New Testament Introduction October 14, 2013

Why is the Word of God important? “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 God is revealing Himself to mankind His love for mankind His purpose for mankind His promises for mankind

In the Old Testament, the word of God came by the Law and commandments but in the New Testament the word of God came in the flesh – the Lord Jesus Christ. Read John 1:1, 14 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” Hebrews 1:1-2

“The New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament and the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament.” -St. Augustine (types of Christ, prophecies)

“The fullness of time” (Gal 4:4, Eph. 1:10) The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16) The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

Structure of the NT 4 gospels Book of Acts 14 Epistles of St. Paul 7 Catholic (universal) Epistles Book of Revelation 27 books* *First mentioned by St. Athanasius in his festal letter in 367AD

The Catholic (Universal) Epistles Acts of the Apostles Matthew Mark Luke John The Gospels and Acts II Thessalonians Romans I Corinthians II Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians I Thessalonians I Timothy II Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews The Pauline Epistles James I Peter II Peter I John II John III John Jude Revelation The Catholic (Universal) Epistles

Gospel means “good news” (from the Greek word: Evangelion) The gospel tells the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. (Not a complete biography) See John 21:25 Acts 20:35

Why 4 gospels? Gospels according to Matthew, Mark and Luke are known as the “synoptic” gospels syn = similar, harmonious optic = view Each begin with baptism of Christ, public ministry, teachings and miracles and end with passion, crucifixion and resurrection.

Gospel According to Matthew Symbol = a man St. Matthew was one of the twelve Written to: the Jews (most probably originally written in Aramaic) 58-70 AD See Matthew 1:1-17 often used the phrase, “that which was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled…” (genealogies, feasts, etc) See Matthew 11:10 Longest and most detailed account of Jesus’ teaching: Sermon on the mount

Gospel According to Mark Symbol = a lion St. Mark was one of the seventy Written to: the Romans 55-65 AD Largest number of miracles According to the tradition of St. Peter Suggested that Mark was the young man referred to in this gospel that fled the garden of Gethsemane naked after Christ’s arrest. This account is only mentioned in Mark’s gospel. (Mark 14:51-53)

Gospel According to Luke Symbol = an ox St. Luke was a gentile converted by St. Paul Written to: the Gentiles Mid 60’s AD Longest of the 4 gospels Only gospel with accounts of annunciation of Jesus and John the Baptist. Why??

Gospel According to John Symbol = an eagle St. John was one of the twelve Written to: ALL (spiritual and theological account of Christ’s ministry) 80-90AD See John 1:1 Highlights: Most “theological” gospel I am’s of Jesus Miracles not recorded in other gospels (wedding of Cana, Lazarus,) Jesus final speech (John 13-17)

The Acts of the Apostles “Acts of the Holy Spirit” Written by St. Luke Compare Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1 Acts 1-7: Beginning of the church Acts 8-20: Expansion of the church Acts 21-28: Trial and imprisonment of St. Paul

The Acts of the Apostles Significant events: Ascension of the Lord Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) The punishment of Ananias and Sapphira Choosing the 7 deacons Read Acts 6 Martyrdom of Stephen and preaching of Philip Conversion of Saul of Tarsus (St. Paul) God’s vision to Peter shows that God has broken down the wall between Jew and Gentile A council is convened in Jerusalem to discuss circumcision of Gentiles Spreading of the Church Trial and imprisonment of St. Paul

Epistles of St. Paul Written to specific churches or specific people (See Colossians 4:16) 14 Epistles (including Epistle to the Hebrews)

7 Catholic (universal) Epistles James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Why important? Show us how to practice our faith Give a non-Pauline witness to the New Testament

Epistle of James (Jacob) Author: 3 possibilities 1. James the son of Zebedee: (Matthew 10:2), one of the twelve disciples and the brother of John the Evangelist. He cannot be the writer of the epistle because he was murdered by Herod Agrippa I in the year 44 A.D. (Acts 12:1) At that time, the Christian Churches were not established yet to allow that some of the disciples would send them epistles, and the dispersion had not taken place yet, nor the heresies appeared. 2. James the son of Alphaeus: (Matthew 10:3) 3. James the brother of the Lord: (Galatians 1:19), that is, his cousin. Most agree that he is the writer of the epistle. Timeframe: 55-60 Theme/purpose: Harmony of faith and works Key verses: James 2:17-19

1 Peter Author: St. Peter the Apostle (1 Peter 1:1) Theme/Purpose: Hope (to encourage believers in their persecution to live a holy life) Timeframe: Written 63-67 (persecution of Nero 54-68) Key verses: 1 Peter 1:3

2 Peter Author: St. Peter the Apostle (2 Peter 1:1) Theme/Purpose: wanted to send his children his final commandments to tell them about the kingdom of heaven and the Second Coming of the Lord – beware of false teachers. (2 Peter 1:14) Timeframe: Written 63-67 Key verses: 2 Peter 3:1-4

1,2, 3 John Author: St. John the Beloved (the Apostle, the Theologian, the Evangelist) Theme/Purpose: God’s love for us and our love for God in truth and action Timeframe: Written 85-95 Key verses: 1 John 3:18 Key words: light, life, love, truth

Epistle of Jude Author: Jude, brother of James who is “brother of the Lord” (Matt. 13:55, Mark 6:3) Theme/Purpose: Judgment (addresses false teachers) **very similar to 2 Peter Timeframe: Written 60-80 Key verses: Jude 3

Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) Author: St. John the Beloved (the Apostle) while in exile on island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9) Theme/Purpose: Revelation of last days, Second Coming and Kingdom of Heaven Timeframe: Written ~95-96 Only prophetic book of the New Testament Read Revelation 21:1-4

Remembering the NT Epistles of Paul: Faith Epistle of James: Works Epistles of Peter: Hope Epistles of John: Love Epistle of Jude: Judgment Revelation: Heaven Faith through works with hope and love save us from judgment and take us to Heaven.

Conclusion “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 “You Christians look after a document [Bible] containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of literature.” -Mahatma Gandhi