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The four gospels

How do we know what we know about Jesus?. The four gospels. The Life of our Lord. Witnesses include… Those who saw & experienced him Those who lived during his years… … and his later appearances Those who told stories about him and relayed Jesus’ teachings. Why are they “Gospels”?.

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The four gospels

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  1. How do we know what we know about Jesus? The four gospels

  2. The Life of our Lord • Witnessesinclude… • Those who saw & experienced him • Those who lived during his years… • … and his later appearances • Those who told stories about him and relayed Jesus’ teachings

  3. Why are they “Gospels”? • They are biographical, but more… they answer, “Who is Jesus?” • The message Jesus brings is good news to all who know of him • Good news = evangellion, a Greek phrase already in common use

  4. Common Structure for 3 • Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the “synoptic gospels” • Syn= same; optic = seeing synoptic means “same seeing” • These 3 have similar content, while John has more unique material

  5. The Gospels in Worship • We read thru one gospel per year • Year A – Matthew (2017, 2020…) • Year B – Mark (2018, 2021…) • Year C – Luke (2019, 2022…) • Readings from John are often included during Lent and Easter

  6. Matthew (Levi) • This Gospel of 28 chapters was used more than any other during the early years • Why?Its early appearance, range of Jesus’ life, and clear teaching • Regular liturgical use on Sunday

  7. Characteristics • Conciseness • Messianic interest • Particularism and Universalism Jewish identity and for all nations • Ecclesiastical…for the church • Escatological…the end of things

  8. Purpose • Matthew explains how events in Jesus’ life fulfill O.T. prophecies • Matthew answers common questions about Jesus • Matthew preserves narratives into one cohesive account

  9. Structure • Matthew alternates large blocks of teaching with narrative sections • Each teaching section concludes with “When Jesus had finished these sayings…” • Groupings of 3’s, 5’s, and 7’s

  10. Outline Narratives interspersed with five discourses • Narrative then Sermon on the Mount • Narrative then Missionary • Narrative then Parables • Narrative then The Church • Narrative then Eschatological • Narrative of passion & resurrection

  11. Mark (John Mark) • The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God • A gospel in which the Gentiles learn essentials about Jesus • A Roman guard confesses Jesus as the Son of God in last chapter

  12. Characteristics • A gospel of action and movement • Mark’s candor in describing events even when it isn’t favorable • Mark gives us portraits of Jesus as Son of God, Son of Man, Healer, and Redeemer

  13. Purpose • Convey teaching about the end times, suffering, and resurrection • Explain Jesus’ Jewish connections and customs to Gentiles, so they could understand him as Messiah • Liturgical use in the churches

  14. Author & Ending • This gospel is likely the preaching and recalling of events of Peter • Mark was his interpreter among Gentiles, preserving his words • Some MSS end abruptly with 16:8, “…for they were all afraid.”

  15. Luke (the Physician) • This gospel has the most comprehensive range of Jesus’ life • This gospel is the longest book in the New Testament • The infancy narrative is one of the most familiar Bible passages

  16. Characteristics • Universalism — Gentiles included • Focus on individuals • Includes women, children, outcasts • Social relationships described • Poverty and wealth in contrast

  17. Special Emphases • Prayers of Jesus — Luke records nine of Jesus’ prayers (seven are only found in his gospel) • The Holy Spirit is seen as part of Jesus’ life and ministry • Joy is a recurring theme

  18. Purpose • To provide an orderly account, bringing theological significance to the history they were living through • Written for Theophilus, a real person, a Gentile believer • Show Jesus’ grace toward Gentiles

  19. Structure • All events are portrayed as a divine revelation, under God’s direction • A travel narrative tracks Jesus’ progress from Galilee to Jerusalem from Luke 9:51 to 18:14 • He set his face to go to Jerusalem

  20. Author • Luke says his role in writing is to preserve eyewitness accounts • The same author, Luke, wrote Acts The Acts of the Apostles • Luke has a clear connection with the Apostle Paul – the we sections

  21. John (the Apostle) • The last written of the four gospels • The most common gospel given for evangelism in modern times • The same author wrote 5 Books: Gospel of John, Epistles of John (1,2,3), and Book of Revelation.

  22. Characteristics • The place of the Old Testament • Teaching on the Holy Spirit • Great themes introduced: light, life, love, truth, abiding in God • The “I am” passages: bread, light, door, shepherd, life & resurrection

  23. Purpose • John’s stated purpose is so people can believe Jesus is the Christ, and have life in his name • This gospel has unusual appeal and effectiveness to help introduce people to Jesus

  24. Structure • Begins with one-of-a-kind prologue not found in other gospels • The first 12 chapters reveal Jesus’ glory to the world; the next 8 reveal his glory to the church • Use of kai, translated soor and

  25. Author • Describes himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” • Knows Palestinian geography, Jewish history, religious practices • Includes eyewitness details • Names the unnamed in gospels

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