Luke
It is generally accepted that this book was written by Luke; however, there is no reliable evidence that it is not a composite of several manuscripts by several different authors over time.
Many scholars believe that Luke, mentioned in Acts by Paul, is the author of the book bearing his name. If so, Luke was physician and sometime companion of Paul.
Luke was a Gentile and one of his central themes is that God’s salvation is for Gentiles as well as for Jews.
Luke was led to the faith through his relationship with the Apostle Paul with whom he served. Luke did not have an eyewitness account of Jesus’ work on earth but he is an astute and exacting historian.
He relied upon eyewitness accounts and on written and oral sources as he thoroughly investigated the events he reported.
Luke’s purpose was to write so that “you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught”.
The book of Luke could have been written as early as AD 59-63 or as late as AD 66-70 depending on if you accept the ending of Acts with Paul alive and in prison in Rome for 2 years.
Some scholars believe it was written during the later date and Luke used some of the book of Mark as a source book for his writings.
Luke addressed his work to a man named Theophilus, most likely a patron, wealthy, and who sponsored the expensive task of writing the book. Theophilus was most likely a Christian and was looking for more detail and knowledge about Jesus and therefore underwrote the research and writing of the book, for his own edification as well as for other Gentile Christians and some Jewish Christians also.
Luke emphasizes that his book is historical and he assures his readers that the gospel message is authentic; he used reliable eyewitness testimony and meticulously dates Jesus’ ministry with reference to the rulers of his day.
Luke reflects Jesus as a theme of promise and fulfillment.
Jesus is introduced as the promised Savior; the Messiah descended from King David; born in Bethlehem the city of David; and will reign forever on David’s throne.
Jesus accomplished salvation, not by military might, but by suffering the fate of the prophets; he died as the servant of the Lord; fulfilling the promises of the OT.
Through his death and resurrection, Jesus became the Savior of the world.
Acts
Luke is considered to be the author of the book of Acts although there is no reference by name to him in the book just as there was no reference by name to him in the book of Luke.
However, Paul referred to a “beloved doctor” in Colossians and it was known that Luke was with Paul at that time and was a co-worker.
As we already know, Luke was a Gentile Christian.
Most scholars believe that Acts was written sometime between AD 70-80 after the death of Paul.
They believe that Luke used the book of Mark in his research.
If this date is correct, it is curious why there is no mention of the outcome of Paul’s trial (AD 62); the death of James, the Lord’s brother (early AD 60’s); the persecution of Christians carried out by Nero following the fire of Rome (AD 64); the deaths of Peter and Paul (about AD 64-65); and Nero (AD 68); the Jewish revolt (AD 66) or the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70).
Since Acts ends with Paul under house arrest (AD 60-62), it would seem that the book would have been written before AD 64.
However, a case can be made that Luke may have considered these events to not be important and merely omitted them because they were not suited to his purpose in writing Acts and a date after AD 70 is the correct date.
Luke places emphasis in his writing of Acts showing that the Christian faith truly fulfills God’s promises in the Hebrew Scriptures. Christ brought salvation; prayer advances God’s Kingdom; all the while the Holy Spirit energizes and equips God’s people to carry out their mission.
Luke shows the importance of individuals that God has chosen to carry his message and testify about Christ.
Many persons became prominent during this time to include Paul, Stephen, Philip, and Peter. And, it was important enough for the Disciples to choose Matthias to replace Judas in the company of the twelve apostles.
Luke’s message was “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved”.
“There is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all”.
John
This book was written by John, a Disciple of Jesus, and one of the twelve.
John, along with James his brother and Peter, formed an inner circle around Jesus.
This Gospel reflects this close perspective as it highlights Peter and John.
Most scholars believe that the book was written (completed) about AD 90.
John wrote for Jewish Christians. He stresses the divinity of Jesus more than any of the other Gospels, so much so that Jesus is presented as being alien to this world.
John, however, also stresses that the readers are to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God.
This was probably intended to inspire the Christian members of the community to maintain their belief during a troubled time rather than to convert outsiders.
Due to the writing style of John, many of the things would have meaning only to Christians who were already believers.
John’s basic principles are as follows –
- Those who embrace Christ’s revelation and redemption with faith will gain eternal life
- Worship must take place in spirit and in truth and be energized and formed by the Spirit of God
- Jesus affirmed his oneness with the Father and their unity of purpose, as well as their personal distinctiveness
- The Holy Spirit is the central feature of Jesus’ human experience and of our lives.
- God sent Jesus into the world to proclaim his glory and to testify to the Good News of redemption
- When Jesus departed he passed this mission on to the Holy Spirit who in turn would fill the church and empower believers to fulfill the mission of Jesus in the world
- John affirms the anticipated return of Jesus for the early Christians
2 John
The author of this book is held to be the same John as the author of the book of John supported by quotations by Papias, bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor (AD 100-130).
It is apparent that Papias personally heard John speak at some time and it is known that John lived to be a very old man.
Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that the Apostle John was the author of the book of John, 1 John, 2 John and 3 John.
It was probably written sometime around AD 90.
John wants Christians to live in the eternal truth and to continue to love one another.
He warns them about false teachers.
He encourages them to hold on to the teaching of the Apostles concerning Jesus Christ so that they will receive their full reward.
He warns them to avoid the false teachers as all costs, for to associate with them would be heresy.
1 John
The author of this book is held to be the same John as the author of the book of John supported by quotations by Papias, bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor (AD 100-130).
It is apparent that Papias personally heard John speak at some time and it is known that John lived to be a very old man.
Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that the Apostle John was the author of the book of John, 1 John, 2 John and 3 John.
It was probably written sometime around AD 90.
This book urges Christian readers to stay with that they have heard “from the beginning”.
This means believing in the physical, human Jesus with the divine Son of God and in the saving value of his death.
It also means keeping the commandment to love one another.
This book repeatedly insists that one cannot truly believe in Jesus Christ without truly and selflessly loving other believers.
God is love.
The author stresses that Christians must maintain loyalty to Jesus’ apostles – those who had followed Jesus during his life and had known him personally – in order to safeguard against pseudo-spirituality and heresy.
John urges his Christian reader to:
- Maintain loyalty in fellowship toward the apostles and thus to have fellowship with God, who is light, by living in the light he gives us;
- Confess their sins to God and thus know the advocacy of Jesus Christ, the righteous one;
- Esteem Jesus Christ as the Word of life, the Son of God;
- Love God, who is love, and love other Christians;
- Remain in Christ, become like Christ, and purify themselves of worldly lusts;
- Know and experience God Personally and understand the truth through the Spirit;
- Discern false teaching by the aid of the Spirit and recognize the spirit of false prophets and of the antichrist;
- And enjoy eternal life.
Christians at this time were facing immense persecution for their faith and public displays of Christianity were being met with severe consequences, particularly under the Emperor Nero.
