Big Idea: Luke begins his gospel by authenticating its content and shows us that we have every reason to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man.
Luke 1:1–4 (LSB) — 1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, handed them down to us, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty about the things you have been taught.
Author: Luke the _________________ of Paul
Philemon 23–24 (ESV) — 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
2 Timothy 4:11 (ESV) — 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
Luke may not have been a first-hand witness of Jesus earthly ministry, but he certainly was of Jesus’ heavenly ministry. And Luke’s account is not done independent from the work of the Apostles, but is done in subjection to the work of the Apostles.
Luke’s acknowledgment that he compiled his account from various extant sources does not invalidate the claim of divine inspiration for his work. The process of inspiration never bypasses or overrides the personalities, vocabularies, and styles of the human authors of Scripture. The unique traits of the human authors are always indelibly stamped on the book of Scripture. Luke’s research creates no exception to this rule. The research itself was orchestrated by divine Providence.
We have every reason to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that he was absolutely unique in all of history, and that we have an accurate account of his life and ministry before us.
Audience: The _____________ _____________ Theophilus
Luke 1:3 (ESV) it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus
Theo-philus =
What we have before us beloved, is a well-constructed and meticulously order account from a capable historian and comrade of the Apostle Paul. Everything about this Gospel account indicates that it would stand up the strictest scrutiny from any earthly critic. From the elevated style, to the competent author, to the respected recipient, each gives this gospel a genuine quality.
Purpose: ________________________ in Jesus’ life and ministry
Luke 1:3–4 (LSB) — 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty about the things you have been taught.
Along with written sources, various oral traditions no doubt also played a part in the Third Gospel’s composition. Some of these oral traditions were of the kind that circulated throughout the church in the form of parables, pronouncement stories, stories about Jesus, and so forth. Some, however, may have been oral recollections shared with Luke during his time in Judea (Acts 21:7–27:1). Perhaps during this period many of the traditions contained in Luke 1–2 and Acts 1–8 were obtained.
Luke 1:63-66, 4:14, 4:36-37, 5:13-15, 7:15-17, 8:38-39
Luke, by the authority of the Spirit, bolsters the accounts of the Apostles, by submitting his own investigative work. We have every reason to believe that Jesus is the Christ.
