eness of
its author and the dignity and importance of its theme. It was written by
Luke, "the beloved physician," and it concerns the life and saving work of
our Lord. The phrase which describes the writer as "the physician, the
beloved one," is full of significance. It was penned by Paul, when a
prisoner in Rome, to his friends in distant Colossae. It indicates that
Luke was a man of culture and scientific training and that the charm of
his character was so conspicuous as to be recognized by the Christian
churches of Europe and of Asia. The connection in which this phrase occurs
indicates that Luke was not a Jew but a Gentile by birth, and further,
that he was a close companion of Paul.

To Luke's authorship is attributed not only this "Third Gospel" but also
"The Acts." He was a man of such modesty that he never mentioned his own
name even when recording the stirring events in which he played so
prominent a part. Nevertheless he revealed himself in every page of his
writings and was evidently a man of broad sympathies, an acute observer, a
careful historian, and a loyal friend.

The story of his companionship with Paul begins in the record of the
apostle's second missionary journey when he was about to sail from Troas
on the memorable voyage which resulted in establishing Christianity on a
new continent. The two friends journeyed together to Philippi, where a
strong church was founded; but while Paul continued his travels through
Macedonia and Greece, Luke remained behind, possibly to care for the young
converts. Seven years later when Paul was on his third missionary tour he
seems to have found Luke at Philippi and to have been accompanied by him
on his way to Jerusalem. When Paul was arrested and was confined for two
years at Caesarea, Luke was his companion. Later they shared together the
perils of the voyage and the shipwreck on the way to Rome, and the
imprisonment in the imperial city. Paul appears to have been released and
then imprisoned a second time, and when he wrote his last letter, under
the shadow of approaching martyrdom, the only friend to remain faithful
and to comfort him in his loneliness was Luke.

As might be expected, the narrative composed by such an author is
characterized by (1) unusual literary beauty; it is plainly the product of
Greek culture. The divine Spirit chose and equipped a rare instrument in
the poetic and refined personality of Luke and through him gave to the
world that version