1. NOTE: To change the image on this slide, select the picture and delete it. Then click the Pictures icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. GOSPELS AND ACTS INTRODUCTION Subtitle

2. Introduction to Gospels  What is the Gospel?  Anglo-Saxon, Godspell, a story about God or a good story.  Greek, euangellion, good news or good report about an important event.  What is the good news about?  Problem: all mankind is a fallen sinner, marked by that 1 out of 1 person in this world will eventually die.  Good News: God sent his only Son to the world so that through his life, death, and resurrection we can get eternal life.

3. Introduction to Matthew  Written primarily for Jewish audience  Present Jesus as Israel’s long awaited Messiah and rightful King  Genealogy focuses on Jesus’ royal descent from Israel’s greatest king, David.  The phrase “kingdom of heaven” appear 32 times in this book  Fulfilment of Old Testament messianic prophecy can be found all over the book (e.g: 2:7-18; 4:13-15; 13:35; 21:4-5; 27:9-10)

4. Introduction to Mark  Targeted for gentile audience, especially Roman one.  Jesus appears in Mark as the Servant (Mark 10:45). Focus more on the deed of Jesus than His teachings, particularly emphasizing service and sacrifice.

5. Introduction to Mark  Gospel of Mark also demonstrated the humanity of Christ  Christ’s human emotions(1:41; 3:5; 6:34; 8:12; 9:36)  His human limitations(4:38; 11:12; 13:32)  Mark is the Gospel of action; the frequent use of “immediately” and “then” keeps his narrative moving rapidly along.

6. Introduction to Luke  Addressed broader gentile audience.  Luke portrays Jesus as the Son of Man (a title appearing 26 times), the answers to the needs and hopes of the human race, who came to seek and save lost sinners (Luke 9:56; 19:10, fulfilling Daniel 7:13-14)

7. Introduction to Luke  Luke background as a learned Greek can be seen how the Gospel of Luke is written using the most sophisticated Greek literary of any NT writer. He was a careful researcher (Luke 1:1-4) and an accurate historian.  A running theme in Luke’s Gospel is Jesus’ compassion for gentiles, Samaritans, women, children, tax collectors, sinners, and others often regarded as outcasts in Israel.

8. Introduction to John  Written to strengthen the faith of believers and to appeal to unbelievers to come to faith in Christ.  Emphasize on the deity of Jesus Christ (e.g, 5:18; 8:58;10:30-33;14:9)  Purpose of writing: John 20:31, …these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. This book focus on the person and work of Christ.

9. Introduction to the Book of Acts  Acts emphasizes the proclamation of the Gospel that Jesus of Nazareth was Israel’s long awaited Messiah by the apostles.  The gospel spread to all people starting from Judea, Samaria, then to the gentiles.  Stresses the work of the Holy Spirit(mentioned more than 50 times).  Acts also provide information on the first 3 decades of church’s existence.

10. Introduction to the Book of Acts  Acts abounds with transitions: from ministry of Jesus to that of the apostles; from the old covenant to the new covenant; from Israel as God’s witness nation to the church as God’s witness people.  The book of Hebrews sets forth the theology of the transition from the Old Covenant to the New; Acts depicts the New Covenant’s practical outworking in the life of the church.