Daily Bible Reading 27th February 2026 // Luke 1:1-4
1 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.
There are four things mentioned particularly in Luke's introduction: first of all, he says that his investigation goes right back to the course of events at the commencement of the gospel history; secondly, that he investigated 'all things'; thirdly, that he examined everything 'carefully'; and fourthly, that he composed his narrative 'in order'; it is an orderly account that he has given. Two points must be noted: on the one hand, Luke's emphasis is clearly on the historicity of the truth of the gospel. It is the integrity of the record that is stressed. The gospel, the good news of God, is anchored in history. And conviction comes through accurate historical truth. Faith can, and must, rest on unshakeable historical grounds. Furthermore, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit does not, it is clear, dispense with hard, systematic historical investigation and scholarly research. Rather, it depends on it. This is the quality of Luke's testimony; and it is salutary to realise this, when we are sometimes faced today with a contemptuous disregard for education by some who claim that dependence on the Holy Spirit dispenses with scholarly processes. The apostles would certainly not have anything to do with such peculiar ideas! The historicity of the gospel, yes, but it is not merely historic fact that Luke emphasises. The historic facts are presented within the framework of theological interpretation. Luke was also a theologian, and the truth he presents is not only historical but religious. As has already been indicated, he wrote 'from faith to faith' - i.e. from the standpoint of faith, and he sets about showing the gospel to be the unfolding of the divine drama of redemption.