New Testament Gospels Empower Amy F. Davis Abdallah Ph.D.

The genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1 includes women: Tamar (3), Rahab (5), Ruth (5), Uriah’s wife (6), Mary The genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1 includes women: Tamar (3), Rahab (5), Ruth (5), Uriah’s wife (6), Mary God is into redeeming everything God is into redeeming everything You have a role in that redemption, regardless of your background You have a role in that redemption, regardless of your background

Major NT Theme The major NT theme is God desires to bring all things into unity in Christ The major NT theme is God desires to bring all things into unity in Christ The OT (Hebrew Bible) describes different kinds of separation The OT (Hebrew Bible) describes different kinds of separation This is the major NT theme, and we will see how it is revealed in the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation. This is the major NT theme, and we will see how it is revealed in the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation.

Political Background of the NT The Jews in Palestine were under the control of the Roman Empire The Jews in Palestine were under the control of the Roman Empire Approximately 400 years, called the “Silent Period” had passed since the recorded events of the Hebrew Bible (OT) Approximately 400 years, called the “Silent Period” had passed since the recorded events of the Hebrew Bible (OT) Many empires had controlle Palestine (Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome) Many empires had controlle Palestine (Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome) The story of the Samaritans The story of the Samaritans

Political Background of the NT The Roman Empire brought the ability to travel freely because of peace, Roman Roads, and a common language (Greek); The Roman Empire brought the ability to travel freely because of peace, Roman Roads, and a common language (Greek); “Kairos” the fullness of time “Kairos” the fullness of time The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD

Social Background of the NT Life was communal and centered around family living and working together Life was communal and centered around family living and working together Betrothal and marriage language Betrothal and marriage language “I go to prepare a place for you” “I go to prepare a place for you” “In my father’s house there are many rooms” “In my father’s house there are many rooms” “Behold I stand at the door and knock” “Behold I stand at the door and knock” House architecture House architecture

Religious Background of the NT The people met on Sabbath (Saturday) in the synagogue to worship (maybe music, definitely Torah reading, teaching if there was a teacher there) The people met on Sabbath (Saturday) in the synagogue to worship (maybe music, definitely Torah reading, teaching if there was a teacher there) The sects included Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes The sects included Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes The main reason Jesus is hard on the Pharisees is that there are so many of them, and everyone respected them greatly. The main reason Jesus is hard on the Pharisees is that there are so many of them, and everyone respected them greatly. Good male Jews attended pilgrim feasts at the temple in Jerusalem (Passover, Feast of Booths, Pentecost) Good male Jews attended pilgrim feasts at the temple in Jerusalem (Passover, Feast of Booths, Pentecost)

The Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke are Synoptic Gospels, while John is in a class by itself. Matthew, Mark, Luke are Synoptic Gospels, while John is in a class by itself. The differences between the Gospels (handout) The differences between the Gospels (handout)

Jesus Son of God and Son of man (divine and human) Son of God and Son of man (divine and human) Was God incarnate (conception, baby, growing up) Was God incarnate (conception, baby, growing up) Was a teacher with followers Was a teacher with followers Grew up in Galilee Grew up in Galilee

Jesus’ Disciples The large group, the 12, and the three closest (Peter, James, John) The large group, the 12, and the three closest (Peter, James, John) Often did not “get it,” but sometimes did Often did not “get it,” but sometimes did Left much to follow Jesus Left much to follow Jesus Ran away when Jesus was arrested, slept as he prayed in Gethsemane Ran away when Jesus was arrested, slept as he prayed in Gethsemane Became much more powerful after Pentecost in Acts Became much more powerful after Pentecost in Acts

Jesus and Women Women witness Jesus’ resurrection first, and were the first sent to tell of it—the Gospel Women witness Jesus’ resurrection first, and were the first sent to tell of it—the Gospel Women are disciples of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3, 10:1-17, 10:38-42—Mary and Martha, Matt 13:49-50—mother and brothers) Women are disciples of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3, 10:1-17, 10:38-42—Mary and Martha, Matt 13:49-50—mother and brothers) Jesus speaks to women and about women (John 4, Luke 15—lost coin, Matt 25—10 virgins, talents) Jesus speaks to women and about women (John 4, Luke 15—lost coin, Matt 25—10 virgins, talents) Women are not singled out for having little faith (Martha—John 11:20-27) Women are not singled out for having little faith (Martha—John 11:20-27)

Events in the Life of Christ Birth, presentation, teaching at temple Birth, presentation, teaching at temple Baptism & temptation Baptism & temptation Teachings: Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) On the Plain (Luke 6:17-49), etc. Teachings: Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) On the Plain (Luke 6:17-49), etc. On the nature of parables On the nature of parables Miracles: wine, physical healing, calming the storm, deliverance from demons Miracles: wine, physical healing, calming the storm, deliverance from demons Transfiguration, triumphal entry Transfiguration, triumphal entry Final week in Jerusalem, followed by death & resurrection Final week in Jerusalem, followed by death & resurrection

Connection to the Theme The major NT theme is God desires to bring all things into unity in Christ. How do the following passages suggest this? (You read these as pre- reading for the class) The major NT theme is God desires to bring all things into unity in Christ. How do the following passages suggest this? (You read these as pre- reading for the class) John 13:1-7 John 13:1-7 John 14:1-14 John 14:1-14 John 15:1-16 John 15:1-16 John 17:1-23 John 17:1-23