If you want to know about Jesus and his teachings, the best place to turn to is the Gospels in the New Testament. These are the four books that tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, as well as the teachings he shared with his followers. The Gospels were written by four different authors: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Matthew’s Gospel focuses on Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy and the Messiah. Mark’s Gospel is fast-paced and action-packed, emphasizing Jesus’ miracles and teachings. Luke’s Gospel is written to a non-Jewish audience and emphasizes Jesus’ compassion and concern for the poor and marginalized. John’s Gospel is the most abstract and philosophical of the four, emphasizing Jesus’ divinity and his relationship with God.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his followers spread his message throughout the world. Many of the apostles traveled to Italy, Yugoslavia (now Croatia), Austria, Hungary, and Spain to preach the word. In 49 A.D., Paul and his team went to Macedonia and Greece to spread the Gospel.
However, the early Christians faced persecution from the Roman Empire. In Rome, both Peter and Paul were arrested for their beliefs. Peter was crucified upside down, while Paul was beheaded. The Basilica of St. Peter in Italy is said to be the location where Peter is buried, while the Basilica of St. Paul houses Paul’s remains.
The history of the early Christian church is fascinating, and the stories of the apostles and their travels are inspiring. Despite persecution and hardship, they were willing to risk everything to spread the message of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. Today, the Gospels and the history of the early church continue to inspire and guide Christians around the world.
Joyful-Echoes 