Living in Liberty

A Ministry of Bryce Lowance

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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Why Four Gospels?

7 January 2014

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. - Deuteronomy 19:15

When a person first approaches the Bible to read it, he may be surprised to find four different versions of the life of Jesus recorded there. However, we should not be surprised that the Holy Spirit chose to preserve the details of our Savior in this way. He, the Holy Spirit, is simply being true to the rule God set forth for trial proceedings; a person cannot be convicted on the word of a single witness. At least two witnesses are necessary for a proper verdict to be reached, and three is even better. Not only does the Holy Spirit follow this rule, He exceeds it. We have four witness accounts to the life of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

So, why more than one record? Wouldn’t it be easier just to read one detailed account to learn about Jesus? These are excellent questions but let us consider why the Lord required at least two witnesses in a trial. If we have the testimony of only one person, who is to say whether or not he is telling the truth? The person could record only the details he desires and put any slant on the story he would like. We see this happen in the news media all the time. But, if we have multiple witnesses, we will get several views of the same events from different perspectives and understandings. And the fact that each of the writers does not record the exact same events in the same way adds even more validity. If multiple witnesses were to speak with identical testimonies, then we could rightly suspect they rehearsed a lie together before telling others.

Just like witnesses to a crime see things from their own perspective, the gospel writers view the life of Jesus from their respective points-of-view. Each also has a different initial audience in mind and a varying reasons for writing the account all-together. Yet, each was led by the Holy Spirit to pen down what they saw. We have, in these four gospels, everything we need to know about the life, ministry, and passion of our Savior.

« 4-Part Harmony | The Gospel According To Matthew »

Tags: harmony_of_the_gospels, jesus, john, luke, mark, matthew

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.