INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS

The first four books in the New Testament are the Gospels. These books record the birth, life, ministry, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The approach of each book differs:

Matthew: Emphasizes Jesus Christ as King and was directed especially to the Jews. The book opens with the royal genealogy and closes with the King commissioning His disciples.

Mark: Emphasizes Jesus Christ as the Servant of God and was directed to the Romans. No genealogy is given since Jesus is portrayed as a servant and no one is interested in the pedigree of a servant. The book closes with the Lord "working with them," laboring as a servant with His disciples.

Luke: Presents Jesus Christ as the "Son of Man," the perfect man and Savior of imperfect men. Luke 3 traces the human genealogy of Jesus back to Adam. Luke ends with this perfect man, Jesus, ascending back up to Heaven to His Father. John: Stresses Jesus in His position as the Son of God. The book opens with Jesus the Word revealed as God. The closing verse of John indicates that the world could not contain all Jesus did during His earthly ministry. This is further evidence He was truly the Son of God.

JEWISH SECTS

The Jews of New Testament times belonged to different sects or groups. The following groups are mentioned in the Gospels:

Pharisees: Their religion centered on obedience to the law which they interpreted, extended, followed, and enforced. They followed not only the written law but also oral tradition which had been passed from generation to generation. They were the largest group of Jews and the most influential. They believed in resurrection after death. Sadducees: They were the governing group. They did not believe in the resurrection. They accepted only the teaching written in the law and not what had been handed down orally. They were aligned politically with the Romans who ruled Israel at the time of Christ. Essences: These were strict legalists who looked for two messiahs to come. They lived in segregated communities.

Zealots: These were fanatical nationalists who advocated violence as a means of liberation from Roman rule.