No, letters to the early Christian community were
not called Gospels.
Here's the breakdown:
* Gospels: The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are accounts of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word "Gospel" means "good news."
* Letters/Epistles: Letters, also called Epistles, were written by apostles (like Paul, Peter, John, and James) and other early Christian leaders to various churches or individuals. These letters addressed specific issues, provided instruction, and offered encouragement to the early Christian communities.
So, while both Gospels and Letters/Epistles are part of the New Testament, they are distinct genres with different purposes and authors.