Dec 6 2019 - Introduction to The Gospel According to Luke

It is generally recognised that the author of the third Gospel (the one we know as Luke's Gospel) was also the author of the book of Acts. Both books are dedicated to Theophilus and are similar in style and vocabulary. But neither of these books explicitly identifies their author. To discover who might have written them we need to engage in some detective work.

The transition from a narrative in the third person to first person plural in Acts 16:10 suggests that the author was a travelling companion of Paul who joined him at Troas. From very early times (from at least as far back as 160 AD) there was a clear tradition within the churches that identified the author as Luke the physician (cf. Colossians 4:14). This tradition is corroborated by the use of what appears to be medical language in both Luke and Acts.

Luke makes no claim to originality, stating rather that he has compiled an orderly account of the life of the Lord Jesus after investigating the original sources. He seems to have made use of Mark's gospel and another source of material that was also used by Matthew. Many of the distinctives of Luke, such as his attitude to wealth and poverty may reflect the traditions of his church, probably the church at Antioch.

Luke constructed this account of the life of Jesus and of the early growth of the church not for Theophilus alone but also for the edification and instruction of those churches that had been established under Paul's ministry, churches with which Luke had also been associated. Luke is concerned to root the events of Jesus' life and death in the history of his time but also to demonstrate their relevance for all peoples and all times. In this way, these ancient writings speak to us today: they encourage and strengthen our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and equip us for the continuing task of telling others the good news concerning him.

I pray that the Spirit of God which animated the Lord Jesus Christ in his ministry and which empowered the early church to continue that ministry may set us on fire with love for Christ and enable us to take our part in the work of Christ today.

Peter Misselbrook