New Testament Exam 2- Gospels and Acts

Gospel

Greek word euangelion, means “good news”, related to evangelism

Are the gospels bigraphical?

No

How much of Jesus’ life is documented

50 Days

4 Purposes of the Gospels

1. Historical

2. Catechetical

3. Apologetic

4. Evangelistic

Historical purpose

Assert historical reality

Catechetical purpose

Teaching tool, question answer

Apologetic purpose

To defend the Christian faith

Evangelical purpose

Encourage belief in Christ

Do the gospels contradict?

No

Synoptic gospel

(Matt.-Luke), “seen together”

Which two gospels are verbatim to each other?

Mark and Matthew

Synoptic problem

Why they’re so similar

Pre age of enlightenment gospel beliefs

Accepted as truth

Post age of enlightenment

Skepticism of Bible

Age of enlightenment lead to

a critical study of the gospels

2 Types of criticism

1. Lower

2. Higher

Lower criticism

Focuses on text itself (looking down)

Higher criticism

Examines origins and purposes behind text (looking up)

Textual criticism

Looks at text (lower)

Form criticism

How stories were transmitted (lower)

Redaction criticism

Asks why (Higher)

Source criticism

Analysis of sources (higher)

Markin priority

Theory that Mark was the first gospel written

Q

German word “quelle”, Hypothetical, maybe rea source written by apostle

Matthew

Jewish perspective, links Jesus to OT

Who wrote Matthew

Text doesn’t say but evidence says Matthew

Who is Matthew?

Tax collector

When was Matthew written?

Before destruction of the temple

Matthew is the only gospel that mentions…

“Church”

Matthew’s audience

Jewish Christians

Where is Matthew writing?

Suggests Antioch

Purpose

Lead to/strengthen faith

Distinctives of Matthew

1. Emphasizes Jesus as fulfillment of OT

2. “kingdom of heaven” 56x due to jewish sensitivities

Mark

Gentile perspective, emphasizes action and Jesus’ servanthood

Who wrote Mark?

Papias says John Mark

Who is John Mark?

Cousin of Barnabas, travels with Paul, little boy who ran away

Audience of Mark

Roman Christians

Where was Mark written

Maybe in Rome

Distinctives of Mark

1. Shortest gospel

2. “Immediately”

3. Highlights servanthood and deity of Jesus

Structure of Mark

1. Ministry of Jesus

2. Death of Jesus

Theme of Mark

Proves Jesus is the Son of God and Messiah

Luke

Gentile audience, compassionate towards marginalized

Who wrote Luke

Believed to be Luke

Who is Luke?

A physician and companion of Paul

Audience of Luke

Theophilus, gentiles

Theophilus

“Lover of God”

Where was Luke written?

Rome

Main themes of Luke

Global salvation and focuses on women children, poor

John

Theological depth, focuses on faith and Jesus’ divinity

Who wrote John?

John, Jesus’ best friend

Where was John written?

Ephesus

John’s audience

Christians in Asia minor

Distinctives of John

Faith and miracles

Theme of John

Appeal to unbelievers to acknowledge Jesus as savior and Son of God

What are the only two gospels that have introductions?

Luke and John

Luke’s introduction

Orderly, chronological, to Theophilus, based on eyewitness accounts

John’s introduction

Prologue connecting to the OT

Birth narratives are found in

Matthew and Luke

Announcement of Jesus’ birth

Angels appear to Mary and Joseph

How old was Mary

13 or 14

The name Jesus means

God saves which indicates hope and fulfillment of prophecy

The name Immanuel means

God with us

What did Mary’s virgin conception symbolize?

Separates Jesus from Joseph’s lineage

Which gospel traced lineage from Abraham through David to prove Jewish lineage?

Matthew

Which gospel traced lineage back from Jesus to Adam?

Luke

Birth of Jeus

• Mary and Joseph travel from Naz. to Beth. for Roman census'

• Jesus is born in manger

• Shepherds were first to visit

On what day of Jesus’ life was he circumcised

8th, in Jerusalem

On what day of Jesus’ life was he presented at the temple?

40th

Who were some of the first people to recognize Jesus as messiah

Simeon and Anna

Matthew describes the visit from the…

Magi (wise men), likely from persia

How did the Magi hear about Jesus’ birth?

Star in sky

What gifts did the Magi bring Jesus

Myrrh, gold, frankincense

Who was seeking to kill Jesus

King Herod

Where did Jesus’ family escape to?

Egypt

When did they return to Nazereth?

After King Herod died

What event caused Jesus’ family to travel to Jerusalem?

Passover

How old was Jesus when he traveled for Passover?

12

Where did Jesus get lost?

In the temple for a day

Jesus’ response to being found in the temple was…

“at my Father’s house”

How many siblings did Jesus have?

Around 6

What age did Jesus’ begin ministry?

30

Who was John the Baptist?

Precursor to Jesus, identifies him as Messiah