Gospel
Gospels are a genre of ancient literature concerning the life of Jesus. The word derives from the old English word for good news. The Greek word for gospel is evangelos which also means 'good news', since they retold the 'good news' of Jesus redeeming a fallen world. Each of the books reveals, by telling the story of Jesus Christ's life, the "Good News" about Christ's life and presence. The word gospel can also have a narrower meaning, especially when used by evangelical Christians, to mean the specific actions of Christ which are necessary for salvation.
Many gospels were written in antiquity. In 325 AD, Constantine the Great called together a group of religious and secular leaders at the Council of Nicaea to determine which gospels would be accepted as canonical, and which were to be rejected. Four were accepted.
The first three books (The Gospel of Mark, The Gospel of Matthew, and The Gospel of Luke) are similar in style, even to the point of having several passages in common, so that they are collectively known as the Synoptic Gospels (from the Greek, meaning "same eye"). See the synoptic problem. In order to explain the origins of the synoptic gospels, a hypothetical gospel "Q" is often theorised to have served as a source of Matthew and Luke, and attempts have been made to reconstruct its text.
The fourth book, The Gospel of John, is quite different in tone, often full of more encompassing theological and philosophical messages.
The Diatessaron was an attempt to harmonize the four gospels into one. Eventually it fell into disuse, although it was popular for a while in Syria. But modern Gospel harmonies can be considered its descendants.
Marcion of Sinope believed in two different gods, the compassionate God of Jesus and the cruel God of the Jews. He developed his own edition of the Gospel of Luke, without texts he considered to be forgeries placed there by the God of the Jews.
See also Secret Gospel of Mark.
Other books, which were not accepted, form part of the New Testament Apocrypha, and include:
Some of these works are similar in style and content to the canonical Gospels. Others are works in which Jesus features as little more than a mouthpiece for Gnostic doctrine.
Other works claiming to be gospels have surfaced in later periods. The Gospel of Barnabas originates in the mediaeval period. Works from the modern period (sometimes called modern apocrypha) include the Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Life of Issa. Parts of the Book of Mormon can also be considered to be a gospel, since they purport to tell of Jesus' appearances on the American continent.
Liturgical Usage
In many Christian churches, all Christians present stand when a passage from one of the Gospels is read publically, and sit when a passage from a different part of the Bible is read.
Usage in Eastern Orthodoxy liturgy
Typically, the Gospel is publically read only by a priest or bishop, although other Bible passages may be read by a designated lay person. As in other churches, all stand while the Gospel is being read. Also, the Gospel book is normally kept in a prominent place on the altar. The only thing that is permitted to occupy its place on the altar is the Body and Blood of Christ during the Divine Liturgy, or on certain feast days a Cross. When the Gospel is read, it is brought from the altar to the nave in procession, and afterwards returned to its place.