Most Excellent Theophilus

Most Excellent Theophilus,⁷

            I find it appropriate to begin writing to you, in order that you might become more informed. I find the lack of knowledge for the things of Christ, currently present within the church, concerning and alarming. It is this issue that I wish to begin to address through these letters. I feel an incredible sense of urgency in this matter, for “but about that day or hour no one knows”¹ on which Christ will return. He will return triumphantly and “unexpectedly as a thief”² to reclaim His church. Therefore, I find myself with the burden of helping to inform you of those things which Christ has commanded. To help to deepen your faith with knowledge of God, and to help to equip you so that you might be able to more accurately and confidently share these things with those who do not believe, that they might also get ready for the return of our Lord.

            Christ admonishes His followers saying, “If you love me, keep my commands.”³ It is for this reason that I will write to you concerning the things of Christ. So that, in your love for Him, and better knowing and understanding the things which He commands, you may be able to better keep His commands.

            The Apostle Paul commands that as followers of Christ we “[s]et [our] minds on things above, not on earthly things.”⁴ Thus, all Christians are to be “theologians,” and to and apply our mind toward God, His deity, His holiness, His perfection.

            Lastly, the Apostle Peter, commands us to “[a]lways be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”⁵ And Christ, who calls us to “be [His] witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."⁶ And therefore I will write in order that I might equip you to confidently and accurately share the Gospel of Christ with those who do not believe.

I hope, O Theophilus⁸, that you find these letters helpful, provoking, and insightful. I desire for these letters to help provide answers to your questions and ease your anxieties concerning the faith, the church, and our Lord. I strive for these to be thought provoking and to encourage critical thinking about the things of Christ. And, lastly, I hope that you will find these insightful towards your anxieties and questions.

            I will soon begin writing to you concerning the scriptures. I continue to pray for you daily Theophilus, Friend of God.

In Christ,

1. Matthew 24:36 - But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (NIV)

2. Revelation 16:15 - Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed. (NLT)

3. John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commands. (NIV)

4. Colossians 3:2 - Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (NIV)

5. 1 Peter 3:15 - But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

6. Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (NIV)

7. Luke 1:3 - With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, (NIV)

8. Acts 1:1- In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach (ESV)