Continuing the refutation of the “anonymous” authorship of the Gospels. The Acts of the Apostles is also vindicated via the Inspired and Preserved Teaching Office of the Apostles and their Successors. Further attesting to the veracity of the New Testament Scriptures;
THAT the Acts of the Apostles is the writing of Luke the evangelist, is manifest from the
dedication to Theophilus, in which reference is made to his gospel, which was first written. And it is also evident from the uniform testimony of all antiquity; the fact never having been once questioned by any member of the catholic church. All that has been argued in vindication of the inspiration and canonical authority of Luke’s gospel, is applicable to the Acts of the Apostles, and need not be here repeated. But it is pleasant to read the explicit testimonies of the Fathers to the sacred books of the New Testament: I will, therefore, bring forward the most important.Irenæus repeatedly cites passages from this book, saying, “Luke, the disciple and follower of Paul, says thus.” “Luke, the inseparable companion and fellow labourer of Paul, wrote thus.” He takes particular notice of Luke’s using the first person plural, “we endeavoured—we came—we went—we sat down—we spoke,” &c.; and enters into some discussion to prove “Luke’s fitness for writing a just and true history.” In another place he shows, “That Luke’s Acts of the Apostles ought to be equally received with his gospel; for that in them he has carefully delivered to us the truth, and given to us a sure rule for salvation.” Again he says, “‘Paul’s account of his going to Jerusalem exactly agrees with Luke’s in the Acts.”
Clemens Alexandrinus citing Paul’s speech at Athens, introduces it thus, “So Luke in the Acts of the Apostles relates.”
Tertullian cites several passages out of the Acts of the Apostles which he calls, “Commentarius Lucæ, The Commentary of Luke.”
Origen ascribes the Acts of the Apostles to Luke.
Eusebius says, “Luke has left us two inspired volumes, The Gospel and The Acts.”
Jerome expressly asserts, “That the Acts was the composition of Luke.”
The Syriac Version of the New Testament ascribes the Acts to Luke; and in some very ancient manuscripts of the New Testament his name is prefixed to this book.
The Canon of the Old and New Testaments Ascertained Section IX. The Acts of the Apostles—Luke the Author—Canonical Authority…
That the Acts of the Apostles is of canonical authority, is proved from its having a place
in all the ancient catalogues of the books of the New Testament. The same is evinced by the numerous citations from this book by the early Fathers, who explicitly appeal to it as of divine authority—as an inspired book. It is plainly referred to in more instances than one by Clement of Rome, the fellow-labourer of Paul. Polycarp the disciple of John also cites a passage from the Acts, in his Epistle to the Philippians. It is cited by Justin Martyr in his Exhortation to the Greeks. It is distinctly cited by Irenæus more than thirty times, in some of which instances it is expressly called Scripture; and the credit and authority of the book are largely discussed in his work against heretics. The citations of Tertullian from this book are too numerous to be particularized. He also quotes it expressly under the name of Scripture; “Which part of Scripture,” says he, “they who do not receive, must deny the descent of the Holy Ghost, and be ignorant of the infant state of the Christian church.” This book was also constantly read as Scripture in the weekly assemblies of Christians all over the world.The Canon of the Old and New Testaments Ascertained Section IX. The Acts of the Apostles—Luke the Author—Canonical Authority
Home 