27 Books in New Testament

Classified same as books of OT1. Law 4 gospels – teach New Law2. History Acts of the Apostles – early Church history

3. Wisdom Epistles – tell how to live as Christians4. Prophecy Revelation – symbols & images reminding us of OT

Organization of New Testament

Evangelist – One who works actively to spread the Christian faith

Disciple - follower of Jesus Christ

Gospel – The “good news” of God’s mercy and love revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Vocabulary

Gospels are heart of scripture because it is the history of Jesus Christ

Gospel = “good news” Apostle = “one who is sent” / “messenger”

Synoptic – Matthew, Mark, Luke- Synoptic = similar view points

Gospel of John –focus on Christ’s divinity

Four Gospels

1. Jesus His life and teachings- apostles didn’t fully understand Jesus’ preaching until on earth for 40 days after resurrection and Pentecost

2. Apostolic preaching- taught others after taught by Jesus and inspired by Holy Spirit at Pentecost

3. Writing the Gospels- Jesus never commanded apostles to write anything down

Development of Gospels: 3 stages

1. Matthew – Man - begins genealogy of Christ according to humanity2. Mark – Lion - image/voice crying our in wilderness (John Baptist)3. Luke – Ox- animal of sacrifice; emphasis of worship/prayer4. John – Eagle- divinity to humanity

Symbols of Evangelists

1st gospel; longest with 28 chapters Audience: Jewish Christians Year: 70-85 AD Written by Matthew/called Levi; tax collector Originally written in Hebrew/Aramaic 5 major sections in Matthew Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the true heir of David’s kingdom

Matthew

2nd gospel; 16 chapters Year: 65-70 AD Audience: Roman Christians Emphasizes Jesus as leader

of a new exodus Emphasizes JC’s healings, teachings,

miracles Peter was Mark’s primary source Not apostle, but encountered Christ in life Upper room was Mark’s house where Last

Supper took place

Mark

3rd gospel Year: 70-85 AD Audience: Gentiles “Book of Mary” wrote Acts of the Apostles Blessed Virgin Mary was main source Emphasizes universality of salvation Luke includes details of JC’s conception and birth Luke was a gentile, painter, doctor, well

educated, and scholars think he was converted by St. Paul’s preaching and traveled with St. Paul

Luke

“beloved disciple” Year: 90-100 AD Audience: Jewish Christians; filled with allusions to Old Testament events and symbols thatonly Jewish readers would understand Emphasizes Christ as Word of God Incarnate The family relationship of the Trinity is

revealed most completely in John

John

Author = Luke wrote as a sequel to his gospel Luke was a historian and gives reliable information He was an eyewitness to many events described

in his writings He switches from “they” to “we” indicating he was

traveling with the apostlesExample: Chapter 16

Acts of the Apostles

Epistle = a letter written to individuals, whole congregations, or the whole Church

usually addressed specific problems Majority of epistles are written by St. Paul

St. Paul: converted from persecutor, intelligent, educated Roman citizen, Jewish by birth, good background in Scriptures and trends in pagan philosophy which enabled successful evangelization to gentiles

The Epistles

Paul’s letters in NT range from longest to shortest to various churches he established:

- Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Letters written to individuals:- 1 & 2 Timothy, - Titus, Philemon

Epistles: St. Paul

Hebrews: author unknown, most likely a disciple of St. Paul, shows how OT is fulfilled in life of Jesus

James: tells Christians to be doers of the world, and not merely hearers”; gives advice for Christians living together

1 Peter: helps Christians live faith in hostile world

2 Peter: warns against false teachers and reminds us of promised return of Christ

1-3 John: warn against false spirits and teachers to lead Church astray, 1st duty as Christians is to love

Jude: warns against false teachers, and against those who would divide the Church

Epistles

Most likely written by evangelist John Speaks in symbols Various interpretations Main message: regardless of tribulations to come,

God will preserve all his people and bring them to heaven

Important images: Lamb of God, Wedding Feast, New Jerusalem.

Revelation