by Matt Privett

"Indeed, has God said?" These were the familiar words of the serpent, the words he spoke to Eve in the Garden. It was the birth of deception in world created good. It was the introduction of sin and the death sin begets. It all started with, "Indeed, has God said?"

From the very beginning Satan, a liar and the father of lies, the one in whom there is no truth, has been twisting the words of God in order to deceive mankind. Satan knows God uses His word to bring forth life and set men free and bring Himself glory, so from the very beginning the devil, who wants to be like the Most High, has been fostering doubt about God's word in the world and amongst mankind, made in the image of God.

Satan does not want you and I to trust the word of God. Satan does not want you and I to trust the Bible.

Moreover, it's not just that he wants you to believe lies. No, he is much more sinister than that. Satan wants you to believe you can't really know the truth.

If we can't know the truth, how can we have confidence in anything? Why are we even here? How can we have confidence there even is a God? How can we know salvation? And how can we be sure about who Jesus is, what Jesus has done, what Jesus taught, and what it all means? 

Later on in the Gospels, Jesus will ask His apostles, and Peter specifically, "Who do you say that I am?" But how can anyone answer that question if we can't know the truth.

If we are to have real faith, any kind of steadfast assurance, any kind of spiritual confidence, we need to know the truth about Jesus and understand what He taught.

That brings us to the first four verses of the Gospel According to Luke:

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, handed them down to us, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty about the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1–4, LSB)

While he doesn’t name himself in this book, the Luke referred to later on by Paul has historically been associated with the authorship of this book, and there is no good reason to doubt that verdict. Scripture doesn’t reveal too much about Luke, but we do know he was a physician (Col 4:14). In Philemon (Phmn 23–24) and the book of Acts (Acts 16:8–13) we see him as a missionary companion to Paul. And in 2 Timothy, whereas all who were in Asia turned away from Paul (2 Tim 1:15), Luke was faithful to Paul’s end (2 Tim 4:11). 

Luke is very clearly associated with the apostleship and ministry of Paul, and that will become very important the more one studies his Gospel, and also the book of Acts. For our purposes in this particular study, however, it is important to understand what is going on in the introduction to this book.

THE MOTIVE FOR THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

The motive for the Gospel of Luke is that things have been fulfilled. Luke begins by stating that “many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us.” 

The good student of Scripture must immediately ask a couple of questions: 1) Who is us? and 2) What was fulfilled?

The recipient of the Gospel of Luke is clearly “most excellent Theophilus.” Who this person is, or even whether it was an actual person, has been debated by students of Luke for two millennia. Some contend that the description “most excellent” might mean this was a Roman official of some sort. That might well be the case, but we can’t be sure. We also don’t know for sure if this was a person or the description of a type of person, for Theophilus could be a name, or it could be an adjective, a combination of theos (God) and philēo (love) — i.e, lover of God. This author leans toward the verdict this was a Roman official of some sort, but that Theophilus was probably not his real name. It could have been a Roman official saved under the ministry of Paul and Luke.

The “us” includes those who witnessed the things “fulfilled,” so let’s proceed to the second question first. The things fulfilled are the promises of God. What promises? Specifically, the promises made by God through the prophets, the things revealed about Israel, the things revealed about the Son of Man, the Messiah who would come. 

There have been several biblical scholars who make an argument that, whereas Matthew is a Gospel clearly written with a Jewish focus, Luke wrote with Gentiles in mind. That might be true to an extent. When you take Acts into account as a kind of “part two” to this Gospel (Acts 1:1), the focus definitely expands from outside the nation to the nations. However, one cannot ignore that from the first verse Luke is looking to write about things fulfilled, and that means what we call the Old Testament, and that means the focus in this book still has Jews very much in mind.

The “us,” then — again, taking Acts into account as a part two to this book — is probably a reference to both Jews and Gentiles who have responded in faith to the ministry of Paul, and perhaps the twelve and more. One thing this author asserts unequivocally, however, is that it is inaccurate to state this Gospel has a Gentile focus. If anything, it is very much Jewish with the idea of bringing Gentiles into the program, a program which focuses on Jesus as the One who is the subject of the things fulfilled.

Things long prophesied have now come to pass as Luke writes his Gospel. Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, is Yahweh in the flesh and came into the world, called people to repent, told them the kingdom was at hand, and in their midst, performed many miracles proving His identity as Israel’s Messiah, then was crucified in Jerusalem and raised on the third day. 

THE METHOD OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

Luke begins by acknowledging “many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us.” Luke wasn’t the first, though he doesn’t specifically mention any of the other accounts. It is possible Luke could be referring, at least in part, to the Gospel of Matthew or Mark, or even both. It’s also likely there were other compilations of accounts of Jesus which aren’t included in what we have today as the Bible.

Regardless, Luke felt it was necessary, fitting for him, to write as well, and unlike the other Gospel authors, he explains his methodology for how he went about compiling his account. He investigated everything carefully from the beginning, and like a good investigator, Luke used all of the resources he had available.

First, he had those previous undertakings, the previous compilations of what Christ accomplished to which he could refer. Many New Testament scholars have used a lot of ink to debate which Gospel came first — Matthew, Mark, or Luke — and who used whom and what not. That’s not an issue this study is interested in solving. It’s a worthwhile discussion but not really a problem to be solved. The Holy Spirit has inspired and spoken in all of it. The bottom line is there were previous things written which Luke could use, and he most likely did.

Second, Luke could use the accounts which were “handed down” by those who were “eyewitnesses and servants of the word” (Luke 1:2). This means Luke listened and talked to people. He investigated. He asked questions. He interviewed. And it would seem here Luke wasn’t satisfied to just talk to people who were his age. For example, there is reasonable evidence in this Gospel that Luke interviewed Mary, the mother of Jesus.

How else would he have such detailed information about Zacharias and Elizabeth? How else would he have such a detailed description of how Mary found out she’d be the mother of the Messiah, and how would Luke know so well what Mary said in response? How would Luke know that when the shepherds came and found the baby in the manger, and they told Mary and Joseph what the angel told them them, how Mary “treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart?” Luke is the only Gospel writer who shares anything about the infant visit to the temple where they encountered Simeon and Anna. Luke is the only one who records the visit of twelve year old Jesus to the temple when he was left behind. There’s only one good reason. He investigated, and part of that was talking to who was probably the only remaining eyewitness from the beginning: Mary… Joseph probably having passed away several years earlier.

Beyond Mary, Luke had access to many other people who had followed Jesus during His life and ministry. The servants of the word are likely the twelve, whom. Luke had access to at different points. Then, there were also the seventy Jesus sent out, the women who were devoted to Him and ministered to Him, the 120 who gathered after Jesus ascended back into heaven, the 500 who saw the resurrected Christ in Galilee — not to mention Luke traveled with Paul, and probably knew Mark well enough. 

Ultimately, Luke used all of the abundant human and written resources at his disposal and wrote this book out in consecutive order. That is to say, Luke wrote pretty much chronologically, what happened in the life of Christ. Just as believers should use every good resource at their disposal for the purpose of glorifying God and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Luke used every good resource at his disposal to investigate and write about what how Jesus fulfilled the promises.

THE MISSION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

What did Luke hope to accomplish? What was the mission of his Gospel?

The law of the angle is that if there is a deviation to a straight horizontal line, as that original lines keeps going, the offshoot from that straight line, however small, slight, or acute an angle it may be in the beginning, will grow progressively further from the straight line. No matter how large the angle is, the longer the deviated line gets, the further it gets from the original.

This author brings that up because Luke was writing to Theophilus that he might know “the certainty about the things you have been taught.” Even before Jesus’ life and ministry there was false teaching. Once He came on the scene and began healing and raising the dead and teaching, there were all kinds of false things said about Him personally. Even after Jesus’ resurrection, rather than believe the truth and start teaching the truth, Matthew 28 tells us the chief priests and elders conspired to pay off the soldiers guarding the empty tomb and to propagate a slanderous tale of the disciples stealing the body of Jesus.

The point is that even by the time Luke was writing there was much confusion about just who Jesus was and what He had accomplished. Jesus Himself has promised that false teaching would come. Theophilus needed to know the exact truth so that he could stay on that straight horizontal line of what is right. He needed to know just who Jesus was, who Jesus is, and what Jesus accomplished. If Theophilus couldn’t really know the truth, what good would it be to tie his eternal destiny to Jesus? Ambiguity and confusion about Jesus wouldn’t cut it for Theophilus. He would be like billions of unbelievers are today, drifting about aimlessly, carried about by every wind of doctrine like the remnants of a dandelion… and like so many believers who, while they may believe the gospel, remain in confusion about many things in the Scriptures. 

For Theophilus it would have been spiritually catastophic, just like it is for people today, because in the end it doesn’t matter how far you deviate from the truth about Jesus, it’s a matter of if you deviate from the truth about Jesus. For example…

Some believe Jesus was a blasphemer because He claimed for Himself titles reserved only for God, that He led people astray. He fostered doubt in the Law of Moses. He violated the Sabbath. He violated God’s Law and the traditions of the elders. He claimed for Himself the kingship of Israel. Those people are the Jews, and right now they don’t believe the truth about Jesus.

Some believe Jesus was a created being, Michael the archangel who became a man, and that he was merely a perfect man, not God in the flesh. They don’t believe He died on the cross, but on a stake, and they say He didn’t rise from the dead in a physical body, but as a spirit. They believe He began His invisible reign over the earth in the year 1914. Those people are Jehovah’s Witnesses. They don’t believe the truth about Jesus.

Some believe Jesus is not eternal, but that He was the first spirit born in heaven, that He and Satan are spirit brothers, that He was not conceived of the Holy Spirit, and that salvation is not by grace alone through faith in Jesus alone. Those people are Mormons, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They don’t believe the truth about Jesus.

Some believe that Jesus was not God, not the Son of God... merely a great prophet, and that He was not crucified. Those people are Muslims. They don’t believe the truth about Jesus.

Some believe there is no God. Jesus was either an invention of men or just a man, period. Those people are atheists. They don’t believe the truth about Jesus.

Some believe Jesus is the Son of God, and while they say you must believe in Jesus to be saved, they don’t believe we are justified by faith alone. They say good works must be added to faith, and in fact, you are really saved when you are baptized. Jesus is not the Head of the Church, but a human successor who is himself infallible is the head of the Church, the representative of Christ on earth. To them, man doesn’t live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, that is to say, they don’t believe Scripture alone is our authority, but that the decisions of Church Councils are equally binding. Those people are Roman Catholics. And while we might be able to agree with them on some terminology and stand with them on some social and moral issues, lest they believe the true gospel, they don’t believe the truth about Jesus.

Some believe Jesus is the Son of God but that everyone in the end will be saved, regardless of whether they believe Jesus while they are alive or not. They are universalists, but they don’t believe the truth about Jesus.

Others believe Jesus is a way to God, but not the only way to God. They might say there are many paths to God, and you can be a faithful Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu or whatever and still be saved by Jesus by following those paths. You’ll never find them focusing on the words of Jesus about a narrow way that leads to life. They are inclusivists. They don’t believe the truth about Jesus.

Even still, some claim the name of Christ, perhaps fill the pews of Bible preaching churches, and even give mental assent to the facts of the gospel. But by their lives they show those facts mean little to nothing to them. Christianity is just something they do, not something they are. They’ll say “Jesus is Lord,” but not live as if He is. And so, when push comes to shove, they don’t really believe the truth about Jesus, either.

There is so much unbelief and confusion in the world about Jesus. It exists outside of what is commonly called the church, and truth be told, it exists within as well (which is a huge motivation for the existence of Kurios Ministries). The vast majority of people have believed some variation of the lie, “Indeed, has God said?”

The book of Luke exists so that people might know just who Jesus is and what He accomplished. The Holy Spirit inspired this Gospel account and He has preserved it through time, and since all Scripture is breathed out by God we must seek to understand it.

So as this study seeks to walk through all of the Gospels, what did Luke, in particular, write was the exact truth about Jesus?

In Luke 1, He will be preceded by His cousin John, born to a virgin Mary, and destined to give His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.

In Luke 2, He was born in Bethlehem, announced by angels, seen by shepherds, presented at the temple, prophesied to be a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and was about His Father’s business at the temple.

In Luke 3, He was baptized by John the Baptist, and shown to be the descendent of David, Abraham, and Adam.

In Luke 4, He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil, began His ministry in Galilee, proclaimed the favorable year of the Lord, announcing that He was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. 

In Luke 5, He called the first disciples. He healed a paralytic, announcing His authority on earth to forgive sins. He called sinners to repentance.

In Luke 6, He announced Himself Lord of the Sabbath, He chose the twelve disciples, and He preached the Sermon on the Mount, also uttering the words, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”

In Luke 7, He healed the centurion’s servant, answered the doubt of John, and forgave the sins of the woman by her faith.

In Luke 8, He spoke in the parable of the soils about the nature of salvation and the response of sinners, He stilled the sea, and He cast the Legion of demons out of the Gerasene demoniac.

In Luke 9, He fed 5,000 and is was then transfigured before Peter, John, and James in a preview of the glory to come.

In Luke 10, He sent out seventy to proclaim the truth and heal the sick, and implored His followers to love their neighbors, even those who aren’t Jews.

In Luke 11, He taught the disciples how to pray, He castigated the Pharisees’ for their blasphemy, and He foreshadowed His own death and resurrection as the sign of Jonah. 

In Luke 12, He said “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.” He said to fear God, and He warned that what you believe about Him will divide you from others.

In Luke 13, He said the last will be first and the first will be last.

In Luke 14, He warned against making excuses for not coming to Him, but said His house will be filled.

In Luke 15, He warned Israel through the parable of the prodigal son against self-righteousness.

In Luke 16, He said that if you don’t believe Moses and the Prophets you won’t believe a man rising from the dead. There is so much more to that than meets the eye.

In Luke 17, He said that if your brother sins rebuke him, but also be ready to forgive him if he repents, every time.

In Luke 18, He said that it is the humble, repentant tax collector, and not the self-righteous Pharisee, who goes home justified.

In Luke 19, He entered Jerusalem on a colt, and if the people remained silent, even the stones will cry out in praise to Him. This, by the way, doesn’t mean what most think it means.

In Luke 20, He is the son of the vineyard owner who the vine-growers kill to take the inheritance, but the owner will destroy them.

In Luke 21, the powers of the heavens will be shaken when the Son of Man comes on a cloud with power and great glory.

In Luke 22, He instituted the Lord’s Supper, prayed in the garden, was betrayed by Judas, arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin.

In Luke 23, He gave up Himself to be crucified. He died and was buried.

And in Luke 24, He opened the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures saying, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead on the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations.”

This was the exact truth Theophilus needed to know: the word of God. Likewise, if we want to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15), we need to understand the Gospel of Luke.

Indeed, has God said? Yes. Yes He has. 

As the great Anglican preacher of the 19th century, J.C. Ryle, writes, “Let it be a settled principle in reading the Bible that when we cannot understand a passage or reconcile it with some other passage, the fault is not in the Bible but in ourselves. The adoption of this principle will place our feet upon a rock. To give it up is to stand on quicksand and to fill our minds with endless uncertainties and doubts.”

God has given us His truth... the truth... the exact truth, and He wants His people to know it. He has not left us to be in confusion. He’s given us His word, and His word clearly points us to Jesus Christ. The mission of Luke’s Gospel is that we might know the exact truth about Jesus.

So to quote Ryle once more, “Let us aim at greater simplicity in our own personal religion. Let Christ be the Sun of our system, and let the main desire of our souls be to live the life of faith in Him and to daily know Him better.” 

Like the sun to the solar system, Christ must be the Sun of our system, the center of everything, His light shining on everything we do, providing us with that which we need for life, sustaining us, and shining light upon every facet of our lives. Stay with Kurios Ministries as we seek to know the exact truth about things fulfilled as we walk through the Gospel of Luke.