Luke 1:1-4

1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (NIV)

Main Points

1. Luke sought to present an accurate and thorough account of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection (vv. 1-3).

2. He did this to give his recipient (Theophilus) assurance in his faith (v. 4).

Things to Note

- the fact that certain documents, like Luke’s, have shown themselves to be the infallible Word of God does not make them any less “human”. God works through “ordinary” means such as an individual’s analysis, investigation and literary writing style to bring about His special revelation.

- history is essential to the validity of the Christian faith (1 Co 15:1-8, 12-19). Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are actual events that took place in time/space history. If they didn’t happen, our faith is futile.

- One way, then, to strengthen the faith of Christians is to show them that what they believe is rooted in historical fact.

Ideas Debunked By This Passage

- that Luke was making things up out of his own imagination (the liberal scholastic error).

- that nothing can be known with certainty (the emerging assumption in some evangelical quarters).