Acts 1:1 kjv
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Acts 1:1 nkjv
The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Acts 1:1 niv
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach
Acts 1:1 esv
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
Acts 1:1 nlt
In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach
Acts 1 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 1:1-4 | Inasmuch as many have undertaken... I also, having investigated everything carefully... it seemed good... so that you may know the exact truth. | Luke's dedication, comprehensive research, and purpose. |
| Acts 1:2 | until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. | The transition of authority via the Holy Spirit. |
| Jn 14:12 | Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. | Disciples continue Jesus's works. |
| Matt 28:19-20 | Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you... And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. | The Great Commission: continuation of teaching and doing. |
| Lk 24:19 | He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people." | Jesus as one mighty in both action and word. |
| Jn 10:25 | Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about Me." | Jesus's actions testify to His divine authority. |
| Is 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted... | Prophecy of Messiah's ministry (deeds & words). |
| Deut 18:18 | I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. | Moses foretells Jesus, a prophet of word and deed. |
| Mk 1:14-15 | Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” | Jesus began public ministry by teaching and doing. |
| Lk 4:18-21 | The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor... Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. | Jesus declares the fulfillment of prophecy in His acts. |
| Jn 1:1-3 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. | Jesus's pre-existence and creative action. |
| Heb 1:1-3 | God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers... in these last days has spoken to us in His Son... And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. | God's revelation through Jesus's words and power. |
| Col 1:16-17 | For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. | Jesus's active role in creation and sustenance. |
| 1 Jn 1:1-3 | That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest... | Eyewitness testimony of Jesus's tangible ministry. |
| Jas 1:22 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. | Practical application of doing and hearing the Word. |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... | Gospel as powerful action of God for salvation. |
| 1 Cor 2:4 | and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. | Apostolic ministry mirrors Jesus's: word and power. |
| Phil 2:5-8 | Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God... emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men... and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. | Jesus's life was a testament of His deeds and example. |
| Col 2:3 | in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | All knowledge and wisdom originate from Christ's person and teachings. |
| Titus 2:7 | Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity. | Christian life combines good deeds with sound teaching. |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. | Believers called to "do" good works because of Christ's work. |
| Matt 7:24-27 | Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. | Emphasizes importance of hearing and doing Jesus's words. |
Acts 1 verses
Acts 1 1 Meaning
Acts 1:1 initiates the second volume of a unified historical narrative, directly linking it to the Gospel of Luke. It states the author's previous comprehensive account given to Theophilus, detailing everything Jesus began to accomplish through both His actions and His teachings. This verse establishes a bridge, highlighting the continuity of Jesus's earthly ministry into the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit through the apostles and the early church. It emphasizes Jesus's multifaceted role as both doer and teacher, laying the foundation for the expansion of His Kingdom.
Acts 1 1 Context
Acts 1:1 serves as the prologue to the book of Acts, effectively connecting it to its precursor, the Gospel of Luke. Both books are addressed to "Theophilus," suggesting they are a continuous historical and theological treatise authored by the same individual, Luke, often identified as "the beloved physician" (Col 4:14). This verse sets the stage for the unfolding narrative by confirming the writer's previous detailed account of Jesus's earthly life and ministry. It highlights that the events in Acts are a direct continuation of what Jesus initiated during His incarnate ministry. Historically, Acts completes a comprehensive history of salvation, tracing God's redemptive work from Christ's ascension to the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the Roman world, particularly focusing on the ministries of Peter and Paul.
Acts 1 1 Word analysis
- The former: From Greek
prōton(πρῶτον), meaning "first" or "earlier." It immediately establishes a two-part work. This implies a previous account the audience, specifically Theophilus, is familiar with. - treatise: From Greek
logon(λόγον), meaning "word," "account," "discourse," or "narrative." Here, it signifies a literary work, specifically the Gospel of Luke. The "word" aspect highlights that Luke's Gospel is a well-structured and authoritative report, not merely a collection of stories. - have I made: From Greek
epoiēsamēn(ἐποιησάμην), past tense ofpoiéō, "to make" or "to do." This indicates personal authorship and intentional composition by Luke. It speaks to the careful and deliberate process of gathering and structuring the information for his reader. - O Theophilus: Greek
Theophile(Θεόφιλε), the dedicatee of both Luke and Acts. His name means "lover of God" (theosfor God,philosfor love/dear). He might have been a historical person, possibly a Roman official of high rank given the "most excellent" address in Luke 1:3, or the name could symbolically represent any earnest inquirer seeking accurate divine truth. His instruction is for the church and, by extension, all who love God. - of all: Greek
peri pantōn(περὶ πάντων), "concerning all things" or "about everything." This emphasizes the comprehensiveness and exhaustiveness of Luke's Gospel. It was not a partial or selective account, but a full presentation of Jesus's ministry and teachings. Luke’s attention to detail, characteristic of a careful historian, underscores the reliability of his witness. - that Jesus: The central figure. The narrative focuses on Him – His life, teachings, death, resurrection, and ongoing work through the Spirit.
- began: From Greek
ērxato(ἤρξατο), meaning "He began" or "He started." This word is profoundly significant. It implies that Jesus's work did not end with His ascension but rather continued through His disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Acts records the continuation of Jesus's ministry through the church, thereby depicting "all that Jesus continued to do and teach." - both to do: From Greek
poiēsai(ποιῆσαι), the infinitive ofpoiéō, "to do" or "to perform." This refers to Jesus's actions: His miracles, healings, compassionate acts, demonstration of divine authority, and the overall lived experience of His earthly ministry. - and teach: From Greek
didaxai(διδάξαι), the infinitive ofdidáskō, "to teach" or "to instruct." This refers to Jesus's words: His parables, sermons, theological instructions, prophecies, and all verbal communication of God's truth. - Grouped words analysis:
- "The former treatise have I made": This phrase establishes Luke as the authoritative author and highlights the continuity between the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. It assures the reader that Acts is a direct sequel, built upon the foundation of Christ's earthly life presented in the first volume. This dual authorship suggests a singular divine narrative arc spanning Christ's incarnate life to the Spirit-empowered church.
- "O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach": This group clarifies the recipient and the content. It indicates the comprehensive nature of the prior work concerning Jesus's entire ministry. The inclusion of "began" signals a pivotal theme of Acts: Jesus's work through His Spirit and disciples is a continuation, not an end. His teaching found practical expression in His actions, and His actions powerfully demonstrated His teachings, forming an inseparable witness.
Acts 1 1 Bonus section
The precision of Luke's introduction, paralleled in Luke 1:1-4, suggests an intentional parallel to classical Greco-Roman historiography. Luke aims to provide an accurate, orderly account, emphasizing historical veracity for his readers. The naming of Theophilus also serves to demonstrate the legitimacy of Christianity within the Roman world, presenting it not as a subversive cult but a faith with an understandable historical trajectory. Furthermore, the phrasing "all that Jesus began to do and teach" implies that Jesus continues to do and teach through the Holy Spirit's indwelling and empowering of the church (Acts 1:8, 2:33). Thus, the life of the church in Acts is presented as the continuation of the life of Christ on earth.
Acts 1 1 Commentary
Acts 1:1 is not merely a polite dedication but a robust theological and historical statement. By linking the "former treatise" (Luke's Gospel) to "all that Jesus began both to do and teach," Luke positions Acts as the second installment of a continuous story. This verse implicitly sets up the fundamental premise of Acts: the deeds and words of the apostles are Jesus's continuing acts and teachings, performed through the power of the Holy Spirit. It underscores that Christianity is rooted in verifiable historical events, witnessed through both Christ's dynamic actions (miracles, life, death, resurrection) and His profound teachings (theology of the Kingdom, ethical demands). Luke assures Theophilus, and all subsequent readers, that the Christian faith is based on concrete historical reality, systematically researched and presented. It challenges readers to consider not only what Jesus said but what He did, acknowledging the inherent power and authority evident in both aspects of His ministry. The work Jesus began during His earthly life is shown to persist through His empowered body, the church.