Introduction to the Gospels

Introduction to the Gospels
©2000-2024 by Arlo E. Moehlenpah

The Bible is divided into two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament was preparatory to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and includes many prophecies of Jesus Christ. Some of these are included in Study Questions I.4. The good news of the New Testament is "He is here!" The one that was promised has come!

The New Testament, which records the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, consists of twenty-seven books. These can be divided into three categories: 1) Gospels, 2) Acts and 3) Epistles. The Gospels consists of the first four books and are the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The word gospel means good story or good news. Everything about Jesus Christ is good news. In the gospels we learn about Jesus. Among the things we find the following:

1. Birth of John the Baptist (only Luke records)

2. The birth of Jesus (only Matthew and Luke record.)

3. Ministry of John the Baptist.

4. The life of Jesus.

5. The ministry of Jesus Christ and His teaching.

6. The calling of His disciples.

7. His miracles.

8. His death, burial, and resurrection.

The last chapter of each gospel gives details concerning the resurrection and Luke briefly mentions the ascension. Nowhere, however, do we find in the Gospels:

1. Any Christian Church founded. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus told Peter that upon the truth that Jesus was the Christ, He would build his church. This is in the future from when Jesus spoke it.

2. Any person receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost because Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:39.

In the Gospels men could repent and have their sins forgiven. Examples of this are the thief on the cross, Luke 23:43, and the man with palsy, Mark 2:5. We must, however, go on to the Book of Acts to find where the first church was founded and where Full Salvation was first experienced on the Day of Pentecost. The epistles were written to Christian individuals and churches giving instruction on how to live a Christian life.

You may ask "Why are there four gospels?" Would not one account have been adequate? Henrietta Mears in her book, A Look at the New Testament, gives an interesting illustration. Van Dyck painted three views of Charles I for Bernini the Roman sculptor, that he might by these paintings made a bust of the king. These views consisted of views from each side and a full face view. One view would not have been enough. The sculptor needed several views in order to make the complete statue. Likewise, each of the four gospel writers present Jesus Christ from a different viewpoint. The attached chart shows the different backgrounds of the four writers, to whom they wrote, and the different ways that they portrayed Jesus.

SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

Affording, presenting, or taking the same or a common view, many agreements in subject, order, and language.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Author

1. Also called Levi

2. Former publican

(Tax collector)

Mt. 9:9-13

Mk. 2:14-17,

Lk. 5:27

3. One of the twelve

Mt. 10:3

Mk. 3:18,

Lk. 6:15

Acts 1:13

(Halley's p. 412)

1. Son of Mary in Jerusalem

Acts 12:12

2. Referred to as John Mark

Acts 12:25

3. Relative of Barnabas

Col. 4:10

4. With Paul & Barnabas on first Missionary Journey

Acts 12:25, 13:5

5. Temporarily alienated from Paul Acts 13:13, 15:37-39

6. Afterwards restored II Tim. 4:11

1. Beloved Physician Col. 4:14

2. Fellow-worker of Paul

Philemon 24, II Tim 4:11

Mark and Luke were companion workers

3. With Paul in latter part of Acts. Personal pronoun "We" after Acts 16:10

4. Seems to be a Gentile

(only Gentile writer of Bible)

1. Disciple whom Jesus loved Jn. 21:20, 24

2. Son of Zebedee Mt. 4:21

3. A fisherman Mt. 4:21

4. Disciple of John the Baptist Jn. 1:35, 40

5. One of the three inner circle apostles

Mount of Transfiguration

Mt. 17:1. Mk. 9:2

Gethsemane Mk.14:33

Jairus' daughter Lk. 8:51

To whom addressed:

Jews

60 references to Jewish prophecies

40 quotations from O.T. Mt. 10:5, 6,. 15:24

Special training

Knew scripture

Roman or Gentile Christians

Contains few references to O. T. prophecy

Explanation of Jewish words and customs 3:17, 5:41, 7;1-4, 11, 34

Vitally concerned about new leader

Book filled with deeds not words More miracles.

Romans cared little for words interested in deeds

Greeks (Theophilus)

Type of the student and idealist

All Men

That all men might believe Jn. 20:31

Whosoever will

Portrays Jesus as

King

Laws of His Kingdom.e.g. “Sermon on Mount”

Nowhere else in gospels

Kingdom 50 times

Kingdom of Heaven 30 times

King Jesus 2:2, 21:15, 22:11, 25:34, 27:11, 37, 42

Tireless Servant of God and Man

Devotional interrupted 1:35-37

No time to eat 3:20, 21

Pursued when he sought rest 6:31-34

Perfect Man

Friend of sinners and outcasts

10:30 Good Samaritan

15:4 Lost sheep

15:11 Prodigal son

18:10 Pharisee & publican

19:2 Zaccheus

23:39 Penitent thief

Son of God

Illustrates His divine relationship

Genealogy

Back to Abraham (first Jew)

Father 1:1-17

None

Men are not interested in genealogies of servants

Genealogy goes back to Adam (first Man)

Lk. 3:23-38

Mother

Opening verse

In the beginning was the word

Word became flesh

Key Words

Fulfilled

Kingdom 50 times

Kingdom of Heaven

30 times

Jesus as King

Straightway or immediately

Pray, praying

3 parables or prayers not found in others

Believe

3:16, 5:24, 6:29, 40

7:38, 8:24, 10:37, 38, 11:25-27, 12:46, 14:12

Key Verse or Text

5:17

10:45

1:4, 4:10, 19:10

20.31

One view would not have been enough for us to get an adequate picture of Jesus. Not everything that Jesus said and did was recorded. John supposed that if everything was recorded the world would not be able to contain the volumes. John 21:25. However, what was written was carefully chosen so that we could believe on Him and have life through his name. John 20:31.

Studying the Life of Jesus Christ has some very unique aspects. It is the only biography that I know that you can study and have the person that you are studying about with you at the very same time. Jesus Christ is not just a figure of history. He is alive forevermore and has promised to be with you always. I trust that as you study about Him that you will sense His presence with you. Jesus was different than any other teacher in history in that he called attention to His Person rather than just his doctrine. Like none other, He is the Son of God. He gives not only ideals to be attained in life but also furnishes the power to attain them.

Lastly, Jesus left us an example that we should follow in his steps. There is no other role model either in scriptures or in the present life that we should imitate. In Memphis, Tennessee they occasionally have Elvis Presley impersonation contests. From what I gather, they try to find a person that most looks, dresses, acts and sings like Elvis. To be like Elvis, I trust has no appeal for you but I hope that through this course you will have a great desire to be like Jesus in your thinking, speaking, and any other way possible. To be called a Christian (Christ-like one) is perhaps the highest compliment that you could be given.

Arlo E. Moehlenpah, Instructor