In the fifth week of our sermon series on how we read our Bibles, we continue our exploration of the sacred texts with the core writings that help Christians claim their unique identity of faith: the Gospels and Acts. These five books share the “good news” of Jesus Christ with the world, telling age-old stories of miracles and teachings, criticisms, prophesies, tragedies and death. These stories tell us in compelling and imaginative ways who Jesus is, why Jesus matters, and how those closest to him continued the work that had begun.
Written between roughly 65 and 100 CE, the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and Acts were written after Paul’s letters and therefore are not the first Christian writings (the remainder of the New Testament was likely written around the same time as the Gospels). We will explore these books’ foundational themes, to whom they were likely written, and how we can use this knowledge to bring deeper meaning to these central and indispensable narratives.
We continue to encourage you to have a plan for regular Bible reading. You can find resources on reading and studying the Bible here.
Luke 1:1-4
1 Many people have already applied themselves to the task of compiling an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used what the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed down to us. 3 Now, after having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, I have also decided to write a carefully ordered account for you, most honorable Theophilus. 4 I want you to have confidence in the soundness of the instruction you have received.
Acts 1:1-5
1 Theophilus, the first scroll I wrote concerned everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning, 2 right up to the day when he was taken up into heaven. Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus instructed the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom. 4 While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me: 5 John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Consider these questions:
- What have you been taught about the Gospels? What have you been taught about Acts? Are these historical writings? Are they campfire stories? Are they something else?
- The introduction to Luke and Acts indicates that their author (most scholars agree this is the same person) was writing from a collection of other sources. What does this say about this content and its authorship?
- What stores from the Gospels and/or Acts stand out to you as the most meaningful or memorable? Why?
- What do you think about the various differences or even conflicting accounts presented by the different Gospels? Does this bother you?