The Gospels

Matthew Mark Luke John

Jesus Across the Gospels

● Christ's genealogical connection to David● Christ's birth and identity as Emmanuel● Heralding witness of John the Baptist● Authority/ Greatness of the King in ministry● King's rejection/Gentile ministry/Church● Key word: Kingdom/Kingdom-focused teaching● Emphasis on scriptural fulfillment● Death and resurrection of the King● The Great Commission.

Matthew: Jesus, the King of Israel

● Written to the Romans● Jesus is presented as the Son of God● No Genealogy; scriptural + baptismal witness● More miracle and sign focused● Straightway (at once) is the key word of Mark● The shortest Gospel account● Few teaching discourses● The death and resurrection of Jesus● The ascension and continuance of His works

Mark: Jesus the Servant

● Written to Theophilus- an official● Luke: Gentile author of this Gospel● Key word: The Son of Man● Presents a chronology of Christ's life● Presents accuracy of Christian beliefs● Presents Jesus as the Son of God● Presents the genealogy of Jesus from Mary● Salvation: Theme from accounts and parables● History of Christ's life identified with prophecy

Luke: Jesus the Man

● Jesus is the Son of God, the Word made flesh● Purpose: To believe in Jesus/have eternal life● Written from Ephesus to mostly Gentiles● Records Jesus’ Judean ministry● Teachings not found in the other Gospels● Miracles not found in the other Gospels● Records the “I AM” sayings of Christ● A topical emphasis on the deity of Christ● Old Testament allusions and quotations

John: Jesus the Almighty God

Concluding SummaryThe Testimony of Jesus

Christ (Next Slide)

The Gospels give us the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, from four distinct perspectives. The uniqueness brought by each is not contradicted by the other, but rather complemented.

To reach their audiences, each author used both distinct and traditional accounts that enforced and underscored their witness. With the exception of John's Gospel, the other authors, along with their distinct writing, used uniform accounts with added details and special emphasis to present the unity of the faith.

John's gospel uniquely underscores and completes the full witness of the other three by declaring the truth that Jesus is God in flesh. These works are not a full biography of the life of Christ, but they do give us a complete testimony of who Jesus is.

Information:Deb Strlek (debbiestrlek@msn.com)

http://allnationsleadershipinstitute.org