12th Cent. Illuminated Manuscript of LukeIntroduction to Luke-Acts

• Written by Luke, a Gentile Doctor (and possibly also a lawyer) who was a sometimes travel companion of Paul. (Technically Luke-Acts is anonymous, but we early church historians unanimously declare Luke to be the author. This is further evidenced by the "we" passages in Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; and 27:1-28:16.)
• Most likely written between 60-63 AD, but possibly as late as 80 AD.
• The original audience was more than likely primarily Gentile with some Jews also in their communities.
• Both Luke and Acts are dedicated to Theophilus, most likely an important Roman official and the patron (financial sponsor) of this work by Luke.
• Both Luke-Acts were probably widely distributed in the years immediately following their writing.
• Luke and Acts makes up over 1/4 of the entire New Testament.
• Acts is the only book to tell the history of the church outside of what we glean about specific congregations from the epistles.
• Luke-Acts is written in some of the finest Greek in the New Testament with various styles and nuances that show the care and detail that Luke put into both documents.