to become distinct. The pressure of the reaction of many Jews and leaders of Judaism forced the church to become a distinct entity. But if you listen to the message carefully of what it is that’s being preached, what’s being preached is that Jesus Christ is the Messiah of Israel and completes the promise that God made to Abraham long ago. This explanation of giving Theophilus assurance is the burden of Luke 1:1–4 as he writes Theophilus, telling him, “I’ve checked everything in the beginning … I want