Theophilus

Theophilus was the named recipient of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, addressed in the dedications of Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1. Luke addresses him as 'most excellent Theophilus,' a title (κράτιστε) that in Luke–Acts is used of Roman officials of equestrian rank, suggesting Theophilus was a person of high social standing, possibly a Roman official or a patron of Luke's literary project. Scholars debate whether he was a recent convert, a sympathetic inquirer, or an official whose favor might benefit early Christians.