Page "Acts of the Apostles" Paragraph 15

This is one of the oldest claims to the author ’ s purpose ( Walton ) and it states that Luke is writing to Rome in order to demonstrate that Christianity is not a political threat to Roman authority.

Supporters of this view believe that “ to a hypothetical outside reader, presents Christianity as enlightened, harmless, even beneficent .” Some believe that through this work, Luke intended to show the Roman Empire that the root of Christianity is within Judaism so that the Christians “ may receive the same freedom to practice their faith that the Roman Empire afforded the Jews .” Those who support the view of Luke ’ s work as political apology generally draw evidence from the facts that Christians are found innocent of committing any political crime ( Acts 25: 25 ; 19: 37 ; 19: 40 ) and that Roman officials ’ views towards Christians are generally positive.

Also, Luke mentions a few Roman officials that believe in Jesus Christ ( Acts 10: 1-11: 18 ; 13: 12 ).

The magistrates even apologize to Paul and Silas for wrongfully putting them in prison ( Acts 16: 38-39 ).

By painting the Roman-Christian relations in this light, Luke hopes to persuade Rome that Christians are not enemies of the government and should not be looked upon with suspicion or even fear.