INTRODUCTION TO LUKE – DEDICATION TO THEOPHILUS – LUKE 1:1-4 A companion of Paul on his missionary journeys as well as being referred to as the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14), Luke could be considered the prototype of today’s missionary doctors. Some commentators believe that Paul and Luke were classmates at the University of Tarsus. Be that as it may, we do know Luke was a scholar, for he employed the most exacting Greek of any of the Gospel writers. In addition to his education, Luke’s command of the Greek language is primarily explained by the fact that he himself was Greek. Matthew, a Jew, wrote primarily to the Jews, presenting Jesus Christ as King of the Jews. Mark, a Jew, presented Jesus as a Servant, and wrote to the Romans. John, a Jew, presents Jesus as the Son of God, and writes to all men. Luke, a Greek, writes primarily to the Greeks. And because the Greeks were fascinated with Aristotle’s ideal republic and Plato’s ideal man, Luke writes of Jesus as the Son of Man, the perfect Man. Our Heavenly Father, Creator of all things and Master Teacher, we humbly come into Your presence to seek Your Holy Spirit to open our eyes to these Holy Scriptures. We earnestly pray for enlightenment as we study together, and we ask You, Father, to open our eyes to see the truths contained in these words. Open our minds to comprehend that which we are reading, and open our hearts to receive the message that You have for us. Finally, dear Father, we ask for the strength and courage to live our lives in a manner of the called, constantly giving You the glory, honor, and praise that You deserve. We claim these things in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Luke 1:1–4 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. After interviewing eyewitnesses, Luke wrote a carefully constructed report for Theophilus concerning the things he had been hearing. Some suggest Theophilus was Luke’s previous owner. You see, although the practice of medicine was a noble calling, there wasn’t a lot of money in it. Consequently, men of means had their own slave doctors. Therefore, it is thought that Theophilus was a wealthy man who had Luke as his slave/doctor, got converted, and released Luke to pursue missionary journeys with Paul. This could well be. Others suggest Theophilus, or “Lover of God,” was merely an alias for someone who was being protected from possible persecution. Still others suggest that Theophilus was not an individual at all, but a code name for a group of people meeting in the name of Christ. Be Theophilus a real person, an alias for an individual, or a group of people, Luke’s intent was to provide a carefully documented account. Tomorrow, we will begin the study of the gospel of Luke. Have a blessed day!
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 12:40:44 +0000
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