An Account

Luke wrote some of his writings as an eyewitness.  He travelled with Paul during part of his ministry journeys.  Then, he wrote down his account.

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. (Acts 16:13-14 NIV)

Much of Luke’s writing, however, was not from his own experience.  He did not walk with Jesus as a disciple and eyewitness.  Much of the early church accounts were also without Luke in attendance.  How did he get his information then?  What was his approach to writing this information?

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… (Luke 1:1-3a NIV)

First, Luke carefully investigated everything.  He got his information from eyewitnesses who were there.  Finally, he wrote it down in an orderly fashion.  Luke worked to get the information as accurate as possible, then he wrote it down in a way that was easy for us to follow.

How about you?  Do you give an account of God’s workings around you?  Do you investigate first to make sure the information is accurate?  Do you find reliable eyewitnesses who were there?  Do you give an orderly account?  Luke gives us many reasons to trust his account.