FREE ESSAY ON GOSPEL OF LUKE

GOSPEL OF LUKE

Table Of Contents
Introduction 2 
Body Of Presentation 3
Author 3 
Date 3
Intended Audience 4
Purpose 5
Outline Of Contents 6 
Theme Verse 7
Relevance 8
Bibliography 10
Introduction
Luke was not a Jew, but a gentile. He was a physician who loved people. The nature of
Luke's Gospel is indicated by the role of those from whom he got his materials. They were
"ministers of the word" (7,Laymans). The book was written for a man named Theophilus, who
was part of the Roman Government. Luke's words touched Theophilus, drawing him closer to
Jesus and who he was. The depths of Luke's Gospel are to be plumbed by the response of
faith (7,Laymans). This Gospel was written with a point of view in mind, symbolized by
the calf, which to Luke meant that Jesus was sacrificed for he world to be save from heir
sins. Luke emphasized that Jesus not only wanted the Jews to know the word, but also the
gentiles, because he wants everyone to know about salvation and his love for us. Luke was
loved by everyone and was thought to be a skilled painter. Luke also wrote the Book of
Acts, which is said to be the sequel to the Gospel. Buttrick et al. (1952) says the book
of Luke explains what Jesus dealt with, "all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the
day when he was taken up to heaven." 
Luke's Gospel is one of the easiest and clearest to read. It is written in the literary
form of secular Greek historians, and has a quality of language that reveals author to
have been a man of learning. Luke was setting out to preach the Christian message in a
form that would capture the attention of the intelligent gentile mind of the first
century. 
Body Of Presentation 
Authorship
The Gospel according to Luke carries no direct statement about who wrote it. However,
there are many indications that it was written by the one whose name bears: Luke, the
doctor companion of Paul (14, Layman's). Luke accompanied Paul on his journey to spread
the word after the ascension of Jesus. According to Buttrick et al. (1962) Luke writes
Iraneous. According to the Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible (1962) it is confirmed
that Luke was the author of the "we sections", because they are written in first person
plural. These sections show that Paul is being accompanied by someone who could possible
be Luke. This in itself shows that the same person wrote the Book of Acts, because of the
writings and the style in which it was written. Luke was a gentile, for Paul lists him
among his gentile friends. We know that Luke was a doctor for Paul calls him the "the
beloved physician"(15, Layman's). Several arguments arise about authorship, although it
falls short of proof, it is clear that there is nothing in the work that a physician
could not have written. Luke fulfills the requirements for being the author of the
Gospel. 
Date
The date of the Gospel is not quite clear, but the Interpreters Dictionary (1962) states
that it could be somewhere around 80 A.D. The reason behind this date is believed that
the book of Acts was written shortly after Paul's imprisonment. There are four 
factors all scholars take into account when considering the date for Luke's gospel: The
date of Mark and Luke's relationship, Date of Acts, Reference to the destruction of 
Jerusalem in Chapter 21 and The Theological and Ecclesiastical tone of Luke- Acts
(Liefeld, 1984). The four factors lead all historians to same period of time, which
ranges from A.D. 70 to 80. Fortunately the worth of the Gospel for us in no way rests on
this point.
Intended Audience
Luke intended the Gospel to be the first part of a larger book, for the Book of Acts is
clearly a sequel to it. In Acts chapter one verse one he explains that "In the first book
" he has dealt with "all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken
up"(Buttrick1962). Readership of the Gospel must be drawn primarily from the prologue
(Luke 1:1-4) and secondarily from the conclusions about the purpose of the Gospel. From a
brief survey of theories about Luke's purpose, it would appear that while Luke-Acts had
an appeal to the Non-Christian, Luke expected and desired it to be read by Christians,
specifically new converts. According to the Expositors Bible there are several
characteristics of the Gospel such as its orientation to the secular world, its
references to Judaism, its septuagentisms, along with the prominence of the God fearers
the made it plausible for those who did not have faith in the Lord. It is impossible to
say Luke's writing were strictly for God-Fearers, but definite that he wrote with them in
mind. Purpose
The purpose of Luke's writing according to Buttrick et al. (1962), is that Luke is
writing to confirm what we have already been taught, specifically in the Christian
community. By this he affirms everything from his from his sources, oral traditions, and
certain material that outline the life, ministry, the death, and the resurrection of
Jesus Christ. Luke spoke of sin, like Paul did and he also spoke f forgiveness and
reconciliation. His interests are historical. He is trying to tell what Jesus had said
and done in the light of certain definite interests of his own (181, 1962). Forgiveness
is an example theme when he says " Let it be known to you therefore, brethrer, that
through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone that
believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses"
(Acts 13:38.69). By writing the Luke-Acts book, he was able to make Christianity
appealing to the Roman Court. The crucifixion of Jesus is an important theme in the
Gospel of Luke. Pilate declared three times that Jesus was innocent, but sentenced him
anyway. These men had to live with this wrong doing forever.
There are several purposes proposed by the Gospel like Evangelism, Personal Assurance,
History, Conciliation, Instruction, Social problems, and many more. The primary purpose
of not only the Gospel but of the book of Acts as well, providing enough information
about Jesus to supplement the instruction Theophilus already had to assist in confirming
his faith (Liefeld 1984). If we dissect the Gospel one can assume Luke wrote to bring the
Gospel, and the assurance of salvation that follows its acceptance, to a larger audience
than Theophilus. In addition to winning converts, Luke is focused on promoting 
the Christian Movement. Luke brings together all the data and addresses, all issues he
deems necessary to advance Christ's cause (Liefeld 1984).
Outline of Contents
The Gospel of Luke begins with a preface, the only one of the synoptic Gospels with this
type of introduction. He speaks of predecessors, " Things which have been accomplished
among us" (1952 Buttrick). Basically he speaks in narrative about things that have
occurred, and the evangelists who performed them, including him. Luke then discusses
narratives about the birth and infancy. He speaks of the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth
(John), his conception, birth, and circumcision. Luke balances every point with a series
concerning Jesus. Luke wanted to let people know that what he writes was a creation of
the literature of Jesus. In the beginning Christians had to control its community
activities and develop its institution because of the way the Romans acted toward
religious cults. When Christianity began it was seen as a Jewish sect. They (Romans)
could not see the difference between the church and the synagogue. The book of Luke
focuses on social relationships. Social relationships were a concern for the poor, which
addressed finance. Jesus showed more sympathy to the poor because they were more open to
his word and true believers. The rich were taking from the poor and Jesus hated that.
Luke talked a lot about Jesus' concern for women and illustrates this with the Virgin
Mary, and her immaculate conception, Elizabeth and her son, the harlot, and many more.
The Holy Spirit is greatly emphasized on in the Gospel of Luke. Christians everywhere
today, acknowledge that he was born and lived on Earth so they celebrate the
story of Jesus. When John the Baptist people knew gods hands were on him because his
mother Elizabeth was barren. The temptation of Jesus is another event Luke covered. Satan
tempted Jesus for forty days and forty nights. He starved during this time, prayed 
and trusted in God to get him through this. Satan tried to convince Jesus that he was the
answer and that if he followed him, Satan would give him the world. Jesus backed himself
with scripture and never let the fact that his father was the greatest God escape his
mind. Luke tells about the miracles Jesus performs while on Earth. One miracle was the
driving of the evil spirit in the demon-possessed man. He also spoke of Jesus' healing
power. However people still doubted him, for when Jesus performed a miracle he asked the
recipients to keep it to themselves. Yet when people were given there were healed by
miraculous occurrences they could do nothing but speak of this awesome man. Finally Luke
speaks of the first disciple, Simon Peter. This came about in a strange manner. Simon was
fishing and could not catch a thing. Jesus told him to put his net back in and he did.
When Simon removed the net again he was overwhelmed with the astonishing number of fish
in the net. Simon then sailed back to shore and pout away his fishing stuff to follow the
almighty Jesus. Luke tries to express to the reader that Jesus is an awesome man and he
forgives. Jesus says if we ask for the forgiveness of sin he will forgive, he will heal,
and he will love. Know thy Kingdom and the Commandments is what Luke is trying to explain
to the reader. 
Theme Verse 
According to several references the key verses are in chapter one of Luke verses three
through four, and chapter nineteen verse ten. "It seemed fitting for me as well, having
investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in
consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth 
about the things you have been taught" (Luke 1:3,4). "For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). The main purpose for Luke's Gospel was to
create an accurate, chronological, and comprehensive account of the unique life of Jesus.
Therefore these verses say exactly what Luke was trying to get across to Theophilus and
the others. 
Personal Relevance
The relevance of this material to my own personal and professional life is that I am able
to apply it and comprehend it. Through the course of my life I have met many people
looking for inner peace. They do not see they are looking in the wrong direction. Not too
long ago I was saved and have bee trying to live my life in the way of the Lord. I am not
an expert nor do I study theology I just know of my personal relationship with Jesus and
I feel it is a good place to start. Instead of turning to their maker people turn to
drugs and alcohol. They realize that they are searching in the wrong place and just
wasting their time. I searched for a while until I realized that without God I had no
chance of being happy or in the right place. The book of Luke explains the miracles in a
way that one can understand now and then. Luke used the Gospel to spread a message of
salvation. Jesus performed many miracles when he was on earth and by those examples he
set forth example in my life. I am able to deal with people at work better than before
because I look to God for the strength and serenity. I have noticed a big difference in
myself. By studying this book I now see why Luke emphasized that Jesus came to this world
to save us from our sins. He suffered so that we would not have to. Through the 
parables Jesus spoke of, I was able to relate some of them to my life. For examples I
know money is nothing, and I try to give what I can but I understand that if I what I
should God will compensate me tenfold. When they speak of the two debtors, I learned
when someone asks for something give it to him or her, and do not expect repayment for if
they had had it they would not be asking for it. The birth and suffering Jesus did for
you and me gives me hope and faith to push on. The thought of someone loving me enough to
die for me makes me feel ecstatic. I also know that I need to devote more time to my
lord. I thought to myself all the men in my life that have said they loved me none have
ever showed the love Jesus showed for me. When one is born again it is like a
resurrection of our inner beauty. This book is an excellent tool for nonbelievers to see
the consequences that lie in store and for the Christians as well to see just why we
praise Jesus. 
Bibliography
1. Buttrick, G.A.,Bowie, W.R., Scherer, P .,Knox, J.,Terrein, S. Harmon, N.B. (1952). The
Interpreter's Bible. United States Of America: Pierce and Smith.
2. Liefeld, Walter L., (1984). The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Zondervan Pub House. Vol 8.
3. Buttrick, G.a., Kepler, T.S., Knox, J., May, H.G., Terrien, S., Bucke, E.S. (1962).
The Interpreter's Dictionary Of The Bible. Tennessee: Abingdon. 
4. Miller, Donald G., (1959). The Layman's Bible Commentary. Richmond, Virginia: John
Knox Press.