Author Archives: digginwithdocblog

February 22, 2017

23 Thursday Feb 2017

Posted by in Luke

≈ Leave a comment

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.

February 21, 2017

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by in DailyVIEW, Luke

≈ Leave a comment

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.

Luke’s preface deals with two matters: motivation and purpose. Here is a paraphrase which shows this organization.

Motivation
So important are the events concerning Jesus many people have already taken in hand to blend into a narrative the reports concerning these happenings (v. 1).
Eyewitnesses have handed down these reports to us (v. 2).
I [Luke] have thoroughly investigated all essential matters (v. 3).

Purpose Thus equipped, I [Luke] write this Gospel in order that you, Theophilus and others like you, may know the exact truth with respect to the matters concerning which you have already received some instruction (v. 4).

Luke’s purpose was to explain the entire gospel story to Theophilus, from the story of the birth of John the Baptist until the ascension of Christ. In Acts, Luke continued the story of the spread of the gospel until Paul brought it to Rome.

We can thank Theophilus for his concerns. Without his questions, we would not have this Gospel, with its story of Jesus’ birth and childhood and its record of many of Jesus’ parables. Most of 9:51-18:35 is not recorded in any of the other gospels.

How would a biographer prepare for writing about someone’s life?

What period in history would you like to visit? Why?

How would you prepare to serve as a character witness in court for your best friend?

February 20, 2017

20 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by in DailyVIEW, Luke

≈ Leave a comment

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.

I think it would be helpful for us to know a little about Luke. The Gospel writers Matthew, Mark and John are well-known from New Testament data. Without some investigation Luke is a bit of a mystery.

His name is not a common one. One writer suggests the Latin poet Lucanus was named after Luke who probably was the family physician when he was born. That is guess as well as the idea that since the brothers Gallio and Seneca were uncles of Lucanus, they were influenced by Luke to be friendly toward Paul both in Corinth and in Rome.

Luke was a Greek, certainly a Gentile, probably a freedman. So this man who wrote more than one-fourth of the New Testament was not a Jew. It is not certain whether his home was in Antioch or in Philippi. It is also uncertain whether he was already converted when Paul met him at Troas.

But, whether Luke was one of Paul’s converts or not, he was a loyal friend to Paul. If he lived at Antioch, he could have studied medicine there and the great medical temple of Aesculapius was at Aegae, not far away.

As a Greek physician, Luke was a well-educated man and in touch with the science of his day. Greek medicine was the beginning of the science of medicine as it is known today.

Certainly he was a man of culture and broad sympathies and personal charm. He was the first scientist who faced the problem of Christ and of Christianity. It must be said of him that he wrote his books with an open mind and not as a naïve supporter.

It is interesting one of the earliest believers was one of the most intelligent men of his age.

It is not necessary to surrender intelligence to become a believer.