From Luke 1
The gospel preached by Paul is a narrative of the birth, life, death, resurrection and appearances of Jesus. This narrative brings about the salvation of those who believe it. Let’s keep reading the gospel.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
The introduction of Luke is unique to the four gospels.
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Lk 1.1-4)
Luke recognizes the following gospel is a narrative. He describes this narrative of Jesus as ‘things that have been accomplished’. Thus describing the saving benefits arising from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This narrative has been delivered (‘delivered’ and ‘received’ cf. 1 Cor 15.3) from those eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. Which includes the idea that those who preached the gospel have delivered this to Luke.
Interestingly this narrative is what the early church said Paul preached as the gospel. For example we read from the early church;
“Papias (c. 60-130) was an early bishop of Hierapolis and a disciple of those who knew the apostle John.
He insists the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke contained the very gospel message preached by Peter and Paul respectively.
He informs us Mark had been apostle Peters personal assistant. After the apostles death Mark put into writing all that he could recall of Peter teaching, being careful ‘to leave out nothing of what he had heard and to make no false statements’. The result was what we call the Gospel according to Mark.” (Dickson, J., The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission: Promoting the Gospel with More Than Our Lips, Loc 2041 of 3524)
And another early church Father Ireneaus (c. 130-202) says,
“For, after our Lord rose from the dead, [the apostles] were invested with power from on high when the Holy Spirit came down [upon them], were filled from all [His gifts], and had perfect knowledge: they departed to the ends of the earth, preaching the glad tidings of the good things [sent] from God to us, and proclaiming the peace of heaven to men, who indeed do all equally and individually possess the Gospel of God.
Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church. After their departure,
Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter.
Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him.
Afterwards,
John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia. (Ch 1, Ireneaus, Against Heresies, Book III, Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume 1 – Enhanced Version (Early Church Fathers)
So this is the big version of 1 Cor 15.1-5.
About Jesus
The gospel preached by Paul is a narrative of the birth, life, death, resurrection and appearances of Jesus. This narrative brings about the salvation of those who believe it. Let’s keep reading the gospel.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
