Course Outline 

Intro God's Book the Sequel GW

Sept

Good News The 4 Gospels GW Oct

1123000 Acts of The Apostles GW Nov

Friends & Country men Romans

AG Jan

Dealing with Disorder Corinthians JK

Feb

Letters from Lockup Eph, Col, Philp & Phlm GW

Mar

The Jewish ChallengeHebrews & Galatians GW

Apr

The Pastorals Timothy & Titus AG

May

Last Day Letters 1+2 Peter, Jude,1+2+3 John

JK June

Revelling in Revelation Revelation AG

July

 4 witnesses in court with exactly the same story are suspected of collusion

In the Gospels there are differences but not contradictions

Each adds to the other

Each writer selects information to suit his purpose

Although the historical events are trustworthy, the Gospels are not biographies

MAT., MK. and LK. JOHN Jesus in Galilee Jesus in Judaea Jesus to crowds Jesus to individuals Jesus in action Jesus in conversation

1.Each Gospel written to stress particular characteristic of Christ

Matthew= Jesus = King. The book opens with His Family tree

Mark = Jesus = Servant. No family tree. Slaves’ ancestors unimportant.

Luke = Jesus = Man. Family tree is traced back to Adam.

John = Jesus = God. A majestic opening

1.Each Gospel written to stress particular characteristic of Christ

2.Each Gospel written from different viewpoints.

Matthew =Eye-witness. Matthew was one of the twelve disciples.

Mark =Peter's secretary copied down Peter's memoirs and

recollections.

Luke = An officially commissioned report by Doctor Luke.

John =Eye-witness giving carefully considered meditative

account.

1.Each Gospel written to stress particular characteristic of Christ

2.Each Gospel written from different viewpoints.

3.Each Gospel written to different readers.

Matthew = written to the Jews to show Jesus was the promised Messiah.

Mark = written to the Romans (Jewish beliefs explained.)

Luke = an ordered detailed account written to a Roman official

John = written to Greeks in an intellectual philosophical style.

1.Each Gospel written to stress particular characteristic of Christ

2.Each Gospel written from different viewpoints.

3.Each Gospel written to different readers.

4.Each Gospel has characteristic endings.

Matthew = King giving commands. Mt. 28.18-20

Mark = Servant working with the disciples. Mk. 16.20.

Luke = Man being lifted up. Lk 24.50-53

John = God with unlimited material about Him. Jhn21.24,25

WHO? Mt.9.9 Levi changed his name. Eye-witness. DiscipleWHEN? 65 A.D. WHAT?1. Jewish emphasis

2. Royal Gospel. The Davidic descent is emphasised in the opening geneology,wise-men visit, looking for the King of Kings, and Jesus accepts the title of King in response to Pilate's questioning. 3. Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy  4. Ecclesiastical Gospel. It is Matthew that uses the word 'church' in the teaching of Jesus. It is not found in any other Gospel account.Mt.16.18 etc.  5. Eschatological Gospel. Matthew more detailed time to the parables of return that Jesus gave. Mt.24,25.  6. Teaching Gospel. Matthew arranges his Gospel in 5 major blocks of teaching in the manner of the Old Testament law. a) Sermon on the Mount 5 - 7 b) Charge to the 12 10.5 - 42 c) 7 parables of the Kingdom 13.3 - 52 d) Sayings on repentance. 18.3 - 35 e) Pharisees and future events 23 - 25.

WHO? He is called my son by Peter (1Ptr.5.13) and is mentioned 10 times in the New Testament.WHEN? 64 A.D.HOW? Wrote Peter’s memoirs

WHAT? It has at least 9 characteristics:-

Action. "Immediately“ 40 times.Mark concentrates on

Christs deeds.

Miracles. 18 are mentioned in detail and 10 referred to in

passing.

Parables. Only 4 in this gospel, (14 mentioned by Matthew.

Suffering. Over a half of the book coverthe last 8 days of Christs

life.

Sonship of God. opening 1.1 baptism 1.11. transfiguration 9.7

demons 1.24. Roman soldier 15.39 all call Jesus Son of God.

Jewish References explained. 3.17. 5.41. Words, customs and

language are changed in order that his readers, the Romans might

understand.

WHO? 1. Luke the Beloved Physician of Col.4.14. 2. Same one who wrote the Acts.

3. A travelling companion of Paul 4. He was not an eye-witness but researched WHAT? It has at least 9 characteristics:- 

Joyfulness. Begins and ends with much rejoicing. miracle and parable.

Outcasts. Christ and those called outcasts.7.36. 19.8 etc.

Women. Luke mentions 13 other women who are not in other Gospels

History. There is a clear link to the historicity of the Gospel

People. Pen-portraits of many Doctor experience.

Medical references. He describes the illness  

Prayer. Luke records 9 prayers of Jesus not mentioned in other Gospels

The Holy Spirit is mentioned more in this Gospel than the others. 11.13

etc.

WHO? 1.'the beloved disciple' the son of Zebedee 2.An eye-witness who recorded details 3.Knows Jewish feasts, history and geog. 4.He uses 'we' and 'us' many times. 5. Identifies himself Jn.21.24-25  WHAT? 1. "A portrait more than a photograph"

2. Discourses in John teaching in the others.

3. Scenes & events recalled in different ways

4.Miracles called signs5. Instead of parables self declarations

  

7 " I AM " SAYINGS  6.35 ...the Bread of Life. 8.12 ...the Light of the World. 8.58 ...before Abraham. 10.11 ...the Good Shepherd. 11.25 ...the Resurrection and the Life. 14.6 ...the Way, the Truth and the Life. 15.1 ...the true vine.