Luke 1:1-4
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

1:1. Luke did not invent things.
He compiled and clarified. He acknowledged the work of his predecessors, but he saw the need to tell Jesus’ story one more time to help his Gentile friends understand and accept it. He wanted to show Theophilus how Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension fulfilled and completed what the Holy Scriptures of Israel expected.

1:2. Luke claimed to be a good historian.
He knew the value of accurate sources.
* They came from the right time: the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry
* They came from the right people: eyewitnesses, those who knew Jesus.
* They came through the right channels: those set up to hand down tradition, handed down being a technical term for passing on oral tradition.
* They came for the right reasons: service of the word. Luke’s sources of information were not spin doctors seeking to twist the facts for their purposes.
* They were servants of the word.

The message was of prime importance. The messengers and their causes remained anonymous.

1:3. Luke’s claim as a historian rested on more than just choosing the right sources.
He did firsthand research.
* He researched carefully, that is, he paid close attention and made sure everything was accurate.
* He researched everything so his readers could trust each part, not just the sum of the whole.
* He researched from the beginning: he had the total story and not just the interesting parts or the climax.

Luke carried out his writing task to produce an orderly account in a logical order a person could easily understand and in a chronological order a reader could easily follow.

1:4. Theophilus knew the Christian story.
Others, probably including Luke, had taught him. Still, doubts remained. He needed reinforcement to believe. Luke wrote his Gospel and then the Book of Acts to supply such reinforcement. Luke wanted certainty about Jesus so firm and secure that we can trust its truth absolutely.

There is no need to look for secret gospels or hidden manuscripts!

We can know all we need to know about Jesus because the gospel accounts about Him are accurate; based on personal research and knowledge by trustworthy writers.

Furthermore, Luke’s work is inspired and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.