J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist for ApologetiX here again.
Here are the stories behind the songs on our 13th single of 2025:
TAKE IT FROM THE ONE
I imagined this parody from the perspective of Theophilus, the original recipient of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. The Greek word "Theophilus" means "loved by God" or "friend of God," so some folks think those books were written to anyone (and everyone) who loves God.
In one sense, that's true, but experts point out that Luke addresses him as "most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3), which suggests he was a specific person of high standing. For similar instances in Luke's writings, compare the governors "most excellent Felix" (addressed as such by the lawyer Tertullus in Acts 24:3) and "most excellent Festus" (addressed as such by the Apostle Paul in Acts 26:25).
We don't know exactly who Theophilus was, but multiple possibilities have been theorized, including: a Roman officer or government official; a leader in Antioch by that name during Luke's time who is mentioned in second-century writings; the Jewish high priest Theophilus ben Ananus (A.D. 37-41); the Jewish high priest Mattathias ben Theophilus (A.D. 65-66); or Paul's defense lawyer for his trial in Rome.
The first two options seem the most plausible to me. But it doesn't really matter who Theophilus was, because we know who Luke was — a Greek physician who was Paul's traveling companion and fellow laborer (Acts 16:10, 20:5; Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24) and who carefully investigated eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:2-3) of Christ and His disciples.
"Take It From the One" features J. Jackson on lead vocals and backing vocals, Tom Tincha on guitars, Rich Mannion on keyboards, Keith Haynie on bass, and Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums and percussion.
THE WAKE-UP SONG (PAUL IN ATHENS)
When I was growing up, they'd occasionally do a brief reading at church from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, but the only things I remembered were Christ's Ascension, Pentecost, and Saul's conversion. Consequently, when I finally read the entire New Testament after college, I was excited to see what Acts had to offer. So many wonderful (and true) stories.
Decades later, I'm still thrilled any time we get to relate a new one through parody. This story comes from Acts 17. We've sung before about the part where Paul meets the Bereans (17:10-14), but "The Wake-Up Song" covers what happened next, when he met the Athenians (17:15-34).
Many years ago I heard a radio preacher malign Paul for trying to appeal to the Athenians by quoting some of their own philosophers. The guy said Paul didn't get a great response so that proved it was a bad approach. But I think the last verses of the passage suggest otherwise:
"When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, 'We want to hear you again on this subject.' At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others" (Acts 17:32-35).
Incidentally, David Michael, who began mixing for us in March 2024 and mixed this song, lives in Athens ... Georgia, that is ... home of REM and The B-52s, two other bands ApX has spoofed.
"The Wake-Up Song (Paul in Athens)" features J. Jackson on lead vocals and backing vocals, Tom Tincha on guitars, Rich Mannion on keyboards, Keith Haynie on bass, and Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums and percussion.
