Lesson 0525 Reflections

The Lesson
                                                        Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

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Theophilus...

There is no actual record that proves the existence of such a person.  And yet here, in the opening of the sequel to Luke's Gospel, the Acts of the Apostles, as in the opening of the Gospel itself, Theophilus is identified as the recipient of the good news.

Now recall what the name means.

Theo ... Greek for God...
Philus ... Greek for Lover of God, or loved of God...

The name itself thus means "the lover of God; the beloved of God."

This should be a name that identifies all who hear and receive the Gospel of Christ.  We are all Theophilus!  And what follows in the glad tidings of this good news is intended for us all.  Remember that each time you encounter, or are encountered by, the Word of God, by Jesus!  Embrace this name as your own.  And then live into that name, always remembering the grace bestowed upon us by God who is the lover of all souls.

                   Father Tim+