The Gospel Accounts

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:30–31)

As we have discussed the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament, we now turn our attention to the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. It is within these twenty-seven books that we are given the doctrine whereby we live. The Old Testament was our “schoolmaster” which brought us to Christ that we might be justified by faith, which is in Christ, and being that faith is come we are no longer in need of the schoolmaster (Gal. 3:24-25). This faith that comes through Christ is established by the things that we read in the New Testament (Rom. 10:17), and it is by the things that we read in the New Testament that we will be judged on that great and final day (John 12:48). The Testament/Covenant that was given to the Israelites (Old Testament) was fulfilled in Christ and taken out of the way, being nailed to the cross (Col. 2:15; Hebrews 8-9).

The New Testament can be broken down into four sections. There are the Gospel accounts that tell us about the life of Christ. The book of Acts serves as a book of history of the church after the ascension of Christ, beginning with the apostles preaching the Gospel in Jerusalem and spreading the Gospel into the uttermost parts of the world. Acts also serves as a book of conversions that shows us how people were and can be saved. The books of the epistles are written to encourage us to live for Christ and strengthen our faith in Him. The book of Revelation is a series of messages from Christ to seven churches of Asia, encouraging them (as well as us) to continue living for Him even in the face of death, and also comforts us as we have heaven depicted for us and are told of the victory that belongs to God and those that are faithful to Him.

Now that we have this brief summary of the New Testament, let us focus upon the four books of the Gospel accounts. First of all, it is important that we emphasize that there is only one Gospel, and four accounts of it. Why four different accounts? Why not have one book that tells us everything we need to know about Christ? As we will explain the four books/accounts were written to different groups of people, with different emphasis in each book. Just as the book of John concludes in his account, there are many things that Jesus did and said that are not recorded for us in the Gospel but the things that we have been given have been given to us that we might establish our faith in Christ (John 20:30-31).

Matthew: The book of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament. This book was written to the Jews and the emphasis of this book is the kingdom of Christ. The first seventeen verses of the book of Matthew may be some of the most ignored verses in all the Gospel accounts, but in these verses, we find the genealogy of Joseph which begins with Abraham and ends with Jesus. Some have commented on this genealogy and have said that it is given to prove that Joseph could not have been the father of Jesus and the only conclusion that can be made is that Jesus was born of a virgin and is the Messiah ("God with us,” Matt. 1:23). Matthew also contains the greatest sermon ever preached (the Sermon on the Mount; chapter 5-7), which begins with the beatitudes and is filled with instructions for the citizens of the Kingdom of Christ. Matthew focuses on the teachings of Jesus and the parables He used in His teaching. As the book was written to the Jews it shows the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees, who would ultimately have Jesus crucified on the cross.

Mark: Mark is the shortest of all four accounts with sixteen chapters. Mark was written to the Romans and focuses on the actions of Jesus. In contrast to the book of Matthew, the book of Mark does not emphasize the teachings of Christ, but more attention is given to the miracles that He performed. Mark only records four parables that Jesus taught but records eighteen miracles. Mark shows Jesus and His disciples constantly on the move. A reading of these sixteen chapters will show the majesty of our Lord and will move the reader to fall deeper in love with Him.

Luke: Luke contains twenty-four chapters, written to the Greeks, that focus on Jesus as the ideal man (Luke 2:52). Luke gives a detailed look at the preparation that took place for the coming of Christ. The first chapter shows that the mother and father of John the Immerser were righteous people, and that John came to prepare the way for Jesus. Luke contains a genealogy of Christ, but unlike Matthew’s listing it begins with Adam and ends with Christ. Luke shows detailed historical information pertaining to Jesus and His work, but the main objective of Luke is to show that Jesus is the Christ that came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

John: John is different altogether from the other accounts. Whereas Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote to a specific group of people, John’s account is written to all of mankind to show that Jesus is the Christ, a member of the Godhead that had an active part in the creation of the world in the beginning, and His deity cannot be denied. This account does not begin with a genealogy but begins by showing Jesus is the Word that was active in creation as “all things were made by Him” and then shows how God in the flesh came into the world for the purpose of saving mankind. John gives detailed information about the preparation of the apostles as Jesus prepares them for the time He would not be with them but Jesus would send the Comforter that will teach them all things and bring all things to their remembrance and testify of Jesus (John 14-16). The main thrust of John is summed up in John 20:30-31: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:30-31)

The Gospel accounts are books that should be studied often and should deepen our love and commitment to Jesus. As we study these four wonderful books, the only conclusion that can be made is, as Philipp Bliss wrote in 1875, “Hallelujah what a Savior!”

“Man of Sorrows!” what a name For the Son of God, who came Ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we; Spotless Lamb of God was He; “Full atonement!” can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die; “It is finished!” was His cry; Now in Heav’n exalted high.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King, All His ransomed home to bring, Then anew His song we’ll sing:

Hallelujah! What a Savior!