A Doctor

Over the past weeks, we’ve looked at Scripture writers who are untrained fishermen, untrusted tax-collectors, well-loved disciples, well-trained Pharisees, friends, mentors, and protégés.  Today we will begin looking at a travelling companion of Paul who wrote more of the New Testament than any other human author. 

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10 NIV)

Did you notice the shift in that last sentence?  The author of this book shifted from talking about “Paul and his companions,” to “we got ready” and “God had called us.”  The author of the book of Acts was there.  This person was travelling with Paul.

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. (Acts 1:1-2 NIV)

Looking at the beginning of the book, we see some clues as to the author of the book.  This author writes to Theophilus and refers to an earlier book written to the same person.  This earlier book talked about the life of Jesus.  We can use our electronic (or paper) Bibles to see where the word “Theophilus” shows up.  It’s only found in one other book.

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4 NIV)

This book bears the author’s name.  It’s the book of Luke.  Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke as Volume 1 and The Book of Acts as Volume 2 in the set.  The first book was about the life of Jesus.  The second book was about the early Church.  Both books come from a thorough and relatively well-educated man.  Luke was a doctor.

Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. (Colossians 4:14 NIV)

So, how about you?  Are you a doctor?  Do you know doctors?  What might we find different about the writings of a doctor?