In his preface, Luke wrote two books. The
first was his Gospel, also known as the "former book," and the second was Acts. Both are dedicated to Theophilus
and both are written in the same literary Greek style.
Luke claimed he was writing accurate history:
"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 eye-witnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself
have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account
for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."
Referring to "things that have been fulfilled among
us," Luke apparently is saying these events were't random nor unexpected, but took place to fulfill Old Testament
prophecy.
Next, Luke is talking about the apostles who witnessed the historical Jesus and who handed down to others
what they had seen and heard. Luke also personally researched events, "carefully investigating everything from the beginning."
Finally, he wrote an "orderly account" and addressed it to Theophilus and other readers.
Luke was well qualified to write history. He was an
educated doctor and a cultured Greek, with a wide vocabulary and powers of observation. He was also Paul's traveling
companion and had plenty of opportunity to hear and absorb the apostle's teaching and to write a personal travelogue of
his experiences.
In addition, Luke lived in Palestine for about two years and gathered material through
interviews for his Gospel and for Acts. He was familiar with Jewish history, customs and festivals, and visited places where
Jesus and his disciples walked.
Many notable historians and archaeologists have defended the reliability of
Luke's written account. Among them are Sir William Ramsey, the Scottish writer, who placed "the author of Acts among
the historians of the first rank." A. N. Sherwin-White, of Oxford University, said that Luke's "historical framework
is exact. In terms of time and place the details are precise and correct."
