Session Thirteen
Study of the Word - Luke 1: 1-4
The Word of the Lord, the New Testament that is Given To Man Explained
By Rev. Paul Booth
Study of the Word - Luke 1: 1-4
The Word of the Lord, the New Testament that is Given To Man Explained
By Rev. Paul Booth
"Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative (declaration) of those things which have been fulfilled (believed) among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed" (Luke 1: 1-4).
In these four verses Luke addresses his friend, Theophilus, and explains to him why he wrote. Essentially, he wants him to know Jesus as Lord, and that he has faith in Him and probably wants to assure him in his conversion to Christianity. We note that Luke was a Gentile himself and a proselyte, but he was also a physician, that he became associated with Paul for sometime, for he was spoken of by Paul in some of his Epistles.
These four verses understood from their literal sense reveal why Luke wrote the third Gospel to Theophilus, but only according to its natural sense such knowledge is probably only interesting to the historian and student of theology. It is the narrative or declaration of the Lord's life itself that mainly interests most followers of Jesus, for they see nothing of the Lord Himself in this short explanation of why Luke writes to his friend. Nonetheless, in one respect, Luke was also an excellent historian, for he seems to write in detail what he was told and in a very beautiful way, where the stories about Jesus brings us back again and again to reading them. However, it is this introduction to the narrative that we want to examine in its spiritual sense so that the internal sense of these words may be known and the truths to help form our doctrine and faith.
In our study we begin with reading, "Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us" ( Luke 1: 10).
The spiritual sense of these words is:
'Seeing that all those who have received truth have appropriated such truth from the Lord in power to willingly communicate the presence of the Lord, Who is the Truth, so, that the truth can flow into man and that he may also have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and, thus be saved.'
The explication:
'Many' is predicated of truths and, so, of those who have received the truth that the Lord spoke while manifested before mankind on earth. These were necessarily the disciples and the few who followed and believed Him, which, also, were the beginning of the Christian Church. To have 'taken' is signified to appropriate and, so, to have received those truths spoken of by the Jesus Christ. By 'in hand' is meant to receive in power to communicate, thus, it was received in their hearts, that is, in their wills, and not just in their understanding and in one's memory. To 'set in order' is meant in particular to present the Lord, for He is Order Itself and that order is seen in the Word, for there is not an external truth without an internal truth. Thus, it is that what Luke and others had received they were to present to the world in a written Word, for the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the Divine Truth Itself, was manifested as the Truth as He has said 'I am the Truth'. Thus, it is, by 'a declaration' is signified that what flows into man's mind, that is, into his will and understanding are truths, for 'those things' referred, here, are predicated of truths. By 'believed' signifies the faith of those who followed the Lord that He could save the world.
We continue with the next verse, "Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word;" (Luke 1: 2).
The internal meaning is:
'Moreover, those who have followed the truths that they received that have now brought forth Heavenly faith and life into man, and thus, is a man's beginning of regeneration and a new life according to its reception, which comes through those who communicate the truth that was spoken to them and who receives and follows in charity.'
The explication:
'Delivered' signifies the bringing forth of the faith of Heaven and of Life, which are the truths that are appropriated and, thus, regenerate or save. 'Them' refers to the truths themselves and, 'unto us' are signified to those who follow in obedience, that is, who believe and have faith. It is from such a 'beginning' that a man's regeneration is meant, that he receives true 'life' through instructions taught in those truths - the Word of the Lord - the New Testament. 'Beginning' is predicated of a time or state, so, here, it is meant when a man is born anew and when he receives a new life. It is, here, the state in which a man begins to be instructed. It can be seen that by the 'eye' is signified the understanding and that what a man sees naturally are truths seen through 'natural light' or natural scientifics, and what he sees through his 'understanding' is from spiritual light or truths. Thus, by 'eyewitnesses' are meant to speak the truth, and thereby, to confirm goods and truths, for a witness confirms truth from good and good from truth. That there are four Gospel writers and not just one is because one truth understood naturally does not confirm, but several do when they are in connection. And, by 'ministers of the word' signifies those who do the work of charity. To clarify this it should be known that charity is being just and fair. Thus, can be seen the usefulness of confirming the Word and in speaking the truth and in doing the works of charity, for in these actions are truth and good confirmed in a man
Continuing with verse three we read, "It seemed good to me also, having the perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto you, in order, most excellent Theophophilus" (Luke 1: 3).
The internal sense is:
'It appears right to those who have received spiritual light, that is, the Divine Truth manifested in this world that truths become implanted in those who have not heard the Gospel - the Good News, that is, the truths about the Lord's coming - in order to receive a new rational from the Lord, thus, conjoining them with the Lord and Heaven.'
The Explication:
There are here several words that help reveal how the spiritual is to be understood. First, there is the word 'good'. Good is predicated of a religious principle, but is also understood as a moral and civil principle, so even to the man who is without religious or genuine truths on earth 'good' can be seen as what is 'right'. Thus, 'it seemed good' signifies what appears right. In this is meant to write the account of the life story of Jesus as is seen in the declaration or narrative that follows. Now, here, we come to Luke, for the word 'me' refers to Luke and, so, the question is asked, what does Luke mean spiritually? All names in the Word signify various qualities in Heaven, and are not meant the person himself. From a natural sense Luke was chosen of the Lord to write the Gospel, but his quality that was seen was of a physician - one who heals. So, we, too, can abstractly understand the quality of healing when the word Luke is read. However, in the spiritual sense 'physician' refers to the taking away of evils and falsities, for these are a man's spiritual illnesses. So the words that Luke writes are to those who want to be healed, that is, to be redeemed and saved from death and sin. Thus, by his 'having perfect understanding of all things' means that he received such knowledge through affection, for it is an affection that causes the act and the understanding then follows. Otherwise, if the understanding leads, it follows evils and falsities that rule us. That, that understanding was 'perfect' is because he came into a state of goodness and, therefore, could receive spiritual light or truth. In order to show that as the Lord's goodness that a man receives perfect understanding it should be known that spiritual truths do not remain with a man, unless the man has a perception of good, that is, that good is in him, thus in doing good truths are taught by the truths of the Word, which is the Lord in man. Of course, by 'all things' are meant all truths, for the truth has been manifested though love and is its essence, though this is hidden to those on earth, for mankind is in the natural state not the spiritual. Next, we see that Luke says that he received this knowledge from the 'very first.' When we read these words with the Lord in mind, we see that the very Lord is meant, for we immediately understand, that This is truly the Lord, for the Lord has said that He was the 'First' and the 'Last' or the Only God. Thus, by 'first' signifies the Lord, who is truly Man. It is the 'very first' that is the Divine, for every particular is from Him concerning the whole, thus from the Divine flows the very or true life. 'To write' signifies to implant in (one's) life. It therefore follows that it means to commit to paper and thus to make record for future posterity, but spiritually it is to commit to the heart for reception. For, it is received through the affection as pointed out above. To write unto 'you', although it refers to his friend Theophilus, refers to mankind on earth, but in particular to those who follow the Lord. A Christian knows it is to him that the Gospel is written. Here, again, the name Theophilus signifies some particular quality. Now, he was a Gentile and, therefore, was without the Word, that is, the truths of the Lord and was outside the Church. He had, in fact, been taught falsities, or at least he was without the knowledge of the Lord who came to earth for man's redemption. So, the words that were written to him telling of Jesus are, indeed, to be understood as treatment to the spiritually ill. Thus, is it also to all who do not have such a life that comes from the Lord, having not had it implanted within their hearts, that is, in their wills. 'In order' is referred to in the following verse. Thus, it is for the purpose that the history of Jesus Christ's life on earth be written. However, by 'order' is also implied its cause and the means, not just the purpose. The cause is God and the means are from God. It is therefore, God's truth and His good, His wisdom and His love, in one's mind so that a man may have a true 'rational' implanted from the Lord within, that he may truly live conjoined with the Lord God, that he comes into regeneration and, thus, comes into Heaven forever.
Finally, we read "That you might know the certainty of those things, wherein you have been instructed" (Luke 1: 4).
The internal sense is:
'It is, therefore, to those, who want and need spiritual healing, that is, redemption and regeneration that they are taught from the Lord, and receive without any doubt a new will and understanding and are, thus, able to receive a new doctrine, that is, a new Word - the new Testament.'
Here, as before, by 'you' is signified the person who does not have the truths that lead to his redemption and regeneration. And, 'to know' is to be taught from God. So, although, from these words, understood literally, you could understand that man can know truth, for it is the Lord who teaches them. However, from the perspective of the man, it is he who learns. Thus, 'to know' also refers to 'instruction' and by such one receives a new will and understanding as we said above and that the purpose is that one forms new interiors, and thus, has an internal or spiritual so that the reception of the good of love and the doctrine of faith are perceived from the Lord and not from the one's self, thus spiritually a man is led through a rational from the Lord. Here, the principle truth is that the Divine truths and goods flows into a man as man accepts them given to him through the written Word, in this case, by Luke who was chosen of the Lord. By 'certainty' is meant without doubt. Here, 'without doubt' signified that there is no temptation in which the Lord's presence and mercy is doubted, and instead there is an assurance that the Lord is present and is merciful.
The spiritual doctrine revealed:
I Truth comes through its appropriation, and is the presence of the Lord and, as its flows into man, man's faith is increased.
II In that faith received, man is redeemed and can become regenerated and he receives a new life, which is of charity.
III That process is from God (the Father) manifested as the Truth (who is the Son) and who came on earth as a man so that a new rational from the Lord (which is the Holy Spirit) who teaches him.
IV It is the affection of spiritual truths (spiritual scientifics) that man is led in his redemption and regeneration so that a new Doctrine or Word is received within.
In further explanation it should be known that the presence of the Lord with man is through the Church. And, the Church at that time was with the Israelites, and the reason the Lord came to earth was that that Church's end was coming, and so, He came to establish a new Church, which we know was called the Christian Church. Now, the Lord's presence on earth was through representatives and these are seen in a Church's worship. Since, man lives in a natural state and the spiritual is not revealed to him until the work of regeneration is complete and that is when the Lord came again, then the Christian Church established at that time by the Lord was also a representative Church. It is when the Word's spiritual sense becomes revealed that the Lord is not only present, but is conjoined with him. So, it is that the Lord has to come again in another new Word that reveals the Lord's conjunction with man, and not only in his presence, in which is the man's regeneration. In the Lord's first coming was a man's redemption seen as his reformation and is according to its reception. In the Lord's second coming was the man's regeneration and is according to the reception of a new Word - the Word of the Divine Human. Thus, that in the spiritual sense it is seen that the truths apply not only naturally to man, but spiritually as well and that they thus teach genuine truth.
End.
In these four verses Luke addresses his friend, Theophilus, and explains to him why he wrote. Essentially, he wants him to know Jesus as Lord, and that he has faith in Him and probably wants to assure him in his conversion to Christianity. We note that Luke was a Gentile himself and a proselyte, but he was also a physician, that he became associated with Paul for sometime, for he was spoken of by Paul in some of his Epistles.
These four verses understood from their literal sense reveal why Luke wrote the third Gospel to Theophilus, but only according to its natural sense such knowledge is probably only interesting to the historian and student of theology. It is the narrative or declaration of the Lord's life itself that mainly interests most followers of Jesus, for they see nothing of the Lord Himself in this short explanation of why Luke writes to his friend. Nonetheless, in one respect, Luke was also an excellent historian, for he seems to write in detail what he was told and in a very beautiful way, where the stories about Jesus brings us back again and again to reading them. However, it is this introduction to the narrative that we want to examine in its spiritual sense so that the internal sense of these words may be known and the truths to help form our doctrine and faith.
In our study we begin with reading, "Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us" ( Luke 1: 10).
The spiritual sense of these words is:
'Seeing that all those who have received truth have appropriated such truth from the Lord in power to willingly communicate the presence of the Lord, Who is the Truth, so, that the truth can flow into man and that he may also have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and, thus be saved.'
The explication:
'Many' is predicated of truths and, so, of those who have received the truth that the Lord spoke while manifested before mankind on earth. These were necessarily the disciples and the few who followed and believed Him, which, also, were the beginning of the Christian Church. To have 'taken' is signified to appropriate and, so, to have received those truths spoken of by the Jesus Christ. By 'in hand' is meant to receive in power to communicate, thus, it was received in their hearts, that is, in their wills, and not just in their understanding and in one's memory. To 'set in order' is meant in particular to present the Lord, for He is Order Itself and that order is seen in the Word, for there is not an external truth without an internal truth. Thus, it is that what Luke and others had received they were to present to the world in a written Word, for the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the Divine Truth Itself, was manifested as the Truth as He has said 'I am the Truth'. Thus, it is, by 'a declaration' is signified that what flows into man's mind, that is, into his will and understanding are truths, for 'those things' referred, here, are predicated of truths. By 'believed' signifies the faith of those who followed the Lord that He could save the world.
We continue with the next verse, "Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word;" (Luke 1: 2).
The internal meaning is:
'Moreover, those who have followed the truths that they received that have now brought forth Heavenly faith and life into man, and thus, is a man's beginning of regeneration and a new life according to its reception, which comes through those who communicate the truth that was spoken to them and who receives and follows in charity.'
The explication:
'Delivered' signifies the bringing forth of the faith of Heaven and of Life, which are the truths that are appropriated and, thus, regenerate or save. 'Them' refers to the truths themselves and, 'unto us' are signified to those who follow in obedience, that is, who believe and have faith. It is from such a 'beginning' that a man's regeneration is meant, that he receives true 'life' through instructions taught in those truths - the Word of the Lord - the New Testament. 'Beginning' is predicated of a time or state, so, here, it is meant when a man is born anew and when he receives a new life. It is, here, the state in which a man begins to be instructed. It can be seen that by the 'eye' is signified the understanding and that what a man sees naturally are truths seen through 'natural light' or natural scientifics, and what he sees through his 'understanding' is from spiritual light or truths. Thus, by 'eyewitnesses' are meant to speak the truth, and thereby, to confirm goods and truths, for a witness confirms truth from good and good from truth. That there are four Gospel writers and not just one is because one truth understood naturally does not confirm, but several do when they are in connection. And, by 'ministers of the word' signifies those who do the work of charity. To clarify this it should be known that charity is being just and fair. Thus, can be seen the usefulness of confirming the Word and in speaking the truth and in doing the works of charity, for in these actions are truth and good confirmed in a man
Continuing with verse three we read, "It seemed good to me also, having the perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto you, in order, most excellent Theophophilus" (Luke 1: 3).
The internal sense is:
'It appears right to those who have received spiritual light, that is, the Divine Truth manifested in this world that truths become implanted in those who have not heard the Gospel - the Good News, that is, the truths about the Lord's coming - in order to receive a new rational from the Lord, thus, conjoining them with the Lord and Heaven.'
The Explication:
There are here several words that help reveal how the spiritual is to be understood. First, there is the word 'good'. Good is predicated of a religious principle, but is also understood as a moral and civil principle, so even to the man who is without religious or genuine truths on earth 'good' can be seen as what is 'right'. Thus, 'it seemed good' signifies what appears right. In this is meant to write the account of the life story of Jesus as is seen in the declaration or narrative that follows. Now, here, we come to Luke, for the word 'me' refers to Luke and, so, the question is asked, what does Luke mean spiritually? All names in the Word signify various qualities in Heaven, and are not meant the person himself. From a natural sense Luke was chosen of the Lord to write the Gospel, but his quality that was seen was of a physician - one who heals. So, we, too, can abstractly understand the quality of healing when the word Luke is read. However, in the spiritual sense 'physician' refers to the taking away of evils and falsities, for these are a man's spiritual illnesses. So the words that Luke writes are to those who want to be healed, that is, to be redeemed and saved from death and sin. Thus, by his 'having perfect understanding of all things' means that he received such knowledge through affection, for it is an affection that causes the act and the understanding then follows. Otherwise, if the understanding leads, it follows evils and falsities that rule us. That, that understanding was 'perfect' is because he came into a state of goodness and, therefore, could receive spiritual light or truth. In order to show that as the Lord's goodness that a man receives perfect understanding it should be known that spiritual truths do not remain with a man, unless the man has a perception of good, that is, that good is in him, thus in doing good truths are taught by the truths of the Word, which is the Lord in man. Of course, by 'all things' are meant all truths, for the truth has been manifested though love and is its essence, though this is hidden to those on earth, for mankind is in the natural state not the spiritual. Next, we see that Luke says that he received this knowledge from the 'very first.' When we read these words with the Lord in mind, we see that the very Lord is meant, for we immediately understand, that This is truly the Lord, for the Lord has said that He was the 'First' and the 'Last' or the Only God. Thus, by 'first' signifies the Lord, who is truly Man. It is the 'very first' that is the Divine, for every particular is from Him concerning the whole, thus from the Divine flows the very or true life. 'To write' signifies to implant in (one's) life. It therefore follows that it means to commit to paper and thus to make record for future posterity, but spiritually it is to commit to the heart for reception. For, it is received through the affection as pointed out above. To write unto 'you', although it refers to his friend Theophilus, refers to mankind on earth, but in particular to those who follow the Lord. A Christian knows it is to him that the Gospel is written. Here, again, the name Theophilus signifies some particular quality. Now, he was a Gentile and, therefore, was without the Word, that is, the truths of the Lord and was outside the Church. He had, in fact, been taught falsities, or at least he was without the knowledge of the Lord who came to earth for man's redemption. So, the words that were written to him telling of Jesus are, indeed, to be understood as treatment to the spiritually ill. Thus, is it also to all who do not have such a life that comes from the Lord, having not had it implanted within their hearts, that is, in their wills. 'In order' is referred to in the following verse. Thus, it is for the purpose that the history of Jesus Christ's life on earth be written. However, by 'order' is also implied its cause and the means, not just the purpose. The cause is God and the means are from God. It is therefore, God's truth and His good, His wisdom and His love, in one's mind so that a man may have a true 'rational' implanted from the Lord within, that he may truly live conjoined with the Lord God, that he comes into regeneration and, thus, comes into Heaven forever.
Finally, we read "That you might know the certainty of those things, wherein you have been instructed" (Luke 1: 4).
The internal sense is:
'It is, therefore, to those, who want and need spiritual healing, that is, redemption and regeneration that they are taught from the Lord, and receive without any doubt a new will and understanding and are, thus, able to receive a new doctrine, that is, a new Word - the new Testament.'
Here, as before, by 'you' is signified the person who does not have the truths that lead to his redemption and regeneration. And, 'to know' is to be taught from God. So, although, from these words, understood literally, you could understand that man can know truth, for it is the Lord who teaches them. However, from the perspective of the man, it is he who learns. Thus, 'to know' also refers to 'instruction' and by such one receives a new will and understanding as we said above and that the purpose is that one forms new interiors, and thus, has an internal or spiritual so that the reception of the good of love and the doctrine of faith are perceived from the Lord and not from the one's self, thus spiritually a man is led through a rational from the Lord. Here, the principle truth is that the Divine truths and goods flows into a man as man accepts them given to him through the written Word, in this case, by Luke who was chosen of the Lord. By 'certainty' is meant without doubt. Here, 'without doubt' signified that there is no temptation in which the Lord's presence and mercy is doubted, and instead there is an assurance that the Lord is present and is merciful.
The spiritual doctrine revealed:
I Truth comes through its appropriation, and is the presence of the Lord and, as its flows into man, man's faith is increased.
II In that faith received, man is redeemed and can become regenerated and he receives a new life, which is of charity.
III That process is from God (the Father) manifested as the Truth (who is the Son) and who came on earth as a man so that a new rational from the Lord (which is the Holy Spirit) who teaches him.
IV It is the affection of spiritual truths (spiritual scientifics) that man is led in his redemption and regeneration so that a new Doctrine or Word is received within.
In further explanation it should be known that the presence of the Lord with man is through the Church. And, the Church at that time was with the Israelites, and the reason the Lord came to earth was that that Church's end was coming, and so, He came to establish a new Church, which we know was called the Christian Church. Now, the Lord's presence on earth was through representatives and these are seen in a Church's worship. Since, man lives in a natural state and the spiritual is not revealed to him until the work of regeneration is complete and that is when the Lord came again, then the Christian Church established at that time by the Lord was also a representative Church. It is when the Word's spiritual sense becomes revealed that the Lord is not only present, but is conjoined with him. So, it is that the Lord has to come again in another new Word that reveals the Lord's conjunction with man, and not only in his presence, in which is the man's regeneration. In the Lord's first coming was a man's redemption seen as his reformation and is according to its reception. In the Lord's second coming was the man's regeneration and is according to the reception of a new Word - the Word of the Divine Human. Thus, that in the spiritual sense it is seen that the truths apply not only naturally to man, but spiritually as well and that they thus teach genuine truth.
End.
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