1. New Testament Introduction
February 6, 2017

3. Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth
I Samuel
II Samuel
I Kings
II Kings
I Chronicles
II Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
The Pentateuch (Judaism: Torah)
Old Testament History
Wisdom and Poetry
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Acts of the Apostles
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
The Minor Prophets
The Major Prophets
The Gospels and Acts
Romans
I Corinthians
II Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
I Thessalonians
II Thessalonians
I Timothy
II Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
I Peter
II Peter
I John
II John
III John
Jude
Revelation
Writings of the Apostles

4. Simplified OT Timeline
Birth of Christ
~4000BC
2,500BC
2,000BC
1,500BC
1,000BC

5. Simplified OT Timeline
Adam
Abraham
Moses
David
Noah
Birth of Christ
~4000BC
2,500BC
2,000BC
1,500BC
1,000BC

6. 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

7. 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 1:14
“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

8. “The fullness of time” (Gal 4:4, Eph. 1:10, Mark 1:15)
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)

9. Genesis (1-11) Four Events (Gen. 1-11)
1. The creation of the world and man (1-2)
2. The corruption of man, the fall (3-5)
3. The destruction of man, the flood (6-9)
4. The dispersion of man, the nations (10-11)

10. 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

11. 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

12. Gospel is an old English word which means “good news” (translated 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

13. 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.

14. ‘All four evangelists reported some of Christ’s sayings, but each of them individually chose others to report. Why is this so? To make us read the other gospels, and to make us realize how remarkable their agreement is. For if all of them told everything, we would not pay careful attention to all of them, because one would be enough to teach us everything. But if everything they tell were different, we would not see their remarkable agreement. For this reason all of them wrote many things in common but each also chose some things to tell individually.’ (St. John Chrysostom)

15. The Four Incorporeal Creatures
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. (Revelation 4:6-7)
Compare with Ezekiel 1:4-11

16. 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

17. Gospel According to Mark
Symbol = a lion
St. Mark was one of the seventy (72)
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)

18. Gospel According to Luke
Symbol = an ox
St. Luke was:
a gentile converted by St. Paul; or
one of the 70 (72)
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??

19. 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)

20. 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

21. 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

22. Conclusion
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24