The following articles are related to the topic of GOSPELS, THE

Examining the Four Gospels

When one opens the New Testament, he is introduced to four narratives which are concerned with the activity and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. These records are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Why are there four accounts that cover so much of the same material? Are the records harmonious or do they conflict? When Jesus was crucified, a superscription was ... read more »

The Support of Gospel Preachers

The Jewish rabbis had a saying: "Whoever does not teach his son a trade is as if he brought him up to be a robber." Paul, the Tent-making Preacher Though Paul was educated as a scholar of Hebrew law under the celebrated Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), nevertheless, as a lad he had learned the trade of tent-maker. Accordingly, when Paul, on ... read more »

Making Merchandise of the Gospel

The Scriptures clearly teach that one who labors extensively to study and teach the gospel, thus depriving himself of a regular income, has the right to be supported financially by those to whom the instruction is imparted. It is his "right" (1 Corinthians 9:4-6), and it is his students' "responsibility." Paul spends a considerable portion of the ninth chapter of ... read more »

Is Baptism a Gospel Obligation?

"If baptism is an essential requirement within the plan of salvation, why did Paul dismiss it as NOT being a part of the gospel (1 Cor. 1:17)?" This is a common argument employed by certain denominational folks in an effort to negate the several compelling passages that associate baptism with the remission of sins. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, the inspired ... read more »

Are the Gospel Writers Credible?

The writers of the Gospel accounts-Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John-quite definitely affirm that Jesus Christ claimed to be the Son of God, and that he performed miracles to authenticate that affirmation. Further, they allege that even though Jesus was put to death on the cross, after three days he came out of the grave, thus, forcefully demonstrating that he is ... read more »

Is the “Gospel of Judas” True?

Author's Note: This is a preliminary article to provide an immediate response to the recent publication and promotion of the Coptic Pseudo-Gospel of Judas. This article will be updated by a more comprehensive treatment of the topic in a few months when more material is available. In April 2006, the National Geographic Society of Washington D.C. held a press conference ... read more »

Is the Gospel of Thomas Real or Fake?

The e-mail I received was from Dr. Paterson Brown, who is affiliated with the Ecumenical Coptic Project in Athens, Greece. He forwarded to me copies of the so-called "Coptic Gospels" of Thomas, Phillip, and Truth.With reference to the "Gospel of Thomas," Dr. Brown wrote: Significantly, Professor Helmut Koester of Harvard University, speaking as President of the Society of Biblical Literature ... read more »

How Will Those Who Never Learn the Gospel Be Judged?

"On the judgment day, what will God's response be to those who never had an opportunity to hear the gospel?" No one, out of his own reservoir of knowledge and wisdom, can emphatically state how God is going to "judge" any specific case.For example, did Judas die lost?The New Testament is clear that he perished (Jn. 17:12; Acts 1:25).But what ... read more »

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 – Election through the Gospel

The theology of John Calvin contends that before the foundation of the world, God elected certain ones (both angels and men) to be saved, and others to be lost. There is no biblical basis for this. In the opening remarks of his first letter to the brethren at Thessalonica, Paul makes an interesting comment which helps put this topic into ... read more »

The Gospel in Miniature — In the Book of Revelation

The book of Revelation is a mysterious yet wonderful document. It is mysterious because its message is largely couched in the language of symbolism; it is wonderful because of the hope it presents. Revelation contains word pictures of horses, beasts, horns, bowls which pour forth wrath, bloody battle scenes, etc. The very first verse asserts that it is "the revelation ... read more »