Christ in Every Book of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The Gospels/Acts

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1 The Gospels/Acts The four Gospels and Acts present the events of the life of Jesus Christ and the birth and early days of the church. In a certain sense they may be called historical books, because together they relate events that occurred over a period of around sixty years or so. However, the Gospels are more than history. They include preaching and teaching material meant for spiritual guidance and understanding, and are intended as a testimonial witness so that people might be converted and receive eternal life. The four presentations are a whole genre of literature unto themselves they are the Gospels. Acts too, is distinctive from a traditional history, in that it is a testimonial to the work of the Holy Spirit in the early days of the church, from about A.D. 30 to 60, from the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell upon 120 believers to the arrival of Paul at Rome and his first imprisonment there around A.D Therefore, the Gospels and Acts are an historical witness and testimony of God's active work to redeem man firstly through the earthly ministry and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, and then through work of the Holy Spirit in the early Church. The intention is that all people would see the truth of the gospel and be converted. Special Note. There are a number of special considerations to remember when studying the Gospels: 1. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are similar in their presentation. It is strongly believed that there was some use of one book in the writing of the other two. This is known as the synoptic problem, and there have been a number of varying theories concerning this matter. All of these books were completed by A.D. 60 or shortly thereafter. 2. John differs greatly in style from the other three Gospels, and has a strong empasis on teaching spiritual and theological aspects of the years of ministry of Jesus, and of His death, resurrection and ascention. This may very well be due to the late date of the writing of this book, probably between A.D By the end of the century there had been time to reflect upon the spiritual significance of the life and events surrounding Jesus Christ, and it is apparent the apostle John attempts to build this developed understanding into his Gospel. 3. Acts, written by Luke, basically focuses on events surrounding the apostles Peter and Paul, and so does NOT present a complete history of all of the events of the church in those first decades. It also ends abruptly with Paul's first imprisonment at Rome, around A.D , 1

2 leaving the important years that followed, including Paul's release and further ministry, without a biblical record. 4. The full window of time covered by these books is from about 4-5 B.C. with the birth of Jesus to about A.D with the first imprisonment of Paul in Rome; that is, a period of about 65 years. Matthew Matthew was a tax collector and hated by loyal Jews, and probably viewed as a traitor. Matthew made more references to the Old Testament than did the other writers, to show evidence of Christ's Messiahship, because he wrote chiefly to the Jews. This is why the geneologies are given, showing that Christ fulfills the correct lineage to be Messiah. Regarding the "synoptic problem", intense scholarship has drawn a number of variations of theory on the source material compiled and written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, including statistics of verses used in one and also in the others, etc. One theory is that Mark wrote his Gospel first, and that Matthew borrowed from Mark and some unknown source called "Q", and that Luke borrowed from Mark, Matthew, and also "Q." Another theory says that Matthew wrote his Gospel first. Whichever is the case, the fact remains that the similarities of the three Gospels by three different people attempting to reach possibly three different classes of people supplies remarkable evidence and validation of the claims and other statements presented in these synoptic Gospels. TRUE OR FALSE: Write T or F followed by the verse in which you found the answer: T/F Verse 1. There were as many generations between Abraham and David as there were between the Babylonian captivity and the time of Christ. 2. Joseph wanted to put Mary away as a public example, but the angel came to him and explained that she was carrying the Messiah. 3. Joseph was told that Jesus would save the people from their sins. 4. Herod was anxious to learn about the coming of Messiah, but only because he wanted to destroy Him. 5. Jospeh did not bring Mary and Jesus back away from Egypt until the angel said it was safe. 6. In chapter 1 and 2, Matthew has referred to Old Testament prophecies about Jesus five times. (Look for "fulfilled" and "written.") 7. John did not baptize his converts. 2

3 8. John preached with soft words, to match his delicate clothing. 9. John wanted to be baptized by Jesus, but instead he baptized Jesus. 10. The Spirit of God came to Jesus like a dove. 11. When Jesus went to fast in the wilderness, the devil did not go with Him. 12. The devil knows what the Bible says. 13. The first four disciples were fishermen. 14. Jesus healed some types of diseases of the people who came to Him. 15. There is no reward for being persecuted. 16. Jesus came to destroy the Law. 17. Jesus taught that reconciliation comes before giving. 18. Lust is as serious as adultery in God's sight. 19. It is okay to swear sometimes. 20. Jesus teaches us to go the "extra mile." 21. If we only love those who love us, we have no reward. 22. Secret prayer will be rewarded openly. 23. There is no mention of forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer. 24. We should tell everyone when we fast. 25. Heavenly treasure is more important than earthly treasure. 26. If we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will meet our earthly needs. 27. If we judge, we will be judged. 28. Do unto others as they do unto you. 29. Not many find the narrow way that leads to eternal life. 30. There is no way to tell a false prophet from a true one. 31. Only they who do the will of the Father shall enter unto His kingdom. 32. The house on the sand is like someone who builds his life on the Word. 33. The leper wondered if it was God's will to heal him, and Jesus said, "I will." 34. The centurion wanted Jesus to come to his house and heal the servant. 35. Jesus fulfilled a verse from Isaiah (Esaias) in Matthew chapter Jesus knew what it was to have no place to lay His head, occasionally. 37. The disciples were afraid to awaken Jesus when the storm came. 38. After Jesus cast the devils out of the men, their city welcomed Him to stay. 39. The scribes were delighted to see that Jesus forgave the sick of the 3

4 palsy in addition to healing him. 40. Matthew was fishing when Jesus called him. 41. Jesus was not too proud to eat with publicans and sinners. 42. Jesus' disciples did a lot of fasting until He was taken away from them. 43. Despite the wonderful healings Jesus did in chapter 9, the Pharisees said He did so through the devil. 44. The disciples could do no miracles until they received the Holy Ghost in the Book of Acts. 45. After Jesus called the twelve disciples, He sent them to the Gentiles right away. 46. Jesus told the disciples they would have no trouble at all trying to preach the Gospel and bring healing. 47. We must love Jesus over and above our family. 48. Jesus believed that John the Baptist was Elias (Elijah) who was sent to prepare the way for Him. 49. Jesus wants us to exchange our heavy burdens for His burden which is light. 50. Jesus wasn't afraid to heal on the Sabbath despite the critical Pharisees. 51. Jesus said speaking against the Holy Ghost could not be forgiven. 52. When an evil spirit is cast out, he will never seek to come back into the person. 53. In the parable of the sower, the seed represents the Word of God. 54. Jesus did not tell what the tares were. 55. The angels will separate the wicked from the just. 56. Jesus had great honor in His hometown. 57. Herod might not have killed John the Baptist had it not been for Herodias' daughter. 58. Jesus sent the disciples away to get food for the multitude. 59. Peter could walk on the water to Jesus until he looked at the fierceness of the wind. 60. The Pharisees and scribes had made the traditions of men to be of equal importance as the commandments of God. 61. Jesus was more concerned about the wickedness of men's hearts than about handwashing. 62. The woman of Canaan did not give up until she obtained healing for her child. 63. Jesus had compassion on the multitude. 64. Jesus would not give the sign-seekers any sign at all. 4

5 65. Jesus compared the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees to leaven (yeast). 66. Peter did not like to hear Jesus say He would be killed. 67. Jesus took Peter, James and John into the desert to see the transfiguration. 68. Moses and Elias (Elijah) appeared in this transfiguration. 69. Jesus wanted them to proclaim the vision immediately..70. The disciples never could find out why they couldn't cast the devil out of the child. 71. Jesus made several mentions of His death in chapter Jesus placed no importance on children. 73. The shepherd with plenty of sheep would not bother to search for just one lost one. 74. If a fellow Christian sins, it is our responsibility to be sure the whole church knows about it from the outset. 75. What we bind on earth will be bound in Heaven. 76. Once a day is enough to forgive anybody. 77. Moses allowed divorce because of the hardness of people's hearts. 78. The disciples brought children to Jesus to be blessed. 79. The rich man was glad to give up all and follow Jesus. 80. The owner of the vineyard paid all the workers the same wage regardless of the fact they worked different lengths of time. 81. To receive the high positions in life, we must be willing to take the lowly jobs first. 82. The two blind men were not afraid to call on Jesus. 83. Bringing the colt for Jesus helped fulfill a prophecy. 84. The Jewish leaders were glad to hear the little children praising Jesus. 85. In Jesus' parable, the vineyard keepers were kind and obedient to those who were sent to check on them. 86. Those first bidden to the wedding feast gratefully came. 87. Jesus had an answer for all the trick questions put to Him by His critics, and they finally gave up. 88. Jesus cautioned the people to not follow the examples set by the Pharisees. 89. Jesus told the Pharisees to quit tithing and do more important things. 90. Jesus did not call for judgment on Jerusalem. 91. The increase in famines and earthquakes only signals the beginnings of things to come. 92. If someone tells us Christ is here or there, we should hurry to see 5

6 Him. 93. The angels will gather Christ's chosen ones from all over the world in the end time. 94. Jesus gives the sign of the fig tree. 95. The ten virgins all took enough oil with them to meet the bridegroom. 96. When we feed the poor and visit the sick, it is as if we are visiting and feeding Jesus. 97. The disciples had a problem finding a place to have the Passover with Jesus. 98. Peter felt that he was the one who would betray Jesus. 99. Jesus wanted His Father's will at any cost The high priest declared that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy for claiming to be the Messiah When the rooster crowed, Peter recalled that Jesus had said he would deny the Lord Judas was never sorry that he betrayed Jesus Even the field purchased with the thirty pieces of silver fulfilled a prophecy Pilate's wife had a good dream about Jesus There was darkness for four hours when Christ died on the cross There was an earthquake and some dead were raised when Jesus died and was resurrected The Pharisees were not worried about keeping watch on Jesus' tomb Martha was the first person to find Jesus was raised from the dead The twelve disciples met with Jesus in the mountain after His resurrection Jesus promised He would always be with us. (continued on next page) 6

7 LIST THE DISCIPLES: presents List the names of the disciples found in chapter 10: 7