INTRODUCTION

1. The Gospels contain almost all we know concerning the life of Christ. Secular history chose to ignore Him for matters they deemed more important at the time.

The Gospels were written about thirty years after the death of Christ and are a history of BC 4 to AD 33 in the context of Christianity. However, they are not primarily a history, but instead a written means to preach the Gospel to convert the unbelievers and edify the believers.

The Gospels are not necessarily presented in strict chronological order. Luke's Gospel is somewhat chronological and Matthew stays within certain time frames, but emphasizes subjects first.

2. The Four Pictures of Christ - Christ's greatness could not be described in one book. According to John, even what has been written does not do justice to Christ.
a. Matthew's Gospel concerns itself with the relationship of Jesus to the Jews. Matthew shows how Jesus: fulfills the Old Testament, judges the Jews for their hypocrisy, is the son of David, is the promised Messiah, and is the Rabbi of rabbis.
b. Mark's Gospel emphasizes action and stresses suffering on the part of the Messiah and the disciples. This Gospel shows that Jesus would be a spiritual leader, not a secular one.
c. Luke's Gospel stresses the blessings of salvation brought by Jesus Christ, emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and shows that the Gospel is for the common man.
d. John's Gospel shows that Jesus was sent by the heavenly Father to be the Savior of the earth and that He came with the full authority of heaven even though He was a man.

3. Matthew's Gospel
a. The author
(1) one of the twelve, also known as Levi (Mk. 2:14)
(2) a Jew and a publican (Roman tax collector) (Mt. 10:3)
(3) he followed Jesus when he was called (Lk. 5:27,28)
(4) held a feast for Christ (Lk. 5:29)
b. Addressees - primarily written to the Jews (Mt. 10:5,6; 15:24)
c. Purpose - to show that Christ Jesus was indeed the Messiah of Jewish prophecy. Note the use of the words: fulfilled, King, and kingdom.
d. Distinctive features
(1) ten parables - the tares, hidden treasure, the pearl, the dragnet, the hard-hearted servant, workers in the vineyard, the two sons, marriage of the king's son, the ten bridesmaids, the talents.
(2) Three miracles - the two blind men, the dumb man who was possessed, the coin in the fish's mouth.
(3) Nine incidents - Joseph's dream, the wise men's visit, the escape to Egypt, Herod's massacre, Pilate's wife's dream, the death of Judas (also recorded in Acts), the saints resurrected in Jerusalem, the bribing of the guard, and the "great commission."
(4) Various teachings - "The Sermon on the Mount," "come unto me."

4. Mark's Gospel
a. The author
(1) the son of Mary of Jerusalem (Acts 12:12)
(2) also called John Mark (Acts 12:25)
(3) a relative of Barnabas (Col. 4:10)
(4) associated with Paul on the first missionary journey (Acts 12:25; 13:5)
(5) temporarily alienated from Paul (Acts 13:13; 15:37-39)
(6) friendship with Paul restored (2 Tim. 4:11)
(7) secular history and tradition places Mark as a companion of Peter in later years (1 Pet. 5:13)
b. Addressees - Possibly the Christians at Rome, suggested by lack of prophecy fulfillment and explanatory material included that would be needed by Gentiles. (Mk. 3:17; 5;41; 7:1-4,11,34)
c. Main Theme - "Christ, the tireless servant of God and man." Emphasis is on Christ's deeds.
d. Distinctive features
(1) the shortest Gospel
(2) a vivid, dynamic style
(3) lets the work of Christ testify to His deity
(4) the most personal Gospel (Mk. 1:13; 3:17; 10:14; 10:32; 12:37; 6:3)
(5) alludes to Christ's humanity (Mk. 3:5; 4:38; 6:6; 7:34; 8:12; 10:21)
(6) nineteen miracles - eight showing power over disease, five showing power over nature, four showing authority over demons, two showing conquest over death.

5. Luke's Gospel
a. The author - Luke, the beloved physician (Col. 4:14).
(1) author of Acts, also addressed to Theophilus
(2) close friend and companion of Paul
(3) Paul's influence can be seen in the writing of Luke.
b. Addressee - Theophilus, identity unknown. Probably a Gentile. Since Luke takes time to explain Jewish customs, it is assumed that he was writing primarily to Gentiles.
c. Purpose - see Lk. 1:1-4. More will be said on these verses in a later lesson.
d. Distinctive features
(1) emphasizes the universal grace of God (Lk. 2:32; 3:6; 24:47).
(2) "The Son of Man" (Lk. 6:20; 7:37; 8:2; 10:33; 15:1; 16:20,21; 17:12; 23:43) (lowly and outcast)
(3) a devotional Gospel, emphasizing prayer.
(a) three parables on prayer, (Lk. 11:5-8; 18:1-8; 18: 9-14)
(b) prayers of Christ (Lk. 3:21; 5:16; 6;12; 9:29; 11:1; 22:32,44; 23:46)
(4) joy and praise - chapter 1 and 2.
(5) honors womanhood - chapters 1 and 10 (Lk. 23:27; 2:37; 4:26; 7:12; 18:3; 21:2)
(6) almost half the material in this book is only found in this book.
(a) examples of incidents: draught of fishes, raising the widow's son, the ten lepers, Malchus' ear healed.
(b) Sixteen parables - including the fig tree, the prayer parables, and the rich man and Lazarus.

6. John's Gospel
a. The author - the apostle John (21:20,24)
(1) the son of Zebedee
(2) the beloved disciple, the brother of James
(3) a member of the so-called "inner circle," with his brother and Peter
(4) entrusted with the care of Jesus' mother
b. Addressees - this Gospel does not appear to be addressed to any one group, but it does fill in much material that the other so-called synoptic Gospels do not contain.
c. Purpose - to inspire the readers to faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
d. Distinctive features
(1) considered to be the "deepest" of the Gospels
(2) Christ reveals Himself more completely
(a) His person and attributes
(b) His divinity
(c) The work of the Holy Spirit
(d) His divine commission
(e) Concerning the Fatherhood of God
(3) much emphasis placed on the "last days."
(4) certain conversations found only in John: Nicodemus and the woman at the well.
(5) discourse on the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10).
(6) Eight miracles (six unique to John's Gospel) - water to wine, healing the nobleman's son, blind man at the pool, man born blind, raising Lazarus, second draught of fishes.
(7) Two great themes: faith and eternal life.

7. The Pre-existent Christ - before Christ came to the earth as a man, he existed as part of the Godhood. This can be shown to be true from an examination of scripture.
a. Heb. 13:8 - Christ is eternally the same. If He is eternally the same, then He always existed, and therefore he is deity.
b. Heb. 7:3 - is further commentary on His eternal existence - He had no beginning. Melchizedek demonstrates this fact as a type of Christ.
c. Micah 5:2 - Micah's prophecies show that the activities of the Messiah have been eternal.
d. Jn. 8:58 - Christ Himself says that he pre-dates Abraham and entitles Himself, "I Am." The significance of this title is that it equates to the Old Testament "Jehovah."
e. Jn. 1:1; 17:5 - Christ pre-dates the world. We learn from verses 1 and 14 of chapter one that the "Word" is Christ and not only was He present at creation, He was an active participant (v.3). In Jn. 17:5 Jesus prays for a return to His former glory - before the world.

8. The Prophetic Christ - Bible handbooks and other Bible reference materials often have lists of prophecies concerning Christ and show when and how they were fulfilled by Him. The following list of prophecies might be of interest: Gen. 22:18; Ps. 2; 45:2; 110:1; 118:22; 132:11; Isa. 2:4; 9:6; 11:1; 28:16; 42:1; 59:16; 61:1; 63:1; Jer. 23:5; Hag. 2:7; Zech. 3:8; 6;12; 12:10; 13:7; Mal. 3:1