INTRO TO BIBLICAL STUDIES
Part II. New Testament
(Overview)
There are 66 books of the bible. The first 39 of those books are what we call "The Old Testament". The last 27 books of the bile are called " The New Testament" and here is an overview of this book:
The first 5 books of this section of the bible are called the "Gospels". They are :
Matthew , Mark, Luke, John
Matthew:
* Matthew shows Jesus as the promised Messiah, he testifies to the Hebrews.
* Matthew included more Old Testament prophecies than any other new testament writer.
* He traces Jesus' genealogy back to Abraham.
* This book shows the most systematic arrangement of Jesus' teaching and ministry of healing and deliverance.
* During the second century , the church relied heavily on this book to train New converts.
* Matthew 28: 19-20 is the great commission:
19- " Go ye therefore and teach all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit: ( same as Jesus' name/ it is interchangeable)
20: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the world, AMEN.
Mark:
* Mark shows Jesus as the promised Messiah, he testifies to the Romans.
* Mark is the shortest of the gospels.
* Mark showed Jesus as a servant, and his miracles as an act of compassion.
* Mark records 18 miracles.
* Mark was not a disciple of Jesus, but was close to the disciple Peter.
* Mark's cousin was Barnabas, a colleague of Paul's.
* Mark's gospel was used as a resource for Matthew and Luke for their own gospels.
Luke:
* Luke shows Jesus as God and man, he testifies to the Greek.
* Luke mentions more women than any other gospel.
* Luke traces Jesus' genealogy back to Adam.
* The main focus of this gospel is on Jesus' teaching and parables.
* Luke is the longest New Testament book.
* Luke is the most comprehensive gospel recording events in Jesus' life from pre-birth to his ascension.
* This gospel emphasizes Jesus' prayer life and his teachings about prayer.
John:
* This gospel presents carefully selected evidence that Jesus was Israels Messiah.
* John presents selected evidence that Jesus is God's incarnate son.
* The presented evidence of Messiah and son of God is displayed in the following:
1. Seven signs
2. Seven discourses
3. Seven " I am" statements
* The later part of John concentrated on his disciples as the center of the New Covenant people, the church.
Acts:
* Acts was written by Luke.
* Acts selectively covers the first 33 years of the church's history.
* Luke reveals the role of the Holy Spirit in the church's life and mission.
* Baptism in the Holy Spirit is emphasized as God's provision for empowering the church to proclaim the gospel and to continue Jesus' ministry.
* Acts reveals the source of the church's power and the true nature of its mission.
* Acts gives the principles that should govern the church throughout all future generations.
* Acts is the standard by which all churches should be cast.
Romans:
* Written by Paul.
* This book is Paul's' Longest and most Theological and influential letter.
* Paul put into writing the gospel he had been preaching for 25 years.
* Paul wrote this letter to correct certain problems in the church occurring because of wrong attitudes of Jews towards Gentiles, and Vise Versa.
1 Corinthians:
* Written by Paul.
* This letter addresses the kinds of problems churches experience when members remain "carnal" and do not decisively separate themselves from the pagan society around them.
* Paul gives an important teaching on the manifestations and gifts of the Holy Spirit in the context of corporate worship.
* Paul makes the essential distinction between individual and corporate edification.
2 Corinthians:
* Written by Paul.
* This letter was written to further support the problems that the Corinthians with false teachers and divided beliefs.
* Paul's experience of visiting heaven in the spirit is the most dramatic instance of this kind in the New Testament with the exception of Revelation.
Galatians:
* Written by Paul.
* Paul sought to deny the legal obligations of Mosaic Law for salvation under the New Covenant.
Ephesians:
* Written by Paul.
* God's eternal purpose and goal for the church is emphasized in Ephesians.
* Believers are called to a new life of purity and separation from the world.
* Believers are called to a new way of life governed by principles that believers are different than secular society.
Philippians:
* Written by Paul.
* This letter addresses some minor problems with Philippians, but was mostly affectionate and voiced Paul's appreciation for the congregation.
Colossians:
* Written by Paul.
* Paul was fighting false teaching that threatened the spirituality of the Colossian church.
* Paul reinforced the apostolic revelation of Christ as the son of God, emphasizing the true character and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
* Paul wrote to enforce correct doctrine.
1 Thessalonians:
* Written by Paul.
* Paul commended the Thessalonians for enduring persecutions and maintaining their faith.
* Paul emphasized the necessity and importance of holiness and power in the Christian life.
* This book contains key passages about God raising up the deceased saints when Christ returns to " Catch up" his church (what we call the rapture) and about " the day of the Lord".
2 Thessalonians:
* Written by Paul.
* Paul wrote to encourage his young and persecuted converts.
* This book states three significant events that will signal that the day of the Lord has arrived:
1. Major apostasy and rebellion will occur
2. God's appointed restraint against evil will be lifted
3. The man of sin will be revealed
1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus:
* Written by Paul
* These books are commonly referred to as "The Pastoral Epistles"
* 1 Timothy was written to urge Timothy to defend the purity of the gospel from false teachers, and gave him instructions concerning various church matters and problems at Ephesus.
* This book provides the most specific direction in the New Testament about how a pastor is to relate to properly to both sexes and to all ages and social groups within the church.
* Qualifications of a overseer ( Pastor or Bishop) are given
* 2 Timothy was Paul's last letter
* 2 Timothy emphasizes that biblical text must be accurately interpreted by ministers of the word and urges the commitment of God's word to reliable men who can teach others
* Titus instructs about the character and spiritual qualifications necessary for all those what are to be selected as Elders in the church
* In the book of Titus, Paul directs Titus to teach sound doctrine and to rebuke and silence false teachers, and tells that good works are a product of good faith.
Philemon:
* Written by Paul
* This is the shortest of Paul's letters
* It illustrates how Paul and the early church dealt with the problems of Roman slavery
Hebrews:
* Written by Paul
* This was written primarily to Jewish Christians who were undergoing discouragement and persecution
* Paul showed that God's redemptive provisions under the Old Covenant had been fulfilled and made obsolete by Jesus' atoning death
* This book exhorts readers to stay stead fast in the faith, persevere as sons, commitment to live Holy lives under the covenant of grace
James:
* Written by James
* This book seems to be written to encourage Jewish believers suffering various trials and to correct erroneous ideas about the nature of saving faith
1 Peter:
* Written by Peter
* Peter reminds believers that they have a heavenly inheritance in Jesus Christ
* This letter shows more than any other New Testament letter how to respond as a Christian to unjust persecution and suffering
2 Peter:
* Written by Peter
* Peter wrote to expose the activity of false prophets and teachers
* This book contains one of the bible's strongest statements about the inspiration, authority and reliability of biblical text
1 John:
* Written by John
* John sought to expose the doctrinal and ethical errors of false teachers
* John exhorts believers to pursue a life of holy fellowship of God
2 John:
* Written by John
* This book is much the same as 1 John
* This book is the shortest book
3 John:
* Written by John
* Very similar to 1,2 John, but commends hospitality and support for trustworthy traveling ministers
Jude:
* Written by Jude
* This book contains the most direct and vigorous denunciation of false teachers
Revelation:
* Written by John
* Foretells the kingdom of Jesus Christ and heaven on earth
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