Chapter 5:

Luke the Historian

The writer known as Luke contributed more to the New Testament than any other single writer in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Luke’s historical statements have been subjected to the most rigorous scrutiny over the centuries, and have been found absolutely accurate, even in matters of detail.¹  As this next section will demonstrate (reasons 44-67), Luke’s historical statements regarding first century geopolitical divisions, social customs, the legal system, the names, titles and influence of particular political rulers, and nautical knowledge, all appear to be completely correct.

While no single point in this next section can be said to prove the entire New Testament true, collectively they form a powerful argument for the trustworthiness of this ancient work known as the Book of Acts. Such precision in matters of detail in Acts regarding lands far removed from each other support the ancient belief that it was penned by Luke, the beloved physician and travelling companion of the apostle Paul.