Three Introductions to the Gospel Story

1. Historiographical introduction.

The Authenticity of the Gospel Stories

Luke 1:1-4

As many have already begun to compose narratives of events that are perfectly known among us, as those who were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word from the beginning have handed down to us, so it has been decided that I, after a careful examination of everything from the beginning, shall describe to you in order, venerable Theophilus, so that you may know the firm foundation of the doctrine in which you have been instructed.

2. Historical introduction.

Genealogy of the Lord the Savior according to the Evangelist Matthew.

Mf. 1, 1-17

Genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham.

Abraham begat Isaac; Isaac begat Jacob; Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; Judah begat Perez and Zarah by Tamar; And Perez begat Hezron; And Hezrom begat Aram; Aram begat Aminadab; Aminadab begat Nahshon; Nahshon begat Salmon; Salmon begat Boaz by Rahab; Boaz begat Obed by Ruth; Obed begat Jesse; Jesse begat King David

David the king begat Solomon by the one who was married to Uriah; Solomon begat Rehoboam; Rehoboam begat Abijah; Abijah begat Asa; Asa begat Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat begat Jehoram; And Joram begat Uzziah; Uzziah begat Jetham; Jotham begat Ahaz; Ahaz begat Hezekiah; Hezekiah begat Manasseh; Manasseh begat Amun; Amon begat Josiah; Josiah begat Jehoiakim; And Jehoiakim begat Jehoiachin and his brethren, before he migrated to Babylon.

And when Jehoiachin had migrated to Babylon, he begat Shealtiel; And Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel; Zerubbabel begat Abihu; Abihu begat Eliakim; Eliakim begat Azor; Azor begat Zadok; Zadok begat Achim; Achim begat Eliud; Eliud begat Eleazar; Eleazar begat Matthan; Matthan begat Jacob; Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Therefore all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the exile to Babylon to Christ the Lord fourteen generations.