Who was Luke?
Writer of Luke and Acts, Gentile Christian. He is not included in Paul’s final greetings in Colossians. He is the only Gentile author of a New Testament book. In Acts 1:19 he translates the aromatic place name.
Acts 1:19 (NLT) 19 The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”)
Companion of Paul. Paul mentions him three times.
Colossians 4:14 (NLT)
2 Timothy 4:11 (NLT)
Philemon 24 (NLT)
Had access to all Important figures, traveled with Paul. (Acts 16, 20, 21, 27)
Loyal friend of Paul enduring hardships with him as he went to Rome
Date 60- 61 AD
Jesus born about 4 AD. Raised from the dead about 37 AD. About 22 years after Jesus Raised from Resurrection. Close in date to the other two synoptic Gospels. Mark 55-60 AD, Luke likely had access to Mark’s Gospel. Matthew 60 AD.
Not likely to be later as there is not destruction of Jerusalem. Though Luke records Jesus predicts it. An event as big as the destruction of the temple would have been recorded.
Who was he writing to?
Theophilus, means “One who loves God”. Since Theophilus is a Gentile name, most likely a considerable rank in Roman society.
Gentiles, He translate the Hebrew word Golgotha into the Greek Kranion meaning “Skull”. Luke omits teaching of Jesus that involve details of Masaic law and customs.
- Divorce – Mark 10:1-12
- Oaths – Matthew 5:33–37
- Fasting – Matthew 6:16-18
- Praying – Matthew 6:5-6
Luke shines a light on Jesus is mission to the Gentiles. Salvation to “nations”
Luke was a historian; his writing style is more academic Then the other gospels. He puts more emphasis on dates. He wants believers to be confident in the facts about Jesus. Jesus is deeply interested in relationships. Enjoyed many friendships including friendships with women.
Luke’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit will come to a climax in the book of acts as the gospel becomes available to Gentiles. If it wasn’t for the baptism of the Holy Spirit the new Jewish Christians Would not have preach to the Gentiles.
You can belong before you believe
Our motto—which we love to put on signs and t-shirts—is “at the Rock you belong before you believe.” We believe that we can love and respect people without having to agree. So, even if you don’t believe in God at all, we would like to have you as part of our family. We trust God to reveal himself to you through the preaching and the way we live our lives.
