Prepared by: Richard G.

Pazcoguin UST Institute of Religion

Reform your lives and believe in the GOSPEL! Mark 1:15

The word Gospel usually refers to the written record of Christs words and deeds.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon: god (good) spell (to tell) Greek : Evaggelion (glad tidings)
The GOSPEL is the Good News of Salvation proclaimed by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ himself is the GOOD NEWS. Jesus is THE GOSPEL.

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOSPEL: JESUS CHRIST

HE IS GODS TOTAL MANIFESTATION OF HIMSELF. HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.

THE GOSPELS ARE THE WRITTEN FAITH ACCOUNTS OF THE EARLY CHURCH.
Direct experiences by the followers of the historical Jesus Eyewitness testimonies that were heard and recorded Collections of oral preaching First Christians experiences of the Risen Lord.

THE GOSPELS ARE NOT BIOGRAPHIES OF CHRIST. THE GOSPELS ARE FAITH SUMMARIES DESCRIBING WHAT THE EARLY CHRISTIANS BELIEVED ABOUT JESUS.

The Gospels are based on the fact that the Son of God became Man and walked on this planet in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. The Gospels are rooted in the words and works of Jesus, in his interactions with people, and in the significant events of his life.

The Early Church was a preaching church more than a writing church. Writing the gospel was not a primordial concern of the early Christians at that time it was thought that the end of the world was taking place soon. The Christians kept the memory of Jesus alive by collecting his sermons, parables, works and sayings. These were used in the liturgy, in preaching, and in instructing the new converts.

Realizing that Christs second coming was not going to take place any time soon, the Early Christians wrote the Gospels for the following reasons: There had to be written texts against which oral preachings will be measured. This was especially because there were teachers who preached doctrines that were against authentic tradition and remembrance of Jesus. The apostles and other eyewitnesses of Jesus were beginning to die either through old age or organized persecutions. The human authors of the Gospels are called EVANGELISTS.

EVANGELIST: JOHN MARK- believed to be the chronicler of Peter

DATE OF COMPOSITION: After Peters death, probably around 65 A.D.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Persecuted Christians THEMES: Jesus is the Christ Jesus is the Suffering Servant The Messiah and the Suffering Servant are one and the same.

EVANGELIST: Author is unknown. Probably Matthew was used as a source. The original text was a collection of sayings compiled in Aramaic by the Apostle Matthew.

DATE OF COMPOSITION: The original Matthew was written around 50AD but was lost. The existing text is the Greek translation written sometime 85 A.D. after the fall of Jerusalem. INTENDED AUDIENCE: Jewish converts to Christianity
THEMES: Jesus is the New Law-Giver Jesus is the Messianic king promised to the Jews.

EVANGELIST: Luke, the beloved physician; the secretary of Paul DATE OF COMPOSITION: c.75 A.D. INTENDED AUDIENCE: Gentile converts to Christianity THEMES: Jesus is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Jesus is the compassionate savior who identifies himself with the poor and the outcast. *The Gospels According to Mark, Matthew, and Luke are called SYNOPTIC GOSPELS because they follow more or less the same story line.

EVANGELIST: Most probably the JOHANNINE COMMUNITY DATE OF COMPOSITION: c.90-100 A.D. INTENDED AUDIENCE: The Christian Churches in the Roman Empire; Christians who were already familiar with the Synoptics THEMES: Jesus is Divine Jesus is the center of all religious beliefs and practices Jesus is superior to all the prophets

MASTER, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE. WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE AND ARE CONVINCED THAT YOU ARE THE HOLY ONE OF GOD.
John6:68-69

James Finley and Michael Pennock JESUS AND YOU: DISCOVERING THE REAL CHRIST Ind: Ave Maria Press, 1977 Francis E. Gigot (transcribed by Douglas J. Potter) GOSPEL AND GOSPELS www.newadvent.org

Felix Just, S.J. TEN STAGES OF NT FORMATION AND TRANSMISSION http://clawww.lmu.edu/faculty/fjust/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Evangelists