So You May Know For Certain

Wednesdays, 2025.

Emphasis: Study the Word; Grow in the Word; Live the Word!

Luke 1:1-4.

Introduction to Luke’s Gospel

Three things:

Authorship— Luke, the Physician

Colossians 4:10–14 “10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcised are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. 13 For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas send you greetings.”

Philemon 24 “24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.”

2 Timothy 4:11 “11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.”

He was a physician, coworker and traveling companion of Paul, and a Gentile.

This is supported both by internal evidence of the New Testament and external evidence of the early church fathers who were unified in their support of Lucan authorship— (Justin Martyr, the Muratorian Canon, Irenaeus, Ignatius, Tertullian)

Method— How did he write the Gospel?

Narratives [v. 1]

Original eyewitnesses [v. 2]

Historical method [vv. 2-3]

Purposes— Why did he write?

Evangelistic (to share the Good News, Luke 19:10 “10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”)

Historical (to set forth an orderly account of the life of Jesus)— 1:1-4

to show the fulfillment of the OT in Jesus— Luke 24:44–49 “44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.””

Theological (to demonstrate a connection between Judaism and Christianity)— namely, that Jesus is the Savior of all, not just the Jews.

Apologetic (to defend the Christian movement)— To show that Jesus is the Son of God

Reading for this week:

Mark 16.

Luke 1-6.

Questions:

[1] What have you learned in your reading and study?

[2] Why is it important to your life?