Queen's Road Cell

  Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2  just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3  it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4  that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.(1:1-4)   7. Read 1:1-4 slowly several times, preferably in several translations. What subject does Luke say he is writing about? (Think about what "the things that have been fulfilled(accomplished) among us" are) Luke's material: The events surrounding Jesus, as well as the promises of God that were fulfilled in Him. Jesus has come, lived died and risen again. He is the Saviour. (cf. Acts 1:1 " all that Jesus began to do and teach" )  “Among us” may be an indication of personal experience, making the material more immedia

This gospel is the first half of a 2-volume history of Jesus and the early church. The author is not named. Church tradition gives Luke as the author by mid-second century. The 'we' sections of Acts (16:10-17, 20:5-21:18, 27:1-28:6) assume that the author was a companion of Paul who participated in the events described. Luke is listed in Col 4:14, 2 TIm 4:11, Phm 24.  The author of the gospel was not an eyewitness (1:2). Col 4:14 tells us that Luke was a physician. His authority to write derives from Paul's apostolic authority. The gospel is likely dated early AD60s, before the martyrdom of Paul in AD64-67 or Nero's persecuation in AD65 (28:31 ends with the gospel preached 'without hindrance'). At the end of Acts the gospel has reached Rome - the centre of the ancient world. Both Luke and Acts are addressed to 'Theophilus'. Likely a real person ("most excellent" is the same address Paul uses to address Roman governers in Ac 23:26, 24:2, 26:25).

 1. After completeing the study of the whole book, how do you now understand Qoheleth's repeated statement that "everything is meaningless"? Life is really unfulfilling, unpredictable, unjust and temporary. So we must look to eternity in the way we live. Everything without God’s perspective is meaningless.  Preoccupation with earthly things is meaningless. We must live in light of  eternity  what is left is fearing God and enjoying life   Self-striving is vain /meaningless. Pursuing empty pleasure is meaningless. 2. Which one of the many lessons of the book has stuck in your mind? Why?  " Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind ." (4:6) reminds me that it's fine not to work so hard for what is not ultimately meaningful. Also I like Qoheleth's affirmation that we are to enjoy life despite all its difficulties WJ: “Remember your Creator”  we have the best our ourselves to give when we are young . Qin: Enjoy li

8  Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.   9  Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10  The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. 11  The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12  My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13  The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14  For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.   As we close Eccleiastes with this final section (12:9-14) let us ask ourselves: 1. What is the purpose of Qohelth in writing the book? To teach knowledge (v.9): a body of objective truth To state words of IP right truth (v.10b)   To bring