The Gospels
New Testament Books: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
The first 4 books of the New Testament are referred to as the Gospels & include Matthew, Mark, Luke & John – named after their authors. These Gospel authors were profoundly impacted by the compelling life & words of Jesus and were dedicated to preserving the truth about them so that others could be as well. Therefore, they have provided an accurate historical record about Jesus from 4 viewpoints. Some of them overlap; some provide unique information; none of them contradict each other.
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. – Luke 1.1-4
This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. – John 21.24
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but 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. – John 20.30-31
In addition to recording the remarkable life of Jesus, these Gospel books also note 12 men whom Jesus first chose to be His disciples (close followers & learners). Sometimes they are simply referred to as the “twelve”. They walked & talked with Jesus daily, witnessing His many miracles & learning from His powerful teaching. Later, Jesus designated these 12 as apostles, meaning “messengers” or “sent out ones” – they were to be His representatives. Their mission was to preach & teach the Gospel message (meaning “good news” message – Mk 3.14, 6.30) – just as Jesus had been doing (Mt 4.17). Their first missionary assignment was to go throughout Israel while Jesus was still with them (Mt 10.5-7), but after Jesus returned to heaven they were to have an ongoing ministry that was to go throughout the world (Jn 17.18-20, Mt 28.19-20).
And He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) so that they might be with Him and He might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. - Mark 3.14-19
To validate their apostolic message, Jesus enabled them to perform miracles (cast out demons, heal the sick & raise the dead) as a sign of their authority & mission (Mt 10.6-8) – just as God the Father had done for Jesus (Jn 14.10-11). During Jesus’s earthly ministry, these were the only apostles noted in the 4 Gospel books, though later there would be more. 2 of the 12, Matthew & John, wrote the Gospels that bear their names. The other 2 Gospel authors, Mark & Luke, will be discussed later. As we see in the book of Acts (next section), the apostles would spread Jesus’s Gospel message to various regions & form new churches (communities of Christians). They would then travel around to them &/or write to Christians to continue to explain the teachings & way of Jesus. Furthermore, Jesus assured them that God’s Holy Spirit would guide them & remind them of Jesus’s words (Mt 10.19-20, Jn 14.25-26).
These things I (Jesus) have spoken to you (apostles) while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. – Jesus in John 14.25-26
So it is this idea of apostleship that is very crucial in understanding what writings can make up the New Testament. If you want to know the teachings of Jesus, then you would want to learn from those who were closest to Him – and how much more so if that is the way Jesus planned it in the first place. Consequently, one method used in revealing which writings actually contain Jesus’s teachings (God’s revealed word) & are therefore worthy of being New Testament Scripture is to determine if the author was an apostle or someone in very close association with the apostles – this is referred to as apostolicity. Considering the tremendous importance of this teaching which includes how to have eternal life, an apostle must meet certain criteria – we have already encountered the first 2:
- Apostolic Qualification #1: An apostle had to be chosen by Jesus.
- Apostolic Qualification #2: An apostle had to perform certain miracles.
Now we must differentiate between disciples, teachers & apostles. In fact, all Christians are called to be disciples of Jesus – following Him, learning from Him & seeking to apply His teaching to their lives. There were many disciples in Jesus’s day (Acts 1.15), but only a select few apostles. Only the apostles were authorized to first introduce Christ’s teaching (doctrine). In contrast, there were many teachers in the early church (just as there are today) that could reproduce & explain that same teaching (Acts 13.1), but they were never authorized to revise or add to it. Nor would they need to – Jesus introduced everything we need to know through what we now have in the New Testament.
- Inter-Author Reference: All of the original 12 Apostles are listed by name in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke & Acts. The Gospel of John only mentions some by name, but does reference them collectively as the “twelve” in 4 verses (i.e. Jn 6.70).