Bible has many authors and one divine editor . Authors did not have an idea that one day those will be part of Bible . Why did Luke write two books Luke and acts , in other words his book in two volumes .
Luke was the only the Gentile writer in the Bible . His original name was Lukas and was a native of Syria , which was the ‘Paris of ancient world’ . It was in Antioch of Ancient Syria where the first ‘Gentile Church’ was established . The followers of Christ was called Christians by the locals . Luke was well placed in Gentile world to show, how Jerusalem spread to Rome .
Doctor .
Luke was a Doctor by profession . His careful and analytical knowledge is in his Gospel and Acts of Apostles . Birth of Jesus and Circumcision are from a Doctors view . Luke gives Mary’s genealogy to trace Jesus’s physical ancestry , while Matthew gives Joseph’s line . In Mark’s gospel , sickness of Peter’s mother is simply fever ; Luke writes it was a high fever . The virgin birth , wonders , and signs in Acts come from Luke’s pen .
Traveler .
Luke was an experienced traveler . It is Luke who refers ‘sea of Galilee’ as a Lake . Lake is 13 km long and 8 km wide . In Acts he mentions travelling with Paul extensively . In fact Paul wanted Luke’s company for travel from Philippi to Jerusalem and from Caesarea to Rome . Although Paul was not a Disciple , he spread Christianity than all others ! .
Writer .
Luke was an educated and a polished Greek writer but not a good speaker. His explanation of Shipwreck in Malta is one of the masterpieces of Literature . Paul was in the ship wreck. Malta is south of Sicily in Arabian Sea . Luke was also an Evangelist . He used writing more than talking . Salvation was the key word in his writings . In his Gospel he records a quotation from Isaiah ” All flesh shall see the Salvation of God ” . History records, he died at age 84 in Greece , having never married .
Luke wrote both the books to a friend named Theophilus meaning “God friendly” . Some say he was a fictional figure and some say he was a publisher in Christianity . However Luke used him as a man of importance . Probably same person presided over the trial of Paul . It is possible, Theophilus was the defense Lawyer for Paul during trial against Christianity in Rome . The purpose of Luke’s writing both volumes was only to defend Paul, who was in prison .
Paul was in Roman prison awaiting trial against Roman’s . So Luke researched Jesus and Paul thoroughly for Paul’s defense and his contribution to the new religion . Luke’s work include interviewing James , Matthew , and John . Luke was not one of the 12 of Jesus’ . He was not even was part of Jesus ministry . But he overcame all that by visiting all eyewitness’s and collected all eye witness account of Jesus . Luke was with Paul in Caesarea for two years before he was shipped to Rome for his Trial . Paul was innocent of all crimes . The troubles for Paul and Christianity was not caused by Roman’s but by Jews .
Paul’s lawyer .
Imagine Theophilus was the defense lawyer for Paul in Rome . Luke has researched Jesus and Paul and their contribution to the new religion . He collected all material for trial from Matthew , James and John . If the defense is correct , we can see why Romans were sympathetic to Christianity . A lawyer need first hand testimony of eyewitness . Both Luke’s volumes , Gospel and Acts contain events by Romans in Luke 2:1 and 3:1 . Luke investigated everything by himself and wrote an orderly account but he never thought it will be part of Bible .
Focus on Paul .
Acts is known as Acts of Apostles . But only two Apostles are main focus , Peter and Paul . The whole work of Luke is to defend Paul . Nothing deserves a bad reputation for the new Religion . Paul was a Roman citizen and Romans did not find any guilt in Jesus or Paul and were innocent by Roman law . Dr. Luke’s writing about ship wreck of Malta was showing Romans , his concern for Roman people . In Paul’s concluding trial , the defense lawyer said ” I rest my case your honor ” and sat down .
Conclusion .
Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus shows that he was acquitted of first trial in Rome . In fact this was a trial of Christianity . This verdict could Stop the new Religion or Spread it . Luke superbly wrote both books but he never thought he will have a world audience later . Although Luke was not an Apostle, it was a declaration of his faith. Church declared both his books should be in New Testament Cannon .