SERMON READING PLAN

Did you know that the title "Acts of the Apostles" was first used by St. Irenaeus in the late second century? While there is some argument about whether this was an existing title or one invented by Irenaeus, it seems clear that Luke did not give it this title as the word "acts" or "praxis" is used only once in the narrative and not in connection with the apostles themselves. Luke addressed this narrative account of the beginning of the Church, like his gospel account, to Theophilus, meaning "lover of God." However, more than likely, the intended audience was the Christian community as a whole rather than one individual. The Gospel of Luke and Acts are a two-volume work which constitutes 27.5% of the New Testament, thereby making it the largest contribution attributed to a single author. Luke-Acts, as Bible scholars often refer to these works, give us the historical facts about Jesus Christ and the Early Church.