The Gospel According to the New Testament Writers

The term "gospel" (from the Greek euaggelion) signifies "good message" or "good news" ^[4]. In the New Testament, it refers to the inspired accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ ^[4]. This good news was promised by God beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures ^[7]. The New Testament itself is understood as the "New Covenant," succeeding the old covenant of works and representing a fresh, flourishing, and excellent dispensation of grace ^[3].

The gospel is characterized as good tidings of great joy for all people ^[5]. It was foretold in the Old Testament, with passages like Isaiah 41:27, 52:7, and 61:1-3 speaking of its coming ^[5]. Indeed, the gospel was preached even under the Old Testament ^{[5, 15]}. It exhibits the grace of God and reveals the knowledge of God's glory ^[5]. Through Jesus, the gospel brings life and immortality to light ^[5]. It is described as the power of God unto salvation, glorious, and everlasting ^[5]. Jesus himself preached the gospel, as recorded in Matthew 4:23 and Mark 1:14 ^[5]. Ministers are entrusted with the stewardship to preach it ^[5].

The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are the primary New Testament accounts of Christ's life and teaching ^[4]. These were all composed in the latter half of the first century ^[4].

Matthew's Gospel

The Gospel of Matthew is widely attributed to Matthew, one of the apostles of Jesus ^{[1, 2]}. There is no significant doubt among early Church witnesses regarding its authorship ^[2]. Matthew wrote his Gospel from his own perspective and with his own aims, similar to the other evangelists ^[1]. While the exact date of composition is not definitively stated within the Gospel, it was likely written before the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24) and some time after the events it records ^[1]. A probable timeframe for its writing is between A.D. 60 and 65 ^[1].

There has been historical discussion regarding the original language of Matthew's Gospel. Early Church testimony unanimously suggested that Matthew initially wrote in Hebrew ^[2]. However, this view has been questioned by examining patristic statements and the linguistic forms used in the Gospel itself, leaving the question unsettled among scholars ^[2]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, describes the New Testament, which includes Matthew's Gospel, as "the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God," emphasizing its divine origin and its focus on the promised Messiah ^[9].

Mark's Gospel

Mark's Gospel is also considered one of the earliest New Testament writings, composed some years before the destruction of Jerusalem ^[4]. Matthew Henry notes that Mark's Gospel begins with "the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God" (Mark 1:1), highlighting its central theme ^[9].

Luke's Gospel

The Gospel of Luke was likely written around A.D. 64 ^[4].

John's Gospel

The Gospel of John is generally dated towards the close of the first century ^[4]. By the end of the second century, the four Gospels were already recognized and widely accepted ^[4].

The Gospel in the Broader New Testament

Beyond the four Gospels, the concept of the gospel permeates the entire New Testament. The Apostle Paul, for instance, frequently refers to "the gospel" in his epistles. The Epistle to the Hebrews, though its authorship has been debated (with suggestions including Silas, Clement of Rome, Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos), is considered canonical and inspired ^[6]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that the gospel was preached to the Hebrews "more fully, and with more clearness, power, and success than formerly" ^[15].

The New Testament writers consistently present the gospel as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Paul states in Romans 1:2 that God "promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures" the gospel ^[7]. Similarly, in Acts 15:15, the words of the prophets are said to agree with the New Testament message ^[8]. Matthew Henry further elaborates on this, stating that the truth of the gospel is strongly proven by its being foretold by Old Testament prophets who spoke under divine inspiration ^[10]. The church is understood to be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, referring to both Old Testament and New Testament prophets who delivered God's message ^[12]. These prophets were not primarily predictors of the future but were empowered to speak God's message ^[12].

The spread of the gospel is a key theme in the New Testament. The apostles and early ministers were commissioned to preach the gospel to every creature, taking a people for the Lord from among the Gentiles ^[13]. This message proclaimed that "the Lord reigneth," calling for reception of the gospel and submission to Christ's ordinances ^[13]. The early church, as described in Acts, combined both written and oral transmission of important decisions, reflecting the development of the New Testament message ^[11]. The preaching of the gospel involves feeding the flock of Christ with knowledge and understanding through the ministry of the word and administration of ordinances ^[14].

The New Testament writers, therefore, present a unified message of the gospel as the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, rooted in Old Testament prophecy, powerfully proclaimed by apostles and prophets, and intended for all humanity.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Matthew, Gospel according to — The author of this book was beyond a doubt the Matthew, an apostle of our Lord, whose name it bears. He wrote the Gospel of Christ according to his own plans and aims, and from his own point of view, as did also the other "evangelists." As to the time of its composition, there is little in the Gospel itself to indicate. It was evidently written before the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 24), and some time after the events it records. The probability is that it was written between the years A.D. 60 and 65. The cast of thought and the for”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Matthew, Gospel Of — + Its authorship .--That this Gospel was written by the apostle Matthew there is no reason to doubt. Seventeen independent witnesses of the first four centuries attest its genuineness. + Its original language .--The testimony of the early Church is unanimous that Matthew wrote originally in the Hebrew language. On the otherhand doubt is thrown over this opinion, both statements of by an examination of the fathers and by a consideration of peculiar forms of language employed in the Gospel itself. The question is unsettled, the best scholars not agr”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: New Testament — (Luke 22:20), rather "New Covenant," in contrast to the old covenant of works, which is superseded. "The covenant of grace is called new; it succeeds to the old broken covenant of works. It is ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent; and under the gospel it is dispensed in a more clear, spiritual, extensive, and powerful manner than of old" (Brown of Haddington). Hence is derived the name given to the latter portion of the Bible. (See [438]TESTAMENT.)”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The name Gospel (from god and spell, Ang. Sax. good message or news, which is a translation of the Greek euaggelion) is applied to the four inspired histories of the life and teaching of Christ contained in the New Testament, of which separate accounts are given in their place. They were all composed during the latter half of the first century: those of St. Matthew and St. Mark some years before the destruction of Jerusalem; that of St. Luke probably about A.D. 64; and that of St. John towards the close of the century. Before the end of the second century, t”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hebrews, Epistle to — (1.) Its canonicity. All the results of critical and historical research to which this epistle has been specially subjected abundantly vindicate its right to a place in the New Testament canon among the other inspired books. (2.) Its authorship. A considerable variety of opinions on this subject has at different times been advanced. Some have maintained that its author was Silas, Paul's companion. Others have attributed it to Clement of Rome, or Luke, or Barnabas, or some unknown Alexandrian Christian, or Apollos; but the conclusion which we thi”
Romans “Romans 1:2 (BSB) — the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,”
Acts “Acts 15:15 (ASV) — And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,”
Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 1:1: We may observe here, I. What the New Testament is - the divine testament, to which we adhere above all that is human; the new testament, which we advance above that which was old. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God, Mar 1:1. 1. It is gospel; it is God's word, and is faithful and true; see Rev 19:9; Rev 21:5; Rev 22:6. It is a good word, and well worthy of all acceptation; it brings us glad tidings. 2. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the anointed Saviour, the Messiah promised and expected. The foregoing gospel began with the generation of Jesus Christ -”
2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:19: In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the truth and reality of the gospel, and intimates that this second proof is more strong and convincing than the former, and more unanswerably makes out that the doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a mere fable or cunning contrivance of men, but the wise and wonderful counsel of the holy and gracious God. For this is foretold by the prophets and penmen of the Old Testament, who spoke and wrote under the influence and according to the direction of the Spirit of God. Here no”
Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 15:23: And they wrote . . . by them--This is the first mention in the New Testament history of writing as an element in its development. And the combination here of written and oral transmission of an important decision reminds us of the first occasion of writing mentioned in the Old Testament, where a similar combination occurs (Exo 17:14). But whereas there it is the deep difference between Israel and the Gentiles which is proclaimed, here it is the obliteration of that difference through faith in the Lord Jesus [BAUMGARTEN]. greeting--The only other place”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:20: 2:20 Apostles are missionary evangelists commissioned by God. • Here, the prophets appear to be New Testament prophets, not Old Testament ones (see 3:5; 4:11; see also 1 Cor 12:10, 28-29; 14:1-5, 22-24, 29-32, 39; cp. Acts 13:1; 19:6; 21:9-10). In both the Old Testament and New Testament, prophets are not primarily predictors of the future but are empowered to speak a message from God (see 1 Cor 12:10). • The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets (or on the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets)—that is, on their faithful wit”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 96:10: Say among the Heathen,.... This is a direction to such as were converted to Christ among the Jews, or were first called out from among the Gentiles; or to the ministers of the word, the apostles and first preachers of the Gospel more especially, who were sent into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature, that a people from among them might he taken for the Lord: that the Lord reigneth; whose Gospel should be received and obeyed, and his ordinances submitted to; who now reigns in heaven, at his Father's right hand, and must reign till all enemies are pu”
Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 5:17: Then shall the lambs feed after their manner,.... That is, the people of God, the disciples of Christ, either apostles and ministers of the Gospel, whom he sent forth as lambs among wolves, Luk 10:3 who fed the flock of Christ after their usual manner, and as directed by him; even with knowledge and understanding, by the ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances; or the people of God fed by them, who are comparable to lambs for their harmlessness and innocence; and who feed in green pastures, "according as they are led"; as the word used may be rendered (”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 4:2: For unto us was the Gospel preached,.... The Gospel is the good news and glad tidings of salvation by Christ; and this may be said to be preached, when men preach not themselves, nor read lectures of morality, nor mix law and Gospel together, nor make justification and salvation to be by works, nor set persons to make their peace with God, or get an interest in Christ; but when they preach Christ and salvation alone by him; and so it was preached to the Hebrews, and that more fully, and with more clearness, power, and success than formerly; and which is a privilege an”

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