November 1, 2002, Vol.2,
No.21.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "The
Four Gospel Accounts" (see below)
and "Introduction to Deuteronomy"
Overview of the Bible:
The Four Gospel Accounts
by Keith Sharp
 The
word translated "gospel" in the New Testament means
good news. This term is used to describe the entire message which
came through Christ, the New Testament (Galatians 1:6-12). However,
the books which record the life of Jesus - Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John - are popularly called "the Four Gospels."
They are the only authoritative sources of information on virtually
all the life of Christ. These books are the only accurate records
of the historical facts of His life, particularly of His ministry,
and the primary records of what He taught. Their overall purpose
is stated by John near the close of His account:
"... these are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have
life in His name" (John 20:31).
Differences in Accounts
Why are there four books in the New Testament which tell the
story of the life of Christ? And why are there so many differences
between them? In the first place, were there no differences between
them, there would be no real need for four different accounts.
Further, although each writer was inspired by the Holy Spirit
to write his book (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13),
the Spirit of God did not use them as machines, but allowed their
differences as persons to be expressed in their writings. Each
inspired writer has his own style and peculiarities. Further,
since Matthew and John were eye witnesses of Jesus (cf. 1 John
1:1-3), and since Mark and Luke record what other witnesses testified
(cf. Luke 1:1-4), each writer expressed the different perspectives
one would expect from honest witnesses. Also, each writer had
his own peculiar purpose in writing. There are differences in
details, which again would be expected between honest witnesses,
that infidels use to try to discredit the accounts as contradictory
to each other. But these "alleged discrepancies" can
be adequately explained without casting doubt on the accuracy
of the accounts.
Relationship of First Three
Accounts
Matthew, Mark and Luke are usually grouped together as the
"Synoptic Gospels." The word "synoptic" is
from a Greek word meaning "to see together." These
writers followed a common view or approach to the life of Christ.
They approach his life as a history, primarily of his public
ministry in Galilee, giving emphasis to miracles, parables and
public discourses. They record the most important facts of the
life of Jesus.
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