Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in
order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled 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 1:1-4 )
In
this prologue, Luke defines his purpose for writing. Though others (by this time Matthew and Luke
had penned their Gospels) had shared the story of Jesus, the missionary doctor
believes he has a contribution to make to the greatest story ever told.
Luke
addresses this Gospel account to Theophilus—“friend
of God” as the name means. Maybe he was
a “God-fearing” Gentile who was seeking salvation—and so Luke will share the
Gospel. Perhaps he was a new convert and
Luke will feed him to mature him. Both
purposes are evidenced in this Gospel.
Luke’s
purpose for writing can be defined as presenting THE SOURCE OF FAITH. If Theophilus were not a saved man, but a
seeking man, God connected him with the right person! As Luke had found hope in Christ, so
Theophilus could encounter the same eternal solution to the sin problem. Christ is the only hope of the world and we must
bear witness to Jesus! Luke inspires us
to do the same.
But another purpose is accomplished in this message and it
is to provide THE SURETY OF FAITH. If
Theophilus were a converted man, he needed to become a confident man. We are built up in the faith through the
teaching of the Word. Luke testifies to
the truth, “that
you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.” We need to avail ourselves of the
opportunity to make our faith sure, settled and strong by hearing the Word as
it is taught by others and studying the Word for ourselves. Each week a Bible-preaching/teaching church
prepares a spiritual banquet for you.
Come and feast! The Holy Spirit
speaks from the Holy Scriptures!
There is hope for you!
There is hope for the world! That
is Luke’s message and it is ours to joyfully share 2,000 years after he
wrote—and all the way until the end of the age.
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