Gospel of Luke Acts of the Apostles Jesus

Gospel of Luke Acts of the Apostles: Jesus the Savior

Background - Luke was a Gentile-Christian - Responsible for writing the gospel with the most words and its sequel (Acts of the Apostles) • Together make up more than a quarter of the New Testament -Style, language, and organization of the Gospel and Acts are very similar • Both works addressed to Theophilus

Background Do we really know the author? - Identified as St. Paul’s coworker from Antioch • Remained Paul’s friend • Probably used a travel diary to construct some of the history of Acts • The prologue mentions Luke was from Antioch in Syria and died in Greece -Certain that he did not know the historical Jesus in person and did not come from the Holy Land

Background - Author of Luke was a brilliant artist with words • Wrote beautiful polished Greek - Wrote for Gentile Christian churches - Major Theme • Universality of Jesus’ offer of salvation - Gospel intended for everyone • Gentiles do not have to convert to Judaism to accept Jesus

Background Three main sources for writing: 1. ) Mark’s Gospel 2. ) Q: common source 3. ) L: unique source MARK M MATTHEW LUKE Q L

Background The prologue provides solid information on: • Why the gospel was written • What it is about • How the author went about writing it

Background -Special Lucan material included: • Early hymns • Finding of Jesus at the Temple • Genealogy • Collection of parables • Group of miracle stories

Background - Luke dedicated his gospel to Theophilus Name means “lover of God” Name helps prove the unity of Luke’s two-volume work

Background - In his opening gospel address to Theophilus, Luke states his reasons for writing: • He wants to show Theophilus and all readers that the instruction in the Christian faith was sound. • His purpose in writing the Gospel was the strengthen their faith

Common Themes Common themes in Luke and Acts: 1. ) Jesus as a prophet 2. ) The Church continues Jesus’ prophetic ministry 3. ) The role of the Holy Spirit in salvation history 4. ) Prayer, joy, peace 5. ) The special role of Mary and women

Common Themes 1. ) Jesus the Prophet - Lk 4: 14 -44 - Jesus reveals that through him, the prophesy about the Messiah is taking place • God’s kingdom is present • What Isaiah prophesized is happening right now

Common Themes 1. ) Jesus the Prophet - Lk 4: 14 -44 Jesus outlines his ministry: • Preach the gospel • Help people live freely • Perform acts of mercy • Work for justice • Celebrate God’s presence in the world

Common Themes 1. ) Jesus the Prophet - Lk 4: 14 -44 -The scene at Nazareth foreshadows Jesus’ public life • Met with initial acceptance, however, people change their opinion and reject and kill the innocent prophet in Jerusalem

Common Themes 1. ) Jesus the Prophet - Lk 4: 14 -44 - The synagogue scene underscores two other themes that appear in Luke and Acts: • The role of the Holy Spirit • The importance of prayer in the life of Jesus and of the early Church

Common Themes 2. ) Church Continues Jesus’ Prophetic Mission: Acts 1 -2 -Luke depicts the characteristics of an ideal Christian community • Christian fellowship or communion • Praying for each other • Gospel truth as handed on by the apostolic eyewitnesses

Common Themes 3. ) Role of the Holy Spirit - Stresses the vital role of the Holy Spirit in salvation history - Luke viewed history in three dramatic stages: • Stage 1 - Age of Promise • Stage 2 - The Times of Jesus • Stage 3 - The Age of the Church -Holy Spirit appears frequently in Luke and Acts

Common Themes 4. ) Prayer - A pervasive theme in Luke and Acts - Jesus prayed: At His Baptism In the Synagogue In lonely places At His Transfiguration Hanging on the Cross The night before choosing the Apostles

Common Themes 4. ) Prayer -Message to be learned is that we should pray as often as the Master did -Acts of the Apostles shows how the early Church heeded this advice well

Common Themes 4. ) Joy and Peace -Themes are evident from the opening verses of the gospel • Often connected with prayer -Message of several of his parables also highlighted theme of great joy over the return of lost sinners -Key event in Jesus’ life that results in joy: • Entry into Jerusalem during Holy Week -Most joyous occasion is his resurrection

Common Themes 5. ) Special Role of Mary and Women - Women were considered inferior to men - Jesus’ attitude toward women was positive and revolutionary • He included women as the central characters in two of His parables (the Lost Coin and the Unjust Judge) - Most significant was the women who witnessed his death and resurrection - Mary illustrated a major Lucan theme God’s preferential love for the poor

Messiah & Savior - In Luke’s gospel, Jesus is a compassionate Messiah who has come to prove God’s great love - Makes Jesus the friend of the friendless • Shepherds, usually considered outcasts, were the first to visit Jesus’ birth • Offering of the poor • Presentation in the Temple

Messiah & Savior - More than the other three gospels Luke reassures the poor and warns the rich - God blesses the poor - not only those socially disadvantaged but also those that recognize they are nothing without God - Challenges the rich to repent before it is too late

Messiah & Savior -Luke’s is the only Gospel that records the story of Lazarus and the rich man -Lazarus means: “May God help” or “The one whom God helps” -Jesus is warning that those who have plenty in this life must share with those who have less

Messiah & Savior - Luke reports Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus, a tax collector • Jesus was enacting a living parable of God’s love for sinners • Jesus’ compassion also extended to outcasts Love of Enemies - God’s love and compassion knew no bounds - nor should ours • Parable of the Good Samaritan • Our neighbor is everyone

Messiah & Savior - Luke’s Chapter 15 is the very heart of the gospel - Contains three memorable parables that deal with God’s great compassion and his joy over repentant sinners: 1. ) The parable of the lost sheep 2. ) The parable of the lost coin 3. ) The parable of the lost or prodigal son

Messiah & Savior -Most common title of Luke for Jesus is “Lord” -Luke presented Jesus as a martyr: “witness” • Jesus’ death is a witness, and example for all for how consistent, loving, faithful, and compassionate he is -Concludes his gospel with the resurrection appearances - Emmaus story summarized entire gospel

Overview of Acts - Chapter 2 of Acts reports: • The coming of the Holy Spirit • Outpouring of gifts • Peter’s kerygmatic sermon • Pentecost Sunday • Ideal characteristics of the earliest church

Overview of Acts -Second major section shows how Philip preached the good news to the Samaritans -Shifts to Peter who preached in Joppa and Lydda, performed miracles, and had important visions -King Herod began persecuting Christians -Paul and Barnabus began their first missionary journey