Luke’s gospel was written for non-Jewish Christians, as he was of the nations, a Greek Physician, who believed on Jesus Messiah. Luke was writing to document and catalogue the events surrounding Jesus Messiah. We see Luke document John baptizing people and we notice something interesting in the text. But there is possibly another reason as to why Luke was writing his letter. We might say parts of his letter were written for legal defense purposes. Luke’s Gospel may have been written as a trial document for Paul’s first trial before Caesar Nero. Luke’s second letter, The Book of Acts, was most likely a trial document as well for Paul’s first trial, and we notice that Luke concludes the second letter with Paul awaiting his trial before Caesar Nero. A few years later Paul was beheaded after his second appearance before Caesar Nero. Nero needed a scapegoat. Nero was not opposed to Christianity flourishing in the Roman Empire but the Pagan religious leaders and idol makers were, as they were losing money just like in Ephesus. After Paul’s beheading one might think that Christianity would end, disappear, or be extinguished, but on the contrary, it grew and flourished even more. We find another man by the name of Theophilus one hundred and two years after Paul is beheaded, writing letters in a debate with a friend regarding Christianity. His three letters are well written and are an example of clear, concise thinking regarding Christianity at a time when Christianity was still illegal in the Roman Empire. It is an insight into the second century church and the incredible amount of knowledge they had.
We start out in Luke writing to Theophilus the Excellent.
Luk 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Luke notes that others have written accounts and declarations of the things that Christians believe. Notice that Luke includes himself among the believers.
Luk 1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
The other writers delivered their declarations to “us” meaning not only was Luke interviewing people, he had access to the other gospel accounts. By this time anyone who had written their accounting of the events of Jesus Messiah had already had them copied and were continuing to have them copied.
Luk 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Luk 1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
In Rome during the time of the Caesars, written trial documents and written records were prioritized over oral arguments. It was called cognitio extra ordinem or cognitio extraordinaria. Written documentation became the most authoritative proof in court before the Caesars as they were the sole judge. If a Roman citizen appealed to Caesar a local trial stopped and a magistrate was required to send the accused to Rome along with any and all trial documents collected such as the written summons which was written by the complainant and any evidence. The rebuttal trial documents were important to a defendants case. After going to Rome the court relied on all written depositions and then would release a written judgement.
Luke was writing to Theophilus, ‘the most excellent’. Theophilus was probably a prominent official in Rome. Luke writes: ‘That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed', telling us that Theophilus was instructed by someone, maybe Paul himself, in the things of Jesus Messiah. He must be a believer. Theophilus may have recommended Paul have trial documents for his trial and Luke is the one providing them to Theophilus ahead of the trial. Lukes account was being copied as it was being written. This testimony was crucial to Paul’s first appearance before Caesar Nero to which he was acquitted. Paul stayed in a hired house during the time that he awaited trial and wrote many letters to the churches of Asia Minor, from 56 to 58 AD.
A few years later Rome burned (July 64 AD). A fire started in a market place near flammable liquids. Caesar Nero was not singing and fiddling while watching Rome burn, he was in a country house about fifty miles away. But when the debris had been cleared Caesar took over some of the land to build a new palace. That is when the rumors started regarding Caesar singing and fiddling. Some also claimed that Nero had the fires set on purpose. People were upset with Caesar even though he opened up his palace to displaced people. This meant that Caesar needed a scapegoat. He decide that the unpopular Christians would be his target for accusation. Because Christianity does not allow idolatry it put Christians at odds with the Pagan religious leaders, the idol makers, and people who did not wish to change their religion. It was dividing families throughout Rome. Caesar Nero had Paul hunted down in Asia Minor and beheaded him (67 AD) stating that Paul was part of the dangerous factions of Christians. Nero committed suicide in 68 AD after being ousted as Caesar and having to hide himself from the officials that were hunting him.
If we think about the idea of the “gods” of Greece, Rome, and Egypt, we realize that these pretend “gods” with their silly stories were not highly believable even in the first century. But since they had these weird stories regarding their existence it was quite easy to believe in a God who came to earth, who was made visible, who died, and rose up again. The mythologies led the way for people to believe on Jesus Messiah, but in a more believable way than the stories of the “gods”. The gospel was more believable than all the mythologies that could not be proven or tangible. This is why Luke named the people in power during the time when he is writing.
Luke 3:1 G1722 [2in G2094 4year G1161 1And G4003 3 the fifteenth] G3588 of the G2231 governing G* of Tiberius G* Caesar, G2230 and the governing G* of Pontius G* Pilate G3588 of the G* Jews, G2532 and G5075 [2being tetrarch G3588 G* 3of Galilee G* 1Herod], G* and Philip G1161 G3588 G80 his brother G1473 G5075 being tetrarch G3588 G* of Iturea G2532 and G* Trachonitis G5561 the region, G2532 and G* Lysanias G3588 G* being tetrarch of Abilene, G5075
2 G1909 with G749 chief priests G* Annas G2532 and G* Caiaphas…
Luke is specific about the dates. The people and the dates are all tangible as compared to the stories of the “gods”.
Luke 3:2… G1096 came G4487 the word G2316 of God G1909 unto G* John G3588 the G3588 G* son of Zacharias G5207 G1722 in G3588 the G2048 wilderness.
3 G2532 And G2064 he went G1519 into G3956 all G3588 the G4066 place round about G3588 the G* Jordan G2784 proclaiming G908 an immersion G3341 of repentance G1519 for G859 a release G266 of sins;
4 G5613 as G1125 it has been written G1722 in G976 the book G3056 of the words G* of Isaiah G3588 the G4396 prophet, G3004 saying, G5456 A voice G994 yelling G1722 in G3588 the G2048 wilderness, G2090 Prepare G3588 the G3598 way G2962 of the Lord! G2117 [2straight G4160 1Make] G3588 G5147 his roads! G1473
5 G3956 Every G5327 ravine G4137 shall be filled, G2532 and G3956 every G3735 mountain G2532 and G1015 hill G5013 shall be lowered; G2532 and G1510.8.3 [3will be G3588 1the G4646 2crooked] G1519 for G2117 straight, G2532 and G3588 the G5138 rough G1519 for G3598 [2ways G3006 1smooth];
6 G2532 and G3708 [3shall see G3956 1all G4561 2flesh] G3588 the G4992 deliverance G3588 G2316 of God.
John speaks to the multitudes.
Luke 3:7 G3004 He said G3767 then G3588 to the G1607 [2coming forth G3793 1multitudes] G907 to be immersed G5259 by G1473 him, G1081 Offspring G2191 of vipers, G5100 who G5263 indicated G1473 to you G5343 to flee G575 from G3588 the G3195 [2about to be G3709 1wrath]?
8 G4160 Do G3767 then G2590 fruits G514 worthy G3588 of the G3341 repentance! G2532 For G3361 you should not G756 begin G3004 to say G1722 among G1438 yourselves, G3962 [2father G2192 1We have] G3588 G* Abraham; G3004 for I say G1063 G1473 to you, G3754 that G1410 God is able G3588 G2316 G1537 from out of G3588 G3037 these stones G3778 G1453 to raise G5043 children G3588 to G* Abraham.
Who warned the people to flee the wrath to come? They knew there would be a wrath at the end of the age, during the tribulation, so it is possible they thought the wrath was going to be upon them soon. The way they were preparing was to repent. They could not rely on their genealogy. John goes on.
Luke 3:9 G2235 But already G1161 G2532 even G3588 the G513 axe G4314 [2at G3588 3the G4491 4root G3588 5of the G1186 6trees G2749 1is situated]. G3956 Every G3767 tree then G1186 G3361 not G4160 producing G2590 [2fruit G2570 1good] G1581 is cut down, G2532 and G1519 [2into G4442 3 the fire G906 1thrown].
This is scary. No wonder they were asking, but notice the groups that wanted to know what to do, the general population, the tax collectors, and the soldiers.
Luke 3:10 G2532 And G1905 [3asked G1473 4him G3588 1the G3793 2multitudes], G3004 saying, G5100 What G3767 then G4160 shall we do?
11 G611 And answering G1161 G3004 he says G1473 to them, G3588 The one G2192 having G1417 two G5509 inner garments, G3330 share G3588 with the one G3361 not G2192 having! G2532 And G3588 the one G2192 having G1033 foods, G3668 in like manner G4160 do!
John tells the people to give of what they have.
Luke 3:12 G2064 And there came G1161 G2532 also G5057 tax collectors G907 to be immersed, G2532 and G2036 they said G4314 to G1473 him, G1320 Teacher, G5100 what G4160 shall we do?
13 G3588 And he G1161 G2036 said G4314 to G1473 them, G3367 [2nothing G4183 3more G3844 4beyond G3588 5that G1299 6being set in order G1473 7to you G4238 1exact]!
Since the tax collectors were hated by the people, they wanted to make sure they would not be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Luke 3:14 G1905 [3asked G1161 1And G1473 4him G2532 5also G4754 2soldiers], G3004 saying, G2532 And G1473 we, G5100 what G4160 shall we do? G2532 And G2036 he said G4314 to G1473 them, G3367 No one G1286 should you shake up G3366 nor G4811 extort, G2532 and G714 let [2be sufficient G3588 G3800 1your rations]! G1473
Who were these soldiers? Israel didn’t have an army. Israel was an occupied country. These could have been temple guards but probably not as John was in the wilderness by the Jordan river. These were more likely Roman soldiers, the only soldiers allowed in Israel. It is interesting that Luke notes this as the other gospel writers do not. Luke is making a point for us, the nations at that time, Roman soldiers, were being baptized and repenting. They heard the message and believed a Messiah was coming.
Notice that there are no religious leaders here in Lukes account. Matthew says there were Pharisees and Sadducees who had come to his baptism, not that they were baptized but they came to watch and question.
Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
John says this:
Jhn 1:24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
Jhn 1:25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
Jhn 1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
Jhn 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
Jhn 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
If the Pharisees and Sadducees were going to be baptized they would have been in the water, not standing on the shore watching and asking questions. It would have been a big deal for a Pharisee or Sadducee to get baptized, with all the long robes they wore, it would have been recorded, especially if they would have been baptized with the common people and gentiles. They probably would have been condemned by their peers. Instead, the regular people, the tax collectors, and the Roman soldiers were getting baptized and being released for their sins.
If these are trial documents for Paul, Luke is pointing out for Caesar Nero to read, that this is not only about the Jews but also about Rome’s own soldiers. It is risky, but as we know Nero was more annoyed with the Jews than he was with Christians at this time. So not only did Nero find out that his soldiers were being baptized, Theophilus found out as well.
The people were waiting and anticipating and reasoning in their hearts as to whether John was the Messiah, John answers their thoughts.
Luke 3:15 G4328 [4were expecting G1161 1And G3588 2the G2992 3people], G2532 and G1260 all were reasoning G3956 G1722 in G3588 G2588 their hearts G1473 G4012 concerning G3588 G* John, G3379 if perhaps G1473 he G1510.4 may be G3588 the G5547 Christ.
16 G611 John answered G3588 G* G537 all together, G3004 saying, G1473 I G3303 indeed G5204 [3in water G907 1immerse G1473 2you], G2064 but comes G1161 G3588 the one G2478 stronger than G1473 me, G3739 of whom G3756 I am not G1510.2.1 G2425 fit G3089 to untie G3588 the G2438 strap G3588 G5266 of his sandals; G1473 G1473 he G1473 will immerse you G907 G1722 in G4151 [2spirit G39 1holy] G2532 and G4442 in fire;
John says that the one coming, the Messiah, will immerse the repentant ones with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The baptism of fire is the burning away of sin. It is purification. Being baptized with the Holy Spirit means one is immersed in the Spirit of the Elohim and has the Holy Spirit on the inside. The fire burns the old sins, the Holy Spirit then fills the believer. John continues.
Luke 3:17 G3739 of whom G3588 the G4425 winnowing fan G1722 is in G3588 G5495 his hand, G1473 G2532 and G1245 he will thoroughly cleanse G3588 G257 his threshing-floor; G1473 G2532 and G4863 he will gather G3588 the G4621 grain G1519 into G3588 G596 his storehouse; G1473 G3588 and the G1161 G892 straw G2618 he will incinerate with G4442 [2fire G762 1inextinguishable].
18 G4183 [4many G3303 2indeed G3767 3then G2532 1And] G2087 other things G3870 comforting G2097 he announced good news to G3588 the G2992 people.
The Messiah will come with a winnowing fan, a pitchfork, to throughly cleanse and purge his floor. He is not going to miss any debris on the floor, he is not going leave any wheat behind. Then the chaff will be incinerated with inextinguishable fire.
Imagine explaining this to a Caesar, one who may or may not be happy about hearing Jesus is coming with a pitchfork to burn up the sinful people. Theophilus believed on the Lord Jesus as Messiah, so this wasn’t a problem for him. It is suspected that there are some people of Nero’s household who did become Christians and knew Paul well.
Keeping in mind that Luke is speaking to the gentiles, the goyim, the nations, pay close attention to what Jesus says. Here is the sign.
Luke 11:29 G3588 And the G1161 G3793 multitudes G1865 being gathered together, G756 he began G3004 to say, G3588 G1074 This generation G3778 G4190 is wicked; G1510.2.3 G4592 [2a sign G1934 1it seeks anxiously], G2532 and G4592 no sign G3756 G1325 shall be given G1473 it, G1508 except G3588 the G4592 sign G* of Jonah G3588 the G4396 prophet.
30 G2531 For as G1063 G1096 Jonah became G* G4592 a sign G3588 to the G* Ninevites, G3779 so G1510.8.3 shall be G2532 also G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G3588 to G1074 this generation. G3778
This is the sign. The wicked generation anxiously wants a sign but they didn’t like this sign. The anti-Christs, the Jesus rejectors, won’t even believe this sign. They have no faith. There will be harsh judgment against them. The generation that Jesus is speaking of are a generation of anti-Christs and Jesus rejectors. When did this generation start? When Jesus was prophesied to come, before he came to earth, then they rejected him while he was here. Jesus has been rejected by people ever since he came to earth. This is the wicked perverse generation of people that takes after their father the diabolos, Satanas. This generation wants another sign but none are given.
Luke 11:31 G938 The queen G3558 of the south G1453 shall arise G1722 in G3588 the G2920 judgment G3326 with G3588 the G435 men G3588 G1074 of this generation, G3778 G2532 and G2632 shall condemn G1473 them; G3754 for G2064 she came G1537 from G3588 the G4009 ends G3588 of the G1093 earth G191 to hear G3588 the G4678 wisdom G* of Solomon; G2532 and G2400 behold, G4183 more than G* a Solomon G5602 is here.
32 G435 Men of Nineveh G* G450 shall rise up G1722 in G3588 the G2920 judgment G3326 with G3588 G1074 this generation, G3778 G2532 and G2632 shall condemn G1473 it; G3754 for G3340 they repented G1519 at G3588 the G2782 proclamation G* of Jonah; G2532 and G2400 behold, G4183 more than G* a Jonah G5602 is here.
The queen of the south will arise in judgment. What does this mean? When the anti-Christs and Jesus rejectors are judged, the queen of the south will condemn them. Why? She had to travel a long distance to meet Solomon and learn about Yahweh. She believed a Messiah was coming. Was she a Jew? Did she come from Israel? No, yet not only do these Jews have Jesus in front of them, the following generations of anti-Christs have the written logos of Yahweh Elohim for a testimony.
The men of Nineveh are also going to condemn this generation of anti-Christs and Jesus rejectors in judgment because they lived without the knowledge of Yahweh Elohim, but when they heard the prophecy of Jonah they repented. The entire city repented. Everyone repented, not just some of the people but all of the people. Were these people Jews? No. They were Assyrians. Nineveh was founded by Nimrod on the eastern bank of the Tigris. Jonah came into the city around 750-740 BC saying that within forty days the city would be destroyed. The people fasted and put on sackcloth. They took the warning of a random prophet and they were spared. The northern kingdom later went into captivity around 721 BC. Again the non-Jews listen to the warnings and prayed and fasted to Yahweh Elohim. This is why the anti-Christ generations are being warned, because they will be judged by gentiles who did believe. John warned them. Jesus is warning them. They still reject Jesus.
What would be going through the mind of Nero, reading the history of why Paul is being persecuted by the Jews? He sees the non-Jews believe on Yahweh Elohim/Jesus Messiah, and that the non-Jews will be judging the Jews. Rome had many religions at this time, why were the Jews so hostile? We should also remember that Paul was a Roman citizen. What the Jews were trying to do was kill a Roman citizen. Some of the Jews took an oath to murder Paul, and they kept trying to kill him until Paul was taken to Rome.
Jesus tells us what we should do so that we are not condemned with the wicked anti-Christ, Jesus rejector, generations.
Luke 12:8 G3004 But I say G1161 G1473 to you, G3956 Every one G3739 who G302 ever G3670 should make acknowledgement G1722 in G1473 me G1715 before G3588 G444 men, G2532 also G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G3670 will make acknowledgement G1722 in G1473 him G1715 before G3588 the G32 angels G3588 G2316 of God.
Simply acknowledge Jesus before men. Confess Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that the Elohim rose him up on the third day.
Luke 12:9 G3588 But the one G1161 G720 denying G1473 me G1799 before G3588 G444 men, G533 will be totally rejected G1799 before G3588 the G32 angels G3588 G2316 of God.
That’s clear.
Luke 12:10 G2532 And G3956 every one G3739 who G2046 shall say G3056 a word G1519 against G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man, G863 it shall be forgiven G1473 him; G3588 but to the one G1161 G1519 [2against G3588 3the G39 4holy G4151 5spirit G987 1blaspheming], G3756 it will not G863 be forgiven.
Anyone who confesses Jesus should not speak against the Holy Spirit because that blasphemy is unforgivable. This does not mean people won’t be saved but they will not be forgiven for speaking against the Holy Spirit. Remember the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven. This is why a believer in Christ should not blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
Luke 12:11 G3752 And whenever G1161 G4374 they should bring G1473 you G1909 unto G3588 the G4864 synagogues, G2532 and G3588 the G746 rulers, G2532 and G3588 the G1849 authorities, G3361 be not G3309 anxious! G4459 how G2228 or G5100 what G626 you should plead G2228 or G5100 what G2036 you should say.
12 G3588 For the G1063 G39 holy G4151 spirit G1321 shall teach G1473 you G1722 in G1473 that same G3588 G5610 hour G3739 what G1163 is necessary G2036 to say.
The Holy Spirit will give us the words that we need to speak when we stand before the synagogue leaders, the rulers, and the authorities. Luke’s trial documents were the history and background of the things going on in Jerusalem which led up to Paul becoming a Christian. Luke’s second letter to Theophilus, which we call The Book of Acts, continues into the time when Paul was imprisoned, awaiting trial by Caesar. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a “Luke” writing legal documents for them.
The Holy Spirit resides in us, and helps us in our witness to others. A little over one hundred years after Paul was beheaded (67 AD) another Theophilus, who was the Patriarch of Antioch, wrote a letter to a friend named Autolycus. Theophilus was patriarch from 169-187 who succeeded Eros as Patriarch and was succeeded by Maximus. The two were having a lively debate about Christianity verses paganism. Theophilus wrote three lengthy letters and later the paragraphs were given headings for easier reading and context. Theophilus explains Christianity to his pagan friend and explains God, the Elohim, his nature, and our need for faith.
Theophilus Patriarch of Antioch, to Autolycus
Chapter 1. Autolycus an Idolater and Scorner of Christians.
A fluent tongue and an elegant style afford pleasure and such praise as vainglory delights in, to wretched men who have been corrupted in mind; the lover of truth does not give heed to ornamented speeches, but examines the real matter of the speech, what it is, and what kind it is. Since, then, my friend, you have assailed me with empty words, boasting of your gods of wood and stone, hammered and cast, carved and graven, which neither see nor hear, for they are idols, and the works of men's hands; and since, besides, you call me a Christian, as if this were a damning name to bear, I, for my part, avow that I am a Christian, and bear this name beloved of God, hoping to be serviceable to God. For it is not the case, as you suppose, that the name of God is hard to bear; but possibly you entertain this opinion of God, because you are yourself yet unserviceable to Him.
Chapter 2. That the Eyes of the Soul Must Be Purged Ere God Can Be Seen.
But if you say, “Show me your God,” I would reply, “Show me yourself, and I will show you my God.” Show, then, that the eyes of your soul are capable of seeing, and the ears of your heart able to hear; for as those who look with the eyes of the body perceive earthly objects and what concerns this life, and discriminate at the same time between things that differ, whether light or darkness, white or black, deformed or beautiful, well-proportioned and symmetrical or disproportioned and awkward, or monstrous or mutilated; and as in like manner also, by the sense of hearing, we discriminate either sharp, or deep, or sweet sounds; so the same holds good regarding the eyes of the soul and the ears of the heart, that it is by them we are able to behold God. For God is seen by those who are enabled to see Him when they have the eyes of their soul opened: for all have eyes; but in some they are overspread, and do not see the light of the sun. Yet it does not follow, because the blind do not see, that the light of the sun does not shine; but let the blind blame themselves and their own eyes. So also you, O man, have the eyes of your soul overspread by your sins and evil deeds. As a burnished mirror, so ought man to have his soul pure. When there is rust on the mirror, it is not possible that a man's face be seen in the mirror; so also when there is sin in a man, such a man cannot behold God. Do you, therefore, show me yourself, whether you are not an adulterer, or a fornicator, or a thief, or a robber, or a purloiner; whether you do not corrupt boys; whether you are not insolent, or a slanderer, or passionate, or envious, or proud, or supercilious; whether you are not a brawler, or covetous, or disobedient to parents; and whether you do not sell your children; for to those who do these things God is not manifest, unless they have first cleansed themselves from all impurity. All these things, then, involve you in darkness, as when a filmy defluxion on the eyes prevents one from beholding the light of the sun: thus also do iniquities, man, involve you in darkness, so that you cannot see God.
Chapter 3. Nature of God.
You will say, then, to me, “Do you, who see God, explain to me the appearance of God.” Hear, O man. The appearance of God is ineffable and indescribable, and cannot be seen by eyes of flesh. For in glory He is incomprehensible, in greatness unfathomable, in height inconceivable, in power incomparable, in wisdom unrivaled, in goodness inimitable, in kindness unutterable. For if I say He is Light, I name but His own work; if I call Him Word, I name but His sovereignty; if I call Him Mind, I speak but of His wisdom; if I say He is Spirit, I speak of His breath; if I call Him Wisdom, I speak of His offspring; if I call Him Strength, I speak of His sway; if I call Him Power, I am mentioning His activity; if Providence, I but mention His goodness; if I call Him Kingdom, I but mention His glory; if I call Him Lord, I mention His being judge; if I call Him Judge, I speak of Him as being just; if I call Him Father, I speak of all things as being from Him; if I call Him Fire, I but mention His anger. You will say, then, to me, “Is God angry?” Yes; He is angry with those who act wickedly, but He is good, and kind, and merciful, to those who love and fear Him; for He is a chastener of the godly, and father of the righteous; but he is a judge and punisher of the impious.
Chapter 4. Attributes of God.
And He is without beginning, because He is unbegotten; and He is unchangeable, because He is immortal. And he is called God [Θεός] on account of His having placed [τεθεικέναι] all things on security afforded by Himself; and on account of [θέειν], for θέειν means running, and moving, and being active, and nourishing, and foreseeing, and governing, and making all things alive. But he is Lord, because He rules over the universe; Father, because he is before all things; Fashioner and Maker, because He is creator and maker of the universe; the Highest, because of His being above all; and Almighty, because He Himself rules and embraces all. For the heights of heaven, and the depths of the abysses, and the ends of the earth, are in His hand, and there is no place of His rest. For the heavens are His work, the earth is His creation, the sea is His handiwork; man is His formation and His image; sun, moon, and stars are His elements, made for signs, and seasons, and days, and years, that they may serve and be slaves to man; and all things God has made out of things that were not into things that are, in order that through His works His greatness may be known and understood.
Chapter 5. The Invisible God Perceived Through His Works.
For as the soul in man is not seen, being invisible to men, but is perceived through the motion of the body, so God cannot indeed be seen by human eyes, but is beheld and perceived through His providence and works. For, in like manner, as any person, when he sees a ship on the sea rigged and in sail, and making for the harbour, will no doubt infer that there is a pilot in her who is steering her; so we must perceive that God is the governor [pilot] of the whole universe, though He be not visible to the eyes of the flesh, since He is incomprehensible. For if a man cannot look upon the sun, though it be a very small heavenly body, on account of its exceeding heat and power, how shall not a mortal man be much more unable to face the glory of God, which is unutterable? For as the pomegranate, with the rind containing it, has within it many cells and compartments which are separated by tissues, and has also many seeds dwelling in it, so the whole creation is contained by the spirit of God, and the containing spirit is along with the creation contained by the hand of God. As, therefore, the seed of the pomegranate, dwelling inside, cannot see what is outside the rind, itself being within; so neither can man, who along with the whole creation is enclosed by the hand of God, behold God. Then again, an earthly king is believed to exist, even though he be not seen by all; for he is recognized by his laws and ordinances, and authorities, and forces, and statues; and are you unwilling that God should be recognized by His works and mighty deeds?
Chapter 6. God is Known by His Works.
Consider, O man, His works — the timely rotation of the seasons, and the changes of temperature; the regular march of the stars; the well-ordered course of days and nights, and months, and years; the various beauty of seeds, and plants, and fruits; and the various species of quadrupeds, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, both of the rivers and of the sea; or consider the instinct implanted in these animals to beget and rear offspring, not for their own profit, but for the use of man; and the providence with which God provides nourishment for all flesh, or the subjection in which He has ordained that all things subserve mankind. Consider, too, the flowing of sweet fountains and never-failing rivers, and the seasonable supply of dews, and showers, and rains; the manifold movement of the heavenly bodies, the morning star rising and heralding the approach of the perfect luminary; and the constellation of Pleiades, and Orion, and Arcturus, and the orbit of the other stars that circle through the heavens, all of which the manifold wisdom of God has called by names of their own. He is God alone who made light out of darkness, and brought forth light from His treasures, and formed the chambers of the south wind, Job 9:9 and the treasure-houses of the deep, and the bounds of the seas, and the treasuries of snows and hail-storms, collecting the waters in the storehouses of the deep, and the darkness in His treasures, and bringing forth the sweet, and desirable, and pleasant light out of His treasures; “who causes the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: He makes lightnings for the rain;” who sends forth His thunder to terrify, and foretells by the lightning the peal of the thunder, that no soul may faint with the sudden shock; and who so moderates the violence of the lightning as it flashes out of heaven, that it does not consume the earth; for, if the lightning were allowed all its power, it would burn up the earth; and were the thunder allowed all its power, it would overthrow all the works that are therein.
Chapter 7. We Shall See God When We Put on Immortality.
This is my God, the Lord of all, who alone stretched out the heaven, and established the breadth of the earth under it; who stirs the deep recesses of the sea, and makes its waves roar; who rules its power, and stills the tumult of its waves; who founded the earth upon the waters, and gave a spirit to nourish it; whose breath gives light to the whole, who, if He withdraw His breath, the whole will utterly fail. By Him you speak, O man; His breath you breathe yet Him you know not. And this is your condition, because of the blindness of your soul, and the hardness of your heart. But, if you will, you may be healed. Entrust yourself to the Physician, and He will couch the eyes of your soul and of your heart. Who is the Physician? God, who heals and makes alive through His word and wisdom. God by His own word and wisdom made all things; for “by His word were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” Most excellent is His wisdom. By His wisdom God founded the earth; and by knowledge He prepared the heavens; and by understanding were the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the clouds poured out their dews. If you perceive these things, O man, living chastely, and holily, and righteously, you can see God. But before all let faith and the fear of God have rule in your heart, and then shall you understand these things. When you shall have put off the mortal, and put on incorruption, then shall you see God worthily. For God will raise your flesh immortal with your soul; and then, having become immortal, you shall see the Immortal, if now you believe in Him; and then you shall know that you have spoken unjustly against Him.
Chapter 8. Faith Required in All Matters.
But you do not believe that the dead are raised. When the resurrection shall take place, then you will believe, whether you want to or not; and your faith shall be reckoned for unbelief, unless you believe now. And why do you not believe? Do you not know that faith is the leading principle in all matters? For what husbandman can reap, unless he first trusts his seed to the earth? Or who can cross the sea, unless he first entrusts himself to the boat and the pilot? And what sick person can be healed, unless first he trusts himself to the care of the physician? And what art or knowledge can anyone learn, unless he first applies and entrusts himself to the teacher? If, then, the husbandman trusts the earth, and the sailor the boat, and the sick the physician, will you not place confidence in God, even when you hold so many pledges at His hand? For first He created you out of nothing, and brought you into existence (for if your father was not, nor your mother, much more were you yourself at one time not in being), and formed you out of a small and moist substance, even out of the least drop, which at one time had itself no being; and God introduced you into this life. Moreover, you believe that the images made by men are gods, and do great things; and can you not believe that the God who made you is able also to make you afterwards?
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/02041.htm
One thousand eight hundred and fifty nine years later, Theophilus’ letter is still relevant to Christians and non-Christians. We should understand that people wrote long letters and long trial documents, and that was part of a culture without recordings, electronics, and advanced communications. This is just a partial portion of Theophilus’ first letter, there are two more letters to Autolycus.
Most people never mention that John was baptizing gentiles as well as Jews. Luke did, and it is for our benefit. The witness to the nations did not start on the Day of Pentecost but around the time of Genesis 3:15. There were many other gentiles mentioned in the Bible who believed a Messiah was going to come or believed he had come. During John’s preparing the way for the Messiah, gentiles joined in on water baptism in the wilderness. And while those who like to re-imagine history would distort the message and actions of John the baptist we can clearly see that John was baptizing all people, and the Pharisees and Sadducees were standing by watching and asking questions. Because many of the Jews did not recognize the time of Jesus’ visitation, they are held in judgment by their peers from the Queen of Sheba and also Nineveh. Non-Jews were believing in Yahweh Elohim/Jesus Messiah all through history. This is why Luke documented this to Caesar on Paul’s behalf. Christianity continued to grow after Paul’s beheading, and eventually became a legal religion throughout the Roman Empire. We are indebted to all the first century Christians for their courageous stand.
