Corpus-Paul

["David C. Hindley" <DHindley AT compuserve.com>]

On 04/30/99, ""Stevan Davies" <miser17 AT epix.net>" wrote:

> [snip] I get the impression that Acts is often dated
> to the end of the first century, but it's rarely clear why this should
> be.
>  
> Stevan Davies
> College Misericordia

I would imagine the main reason is that it its dedication to Theophilus 
resembles those made by Josephus to his patron Epaphroditus in the 
Antiquities, his Autobiography, etc., all dated to around 95 CE. This is 
strengthened by the fact that the account purports to be an historical 
account, but appears to have the intent of augmenting Josephus' Antiquities 
by placing early Christian figures within Josephus' historical framework 
(which otherwise makes no mention of them).

Taken alone, the similarities of the dedications (which, while significant, 
are not 100% similar) would not sway me. However, when coupled with the way 
the historical data of Acts augments info to be found in Josephus' works, 
then the dedications strongly suggest to me that Acts was written in 
response to the publication of the Antiquities.

Dave Hindley, BA
Cleveland, OH, USA
Dhindley AT compuserve.com