AIPCA Theological College

1.1 INTRODUCTION
This study will include a section on each of the four gospels, but will concentrate on the overall
message of Jesus Christ as revealed in a composite way from these four different perspectives.
The word 'gospel' is never used in the New Testament as a book. It always means 'good news' and is
derived from two Anglo Saxon words "God" (good) and "spell" (story or tidings). Really there is
only one gospel, recorded for us by four different writers. The good news is that "God so loved the
world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life" - John 3:16.
This message comes through clearly in each of these four books. While there are many things
mentioned of Jesus in only one or another of these records, yet all four concentrate in detail on the
crucifixion and resurrection - and Jesus said that this was the reason He came into the world - John
12:27. He is the only man in history who was born to die