One of the highlights of my life was attending Dallas Theological Seminary in 1996 and 1997 and the highlight of that experience was the privilege of sitting under the incredible teaching of Dr. Dwight Pentecost. One of the courses I took from him was The Life of Christ. What is compiled in this book is a summary of the material from class notes taken during The Life of Christ course as taught by Dr. Pentecost, or “Dr. P” as he is called.

This course is based on Dr. Pentecost’s book A Harmony of the Words and Works of Jesus Christ. This book groups the individual episodes in the life of Christ from the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John so they can be compared and contrasted in the most probable chronological order.

The perspective of this study is that Jesus Christ came to the nation Israel to present Himself as the promised Messiah and to offer that nation the covenanted Kingdom in which He would literally rule as Savior-Sovereign in peace and righteousness from the throne of David over the entire earth. Throughout the gospels it is seen by Christ’s words and His works that He authenticated Himself and this offer of the covenanted Kingdom. The nation Israel however, because of the rejection of the religious leaders, rejected the offer of the Messiah. Because of their rejection Christ announced that the Kingdom would be taken from that generation and given to a future generation. He also announced judgment upon that nation and then turned from a public ministry of trying to convince the masses, to one of preparing His disciples to continue His ministry following His death and resurrection.

This study booklet is provided for those who desire to study the words and works of Jesus Christ and is presented with Dr. Pentecost’s prayer that the study may lead us all into a closer walk with Him whose love is revealed in His words and in His works.