Each of the Gospels gives a unique perspective on the historical fact of Jesus’ physical resurrection. A carefully crafted story manufactured by the Apostles would have never looked like this. Leon Morris, “The differences in the Gospels amount to no more than a demonstration that here we have the spontaneous evidence of witnesses, not the stereotyped repetition of an official story.” The entire superstructure of Christianity either stands or falls upon this historical fact. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is mentioned at least 104 times in the New Testament. It was the central theme of the preaching of the Apostles. It is no surprise then that Satan has continuously attacked the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Paul begins his outline of the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3, “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is essential for any person’s eternal salvation. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is central to God’s plan of salvation. The Jews executed people through stoning. God had determined that His Son would die by crucifixion; Psalm 22 & Psalm 69. All four Gospels reveal details of Jesus’ crucifixion. We cannot cover every aspect in a message.

All four Gospels record Judas’ betrayal. His name always appears last in the lists of the Apostles except for Acts 1 where he is not mentioned. There are 40 verses in the New Testament in which there is a reference to his betrayal of Jesus.

Paul Davis, President of ABWE International, delivers a message focused on sharing the gospel all around the globe.

What do I mean by the continuing ministry of Jesus? Didn’t Jesus cry out from the cross “It is finished”, John 19:30. Jesus Christ’s work of redemption was completed. The ministry of Jesus begun in the Gospel of Luke is continuing into the book of Acts and beyond.

Daren Ritchey

Why do we support national and international missionaries and mission agencies? Is there biblical precedent for missions? Some have suggested that is the wrong outlook. Rather we should view it as “the missional basis of the Bible.” “The reason God revealed Himself to us in His Word was that we might know Him and make Him known.” What is a Christian missionary? One definition I read is “A missionary is someone who never gets used to the sound of pagan footsteps on their way to a Christless eternity.”

Luke 7:36-50

An Unexpected Invitation

The Pharisees were a religious and political party in Jesus’ day. They were seen as the keepers of the Law and the oral traditions of the elders. They believed that they earned God’s favor by keeping primarily their manmade rules. Luke 18:9, “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.”

Daren Ritchey