Against Heresies: Book III

THIS PASSAGE DEMONSTRATES THAT LUKE WAS INSEPARABLE FROM PAUL AND WORKED WITH HIM ON SPREADING THE GOSPEL: not out of pride, but because it was true. Luke describes how, when Barnabas and John (called Mark) parted ways with Paul and sailed to Cyprus, "we came to Troas." When Paul dreamed of a man from Macedonia asking for help, Luke says, "we aimed to go to Macedonia at once, understanding that the Lord had called us to preach the Gospel to them.

So, sailing from Troas, we set our ship's course towards Samothrace." Luke then details their journey to Philippi, how they delivered their first address there—"for, sitting down," he says, "we spoke to the women who had gathered"—and many believed, a great number of them. Again, he states, "we sailed from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread and came to Troas, where we stayed for seven days." Throughout his journey with Paul, Luke records everything diligently: the places, cities, number of days, their arrival in Jerusalem, what happened to Paul there, how he was sent to Rome in chains, the name of the centurion in charge, the signs of the ships, their shipwreck, the island they reached, the kindness they received, Paul healing the chief man of that island, their departure to Puteoli, and their arrival in Rome, including the duration of their stay.

As Luke witnessed all these events, he documented them carefully, confirming he was honest and not boasting. This also proves he was older than those teaching otherwise and not ignorant of the truth. Paul confirmed that Luke was not just a follower but also a co-worker with the apostles, especially himself, in the Epistles: “Demas has left me for Thessalonica; Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.” This shows Luke was always close to Paul. Paul also mentions in the Epistle to the Colossians: “Luke, the beloved physician, greets you.” Therefore, if Luke, always preaching with Paul, called "the beloved" and entrusted to give us a Gospel, learned nothing different from Paul, as the words show, how can others, who were never with Paul, claim they have learned hidden and unspeakable mysteries?

2. Paul taught in a straightforward manner what he knew, not only to those who worked with him, but also to those who listened to him, as he himself demonstrates. When the bishops and presbyters came from Ephesus and the nearby cities and gathered in Miletus—because he was hurrying to Jerusalem to observe Pentecost—after testifying many things to them and declaring what would happen to him in Jerusalem, he added: “I know that you will see my face no more.

THEREFORE: I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all. For I have not avoided declaring to you the entire counsel of God. Be careful, then, both about yourselves and all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to lead the Church of the Lord, which He has acquired for Himself through His own blood.” Referring to the false teachers who would arise, he said: “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock.

Even from among your own number, men will arise, speaking twisted things to draw followers after them.” “I have not avoided,” he says, “declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” In this way, the apostles simply and impartially shared with everyone what they had learned from the Lord. Similarly, Luke impartially conveys to us what he learned from them, as he himself affirmed, saying, “Just as they handed them down to us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word.”

3. Now if anyone dismisses Luke, as someone who did not know the truth, they clearly reject the Gospel of which they claim to be a follower. Through Luke, we have learned about many important parts of the Gospel; for example, the birth of John, the story of Zacharias, the angel's visit to Mary, Elisabeth's exclamation, the angels' visit to the shepherds, their words, the testimony of Anna and Simeon about Christ, and how He was left in Jerusalem at twelve years old; also John’s baptism, the age of the Lord when He was baptized, and that this happened in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar.

AS A TEACHER: He said this to the rich: “Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation;” and “Woe to you who are full, for you will hunger; and you who laugh now, for you will weep;” and, “Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you: for this is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” We know all these things through Luke alone (and many actions of the Lord are mentioned by all [the Evangelists]): the great number of fish Peter's companions caught when, at the Lord’s command, they cast the nets; the woman who had suffered for eighteen years and was healed on the Sabbath; the man with dropsy whom the Lord healed on the Sabbath and how He defended His actions; how He taught His disciples not to seek the places of honor; how we should invite the poor and weak, who cannot repay us; the man who knocked at night to ask for bread and received it due to his persistence; how, when the Lord was dining with a Pharisee, a woman who was a sinner kissed His feet and anointed them with ointment, and what the Lord said to Simon about her regarding the two debtors; also the parable of the rich man who hoarded wealth and was told, “This night your soul will be demanded from you; then whose will those things be that you have prepared?” and similarly, the story of the rich man dressed in purple who lived in luxury, and the poor Lazarus; also the response He gave to His disciples when they said, “Increase our faith;” His conversation with Zaccheus the tax collector; the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple at the same time; the ten lepers whom He cleansed simultaneously; how He told the lame and blind to be gathered to the wedding from the streets and alleys; the parable of the judge who did not fear God, yet was moved by the widow’s persistence to do her justice; and about the fig tree in the vineyard which bore no fruit.

Many other details mentioned only by Luke are also used by Marcion and Valentinus. In addition to all these, [he records] what [Christ] said to His disciples on the road after the resurrection, and how they recognized Him in the breaking of bread.

IT FOLLOWS NATURALLY THAT THESE PEOPLE MUST EITHER ACCEPT THE REST OF HIS STORY OR REJECT THESE PARTS AS WELL: No sensible person can allow them to accept some of the things Luke recounted as true and disregard others, as if he didn't know the truth. If Marcion’s followers reject these, they will have no Gospel; by cutting out parts from Luke's account, as I have already mentioned, they claim to have the Gospel in what remains. The followers of Valentinus must abandon their utterly meaningless talk, for they have taken many opportunities from that Gospel to misinterpret what he has clearly stated. On the other hand, if they feel compelled to accept the remaining portions too, then by studying the complete Gospel and the teachings of the apostles, they will find it necessary to repent so they may be saved from the danger they face.