Are the Four Gospels New Testament Books?
Hugo McCord
The "new covenant" (Hebrews 8:8) began on Pentecost Day, May 28, A.D. 30. However, so much new covenant teaching had been given by Jesus prior to A.D. 30, now related in the four gospels, a "title-page" preceding the four gospels has been inserted in your Bible: "The New Covenant commonly called the New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
It is sad that a gospel preacher writes that
none of Jesus’ teaching in the four gospels was N.T. teaching, it was rather a restatement of the true teaching of Moses’ law (UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE, page 1).
On the contrary, everything that Jesus taught (beyond obedience to Moses’ law) he has commanded that it be taught to every baptized believer to "the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). Accordingly, "all things whatsoever" that Jesus had "commanded" his apostles is "N.T. teaching" (Matthew 28:18-20).
Jesus’ teaching was not "a restatement of the true teaching of Moses’ law," but new teaching for the new covenant. Notice how Jesus modified and altered the law of Moses:
You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment." But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment (Matthew 5:21-22).
You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28).
Furthermore it has been said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce." But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except fornication leaves her debased, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery (Matthew 5:31-32).
Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord." But I say to you, do not swear at all (Matthew 5:33-34).
You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also (Matthew 5:38-39).
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44).
The word "neighbor" in Moses’ law only meant a fellow Jew (Leviticus 19:18), but Jesus taught that it should include a "Samaritan" (Luke 10:25-37).
Our erring preacher brother writes that if everyone accepts his idea that "none of Jesus’ teaching in the four gospels was N.T. teaching," then "the principle [sic] cause of all the confusion among churches of Christ on Matthew 19 and marriage, divorce, and remarriage" would be eliminated.
But Matthew 19 does not give "a restatement of the true teaching of Moses’ law." Instead, Jesus rejected "the true teaching of Moses’ law," a law allowing divorce "for every cause" (kata pasan aitian, Matthew 19:3), and taught that one cause only, fornication, allows an honorable divorce. Furthermore, he taught that a divorce and remarriage without the one cause is adultery (Matthew 19:9).
If Jesus has "all authority in heaven and on the earth" (Matthew 28:18), and if he is the author of "the law of the Spirit of life" (Romans 8:2), surely uninspired preachers ought to tremble if they make divorces comfortable who are remarried without the one exception.