FINALS MODULE

THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

The Gospel of Mark

Mark wrote the Jesus stories as narrated by Peter. But the Gospel never refers to Mark as its author,
who was a creative compiler. Internally he is anonymous. The gospel was written in Rome for a
Gentile-Hellenistic (Greek) community residing in Caesaria, around 30 – 40 years after Jesus’ death.
The gospel-focused is Galilee, Jesus’ homeland, and place of activity. The Gospel was written
sometime between 65 – 67 AD and 65 – 70 AD.

Content Introduction & The Servant at Work
Preparation
Jesus enlightens the
John the Baptizer people in darkness,
prepares the way. encourages those who
lose hope, liberates
Temptation of people under Satanic
Jesus in the control and forgive
Wilderness. those who are sinful.
The Servant Rejected, then Exalted
Jesus claims He is the “Messiah”.
He spends time alone with His Disciples.
He comes into open conflict with His
enemies.
He is hated, deserted, tortured, crucified,
and buried.
He is raised bodily from the dead!

Chapter 1: 1 – 13 1: 14 – 8: 30 8: 31 – 16: 20
Emphasis Service to others Sacrifice for others
Scope Ministry to the multitudes Ministry to the Twelve
Sections Action…..reaction…..confrontation Revelation…..crucifixion…..exaltation
Theme Jesus is the Suffering Servant, who gives His life to save the World.

1
 The Gospel of Matthew

The apostle Matthew had been identified as the author of the Gospel, who was a Greek-speaking
Jewish Christian convert, with rabbinic training, a Scribe and was convinced that Jesus had fulfilled
the messianic prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah in the Hebrew Scriptures: Jesus is Emmanuel – God-
is-with-Us. The author lived in a Greek-speaking area and wrote for Greek-speaking Christians, of
Jewish origin. The book was written in Antioch of Syria between 85 – 90 A.D.

Content Announcemen Proclamation and Opposition and Resurrection

t and Arrival Reception of the King Rejection of the and Triumph of
of the King King the King
Sermon on the Mount
Birth Miracles Spread of God’s Power
Baptism Discourses Opposition Great
Temptation Parable Preparation of Commission
Disciples
Final Predictions
Crucifixion
Chapter (s) 1–4 5 – 15 16 – 27 28
Emphasis Credentials Message Suffering & Death Conquest
Identity Israel’s promised King Crucify Him!
Scope Teaching the vast multitudes Teaching the Twelve
Location Bethlehem & Nazareth Ministry in Ministry in Judea
Galilee
People’s Reaction Increased Popularity Increased Hostility
Theme Jesus is the King, Israel’s long awaited Messiah

The Gospel of Luke

The gospel of Luke and the author of the Acts of the Apostles were written by the same person. Both
chapter one of Luke and Acts, it is dedicated to Luke’s wealthy benefactor and convert named
Theophilus. The author Luke, was a Christian, a physician, a traveling companion of Paul, and well
versed in Scripture and the Septuagint (Greek version of the Old Testament) The Gospel was written
for Hellenistic (Greek) – Jewish or Gentile community around the year 85 – 95 AD.

Content Announced and Ministering and Instructing and Resurrected

Appearing Serving Submitting and
Commissionin
Preface

Jesus the Nazarene…. “Mighty in “….and word in g

Prophet….. deed……” the sight of God
and all the
people.”

Chapter 1: 1 – 4, 1: 5 – 4: 13 4: 14 – 9: 50 9: 51 – 23: 56 24
(s)

2
 Activity Coming Seeking Saving
Emphasis The Son of Man
Location Bethlehem, Nazareth and Galilee, Judea and Perea Jerusalem
Judea
Theme Jesus is the ideal Man, who comes to save all humankind – Jew and Gentile alike.

The Gospel of John

For some scholars, John, the son of Zebedee, is the author of the Gospel. But until today, the
authorship is contested. Tradition placed the writing of the gospel in Ephesus. But again, there is
evidence to support the notion that the Johannine tradition developed in Syria/Palestine. At least one
Syrian fragment states that the Gospel of John was written in Antioch. The probable writing of the
Gospel would be 90 – 100 AD.

Deity God – Man Ministry Discourse Trials & Empty Assuranc

Death Tomb e

The Word Miraculou Private

became flesh s talks:
(1:14) Signs:
Servanthoo

Private talks: Appearances (20)

The Miraculous Heals d (13)
Content Word Signs: invalid in Heaven

Private talks: Future

was God Turns water Bethsaida (14)
(1:1) into wine (2) (5)
Feeds Abiding

(21)
Heals 5,000 (6) (15)
official’s son Walks on
(4) water (6) Promises
Heals (16)
blind man
(9) Prayer (17)
Raises
Lazarus
(11)
Chapter 1: 1 – 13 1: 14 – 4: 54 5 – 12 13 – 17 18 – 19 20 21
(s)
Stages Prologu Acceptance Conflict Preparation Crucifixio Triumph (Epilogue)
e n
Audience Public message Change Private message
Jesus’ Seven “I am ” I am the Bread of Life (6:35) I am the Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
Statements I am the Light of the World (8:12) I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
(14:16)

3
 I am the Door (10:9) I am the True Vine (15:1)
I am the Good Shepherd (10:11)
Theme Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, the Son of God

The Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of the Apostles is written by Luke, the evangelist. It narrates the three years of preparation of
Jesus’ disciples for a bigger role in proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Peter oversaw the community
and was made the guardian of the faith. He made the twelve apostles and his followers a community of
witnesses and promised them the gift of the Spirit which they received at Pentecost.

Two great figures in Acts are Peter and Paul. The former will devote himself to the evangelization of
the Jews, the latter will become the apostle to the Gentiles. The book of Acts does not follow an
outline and without focusing exclusively on Peter and Paul, Luke devoted the greater part of his work
to them. Peter dominates the first twelve chapters, while Paul dominates the second part of the book.

The Acts of the Apostles bring us on a journey from Jerusalem, through Judea and Samaria, to Rome,
thus following the mission Jesus appointed his apostles on Ascension Day. Luke’s intention in the Acts
is to highlight the diverse preaching of Peter and Paul and how the mystery of Christ and of the Church
has been announced and prepared for.

The Church established The Church Enlarged to The Church Expanded to

at Jerusalem Judea & Samaria the Ends of the Earth

The church is….. The gospel is….. The witness is…..

60 A.D.
30 A.D.
Born, tested, purified, Spreading, multiplying, Extended, received &
strengthened changing lives, breaking rejected, changing lives,
traditions unifying Jews & Gentiles

Chapter (s) 1–7 8 – 12 13 – 28

Leaders Peter Paul
Emphasis Jewish evangelism Transition Gentile evangelism
Theme In the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ followers carry the good news of Christ to the
world

The Apostle Paul: A Brief Biography

Paul is a Greek name. He had a Jewish name, Saul. He was born in Tarsus, a city in southeastern Asia
Minor. He came from a family of Pharisees of the tribe of Benjamin and was named for the tribe’s
most illustrious member, King Saul.

4
Paul was probably an adult residing in Damascus. Before his conversion, Paul was an ardent
persecutor of Christians. It was noted that he initiated the persecution of Stephen, the first martyr of the
Church (i.e. the latter was stoned to death).

Paul became a Christian through the dramatic revelation of Jesus Christ. Paul’s first years as a
Christian were spent in Arabia and are but a mystery. Scholars claimed that he preaches there but was
subsequently deported. Three years after his call, he went to Jerusalem for a meeting often referred to
as “The Jerusalem Conference” or the “Apostolic Council”. Paul was a vigorous evangelist, traveling
and preaching in Achaia, Arabia, Asia, Cilicia, Galatia, Judea, Illyricum, Macedonia, and Syria, and
made plans to visit Italy and Spain. Paul supported his mission through his business of selling tents.

5
 Parts of a Pauline Letter

1. SALUTATION

1.1 Sender

 From Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ. (Rom 1: 1)

 From Paul, an apostle sent not by humans nor by human mediation but by Christ Jesus
and by God the Father, who raised him from the dead. (Gal. 1: 1)

1.2 Recipient

 To the saints in Ephesus, to you who share Christian faith (Eph 1: 1)

 To the saints in Colossae, our faithful brothers, and sisters in Christ (Col 1: 2)

1.3 Greetings

 May the peace and grace of God be with you (1 Thess 1: 1)

 Greetings to you, Titus, my true son in the faith, we share (Titus 1: 4)

2. THANKSGIVING

 I give thanks to my God each time I remember you, and when I pray for you, I pray with
joy (Phil 1: 3)
 Thanks be to God, the Father of Christ Jesus, our Lord (Col 1: 3)

3. BODY OF THE LETTER

Paul discusses the problems of the different communities he founded/established.

4. FINAL INSTRUCTION or PARENESIS

 After reading this letter, see that it is read in the Church of the Laodiceans (Col 4: 16)
 Do your best to come to me quickly…Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is a useful
helper in my work (2 Tim 4: 9 and 11)

5. CLOSING

5.1 Greetings

 Greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus (2 Tim 4: 19)
 All the believers here greet you, especially those from Caesar’s household (Phil 4:22)

5.2 Parting words

 And may his blessing be with you all who love Christ Jesus, our Lord, with undying love
(Eph 6: 24)

6
  May the grace of the Lord Christ be with you. Amen. (Philemon: 25)

THE PAULINE LETTERS

THE 7 UNDISPUTED LETTERS 6 DISPUTED or LETTERS OF

The 1st letter of Paul to the
Thessalonians
The Letter of Paul to the Galatians
The 1st letter of Paul to the Corinthians
The 2nd letter of Paul to the Corinthians
The Letter of Paul to the Romans
The Letter of Paul to the Philippians
The Letter of Paul to Philemon (*)
PAULINE
LETTERS HERITAGE
The 2nd Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
The Letter of Paul to the Colossians
The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians
The Letter of Paul to Titus (*)
The 1st Letter of Paul to Timothy (*)
The 2nd Letter of Paul to Timothy
NB: * Scholars call it the Pastoral Letters of Paul

Question: Why there are disputed letters of Paul?

Read the Answer from Scholars:

1. INTERNAL EVIDENCE – The author is identified in the letter. He provides autobiographical

details. This evidence is important despite its problems. For example, because the author of the Epistle
to the Hebrews never identified him or herself, scholars as early as Origen of Alexandria in the 3rd
century suspected that Paul was not the author.

2. EXTERNAL EVIDENCE – This consists of references, explicit or implicit, to the text. Explicit
references would be mentioning the text or letter by name or a recognizable form of that text.
Examples are early manuscripts, such as Papyrus 46. Unfortunately, these witnesses are often either
damaged or too late in date to provide much help.
Implicit references are a quotation from Paul, especially indirect or unattributed, or expressing ideas
and phrases that appear in his works. For example, the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians is named
by Irenaeus in the mid-2nd century, as well as Justin Martyr and Ignatius of Antioch; it is impossible
for this letter to have been written after their time. On the other hand, the lack of witnesses by ancient
sources suggests a later date, an argument from silence. However, the use of this line of reasoning is
dangerous, because of the incompleteness of the historical record: many ancient texts are lost,
damaged, or have been revised.

3. HISTORICAL SETTING – An independently written narrative of Paul's life and ministry, found in
the Acts of the Apostles, is used to determine the date, and possible authorship, of Pauline letters by
locating their origin within the context of his life. For example, Paul mentions that he is a prisoner in
his Epistle to Philemon 1:7; based on this statement, J. A. T. Robinson argued that this captivity was
Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea, while W. M. Ramsay identified this as Paul’s captivity in
Rome, while others have placed the captivity in Ephesus. One difficulty with this position is the
limited data available on Paul's historical setting, and this is especially true with the conclusion of the
narrative of Acts before Paul's death. It also assumes that the book of Acts was written by an actual

7
traveling companion of Paul's. However, as A.N. Sherwin-White has noted, in travel romance literature
of this period, it was a normal literary convention to use the first-person plural while characters were
on a shipboard voyage, and "we" passages in Acts coincide with such voyages.

4. LANGUAGE AND STYLE – Vocabulary, sentence structure, employment of idioms and common
phrases, etc. are analyzed for consistency with the author’s other known works. A similar style implies
common authorship, while a radically divergent vocabulary implies different authors. For example, E.
J. Goodspeed argued that the vocabulary of the Epistle to the Ephesians showed a literary relationship
with the First Epistle of Clement, written around the end of the 1st century.  Similarly, E. Percy argued
that the speech and style of Colossians more strongly resembled Pauline's authorship than not. Of
course, style and language can vary for reasons other than differing authorship, such as the subject of
the letter, the recipient, the circumstances of the times, or simply maturation on the part of the author.

5. CONTENTS AND THEOLOGY – Similar to internal evidence, doctrinal consistency and

development are examined against the author's other known works. Theological themes like
the eschaton or the Mosaic Law could reappear in different works, but in a similar manner. A
consistent point of view implies a common author; contradictory or unrelated teachings imply multiple
authors. For example, W. Michaelis saw the Christological likeness between them, and some of Paul's
undisputed work and argued in favor of Pauline authorship. A problem with this method is analyzing
the coherence of a body of diverse and developing teachings. This is seen in the disagreement between
scholars. For example, with the same epistles mentioned above, B. S. Easton argued their theological
notions disagreed with other Pauline works and rejected Pauline authorship. G. Lohfink argued the
theology of the Pastoral epistles agreed with Paul’s but took this as proof someone wishing to enjoy
the authority of an apostle copied the famous church leader.

The 1st and 2nd Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians

(Corinth/51 AD, 2nd Missionary Trip)

Problems in the Thessalonian Church:

1. Passive Faith.
2. The absence of love.
3. Despair and the practice of lust.
4. rejection of the Gospel of Christ.
5. Misinterpretation of the Parousia (The Second coming of Christ).
6. Lack of faith, love, patience, endurance, and fidelity.

Response of Paul:

1. A character of active faith, manifested love, and steady hope.

2. The patient expectation of the coming of the Lord Jesus.
3. They chose the gospel, and its power lies not in the force in the power of the Spirit of God.
4. The proclamation of the gospel is as much an expression of God’s power as the working of
miracles.
5. Paul or the WRITER appeals for sober judgment about Christ’s triumphal coming and must
gather to meet him in the fulfillment of Christian life.

8
 6. Paul or the WRITER presented to the community his experience, the dangers, as part of an
ultimately salutary divine process.

The Letter of Paul to the Galatians (Antioch/49 AD, 1st Missionary Trip)

Problems in the Galatian Church:

1. The Gospel of Christ is man-made

2. Baptism will not unify oneself to Christ or the Community

Response of Paul:

1. The Gospel is not of human origin, but from God himself through the revelation of Jesus
Christ.
2. Baptism is the sacramental complement of faith, the rite whereby a person achieves union with
Christ and publicly manifests his commitment.

The 1st Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (Ephesus/56 AD, 3rd Missionary Trip)
2nd Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (Macedonia/56 AD, 3rd Missionary Trip)

Problems in the Corinthian Church:

1. Lack of brotherhood and Unity.

2. No common vision.
3. Discrimination and religious practice between and against Jewish Christians and Greek
Christians.
4. The authority of Paul to preach the Gospel of Christ is questioned by some groups and intruders
who introduce a new faith to the community.
5. Lack of analysis and judgment among the Christian members.

Response of Paul:

1. Koinonia or fellowship or brotherhood is the basis of the Christian life.

2. Christ is not divided, for Christ means Community.
3. To detach oneself from the standards of fallen humanity, for this is the cause of the divisions.
4. Paul’s ministry is the ministry of the Spirit - the Ministry of Righteousness.
5. Paul speaks of suffering as integral to authentic apostleship and Christian life. His suffering is
rooted in faith, not in reason.

The Letter of Paul to the Romans (Corinth/57 AD, 3rd Missionary Trip)

Problems in the Roman Church:

1. Lack of understanding that the Gospel of Christ brings Salvation and lack of Charity.
2. The salvation of Christ is different from the Salvation of Yahweh in the Old scriptures.

9
Response of Paul:

1. Paul is proud of his role of proclaiming the gospel of Uprightness of God’s revelation in the
justification of the person of the faith.
2. Paul is not ashamed of preaching even in the capital of the civilized world. God’s power is an
abstraction, expressive of the force with which God affects the course of human history. The
Gospel is a divine force, destined for the “salvation” of the believer.

The Letter of Paul to the Philippians (Prison in Rome/62 AD)

Problems in the Philippian Church:

1. The imprisonment meant by Paul may end the preaching of the Gospel.
2. The emergence of False Teachers and their teachings.

Response of Paul:

1. Paul was imprisoned in the name of Christ. But this imprisonment has furthered the work of
evangelization and has achieved notoriety.
2. Paul exhorts the community to “Stand firm in one spirit” – like soldiers in the line of battle.
The community must defend and propagate the faith they have received.

The Letter of Paul to the Colossians (Prison in Rome/60 – 61 AD)

Problems in the Colossian Church:

1. Some Christians are misled by false teachings brought by Philosophy and Ascetic practices.
2. The misconceptions of angels and spirits.

Response of Paul:

1. Paul or the WRITER stresses that false teaching is a deception. All the spirits that the
philosophy revered are subject to Christ. Christ is the head of the body, the church; and he is
the head of every rule and power.
2. The community is encouraged to “hold fast” to the teaching they have received and warn them
of the dangers of the error.

The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians (Prison in Rome/60 – 61 AD)

Problems in the Ephesian Church:

1. on Christ’s death as without meaning.
2. Lack of Unity among Christian members and the influence of social vices.

10
Response of Paul:

1. Paul or the WRITER exhorts that the death of Christ brought peace and union with God.
2. Paul or the WRITER distinguished characters of God’s household against those outside of
God’s family. The former is characterized by a love of neighbor, modeled on the love that the
Son of God manifested in his sacrificial death. The latter: shamefulness, foolishness, and
ridiculous behavior.

The Letter of Paul to Titus (Asia Minor/63 AD/Released from Prison)

Problems in the Church ministered by Titus:

1. Some Crete Christians question the authority of Titus and his act of appointing Crete
Christians as church leaders.
2. The existence of strife, division, and influence of false teachings.

Response of Paul:

1. Paul or the WRITER exhorts that a Crete Christian becoming a member and leader of the
Church must practice the teachings of Paul including Pauline Philosophy (Centered in Christ).
Crete-Christian adherence to Paganism must be rejected.
2. Paul or the WRITER shares the view that falsehood is a disease that only the truth can remedy.
The conversion of false teachers is never abandoned as a mission.

The 1st Letter of Paul to Timothy (Macedonia/62 – 63 AD)

The 2nd Letter of Paul to Timothy (Prison in Rome/67 AD)

Problems in the Church ministered by Timothy:

1. The advent of heresy, lack of faith, and ethical standards.

2. The question of requirements for Bishops and Deacons.
3. The question on the leadership of Timothy.

Response of Paul:

1. Paul or the WRITER stresses that the Jewish Christians who reject the truth of Christianity lack
true knowledge and carry their self-description: false followers-teachers.
2. A Simple requirement for bishops and deacons: faith and good conscience. Rejection of
Heresy.
3. Paul or the WRITER is looking ahead to three further generations of Christian leaders:
“Timothy”, the “reliable people” and the “others” who will in turn be taught by them.

The Letter of Paul to Philemon (Prison in Rome/60 – 61 AD)

11
Problems in the Church ministered by Philemon:

1. Some Christians do not acknowledge the authority of Philemon.

2. Philemon refused to accept a slave as a member of the Church.

Response of Paul:

1. The saints are incorporated in Christ. Paul encourages the community to have a sense of
solidarity with Philemon.

2. Onesimus (a slave) like Philemon is an adopted child of God through baptism. They work
together for the church.

12