Introduction to

Opening words… John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Opening words of the Synoptics… Mark: The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"—"a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Opening words of the Synoptics… Matthew: A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah…

Luke 1:1-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, 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, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Questions What did the author have to draw on for his account? ○ The tradition ○ His own investigation When and where was the account written? ○ Luke was not the earliest gospel (see verse 1) ○ No internal evidence of the place of composition

Questions What did the author have to say about himself? ○ He was “one of us” ○ Later disciples attribute the work to “Luke, the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14) What do we know of the recipient? ○ Most excellent (also Acts 23:26) Theophilus (Greek for “friend of” or “lover of God”) ○ Style of writing indicates respect for a reader of high culture

Questions What is the writer’s purpose? ○ To write an “orderly account” ○ Other purposes? Historical Political Sociological Theological ○ His own statement of purpose: “that you may know the certainty (or security) of the things you have been taught.” A final caveat

Schedule and Outline Aug. 18 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Oct. 14 Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Infancy & Childhood Narratives (1:5-2:52) Preparation for Ministry (3:1-4:13) Ministry in Galilee (4:14-9:50) Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:28) Ministry in Jerusalem (19:29-21:38) The Passion Narrative (22:1-23:56) The Resurrection Narrative (24:1-53)