By CLB. Advincula, Founder and Lead Minister of Missions Bible Ministry
The Four (4) fold Gospel manifests Four (4) pictures of the personhood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Given that Jesus, the first Apostles & the first disciples of our Lord were mainly Jews, scholars believe that the Gospel accounts were initially orally transmitted in Aramaic language because it was a common practice in ancient eastern culture particularly in Hebraic culture (i.e. Old Testament) However this may be true, we also know for a fact that the Gospels and most –if not all, New Testament scriptures were written approximately between 60 to A.D. in the Greek language being the “koine” or common tongue at that time for lands that were previously conquered by the great Alexander of Macedonia. As was the case the 4 Gospels build upon historical tradition and we were able to preserve different aspects of the life and earthly ministry of Jesus the Son of God, giving us what matters most which leads us to a saving knowledge of Him.
John. 20: 30-31
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
The main purpose of the Gospels is to present the “Good News” of the redemptive work of God the Father through the sending of His Son Jesus Christ in a form of a human being. He is presented as a Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. Because of the eye-witness oral and written testimony of the Apostles and the 1st disciples of Jesus we are able to know and view the full work of God in Jesus, as the Christ and 3rd person of the Trinity who was presently active and alive in earth and now again in Heaven seated at the right hand of God (Cf. Mt. 26:64, Mk. 14:62, Lk.22:69)
In speaking about the order and canonicity of the Gospels, the church throughout history have generally recognized (not ordained) that the book of Matthew is first in all extant of witnesses to the text of the Gospels and in all early lists of the canonical books of the New Testament (Cf. R.V.G. Tasker, The Gospel According to St. Matthew, Tyndale New Testament Commentary, pg.11) Because of Matthew’s apparent Old Testament references in his witness and him being a Jew, some scholars believe that the original manuscript may have been written in Hebrew and then was translated to koine Greek for the widespread use of the New Testament churches. Though the Gospel of Matthew is first in order, scholars believe that the Gospel of Mark was the first of the 4 Gospels to be written while the Apostle John's was the last to be recorded. Regardless, thematically it makes the Gospel of Matthew the appropriate bridge between Malachi, the Intertestimental period and the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus!
The 4 Horse Chariot
In reading the 4 Gospels or the Scriptures in general we are to carefully understand and interpret its meaning based on the intention of the Author that is God and its writer. In doing so throughout the history of church hermeneutics, a 4-fold method was developed called “Quadriga”. A Quadriga is a chariot pulled by 4 horses during the time of Roman military might. This becomes a suitable name for our approach in conducting Biblical exegesis, most especially in reading the Gospels that speak of our Lord Jesus’ life and redemptive ministry.
Below are the 4 types of interpretation tools for the Bible student in digging up Scriptural treasures for wisdom and application.
1. The Literal – Literal interpretation understands the text in its plain and obvious meaning
2. The Moral – Interprets in the understanding of its direct reflection and application of the reader regarding human behaviour, first for his own.
3. The Allegorical – This interpretation tends to give figurative or spiritual meanings -even in the most common texts, for our faith, beliefs and doctrines.
4. The Anagogical – Interprets the Scriptures with the understanding of what it may mean or tell us about the coming future.
Example:
The City of Jerusalem
· In the literal sense this means the geographical, historical and physical city of Jerusalem.
· Morally, it could represent the human soul.
· Allegorically it could represent the Church of Christ (i.e. The assembly of believers)
· Anagogically it may refer to the New Jerusalem that we read in the book of Revelations.
Basic Principle of Hermeneutics
Scripture interprets Scripture
The literary genre should be considered
Context is the key
Immediate context
Context within the book
Context within the entire Bible
Historical context
References:
📷 Thomas Nelson KJV Study Bible
📷 Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps & Charts: Old and New Testaments
📷 Opening up God’s word: The Compact Survey of the Bible
📷 Willmington’s Guide to the Bible
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