THE QUESTION: “If the Gospel account of Jesus’ life and divinity are true, why were four different accounts needed? It seems there is a conflict.”
To explore this premise, and the validity of four distinct Gospels, we should go directly to the main premise first:
Is the “Gospel” reliable?
Surah 5:68 reads, “Say, ‘O People of the Book! Ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and the revelation that has come to you from your Lord’…”
“STAND FAST…by the Gospel.” Do you agree with Muhammad’s conclusion?
If the Gospel instructs us in what is right, it can’t be wrong at the same time, or Muhammad is wrong, and the Bible is wrong. Yet, Allah says, “None can alter His words, and He is the hearing and knowing.” (Q. 6:115). We have this authority. This is the Book Muhammad spoke of.
Hear also what “the Book" says about itself:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21
The four Gospels of the New Testament serve a special synoptic role: they are not four separate voices telling four conflicting stories - they are four voices singing in ONE four-part harmony: a richer voice, yet different tones, blended into one. Like harmony, agreeing - but different.
Consider another perspective: when a police case is being investigated, a detective will gather accounts from as many witnesses as possible. His goal is not to find conflicting stories, but determine which eye-witness accounts align to form a single narrative, or picture. If they fail to do this - the case is dropped. But if they point to a single truth, the case is solved.
Ironically, one of the four gospels was a piece of divinely-guided detective work. Luke was not present among Christ’s disciples when He taught them. Luke objectively interviewed and researched the facts with First-Century Christians who witnessed the events of Christ’s ministry first hand. The other three gospels were written by men who lived with, ate with, journeyed with and were taught by Jesus Christ Himself.
These four Gospels are called Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Nearly 90% of Mark’s content is found in Matthew; roughly 50% of Mark’s content appears in the Book of Luke. These accounts are not redundant; rather, they fortify the historic events. And because God loves people of all nations and religions, His Spirit structured each narrative to reach a different audience: either Jew, or Gentile (the rest of us).
The Gospel of Matthew was written primarily for the Jews. It was meant to demonstrate that Jesus fulfilled all requirements to be identified as their Messiah. Matthew was a tax collector who was called to Christ’s service. As a keeper of facts and numbers, he was gifted at gathering details. Matthew was commissioned by God to research the Genealogy of Christ, proving that He was the promised King of the Lineage of King David: the Messiah.
The Gospel of Mark shows many Old Testament prophecies of Christ coming to pass. It portrays Jesus as the Divine Servant, our example, a letter written primarily to Romans and Gentiles. Mark was a man who was acquainted with suffering, and was used to chronicle the sufferings of Christ. By Mark’s account, Christ’s humanity, coupled with His Deity, helped draw suffering Gentiles to a God Who loved not the Jews only, but the entire world!
The Gospel of Luke is the third Gospel. Luke was called “The Beloved Physician”. As mentioned, Luke did not live with Jesus, but carefully researched the life of Christ independent of the the other three Gospels. He was a master historian who traced Christ’s history and interviewed many of the people who saw His works and miracles. Luke was also the writer of the Book of Acts. His account, too, was written to benefit and educate the Gentile world.
The Gospel of John has less of a synoptic style of writing (meaning, the other three are written more like a personal diary of events); God intended the Book of John to explain why Jesus is the “Son” of God. The term “Son” does NOT imply that Jesus is the product of a physical relationship between Jehovah God and the Virgin Mary. As John Chapter one explains, Jesus was God made manifest in a human form, by the power of God to reconcile man to Himself and wash away sin. This plan is offensive to many of the religions of this world, yet God did it out of a love and mercy that the human mind cannot comprehend. John showed that God’s salvation plan for man would be God reaching down to man. Religion is man reaching up to try and grab God. It never has worked. It never will work. John explains the Person of God, and the meaning of “faith”. His Gospel account uses very plain language: “The Word was made flesh”, “The Saviour of the world”, “Before Abraham was, I AM” and many other phrases that show Christ’s deity. John also wrote the three epistles of John, and the great Chronicle of things yet to come: the Book of Revelation.
Together, these four distinct Gospel representations were written to show you, seeker or student, exactly what will fill the spiritual hole in the heart of every man and woman. We do not experience peace until that hole is filled as God intended. Money will not fill that hole, entertainment will not fill that hole, human relationships will not fill that hole, good works will not fill that hole. The spiritual hole in your heart is shaped exactly like Jesus Christ, and until we say “Yes!” To Him, the peace you desire will never be obtained. God is reaching down to you with this great truth. Accept His offer… and understand that the miraculous unity of all 66 Books of the Bible - the Word of God - was prepared for people like and me. HE LOVES YOU. He does not want you to go to Hell when you die (Revelation 21:8). To learn more how to receive eternal forgiveness and a home in Heaven GUARANTEED to you when you die, go to: Salvation Page
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