on the rocky pavement below." (Easton) 16. Barsabbas Surnamed
Joseph; also called Justus. He was one of those who "companied with the
apostles all the time that the Lord Jesus went out and in among them" , and
was one of the candidates for the place of Judas. (Lockyer) 17. Matthias The
apostles agreed that the vacancy in the number twelve created by Judas?
suicide should be filled. They decided, further, that one of those who had been
with Jesus from the beginning should be chosen. Two men were nominated Barsabbas
and Matthias. After prayers for guidance, lots were cast and the lot fell to
Matthias who was then enrolled with the eleven. Nothing else is recorded about
him, he is not mentioned again (Alexander). 18. Joel Mentioning of the Old
Testament prophet. 19. David King David of the Old Testament. 20. Annas the High
Priest He was the high priest A.D. 7-14. In A.D. 25 Caiaphis, who had married
the daughter of Annas, was raised to that office, and probably Annas was now
made president of the Sanhedrim, or deputy or coadjutor of the high priest, and
thus was also called high priest along with Caiaphis. By the Mosaic law the
high-priesthood was held for life (Num. 3:10); and although Annas had been
deposed by the Roman procurator, the Jews may still have regarded him as legally
the high priest. The Lord was first brought before Annas, and after a brief
questioning of him was sent to Caiaphis, when some members of the Sanhedrim had
met, and the first trial of Jesus took place. This examination of Jesus before
Annas is recorded only by John. Annas was president of the Sanhedrim before
which Peter and John were brought (Easton). 21. Caiaphis He was the High Priest
and was the son-in-law of Annas. 22. John He was a kinsman of Annas. 23.
Alexander A relative of Annas the high priest, present when Peter and John were
examined before the Sanhedrim. 24. Joseph, Levite form Cyprus Not much is known
about him. 25. Barnabas His given name was Joses or Joseph. He was a Levite. He
was from Cyprus. A cousin of John Mark. He was also referred to as an apostle.
His character is revealed in the name given to him by the apostles, Barnabas,
"son of encouragement". "When he came and had seen the grace of
God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should
continue with the Lord" (Acts 11:23). "For he was a good man, full of
the Holy Spirit and of faith" (Acts 11:24). When Christians in Jerusalem
were in need, he sold his land and brought the money to the apostles. When Paul
tried to join himself to the Jerusalem Christians, they were afraid of him.
Barnabas took Paul to the apostles so Paul could tell his story. He and Paul
were entrusted with the relief sent to the brethren in Judea during a famine. He
refused the worship of the people of Lystra. He was involved in hypocrisy along
with Peter and others with respect to the treatment of the Gentiles in Antioch.
He contended with Paul over taking John Mark on a second journey. This
contention "became so sharp that they parted from one another" (Acts
15:39). He was willing to preach the gospel without charge that he might not be
a burden (1 Cor. 9:4-18) (Henneke) 26. Ananias Because of need, the disciples
had all things in common. Those who owned property sold it and brought the
proceeds to the apostles for distribution (Acts 4:32-37). Ananias and his wife,
Sapphira, sold a possession but kept back part of the proceeds. Peter confronted
Ananias, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy
Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself" (vs. 3)?
Before Ananias sold the possession, it belonged to him. After he sold the
possession, the money belonged to him. In bringing a portion and implying that
it was all, he had lied to the Holy Spirit. Ananias fell down and died. carry
you out" (Henneke). 27. Gamaliel Gamaliel was a Pharisee, a member of the
Council, who persuaded its members to take less drastic action toward the
apostles with respect to their refusal to quit preaching the gospel He reminded
them of past seditions that had failed. He suggested that if these apostles were
teaching truth, they would be fighting against God. If it were not, the movement
would die out. As a result of this argument, the apostles were only beaten and
then released. When Paul was on trial, he testified that Gamaliel was his
teacher. He was one of the most highly respected rabbis of the first century (Henneke).
28. Judas the Galielan A Jew of Damascus, to whose house Ananias was sent. The
street called "Straight" in which it was situated is identified with
the modern "street of bazaars," where is still pointed out the
so-called "house of Judas.? (Easton) 29. Philip He was one of the seven
set apart as deacons. He is named after Stephen. He preached in Samaria. It was
his work which was completed here after his departure by Peter and John, who
went down from Jerusalem to bestow the Holy Spirit upon them by the laying on of
hands. He converted an Ethiopian Eunuch. He had four unmarried daughters who
prophesied (Alexander). 30. Procurus He was one of the seven chosen. 31. Nicanor
He was one of the seven deacons appointed in the apostolic church. Nothing
further is known of him (Alexander). 32. Timon He was one of the seven deacons
appointed in the apostolic church. Nothing further is known of him (Alexander).
33. Parmenas He was one of the seven deacons appointed in the apostolic church.
Nothing further is known of him (Alexander). 34. Nicolas He was a proselyte of
Antioch, one of the seven deacons. Nothing further is known of him (Alexander).
35. Stephen He was one of the seven deacons, who became a preacher of the
gospel. He was the first Christian martyr. His personal character and history
are recorded in Acts "He fell asleep" with a prayer for his
persecutors on his lips. A devout men carried him to his grave. It was at the
feet of the young Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus that those who stoned him laid their
clothes before they began their cruel work. The scene which Saul then witnessed
and the words he heard appear to have made a deep and lasting impression on his
mind. The speech of Stephen before the Jewish ruler is the first apology for the
universalism of the gospel as a message to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. It
is the longest speech contained in the Acts, a place of prominence being given
to it as a defense (Easton). 36. Abraham Mentioned from Old Testament to show
how God has worked outside of Jewish Boundaries. He was the father of all Jews.
37. Isaac Mentioned from Old Testament to show how God has worked outside of
Jewish Boundaries. He was a son of Abraham 38. Jacob Mentioned from Old
Testament to show how God has worked outside of Jewish Boundaries. He was a son
of Abraham 39. Joseph Mentioned from Old Testament to show how God has worked
outside of Jewish Boundaries. He was the son of Jacob, and second in charge in
Egypt. 40. Pharaoh Mentioned from Old Testament to show how God has worked
outside of Jewish Boundaries. He was the ruler during Joseph?s time 41. Moses
Mentioned from Old Testament to show how God has worked outside of Jewish
Boundaries. He was the leader of the exiled Jews in Egypt. 42. Pharaoh Mentioned
from Old Testament to show how God has worked outside of Jewish Boundaries. He
was ruler during Moses? time. 43. Joshua Mentioned from Old Testament to show
how God has worked outside of Jewish Boundaries. He took over after Moses passed
away. 44. Solomon Mentioned from Old Testament to show how God has worked
outside of Jewish Boundaries. He was the wise son of King David. 45. Saul (Paul)
Nearly all the original materials for the life of Paul are contained in the Acts
of the Apostles and in the Pauline epistles. Paul was born in Tarsus, a city of
Cilicia. (It is not improbable that he was born between A.D. 0 and A.D. 5.) Up
to the time of his going forth as an avowed preacher of Christ to the Gentiles,
the apostle was known by the name of Saul. This was the Jewish name which he
received from his Jewish parents. But though a Hebrew of the Hebrews, he was
born in a Gentile city. Of his parents we know nothing, except that his father
was of the tribe of Benjamin, (Philippians 3:5;) and a Pharisee, that Paul had
acquired by some means the Roman franchise ("I was free born," and
that he was settled in Tarsus. At Tarsus he must have learned to use the Greek
language with freedom and mastery in both speaking and writing. At Tarsus also
he learned that trade of "tent-maker," at which he afterward
occasionally wrought with his own hands. There was a goat’s- hair cloth called
cilicium manufactured in Cilicia, and largely used for tents, Saul’s trade was
probably that of making tents of this hair cloth. When St. Paul makes his
defense before his countrymen at Jerusalem… he tells them that, though born in
Tarsus he had been "brought up" in Jerusalem. He must therefore, have
been yet a boy when was removed, in all probability for the sake of his
education, to the holy city of his fathers. He learned, he says, at the feet of
Gamaliel." He who was to resist so stoutly the usurpation of the law had
for his teacher one of the most eminent of all the doctors of the law. Saul was
yet "a young man," when the Church experienced that sudden expansion
which was connected with the ordaining of the seven appointed to serve tables,
and with the special power and inspiration of Stephen. Among those who disputed
with Stephen were some "of them of Cilicia." We naturally think of
Saul as having been one of these, when we find him afterward keeping the clothes
of those suborned witnesses who, according to the law, (Deuteronomy 17:7) were
the first to cast stones at Stephen. "Saul," says the sacred writer
significantly "was consenting unto his death." Saul’s conversion. A.D.
37. –The persecutor was to be converted. Having undertaken to follow up the
believers "unto strange cities." Saul naturally turned his thoughts to
Damascus. What befell him as he journeyed thither is related in detail three
times in the Acts, first by the historian in his own person, then in the two
addresses made by St. Paul at Jerusalem and before Agrippa. St. Luke’s statement
is to be read in where, however, the words "it is hard for thee to kick
against the pricks," included in the English version, ought to be omitted
(as is done in the Revised Version). The sudden light from heaven, the voice of
Jesus speaking with authority to his persecutor. Saul struck to the ground,
blinded, overcome; the three-days suspense; the coming of Ananias as a messenger
of the Lord and Saul’s baptism, –these were the leading features at the great
event, and in these we must look for the chief significance of the conversion.
It was in Damascus that he was received into the church by Ananias, and here to
the astonishment of all his hearers, he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues,
declaring him to be the Son of God. The narrative in the Acts tells us simply
that he was occupied in this work, with increasing vigor, for "many
days," up to the time when imminent danger drove him from Damascus. From
the Epistle to the Galatians, (Galatians 1:17,18) we learn that the many days
were at least a good part of "three years." A.D. 37- 40, and that