God is your Best Friend
GREAT TEACHINGS ON THE WORD OF GOD
Introduction To The Gospels
(This introduction applies to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
The four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the foundation of the New Testament and form a bridge between the law of the Old Testament and the grace of the New Testament. The Old Testament cannot be properly understood without the revelation of Jesus that the New Testament gives, for all of the law and the prophets pointed to Jesus (1 Pet. 1:10-12). The symbolism of the tabernacle and sacrifices, along with the ordinances of the law, were all shadows or pictures of Christ (Col. 2:16-17)
Likewise, the New Testament cannot be fully appreciated without an adequate understanding of the Old Testament. A person without the knowledge of God's judgement on the sin of adultery, as revealed in Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 18:20 and 20:10, would not realize the extent of God's love and forgiveness as revealed in John 8:3-11.
Therefore, it is fitting that the combination of the Old and New Covenants comprise God's Word to us, but as Christians, it is imperative that we realize the difference between the two and live exclusively under the New Covenant as revealed in the 26 books of the New Testament (Gal. 3:11-14; 5:1; Heb. 7:18-19; 8:7-13).
The gospels reveal Christ unto us. Certainly not everything that Jesus did is revealed (Jn. 20:30-31; 21:25), but the accounts that the gospel writers give reveal the very nature and person of Jesus. Even with all of the great doctrinal truths revealed in the epistles, out total picture of God would not be complete without the accounts of Jesus' life and ministry.
Jesus is the express image of God's person (Heb. 1:3). Jesus said of Himself, "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (Jn. 14:9). So, in recording the events of Jesus' life, the gospel writers teach by precept what the epistles teach through doctrine. The gospels are written down from a viewpoint that refrains from interpretation and expounding doctrine, but rather lets the life and actions of Jesus speak for themselves.
Many sources are very authoritative when establishing the authorship and dates of writing of the gospels. However, with the exception of Luke and John, the authorship has been established on external evidence (evidence found outside the Bible itself). While not ignoring external evidence, we should refrain from stating as fact, things which cannot be shown in scripture.
The dates that the gospels are written cannot be established on internal evidence from the scriptures either. Some scholars believe that all four of the gospels were written within four years of each other from A.D. 60 to 64, while others have placed them as being written as much as 65 years apart.
It is evident from the introduction to Luke's gospel that there were many who had tried to give an account of Jesus' earthly ministry (Lk. 1:1). Therefore, it was necessary that there be an official record of these events. Based on external evidence, the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were unquestionable, and accepted by the church as scripture as early as the second century. Before the year A.D. 200, the writings of Irenaeus, Clement and Tertullian all mention the general acceptance of the books composing the New Testament canon.
These four gospels have stood the test of time and have come to us as the inspired scriptural account of Jesus' life and ministry.
The need for four gospels became apparent upon studying them. Each gospel was written with a specific purpose in mind for a specific group of people. Therefore, taken as a whole, they present a complete picture of Jesus to all men. To combine all the events and different presentations of the events into one gospel would make such a voluminous work that the overall story would be lost, and many would not go to the effort of studying out these truths. Also, the revelation of Jesus Christ was of such magnitude that no one man, even inspired of the Holy Ghost, could present it completely.
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John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
JOHN 3:1-21
Most people focus on the part of this verse that promises us we won't perish. Although it's certainly a wonderful promise, it is not the focus of this verse. The primary purpose of Jesus' coming to this earth was not forgiveness of sins, but to give us eternal life.
Sin separated us from God so Jesus dealt with sin. However, His payment for sin was just a step toward His ultiimate purpose of reconciling man to God. If someone believes that Jesus died for their sins but doesn't go on to enter into the close fellowship with God that Jesus made available, then they are missing eternal life.
Eternal life is not a length of life, but rather a quality of life. Eternal life is intimacy with the Father and Jesus (Jn. 17:3). Many people have been done a disservice in being told that Jesus came to forgive us of our sins "period'. If it had been all that He did, it would have been wonderful--and much more than we deserved--but much less than what He actually accomplished.
Today, take full advantage of your salvation and go beyond the basic forgiveness of your sins into intimacy with Almighty God.
