Acts 1:1-2
What is written? (ESV)
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
What does it say?
In the first book [Gospel of Luke], Theophilus, I [Luke] presented all that Jesus began to do and teach up until the day He ascended [to heaven] and after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had appointed.
What is its immediate context?
Luke’s “part 2” account to Theophilus, where he opens with a brief summary (vss 1-11) that recaps/overlaps with the ending of the “part 1” (Luke 24:36-53). Jesus, with His apostles (vs 2), is reminding them of the “promise of the Father” (“the Helper”) that He first told them about in the upper room before His crucifixion (John 14:15-17, 16:7-14). He is also referring back to the same thing John the Baptist had originally proclaimed, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16)This is just before He ascends into heaven (vs 9) and the day of Pentecost (chapter 2).
