.First in Acts 16: From Reporter to Participant.

Sunday morning we’ve been studying the book of Acts. It’s being well taught by one of our elders. No matter how many times I have taught from the book of Acts or sat in a class, the book never ceases to amaze me, and I learn from it every time. Sunday, we were in chapter 16 and there were some interesting firsts that are recorded. One of these firsts is the first time we have a pronoun change. Up until Acts 16:10-17, this record of events was written in a way that seems like one who was on the outside looking in. I liken this to a newspaper or magazine reporter simply relating the facts to his readers. In the case of Acts, the main reader is the recipient called Theophilus. I am unsure if Theophilus is an original birth name of this person, or a name that was given to him, either as a character trait or perhaps a title, due to his ’Love for or being a lover of GOD’ (which is what this name means.) There are unknown thousands, perhaps millions or people over the last 2000 years who have become recipients of this great record. However, during the night, while Paul and his fellow workers were in Troas, the narrative changes from third person singular or plural to first person plural. Instead of him, they, and them, the account becomes ‘WE’. Since I am convinced that the author is none other than Luke the Physician and author of his own Gospel account, then this Luke has joined the band of missionaries. This first-person narrative goes from 16:10 to 16:17. It then seems to be picked up again later in chapter 20, then again in chapter 27. Why is this so important to me? Because the readers now have an eyewitness to the events. And not just one eyewitness but all those witnesses who are a part of the ‘We’. Though I believe it is all true, the ‘We’ helps draw the reader into the narrative. So, for me, not only has the Reporter become a Participant, but it allows me to join in as well.

Russell Ashby