The New Testament

Matthew

Matthew's gospel is placed first in the canon of the New Testament, not because it was written first, some of Paul's letter's and the Gospel of Mark were written before, but because it is a bridge between the Old and New Testament.

The main point and argument of Matthew's 28 chapters is to convince the Jews that Jesus is their Messiah King, the Anointed One, the Christ, the Son of God and founder of the kingdom of God.  Matthew's account uses the  word "kingdom" 50 times, and the "kingdom of heaven" 32 times.

Mark

Mark's account is unique in many ways.  It is the shortest account and seems to be the earliest.

Mark displays both Jesus' divinity and his humanity. For example, Mark tells us that Jesus is "the carpenter". Matthew softens it a bit by saying that Jesus is the "carpenter's son" Mark even tells us about Jesus' emotions.  Jesus was moved with "compassion".  Mark also adds vivid details that the other gospel writers leave out. Mark's gospel was most likely intended to be read aloud in the Christian assembly, rather than privately.

Luke

It was likely written between 63-70 A.D.

 Luke is the only New Testament writer who was not a Jew (Gentile). He intended his gospel for the Gentile Christians as he wanted to give an account of the gospel to a non-Jewish audience who were not accustomed to Jewish beliefs and practices. Luke wrote his gospel in the common Greek of the day and used 1^st person in which was unique to the other three gospels.

Luke’s gospel emphasizes the role and work of the Holy Spirit. Luke also gives special emphasis to prayer and to the power of intercession.  He shows Jesus at prayer on many occasions Luke gives a special place to women in his gospel account.  More women appear in Luke than the other gospels.

 John

Traditional Christian scholarship has dated the composition of the gospel to the early 60s, while higher criticism dates it to the later decades of the 1st century

 Certain popular stories, such as the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, are found only in this gospel. This account also has a special emphasis on prayer, the activity of the Holy Spirit, women, and joyfulness. Luke presented Jesus as the Son of God, but turned his attention especially to the humanity of Jesus, featuring His compassion for the weak, the suffering and the outcast.

The Life of Jesus

Miracle:

The Gospel of Matthew recorded a miracle in which Jesus miraculously healed two blind men who followed him, asking for mercy.

Crucifixion:

Jesus, who Christians believe is the Son of God as well as the Messiah, was arrested, tried, and sentenced by Pontius Pilate to be scourged, and finally executed on a cross.

Resurrection:

The resurrection of Jesus is the belief that Jesus returned to bodily life on the third day following his death by crucifixion. In the New Testament, after the Romans crucified Jesus, he was buried in a new tomb but he rose from the dead and appeared to many people over a span of forty days before his return to heaven. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, the third day after Good Friday which marks his crucifixion

Parents:

Jesus’ Parents were Joseph(carpenter) and Mary (known as a virgin).