The Design and Purpose of the Gospel Records
The Design and Purpose of the Gospel Records
"And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His
disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are
written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John
20:30-31). So concludes the wonderful Gospel of John. John is
often called the fourth Gospel record. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John form a biographical record of the birth, life, work, and
destiny of Jesus Christ. They are possibly the most valuable
documents in existence. Please stay tuned today and we will look
into them to understand their purpose and design.
The West End Church of Christ, here in Bowling Green,
Kentucky, presents this program every Sunday at this time. We
hope you will profit from it. Our purpose is to help you become
more acquainted with the Bible and to get to know more about us.
If anything you hear is not in harmony with truth please let us
know. We will not knowingly be wrong.
We invite you to our meetings today. At 9 we have Bible
classes for all ages. At 10 this morning and 6 this evening we
have our worship. Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. we meet for more
Bible study. You and your family are warmly encouraged to visit
us. Please come and see for yourself what the church of Christ is
like. We follow no book but the Bible and everything we teach and
practice can be found in the Bible, or we will give it up.
If you would like to get a free paper, twice a month, you
may receive the Voice of West End absolutely free and with no
obligation. It is a teaching paper and there is no subscription
price for it. We neither solicit nor accept donations for our
work. Just call 842-7880 or write West End Church of Christ, 1609
Parkside Drive, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101 and we will put you
on the mailing list.
In order to appreciate and understand the Bible it is
essential to know how the parts of the Bible fit together. The
two main sections of the Bible are the Old and New Testaments.
The Old Testament has sections that serve different purposes. The
Law, the Prophets, the Psalms all have different purposes. The
same is true with the New Testament. The New Testament has a
biographical section known as the Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John. Then comes the Acts of the Apostles followed by
the various letters and the concluding section is the Apocalypse
or Revelation.
The Gospel Records have a very definite purpose and design.
John's words again are, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in
the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this
book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life
in His name." The Gospels are designed to furnish credible and
irrefutable evidence upon which faith in Jesus Christ may stand.
They do not propose to give a full account of everything Jesus
said and did. John wrote, "And there are also many other things
that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose
that even the world itself could not contain the books that would
be written" (John 21:25). The material found in these records,
however, is complete and full. To have ample reason to believe
Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God one needs but read and study
the Gospel Records. That is their design and purpose.
While it is important to know why these records are in the
Bible, it is equally important to understand what they are not
designed to do. The things revealed in these records have a
definite purpose and design. It is fundamentally wrong to attempt
to make them something they were never designed to do. Consider a
few things not intended for these books.
They were not designed to present the plan of salvation.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John reveal the Savior -- not salvation.
What Jesus did in order to make salvation possible is revealed.
The terms of salvation are made known in these records, but the
primary purpose served by these first four books of the New
Testament is to give the basis for faith in Christ.
The Mosaic law was still in force during the time covered by
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus taught His disciples to
observe the law. He taught them to listen to those who were
teachers of the Law. Matthew records Jesus' words: "The scribes
and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. All therefore whatsoever
they bid you observe, that observe and do, but do not ye after
their works, for they say and do not" (Matt. 23:2-3). That is not
for anyone today. None can be right and observe any of the Mosaic
precepts. Paul wrote, "Christ is become of no effect unto you,
whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace" (Gal. 5:4). Some who claim to be guided by the law of
Moses today ought to give serious attention to Paul. Contrary to
a very popular false doctrine, it is quite possible for a child
of God, one washed in the blood of Christ, to fall away from
grace and finally be lost. Paul said so.
Jesus was born "under the law" and was subject to the Mosaic
law. Again, from Paul: "But when the fullness of the time was
come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the
law" (Gal. 4:4). These books that make up the first section of
the New Testament tell us of the birth of Jesus. The law in force
at the time Jesus was born, lived, and was crucified was the Old
Testament law.
The Mosaic law did not furnish evidence for saving faith.
Paul wrote to Timothy: "But continue thou in the things which
thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou
hast learned them. And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:14-15). "The
holy scriptures" are the Old Testament writings -- not the New.
The New Testament was in the process of formation. It was not
complete at the time Paul wrote this. But note carefully that
these scriptures were able to make Timothy wise to salvation, and
that salvation was possible only through faith in Christ Jesus.
It is the faith in Christ that saves -- not adherence to the Old
Testament scriptures.
The Gospel Records of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John furnish
that which the Old Testament only could anticipate -- saving
faith in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God Almighty.
The summation written by John tells us that Jesus said and did
enough to convince any honest heart that He is the one and only
Savior.
If you have a question about this, or anything else you hear
from us, please let us know. And if you want our paper, the Voice
of West End, write a note or card to West End Church of Christ,
1609 Parkside Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42101 or call 842-7880.
Thank you for being with us today. Remember to set your dial
right here next Sunday at 8 a.m. Till then, God bless each of you
and good bye.
Radio Program No. 129, Page 1
|
Lyrics, Chords Tabs Rated
Children's NT Studies
