Gospel according to Luke JESUS THE SAVIOR OF

Gospel according to Luke JESUS, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

Terms of Interest • • • Historiography Apology Pontius Pilate Prophet Martyr Traditions Theophilus Pentecost “we passages”

Focus - Luke • Who was Jesus? • What did he do? • How is this message conveyed? • The Author • The Audience • The Gospel

Jesus the Rejected Prophet Jesus is born like a prophet (humble) In the temple (4: 16 -30) Does miracles as a prophet (7: 11 -17) Because of this rejection message would be taken to the Gentiles • Suffers fate of a prophet (13: 32 -34) • Salvation preached by Jesus and prophets • •

Luke’s Emphasis Jesus as Jewish prophet Salvation from Jesus was the heart of Judaism Jesus preached salvation for Gentiles Stressed the biggest sin was in killing God’s prophet – hence the need for repentance • The end of time was not immediate • Everything that happens to Jesus is according to a divine plan • Acts is written to express the culmination of that plan • •

Authorship • History is ‘written’ by those who write it. • What is the significance of authorship? • What is the impact of Biblical history on today’s society?

Luke’s Authorship • Greco-Roman biography of Jesus • Anonymous • Written by a Greek-speaking Christian outside of Palestine • Wrote two volumes; Luke and Acts • Luke – the physician • Traveling companion of Paul

Gospel of Luke • 1 st (introduction) of a two volume set (Acts is volume 2) • Based on oral traditions from the 1 st century • Described by author as orderly 1: 3 and true 1: 4 • Dedicated to Theophilus • Two opinions:

Gospel of Luke • Emphasis on women more than in other synoptics

Comparison to Matthew and Mark The Birth Narratives Matthew Mark Luke The Temple Matthew Mark Luke Salvation of the Gentiles Matthew Mark Luke

Acts • Acts of the Apostles? • Acts of the Holy Spirit? • Acts of Jesus Christ? • Acts of the Church? • Acts of Paul?

Focus - Acts • The Author • The Audience • The Message

Author • Luke, the author of the gospel, traveling companion to Paul. Used travel logs he constructed. • Anonymous, non-eyewitness. Used travel logs he acquired.

Volume 2 – Acts of the Apostles? • Why is it that only a few apostles are recorded throughout?

Sources for Acts? Oral tradition or actual writings Josephus – Ancient Jewish Historian (first century) The Bacchae – a Greek tragedy by Euripides (405 BCE) Aeneid – Epic poem by Virgil (29 – 19 BCE)

“We passages” • Evidence that the author was a traveling companion of Paul? • Evidence that the author used travel documents as a source? • Evidence of style?

The Message in Acts • • Rejection Spread of the church Jewish origins of Christianity God’s divine hand in spreading Christianity

Genre of Acts • Historical Narrative • Luke was able to pick and choose what he wanted to include. • Constructed speeches from oral tradition • “Traces key events of a people from the point of their origin to show their character as a people was established” (Ehrman 155) • Specifically written to show the development of Christianity after the death of Jesus (founder).

Apostles • Matthew possibly went to Ethiopia : • It is believed that the Septuagint was the scripture being read by the Ethiopian eunuch whom Philip met going to Jerusalem from Gaza. • Thomas is said to have evangelized in India and Syria