Welcome back. This is month three of our reading schedule. And by now, the wonder of the Gospel message and history are opening up before you.
Who was Luke? Actually, we know quite a bit even though it is all only indirectly gained information. First of all, he was a Gentile. He was converted under the ministry and preaching of Paul most likely, and was, therefore, a product of Paul’s burden and calling for the Gentiles. Second, he was a companion of Paul’s. Strong testimony supports the claim that he wrote the book of Acts as a journal or diary of the times he went with Paul as Paul went on his missionary journeys. Third, he was an historian. More than just a journal or diary, Acts recorded the history of the early church accurately and with great detail. Likewise, he also interviewed the eyewitnesses still available to him and wrote the companion volume, the Gospel that bears his name. We also know that he was a physician and, with his training, attention to detail obviously came naturally.
We’re also introducing Timothy this month. Timothy was another disciple and companion of Paul’s. Timothy was called of God into the ministry of the Gospel as well. Paul’s letters to this young protégé are helpful for us in realizing that even the government of Christ’s Church is not something about which the Church is left on her own to figure out. It is from Paul’s instructions to Timothy and to another church-planter, Titus, that we learn the basics about Presbyterianism.
For those of you with the New Geneva Study Bible or the Reformation Study Bible, the references by the reading assignments point you to some helpful articles written for your benefit.
AR – Major articles about the Bible located in the back.
BI – Introductions to each book found before each book begins.
TN – Smaller theological articles on topics found in various books.
