Introduction to the Gospel of Luke
Introduction to the Gospel of Luke
My first introduction to Theophilus was at the burial of my father. I was 11 at that time. At the grave site, the officiating minister while praying kept shouting Theophilus, Theophilus …… At that age, I did not know what Theophilus meant and why he kept repeating that name since it was not my father’s name. After the burial and as days passed, all we children (my cousins and nephews) would make fun of the occasion as we would shout Theophilus to each other. It was funny at a very serious occasion but it has stuck with me. Who is this Most Excellent Theophilus? The Gospel of Luke was an account written by Doctor Luke to Theophilus.
Luke 1: 1-4
1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, 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, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Theophilus means “lover of God” or “one who loves God”. We understand that he must have been a high ranking Roman official and may have been the publisher of the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts (Acts 1:1). As we embark on our study of the Gospel of Luke (GOL) lets keep in mind the following observations:
1. GOL is one of the synoptic gospels –Matthew, Mark and Luke. Synoptic meaning (syn, “together with”; optic, “seeing”; thus “seeing together”). All three books together present the complete picture of the gospel – the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
2. GOL was written as a fulfillment of prophecies of the Old Testament for the salvation of all people of the world.
3. GOL was written so we can “know with certainty” who is Jesus Christ. This study is not about what Christ did or taught but about who He is. Many today like the sayings of Jesus but they do not want to accept that he is God who has come to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10, which is the central theme of GOL), but also he is the coming King who will judge the world.
4. GOL is written to the” lovers of God” who really hunger to know Him. I will challenge you to raise your hunger for God and His word. 2 Timothy 2: 15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. Some of our problems in life are due to ignorance of the Word.
5. Luke, the writer of GOL was a physician and was thorough in his investigation. Our vocation does not limit us to being instruments at God’s hand, so I challenge us to see our profession, field of study or job differently knowing that God can use anything we have. You and I are the human gospels of today when we live out our Christian lives in the public square.
6. Look out for themes in GOL such as Jesus as savior of all people, events of Jesus’ early life, emphasis on the prayer life of Jesus, emphasis on the important role of women in Jesus’ ministry, emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit and concern for the poor.
Now, Theophilus, you, “lover of God”, lets run and dig into the Gospel of Luke. May we be changed forever by studying and understanding who Jesus is. Amen. Please read the whole book of GOL at a go to appreciate the flow.
My first introduction to Theophilus was at the burial of my father. I was 11 at that time. At the grave site, the officiating minister while praying kept shouting Theophilus, Theophilus …… At that age, I did not know what Theophilus meant and why he kept repeating that name since it was not my father’s name. After the burial and as days passed, all we children (my cousins and nephews) would make fun of the occasion as we would shout Theophilus to each other. It was funny at a very serious occasion but it has stuck with me. Who is this Most Excellent Theophilus? The Gospel of Luke was an account written by Doctor Luke to Theophilus.
Luke 1: 1-4
1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, 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, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Theophilus means “lover of God” or “one who loves God”. We understand that he must have been a high ranking Roman official and may have been the publisher of the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts (Acts 1:1). As we embark on our study of the Gospel of Luke (GOL) lets keep in mind the following observations:
1. GOL is one of the synoptic gospels –Matthew, Mark and Luke. Synoptic meaning (syn, “together with”; optic, “seeing”; thus “seeing together”). All three books together present the complete picture of the gospel – the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
2. GOL was written as a fulfillment of prophecies of the Old Testament for the salvation of all people of the world.
3. GOL was written so we can “know with certainty” who is Jesus Christ. This study is not about what Christ did or taught but about who He is. Many today like the sayings of Jesus but they do not want to accept that he is God who has come to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10, which is the central theme of GOL), but also he is the coming King who will judge the world.
4. GOL is written to the” lovers of God” who really hunger to know Him. I will challenge you to raise your hunger for God and His word. 2 Timothy 2: 15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. Some of our problems in life are due to ignorance of the Word.
5. Luke, the writer of GOL was a physician and was thorough in his investigation. Our vocation does not limit us to being instruments at God’s hand, so I challenge us to see our profession, field of study or job differently knowing that God can use anything we have. You and I are the human gospels of today when we live out our Christian lives in the public square.
6. Look out for themes in GOL such as Jesus as savior of all people, events of Jesus’ early life, emphasis on the prayer life of Jesus, emphasis on the important role of women in Jesus’ ministry, emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit and concern for the poor.
Now, Theophilus, you, “lover of God”, lets run and dig into the Gospel of Luke. May we be changed forever by studying and understanding who Jesus is. Amen. Please read the whole book of GOL at a go to appreciate the flow.
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