Background of the Books of Gospel

Wnen Roman Emperor Augustus reigned, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, which was foretold by prophets hundreds years ago in the Old Testament Bible. Augustus

As Jesus was born, Herod the Great, who was appointed by the Roman government as King of the Jews, tried to kill him. Jesus and his parents fled to Egypt. Latter they returned and settled in Nazareth, a small village in Galilee. Jesus lived there until he began to preach the gospel at the age of thirty. Nazareth Jerusalem Bethlehem Herod the Great

By this time Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, had ruled Judea and Samaria. Jordan River Galilee and Perea (east of the Jordan River) were given to the tetrarch Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great. Pontius Pilate Herod Antipas

Most Jews were living in Judea and Galilee. Samaritan were deemed as impure both in race and faith. They were dispised by the Jews, and seldom associated with the Jews. Jews called non-Jews as “Gentiles” (including those Roman rulers). They saw Gentiles as dogs, which were unclean. Religious Jews won’t enter Gentiles’ houses or eat with them to avoid ceremonical uncleanness.

Jerusalem was the religious center of the Jews. There was a majestic temple. Jews went to Jerusalem three times a year during three feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles. The city were filled with people from everywhere during these occasions. Jerusalem

Before Jesus started to minister, God had sent John the Baptist as a pioneer. He called people to repent, and foretold that the Christ would come. He caused a spiritual revival in the whole Judean areas. Numerous people came to him to be baptised.

Jesus also came to the Jordan River from Galilee to be baptised by John the Baptist. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Spirit of God) when he was baptised.

After overcoming the devil, Jesus began his three and half year ministry. Judean Desert Jesus was then led by the Holy Spirit to the wildness to be tempted by the devil for forty days.

Pharisees: A religious sect who were zealous in keeping the Jewish religious laws. However, many of them were hypocrites. Sadducees: Another regious sect. Its members were either priests or men of noble birth. They were more interested in political power. Scribes: They were also called “Teachers of the Law”. They were experts of the Bible, and often were Pharisees. Sadducee Scribe People in the books of Gospel Pharisee

Herodians: A secular political party who supported Herod. Zealots: Extreme Jewish patriots who intended to overthrew Roman government by force. Tax Collectors: Those who collected tax for the Roman government. They used to extort their own people, and were dipised by the Jews. Sinners: Those who didn’t keep the Jewish religious laws. Zealot Tax CollectorHerodian People in the books of Gospel

Sabbath: The seventh day of a week, i.e., Saturday. According to Moses’ Law in the Old Testament, Israelis should not work on Sabbath. Latter the Scribes and Pharisees stated all things that could not be done on Sabbath, making the Law very enormous and trivious. Jesus healed the sick on Sabbath several times. This offended the Scribes and Pharisees, so they persecuted him. Synagogue: The place Jews meet, teach the Scripture and pray. Wherever Jews live, there are synagogues. Things in the books of Gospel

The highest power institute of the Jews In charge of all religious related matters Things in the books of Gospel Sanhedrin of Jerusalem

24 Chief Priests 22 Scribes 24 Elders 1 High Priest Sadducees Pharisees Citizen Representatives Sanhedrin of Jerusalem Things in the books of Gospel

In Revelation 4:6-7, John saw four strange creatures before God’s throne: “…In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.” Amazingly, these four faces represent the four features of Christ portrayed by the four books of Gospel: Lion: Mattrew Ox: Mark Man: Luke Eagle: John -- Christ as King Emphasize on the law and essence of the kingdom of heaven. -- Christ as Servant Emphasize on what Christ did more than what he said. -- Christ as Perfect Man Emphasize on Christ’s human life, such as prayer. -- Christ as Son of God Why are there four books of Gospel? Emphasize on Christ’s relationship with the heavenly Father.

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