The Life of Christ (2)

1. The Life of Christ (2) Overview Of The Gospels Vocabulary Gospel: Means “good news.” The Gospels are so called because they record the good news that a way of salvation has been opened to all mankind through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Mark 1:1 (NASB95) 1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NASB95) 3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, Synoptic: from synopsis, which means a viewing together or a comprehensive (widespread) view. Matthew, Mark and Luke are the synoptic Gospels. They are called this because they include many of the same stories, often in a similar sequence, and often with similar wording. Canon: collection of books recognized as inspired by God and authoritative for believers. The Life of Christ (2)

2. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospels, Main Points • Why did the Gospels need to be written? • The rapid spread of Christianity precipitated the need for written accounts of the life of Christ. • As the major people in the stories and eyewitnesses began to die, there was an increasing need for written accounts of what they had seen and heard. • These written Gospels were used to evangelize or convert unbelievers and teach new converts and were probably used in early Christian worship. • Luke 1:1–4 (NASB95) • 1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, • 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, • 3it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; • 4so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. The Life of Christ (2)

3. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospels, Main Points • Why Four Gospels? • Although there were numerous other gospel accounts written, only four were deemed worthy to be included in the New Testament. • The other gospels were written later and are of doubtful reliability. Although they contain some of the information that is in the four canonical (official) Gospels, they also add much that is obviously fanciful and legendary (like the story of Jesus’ condemning a boy to die because he had knocked Him down, as reported in an apocryphal (untrue) writing called the Infancy Gospel of Thomas). • One reason the four Gospels were chosen is that they were written by apostles or by a close associate (companion).Later church councils (meetings) confirmed the authenticity (truth and accuracy) of these books and included only the four in the canon (inspired scriptures). The Life of Christ (2)

4. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospels, Main Points • Why Four Gospels? • The Gospels were written to the four general groups of people in the first century: Matthew was written for the Jews; Mark for the Romans; Luke for the Gentiles (non-Jews); and John for the all unbelievers. • John 20:30–31 (NASB95) • 30Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; • 31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. • What are the Synoptic Gospels? • Matthew, Mark and Lukepresent much similar material about the life of Christ, as a quick examination of a harmony (agreement) of His life will show. • Matthew, Mark and Luke’s Gospel have a more or less common view of His activities and teachings and of the chronology (time line) of events. They are therefore called the synoptic Gospels. • John’sGospel, on the other hand is mostly unique (exclusive)and it is organized according to long discourses (dialogs). The Life of Christ (2)

5. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospels, Main Points • All of the Gospels were written to present the life of Christ so that men would believe the truth about who He is and the reality of salvation by faith alone in Him. The Life of Christ (2)

6. The Life of Christ (2) • The Gospel Of Matthew • The Gospel of Matthew was written by a Jew, to the Jews, and about a Jew • Matthew, a tax collector, was an apostle called by Jesus • Matthew 9:9–13 (NASB95) • 9As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. • 10Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. • 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” • 12But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. • 13“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desirecompassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” • Matthew was also called Levi. • Mark 2:14 (NASB95) • 14As He passed by, He saw Levi (Matthew)the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. The Life of Christ (2)

7. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of Matthew The Life of Christ (2)

8. The Life of Christ (2) • The Gospel Of Matthew • Matthew was a tax collector for the Romans. • Matthew 9:9 (NASB95) • 9As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. • Because he collaborated with the Romans, who were hated by the Jews as overlords of their country, Matthew (and all tax collectors) was despised by fellow Jews. • Nevertheless, Matthew responded to Christ’s call to follow Him. • After the account of the banquet he gave for his colleagues so they too could meet Jesus, he is not mentioned again by name except in the list’s of the Twelve Apostles. Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:1, Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13 • Matthew 9:10 (NASB95) TheBanquet • 10Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house (Matthew’s House), behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. The Life of Christ (2)

9. The Life of Christ (2) • The Gospel Of Matthew • Tradition says that he preached in Palestine (Israel) for a dozen years after the resurrection of Christ and then went to other lands, but there is no certainty of this. • Matthew’s objective was to present Jesus as the King of the Jews, the long awaited Messiah. • He was trying to answer their questions about Jesus of Nazareth who claimed to be their Messiah – was He in fact the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament? YES The Suffering Messiah at the first Advent. • The Gospel of Matthew contains many Old Testament quotations. (53) • The Gospel of Matthew contains one of the two genealogies (in the Gospels)--Mary’s. (The other is found in Luke--Joseph’s.) • Matthew 1:1-17 Luke 3:23-38 The Life of Christ (2)

10. The Life of Christ (2) Family Tree of Jesus (Mary)—Matthew 1:1-17 The Life of Christ (2)

11. The Life of Christ (2) Family Tree of Jesus (Joseph)—Luke 3:23-38 The Life of Christ (2)

12. The Life of Christ (2) • The Gospel Of Matthew • Other questions the Jews had were: • If He was their Messiah, why did he fail to establish the promised kingdom? • Will it ever be established? • What is God’s purpose in the meantime, the first Advent? • In this gospel, Jesus is spoken of as the Son of David and the One who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah; and the kingdom of heaven is the subject of much of His recorded teaching. The Life of Christ (2)

13. The Life of Christ (2) • The Gospel Of Mark • Mark was the son of Mary, a woman of wealth and position in Jerusalem. • Barnabas was his cousin. • Acts 12:12 (NASB95) • 12And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. • Colossians 4:10 (NASB95) • 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); • Acts 15:37,39 (NASB95) • 37Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. • 39And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. • Mark was a close friend and possibly a convert of the apostle Peter. 1Peter 5:13 (NASB95) • 13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. The Life of Christ (2)

14. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of Mark • Mark had the rare privilege of accompanying Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey but failed to stay with them through the entire trip. • Because of this, Paul refused to take him on the second journey, so Mark went with Barnabas to Cyprus. Acts 15:38-40. • About a dozen years later he was again with Paul. Col. 4:10; Philemon 23-24, and just before Paul’s execution, Paul requested his presence. • Mark’s biography proves that one failure in life does not mean the end of usefulness. • 2 Timothy 4:11 (NASB95) • 11Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. The Life of Christ (2)

15. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of Mark • Mark’s Gospel was written in Rome to Gentiles (non-Jews) in general and Romans in particular. • Evidence for this: • It has fewer Old Testament quotes (36). Romans wouldn’t be very familiar with the Old Testament. • It explains Jewish customs as Romans wouldn’t know about these. • There is an abundance of Latin transliterations and Mark found it necessary to interpret Aramaic words unfamiliar to the Romans. • The genealogy of Christ is not included for it would have meant little to the Gentiles. The Life of Christ (2)

16. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of Mark • It is generally agreed that Mark received much of the information in his gospel from Peter. With Peter’s apostolic authority (authority from an Apostle) behind the gospel, there was never any challenge to its inclusion in the canon of Scripture. • Mark was associated with the ministry of Peter (IPet. 5:13) and that Mark’s gospel reflects Peter’s teaching. Acts 10:36-41 is like an outline of Mark. • The theme of the book is Christ the Servant of God. • The key verse is Mark 10:45, which divides the gospel into two major divisions; the service of the Servant (Mark 1:1-10:52) and the sacrifice of the Servant (Mark 11:1-16:20). The Life of Christ (2)

17. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of Luke • Luke is known as the “beloved physician” (Col. 4:14); he was a close friend and companion of Paul. • We know little of his early life or conversion to a believer except that he was not an eyewitness of the life of Christ. Lk.1:2 • Luke was a physician by profession but he accompanied Paul in missionary work. • He was with Paul at the time of the apostle’s martyrdom (death) (IITim. 4:11), but of his later life we have no real information. The Life of Christ (2)

18. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of Luke • In his prologue (introduction), Luke states that his own work was stimulated by the work of others. • Luke 1:1 (NASB95) • 1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, • Luke consulted eyewitnesses. • Luke 1:2 (NASB95) • 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, • Luke sifted through his research and arranged the information. • Luke 1:3 (NASB95) • 3it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; • Then under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to instruct Theophilus in the historical reliability of the faith. • Luke 1:4 (NASB95) • 4so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. The Life of Christ (2)

19. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of Luke • Luke’s gospel is a carefully researched and documented writing. • The theme of Luke’s gospel is Christ, the Son of Man, and it narrates (reports) many of those events that emphasized Christ’s humanity. • Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke, the book of Acts, and Hebrews. The Life of Christ (2)

20. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of John • The book of John was written after the synoptics (Matthew, Mark, Luke)and adds information important to John’s purpose. • Early church writings state that the Gospel of John was written after John had read the first three Gospels. • It was written to fill in information not found in the synoptics, and to refute (disprove) the heretical (unorthodox) teachings of the Gnostics, who believed that Jesus was only a man inhabited by the Spirit of Christ. The Life of Christ (2)

21. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of John • John was an Apostle. • The structure and style of the gospel are different from those of the synoptics (Matthew, Mark, Luke). • There are no parables, only seven miracles (five of which are not recorded in the other Gospels or elsewhere), and many personal interviews. • John emphasizes the physical actuality (reality) of Jesus’ hunger, thirst, weariness, pain, and death as a defense against the Gnostic denial of Jesus’ true human nature. The Life of Christ (2)

22. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of John • John deals with the nature and person of Christ and the meaning of faith in Him. John clearly states his purpose in John 20:30-31. John 20:30–31 (NASB95) 30Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. • John presented Christ as God and his gospel emphasizes the deity of Christ. John 1:1–5 (NASB95) 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. The Life of Christ (2)

23. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of John The Life of Christ (2)

24. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of John • Christ’s deity is also asserted (declared) in the series of “I am” claims. These are the strongest claims to deity that Jesus could have made. • I am the bread of life • John 6:35 (NASB95) • 35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. • I am the light of the world • John 8:12 (NASB95) • 12Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” • I am the gate • John 10:7,9 (NASB95) • 7So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. • 9“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The Life of Christ (2)

25. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of John • Christ’s deity is also asserted (declared) in the series of “I am” claims. These are the strongest claims to deity that Jesus could have made. • I am the good shepherd • John 10:11,14 (NASB95) • 11“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. • 14“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, • I am the resurrection and the life • John 11:25 (NASB95) • 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, • I am the way, the truth, and the life • John 14:6 (NASB95) • 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. • I am the true vine • John 15:1,5 (NASB95) • 1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. • 5“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. The Life of Christ (2)

26. The Life of Christ (2) The Gospel Of John • John the apostle was the son of Zebedee and Salome and was the younger brother of James. • He was a Galilean who apparently came from a well to do home. Mk. 15:40-41 • John and his brother James were given the nicknames Sons of Thunder, which has been understood as a reference to their loud, somewhat violent, and headstrong natures. Mk. 3:17 • He played a leading role in the work of the early church in Jerusalem. Acts 3:1, 8:14; Gal. 2:9 • Later he went to Ephesus and for some unknown reason was exiled to the island of Patmos. Rev. 1:9 • John was the last of the apostles to die. The Life of Christ (2)

27. The Island of Patmos Where John Was Exiled The Life of Christ (2)

28. The Island of Patmos Where John Was Exiled The Life of Christ (2)

29. The Life of Christ (2)