The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are described by Bible scholars as the “synoptic Gospels” which means “to illuminate together as one”. Why is John’s Gospel not “synoptic”? Why is John’s Gospel different than the other three gospels? John’s Gospel was written years later than the three kingdom gospels. We know that all four Gospels are necessary to put forth the four attributes of Jesus Christ and are symbolized in the Scriptures by the heads of four creatures. Did something happen or did something change to necessitate several noted differences in John’s Gospel?

While Jesus performed His earthly ministry He chose twelve disciples to carry on His ministry as Apostles to Israel. He assigned them to twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel in the Restoration of the kingdom. There will be twelve foundations bearing their names beneath the holy city New Jerusalem coming down from heaven to the new earth. Why did the risen Lord Jesus Christ later convert another Apostle named Saul (Paul) as His witness? What was special about Paul’s calling?

We know that Paul was chosen, assigned, and committed to preach also to the Gentiles who are also called the “uncircumcision”. We know that Paul conducted three missionary journeys during the time period of the Book of Acts preaching the gospel of the grace of God to many Jews as well as some Gentiles. This was a ministry to the unsaved and takes up eight chapters (13-20) during which Paul wrote seven Epistles. The final eight chapters (21-28) of The Acts concern Paul’s capture by the Jews and five years of Roman confinements, the last of which was completed in Rome. Have you ever been taught what happened at the end of the Book of Acts? Was Paul released for a final missionary journey?

Unless we understand what happened at the ending of the Book of Acts, we will never truly understand the Bible, or Christianity, or the mystery of the Body of Christ.

Unseen to the natural eye there is a major change that happened at the end of the Book of Acts. After Acts 28:28 the salvation of God, through John’s Gospel, was sent to all nations (Gentiles). Because Israel refused to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their promised Messiah, the kingdom gospel and all of God’s dealings with Israel were postponed so that God could bless the Gentiles. God also revealed to Paul a hidden secret: a dispensation called the mystery of the Body of Christ. Paul’s second ministry was to the saved. Paul was given seven more Epistles to write which completes the Word of God. Paul’s Epistles to the saints (saved) in Philippi, Ephesus, and Colosse expounded the doctrine of this enhanced gospel.

After the ending of the Acts period we are given John’s Gospel (Who will have all men to be saved) and we have Paul’s Gospel to the saved (and to come unto the knowledge of the truth). John’s gospel puts forth the message of salvation to the unsaved of the world. Paul’s post-Acts ministry puts forth a second and enhanced gospel to those who are saved by John’s gospel. Since the kingdom gospel for Israel was postponed at the end of The Acts, Paul’s gospel is a superlative gospel apart from the kingdom gospel. In this present age it is God’s desire that we come unto the acknowledgement of this truth after salvation.