At first glance, the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – may seem to present a different message of salvation compared to other New Testament books like Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. However, when examined more closely, we see that there is an underlying unity and consistency in the biblical message of salvation.
A key reason the Gospels can appear different is that they focus primarily on recounting the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Their purpose is to reveal who Jesus is and establish his authority and messiahship. The Gospels contain Jesus’ teachings and examples of his interactions with people, showing how he fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. This gives the Gospels a narrower focus compared to other New Testament letters written to churches and individuals.
While the Gospels anchor the salvation message in the person and work of Christ, the epistles unpack the theological and practical implications of His life, death, and resurrection. For instance, Romans thoroughly examines human sin, justification by faith, and righteousness in Christ. Hebrews explains how Jesus is superior to the Old Testament law and sacrificial system. The Gospels proclaim the source of salvation – Jesus Christ; the epistles explore the outworkings of that salvation.
However, there is no actual contradiction between the Gospels and other New Testament books. Let’s examine some key similarities and unifying themes:
Humanity’s fundamental problem: Sin
Both the Gospels and the epistles portray humanity’s universal problem as sin and separation from God. For example:
- “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
- “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)
- “And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” (John 16:8)
Jesus Christ as the solution to sin
The Gospels and epistles agree that Jesus Christ is the long-awaited Messiah and the only solution to mankind’s sin problem. His sinless life, sacrificial death on the cross, and resurrection achieved redemption and opened the way for sinners to be reconciled to God.
- “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
- “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)
- “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
Salvation is through faith in Christ
Faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work is presented as the means of receiving salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life in both the Gospels and the epistles.
- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
- “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
- “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The empowering and sending of the Holy Spirit
The Gospels record Jesus promising the Holy Spirit to indwell, empower, and send out his followers after His ascension. The book of Acts and the epistles demonstrate this happening at Pentecost and in the life of the early Church.
- “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8)
- “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts crying, ‘Abba! Father!'” (Galatians 4:6)
- “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
Salvation transforms believers into disciples and Christ’s witnesses
The Gospels and epistles agree that those who are saved through Christ are called to follow Him in discipleship, obedience, holy living, and witnessing.
- “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)
- “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…” (1 Peter 1:14-15)
- “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27)
While the Gospels and epistles have different emphases based on their purposes, there is unity on the core message of salvation. The Gospels anchor it in Christ’s life and work while the epistles unpack its implications. But both proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only Savior and those who believe in Him are forgiven, saved, transformed and empowered by the Spirit to follow Him.
The Gospels: Jesus’ words and works establish basis of salvation
We can examine how the message of salvation shines through in each individual Gospel:
Matthew
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah-King of Israel, emphasizing how He fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. The themes of righteousness, kingdom of heaven, and authority of Christ run through the book. Matthew highlights Jesus’ role as spiritual teacher and Son of God. He records the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) which contains Jesus’ teachings on salvation, kingdom living, and righteous conduct expected of followers. Stories like the Centurion’s faith (Matthew 8:5-13) and Jesus saving Matthew the tax collector (Matthew 9:9-13) demonstrate Jesus’ authority over sickness, nature, sin, and death. His death as a ransom for sinners is pictured in the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-30).
Mark
Mark’s fast-paced account portrays Jesus as the Servant who came to suffer and sacrifice His life to purchase salvation. Mark stresses Jesus’ miracles and works testifying that He is the divine Son of God. Details of Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection emphasize His atoning death and conquering of sin on man’s behalf (Mark 14-16). Mark also records Jesus’ teachings on discipleship – believers must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Mark 8:34-38).
Luke
Luke depicts Jesus as the compassionate Savior of the world. He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Luke highlights Jesus’ mission to outsiders like the Gentiles, the poor, and social outcasts. He records many of Jesus’ parables about salvation and forgiveness like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) and the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). Luke also pays special attention to prayer, the empowering Holy Spirit, and spreading the message of salvation from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Luke 24:46-49, Acts 1:8).
John
John wrote his Gospel to persuade readers to believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that by believing they may have eternal life (John 20:31). He presents Jesus as the divine Word who took on flesh to redeem the world. John records Jesus’ dialogues where He makes radical salvation statements like, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) and “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
While the four Gospels have distinct themes and purposes, together they form four complementary portraits of Jesus Christ. All four anchor the salvation message in the incarnation, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection of the Son of God.
Epistles: Theological exposition of salvation through faith in Christ
The New Testament epistles take the salvation narrative presented in the Gospels and expound on its theological and practical meaning for believers. While not exhaustively, let’s survey how three major epistles unpack our salvation in Christ:
Romans
Paul’s letter to the Romans systematically lays out the doctrine of salvation. He explains how both Jews and Gentiles are under bondage to sin and incapable of saving themselves through good works (Romans 1-3). Eternal life and righteousness come only through faith in what Christ accomplished in His death and resurrection (Romans 3-5). When a person repents and trusts in Jesus, they die and rise with Christ, are freed from sin, and the Holy Spirit starts sanctifying them (Romans 6-8). Paul explores concepts like predestination, Israel’s role, and exhorts believers to live holy lives in response to God’s mercy (Romans 12-15).
Galatians
Galatians combats the idea that believers must follow Old Testament laws to be saved. Paul insists salvation is by faith in Christ alone. No amount of circumcision, dietary rules, or Sabbath keeping justifies us before God (Galatians 2:16, 3:10-11). The law only exposes our sin and need for a Savior. But once Christ redeems us, we are adopted into God’s family as His heirs (Galatians 4:4-7). Our new life is characterized by the freedom and fruit of the Spirit.
Hebrews
Hebrews explains how Jesus is the fulfillment and supreme revelation of God’s salvation plan. As the divine Son, His sacrifice achieved eternal redemption once and for all (Hebrews 7-10). He is greater than the angels, Moses, the temple system, and continues mediating as our High Priest. Hebrews exhorts persecuted believers to persevere by fixing their eyes on Jesus and holding firm to their confession of faith in Him (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Through their teaching and encouragement, the epistles unpack the significance of Jesus’ life and work. They provide practical instruction on how those saved by God’s grace are called to actively follow Christ through reliance on the Spirit.
Conclusion
In summary, the four Gospels and the New Testament epistles present one unified message of salvation centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Gospels establish the historical foundation of Jesus as God in flesh, the sinless Savior who died and rose again for our salvation. The epistles unpack the theological and practical implications of His life, death, and resurrection for believers. Together, they testify that we are saved only by God’s grace when we put our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah.
