1. THE THREE MAJOR STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOSPELS

2. Stage #1 – Jesus and his Disciples
The historical figure Jesus of Nazareth, born a Jew around 5 BC (Bethlehem).
Raised in Nazareth (carpenter), at 30 he began preaching & teaching.
His teachings and actions stirred great interest among the Jewish people, leading some to proclaim him as a great prophet. He demonstrated unusual powers (miracles).

3. Others took Jesus for a sorcerer, magician, and a threat to the Roman State.
Power figures had him executed around 30 AD. (Guilty-Roman Law)
Early Christians believed he was the Messiah of Israel & God’s only son.
Jesus’ Resurrection became the mark of all those who claimed him as their Savior.

4. STAGE #2 The Disciples & the Early Community of Faith “Oral Stage”
After the resurrection early Christians began a campaign to proclaim Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to all.
In decades spread throughout the Roman Empire.
The promises of God fulfilled in Jesus became a part of the preaching of the early Christians.

5. For several decades this information was shared by word of mouth, developing into what is called an oral tradition.
The Gospels would eventually be written from selections of these highly polished recollections (oral stories).

6. Stage #3 – The Early Community of Faith & the Evangelists “Written Stage”
The need for instruction was the major factor that brought about the writing of the Gospels.
With the realization that the church had a future, it became necessary to find a means for preserving its teachings.

7. Each of the Gospel writers gathered pieces from all the stories that had emerged since his death and resurrection.
The writers assembled these pieces into a story that would respond to the needs of a particular audience in a particular location at a particular time.

8. The Gospels: “Four Portraits of Jesus”
MATTHEW:
Author: Matthew
Written: AD
Audience: Written mainly for Jewish Christians to show the similarities between the two religions.
Summary:
-Stresses Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises (prophesies)
made by God in the Hebrew Bible (Torah).
-Jesus as the Messiah of the Jews, the next Moses.
-Sermon on the Mount or the Beatitudes

9. MARK:
Author: John Mark
Written: approx. 70 AD (In Rome)
Audience: non-Jewish Christians who were experiencing Roman persecution because of their belief in Jesus.
Summary:
-Stresses the humanity and suffering of Jesus.
-Written to convince Gentiles that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.

10. LUKE:
Author: Luke
Written: approx AD (In Greece)
Audience: Gentile (Greek) Christians, especially the poor and outcasts.
Summary:
-Stresses Jesus’ compassion, mercy, and concern for sinners.
-Portrays Jesus Christ as the “compassionate savior”

11. JOHN:
Author: John
Written: approx. 100 AD Audience: Christians of all backgrounds.
Summary:
-Presents Jesus as the divine Son of God, or “The Word of God”
-Shows how Jesus Christ makes the lives of all people better.
-The only non-synoptic Gospel.