jesus and curch

Salvation

Being saved from sin and separation from God and brought into relationship with God; ultimately eternal life with God.

Revelation

God making Himself and His plan known to humanity.

Salvation History

The story of God's actions throughout history to save humanity, culminating in Jesus Christ.

Historical Jesus

Studying Jesus as a real historical person: His life, teachings, actions, death, and historical context.

Christ of Faith

Understanding Jesus through Christian faith as the Son of God, Messiah, Savior, and risen Lord.

Matthew — Date Written

c. 80–90 AD

Mark — Date Written

c. 65–70 AD

Luke — Date Written

c. 80–90 AD

John — Date Written

c. 90–100 AD

Matthew — Audience

Jewish Christians / Jewish audience

Mark — Audience

Gentile Christians, especially Romans

Luke — Audience

Gentile Christians and a broader Greco-Roman audience

John — Audience

Christian communities familiar with Jewish and Greek ideas

Matthew — Image of Jesus

Messiah, King, Son of David, New Moses

Mark — Image of Jesus

Suffering Servant, Son of God

Luke — Image of Jesus

Savior, compassionate Lord, Son of Man

John — Image of Jesus

Divine Word, Son of God, God incarnate

Why does Matthew begin with a genealogy?

It connects Jesus to Israel's history and establishes Him as the Son of David and rightful Messiah.

Matthew's genealogy connects Jesus to whom?

Abraham and David, showing Jesus' connection to Israel and the Davidic royal line.

Matthew's Old Testament prophecy about the virgin birth

Isaiah 7:14

What does Emmanuel mean?

"God with us"

Matthew's prophecy about Jesus being born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2

Matthew's connection between Jesus and Egypt

Hosea 11:1 — "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Matthew's connection to the massacre of infants

Jeremiah 31:15 — Rachel weeping for her children.

Who visits Jesus in Matthew?

The Magi / Wise Men.

What sign did the Magi follow?

A star.

Why did the Magi follow the star?

It indicated the birth of the King of the Jews.

What gifts did the Magi bring?

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Why are the Magi important in Matthew?

They are Gentiles who recognize and honor Jesus, showing that Jesus' mission extends beyond Israel.

Why does the Holy Family flee Bethlehem in Matthew?

Herod wants to kill Jesus because he sees Him as a threat.

Where does the Holy Family go after Bethlehem?

Egypt.

What Old Testament figure does Jesus' early life parallel?

Moses; both are threatened by a ruler and preserved from death.

Where does Jesus grow up?

Nazareth.

Why does Joseph travel to Bethlehem in Luke?

Caesar Augustus orders a census, and Joseph is from the house and family of David.

Who is Zechariah's wife?

Elizabeth.

Why is Elizabeth's pregnancy miraculous?

She is elderly and had previously been unable to have children.

Who is Elizabeth's son?

John the Baptist.

What is the Annunciation?

Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive and give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.

Who announces Jesus' birth to Mary?

The angel Gabriel.

What is the Visitation?

Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth after the Annunciation.

What happens to John during the Visitation?

John leaps in Elizabeth's womb when Mary arrives.

What is Mary's song of praise called?

The Magnificat.

What does Magnificat mean?

"My soul magnifies" or "My soul proclaims the greatness."

Who visits Jesus in Luke?

Shepherds.

Who announces Jesus' birth to the shepherds?

Angels.

Why are the shepherds significant in Luke?

They are ordinary/humble people, showing that God's salvation is for everyone and especially reaches the lowly.

How does Luke show Jesus' incorporation into Judaism?

Jesus is circumcised, named, presented in the Temple, and His parents follow Jewish purification laws.

Who recognizes Jesus in the Temple?

Simeon and Anna.

What does Simeon recognize Jesus as?

The Messiah and Savior.

Who is Anna?

A prophetess who recognizes Jesus and speaks about Him to others.

What indicates that Jesus' family was poor?

Mary and Joseph offer two turtledoves/two pigeons, the offering allowed for those who could not afford a lamb.

Why is John the Baptist called the New Elijah?

Like Elijah, John is a prophet who calls people back to God and prepares the way for the Messiah.

What is John the Baptist's role?

To prepare the way for Jesus and announce the coming of the Messiah.

What does it mean that John was a Nazirite?

He was specially dedicated to God and traditionally avoided wine/alcohol, cutting his hair, and contact with corpses.

What happens when Jesus is 12?

He is found in the Temple talking with teachers after Mary and Joseph realize He is missing.

What does Jesus' Temple visit at age 12 reveal?

His special relationship with God the Father and His awareness of His divine mission.

How does Zechariah respond to Gabriel?

He questions/doubts Gabriel because he and Elizabeth are old.

How does Gabriel respond to Zechariah?

Zechariah becomes unable to speak until John's birth.

How does Mary respond to Gabriel?

She accepts God's will and responds with faith and obedience.

How does Gabriel respond to Mary?

He explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and that Jesus will be the Son of God.

Who said "An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream"?

Matthew

Who said "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken"?

Luke

Who said "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious"?

Matthew

Who said "The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary"?

Luke

Who said "Joseph got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt"?

Matthew

Who said "When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses…"?

Luke

Who said "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet"?

Matthew

How does John's Gospel begin?

"In the beginning was the Word."

What does John's opening emphasize about Jesus?

Jesus is the divine Word who was with God and was God.

What is the Incarnation?

God the Son becoming human in Jesus Christ.

Why is the Incarnation central to Christianity?

Jesus is truly God and truly human and comes into the world to reveal God and bring salvation.

Matthew's infancy narrative focuses on whom?

Joseph, the Magi, Herod, the star, Egypt, and Old Testament prophecy.

Luke's infancy narrative focuses on whom?

Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah, shepherds, angels, the Temple, Simeon, Anna, and Jesus at age 12.

What do Matthew and Luke both include?

Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Jesus' miraculous conception, Bethlehem, Davidic connections, and Nazareth.

Why are Matthew and Luke's infancy narratives different?

Each writer had different audiences and theological goals and emphasized different aspects of Jesus' identity and mission.

Matthew's main theological emphasis

Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, Son of David, fulfillment of prophecy, and New Moses.

Luke's main theological emphasis

Jesus is the Savior for all people, especially emphasizing the poor, humble, and outsiders.

Matthew = Remember

King, Jews, Prophecy, Magi, Herod, Egypt, Joseph

Luke = Remember

Mary, Poor, Shepherds, Temple, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna

John = Remember

Word, God, Incarnation, Divine Jesus

Matthew visitors

Magi / Wise Men

Luke visitors

Shepherds

Matthew's birth sign

Star

Luke's birth sign

Angels announcing to shepherds

Matthew's main Old Testament connection

Israel's history, prophecy, Moses, David

Luke's main social emphasis

Poor, humble, outsiders, universal salvation

Matthew's view of Jesus

King/Messiah

Luke's view of Jesus

Savior

John's view of Jesus

Divine Word made flesh

Genealogy

Shows Jesus' connection to Abraham, David, Israel, and the promised Messiah.

Emmanuel

God with us.

Messiah

The promised anointed Savior/King.

Son of David

A title emphasizing Jesus' connection to King David and the promised royal Messiah.

New Moses

Matthew's presentation of Jesus as paralleling Moses, especially through His escape from a ruler and connection to Egypt.

Universal Salvation

The idea that God's salvation is offered to all people, not only one ethnic or religious group.

Magnificat

Mary's song of praise in Luke 1:46–55.

Visitation

Mary's visit to Elizabeth.

Annunciation

Gabriel's announcement to Mary about Jesus' conception and birth.

Nazareth

The town where Jesus grows up.

Bethlehem

The city where Jesus is born and the city of David.