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1. The The Gospels: A Portrait of Jesus Christ

4. The Four Gospels The four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John form a powerful and conclusive portrait of Jesus Christ. Distinctly, they are not a biography of Christ’s complete life, but they give the fundamental truth of Christianity: who Jesus is and the great truths of the Gospel. Each author, under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, presents his perspective of Christ and the gospel themes that correspond to Jesus’ thought. With the exception of John’s Gospel, the three give considerable presentation of familiar teachings and accounts only to be underscored by the distinct accounts and teachings that support their complete thought. These thoughts are brought to a conclusion by the Gospel of John, who interprets the person of Jesus by emphasizing His deity revealed in flesh. Though Jesus scripturally is presented from diverse perspectives, we will always return to the Gospel conclusion that He is God in flesh.

5. The Gospel of Mark The Gospel according to Mark is regarded by many as the first Gospel to have been written. It begins with these words : “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ , the Son of God” (Mark 1:1, KJV). It is the shortest of the four Gospels, with content used, overlapped and exceeded by the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It records the many miracles of Christ that confirm His sonship. Mark presents Jesus as the Son of God, but places emphasis upon His calling as the Christ, God’s Anointed Servant to support his thought. .

6. The Gospel of Matthew Matthew’s gospel is the first of the four Gospels and the first book of the New Testament. It identifies Jesus as the Son of Abraham and the Son of David, the promised King of Israel and Seed of Abraham, who will fulfill the two great covenants God made with these two men. With a greater emphasis upon His Kingship, Matthew presents the kingdom promised to Israel in the person Jesus of Nazareth; however, the kingdom could not be established until the King was rejected. This fulfills the Seed of Abraham aspect that would bring redemption to humanity. Sin had to be dealt with before man could enjoy the glory of God’s kingdom yet to be established here on earth.

7. The Gospel of Luke Luke’s Gospel, although expressive of his own thoughts under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, is based on the eyewitness accounts of others and other sources available to him. He presents Jesus, the Son of God as the Savior of humanity. In the third chapter,following Jesus’baptism and God’s confirmation of who He is, Christ’s genealogy identifies Him with the human race and Adam, who is also called the Son of God. This divine and human identification makes His death effective for not just a race but the human race. This thought is further underscored by the many renown parables and accounts of Luke’s Gospel that speak to this point. With emphasis on Jesus’humanity, Luke boldly proclaims Jesus as mankind’s only hope for salvation.-- The One who died and rose for all is able to save all who come to Him.

8. The Gospel of John This Gospel, while completely different from the other three in content and purpose, was the Gospel that had to be written. It brings to a conclusion the thoughts and purposes of the first three books. While holding to these respective thoughts, John clearly presents and defines Jesus as the Son of God. He is not a great religious teacher or an angelic being. He is God in the person of human flesh. His teachings, sayings, miracles, death and resurrection from the dead are all based on this profound truth. A truth He says we must believe if we are to be saved. Matthew’s kingdom emphasis; Mark’s Anointed Servant and Luke’s Savior and the glory promised through the covenants are made more meaningful because Jesus is the Almighty God come to our world in flesh to give us eternal life.

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