4. The Coming of the Redeemer and the Accomplishment of Redemption
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

In the fullness of time, God sent his son into the world to redeem a people for himself. The Fall of man established man's desperate need for redemption, and God had carefully and thoroughly prepared the world for the coming of the Redeemer in the balance of the Old Testament.
The four gospels are the inspired eye-witness accounts of the life, death and resurrection of the Savior. Christ came to reveal the glory of God in human flesh, "the image of the invisible God, preeminent over all creation" (Colossians 1:15). He came to proclaim the kingdom of God and teach us about the way of salvation (Matthew 3:2). He came to conquer Satan and to destroy his work (Col. 2:15; I John 3:8). But above all, he came to die for sins and to rise triumphantly from the grave to display his victory. He came to redeem us:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16,17)

For more about this great salvation, see The Good News.