Two Books Written by Luke

There are two New Testament books written by Luke.  In this blog we will look a bit closer at the author and the beginnings of these books. 

Luke was a physician and likely a gentile.  All other books in the NT were written by Jews.  Paul in Colossians 4 and Philemon referenced him as "Luke the beloved physician."  He wrote both of his books to Theophilus, a person that we know nothing specific about.  He is addressed as "most excellent Theophilus" indicating that he was of high social standing.  And it should be noted of Luke that he was not an apostle.  He was qualified to write because he had carefully gathered and researched information about Jesus and those who would carry on the work after Jesus left the earth.

Luke wrote the book of Luke.  It is interesting to note how the book begins: "Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which are most surely believed among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed."  Luke had one of his missions to be presenting a well ordered history of the things that Jesus did and were done to Him.

The second book that Luke wrote doesn't bear his name, but it becomes obvious that Luke is the writer; this is the book of Acts.  Acts begins: "The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God."  Here he is referencing the "former account" and picks up in his account where the book of Luke left off. 

The book of Luke tells of the birth, life, teachings, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus.  There is no better place to read of the events of Jesus.  To read of the occurrences after Jesus leaves the earth; to follow the apostles and their teachings, and to see the development of the church, there can be no better reading than the book of Acts. 

So in summary, the best way to get the flow of the New Testament history is to read the books of Luke and Acts.  And reading these books will strengthen our knowledge and faith in our Lord. 

Thanks for reading.  Feel the love....