The Gospel of Luke was written by Luke. However, Luke was not one of the original 12 Disciples and never saw Jesus face to face. That said, Luke is regarded as the most credible historical source for this time and casts himself in the role of a historian in Luke 1:1-4. More than a few scholars like William Mitchel Ramsay, have tried to refute Luke’s authorship. Yet archaeological discoveries have repeatedly verified Luke’s accounts in Acts. This matters because Acts is in fact, a continuation of the book of Luke.
What other evidence do we have that Luke wrote Acts?
The “we” narratives in Acts 16:10–17; 20:5–15; 21:1–18; 27:1–28:16 indicate that the author was a traveling companion of Paul on his missionary journeys. Luke is named as one of Paul’s closest associates in Col. 4:14; Phlm 24:2, Tim 4:11.
Acts was regarded as a continuation of the Gospel of Luke because the prologue of Acts 1:1-2 references a former account, the book of Luke. This is further supported by the fact that Acts is addressed to Theophilus, Acts 1:1, as is the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:3. Theophilus translates to “Lover of God” in Greek. It is questionable whether Theophilus was a specific individual or if Luke was addressing his general readership as “lovers of God”. In any case, both books share a similar writing style, vocabulary, and theological theme, suggesting a common author.
Irenaeus, who was discipled by Polycarp, who was discipled by John, explicitly attributes Acts to Luke in his book “Against Heresies”. Other early witnesses include Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, and Eusebius, all affirming Luke’s authorship. No early Christian accounts attribute Acts to anyone but Luke.
We could go on with more evidence, but I think it’s safe to say that Luke wrote Acts. Still, it is more important to grasp the underlying Acts 17:11 Berean supporting argument presented as proof of Luke’s authorship. The reason is that disputing authorship is often the enemy’s first mode of attack on the credibility of God’s word. The argument usually begins along the lines of, “If the author is fake, then how can we say the book isn’t fake?” At the end of the day, Acts is an apologetic work rooted in verified history and the fulfillment of scripture. Our chief underlying presupposition remains the same.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Hence, the book of Acts is a work of Holy Spirit.
Luke begins Acts with a reiteration of the forty days following Jesus’s resurrection covered in Luke 24. Jesus promises the baptism of Holy Spirit. Luke 24:50 tells us that the ascension took place in Bethany less than half a mile from Jerusalem. Luke expands on the ascension beginning in Acts 1:6
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
Acts 1:6-7
As it says in 1 Corinthians 1:23, the crucifixion was a stumbling block to the Jews. The Jewish disciples were expecting a warrior king for a messiah who would restore Jewish rule over Israel. Even the disciples whom Jesus personally taught in Mat 24:3-31 didn’t understand. Now that He was resurrected they thought He would establish His Kingdom on earth. Instead, in verse 8, Jesus tells them they will receive the power to lay the foundation for the eventual Heavenly Kingdom.
They remain confused.
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:9-11
This is deeply powerful. The angel reiterated the very thing that had so enraged Caiaphas when Jesus was first arrested as the disciples witnessed a partial fulfillment of prophecy.
But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Mathew 26:63-68
Caiaphas understood that Jesus had declared He was God via His quotation of Daniel.
“I saw in the night visions,and behold, with the clouds of heaven
Daniel 7:13-14
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.
Unlike most of the book of Daniel that was written in Hebrew, Daniel 7 was written in Aramaic. This is significant because “Son of Man” in Hebrew (ben adam) means “son of Adam”. “Son of Man” in Aramaic bar ‘ěnoš is a declaration of deity. Jesus spoke Aramaic to Caiaphas and declared His deity. Hence the violent reaction that followed.
Before His crucifixion, Jesus quoted Daniel 7 when explaining His return following the tribulation, Mathew 24.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mathew 24:29-31
The partial fulfillment of prophecy in the ascension points to the partial fulfillment of Jesus’s earthly purpose. Sin and eternal death are conquered on the cross. The Kingdom of God remains to be fulfilled. Consider this mind-boggling mystery and prophetic confirmation, and we are only eleven verses into the book of Acts!
Buckle up!
Maranatha
Here is a timeline of the book of Acts for historical and contextual reference. I will print hard copies for our regular Bible study attendees. Let me know if you want a copy.
Tiberius is the Emperor of Rome – 14-37 AD
Pontius Pilate Governor of Judaea – 26-37 AD
Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Ascension – 29 AD – Luke 23-Acts 1
Matthias is Chosen as the 12th Apostle – 29 AD – Acts 1:15-26
The Day of Pentecost – 29 AD – Acts 2
3,000 People Baptized – 29 AD – Acts 2:41
The Disciples Enjoy Daily Fellowship – 29 AD – Acts 2:42-47
Peter and John Heal a Lame Man at the Temple – 29 AD – Acts 3:1-10
Peter Preaches in the Portico of Solomon – 29 AD – Acts 3:26
Peter and John Arrested by the Council – 29 AD – Acts 4:1-22
The Holy Spirit Fills the Disciples – 29 AD – Acts 4:23-31
The Believers Share Their Possessions – 29-31 AD – Acts 4:32-35
Barnabas Sells a Field and Contributes the Money – 29-31 AD – Acts 4:36-37
Ananias and Sapphira Die for Lying – 29-31 AD – Acts 5:11
The Disciples Grow in Number and Work Miracles – 29-31 AD – Acts 5:12-16
The Apostles are Arrested but Freed by an Angel – 29-35 AD – Acts 5:17-25
The Apostles are Questioned by the Council – 29-35 AD – Acts 5:26-42
7 Men Chosen to Care for the Neglected Widows – 31-35 AD – Acts 6:1-7
Stephen Arrested and Stoned – 33-35 AD – Acts 6:8-7:60
Paul Persecutes the Church – 33-35 AD – Acts 8:1-3
Philip Preaches in Samaria – 33-35 AD – Acts 8:4-25
Philip Preaches to the Ethiopian Eunuch – 33-35 AD – Acts 8:26-40
Saul’s (Paul) Conversion – 35-36 AD – Acts 9:1-18
*Caligula Emperor in Rome – 37-41 AD
Saul in Damascus and Arabia (Gal 1:17-18) – 36-39 AD – Acts 9:19-25
Saul Visits Jerusalem for 15 days – 39 AD – Gal 1:18
Saul Goes to Preach in Syria and Cilicia – 39-43 AD – Gal 1:21-24
Peter Shares the Gospel with Cornelius – 39-40 AD – Acts 10:1-48
Peter Visits Jerusalem – 39-40 AD – Acts 11:1-18
*Claudius is Emperor in Rome – 41-54 AD
Barnabas Works with the Church in Antioch – 41-43 AD – Acts 11:19-24
Barnabas Finds Saul and Returns to Antioch – 43-44 AD – Acts 11:25-27
Agabus Prophesies a Famine – 43-44 AD – Acts 11:28-30
Herod Agrippa I Kills the Apostle James – 44 AD – Acts 12:1-2
Peter Imprisoned but Released by an Angel – 44 AD – Acts 12:3-19
God Kills Herod Agrippa I – 44 AD – Acts 12:20-25
1st Missionary Journey of Paul & Barnabas – 46-47 AD – Acts 13:1-14:27
Paul & Barnabas Stay in Antioch – 47-48 AD – Acts 14:28
The Council at Jerusalem – 48 AD – Acts 15:1-29
Paul & Barnabas Return to Antioch – 48-49 AD – Acts 15:30-35
Emperor Claudius Expels Jews from Rome – 49-51 AD – Acts 18:2
Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey – 49-52 AD – Acts 16:1-18:22
Herod Agrippa II made a King by Claudius – 53 AD
Conversion of Apollos – 52-54 AD – Acts 18:24-28
Nero is Emperor in Rome – 54-68 AD
Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey – 53-57 AD – Acts 18:23-21:14
Paul Goes to Jerusalem and is Arrested – 57 AD – Acts 21:15-37
Paul Preaches to the Jews from the Barracks – 57 AD – Acts 21:38-22:22
Paul Imprisoned and on Trial Before the Council – 57 AD – Acts 22:23-23:10
The Jews Plot to Kill Paul – 57 AD – Acts 23:11-22
Paul is Moved to Caesarea – 57 AD – Acts 23:23-35
Paul on Trial Before Governor Felix – 57 AD – Acts 24:1-21
Felix Keeps Paul in Prison for 2 Years – 57-59 AD – Acts 24:22-27
Paul Appears Before Festus and Appeals to Caesar – 59 AD – Acts 25:1-12
Paul Appears Before King Agrippa – 59 AD – Acts 25:13-26:32
Paul Leaves on a Ship for Rome – 59 AD – Acts 27:1-12
Paul Shipwrecked on the Island of Malta – 59 AD – Acts 27:13-28:1
Paul Winters on Malta before Arriving in Rome – 59-60 AD – Acts 28:1-28
Paul Remained in House Arrest for 2 Years – 60-62 AD – Acts 28:19-31