Reference: Gospels
Easton
The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Mt 4:23; Ro 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion (= good message) were called evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph 4:11; Ac 21:8).
There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him 'a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; the third by Luke, of whom it might be said that he represents Christ in the special character of the Saviour of sinners (Lu 7:36; 15:18); the fourth by John, who represents Christ as the Son of God, in whom deity and humanity become one. The ancient Church gave to Matthew the symbol of the lion, to Mark that of a man, to Luke that of the ox, and to John that of the eagle: these were the four faces of the cherubim" (Eze 1:10).
Date. The Gospels were all composed during the latter part of the first century, and there is distinct historical evidence to show that they were used and accepted as authentic before the end of the second century.
Mutual relation. "If the extent of all the coincidences be represented by 100, their proportionate distribution will be: Matthew, Mark, and Luke, 53; Matthew and Luke, 21; Matthew and Mark, 20; Mark and Luke, 6. Looking only at the general result, it may be said that of the contents of the synoptic Gospels [i.e., the first three Gospels] about two-fifths are common to the three, and that the parts peculiar to one or other of them are little more than one-third of the whole."
Origin. Did the evangelists copy from one another? The opinion is well founded that the Gospels were published by the apostles orally before they were committed to writing, and that each had an independent origin. (See Matthew, Gospel according to.)
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Thus went Jesus about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all sorts of diseases and infirmities among the people:
Jesus being invited to dinner at a certain Pharisee's house, he went home with him, and sat down to table.
I will depart, and go to my father, and say to him, father, I have sinned against heaven, and against thee;
on the morrow we set out, and arriv'd at Cesarea, and went to the house of Philip the evangelist, with whom we lodg'd:
and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written, "how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers:
Fausets
From the Old English god spel, "good news." The providential preparations for the gospel attest its divine origin.
(1) The translation at Alexandria of the Old Testament into Greek (by the Septuagint), rendering the Jewish Scriptures accessible through that then universal language of the refined and polite to the literary of all nations. All possibility of questioning the existence or falsifying the contents of Old Testament prophecy was precluded thereby, however much the Jews who rejected Jesus would have wished to alter the prophecies which plainly identified Him as the foretold Messiah. The canon of the Old Testament having been completed, and prophecy having ceased before the Sept. translation, they could not deny that the divine knowledge derivable from it was complete.
(2) Greek and oriental philosophy had drawn attention to religious and moral speculations, which at once exposed and undermined paganism, and yet with all its endless labors gave no satisfactory answer to the questionings and cravings of man's spiritual being.
(3) The Roman empire had broken down the barriers between E. and W. and united almost the whole world, Asia, Africa, and Europe, in one, and established peace and good order, making possible the rapid transmission of the glad tidings from country to country; compare Lu 2:1; Mt 22:21.
(4) The universal expectation in the East of a great king to arise in Judea, probably due to fragments of revelation (as the prophecy of Balsam, Nu 24:17) such as led the wise men of the East to conic seeking "the king of the Jews."
(5) The settling of the Jews, and the consequent erection of synagogues, throughout all the towns of Asia. Greece, Italy, Africa, and western Europe. Hence by the reading of the law and the prophets in the synagogues everywhere each sabbath proselytes of righteousness were gathered from the Gentiles, such as the eunuch or chamberlain of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, a student of Scripture, Cornelius the centurion who "feared God with all his house, and gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always."
These not being bound under the ceremonial yoke, as the original Jews, formed a connecting link with the Gentiles; and hence at Antioch in Pisidia, when the Jews rejected the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, these proselytes, with the Gentiles, "besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath, ... and on that day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God" (Ac 13:15-44). So at Iconium (Ac 14:1), and at Thessalonica (Ac 17:1-4). Such were the "devout men, out of every nation under heaven," the collected representatives of the world, to whom Peter preached with such success (Ac 2:4-11). The 3,000 converts of that day and the 5,000 of a few days after (Ac 4:4) would act as missionaries on their return to their several nations. To the Jews first in each synagogue abroad the apostles preached, and gathered many converts from among them; and then to the Gentiles.
The Jews' national rejection of Jesus is no valid objection to the gospel, since He foretold it Himself (Mt 16:21; 26:2), and the Old Testament prophets did so too (Isa 49:16,21,26/type/mace'>26,26/type/mace'>26; Psalm 22); so that, fixing their eyes on the prophecies of Messiah's glory and kingdom which they wrested to mean His setting up a temporal kingdom at Jerusalem and overthrowing the Roman existing dominion, and shutting their eyes to the prophecies of His humiliation, "they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath," and yet in spite of themselves, like their types Joseph's brethren (Ge 50:20), "they have fulfilled them in condemning Him" (Ac 13:27; 3:18). The harmony in Christ of prophecies seemingly so opposite, His temporal and temporary humiliation, and yet His spiritual dominion now and His final visible and everlasting kingdom, furnish conclusive proof of the Divinity of prophecies which no human sagacity could have anticipated or human agency fulfilled.
The correspondence of the gospel event to the predictions of the Old Testament is thus established by the Jews, unwilling witnesses and therefore beyond suspicion. Graves (Pentateuch, 2:3,6) well says, had they universally embraced the gospel at its first publication, the sceptic might allege the prophecies to have been fabricated or altered to fit them to the events; the contrary is now certain. This is one great cause why the national conversion of the Jews is delayed "until the fullness of the Gentiles shall come in" (Ro 11:35). They continue guardians of the prophetic records until these shall have had their contents examined, and their application ascertained, by every other nation in the world. Genuineness and inspiration of the Four Gospels. The "prophets" in the Christian church who had the spiritual gift of "discerning spirits" were an effectual check on the introduction of a pseudo-inspired writing. Paul appeals to them on the inspiration of his letters (1Co 14:37; 12:10; compare 1Jo 4:1).
Thus, by the two-fold inspiration, that of the authors and that of the judges, the canonicity of the four Gospels, as of the other books of New Testament, is established. The anonymous fragment of the canon of the New Testament attributed to Caius a presbyter of Rome (published by Muratori, Antiq. Ital., iii. 854, and known as the Muratorian Fragment), recognizes the Gospels (Luke and John, the sentences as to Matthew and Mark are obliterated) as inspired, and condemns as uninspired the Shepherd by Hermes, "written very recently in our own times," i.e. in the first part of the second century, the age in which John the last apostle died. Theophilus (Ad Autol., iii. 11), Bishop of Antioch A.D. 168, refers to "the evangelists" and "the Holy Scriptures" of the New Testament. Clement of Alexandria in the latter part of the second century refers to the collection of Gospels as one whole, "the gospel" (Quis Dives Salvus?).
The anonymous letter to Diognetus (sec. 11 ed. Hefele) attributed to Justin Martyr refers to "the Gospels and the Apostles" (i.e. the letters). Ignatius of Antioch, a hearer of John (Ep. ad Philad., sec. 5), calls "the (written) Gospel the flesh of Jesus," and classes it with the Old Testament prophets. Tertullian (Adv. Marc. iv. 2), mentioning the Four Gospels two as the work of apostles and two as that of apostolic men (A.D. 208); Irenaeus (Adv. Haer., ii. 27; iii. 11, sec. 7); martyred A.D. 202; Origen, speaking of the four Gospels as "the elements of the church's faith"; Eusebius; and not only these orthodox writers but heretics, Marcion dud others, appeal to the Gospels as the inspired standard Canon. (See CANON.) .
They were translated into Syriac in the second century, and into Latin and the two Egyptian dialects by the fourth century. We have better evidence for their genuineness than for any other ancient writing. Theophilus arranged the Four Gospels so as to form one work (Jerome, Ep. ad Algas., iv. 197). Tartan, who died A.D. 170, formed a Diatessaron or harmony of the Four Gospels. Barnabas (Paul's companion), Clement of Rome (Php 4:3), and Polycarp quote the Gospels, though not with verbal exactness. Justin Martyr quotes Matthew, Luke, and John largely and exactly. As the heretic Gnostics and Marcion arose early in the second century their acceptance of the Gospels proves that these had been promulgated some time before (i.e. in the apostolic age itself), for after the dissensions between the orthodox and heretics had arisen the Gospels would never have been accepted by mutually hostile parties.
A distinct line was drawn between the apocryphal and the genuine Gospels. Unbelievers, as Celsus in controversy with Origen, could not deny the genuineness of the four even while rejecting their contents. The fathers' large quotations (Origen's especially) prove our Gospels were the same as theirs. Our Saviour wrote nothing Himself, the alleged letter to Abgarus, king of Edessa, being probably spurious. If He had (like Muhammed) recorded His own miracles and teachings, internal consistency would have been nothing marvelous. People would have deified the form, while failing to discern the inner essence. "If I bear witness of Myself My wit
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After this, Jesus having heard that John was confined in prison, retired into Galilee.
when a certain scribe came to him, and said, Master, I will follow you where-ever you go. Jesus replyed, the foxes have kennels, and the birds of the air have nests; but the son of man hath not where to lay his head. read more. another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. but Jesus said to him, follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.
When he was arrived on the other side, in the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him starting out of the tombs with such fury, it was not safe for any body to pass that way.
As Jesus left that place, he saw one Matthew by name, sitting at the customhouse: and said to him, follow me. and he rose and followed him.
James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the publican, James the son of Alpheus, and Labbeus, whose sirname was Thaddeus, Simon the zelot,
Jesus said, come. and Peter getting out of the ship, walk'd on the water to go to Jesus.
Simon Peter made answer, thou art Christ the son of the living God. to whom Jesus reply'd, blessed art thou Simon, son of Jona: for 'tis not man that hath revealed this unto thee, but my father who is in heaven.
from that time began Jesus to let his disciples know that he should go to Jerusalem, there suffer many indignities from the senators, chief priests, and scribes, be put to death, and be raised again the third day.
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute for the temple came to Peter, and said, does not your master pay tribute?
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute for the temple came to Peter, and said, does not your master pay tribute? he said, yes. and when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, what think you Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of others? read more. Peter said, of others. Jesus answered, then are the children free. however, lest we should give offence, go you to the sea, throw in a book, and take the first fish that strikes: then open its jaws, and you will find a piece of money: that take, and give it to them for me and thee.
they answer'd, Cesar's. then said he to them, render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's: and unto God, the things that are God's.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!
ye know that in two days the feast of the passover will begin, and the son of man be delivered up to be crucified.
"I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days."
In the mean time the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
and Jesus came, and said to them, all power has been given me in heaven and in earth. go and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost: read more. teaching them to observe every thing which I have enjoin'd you: and be assured I shall be always with you to the end of the world.
where he continued forty days, being tempted by Satan: and when he was among the wild beasts, angels ministred unto him.
and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the people he had hired, and went after him.
as he passed along, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus, sitting at the custom-house, and said to him, follow me. accordingly he arose and followed him.
then he looking with indignation at those about him, being concern'd at their disingenuous perverse temper, he said to the man, stretch out your hand, which he did, and his hand become sound.
and John the brother of James, (whom he had named Boanerges, that is to say, sons of thunder.)
They arrived then to the other side of the sea, in the country of the Gadarenes.
Jesus taking him aside from the crowd, spit upon his fingers, and applied them to the ears and to the tongue of the deaf man. then looking up to heaven, with a sigh, he said, Ephphata, that is, be open:
Having left that place, they went a private way through Galilee: for he was willing to be conceal'd. in the mean time he gave his disciples this intimation, "the son of man is going to be delivered up into the hands of men, who will put him to death, and three days after he is put to death he shall rise again." read more. but they did not comprehend the meaning, and were ashamed to ask him about it. At length, he arrived at Capernaum, where being in his own house, he asked his disciples, what were you disputing about by the way?
but one of those that stood by, drew his sword against a servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.
go, tell Peter and the rest of his disciples, that he is gone before you into Galilee: there you will see him, as he foretold you.
Whereas several have undertaken to draw up a narrative of those transactions, which pass'd among us;
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
he shall be great, he shall be the son of the most high. the Lord God shall give him the throne of his father David.
Now Mary stay'd about three months with Elizabeth, and then return'd to her own house.
At that time, Cesar Augustus published an edict, to make a register of the Roman empire.
In the fifteenth year of the emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod tetrarch of Gallilee: Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis: and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene: under the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas, JOHN, the son of Zacharias, received his divine commission in the wilderness. read more. in pursuance of which, he went into all the country about Jordan, exhorting all to repent and be baptized, in order to obtain the remission of their sins. as it is written in the book of the prophecies of Esaias, "the voice of one crying in the desart, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths clear. every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be level'd: the crooked shall be made strait, and the rough ways shall be made smooth, and all men shall behold the divine saviour." he said therefore to the people that crowded to be baptized by him, ye brood of vipers, who has prompted you to flee from approaching wrath? let your actions therefore show your repentance, and don't pretend to say within yourselves, "we have Abraham for our father:" for I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. the ax is already laid to the root of the trees: every tree then, which does not produce good fruit, shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire. Upon which the people asked him, what then shall we do? he answer'd them, let him that hath two coats give one to him that hath none; and let him that has plenty of provisions act in like manner. the Publicans likewise came to be baptized, and said to him, master, how are we to act? exact, said he, no more than what the law requires. the soldiers too made the same demand, how are we to act? he answer'd them, injure no man either by violence or by fraud, and be content with your pay. As the people were in suspence, every man imagining in his own mind that John might be the Messiah; he address'd himself to them all, saying, I indeed baptize you with water; but there is one coming, who is superiour to me, whose shoes I am unworthy to untie: he shall baptize you with the holy spirit, under the appearance of fire. and with the fan in his hand he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will lay up the wheat in his grainery: but the chaff he will burn with inextinguishable fire. many other things he delivered to the people in his exhortations. but having reproved Herod the tetrarch upon account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and for all the mischiefs that Herod had done; to compleat all the rest, Herod confin'd John in prison. When all the people were baptizing, Jesus was likewise baptized, and whilst he was praying, the clouds opened, and the holy spirit descended upon him in a corporeal form like a dove. and a voice came from heaven, which said, thou art my beloved son, in thee I am well pleased. Jesus was then about thirty years of age, being, as was suppos'd, the son of Joseph,
Jesus return'd by the influence of the spirit into Galilee, where his same quickly spread over all the country;
which being done, they enclosed such a multitude of fish, the net began to break:
at sight of this, Simon Peter fell on his knees before Jesus, and said, Lord, withdraw from such a sinful man as I:
so was James too, and John, the sons of Zebedee, both partners with Simon. but Jesus said to Simon, be not afraid; for the future you shall fish for men.
After this Jesus left the place, and seeing a publican named Levi, sitting at the custom-house, he said to him, follow me.
On the second-prime sabbath, as Jesus was passing through the corn-fields, his disciples happen'd to pluck the ears, and rubbing out the corn with their hands began to eat.
After this Jesus went about, preaching to every city and village, proclaiming the reign of the Messias, attended by his twelve apostles,
while Peter, and the others with him, were overwhelm'd with sleep: but when they wak'd, they observed his glory, and the two persons present with him,
but Jesus said to him, don't oppose it: for he that is not against us, is for us. Now the time of his assumption drawing nigh, he was fix'd in his resolution to go to Jerusalem:
Now the time of his assumption drawing nigh, he was fix'd in his resolution to go to Jerusalem:
At another time, as they were walking in the road, a man said to him, I will be your follower, wherever you go. Jesus answered him, foxes have their kennels, and birds of the air their nests, but the son of man hath not where to lay his head. read more. Then he said to another, follow me: but he replied, Lord, let me stay first, till I bury my father. Jesus said to him, let the dead bury their dead; but do you go and preach the kingdom of God. another likewise said, I will be your follower; but let me first go home, and settle the affairs of my family.
Afterwards he pass'd thro' several citys and villages, where he taught the people, on his journey to Jerusalem. and somebody ask'd him, Lord, will there be but few people saved? to which he answered,
At the same time, some of the Pharisees came to him, and said, get away, retire from hence, for Herod designs to take away your life.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest those, who are sent unto thee: how often would I have gather'd thy children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and ye would not?"
And as they were presenting children to him, for the imposition of hands, his disciples observing it, rebuk'd those that brought them.
but they were the more vehement, saying, he promotes sedition by speading such doctrine thro' all Judea, from Galilee to this place.
the Lord is actually risen, and hath appeared to Simon.
The day following Jesus having a mind to go into Galilee, met with Philip, and said to him, follow me.
Jesus answered them, saying, destroy this temple, and within three days I will raise it up.
After this Jesus went with his disciples into Judea, where he stay'd with them for some time,
and returned into Galilee. but being obliged to pass through Samaria, read more. he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the piece of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey, sat him down by the well: it being about the sixth hour. where a woman of Samaria being come to draw water, Jesus said to her, give me to drink. for his disciples were gone away to the city to buy provisions. but the woman of Samaria said to him, how is it that you who are a Jew, ask drink of me, who am a Samaritan? (for the Jews have no friendly intercourse with the Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, if you knew the dispensation of God, and who it is that says to you, give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water. sir, said the woman, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then can you get that living water? are you wiser than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, as well as his children, and cattle? Jesus answered her, they that drink of this water, will be thirsty again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst: for the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a fountain springing up to everlasting life. sir, replied the woman, give me this water, that I may never be adry, nor come hither to draw more. go, call your husband, said Jesus, and come again. the woman answered, I have no husband. Jesus replied, you were in the right to say you have no husband: for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have, is not your husband: in that you said true. the woman said to him, sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. our fathers worshipped upon this mountain; and you say, that Jerusalem is the place where we ought to perform our worship. Jesus said to her, woman, believe me, the time is coming when it shall be neither on this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem that ye shall worship the father. ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is from the Jews. but the time is coming, nay, is very nigh, when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth: for they are the worshippers which he requires. God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth. then said the woman to him, I know that the Messias (that is to say the Christ) is to come, and when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus said to her, I that am talking with you am he. Upon this his disciples came, and were surpriz'd at his conversing with the woman: yet none of them said, what did you ask her? or, why do you talk with her? the woman then left her water-pot, and went away into the city, and said to the people, come, see a man who told me all that ever I have done: is not this the Christ? so they went out of the city, and came to him. In the mean while his disciples invited him, saying, pray master, eat. but he answered them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of: upon which the disciples said one to another, hath any man brought him any thing to eat? Jesus said to them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. is it not a common saying, "t'other four months, and then comes harvest?" lift up your eyes now, I say, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. he that reapeth, receiveth wages, by gathering fruit unto life eternal: that the sower, and the reaper, may both rejoice together. upon this occasion, that saying is verified, "one soweth, and another reapeth." I sent you to reap where you bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and you are entred into their labours. Now many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him, for that testimony which the woman gave him, "he told me all that ever I did." so that when the Samaritans were come to him, they desired him to stay with them: and he stay'd there two days. and many more believed, for having heard him speak himself: and said to the woman, now it is not for what you have said, that we believe: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the saviour of the world, the Christ. Two days after, he departed thence, and went into Galilee:
Some time after this the feast of the Jews being come, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
After this Jesus resided in Galilee: for he would not be in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. now the
After this Jesus resided in Galilee: for he would not be in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. now the Jews feast of the tabernacles drawing nigh,
but when his brethren were gone, he went likewise to the feast, not openly, but in secret.
For which reason he did not afterwards appear publickly among the Jews; but retir'd into the country near the desart, to a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
but Simon Peter drew his sword, and struck off the right ear of Malchus, a servant belonging to the high priest.
At length Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples upon the sea-coast of Tiberias; and the manner of his appearance was thus.
they answered him, no. and he said to them, cast the net on the right side of the vessel, and ye shall find. so they cast it, and it was so full of fish they were not able to draw it. thereupon the favourite disciple of Jesus said to Peter, "it is the Lord." as soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt on his coat, (for he was stript) and threw himself into the sea.
In my former treatise, I gave an account, O Theophilus, of all the actions and doctrine of Jesus, to the time of his assumption,
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak in different languages, as the spirit gave them utterance. now many devout Jews were residing at Jerusalem, who came from all quarters of the world. read more. and upon the rumour of this event, the multitude came together, and were confounded, every man hearing the disciples speak in his own language. struck with astonishment and admiration, they said to one another, are not these men who are speaking, all Galileans? how comes it then that we hear every man talking in our own native tongue? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya about Cyrene, foreigners from Rome, Jews, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians, we hear them all proclaiming in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
but thus it is that God has accomplished what he had foretold by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer.
however, many who heard Peter's discourse, believed, to the number of about five thousand people.
but Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians.
then recollecting where he was, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnam'd Mark, where many were assembled at prayers.
after which Paul and his company set out from Paphos to Perga in Pamphilia, where John quitted them in order to return to Jerusalem.
and after the lesson out of the law and the prophets was finish'd, the heads of the synagogue sent this message to them; Men and brethren, if you have any instruction to offer to the people, deliver it. thereupon Paul stood up, and having made sign with his hand for their attention, he said, men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. read more. the God of Israel made choice of our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourn'd in Egypt, from whence he conducted them by the terror of his arm. for forty years he maintain'd them in the wilderness. after that he distributed to them by lot the territorys of seven nations, which he destroyed in Canaan. after these transactions, which lasted about four hundred and fifty years, he gave them judges to the time of the prophet Samuel: when having demanded a king, God gave them Saul the son of Cis, of the tribe of Benjamin: the government of both having lasted forty years, God removed Saul, and rais'd up David to be their king, to whom he gave this testimonial, " I have found David the son of Jesse: he is a man most acceptable to me, and he will execute all my orders." it is of his posterity that God, pursuant to his promise, has rais'd up Jesus to be the saviour of Israel. before his appearance, John had preach'd the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. and in the discharge of his mission, he said, "who do you think I am? I am not the Messias. but there comes another after me, whose shoes I am not worthy to untie." It is to you, my brethren, who are the children of Abraham, and to all who fear God among you, that this salutary news is sent. as for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and their senators, by their not knowing who he was, and by condemning him, they have accomplished the declarations of the prophets, which are read every sabbath-day:
as for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and their senators, by their not knowing who he was, and by condemning him, they have accomplished the declarations of the prophets, which are read every sabbath-day: although they could not convict him of any thing capital, yet they demanded of Pilate, that he should be put to death. read more. after they had accomplished all that was written concerning him, he was taken down from the cross, and laid in a sepulchre: but God raised him from the dead: and for many days he was seen by those, who had accompany'd him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and they are now his witnesses to the people. to you therefore we declare, that the promise which God had made to the fathers, he has now perform'd to us, who are their children, by his having raised up Jesus again. agreeable to what is written in the first psalm, "thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee." and to show that he rais'd him from the dead, never more to return to corruption, he said thus, "I will faithfully perform the promises, which I made to David." wherefore in another place he says, "thou shalt not suffer thy holy one to see corruption." for David, after he had serv'd in his time the designs of providence, died and was buryed with his fathers, and was subject to corruption. but he, whom God hath raised, was not subject to corruption. know then, my brethren, it is by him, that the remission of sins is offer'd to you: by him, every one who believes, is purged from all that guilt, for which the law of Moses had made no such provision. take care then, that what the prophets predicted may not happen to you, "consider you despisers, be surpriz'd and turn pale, for I shall perform a work in your days, which you will not believe, whoever shall declare it unto you." When Paul and Barnabas were gone out of the Jewish synagogue, the Gentiles desired them to entertain them on the same subject, the following sabbath. when the assembly was separated, many Jews and religious proselytes followed after, to whom the apostles address'd themselves, and exhorted them to persevere in the divine dispensation. The next sabbath-day almost the whole city assembled to hear the word of God.
Being arriv'd at Iconium, they went both together to the Jewish synagogue, where they discours'd in such a manner, that a great number both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
but Paul did not think it proper to take one that had quitted them at Pamphylia, refusing to accompany them in their ministry.
Having pass'd thro' Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arriv'd at Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue. Paul, as was his custom, us'd to go there, and for three sabbath-days discours'd to the Jews from the scriptures, read more. explaining them, and setting it to view, that the Messiah was to suffer and rise again from the dead: and that Jesus, whom he denounc'd to them, was that very Messiah. Some of them believed, and join'd themselves to Paul and Silas, besides a great number of Greek proselytes, and several women of distinction.
after he had stay'd there some time, he departed and pass'd through all Galatia and Phrygia, where he encourag'd the disciples.
for it is written in the law of Moses, "thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." are oxen the objects of divine care? or is it said, no doubt, for our sakes? for our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he who plows should plow in hope; and that he who thresheth should expect the advantage.
to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits; to another diversity of languages; to another the interpretation of languages.
if any one pretends to be a prophet, or to spiritual gifts, let him be assured that the rules which I have here prescrib'd, are the commandments of the Lord.
with whom I have sent one of the brethren, who is not only distinguish'd among all the churches, by his preaching the gospel,
But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, for he was to be blamed. for till certain Jews came thither from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, for fear of those, who were for circumcision: read more. and the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas himself was carried away with their hypocrisy. but when I saw, they conformed not their conduct to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all: if you being a Jew, live after the manner of the Gentiles, and not according to that of the Jews, why do you constrain the Gentiles to judaize?
yea, I intreat thee too, my faithful collegue, to assist them both, for they assisted me in the gospel, as well as Clement, and my other collegues, whose names are in the book of life.
Aristarchus my companion in bonds salutes you. and so does Mark, nephew to Barnabas, for whom you have receiv'd recommendations. if he come to you, give him a kind reception.
only Luke is with me. take Mark and bring him with you; because he will be useful to me in the ministry.
salute one another with social affection. peace be with every christian among you. Amen.
for, the information we gave you of the powerful advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, did not proceed from any artfully contriv'd fables, we our selves having been spectators of his majesty.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hastings
Under this heading we may consider the four Gospels as a whole, and their relations to one another, leaving detailed questions of date and authorship to the separate articles.
1. The aims of the Evangelists.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Don't think that I am come to abolish the law or the prophets: I am not come to abolish, but to complete them.
Ye have heard that it has been said to the antients, "Thou shalt not kill: and whosoever shall kill, shall be punish'd by the tribunal."
no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will be attach'd to the one, and neglectful of the other. ye cannot serve God and Mamon.
who by all his sollicitude can add one moment to his age?
only it was fit you should know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins: arise, then, said he, to the paralytic, take up thy bed, and march home.
Believe in me, all ye that labour under oppression, and I will give you relief.
where being known by the people of that place, they sent about all that country, and presented to him all that were diseased,
why do your disciples violate the tradition of our ancestors, in not washing their hands when they eat bread?
because of your incredulity, said Jesus: for I tell you truly, if ye had ever so little faith, ye might say to this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it should remove; and nothing would be too difficult for you.
Jesus answered them, I declare to you, if ye have a full assurance of faith, ye shall not only be able to do this to a fig-tree, but if ye should even say to this mountain, be thou removed, and cast into the sea; it should be done.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not! know, that your habitation shall be soon turned into a desert. read more. for I tell you, after a while, ye shall not see me again, till ye shall cry out, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."
When the son of man shall come in his majesty, accompanied with all his holy angels, he shall sit upon the throne of his glory.
It is written in the prophet, "behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
however, to let you see that the son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, rise, said he, to the sick of the palsy,
for Herod had given orders to seize John, and had confin'd him in prison, to gratify Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married;
whosoever therefore shall be asham'd of me, and of my doctrine in this degenerate and corrupted age, of him likewise shall the son of man be asham'd, when he shall come with the glory of his father, accompanied with holy angels.
for the son of man himself is not come to receive the services of men, but to do them service, and to lay down his life a ransom for many.
now being at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, while he was at table, there came a woman with a viol full of the perfume of spikenard, which was very costly; and she opened the viol, and poured it upon his head.
and he said to them, this represents the effusion of my blood (the sanction of the new covenant) for mankind.
and Jesus answered, I AM. and ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Now Jesus being risen early on the first day of the week, he appear'd first to Mary Magdalene, whom he had dispossess'd of seven demons. immediately she went to those who frequented Jesus, and were then bemoaning themselves in tears, and acquainted them with it. read more. but though they heard that he was alive, and had appear'd to her, they did not believe. after that, he appear'd under another form to two of them, as they were taking a walk into the country. and they went and acquainted the rest: but neither did they believe them. afterwards he appear'd to the eleven, as they were all sitting at table, and he reproved them for their incredulity and obstinacy in not giving credit to those, who had seen him after his resurrection. Then he said to them, go ye into all parts of the world, and preach the gospel to all mankind. he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that disbelieves, shall be condemned. they that believe shall be endued with these miraculous gifts: in my name they shall cast out demons: they shall speak new languages: they shall handle serpents, and if they drink any mortal poison, it shall do them no hurt: they shall lay hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover. Now after the Lord had convers'd with them, he was assum'd up to heaven, where he sat on the right hand of God. as for the disciples, they went and preached the gospel in all parts: the Lord co-operating with them, and confirming their doctrine by the miracles that accompany'd it.
Whereas several have undertaken to draw up a narrative of those transactions, which pass'd among us;
Whereas several have undertaken to draw up a narrative of those transactions, which pass'd among us; according as they were delivered to us by persons, who were all along eye-witnesses, and had a share in the transactions themselves:
according as they were delivered to us by persons, who were all along eye-witnesses, and had a share in the transactions themselves:
according as they were delivered to us by persons, who were all along eye-witnesses, and had a share in the transactions themselves: I have likewise thought proper; most excellent Theophilus, to write to you a particular account; having made a very diligent inquiry into the whole matter, read more. that you may have a distinct view of those things about which you have been inform'd.
but having reproved Herod the tetrarch upon account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and for all the mischiefs that Herod had done;
but that ye may know, that the son of man hath power to forgive sins, rise, said he, to the paralytick, 'tis I command you, take up your bed, and go home.
Now the time of his assumption drawing nigh, he was fix'd in his resolution to go to Jerusalem:
Now the time of his assumption drawing nigh, he was fix'd in his resolution to go to Jerusalem:
but which of you, with all his disquietude, can add one moment to the period of his life?
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest those, who are sent unto thee: how often would I have gather'd thy children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and ye would not?"
a servant cannot serve two masters: for either he will neglect the one, and attend the other; or he will be attached to the first, and misbehave to the last. you cannot serve God and mammon.
I tell you this man went home approv'd as just, and not the other. for whoever exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
then an angel from heaven appear'd to him, and comforted him.
he was of Arimathea, a city of Judea, and one of those, who were in expectation of the Messiah's reign.
The Logos became incarnate, and had his tabernacle among us, being full of grace and truth; and we contemplated his glory, such glory as the Monogenes derived from the father.
The Logos became incarnate, and had his tabernacle among us, being full of grace and truth; and we contemplated his glory, such glory as the Monogenes derived from the father.
The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "behold the lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."
and John testified, saying, I saw the spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
this I saw, and testify'd, that he is the son of God.
the first he met was his own brother Simon, to whom he said, "we have found the Messias," that is to say, the Christ.
Philip meeting with Nathanael, said to him, we have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. but Nathanael said to him, can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? come and see, said Philip.
Nathanael answered, rabbi, thou art the son of God, thou art the king of Israel.
Nicodemus replied, how can a man be born when he is old? can he enter into his mother, and be born a second time?
but the woman of Samaria said to him, how is it that you who are a Jew, ask drink of me, who am a Samaritan? (for the Jews have no friendly intercourse with the Samaritans.)
sir, said the woman, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then can you get that living water?
sir, replied the woman, give me this water, that I may never be adry, nor come hither to draw more.
Upon this the Jews disputed among themselves, saying, how can this man give us his flesh to eat?
meaning Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that would betray him, altho' he was one of the twelve.
upon which the Jews said among themselves, whither will he go, that we cannot find him? will he go to the dispersed Jews among the Greeks, and instruct the Greeks?
some said, this is the Messias. but said others, shall the Messias come out of Galilee?
they answered him, are you also of Galilee? search the scriptures, and you will not find that a prophet did ever arise out of Galilee. and every man went to his own house.
Lord, said she, no man. and Jesus said to her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
I and my father are one.
it was then about the sixth hour of the day before the sabbath of the passover: and he said to the Jews, behold your king.
he that relates this, was an eye-witness of it, and his relation is true: and he is so assured, what he says is true, that you may rely upon it.
that is to say, master! Jesus said to her, touch me not: for I am not yet ascended to my father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, "I ascend unto my father and your father, even my God and your God."
but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Messias, the son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name.
and tho' I should have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and tho' I had all the faith necessary to remove mountains, and had no benevolence, it would signify nothing.
Smith
Gos'pels.
The name Gospel (from god and spell, Ang. Sax. good message or news, which is a translation of the Greek euaggelion) is applied to the four inspired histories of the life and teaching of Christ contained in the New Testament, of which separate accounts are given in their place. They were all composed during the latter half of the first century: those of St. Matthew and St. Mark some years before the destruction of Jerusalem; that of St. Luke probably about A.D. 64; and that of St. John towards the close of the century. Before the end of the second century, there is abundant evidence that the four Gospels, as one collection, were generally used and accepted. As a matter of literary history, nothing can be better established than the genuineness of the Gospels. On comparing these four books one with another, a peculiar difficulty claims attention, which has had much to do with the controversy as to their genuineness. In the fourth Gospel the narrative coincided with that of the other three in a few passages only. The received explanation is the only satisfactory one namely, that John, writing last, at the close of the first century had seen the other Gospels, and purposely abstained from writing anew what they had sufficiently recorded. In the other three Gospels there is a great amount of agreement. If we suppose the history that they contain to be divided into 89 sections, in 42 of these all the three narratives coincide, 12 more are given by Matthew and Mark only, 5 by Mark and Luke only, and 14 by Matthew and Luke. To these must be added 5 peculiar to Matthew, 2 to Mark and 9 to Luke, and the enumeration is complete. But this applies only to general coincidence as to the facts narrated: the amount of verbal coincidence, that is, the passages either verbally the same or coinciding in the use of many of the same words, is much smaller. It has been ascertained by Stroud that "if the total contents of the several Gospels be represented by 100, the following table is obtained: Matthew has 42 peculiarities and 58 coincidences. Mark has 7 peculiarities and 93 coincidences. Luke has 59 peculiarities and 41 coincidences. John has 92 peculiarities and 8 coincidences. Why four Gospels. --
1. To bring four separate independent witnesses to the truth.
2. It is to give the Lord's life from every point of view, four living portraits of one person. There were four Gospels because Jesus was to be commended to four races or classes of men, or to four phases of human thought,--the Jewish, Roman, Greek and Christian. Had not these exhausted the classes to be reached, there would doubtless have been more Gospels. In all ages, the Jewish, Roman and Greek natures reappear among men, and, in fact, make up the world of natural men, while the Christian nature and wants likewise remain essentially the same. The FIRST GOSPEL was prepared by Matthew for the Jew. He gives us the Gospel of Jesus, the Messiah of the Jews, the Messianic royalty of Jesus. He places the life and character of Jesus, as lived on earth, alongside the life and character of the Messiah, as sketched in the prophets, showing Christianity as the fulfillment of Judaism. Mark wrote the SECOND GOSPEL. It was substantially the preaching of Peter to the Romans. The Gospel for him must represent the character and career of Jesus from the Roman point of view, as answering to the idea of divine power, work, law, conquest and universal sway; must retain its old significance and ever-potent inspiration at the battle-call of the almighty Conqueror. Luke wrote the THIRD GOSPEL in Greece for the Greek. It has its basis in the gospel which Paul and Luke, by long preaching to the Greeks, had already thrown into the form best suited to commend to their acceptance Jesus as the perfect divine man. It is the gospel of the future, of progressive Christianity, of reason and culture seeking the perfection of manhood. John, "the beloved disciple," wrote the FOURTH GOSPEL for the Christian, to cherish and train those who have entered the new kingdom of Christ, into the highest spiritual life. --Condensed from, Prof. Gregory.