Introduction of Luke
Introduction
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Reflection:
Almost all scholars are in agreement that the author of the third gospel is Saint Luke, the physician Paul refers to in Colossians 4:14. It is also assumed that Luke wrote the companion book Acts, although they are separated in order by the Gospel of John. Luke resided in Antioch, where the early believers were first called Christians. The church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to teach and encourage the new Christians there, after a good amount of Gentiles were converted to the Christian faith. Barnabas stayed there initially, then went and got Paul, who was in his home town of Tarsus. This might explain why Paul and Luke went on so many mission trips together. Many times in Acts while Luke is describing the mission and work of Paul, he uses the word "we". Since Paul went to Antioch for a whole year, it makes sense he met Luke there. We also know that Antioch was a hugely important port of the a Northwest tip of the Mediterranean Sea, and even more good reason for God to use an orderly presentation of the Gospel to spread in this strategic location.
Luke starts out the second longest gospel (Luke and Acts represent over 25% of the whole New Testament) with his purpose, which was to give an orderly account of the things that have been fulfilled among us. He refers to the eyewitnesses as if he were not one of them. No one has figured out who "Theophilus" is, but His Greek name means "lover of God". He could have been Luke's benefactor, or representative of the Gentile audience Luke was looking to teach the Good News of Jesus Christ. And we see his objective is that Theophilus would be certain of what he has been taught. Notice Theophilus being taught infers he is a person, and a Christian who needed a more formal presentation of the gospel. And again the purpose is that he would be more confident of what he was taught. The great need of new believers is to be taught so they may know the one in whom they have believed. We also call this, "faith seeking understanding".
So welcome aboard as we get on the Lucan train and journey through a faithful presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel that has saved we who believe. It is my prayer as we go through Luke that we too, like Theophilus, might know the certainty of what we have been taught. In a world that is increasingly hostile to the Christian faith and teaching, we would do well to be prepared to give the reason for the hope we have within us. On top of that it will give us more confidence in what we believe, so that when trials come, we might stand on and in our faith. Amen.
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Reflection:
Almost all scholars are in agreement that the author of the third gospel is Saint Luke, the physician Paul refers to in Colossians 4:14. It is also assumed that Luke wrote the companion book Acts, although they are separated in order by the Gospel of John. Luke resided in Antioch, where the early believers were first called Christians. The church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to teach and encourage the new Christians there, after a good amount of Gentiles were converted to the Christian faith. Barnabas stayed there initially, then went and got Paul, who was in his home town of Tarsus. This might explain why Paul and Luke went on so many mission trips together. Many times in Acts while Luke is describing the mission and work of Paul, he uses the word "we". Since Paul went to Antioch for a whole year, it makes sense he met Luke there. We also know that Antioch was a hugely important port of the a Northwest tip of the Mediterranean Sea, and even more good reason for God to use an orderly presentation of the Gospel to spread in this strategic location.
Luke starts out the second longest gospel (Luke and Acts represent over 25% of the whole New Testament) with his purpose, which was to give an orderly account of the things that have been fulfilled among us. He refers to the eyewitnesses as if he were not one of them. No one has figured out who "Theophilus" is, but His Greek name means "lover of God". He could have been Luke's benefactor, or representative of the Gentile audience Luke was looking to teach the Good News of Jesus Christ. And we see his objective is that Theophilus would be certain of what he has been taught. Notice Theophilus being taught infers he is a person, and a Christian who needed a more formal presentation of the gospel. And again the purpose is that he would be more confident of what he was taught. The great need of new believers is to be taught so they may know the one in whom they have believed. We also call this, "faith seeking understanding".
So welcome aboard as we get on the Lucan train and journey through a faithful presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel that has saved we who believe. It is my prayer as we go through Luke that we too, like Theophilus, might know the certainty of what we have been taught. In a world that is increasingly hostile to the Christian faith and teaching, we would do well to be prepared to give the reason for the hope we have within us. On top of that it will give us more confidence in what we believe, so that when trials come, we might stand on and in our faith. Amen.
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