When St. Luke adresses Theophilus in his Gospel and in Acts, is he referring to a person by the name of Theophilus or is he adressing to general readers (his writings being circulated as a circular for the faithful, etc)? The reason for the question is that "Theophilus", in addition to being a persons name, also means "friend of God" in Greek, so it may be possible that he was writing in the following sense:
"Dear Friends", or "Dear Friend of God", etc but meant it not for one specific person but for anyone who would read it, ie, a friend of God.
Like some marketers today send out letters saying "Dear Friend" or some websites say, "Dear Visitor" etc.... a general greeting to whoever would come across it and read it?
"Dear Friends", or "Dear Friend of God", etc but meant it not for one specific person but for anyone who would read it, ie, a friend of God.
Like some marketers today send out letters saying "Dear Friend" or some websites say, "Dear Visitor" etc.... a general greeting to whoever would come across it and read it?
