28/06/12

Fellowship between Paul and Luke

Luke 24:27 - And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.


Lucas born in a gentile family (assumed to be of Antioch) being of slave origin was later known as Luke discarding his slave origin name. He is believed to have accepted Christ through Paul and is first recorded to be working with Paul in Toras. Luke was a physician by profession and was one of the most valuable companions for Paul in his ministry.

Other than being of ministerial help Luke was also of professional help to Paul. Paul is said to have been suffering from an ailment which at one stage nearly took him to death and Luke was of great help to Paul at that time. In Paul's ministry Luke was like his right hand man.

Luke is among the writers of the 3 books that concentrate on the teachings of Jesus and are known as the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke respectively. The Gospel of John on the other hand is an autobiography of Jesus Christ.

Luke also wrote one of the most important books of the New Testament that is the book of Acts which gives us the chronology of the early Church and lots of guidance on how the first Christians understood Jesus' teachings and followed the Word of God.

Matthew was an eye witness to many events which he recorded so gave more of a first-hand recordings of the events. Mark was close to Peter and was born in Jerusalem, he was the second best closest to Matthew. He was related to Barnabas and thus being close to the Apostles his recordings are more of second hand. Luke on the other hand lived far from Jerusalem and was connected to Paul. He knew Christ and the events more from Paul than anyone else. People think Luke recorded the events from the Apostles since he got access to them through Paul. No doubt Luke did meet the people who were witness to the events but when we see Luke's Gospel it compliments both the Gospels and at some places covers up those areas which were omitted.

Luke's primary source was Paul and Paul's primary source was not the eye witness disciples of Jesus but the Lord Himself. Paul was shown things of the Lord through visions. He was a hard core Jewish Lawyer (one who studied the Law at an advance level) and when he came in the Lord the Lord opened his mind and made him understand the scriptures (Old Testament). When one understands the calling of Paul and of Luke, one can see the beautiful harmony between two callings one of an Apostle and other a Teacher, the inter dependency of one of another and their support for the one ministry. Luke is recorded to have died a martyr but before he died he did great work of spreading the Gospel and brought many to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

In today's message the Lord is telling us to learn from Paul and Luke two great Men of God and among the greatest contributors to the New Testament and the early Church. To learn how they depended on each other and how they focused on their mission yet worked with each other without stepping on each other's feet.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You did not give all the callings to a person because You wanted to teach us how to work in harmony being of one mind and one purpose. Lord, we pray that we learn to be humble and put forward our Cross before ourselves. That we be focused like Paul and Luke and learn how to fellowship with each other...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Luke 1:1-4
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus [associate of God],
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

Acts 1: 1 - The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

Acts 16:10 - And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

1 Corinthians 11:23 - For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

Colossians 4:14 - Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

2 Timothy 4:11 - Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

Philemon 1:24 - Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow labourers.

Acts 17:10-12
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)