The Book of Luke: Introduction
by: John M. Fowler
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).
We know that verse. It comes from one of the most well-known and beloved stories in all literature, sacred or mundane. Astonishingly enough, we would never have heard it but for a simple missionary doctor who embedded that precious gem in a letter he wrote to his learned friend Theophilus.
The doctor’s name is Luke, a Gentile convert, and the letter is The Gospel According to Luke. In addition to the Gospel, Luke also wrote the book of Acts. Having been a travel companion of Paul, Luke was a keen observer of, and participant in, the great Jesus movement sweeping the Roman Empire. This close association with Paul led Luke not only to grasp the profound meaning of the Christian church—which stood its ground against Caesar’s demand to be honored as divine—but also to learn more deeply from credible sources about the Man behind it all: Jesus Christ. So, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke wrote a two-volume work on what could be called Origin and History of the Christian Church.
Part 1 of this work is the Gospel, written and delivered to Theophilus before Acts was written (Acts 1:1). Many conservative scholars date Luke’s Gospel to about A.D. 61–63.
Theophilus was a Greek convert, and in addressing the letter to him, Luke was especially conscious of directing his Gospel to the Greek and Gentile members of the community of faith, while not disregarding the Jewish roots of Jesus. Matthew wrote primarily to the Jews, and so he emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah. Mark wrote to the Romans, and we see Jesus marching across the land with the news about the kingdom. John was a deep thinker, and in his Gospel emerges Jesus the Word, the Creator, the Son of God. But Luke writes with an eye on the Gentiles. To them he presents Jesus, the Son of man, as the Savior of the world and Friend of humanity. The universality of salvation is the underlying theme of his Gospel; so, his genealogy traces Jesus all the way to Adam and links him to God, while Matthew’s genealogy stops with Abraham, the father of the Jews (Luke 3:23-38; compare with Matt. 1:1-17).
Luke’s Gospel is the largest in the New Testament. Some miracles appear only in Luke, such as the raising of the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11-17) and the healing of Malchus (Luke 22:50, 51). (For other miracles, see Luke 5:4-11, 13:11-17, 14:1-6, 17:11-19.) Many parables are peculiar to Luke, including several famous ones: the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), the rich foolish man (Luke 12:16-21), the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32); the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), and the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:10-14). The Zacchaeus story (Luke 19:1-10) is also Luke’s unique contribution.
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Luke claims to have surveyed the historical materials, interviewed the eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2), and then with perfect understanding of all things
written an orderly account
that the reader(s) may know the certainty
of Jesus and His good news (vss. 3, 4, NKJV).
When asked if he would recommend a good biography of Jesus, the great theologian James Denney replied, Have you tried the one that Luke wrote?
Good idea. Let’s try it together, as a world church, this quarter.
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Dear Dr Fowler:
I was very happy to read and study this week's sabbath school lesson,
especially the informative history of mark, luke and mathew. I am very happy to tell you I am a student of spicer college. It is very nice to read the lesson you wrote
Thank you very much.
Sincerely yours
mrs. Paulose Varghese
This promises to be a good lesson study, one to prove the historicity of our Lord. I look forward to it.
Hello, Author. Grace Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Be With You. The Book Of Luke Seems To Contain So Many Essential Lessons For The Contemporary Church Especially Stories Of The Prodigal Son,the Samaritan,the Great Gulf Fixed E.t.c. Hope We, The Church Shall Be Uplifted Higher Through This Quarter's Lesson. Stay Blessed, Mturi Kishoko- Arusha Tanzania{mount Meru Univesity}.
This book is very important for us because we need more know abault of life Christ .
It's great and interesting to spent time studying this lesson.Awesome!!!!
I love the introductory part of this quarter' lessons. God bless you Dr Fowler for coming up with such insipirong Lessons. I am a Sabbath School Supretendant at My Church and am looking forward to great time in Bible Study Guide Lessons.
The title says "The Book of Luke: Introduction"
After reading and absorbing what the "intro" is to me... I put myself as if Luke is writing the "letter" to me directly! It is so refreshing. I do believe that God is talking to me right now by "The Book of Luke." I am so grateful for the message.
As we go on living each day, believing that Jesus has died to save us. What can we do as Christians (as part of the SDA Family) to ensure that we have the right to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? How can we prepare ourselves before He comes? How can you be sure that your name is written in the book of Life?
I was baptized early in life - and all my family members were converted. Now, only few of us remains in the SDA Family. My Dad died believing. I know someday, keeping my faith - under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will see him again!
The parable of the "Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:11-32). I often wonder if my Dad still alive today, would he be waiting for everyone of us coming back home from being away so long? Or is it too late now, and how late could it be?
Thankgoodness for Luke! He wrote these letters not only to the Greeks & Gentiles but also to me and my siblings (for all of us who believed)!
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An introduction of the lesson seem so interesting and educative. Looking forward to learning more from the book of Luke. Time to know and live by scripture is now.Our salvation is nearer than we first believed.
Greetings All
The book of Luke is one of my favourite biographical views of Christ as featured in the gospels. Being 'fearfully and wonderfully made' you may share some of my joy in hearing an excerpt from Luke in Patio Jamaica. It's entitled Jamaican Bible. Our God can reach all types of people. He's the author of diversity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RHX6bxyTDw
I enjoy how our Lord can make us so diverse yet so connected as shown in the book of Ephesians.
Be Blessed
Grace
Well indeed this lesson will be a great opportunity to see what God wants us to be. To know his son, Jesus Christ. I want to find the link to Dr. John Fowler where he talks about the lesson. Can someone help me please? May God bless you.