Introduction

Gospels are not biographies. They are accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus, but they are also reflections on who Jesus is and what he means for the world. Each of the gospel writers wnated to say something specific about the meaning of Jesus and carefully slected materials and arranged them to carry his own particular emphasis.

There are four gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The first three gospels are called the Synoptic gospels, because they all follow a common synopsis, or outline. These three gospels can be studied in parallel because they follow the same basic outline, use many of the same words and the same order.
The Gospel of John is completely different from the other three. It does not follow the same outline, has a three-year ministry for Jesus instead of one year, and contains long reflections about the meaning of Jesus, instead of short sayings and parables.

Mark is probably the oldest of the gospels. Tradition says it that it was written in Rome by John Mark and contains the memories of Peter. The crucification and resurrection are the key to understanding who Jesus is - nearly one-half of the gospel deals with these events. Mark does not have any birth narratives, but beings with the preaching of John the Baptist.

Matthew begins by placing Jesus within the story of salvation. Jesus is the son of Abraham and son of David, the fullfillment of all the promises to God's people. The teaching material in Matthew is organized into five great sections, the best-known of which is the Sermon on the Mount. Many have said that Matthew saw Jesus as a second Moses, giving a new Torah to God's people.

Luke's special interest is in the oppressed and outcasts of society, especially women and the poor. His gospel begins with birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus. It has the only story of Jesus between his birth and ministry, the episode in the temple at the age of twelve. Some of the best-loved parables - the good Samaritan, the prodigal son, the rich man and Lazarus - are found only in Luke's gospel.

John has less narrative and no parables, but a series of long reflections on Jesus as divine Son of God. The gospel beings with a great hymn on the "Word" who was always God and became flesh for the salvation of teh world. The word is Jesus. John also contains a srries of miracles as sings pointing to Jesus, and the "I AM" sayings, which expresses what Jesus means in a series of striking metaphors.

Acts of the Apostles

Luke reports a series of episodes in the life and faith of the early church to show how Christianity rose out of Judaism and has deep roots in the Jewish faith. He shows something of the struggle the disciples felt in moving out in a mission to the Gentiles. One of the major themes in the book is the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and strengthening the church as it spread across the Mediterranean world. More than half of Acts is devoted to the ministry of Paul and his travels to preach the good news.

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