Scripture Reading : Luke 1:1-4, 24:44-49; Acts 1:1-8
Theme : Introduction to Luke-Acts
Luke, the physician (Colossians 4:14), is the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. In both books, Luke begins by addressing a certain “Theophilus”, and Luke’s use of the title “most excellent” (Luke 1:3) suggests that Theophilus was a high ranking Roman official. In Acts 1:1, Luke writes about “the first book”, which refers to the Gospel of Luke. Therefore, Luke-Acts are to be taken as a two volume work by the author (Luke).
The Gospel of Luke is meant to narrate the life and teaching of Jesus. At the end of the Gospel of Luke (24:44-49), Jesus commanded the disciples to proclaim to all the nations about “repentance and forgiveness of sins… beginning from Jerusalem” (24:47). Jesus also told the disciples to “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (24:49). This refers to “the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4), which is the Holy Spirit.
The Book of Acts begins by continuing from where the Gospel of Luke ends. The author recaps from the end of Luke, and reminds the readers that Jesus died, rose again, appeared to many people with proofs, and ascended into heaven. Luke also mentions again the instruction of Jesus to the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will empower them to proclaim the gospel “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Geographically, starting with Jerusalem as the centre where it all began, the gospel spread to the south (Judea) and north (Samaria), and continues to spread to “the end of the earth”. The entire Book of Acts shows how Acts 1:8 is fulfilled, even to our very day and age.
Praying the Scripture
- The two volume work of Luke-Acts is not only meant for Theophilus. Rather, it is dedicated to him like the modern-day dedication at the beginning of a book. Let us pray that we will not read the Word of God just like a story book that has no impact on our lives. Pray that we will read the Bible carefully and learn the truths and obey the commands.
- Let us thank God for His mercy and grace upon the Gentiles (non-Jews, including us), because He also granted salvation to us by the proclamation of the gospel to the end of the earth.
- Some people dream of doing big things for God, to become a missionary to bring the gospel to the remotest jungle, but they do not even share the gospel with people around them. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11) As we read the Book of Acts, let us pray that we will obey the command to proclaim the gospel to all the nations, beginning with people around us in our daily lives, because “one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”
经文：路加福音1:1-4, 24:44-49；使徒行传1:1-8
主题：路加福音和使徒行传的介绍
路加医生（西4:14）是路加福音和使徒行传的作者。路加在两本书卷的开头中都包括了对一位“提阿非罗”的称呼；使用“大人”（路1:3）之词也意味着提阿非罗是一位罗马高官。在使徒行传1:1中，路加提到了“前书”，即指路加福音。因此，路加福音和使徒行传实际上是路加的两部创作。
路加福音的目的是要复述耶稣的生活和教导。在福音书的结尾（24:44-49），耶稣吩咐众门徒要向万国“传悔改、赦罪的道，从耶路撒冷起”（24:47）。耶稣也告诉门徒要“在城里等候，直到你们领受从上头来的能力”（24:49）。这指的就是“父所应许的”（使1:4），即圣灵。
使徒行传的开头就是从路加福音的结尾接续的。作者从路加福音的结尾开始复述，提醒读者耶稣已经死而复活，又带着证据向多人显现，并升天了。路加也再次提到耶稣对门徒的指示，叫他们要在耶路撒冷等候圣灵的降临，因为圣灵会赐予力量使他们能“在耶路撒冷、犹太全地和撒马利亚，直到地极”（使1:8）传福音。从地理位置来看，耶路撒冷是福音萌芽的起点和中心；福音接着会向南部（犹太）和北部（撒玛利亚）传，持续延至“地极”。使徒行传整本书卷就是在说明1:8是如何应验的，直至今日。
用经文祷告
- 路加福音和使徒行传这两部创作不是仅为提阿非罗写的。实际上，这种献词就如现代书籍开端的献词一样。让我们祷告我们不会用阅读故事书的心态去阅读圣经，使圣经对我们的生活毫无影响。让我们祷告我们会细读圣经，学习真理，顺服主命。
- 让我们感谢神对外邦人（非犹太人，包括我们）降下怜悯和恩典，因为祂叫圣经传到地极，使我们也能得救。
- 有些人想要为神做大事，梦见自己到最偏远的森林宣教，但他们却不向周围的人传福音。“人在最小的事上忠心，在大事上也忠心；在最小的事上不义，在大事上也不义。倘若你们在不义的钱财上不忠心，谁还把那真实的钱财托付你们呢？”（路16:10-11）当我们阅读使徒行传时，让我们祷告我们会听从主命，向万国传福音，并由我们生活的周遭人开始，因为“人在最小的事上忠心，在大事上也忠心”。
