Luke's Historical Credibility

During the first first century, names of official government position changed of ten. In spite of this fact, Luke has been found to precisely identify those he names with their correct titles. For example, when Cyprus switched from imperial province to senatorial province in 22 BC, the ruler's title changed as well. Still, Luke correctly identifies Sergios Paullus as "proconsul" of Cyprus rather than by his old title, "imperial legate." Luke also correctly designates the governor of Achaia and Asia as proconsuls since they were under the senate's jurisdiction rather than that of the emperor. Achaia was first under the senate from 27 BC to AD 15, then under the emperor until AD 44, and again under the senate from that time on. In Philippi, Luke's term "praetors" for the chief magistrates reflects a peculiar egotistical practice confirmed by Cicero: "Although they are called duumvirs in the other colonies, these men wished to be called praetors." Concerning Luke's accuracy in Acts 17:6, an Australian scholar, David Hyle, has published a comprehensive review of the Quirinuis issue. He asserts:
"It is relevant to note at this point that Luke is the only ancient author to have preserved the term politarches (Acts 17:6). Any doubts of his reliability in this respect have been shattered by discovery of nineteen different inscriptions attesting the title in Thessalonica and Macedonia generally." (HaDJ.RS11 30)

In Acts 28:7, Luke calls Publius "the first man of the island," a title confirmed by Greek and Latin inscriptions as the correct reference to the ruler of Malta at that time
Though Matthew and Mark record the popular designation for Herod Antipas, "king," Luke refers to him by him by his official title of "tetrarch." As much as Antipas desired it, the Romans granted royal status only to his father, Herod the Great, and not to him. Critics used to charge Luke with an error in Luke 3:1, where he speaks of Lysanias as tetrarch of Abilene. The only Lysanias of Abilene known to modern historians until recently was a "king" by that name, one who was executed by Mark Antony in 34 BC. But once again Luke prevailed over modern critics when an inscription dated between AD 14 and 29 referred to, you guessed it, "Lysanias the tetrarch," a ruler during that time. (RaW.BRD15 297ff.)