Harmony of the gospels
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APPLICATION You may meet the Lord and be impressed with Him but it is the Lord who calls all and it is up to us to respond. To mature in the Christian life you must get your priority right and put the Lord first in your scale of values. Jesus Christ says that He will never leave you nor forsake you. The Lord chooses rather unusual and often by world standard unremarkable people to play important roles in the outworking of the plan of God
He graciously condescends to dwell with those who are humble and contrite, though they are conscious that they are not worthy of his presence; and we may therefore come boldly to him, and ask him to receive us to his home, to an eternal dwelling with him in the heavens. All that Jesus asks is that we should leave “all” we have for him; that we should love him “more” than we do whatever friends or property we may possess, and be willing to give them all up when he requires it. DOCTRINES CHRISTIAN LIFE: EVANGELISM see page 29 CHURCH: APOSTLESHIP 1. Apostleship is the highest spiritual gift in the Church. - Like all other spiritual gifts it was sovereignly bestowed by the Holy Spirit to certain individuals (1 Corinthians 12:11, 28, Ephesians 4:11) 2. Apostleship was a temporary gift. It was designed to establish and direct the early church until the canon of scripture was completed. 3. The apostles to the church were appointed after the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:8) Hence, they must be distinguished from the "Apostles to Israel" in (Matthew 10:2ff) 4. This spiritual gift exercised authority over all local churches. Once the canon of scripture was complete the gift was removed (1 Corinthians 13:10). Today all local churches are autonomous with authority vested in the canon of scripture and the local pastor 5. The qualification of apostles:- Apostles had to be eye witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. This qualified the eleven, Paul being qualified on the Damascus Road (Acts 1:22, 1 Corinthians 9:1, 15:8,9) 6. The authority of the apostles was established by the possession of certain temporary gifts that went with this gift. Apostles also had the gifts of miracles, healing and tongues (Acts 5:15, 16:16-18, 28:8-9) 7. There are twelve apostles (Revelation 21:14). We have the eleven (excluding Judas). Mathias was elected by men, but not appointed by God (Acts 1:26). The twelfth apostle was Paul (1 Corinthians 15:7-10). Paul was appointed by God on the road to Damascus. 8. The word "apostle" means "one sent". Hence, some believers are called apostles in this sense. They include Barnabas (Acts 1 4:14, Galatians 2:9), James (half brother of Jesus) (1 Corinthians 15:7, Galatians 1:19), Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6), Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1). PETER - DIVINE GUIDANCE 1. SCRIPTURE - Gospels, Acts, First and Second Peter. 2. BIOGRAPHY Born Simon the son of Jonas, he was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee. He was married and lived with his mother-in-law at Capernaum at the time he was called by the Lord. He was a fisherman, fishing with his father and his brother Andrew when Jesus found him. Together with James and John, Peter formed a group of three disciples who appeared to have a closer relationship with Jesus, as they appeared with Him at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13), and in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46). Peter was the leader of the disciples and often spoke without fully considering the situation. It was Peter who walked on the sea at Galilee (Matthew 14:22-32) before his faith collapsed. He also was the one who was commended by Jesus for recognising Jesus as the Messiah. Peter was disappointed that Jesus was not going to set up a temporal kingdom as the final act of His ministry (Mark 8:32, 33). Saying that he would die rather than desert Jesus, he failed miserably later that day and denied Him three times. After Pentecost, Peter was a changed man, preaching boldly about Jesus Christ (Acts 2:14-40). He had, however, to learn that the Gentiles were also subject to the promise of Abraham and that the Mosaic law had been fulfilled at the cross (Matthew 5:17; Acts 11:6-9). Herod imprisoned him but he was released by an angel. Paul admonished Peter regarding his superficial relationship with the Gentiles but Peter eventually commended Paul's writings for the mature believer (2 Peter 3:15, 16). Peter then disappears from the scripture but it is said that he was crucified upside down as a martyr. 3. EVALUATION: Acts 11:1-16. a) Peter is in Jerusalem for a meeting of church leaders (verse 1). b) News of the Gentile Pentecost was received (verse 1). c) Opposition is received from legalists (verse 2). d) This brought criticism of Peter (verse 3). e) Peter begins to think back on the Gentile Pentecost (verse 4), bringing out the factors which led Peter to go to Cornelius' house. f) Peter is given guidance through prayer (verse 5). g) He is given guidance through pondering the meaning of the animals he saw (verse 6). h) Peter is informed by God that there had been a change as far as eating of previously unclean animals was concerned (verses 7-10). i) He is guided by coincidence or providential circumstances by the arrival of three men from Caesarea (verse 11). God opened doors for Peter. j) The Holy Spirit confirms that he should go to Caesarea (verse 12). k) When he met Cornelius he compared experiences with him (verses 13-15). l) Peter is guided also by remembering Scripture (verse 16).
a) God's will for Peter depended on his being aware of: i) Viewpoint will of God - what does He want me to think (Mark 8:33). ii) Operational will of God - what does He want me to do (Acts 10:20). iii) Geographical will of God - where does He want me to go (John 21:18). b) Peter's attitude and maturity also played a part: i) His knowledge of the scriptures (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:1-6). ii) The filling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:13; 12:1,2). iii) Maturity (2 Peter 3:18). c) God will not force His own will on the believer but desires to give guidance to His children (Hebrews 3:7). d) Guidance is given nowadays through the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:10). e) Many items of guidance are clearly set out in the Scriptures, e.g. do not marry an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14). f) The correct following of guidance gives blessing to others as well as the one who is guided.
a) John possessed servants. (Mark 1:20) b) His mother Salome was very wealthy. (Mark 15:40, Matthew 27:55, 56) c) He was a friend of Caiaphas who had been the high priest since 7 AD (John 18:15) 3. John became a believer probably under the ministry of John the Baptist. (John 1:35-39) 4. John and his brother James were called Boanerges - sons of thunder. (Mark 3:17). Thus both James and John were energetic types of people. (Luke 9:49 Gk) 5. John's mother, Salome, wanted her sons to be important in heaven. (Matthew 20:20-22). In (Mark 10:35-9) James and John had the same idea approaching Jesus themselves. 6. On three important occasions in Christ's ministry John was mentioned in company with his brother James and Simon Peter to the exclusion of all others. a) Raising of the daughter of Jairus. (Mark 5:37) b) At the transfiguration. (Mark 9:2) c) Gethsemane. (Mark 14:33) 7. John was apparently the only disciple of the twelve to develop to maturity during the public ministry of Jesus Christ. 8. John was the disciple whom Jesus loved. (John 13:23) CHRISTIAN LIFE: OBEDIENCE 1. Obedience is better than offerings (1 Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 21:3; 28:9). If we are not in God's will, any "worship" we offer is unacceptable. 2. Obedience is something you have to learn. The basic training in obedience has to start in childhood. As it says in (Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16) "Honour your father and your mother." (Proverbs 4:3, 4; 22:6; 29:15-17; Hebrews 5:8) 3. Teaching your child obedience is an act of love (Proverbs 3:12; 19:18; 23:13-14). 4. We have to obey those who are in authority over us (Exodus 20:12; 22:28; Leviticus 19:3; Deuteronomy 5:16; Romans 13:1-5; Ephesians 6:1-5; Colossians 3:18-22; Titus 3:1). 5. Those in authority have been put in that position by God (Romans 13:1). 6. Obedience to those in authority is obedience to God (Proverbs 24:21; Ephesians 6:7; Colossians 3:23-24; Romans 13:5). 7. Disobedience to those in authority is disobedience to God (Romans 1:30; 13:2). 8. But when we are ordered to do something that is against God's Will we have to disobey (Acts 4:19; 5:40-42). 9. The fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) is the only commandment with a promise (Proverbs 10:17; Ephesians 6:1-3). Social life in a society is only possible when the people in it have learned to obey. 10. If this commandment is ignored, if the authority of the family is denied or not exercised, society will quickly slide into anarchy (Isaiah 3:12; Proverbs 29:21; 30:21-23; Romans 1:30). 11. Jesus Christ was perfect in His obedience. (Luke 2:51; Philippians 2:8). Examples of the Lord's perfect obedience to the Father's will. a) The Lord's temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), where the Lord resisted the temptation in His humanity to use His divine power outside the Father's will (Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 10:7) b) In the Garden of Gethsemane the Lord resisted all temptation to the contrary but set His face firmly to go through with the horror of the cross (Matthew 26:38-46, Mark 14:34-42, Luke 22:41-44) c) During the provocations of the trials the Lord stood firm and resolute. Although He had the power to resist arrest, as shown briefly in (John 18:6), He voluntarily went with the troops, even chiding Peter for his sword play (Luke 22:49-51). Although abused (Matthew 26:67-68), struck (John 18:22), scourged (Matthew 27:26), mocked and beaten (Matthew 27:27-31), and finally crucified the Lord calmly accepted this all as part of the Father's Plan, resisting any temptation to rebel at the injustice, cruelty and callousness of those who perpetrated this evil. Rather He prayed for them, acknowledging to Pilate that all this was part of His role as Saviour (Luke 23:34, John 18:37) d) When miracles were demanded by Herod Antipas (Luke 23:8-11) the Lord resisted any temptation to instantly judge that evil man and his court but saying nothing set His face to the cross on which He would bear even the sins of Herod Antipas (1 John 2:2) e) When He stumbled on the road to the cross He did not call on divine strength but Simon of Cyrene had to be pressed into service to carry the cross. (Matthew 27:32, Luke 23:26) f) When reviled by the crowds as He hung on the cross, taunted to do things which He could have done, He resisted all temptation to step down from the cross but stayed there to bear the sins of all. (Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35-39) HARMONISATION There are no apparent problems with a direct harmonisation of these accounts HARMONY THE LORD TEACHES FROM PETER’S BOAT And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing, casting and mending their nets. He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. THE LORD GOES FISHING Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught and Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. THE GREAT HAUL OF FISH When they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. They beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. PETER’S AMAZEMENT When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. THE CALL OF THE FOUR DISCIPLES And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Come, follow ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And when they had brought their ships to land, straightway they forsook all including James and John’s father Zebedee and their hired servants, and followed him. 40 CURE OF DEMONIAC IN THE SYNAGOGUE MARK 1:21-28 21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. KEY WORDS
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS 21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. In verse 21 we see Jesus beginning to teach as soon as he entered the synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath. The synagogue in Capernaum gave the best opportunity for teaching as Jesus had now made Capernaum his headquarters after the rejection in Nazareth as explained before. Jesus taught in the Jewish synagogues as opportunity was offered by the chief or leader of the synagogue. Jesus was a preacher of over a year when he began to teach in the Capernaum synagogue. His reputation had preceded him. Though our Saviour was not a “priest” of the Levitical order or an “officer” of the synagogue, yet we find him often taking this opportunity to teach His doctrines to the Jews. The service consisted of prayer, praise, reading of scripture, and exposition by any rabbi or other competent person. Often Paul was invited to speak at such meetings. We have seen before that Jesus, after reading the Scripture would give back the roll to the attendant whose business it was to bring out the precious manuscript and return it to its place.. One of the chief controversies in Christ’s life was with these scribes, the professional teachers of the oral law and mainly Pharisees. The professional teachers quoted other rabbis and felt their main function was to instruct in the traditions of the Jews rather than the Word of God. The concentration on traditions made them into petty legalists. At once the people see that Jesus stands apart from that group. He taught the Word of God with authority He made a sensation in the best sense of that word. There was a buzz of excitement at the new teacher that was increased by the miracle that followed the message. |