Searching the Scriptures....

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,  it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,  that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. --Luke 1:1-4

 
I began reading the Gospel of Luke today in my study of the word and only got to the end of verse 4.  Here is what struck me...Luke wrote this Gospel and its sequel, the Book of Acts, to one person, Theophilus. He wrote as an historian who had carefully compiled the accounts of others and interviewed people who had spent time with Jesus.  He was not an eyewitness to the events of what he wrote nor had he ever met Jesus.  His intent in writing is clear from verse 4:

"it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,  that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed."

Luke wrote this gospel as an apologetic to a *friend* that he might know that the things which he had heard and been instructed about were true.  Our God is a God of individuals.  God took Luke's obvious and heartfelt concern for this one lone, early Greek Christian, Theophilus, and used it to reach the rest of the world.  We never know how God will use anything we do...leave the numbers and the results to Him.  Know that your work is not in vain in the Lord...that He works all together for good in your life and does all things well.  Do not grow weary in doing good nor lose heart.  Your God is the God who sees..in due season you will reap.

I also think it is significant that Luke relied heavily in his writings on eyewitness accounts and the writings of others to compile an accurate picture of Jesus' life and ministry.  Christianity is not a close your eyes, check your brain at the door belief.  Scripture tells us to investigate its claims and see for ourselves.  Rightly so!  Our decision in regard to Christ is the most important decision we will ever make here on earth...it has eternal consequences.

And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." --John 1:46

This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. --John 21:24

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. --Acts 17:11-12

Check out its claims for yourself.  Do not rely on others to do your work.  Search the Scriptures carefully...in them you will find eternal life.