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Bible books - the Gospels and Acts

Bible overview
Four gospel books and Acts of the Apostles.
Contributed by Phillip Martin
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The word ‘gospel’ (euangelion in Greek) means ‘good news.’ Although the four gospels all tell the story of Jesus, each does so in a distinctive way, emphasizing particular aspects of Jesus’ identity and mission. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often called the ‘synoptic gospels as they recount many of the same miracles and similar sayings and parables. The gospel of John relates many miracles and encounters that are not found in the other gospels, and instead of parables it contains long discourses about Jesus and who He is. – Slide 1
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Matthew. <br/>The ministry of Jesus Christ is presented by Matthew from the point of view that Jesus is the Son of David and thus the rightful king to rule from Israel’s throne. Jesus offers the kingdom to His people, but Israel rejects Him as their king and crucifies Him. Jesus rises again and sends His disciples into all the world to proclaim His teaching. – Slide 2
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Mark. <br/>The ministry of Jesus Christ is presented by Mark from the point of view that Jesus is the Righteous Servant of God. Jesus obeys the Father’s will and accomplishes all He had been sent to do, including dying for sinners and rising again from the dead. – Slide 3
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Luke. <br/>The ministry of Jesus Christ is presented by Luke from the point of view that Jesus is the Son of Man who came to save the whole world. Jesus shows the love of God to all classes of people, regardless of race or gender. He is unjustly betrayed, arrested, and murdered, but He rises again. – Slide 4
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John. <br/>The ministry of Jesus Christ is presented by John from the point of view that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus speaks at length of His nature and work and the necessity of faith, and He proves that He is the Son of God through a series of public miracles. He is crucified and rises again. – Slide 5
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Acts. <br/>This sequel to the life of Christ follows the ministry of the apostles following Jesus’ ascension. The Holy Spirit arrives to fill and empower Jesus’ followers, who begin to preach the gospel in the midst of mounting persecution. Paul, a former enemy of the Christians, is converted and called by Christ as an apostle. The church begins in Jerusalem, expands to Samaria, and spreads to the Roman world. – Slide 6
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