Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 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, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)
Likewise, Acts opens with a similar statement which is also addressed to a man named Theophilus:
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3)
Other evidence available is that the end of Luke is precisely where Acts begins; the similar, high quality Greek language style in both books which leads to the speculation that Luke was a Gentile; the book is as clear and organized as the gospel account; and the precision of detail, as would be expected of a man trained in the sciences or of an historian. Luke's details of people, places and events recorded here is unequalled in the scriptures. Luke never claims for himself to have been an eyewitness of the events of his gospel, but apparently he was a participant along with Paul in many of the events recorded in Acts (cf. Acts 21:17; Acts 27:1). Besides that which he witnessed himself, other sources, which he references in Luke 1:3, were Peter, John, Mark, James, Philip, Paul, and perhaps Barnabas.
Click on the link to read day 22: Acts 11:1-16:24
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