The Gospels & Acts

The word Gospel means

Good News

Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke

Matthews main message

jesus is Isreal’s long awaited messiah king

Matthew Key Features

1. Strong Jewish Orientation

2. Emphasis on CHrists fulfillment of the OT

3. Arranges around five speaches/sermons

4. The Great Commission

Mark’s main message

Jesus, the son of God, became a servant and a ransom for sin

Marks key features

1. No brth narrative

2. Quick moving narrative

3. The Messianic Secert

4. “makan sandwiches”

5. False ending

Luke’s main message

Jesus is the savior of all people especially the marginalized

Luke’s Key features

1. Emphasis on outsiders (poor, sinners, samaritians, Gentiles, women)

2. Emphasis on Jesus present reign following hs ascension

John (not synoptic) Main Message

Jesus is the world made to flesh to reval the Father and provide enternal life to all who believe

John’s Key features

1. Emphasis on Jesus Divinity

2. Centrality of Belief/Enternal life

3. Spirtual dual sim

4. Irony and symbolism

5. The promised Holy Spirt

Main message of Acts

• The ongoing work of Jesus through his new covenant people by the Power of the Holy spirit. 

• Jesus is fulfilling the Messianic- Kingdom through his New Covenant people by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

• … fulfills prophetic/ messianic expectations 

• …. Subverts cultural/political expectations 

Key Distinctives of Acts

1. Empowering of the Holy Spirit (real)

2. Love and Unity of the Church (ideal)

3. Missionary Journeys to the Ends of the Earth 

4. Centile Inclusion and the Jewishness of the New community 

5. Persecution, Opposition, Martyrdom

Peter (Acts)

• Main Apostle

• Simon (Jewish name) 

• Apostle to the Jews 

• Converts the Centlies household of Cornelius

Paul (Acts)

• Main apostle 

• Saul (Jewish name)

• Apostle to the Gentiles 

• Recognizes Jesus as Yahewh (9a) 

• Three missionary journeys to Asia Minor and Greece (12-20) 

• Paul ends up under house arrest preaching the gospel at the heart of Rome (28)

Stephen Apostle (Acts)

Preaches against Israel's leaders and is stoned to death, marking the beginning of persecution

Philip Apostle (Acts)

Converts an Ethiopian Eunuch 

Cornelius Apostle (Acts)

• Peter converts the Gentile household of Cornelius 

Pentecost

• The Spirit fills the community as the New Temple (Exodus 40; Haggai 2) 

Jerusalem Council

• Declares that Gentile believers don’t have to follow Jewuish customs to become Chrisitans 

Main Conflicts (Acts)

1. (Mainly) The Racial/Cultural Division Between Jews and Gentiles

2. The Political Tension between “Jesus is Lord” and “Caesar is Lord

Romans Main Message

The good news is that everyone, whether Jew or Gentile, is justified by grace through faith in Christ 

1 Corinthians Main message

Everything in life must be viewed through the good news

Sermon on the Mount (Matthew)

The Sermon on the Mount is Jesu’s inaugural address.

Fulfillment of the Law (Mathew)

Christ’s fulfillment of the Old Testament

Mark has what ending?

False ending

Luke emphasis

The Gospel has spiritual and social dimensions

Washing feet (John)

Jesus, as God and Kind shows that true leadership and authority looks like washing feet

Luke’s birth narrative

Includes the Annunciation to Mary, the visit of the shepherds, and a focus on Jesus as the Savior of the poor and marginalized

Matthew’s birth narrative

Highlights Jesus’ royal and prophetic significance

John is identified as..

The disciple whom Jesus loved

In the Gospel of John, suffering is deeply connected to what?

The glory of God, in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Luke’s Sermon on the Plain

Shorter, and emphasizes social justice, reversal of fortunes, and love for enemies

Phoebe

deacon (or servant) of the church in Cenchreae, a port city and entrusts her with delivering his letter to the Roman Christians

Head coverings

Honoring God is worship, respecting spiritual order; and recognizing the interdependence of men and women in Christ

Lord’s Supper

Reverence, self-examination, and love in how believers partake in this holy meal

The Sign Gifts

Emphasizing their purpose, proper use, and limitations within the church

• tongues

• Healing

• Miracles

Divorce (1 Corinthians)

Particle guidance for mixed-faith marriages, reconciliation is encouraged

Resurrection (1 Corinthians)

Is a cornerstone of the Christian faith

Main Message of Galatians

Believers in Christ are justified as children of Abraham through faith and no by the Law

Children of Abraham

The different gospel is that Gentile believers need to follow the requirements of the Law to receive the covenant promises to Abraham

Galatians Law

• The Law is good

• The Law cannot make anyone righteous

• The Law revealed the character and nature of God and also the sin of Israel

• Chris has freed Jew and Gentile alike from the burden of the Law