Seeing the Epistles in Red Letters

Many Christians rightly cherish the red letters of the New Testament Gospels those words directly spoken by Jesus during His earthly ministry. But what if those words didn’t stop with the Gospels? What if the teachings of Jesus echo throughout the rest of the New Testament, quietly shaping the apostolic letters we sometimes read as theological commentary rather than discipleship instruction?

The New Testament is a unified testimony to the person, work, and words of Jesus Christ. While the Gospels record His earthly ministry in detail, they were written some years after His resurrection and ascension. For instance, John acknowledges the gap between the events and his writing (John 21:23–24), while Luke speaks of relying on eyewitnesses and ministers of the word (Luke 1:2). Matthew and Mark don’t directly address the timing, but historical consensus suggests they too wrote decades after Jesus' resurrection.

So, what happened to the words of Jesus in the interim? How were new believers taught before the written Gospels circulated?

The answer lies in Jesus’ master plan the apostolic commission and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Mandate: Teach Everything I Have Commanded

Before ascending to the Father, Jesus gave His disciples a clear command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). This wasn't a suggestion or a vague encouragement. It was a mandate to carry the full breadth of His teachings into every corner of the world.

But how could the apostles possibly remember all He said? Jesus answered that question in John 14:26: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

This promise wasn’t theoretical. It was practical and powerful. After the ascension, the Holy Spirit would be the divine reminder and teacher, bringing back to the apostles’ minds not only what Jesus did, but what He said. John 12:16 confirms this process in real time: the disciples did not understand certain things until after Jesus was glorified then they remembered.

The Apostolic Echo of Jesus' Words

From Pentecost forward, the apostles taught the early church not from a personal philosophy or evolving theology, but from what Jesus had commanded. Their letters were not theological innovations but Spirit-filled expansions and applications of Jesus’ words.

Take Acts as an example. It tells us repeatedly that the apostles taught (Acts 2:42; 5:42; 11:26). They didn’t just recount historical events; they conveyed the meaning and teachings behind them. While Peter’s sermon in Acts 10 focuses more on the events of Jesus' life than His teachings, it sets the stage for the realization that early church teaching included Jesus' instructions passed on before the Gospels were even written.

Paul's Letters: Traditions Rooted in Jesus

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addresses the Lord’s Supper. He says, “I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you…” (1 Corinthians 11:23), referring to the exact words of Jesus at the Last Supper. What’s remarkable is how closely Paul’s version aligns with Luke’s Gospel account (Luke 22:19–20). Both share nearly identical wording, despite being written independently.

This shows that oral traditions of Jesus’ words were already well established and faithfully transmitted before the Gospels were penned. Paul didn’t invent new teaching he reminded believers of what they already knew: the teachings of Jesus.

James and Peter: Echoes of the Sermon on the Mount

James is often seen as a practical book on Christian ethics, but its wisdom sounds deeply familiar to anyone who has read the Sermon on the Mount. In James 5:12, he says: “Let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no…” almost verbatim from Matthew 5:37.

There is no footnote, no formal citation. James expects his audience to recognize the teaching of Jesus naturally. The same is true for 1 Peter. Peter tells his readers, “Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed” (1 Peter 3:14), reflecting Jesus’ beatitude in Matthew 5:10.

Even more, Peter encourages believers with these words: “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable… that they may see your good deeds and glorify God…” (1 Peter 2:12). Compare that with Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father…”

These are not mere coincidences. The apostles were drawing directly from the words of Jesus not as rigid quotations but as living truths embedded in their minds and ministries.

A Shared Language of Discipleship

What becomes clear is that the teachings of Jesus were the foundational language of the early church. The apostles didn’t have to constantly reference Jesus by name because His words were already in the bloodstream of Christian community. The letters we now call Epistles were written in a context where churches had been taught the sayings of Jesus and were being reminded, not informed.

This unified understanding of Jesus’ teachings across the New Testament reflects the power of the Holy Spirit to preserve and guide His Word through His people.

And far from diminishing Jesus’ teachings to a pre-crucifixion context, the Epistles show how His words were just as vital, just as formative, after the resurrection embedded not only in the red letters of the Gospels but in every Spirit-led line of apostolic instruction.

A Bible Without Gaps

There is no disconnect between the teachings of Jesus and the writings of Paul, Peter, James, and John. All were under the same commission: “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.” And all were empowered by the same Spirit who brings remembrance.

This should stir our confidence in the unity of the New Testament and in the sufficiency of the Scriptures. Whether you’re reading the red letters or black print, you are hearing the voice of the same Lord.

If this encouraged you, consider sharing it or subscribing to our newsletter to receive more content like this straight to your inbox.