Acts 1:1 — To Do and Teach

Oct 9

7 min read

When Acts begins, Luke immediately connects the reader back to his first book, the Gospel of Luke.

He writes:

“In the first book, O Theophilus, I write about all that Jesus began to do and teach…”— Acts 1:1

Even in this opening verse, there is something worth slowing down to notice. Luke doesn't simply say that Jesus taught. He says Jesus “began to do and teach.” That small phrase carries a powerful message about the life of Jesus—and about anyone who desires to live in obedience to Him. As Jesus continues His work, His followers are also called to be examples of Him through their actions and obedience.

Jesus said:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”— John 14:15

Love for God should shape the way a person thinks, speaks, responds, loves, forgives, serves, and lives. Our obedience does not earn God's love, but it should be a response to the love He has already shown us.

As 1 John 2:6 reminds us:

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

— 1 John 2:6

Let us first look at Who Theophilus is?

Luke addresses his writings to Theophilus. The name Theophilus comes from two Greek words:

Theos — God
Philos — lover or friend

The name can therefore be understood as “lover of God” or “friend of God.”

Scripture does not tell us exactly who Theophilus was. Luke addresses him as “most excellent Theophilus” in Luke 1:3, which may indicate that he was a person of social or political importance. Some have suggested that he may have been a Roman official or another wealthy, influential person. Luke himself was a physician (Colossians 4:14). In the Roman world, wealthy and powerful individuals could have personal physicians, and physicians could sometimes be connected to the households of those they served. Because of this, it is possible that Luke had some type of servant or patron relationship with Theophilus. Regardless of who Theophilus was, Luke intentionally directed his account toward him.

Why did Luke write to Theophilus?

Luke wrote to Theophilus so that he could have certainty concerning the things he had been taught about Jesus. But the message was not meant to remain with Theophilus alone. His name, meaning “lover of God” or “friend of God,” gives the letter a beautiful invitation to everyone who desires to know God. Luke’s intention was not simply to record history. He was pointing people to Jesus Christ—to what Jesus did, what He taught, His death and resurrection, and ultimately how His Gospel continued to spread through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Theophilus was the recipient, but the message reaches every “lover of God.” Luke wanted people to know the truth about Jesus, believe in Him, and see that the work of Christ did not end with His ascension. Acts shows that Jesus continued His work through the Holy Spirit and His people. In that sense, Luke’s writing becomes more than a letter to one man. It becomes an invitation: If you are a lover of God, seek to know the One you love. Look to Jesus.

As Jesus said:

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

— Jeremiah 29:13

The more we seek to know Him through His Word, the more we learn who He is, what He has done for us, and how He calls us to live.

From Watching to Participating

Luke begins by carefully recording the things Jesus did and taught at a distance . At first, Luke's position appears to be that of someone documenting the work of God. But as the book of Acts progresses, something changes. Luke begins referring to Paul's companions as “they,” and later his language changes to “we.” Luke eventually becomes part of the journey he records with the apostles, including Paul, Peter, and other disciples. He moves from observing the mission to participating in the mission. That transition gives the reader something important to consider.

It is possible to spend time with God but never a willingness to participate.

Let me give you an example:

A person can read Scripture without obeying it.

A person can listen to sermons without applying them.

A person can talk about Jesus without becoming more like Jesus.

A person can know what God says while continuing to resist what God asks.

James reminds us:

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

— James 1:22

Notice that James does not tell us to stop hearing the Word. Instead, he warns us against hearing it without allowing it to change the way we live.

That is where our faith is challenged. There comes a point when faith must move from hearing to doing. We must be willing to take what God has taught us and put it into practice, even when doing so is uncomfortable. And that is exactly what stands out in Acts 1:1.

“To Do and Teach”

Luke says Jesus began “to do and teach.” Jesus did not simply teach love. He demonstrated love. He did not simply teach forgiveness. He forgave. He did not simply teach humility. He humbled Himself. He did not simply teach service. He served. He did not simply teach obedience to the Father. He obeyed the Father. His actions supported His words. His life gave evidence to His teaching.

Jesus Himself said:

“For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

— John 13:15

And this creates an important question for every believer: Are the words being spoken about Jesus reflected in the life being lived for Jesus?

It is easy to tell someone to forgive. But is forgiveness being practiced?

It is easy to tell someone to be humble. But is humility being practiced?

It is easy to tell someone to trust God. But is God being trusted when circumstances become difficult?

It is easy to tell someone to obey. But is obedience happening when obedience is uncomfortable?

There must be a willingness not only to teach the truth but also to live it out. When we put God's Word into practice, our actions become a testimony of what we believe. We teach not only through our words but also through the way we live.

“Began”

Another word deserves attention: “Began.”

Luke says Jesus “began to do and teach.” This does not mean that Jesus' work on the cross was unfinished. His sacrifice was complete. Rather, Luke is showing that Jesus' earthly ministry was the beginning of something that would continue through His disciples. Jesus would die. Jesus would rise. Jesus would ascend. Then the Holy Spirit would come upon His followers, and they would become witnesses throughout Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The work of proclaiming Jesus will continue. Acts is therefore not simply a story about what Jesus did in the past. It is the beginning of seeing what Jesus continues to accomplish through His people by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is something that needs to be clarified when it comes to doing and teaching...

Although Jesus calls us to put His Word into practice, there is something else we must understand. God is not only concerned with what we do outwardly; He is also concerned with the condition of our hearts.

A person can perform a good action while carrying pride in the heart. A person can serve while secretly seeking recognition. A person can apologize because they want to appear righteous rather than because they truly desire repentance. A person can say the right words while having the wrong intentions. People see the outward action. God sees the heart behind the action.

Consider what God told Samuel:

“For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

— 1 Samuel 16:7

That is why following Jesus is not merely about changing outward behavior. Jesus desires to transform the heart. True obedience is not simply doing what is right when everyone is watching. It is choosing what is right when only God knows what is happening inside.

Don't only read about obedience. Obey. Don't only talk about Jesus. Reflect Him. Don't only know His Word. Live His Word. Don't only watch what God is doing. Be willing to participate in what He is doing. Because Jesus began to do and teach, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, His disciples were sent to continue proclaiming the Gospel.

Reflect on this today:

If someone watched the life of a believer (you) without ever hearing them speak about Jesus, would they still see evidence of Him?

Would they see love in the way that person treats others? Would they see humility in the way that person responds to correction? Would they see forgiveness when they have been wronged? Would they see faith when circumstances become difficult?

That is the challenge of “to do and teach.” Jesus did not merely give people words to repeat. He showed them how to live. And those who love God are called to do more than speak about Him. We are called to let our lives become a living testimony of Him.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Bible study notes on Acts 1:1 — “To Do and Teach.”

I hope this study taught you something new, encouraged you in your walk with Christ, and helped you reflect on the importance of not only knowing God's Word but also living it out in our daily lives.

Thank you for joining me in this study! May we continue to grow in the knowledge of His truth and become living testimonies of His grace and love.

If these notes blessed you, feel free to share them with someone who may be encouraged by them. May all the glory be given to God! Shalom Shalom!