part 1

[Virtual Presenter] The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John are three ancient texts that offer valuable insights into the life and teachings of a historical figure. They provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and social contexts of the time..

[Audio] Jesus' actions were chosen and organized to provide understanding into the methods and reasons behind his deeds..

[Audio] The gospel writers would also have examined written records, as Luke explicitly mentioned doing so. Luke noted that many people had attempted to write about Jesus, but either those efforts were incomplete or perhaps Luke perceived some gaps in the existing information that motivated him to undertake this comprehensive project. In verses 3-4, Luke wrote that it seemed good to write unto thee in order, resulting in a two-volume work, the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Luke utilized three sources for his research: declarations or narratives of events that he and/or his audience participated in, previously written materials, and the oral testimony of eyewitnesses..

[Audio] The three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, presented different portraits of Jesus' life. They did not aim to provide a chronological account of his life, but instead focused on the "how" and "why" he did things. Each writer recorded Jesus' story using their own vocabulary and literary style. When events are recorded in multiple gospels, they are known as parallel passages. These passages often differ due to the unique perspectives of each writer. For instance, if four people witnessed a car accident and were asked to describe it, their accounts might vary. Similarly, when the police ask witnesses to recount an event, their testimonies may differ. ===== The calendar used today, the Gregorian calendar, assumes Jesus was born in year zero. However, biblical and historical evidence suggests this is inaccurate. The actual year of Jesus' birth is believed to be between 4-6 BC. The Jewish day extends from sunrise to sunset, whereas the Western world measures days from midnight to midnight. When recording time, the gospels followed Jewish custom, measuring hours from sunrise. According to this custom, Jesus was crucified at the third hour, which corresponds to 9 am. In contrast, John 19:14 mentions the sixth hour, which could refer to 12 pm. ===== The messages of John the Baptist, as recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, differed slightly. While Matthew emphasized the kingdom of heaven being at hand, Mark and Luke focused on repentance for the remission of sins. This variation highlights the distinct emphases of each gospel writer. Mark's gospel, the shortest of the four, began with Christ's public ministry without mentioning his birth or early life. Mark preferred to present Jesus through his actions rather than teachings. This approach supports the idea that Mark wrote his gospel primarily for Roman audiences. ===== I hope this rewritten text meets your requirements. Please let me know if you need further assistance.".

[Audio] The apparent contradictions in the parallel passages in the Gospels appear to present conflicting reports. However, a closer examination reveals that these differences can be satisfactorily explained. For instance, the examples given of one angel or two, one blind man or two, and one demoniac or two demonstrate that an account is not automatically wrong because it is missing facts recorded in a parallel account. Similarly, the apparent contradictions relating to location, such as the blind men healed, can be resolved by considering multiple plausible explanations. These explanations actually serve to build our confidence in the Gospels and the Bible in general..

[Audio] There are no contradictions in the Bible. All the variations can be satisfactorily explained. The explanations actually serve to build our confidence in the Gospels and the Bible in general. For example, consider the parallel passages in the Gospels. Some critics claim that the apparent contradictions in these passages prove that the Bible is unreliable. However, a closer examination reveals that the differences between the accounts can be easily explained. These explanations demonstrate the reliability of the Gospels and the Bible..

[Audio] The Holy Spirit emphasized Jesus' royal credentials in Matthew's Gospel by recording the message of John the Baptist as "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." In contrast, Mark and Luke reported the message as "repentance for the remission of sins," showing the Holy Spirit's intention to highlight Jesus' kingship in Matthew's Gospel..

[Audio] The Jews gave great importance to genealogies. Before someone could be ordained as a priest, they needed to prove their descent from Aaron. During the time of Ezra, some priests were rejected due to their inability to prove their right to the priesthood. The Jews would instantly comprehend the significance of being a Son of David and a son of Abraham. God had promised each one that the coming Messiah would be one of their descendants. Matthew's theme, presenting Jesus as the Messiah, requires him to demonstrate from the Old Testament that Jesus is the Son of David, the rightful king of Israel, through his adoptive father, Joseph..

[Audio] The descendants of Abraham to David, as listed in the slide, show the lineage of Jesus Christ. The list highlights the connection between Jesus and King David, emphasizing Jesus' royal heritage. The omission of certain kings, such as Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah, does not indicate an error but rather serves to focus on the most significant figures in Jesus' lineage. The use of "father," "son," and "beget" allows for the inclusion of multiple generations within a single entry, demonstrating the validity of Jesus' lineage..

[Audio] Jesus' lineage includes four women of questionable character: Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba, and Ruth. These women were Gentiles, prostitutes, or involved in adultery. Their inclusion in Jesus' genealogy highlights God's grace and salvation for all types of sinners, regardless of gender, race, or background. Additionally, Mary, Jesus' mother, is mentioned separately, emphasizing the virgin birth. Theological issues arise when considering God's promise to David that his throne would remain established forever, yet King Jeconiah was childless and unable to produce a successor. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and ability to fulfill His promises in unexpected ways..

[Audio] Jesus was not Joseph's physical son, but rather the adopted son of Joseph, becoming the legal heir to Joseph's lineage and to the throne. This fulfills both 2 Samuel 7:16 and Jeremiah 22:30..

[Audio] Jesus is the Son of God, and He cannot lie. Both Matthew's genealogy and Luke's are correct, and we cannot say for certain which theory is correct because of a lack of available data. The Pharisees opposed Christianity, but if the genealogies were incorrect, they would have used this evidence to discredit Christianity and the claims of Christ to be the Messiah. The fact that they did not indicates that both genealogies are credible. Some who want to discredit the Bible point to the "apparent" discrepancy of Salathiel's father, but one reasonable explanation is that Jeconiah's name was changed to Neri in captivity..

[Audio] Matthew, a Jewish publican who collected taxes for the Roman government from his fellow Jews, was a former tax collector. Although the Jews viewed tax collectors as selfish traitors and thieves, Jesus did not consider them beyond redemption. Matthew himself underwent a transformation, inviting his fellow publicans to dine with Jesus and gaining insight into the Teacher. Jesus used a parable to illustrate that those who are well do not require medical attention, but those who are ill do. As the author of the Gospel, Matthew portrayed Christ as King, linking Old Testament prophecies to Jesus Christ..

[Audio] The Gospel of Matthew presents the credentials of the Christ of God, providing demonstrable proof that Christ is the Messiah. This is done through four main areas: His lineage, His teachings, His miracles, and His formal presentation. These elements demonstrate Christ's right to the throne and His authority to set forth what He expects of those who live under His rule..