The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, "God with us." He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. The Lord's mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world...to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,who came from the Father, full of grace and truth...grace and truth came through Jesus Christ...no one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. From the first chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
(find this or any other passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
One Bible, four Gospels. The Gospels do not contradict each other; they compliment and fulfill each other.
The Gospels, as individual pieces, addressed disparate first century audiences. Through the inspired writing of men, God took the next step to reach people beyond those Jesus met directly. Reading just past the Gospels, into the second chapter of Acts, we see another step, as His Holy Spirit came upon the church.
Friends, we have the Spirit and the Word, the Spirit and the Truth! God has taken the steps to meet you!
This Christmas season, won't you take time to unwrap these gifts God has given you? Read the Gospels and treat them as if you have never read them; ask God to reveal new things to you. If you are like me, you have not come to the point where you think you know all there is to and about the Bible, so immerse yourself in these four books, this one story, this story about the Holy One from God.
A great Christmas surprise waits for you inside.
I cannot wait to hear about it.
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Questions:
1. How long has it been since you have read the Gospels in their entirety?
2. Do you think there is anything new in them for you?
3. Will you agree to a reading of the Gospels this Christmas season? If you would like to compare the Gospel readings, I've posted a link below, and a sample comparison readings. I welcome any questions that arise from your study.
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Parallel reading of the Gospels
from http://www.are-you-for-real.com/easy-to-print/nt01of02-jesus-the-christ.pdf
Jesus The Christ
Introductions by the Gospel Writers
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Mark 1:1
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John 1:1-18
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Luke 1:1-4
The Genealogies of Jesus
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Matthew 1:1-17
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Luke 3:23b-38
The Births of Jesus and John the Baptist
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Luke 1:5-80
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Matthew 1:18-25a
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Luke 2:1-20
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Parallel verses Matthew 1:25b and Luke 2:21
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Luke 2:22-38
Visit of the Magi and Flight into Egypt
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From Infancy to Manhood
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Parallel verses Matthew 2:19-23 and Luke 2:39-40
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Luke 2:41-52
The Ministry of John the Baptist
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Parallel verses Matthew 3:1-3, Mark 1:2-4, and Luke 3:1-6
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Parallel verses Matthew 3:4-6 and Mark 1:5-6
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Parallel verses Matthew 3:7-10 and Luke 3:7-14
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Parallel verses Matthew 3:11-12, Mark 1:7-8, and Luke 3:15-18
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