The New Testament

The Word of Eternal God Which is the power of Eternal God for salvation to everyone who has faith Is set forth Displays its power in a most wonderful way in the writings of the New Testament Which hand on the ultimate truth of Eternal God’s Revelation Their central object is Jesus or Father Christ Eternal God’s incarnate Son His acts Teachings Mission and glorification His Church’s beginnings under the spirit’s guidance The Gospels are the heart of all Scriptures Because they are our principal source for the life Teaching of the incarnate Word Our Savior We can distinguish three stages in the formation of the Gospels The life and teaching of Jesus or Father Christ The Church holds firmly that the four Gospels Whose historicity she unhesitatingly affirms Faithfully hand on what Jesus The Eternal Son of Eternal God While He lived among men Really did and taught for their salvation Until the day when He was taken up The oral tradition For After the ascension of the Lord The apostles handed onto their hearers what they had said and done But with fuller understanding which they Instructed by the glorious events of Father Christ Enlightened by the spirit of truth Now enjoyed The written Gospels The sacred authors In writing the four gospels Selected certain of the many elements which had been handed on Either orally or already in written form Others they senthesized or explained with an eye to the situation of the Churches While sustaining the form of preaching But always in such a fashion that they have told us the honest truth about Jesus The fourfold Gospel holds a unique place in the Church As is evident both in the veneration which the liturgy accords it In surpassing attraction it has exercised on the saints at all times There is no doctrine which could be better More precious More splendid than the text of the Gospel Behold and retain what our Lord and Master Father Christ Has taught by His words and accomplished by His deeds But above all it’s the Gospels that occupy my mind when I’m at prayer My poor soul has so many needs Yet this is the one thing needful I’m always finding fresh lights there Hidden and enthralling meanings 1242015