B AUTHOR Most authorities agree that Luke was the writer of Acts Extant ancient witnesses, dating as early as A.D 170, are practically unanimous about that The strongest internal evidence for Lucan authorship is the fact that Acts and the third gospel are both addressed to Theophilus, and Acts refers to a “ rst account,” which obviously was the gospel (Compare Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:15.) Other internal evidences for Lucan authorship of Acts, based on a comparison with the gospel, include (1) the similar style and language of the two writings; (2) the natural connection between the ending of the gospel and the beginning of Acts; (3) similarities such as the prominent place of women in both narratives Further, the writer of Acts accompanied Paul on many of his travels (as the “we” sections of Acts reveal: 16:10-17; 20:5—21:18; 27:1— 28.16),2 and of the number of close associates of Paul, Luke is most clearly identified as that fellow-traveler.3 The writing style of Acts is as clear and organized as that of Luke’s gospel Blaiklock describes it further: “Vivid, rapid in its movement, sure and purposeful in brief summary or leisurely report, amazingly evocative of atmosphere, economical of words, but never drab in colour, the book holds the reader from its dedication to the end.”4 For biographical information on Luke, refer back to those descriptions given in Chapter C DATE AND PLACE OF WRITING Luke probably wrote Acts while in Rome, toward the end of Paul’s two-year imprisonment there, or about A.D 61 He could not have completed his writing earlier than that, since Acts records that imprisonment (Acts 28:30), which is dated around A.D 59-61 The Holy Spirit’s design was not to include any more of Paul’s life or of the church’s experience in this book, and so He inspired Luke to write at that time That Luke did not write Acts at a later date is obvious from the following: The Jewish war of A.D 66-70, climaxing in the holocaust of the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D 70), is not even alluded to Nero’s anti-Christian policy, following the great re of Rome (A.D 64), nds no place in the account Though Paul was in prison at the close of Acts, there is no suggestion in the narrative that his death was imminent Very likely he was soon released After traveling for a few years in evangelistic work, even as far as Spain, Paul probably was arrested again and placed in the execution cell at Rome, where he wrote Timothy, his “dying letter,” and then nally was executed shortly before Nero’s suicide (Date of the latter was June 8, A.D 68.) D SOURCES OF INFORMATION Luke the master writer was also the master researcher For his gospel he needed to interview many witnesses for their rsthand accounts of the life of Jesus Research of oral and written sources also was required for Acts, but he had personally seen and heard much of its history or had learned about it from his intimate ... from the following: The Jewish war of A.D 66-70, climaxing in the holocaust of the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D 70), is not even alluded to Nero’s anti-Christian policy, following the great re of. .. travels (as the “we” sections of Acts reveal: 16:10-17; 20:5—21:18; 27:1— 28.16),2 and of the number of close associates of Paul, Luke is most clearly identified as that fellow-traveler.3 The writing... INFORMATION Luke the master writer was also the master researcher For his gospel he needed to interview many witnesses for their rsthand accounts of the life of Jesus Research of oral and written