The Gospels and The Acts of the Apostles EXPOSITORY WORKS By WILLIAM EVANS Associate Dean of Bible Institute, Los Angeles, California Epochs in the Lite of Chri^ 12mo, cloth, net ^1.00 A series of addresses, given on Sunday afternoons to large audiences, dealing with the birth. Baptism, Temp- tation, Transfiguration, Death and Resurrection of our Lord, and presenting cogent and concrete arguments for their inviolability and acceptance as chief among the tenets of the Christian faiths. Couched in popular language and presented in popular style. THROUGH THE BIBLE, BOOK BY BOOK The Book of Genesis 12mo, cloth, net 50c. The Books of the Pentateuch Genesis-Exodus-Leviticus-Numbers-Deuteronomy 12mo, cloth, net $l.2S The Gospel and the Book of Acts 12nio, cloth, net $1.25 ''The practical and popular expositions of the Scrip- tures contained in this volume liave been but slightly altered in form from that in v?hich they were delivered to the audiences constituting the Popular Bible Classes, The aim of these expositions was to popularize Bible study — to make it not only authoritative in teaching, but interesting in presentation. That this aim has been realized is evident from the fact that at seven o'clock each Friday night, from one thousand to fifteen hundred people have met together for this form of Bible study." — Preface. THROUGH THE BIBLE-BOOK BY BOOK The Gospels ( / ^ ^^i and ^<^OSjr^k\. li'^^1 The Acts of the Apostles WILLIAM EVANS, Ph. D., D.D. Associate Dean, Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Cal. Author of "Great Doctrines of the Bible," "Personal Soul Winning" "How to Prepare Sermons and Bible Addresses," "Outline Study of the Bible," "Book Method of Bible Study," "How to Memorize," " The Christian's Creed and Conduct," "The Book of Books," "Epochs in the Life of Christ," " Through the Bible— the Penta- teuch." New York Chicago Toronto Fleming H. Revell Company London and Edinburgh Copyright, 191^, by FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY New York: 158 Fifth Avenue Chicago: 17 North Wabash Ave. Toronto: 25 Richmond Street, W. London: 21 Paternoster Square Edinburgh: 100 Princes Street Preface THIS volume is the first in the New Testament series of Expositions of the Bible. It aims, as will the other volumes, to give the reader a popular, practical, and synthetic presentation of the con- tents of the New Testament as set forth in the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. All of the Gospels have not been dealt with alike. Matthew, as representing the synoptists, and John, as the autopic Gospel, have been dealt with somewhat in detail. Mark and Luke have been treated in a general way, that only which is peculiar to Mark and Luke being particularly emphasized in the treatment of their records. The great spiritual need of to-day is the presentation of the contents of the Bible in such a manner as will in- terest not only the ministry, but also Christian laymen. To accomplish this purpose is the aim of these volumes ou the Popular and Practical Expositions of the Old and New Testaments. These Expositions of the Scripture have been tried and taught with success both in the class room and in large popular Bible classes, some of them numbering two thousand in attendance. It is with the earnest prayer that God may use these Expositions for the spread of the knowledge of the Word of God that they are now sent forth on their ministry, which we trust will be a useful and blessed one. W. E. Los Angeles, Cal. Contents II. III. Introduction General Outline View of the New Testa- ment PART I The Gospels I. Matthew Synopsis Introduction ..... I. The Advent of the King II. The Proclamation of the Kingdom III. The Final Rejection of the King . IV. The Triumph of the King . Mark Synopsis ...... Introduction ..... I. The Coming of the Servant of the Lord II. The Ministry of the Servant of the Lord III. The Servant of the Lord Rejected and Crucified ...... IV. The Servant of the Lord Exalted Luke Synopsis . . i . . . . Introduction Prelude and Dedication .... I. The Advent of the Son of Man — The Perfect Man II. The Ministry of the Son of Man — Chiefly Jewish . : . , . 7 9 i6 35 37 41 42 51 67 72 83 85 89 93 96 103 118 119 121 123 128 129 139 8 Contents III. The Ministry of the Son of Man- Chiefly Gentile . . . . .145 IV. The Vicarious Sufferings of the Son of Man 158 V. The Universal Kingdom of the Son of Man 161 IV. John 165 Synopsis 167 Introduction . . . . . .171 The Prologue ...... 181 I. The Self-Manifestation of Jesus to the World 185 II. The Self-Manifestation of Jesus to His Disciples . . . . . -198 III. The Climax and Triumph of UnbeHef . 208 IV. The CHmax and Triumph of Faith . 218 The Epilogue . .... 226 PART II The Acts of the Apostles Synopsis 231 Introduction (Chap, i.) . . . . 233 I. The Birthday of the Church (Chap. ii. 1-47) 241 II. The Growth and Extension of the Church Among the Jews in Palestine (Chaps, iii.-xii.) ....... 244 III. The Growth and Extension of the Church Among the Gentiles (Chaps, xiii. i- xxviii. 31) ...... 253 IV. Illustrative Topical Studies in the Acts 260 1. The " Church " in the Acts . . . 260 2. The ♦' Holy Spirit " in the Acts of the Apostles 264 I. " Prayer" in the Acts . . . .268 Introduction IN order that we may adequately comprehend even in a general way the contents of the New Testament, it will be necessary for us to consider some introduc- tory matters. The Name. The name " New Testament " is derived from the words of the institution of the Lord's Supper as found in Luke xxii. 20 — "The new testament in my blood" ; in Matthew xxvi. 28 — "This is my blood of the new testament " ; in 1 Corinthians xi. 25 — " This cup is the new testament in my blood. " The word "covenant" conveys the meaning of the original much better than the word "testament." Ac- cordingly the New Testament is referred to as the ' ' new covenant" (Hebrews ix. 15, E. V.), as contrasted with the "first" or " old covenant " (Hebrews ix. 15, E. V. ; 2 Corinthians iii. 14, E. V.). By the end of the second century we find this to be the established and recognized name of the Christian Scriptures. If the Old Testament deals with the record of the calling and history of the Jewish nation, and as such is properly called the Old Covenant ; then, assuredly, the New Testament, dealing as it does with the history and application of the redemp- tion wrought by the Lord Jesus, may appropriately be called the New Covenant. The term "covenant" was first of all applied by God to designate a relation existing between Himself and His people. Later the name was transferred from that relation to the books that contain the record of that relationship. It is for this reason that the New Testament has so fittingly been called the Cove- 9 1 o Introduction nant of Grace as distinguished from the Old Testament as the Covenant of Works. It must, of course, be remem- bered that the New Testament is in a very real sense the covenant itself. The New Testament, therefore, is a rec- ord of the covenant relationship into which God enters with those who by faith appropriate the redemption as wrought by Jesus Christ. The name, '' New Testament," as found in our English Bibles is taken from the Latin Vulgate Version — "Novum Testamentum." The New Testament is "The Book — of Jesus Christ " (Matthew i. 1) just as the Old Testament is " The Book — of Adam " (Genesis v. 1. See also Luke x. 20 ; Eevela- tiou XX. 12-15 ; xxi.-27). The Old Testament is the cov- enant of works, and ends in a curse (Malachi iv. 6 ; cf. Galatians iii. 10) ; the New Testament is the covenant of grace, and ends with a blessing (Revelation xxii. 14, 21). The Order of the Books.^ In speaking of the order of the books of the New Testament it should be observed that there is not only harmony, but progress also in their doctrinal teaching, and that this harmony and progress may be looked upon as an evidence of the guiding hand of God in connection therewith. In order, however, to see the progress and development in the teachings of the New Testament it is necessary to read and study the books composing it in their logical order and arrangement. That the student of the Bible may be helped in this par- ticular direction the following order of the books is sug- gested : The order of the four Gospels is probably that in which they occur in our English Bible, although modern schol- arship is inclined to give Mark the precedence over Matthew. The order of the Pauline Epistles may be arranged un- der four groups : (1) 1 and 2 Thessalonians ; (2) 1 and 2 ' " Outline Study of the Bil)le," by the author. Introduction 1 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Eomans; (3) Philippians, Phil- emon, Colossians, Ephesians ; (4) 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Tim- othy, Hebrews (?). The order of the General Epistles: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, Jude. The Eevelation, closing the canon. The progress in the teachings of the New Testament is seen when one observes that ''truths found in germ in the Gospels are historically illustrated in the Acts, doc- triually unfolded and applied in the epistles, and symbol- ically presented in the Apocalypse." While the order in which the books of the New Testa- ment occur in our Authorized or Eevised Versions may not be the chronological order in which they were written, there is much to lead us to believe that they are in a logical order, and thus bear witness to a superintending providence which has exercised care relative to the order in which the books have come down to us. This is shown by a careful examination of the chart : " The New Testa- ment as a Whole" (pages 14, 15). The Gospels and Acts, called the historical books of the New Testament, deal with the person and work of the Founder of Christianity, from His birth until the time in which He was taken up into heaven, from which place He poured out upon the waiting disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, under whose power the apostles went every- where preaching the Gospel and establishing Christian churches. Matthew closes with the account of the resurrection ; Mark, the ascension ; Luke, the promise of the Spirit ; John, the second coming. Here is progress in the devel- opment of truth in the order of the Gospels. The epistolary division of the New Testament, the Pauline and General Epistles, sets before us, naturally and logically, the difficulties and conflicts — ecclesiastical, doc- 1 2 Introduction trinal, ethical, racial, and practical — of the churches already founded through the agency of the apostles and the early disciples. Then comes the Book of the Eevelation, setting forth the future of the Christian Church : the final goal of the believer in Christ ; the reward for believing in Christ (Gospels), and living for Christ (Epistles). Again, take the great facts of the life of Christ in their proper order, and see how the arrangement of the epis- tles, for example, fits into this plan. The great facts of Christ's life may be summed up as follows: first, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (usually men- tioned together) ; then the outbreathiug of the Spirit upon the disciples ; then follows the forty days' walk upon the earth in the power of a risen life ; after that comes the ascension into heaven, with its consequent joy as compen- sation for the cross endured ; then the seating at the right hand of the Father ; and, finally, the coming again in power and great glory. Now observe how wonderfully these facts in their order are observed in the arrangement of the epistles : first, there is Eomans, with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ ;' then the Corinthian epistles in which the Holy Spirit is seen baptizing the be- lievers into one body in Christ ; then comes the new walk in the Spirit in Galatians, and the new plane of life in the heavenlies as set forth in Ephesians ; Philippians follows with its compensations of joy for all the renunciations of the Christian life ; Colossiaus commands us to place our affections above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God ; while the Thessalonian epistles set before us the comforts and warnings in connection with the coming again of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Once more, it is worthy of note that all the epistles written to Gentile believers come together (Eomans to 2 Thessalonians) ; then those to individuals (Timothy, Introduction 13 Titus, Philemon) ; after that come the letters written to Jewish believers (Hebrews to Peter) ; and finally, we have the General Epistles (John and Jude). Then, what book could more fitly close the canon of Scripture than the Revelation? Is not a superintending providence seen here! Thus we see that while the books of the New Testament in our English versions may not be in the " order of pro- duction," they are in the "order of development and ap- plication of the truth taught therein." Is there not a manifestation of the guiding hand of God in this arrange- ment of books in the New Testament canon 1 ' The New Testament as a Whole. An understand- ing of the New Testament as a whole is necessary before we can appreciate its component parts ; we must see its contents telescopically before we can view them micro- scopically ; we must comprehend the general before the particular. A structural view of the New Testament as a whole is herewith presented in order that the twenty-seven books composing the New Testament may be seen in the group forms in which they naturally fall. Here are three gen- eral divisions : History — the Gospels and Acts, dealing with Christianity's Person ; Teaching — the Pauline and General Epistles, setting forth Christianity's precepts ; and, finally, Prophecy — the Eevelation, setting forth Christianity's program. Here we have, in these three main divisions, the past, present, and future of Chris- tianity. We have the life of Christ, and the activity of the apostles ; then the correspondence of those engaged in the work ; and, finally, the outlook of it all. We are told how to believe in Christ (Gospels and Acts) ; then how to live for Christ (Epistles) ; and, finally, the reward for believing in and living for Christ (Eevelation). * After A. T. Pierson. 14 General Outline View of the New Testament O (O CO CD C Q) E CD 4— (0 o o CO II X CO or < u >- o o (X o x: < 00 z OJ 22 N0liVn3A3y NHorm NHor n NHOn I ) e W3i3d n d3i3d r siwvr SMiygiHj N0W31IHdJ sfiiii; AHiOWlin AHlOWIi I SS3Hi n SS3H1 I SNVISS030D SNVIddniHd SNVI?3Hd3 SNVIiVlVO ei ?NV!HiNiyoD n SI SNVmiNlHOD I ii ccct XQ. o -»^ o «" 2 S a § <^ -a to Cm H 03 tri ' .s ^ M> aj JS •c +i ja '-U "t-i r> o bi i^ (U o Ck o o tS t- HI ^ Tl o »^ M General View of the New Testament 15 o Qi D X u d) X O o o n z 1^ ^ 1 ^ r# d ^ ^ s •S" 1 g 3 •-1 £i 1 ^ e u ^ «4 » -a So S3 u O ■ u s" 3 a ■S « - » X u 1« -S 55 2'^ ' » » «2 1 ^ f! 111 n a n u t: « ■§ z 1 < <3 2 X H t> f fi g •fi u z h t z k < t t; K T U C •s 7 6 ■4 u a 3 1: S 2 < E in s X u a 5|.3, •3 ^ „ M ♦; — .s 2a 18 o £87 A a "a: ?3e T. °* .X. ».■ " S.b^j -o ^« -„ 5^^ao3 O-w C*^ cri p-'^ e§5 *" - ^2 :^ 3 o r S^^« General Outline View of the New Testament A GENERAL view of the contents of the New Testament is indispensable to an adequate un- derstanding of the books composing it and of the great doctrines and truths taught therein. Each book has its own peculiar setting and can be understood only in the light of such history and circumstances. The New Testament books may be said to fall into three groups : historic, didactic, prophetic. Let us con- sider each of these main divisions. Historical Books of the New Testament The first five books of the New Testament, like the first five of the Old Testament, may be properly termed historic. They are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and The Acts of the Apostles. They deal with the historical foundations of Christianity, with the person and work of its Founder, and with the historical basis of the Christian Church — the Gospels setting forth the Church in promise and prophecy, the Acts showing the establishment of the Church in actual fact. I. The Gospels. Let us look for a moment in a general way at the Gospels. We note that there are four gospel records — why four f Are we to suppose that we have in these four inspired records a complete account of the life and work of Jesus Christ? From the statement of one of the evangelists, we would answer this question in the negative. John says: **Aud many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book : But these are written, that 16 General Outline View of the New Testament 1 7 ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John XX. 30, 31). " And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written " (John xxi. 25). Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, re- minds them of the words of our Lord Jesus, how that He said : ''It is more blessed to give than to receive," yet we do not find these words anywhere in the four gospel records. We have here an illustration of what may be called the inspiration of selection — power bestowed upon the evan- gelists by the Holy Spirit by which they were able to choose from the life of Christ such words, works, in- cidents, miracles and parables as best suited the distinct and specific purpose they had in mind. We may say that each writer had his own unique purpose in his selection of material. Indeed, there can be no true study of the Gospels unless this important fact is constantly borne in mind. A fourfold view of Christ is presented in the Gospels. The number four indicates the unfolding of the evangel in all its fullness so that it reflects the fourfold sway of God in the world. Four is the world number. The Gospel meets the fourfold wants and views of the world, and under a fourfold aspect displays the infinite riches of revelation. They are the four inspired histories of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament. They all refer to and treat of the same Kedeemer and the same salvation, though not dealing with precisely the same details and incidents in our Lord's life. We have, therefore, one Gospel under a fourfold aspect : the Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The stream that flowed from the Garden of Eden was parted l8 General Outline View of the New Testament into four heads ; so the record of the life of Him who is the water of life comes to us through four gospel channels. The following illustration throws light on the purpose of the fourfold gospel record : A famous sculptor in Paris, who makes busts and statues of celebrated men, has the following method of operation : the room in which he works is circular, and around its circumference a number of cameras are placed in position, all pointing towards the center where stands the subject for the bust or statue. All lights are properly arranged, and at a given signal photographic exposures are made, and so a picture or photograph is taken of the subject from different points of view, and the bust or statue when finished is the result of these combined views of the person. Thus a statue is made which could not be possible as the result of one single view. So the Evan- gelists have placed their photographic cameras on four sides of our Lord Jesus Christ, and given us a composite picture as the result of these four different view-points. To understand Christ, to get a full-orbed view of His person and work, we must get a vision of Him which is the result of this fourfold combined picture. The differences in the narratives are such as arise from the above facts. The same thing is true, in a limited sense, of Socrates. We have extant two accounts of the life and character of Socrates, one by Plato, the other by Xenophon, both of which widely differ. Shall we say that there never was such a person as Socrates simply because these two historians speak so differently of him ? Shall we say that there was no such person as Jesus Christ simply because the Evangelists speak differently of Him 1 There is no contradiction at all between them. Each presents Christ from his own view-point. Cicero says, **The eye sees only that which it brings with it the General Outline View of the New Testament 19 power of seeiDg. ' ' Every man sees another man out of his own eye, and gets a view of that other that no other person gets. Matthew's Album of Christ. Jesus Christ is here presented from the Jewish point of view, showing that He was the promised Messiah, of the seed of Abraham and through the kingly line of David (Matthew i. 1). Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the Old Testament predictions relating to the Messiah (cf. the oft-recurring expression : "This was done that it might be fulfilled," i. 22, 23; ii. 5, 15, 17, 23 ; iii. 3, 15 ; iv. 14, etc.). This phase is especially noticeable in connection with the sufferings of Christ (xxvi. 23, 24, 31, 52 ; xxvii. 9, 35, 42, 43, 46 ; cf. Psalm xxii. 8-18). There are sixty Old Testament quotations in Matthew. Mark's Portrait of Christ. Mark was written for the purpose of presenting Christ to the Eomans. For this reason Jesus is set forth in this Gospel as the mighty worker, the faithful "Servant of the Lord " (Isaiah xlii. 1-9), the One Who does the will of God perfectly. The key verse of this Gospel may be set forth as "the Lord working " (xvi. 20), for it begins with activity (i. 9) and ends with " working " (xvi. 20). There is a noticeable absence in the introduction to Mark's Gospel of Christ's genealogical table. The reason for this lies in the fact that Mark's purpose is to present Jesus Christ as the Mighty Worker, and for this reason the record starts with the presentation of Christ as a full grown man. One is not usually interested in the gene- alogy of a servant. There is a noticeable omission of references to Christ's birth, childhood, flight into Egypt, visit to Nazareth and early life. There are very few references in Mark to the Old Tes- tament or, as in the case of Matthew, to fulfillments of prophecy. The Romans were not acquainted with the 20 General Outline View of the New Testament Hebrew Scriptures nor with the prophecies regarding Christ, consequently not much is made of connecting Christ with the Old Testament. The Saviour is here pre- sented with present, not past interest. To the Eomans, Christ is not so much, if at all, a man of prophecy as a man of power. To the Eoman mind Csesar, the Emperor, stood for power, so Christ is presented as an ideal of power — He has power over nature to control, over demons to cast out, over sickness to recover, over death to quicken. It may be noted in this connection that Paul in writing to the Eomans (i. 16) describes the Gospel as the "power of God." The key- word of Mark's Gospel is "straightway " or "immediately" (cf. i. 10, 12, 18, 20, 28, 29, 42; ii. 2, 8, 12, etc.)- In harmony with the purpose of this book, it sets forth the prompt, unwavering obedience of the " Serv- ant of the Lord." This key- word occurs forty-one times in Mark and only two or three times in Matthew and Luke. Surely this is not a mere accident, but the result of deliberate intention. Mark is the Gospel of activity. Christ is restlessly active. The whole book is crowded with action, with deeds rather than words. Matthew with its twenty-eight chapters has twenty miracles ; Luke with its twenty-four chapters has twenty ; while Mark with only sixteen chap- ters has nineteen miracles. Matthew has fifteen parables, Luke twenty-three, Mark only four, and these four deal largely with the idea of the growth and power of the kingdom of God. Christ is everywhere active ; He rises " very early in the morning" (i. 35), has no time to eat (vi. 31) J even His periods of rest are broken into. Jesus is "driven" not "led" (as in Matthew) by the Spirit. Matthew, narrating the healing of the epileptic boy, de- scribes him as one that "suffereth grievously," whereas Mark says that the spirit so afflicted the child that it General Outline View of the New Testament 2 1 "dasheth him down and be foameth, and griudeth his teeth" and " casteth him both into the fire and into the water" and convulsed him grievously so that he '' fell to the ground and wallowed foaming." Mark is the Gospel for this rushing, busy age, which may be described as being "driven " rather than "led." This Gospel is occupied with "the crowds" and "the multitudes" (i. 33, 46 ; ii. 2, 13, 15 ; iii. 7, 8, 9, etc.). Luke's Picture of Christ. Luke gives us the Gospel presented in such a way as would effectively appeal to the Greeks, who idolized humanity. For this reason Luke has been called the Gospel of the humanity of Christ. The genealogy of the Saviour is not so much through Abraham or David, as through Adam (iii. 38), There is no Jewish exclusivism here : Jesus Christ is Son of Man. Much is made of the birth, childhood and growth of Jesus. The human attributes and characteristics of His person are made prominent. He is the ideal man, the perfection of manhood, a son of man, yet TJie Son of Man. Christ is here presented in the largest human relation- ships. Luke, in describing the transfiguration, tells us that while Christ prayed the fashion of His countenance was altered, thus emphasizing the human element in the Master's life. Matthew makes the simple statement that Christ was transfigured before the disciples. The Greeks stood for the universality of humanity. This thought is prominent in Luke, for the pedigree of Christ is traced back to Adam, the father of the race (iii. 37, 38). "All flesh " shall see the salvation of God (iii. 6). Christ is enrolled as a citizen of the Eoman Empire (ii. 1-7). He is a " Light for the Gentiles " and His salvation is for "all peoples" (ii. 31, 32). The Seventy are sent to the Gentile nations as the Twelve were sent to the Jews (x. 1). Elijah is sent to a heathen 22 General Outline View of the New Testament widow (iv. 26). Naaman the Syrian is cleansed (iv. 27). The gratitude of the Samaritan is recorded (xvii. 16-18) ; the parable of the good Samaritan is found here (x. 28-36). The Christ of John. The Fourth Gospel has for its purpose the presentation of those elements of Christ's life which tend to prove the Deity of the Saviour. Indeed this is the express purpose of the writer : *' And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his dis- ciples, which are not written in this book ; but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name" (xx. 30, 31). In harmony with this purpose, the Gospel begins with the statement of Christ's Deity (Introduction i. 1-18 — " The only begotten God," ver. 18, R, V. M.) and closes with the exclamation of Thomas, *' My Lord and my God " (xx. 28). Chapter xxi. of this Gospel is an epilogue, the Gospel really being complete, in a sense, at the end of the twentieth chapter. Great prominence is given to discussions and discourses regarding the Deity of Christ in this Gospel (cf. v. 18-47 ; viii. 12-69 ; x. 22-42). We have the record in John of three attempts to stone Christ and in each instance it was because of His claim to Deity (v. 18 ; viii. 59 ; x. 31). John seeks to present the claims of Jesus upon the people by setting forth in the simplest form and manner those manifestations of the glory of the incarnate Son of God which elicited faith from those who beheld these " signs " (xx. 30, 31) which He did in their presence. To the writer, it seemed a reasonable thing to believe that the presentation of the same evidence would produce similar results in the lives of those who would read his Gospel. While the Deity of Christ is the main theme of John's Gospel, John nevertheless comprises all the character- istics of the other Gospels ; Jesus is the Messiah, as pre- General Outline View of the New Testament 23 seuted by Matthew (i. 49 ; iv. 25, 26 ; xviii. 36, 37) ; the Servant of God, as in Mark (iii. 16 ; v. 30 ; vi. 38) ; and the Son of Man, as in Luke (iv. 6 ; vi. 54 ; xi. 34 ; xii. 27 ; xix. 28, 30, 31). John presents Jesus Christ, above all, as the Son of God : as God manifest in the flesh (i. 18 ; XX. 28) ; His eternal preexistence (i. 1) ; His separate existence (i. 1) ; He is God (i. 1) ; Creator of all things (i. 3) ; the only begotten Son, literally, the only begotten God (i. 18, E. V. M.) ; the Son of God (i. 49) ; equal with the Father (v. 23), etc. John has been called the Gospel for the Christian, as Matthew is the Gospel for the Jew, Mark for the Eoman, and Luke for the Greek, probaby because it comprises all the elements of the other three. Just as the inscrip- tion on the cross was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, representing the three leading races of mankind, so the Gospel is recorded in the same threefold way. When the Hebrew, the Eoman, and the Greek have be- lieved in Christ they are '' Christians," and so are ready for John, the ''Gospel for the Christian." These three nationalities lose their identity in the Christian, who is the perfect man : intellect (Greek — Luke), sensibilities (Jew — Matthew), and will (Eoman — Mark) being sur- rendered to the service of the Christ. The Portrait of the Messiah as Given in the Gospels. The portrait of the Messiah as given in the prophets pre- sents a complete picture of the coming Messiah and De- liverer. Sixty names and titles in all describe elaborately His person and work. All these names and titles, how- ever, may be summed up under the following four heads : 1. That of King (Isaiah xxxii. 1 ; Jeremiah xxiii. 5 ; Zechariah ix. 9) — Matthew. This title includes the par- ticulars of the kingdom : its nature, extent, growth, sub- jects, glory, strength. This fully accords with Matthew's Gospel, the very ain^ of which is to set forth Jesus Christ 24 General Outline View of the New Testament as the King of Israel, the founder of the Kingdom of Heaven. So the genealogy of Christ in Matthew is traced back through the royal and kingly line of David. The " kingdom of heaven " is spoken of about thirty-two times in Matthew. 2. That of the Servant of Jehovah (Isaiah xlii. 1-7 j liii. ; Ezekiel xxxiv. 23) — MarJc. Christ is herein set forth as the Servant of God — the One doing God's service and will. He is the sin- bearer, sacrifice, law-keeper, prophet, priest, teacher. This accords with the purpose of Mark's Gospel, the key-note of which is service, and which is characterized by the words " straightway," and ''immediately." Hence no attention is paid to the matter of genealogy, for we are not interested in the pedigree of a servant. Mark plunges at once into the activities of the life of Jesus. 3. That of the, or a Son of Man — Humanity (Isaiah vii. 14 ; ix. 6 ; Daniel vii. 13) — LuJce. In these passages the Messiah is set forth as being genuine man, with a human nature like ours — with the exception, of course, of sin, which, by the way, is no integral part of human nature as originally created. Depravity is not natural so much as unnatural. How beautifully all this accords with the purpose of Luke's Gospel, in which Christ is set forth preeminently as the Sou of Man, the ideal Man. So the genealogy is traced up through Adam. " Handle me, and see," are characteristic of this Gospel. 4. That of the Son of God — Deity (Daniel iii. 25 ; Isaiah ix. 6 ; xlvii. 4) — John. In these prophetic Scrip - turet* the Messiah is set forth as Jehovah Himself. He is equal with God, one with God, really God. There can be no doubt surely as to the fact of this being in harmony with John's Gospel. We have his own statement to this effect : ** But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ' ' (xx. 31). Harmony of the Gospels ^ HABMONT OF THE FOUR GOSPELS. Matt. Mark. Luke. John; PART I. EVENTS CONNECTED WITH THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF OUR LORD. , Time : About \Z\^ year/, b. C. 6i— a. d. 8. Scsct. 1: 1 1:1-4 1 : 5-25 1: 26-38 1 : 39-56 1 : 67-80 2: 1-7 3: 23-38 2: 8-20 2: 21-38 2: 39.40 2:41-60 2:61,62 3: 1-18 3: 21,22 4: 1-13 1: 1-li' 2, The Announcement of the Birth of John the Baptist. Jerusalem. Aulumn, b. c. 6. 3. The Announcement of the Birth of Jesus. Nazareth. Spring, B. C. 6, Hill Country of JucJsea. April — June, B. c. 5. EM Country of Judxa. June, B. 0. 6. C The Birth of Jeaus Christ ...••• 1 : 18-25 1 : i-17 Bethlehem. Dec. 25, B. C. 6. 8. An Angel announces the Birth to the Shop- herds. Near Bethlehem. Dec, b. C. 5. 9. The Circumcision and Presentation in the Tem- ple. Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Jan.-Feh., b. c. 4. 10. The Visit of the Wiso Men 2: 1-12" 2: 13-18 2 : 19-23 Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Feb., B. C. 4. 11. The Flight into Egypt ••,.., Feb., B. c. 4. 12 The Return to Nazareth.. .^ Spring. B. C. 4. 13. The child Jesus in the Temple with the Doc- tors. Jerusalem. Passover. April, A. ». 3. 14. Christ's eighteen years' retirement in Naza- PART II. PROM THE BEGINNING OP JOHN THE baptist's MINISTRY TO OUR LORD'S FIRST PASSOVER. Time : About 9 months. Summer, a. D. 26 — April, A.D.27. 15. The Preaching and Baptism of John. The desert and the Jordan. Autumn, a. d. 26. 3: 1-12 3 : 13-17 4: 1-U 1: 2-8 1 : 9-11 1:12,13 Bethany bexjond Jordan. Jan., a. d. 27. The desert beyond Jordan. Jan. — Feb.^ a. d. 27. 1 : IS-S*- Bethany beyond Jordan. Feb., a. D. 27. Part I. — 1. Into how manyparts may the Gospel History bo divided? 2. What does the first part comprise ? 3. When and where was Christ born? 4. How much older was John the Baptist? 6. Give a brief accornt of the life of Christ to the age of twelve. 6. Describe the visit to Jerusalem. 7. How many years did Christ live in re- tirement ? 8. Where ? 9. What was His ago at the end of this period ? Part II.— 9. What period does the second part cover? 10. When and where did John the Baptist begin his ministry? 11. How old was Christ at his baptism? 12. Howlong was Clirist tempted? 13. Mention all the eveDts that occurred during the month oa February, a. d. 27. 'This Harmony (after Dr. R. F. Weidner) is based on such valuable works as those ol Weiseler, Ebrard, Greswell, Andrews, Tischendorf, Robinson, and Gardner. 25 26 Harmony of the Gospels HARMONY OF THE FOUR GOSPELS. 19. The Calling of Andrew and Simon Peter.. Near tite Jordan, Feb., A. D. 27. 20. Tlie Calling of Philip and Nathanael On Uto wa7j to Galilee, Feb., A. D. 27. 21. The Marriage of Cana, and Departure to| Capernaum. Galilee, Feb., a, v. '27 PART III. THE EVENTS OP THE FIRST YEAR OF OUR lord's MINISTRY, Time : One year. Passover, April, a. d. 27 — Pass- over, April, A.D. 28. (780-7SI) Year of Rome. 22. At the Passover, Christ purgeth the Temple... Jerusalem, April, A. D. 27. 23. The Conversation with Nicodemus Jertisalem, April, a. d. 27. 24. Jesus baptizes by hia disciples Jiutca, Summer, a. d. 27. 25. Further testimony of John the Baptist £twn, near the Jordan. Autumn, A. D 27. 26. Christ's discourse with the woman of Samaria. Shechem or Sychar. Dec, a. d. 27. 27. The Healing of the Nobleman's Son Ckaia of GaUlee. Probably, Jan., a. d. 28. PART IV. THE EVENTS OF THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR lord's MINISTRY. Time : On* year. Passover, April, a.d. 28 — Passover, April, A. D. 29. (781-7S2) Year of Rome. 28. Our Lofd's second Pa-ssover, and the Miracle at the Pool of BethesJa. Jerusalem, April, a. D. 28. 29. The Imprisonment of John the Baptist April, A. D. 28. 30. The Beginning of Christ's Ministry In Galilee. April, a. d. 28 » ■31. Christ's preaching and rejection at Nazareth. April, A. D. 28. 32. He fixes his abode at Capernaum, .^jjnT, a.d. 28 33. The Call of the first four Disciples. Sea of GalHee, near Capernaum, April — May, a. d. 28. 34. The Cure of a Demoniac in the Synagogue at Capernaum. May, a. d. 28 [ Matt. 4:12,17 13-16 18-22 SIark. 1:14,15 1: 16-20 1: 21-28 Luke. 3:19,20 4: 14,15 4: 16-30 4:31,32 5 : 1-11 4: 33-37 30KS, 1: 35-42 l:4A5l 2: H2 2: 13-25 3: 1-21 3: 22 3:23-38 4: 1-42 4:43-54 5: 147 Part III.— 14. 'What -was the length of our Lord's ministry ? 15. 'What time does tha third part include? 16. What is the date of the first Passover in our Lord's ministry? ■the second? the third? the fourth? 17. Which Evangelist records the early Judeaii ministry of our Lord ? 18. Did Christ himself baptize ? John 4 : 2. 19. Sketch the history of this period. Part IV.— 20. "What period does the fourth part cover? !21. When was John the Baptist impri.sonod ? 22. How long had his ministry continued? 23. In what year of iis ministry did Christ b(?gin His labors in Galilee ? 24. What city became the centra ot His labors ? 25. What distinctive title is ^ven to it ? MaU. 9 : 1. 26, Wfaeu anij -whsre were the first foUr disciples called 1 27. Iheir names? Harmony of the Gospels 27 HARMONY OF THE FOUK GOSPELS. 35. Tho Healing of Peter's wife's mother, and many others. Capernaum. The same Sabbaih as last. May, a. d. '4S. 36. Christ retifes to pray, and preaches throughout Galilee. May, a. d. 28 37. The Cleansing of a Leper. In one 0/ the cities of Galilee. May, a. d. 28. 38. The Healing ofa Paralytic at Capernaum Bummer, A. ». 28. 39. The Call and Feast of St. Matthew. C^ periMum. Bummer, \. d. 28. •40. The Discourse about Fasting. GalHee. Summer, A. D. 28. 41. The Disciples pluck Ears of Corn on the Sabbath. Near Capernaum. After Pentecost, Bummer, a. D. 28. 42. The Healing ofa Wslti with a withered Hand. Probably Capernaum. Midsummer, A. V. 28. 43. The Pharisees begin to plot against Jesus Probably Capernaum. Midsummer, A. D. 28. 44. Jesus withdraws to the Sea of Galilee, where he heals roany. Midsummer, a.i>.2S. 45. He retires to the Mountain, and chooses his Twelve Apostles. Near Capernaum'. Midxummer, A. D. 28. 46. Multitudes follow him. Near Capernaum Midsurnvner, A. D. 28. 47. Tho Sermon on the Mount. Near Capernaum. Midsummer, A. D. 28. 48. Christ's return to Capernaum, and the Anxiety of hisFriends. iJ/idwmmer, a. d. 28 49. Tho Healing of the Centurion'a servant. Ca- pernaum. Midsummer, a^ d. 28, 50. Jesus restores to life the only son of awidow. At Nain. Midsummer, A. D. 28. 51. John tho Baptist's Question, Probably Ca- pernaum. Midswnmer, A. D. 28. 52. Christ's testimony concerning John the Bap- tist. Probably Capehiaum. Midstimmcr,\.D.'2H 6'i. .Tosus is anointed by a penitent woman. Pro- bably at Capermium. Autumn, A. D. 2S. 54. ChriBt continues his circuit in Galilee, with the Twelve. Autumn, a. D.28 55. The Accusation of casting out devils by Beelzebub. CapemauTn. Auiumn, A. Tt.'^S. 56. Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Bame placeand time. 67, Seeking after a Sign, Same place and time 68. The Ecturn of the Unclean Spirit. Same place and time, 59. Christ's Mother and Brethren come to Him, Bame place artd, time 60. Parables. By the Sea of Galilee and in Caper- naum. Autumn, a. d. 28. Matt. 8 : 14-17 4: 23,24 8: a-4 9: 1-8 9: 9-13 9: 14-17 12 : 1-8 12 : 9-13 12: 14 12: 15-21 10: 2-4 4: 25 5: 1-7: 29 8: 1 8: 5-13 MaHKi LVRE. 1:29-34 4: 38-41 35-39 4: 40-45 5: 1-12 13-17 18-22 11: 2-6 11 : 7-19 12 : 22-30 12 : 31-37 12:38-42 12:43-45 2 2: 23-28 1-5 6 7-12 13-19 3 : 19-21 22-27 28-30 12:46-50 3:31-35 42-44 12-16 17-26 27-32 33-39 1-5 6-10 11 12-16 17-19 20-49 1 2-10 11-17 18-23 John. 24-35 36-60 8: 1-3 14-23 10 29-36 24^28 8: 19-21 28. Who was the fifth disciple ? 29. When were "The Twelve" choeen'> 30. Whaf Sermon wa.s delivered on th is occasion? 31. Where is it recorded ? 32. What miracles were performed at Capernaum? 3 28 Harmony of the Gospels HAEMONY OF THE FOUR GOSPELS.