Saint Luke The Evangelist The Acts of the Apostles The Call of Saul (Paul)

1. Saint Luke The EvangelistThe Acts of the ApostlesThe Call of Saul (Paul) Theology II The Church Chapter 3 - Intro

2. Saint Luke –The Evangelist • Luke the Evangelist is one of the four evangelists or authors of canonical Gospels of Jesus Christ. • Canonical means undisputed, acknowledged or official. • His Gospel is believed to have two parts: • The Gospel of Luke –chronicle's the life and mission of Christ. • The Acts of the Apostles – Describes the birth and growth of the early Church of Christ.

3. Luke’s Works and Life • The early church fathers ascribed to him authorship of both the Gospel according to Luke and the book of Acts of the Apostles, which originally conformed a single literary work. • In the New Testament, Luke is mentioned briefly a few times, and referred to as a doctor in the Pauline epistle to the Colossians. • Thus He is thought to have been both, a physician and a disciple to Paul

4. Luke’s Works and Life • Luke was a Greco-Syrian physician who lived in the Greek city of Antioch in Ancient Syria.[ • He had become a disciple of the apostle Paul and later followed Paul until his [Paul's] martyrdom around 64 AD • Luke was an artist - Christian tradition states that he was the first icon painter. • He is said to have painted pictures of the Virgin Mary of Peter and Paul.

5. The ox as symbol of St. Luke • In traditional depictions, such as paintings, evangelist portraits and church mosaics, St. Luke is often accompanied by an ox or bull, usually having wings. Sometimes only the symbol is shown, especially when in a combination of those of all Four Evangelists.

7. Luke as a historian • Most scholars understand Luke's works (Luke-Acts) in the tradition of Greek theories and methods. • Historians believe – “Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, Luke should be placed along with the very greatest of historians.“ • He has great attention to detail which is evident in all his works. • His sources are reliable with firsthand knowledge of Christ and the Acts! (Peter, Paul and Mary) • Tradition states that he cared for Mary late in her life • His Gospel contains the most descriptive birth story of Christ starting with the Annunciation.

8. Luke the Evangelist for the Gentiles • St. Luke was not a Jew • He like Paul was not circumcised. • St. Luke had a great knowledge of the Septuagint and of things Jewish, which he acquired either as a Jewish convert • Or by his relationship with the Apostles! • Besides Greek, he had many opportunities of learning Aramaic the spoken language of the time of the Apostles

9. In Review • St. Luke is one of the most extensive writers of the New Testament. His Gospel is considerably longer than St. Matthew's, his two books are about as long as St. Paul's fourteen Epistles. • A scholar, Doctor and Artist it is said that his words are painted on the pages of the bible. • He followed Paul through Paul's to Roman Imprisonments until he dies as a martyr in 64 AD. (Paul) • Luke lives long after and dies at the age of 84.

10. The Acts of the Apostles • The Acts outlines the history of the Apostolic Age. • The author is traditionally identified as Luke the Evangelist. • Luke in great detail outlines the growth of the early Church of Jesus Christ. • The Acts of the Apostles is the fifth book of the New Testament!

11. Authorship • It is said to be that the author of the Gospel of Luke is the same as the author of the Acts of the Apostles. • Tradition holds that the text was written by Luke the companion of Paul. • The consensus is that The Acts work was composed by a (Koine) Greek speaking Gentile writing for an audience of Gentile Christians.

12. Authorship • Koine is the form of Greek, mostly derived from the Garret dialect, that became the standard language for Greek-speaking people during the Hellenistic period • Hellenistic Period is characteristic of or relating to ancient Greek civilization during the late 4th to 1st centuries bc • These Greeks were educated, sophisticated and worldly, • Unlike the Gentiles of Samaria who were also include in Luke’s audience. These Gentiles were poor, simple shepherds, farmers and herdsmen. • Luke’s style in all his works appealed to both!

13. Sources • Luke in writing The Acts likely relied upon oral tradition, as well as other sources, in constructing his account of the early church and Paul's ministry. • Historians believe that the author of Acts did not have access to a collection of Paul's letters • But nearly half of the Acts is dedicated to the Call and Mission of Paul. • Some feel that the text of Acts shows evidence of having used the Jewish historian Josephus as a source • This would of put the writing of the second part of Luke’s Gospel after 94 AD. • We also know that Luke had a close relationship with Mary and the Apostle Peter after Paul was killed.

14. Overview • Acts tells the story of the Apostolic Age of the Early Christian church, with particular emphasis on the ministry of the Twelve Apostles and of Paul. • The early chapters, set in Jerusalem, discuss Jesus' Resurrection and Great Commission, his Ascension with a prophecy to return, the start of the Twelve Apostles' ministry, and the Day of Pentecost. • The later chapters discuss Paul's conversion, his ministry, and finally his arrest and imprisonment and trip to Rome.

15. The Call of Saul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMFHC1hXbUQ.com “Saul why are you persecuting me” You shall be called Paul my Disciple to the Gentiles

16. Paul • The Disciple Paul, who started as one of Christianity's most zealous enemies, was hand-picked by Jesus Christ to become the gospel's most ardent messenger. • He was a Hebrew, Roman Citizen and Pharisee. • He believed in God, just not as Jesus as the Messiah. • To protect to Jewish ways, he persecuted the early Christians

17. Mission • When Saul of Tarsus, who was later renamed Paul, saw the resurrected Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road, Saul converted to Christianity. • He made three long missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, planting churches, preaching the gospel, and giving strength and encouragement to early Christians. • Preach the Word of Christ to the Gentiles

18. Paul as a Writer • Of the 27 books in the New Testament, Paul is credited as the author of 13 of them. • While he was proud of his Jewish heritage, Paul saw that the Gospel was for the Gentiles as well. • Along with Peter, he was considered one of the Great leaders of the early Church. • Paul was martyred for his faith in Christ by the Romans, about 64 or 65 A.D.

19. Paul's Strengths • Paul had a brilliant mind, a commanding knowledge of philosophy and religion, and could debate with the most educated scholars of his day • At the same time, his clear, understandable explanation of the gospel made his letters to early churches the foundation of Christian theology

20. Paul's Strengths • Tradition portrays Paul as a physically small man, but he endured enormous physical hardships on his missionary journeys. • His perseverance in the face of danger and persecution has inspired countless missionaries since. • His one weakness was before his conversion he tirelessly persecuted Christians – He witnesses the stoning of Saint Stephen the first martyr for Christ!

21. Life Lessons • God can change anyone. • God gave Paul the strength, wisdom, and endurance to carry out the mission Jesus entrusted Paul with. • One of Paul's most famous statements is: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” • reminding us that our power to live the Christian life comes from God, not ourselves

22. My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone!! • ST. Paul quoting Psalm 62 –written by David inspired by God!!!!! • Paul Shows that God is for everyone at any time. • He never fail’s us, opens are eyes to his Truth!!! • The Call of Paul is an example of how Christ works in all of us, even the least expecting! • Like Paul we must celebrate that conversation!! • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmx9p6vAL1g.com