Luke was a Gentile and physician. Though not one of Jesus’ initial Jewish dis­ciples, Luke was a traveling companion of Paul. As with the Old Testament and the Gospels, Luke provides the theological and ecclesial significance of the historical events he is narrating. In so doing, he accentuates what the risen and ascended Jesus is doing through the Holy Spirit by means of the na­scent church, primarily through Peter and Paul. Although the book is entitled the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit is the primary actor throughout its entirety.

Luke is traditionally believed to be the author of both the third Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles. As Luke, in his Gospel, first wrote “an or­derly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, concerning the truth of the gospel,” so he now writes what has taken place after Jesus’ departure. Thus, the Acts of the Apostles is a continuation of a historical narrative. The Gospel contains what Jesus historically said and did until his Ascension into Heaven. Acts is the historical narrative of what followed upon Jesus’ ascen­sion and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that gave birth to the Church, and the first preaching of the Good News.

If in Luke’s gospel account one finds Jesus becoming Jesus through his sav­ing actions which culminate in his death and resurrection, in the Acts of the Apostles, one finds the risen Jesus being Jesus through the preaching and actions of the apostolic church. Jesus continues to enact his name, YH­WH-Saves. Such saving words and actions are particularly within the evan­gelistic ministry of Peter and Paul.

Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, Cap., is a highly regarded theologian and scholar who has published widely in academic presses and journals.