Bible overviewPart 2 - The New Testament

Matt Pritchard

Adam

Noah

AbrahamIsaacJacobJoseph

Moses

Joshua

Samuel

The main Old Testament characters…

Saul

David

Solomon

Israel (North)

Judah(South)

Destroyedby Assyria

Exile to Babylon

Daniel

Return

Nehemiah

4000BC 3000BC 2000BC 1000BC 0AD 1000AD 2000AD

??

Early times

Adam Abraham

Samuel

Time line

We are here

Kings

Nehemiah

Exodus & judges

Exile

Patriarchs

Moses

The Old Testament closes with the prophet Malachi looking ahead to the coming Messiah…

"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD.

"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Jeremiah 31:33-34

A new covenant is promised

Inter-Testament times

PersiansAssyrians Babylonians Greeks Romans

Old Testament

New Testament

Jesus

“The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 1v15

Old Testamentpoints towards

New Testamentreflects back on

ProphetPriestKing

Matthew

Mark

LukeJohnA

ctsR

omans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Tim

othy2 T

imothy

Titus

Philem

onH

ebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1 John2 John3 JohnJudeR

evelation

History Letters (Epistles) Apocalypse

Gospels Paul General

New Testament

The Gospels

MatthewMarkLukeJohnActs

Jesusborn

ResurrectionJohnBaptist

“Good news” 1. Documents of faith2. Historical account

Matthew* – Jewish audience. Quotes OT. “Jesus is Messiah.” Emphasis on Jesus’ teaching.

Mark – Roman mindset. “Jesus is the perfect servant.” Emphasis on action rather than teaching.

Luke – Greek mindset. “Jesus is the perfect man.” Emphasis on the grace of God. Healings.

John* – Broad audience. “Jesus is the Son of God.” More reflective than the other 3 gospels.

Dating the Gospels

Matthew*

Mark Luke John*

Time

Q

M

L

‘Two source hypothesis’

Map of Jesus’ life

Jerusalem

NazarethSea of Galilee

Bethlehem

Capernaum

Dead sea

River Jordan

GoogleMaps

65 m

iles

Jesus’ life

Nativity

Baptism

40 days in the wilderness

Calling of the disciples

Teaching and Healing ministry

Teaching about his death

Palm Sunday

Passover meal

Arrest and trial

Crucifixion

Resurrection

Ascension

Disciples realise who Jesus is(cf. Mk 8:27-29)

Transfiguration (Mk 9)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Jesus prophesied in the OT

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

John 5:39-40

Key Messianic prophecy = Isaiah 53

“he was pierced for ourtransgressions” v5

Jesus prophesied in the OT (1)

•The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem – Micah 5:2-5a

•He will be King – Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 9:9

•He will be a descendent of David – 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 132:11; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 33:15; Isaiah 11:1; Numbers 24:17

•He will be born of a virgin – Isaiah 7:14;

•He will be a priest – Zechariah 6:11-13; Psalm 110:4

•He will be Lord – Psalm 110:1

•He will be God – Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:6

•He will bring salvation – Isaiah 49:6; Zechariah 9:9

•He will atone for sins – Isaiah 53:4-12

•He will heal the sick/preach the good news – Isaiah 61; Isaiah 35:5-6

•He will teach in parables – Psalm 78:2

Jesus prophesied in the OT (2)

•He will be a light to the Gentiles – Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6

•He will enter Jerusalem riding a donkey – Zechariah 9:9

•He will be rejected/mocked/suffer and die – Isaiah 53:1-12; Psalm 118:22; Psalm 22:7-8

•His enemies will pierce his hands and feet* – Psalm 22:16-18; Psalm 22:30

•He will be betrayed by a friend – Psalm 41:9

•He will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver – Zechariah 11:13

•He will be beaten, mocked and spat upon – Isaiah 50:6

•His bones won’t be broken – Psalm 34:19-20

•His side will be pierced – Zechariah 12:10

•He will be raised from the dead - Isaiah 53:8-12; Psalm 16:10; Psalm 49:15

•He will ascend to heaven – Psalm 68:18

Acts of the Apostles

The great commission…

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28v19-20

Ascension of Jesus

Pentecost (Ac 2)

Church growth

Paul’s conversion (Ac 9)

Peter’s vision (Ac 10-11)

Paul’s missions (Ac 13+)

Paul arrested (Ac 21)

Jerusalem Council (Ac 15)

Paul’s timeline

1st

Paul’s Conversion (Ac 9)

Stephen Martyred(Ac 7)

JerusalemConf. (Ac 15)

2nd 3rd

Arrested in Jerusalem

Caesareaprison

Romanprison (1)

Released

4th

Romanprison (2)

Executed

Shipwreckoff Malta

Galatians1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians

1 Corinth 2 Corinth

Romans Ephesians Colossians Philemon Philippians

1 Timothy Titus

2 TimothyPeriod covered by the book of Acts

Churches who received a letter from Paul

Rome

Jerusalem

Ephesus

Colossae

Thessalonica

CorinthGreece

ItalyMacedonia

GalatiaAsia Minor

Philippi

GoogleMaps

Paul’s missionary journey (1)

GoogleMaps

Jerusalem

Ephesus

ColossaeCorinth

Crete Cyprus

Macedonia

Galatia

Philippi

Antioch

Athens

Tarsus

Thessalonica

1st Mission (AD 46-48) to Galatia Paul and Barnabus (+ John Mark)Acts 13:4-14:28

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

Derbe

Lystra

Perga

Paphos

John Markturns back

Paul’s missionary journey (2)

Jerusalem

Ephesus

Corinth

CreteCyprus

Macedonia Philippi

Tarsus

2nd Mission (AD 49-52) to Greece Paul and Silas Acts 15:39-18:22

GoogleMaps

AntiochBarnabus and John Mark

Paul andSilas

Derbe

Lystra

Caesarea

Timothy joins

Athens

Thessalonica

Colossae

Galatia

Paul’s missionary journey (3)

Jerusalem

Corinth

Crete

Macedonia

Galatia

Philippi

Antioch

Athens

Tarsus

3rd Mission (AD 53-57) to Greece Paul and ??Acts 18:23-21:17

GoogleMaps

Caesarea

Ephesus

Thessalonica

Cyprus

Colossae

Paul’s journey to Rome

Jerusalem

EphesusColossae

Thessalonica

Corinth

Crete

Cyprus

Greece

ItalyMacedonia

Galatia

Asia Minor

Philippi

Antioch

GoogleMaps

Athens

Journey to Rome (AD 59-60) PaulActs 27:1-28:16

Malta

Shipwreck! SidonMyra

Fair Haven

Caesarea

Rome

Romans – A theological essay. God’s plan of salvation and righteousness for all mankind (Gentile and Jew). Justification by faith. Paul wrote to prepare the way for his visit and to present the foundations of the Christian faith.

1 Corinthians – A very practical letter dealing with specific concerns that Paul has with the church (disunity & immorality) and answering specific questions posed to him.

2 Corinthians – Paul answers his critics (Judaisers and legalists), asserts his credentials as an apostle and warns of his readiness to use discipline if necessary. Lots of autographical details about Paul’s life.

Galatians – A defence of the truth that man is justified by faith in Christ and not legalistic works. Freedom in Christ. The fruit of the Spirit (ch 5).

Paul’s church letters – Romans to Galatians

Ephesians – Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers view of God’s eternal purpose and grace and to appreciate the high goals God has for the church. The armour of God (ch 6).

Philippians – An encouragement to stand firm in the face of persecution and rejoice regardless of circumstances. To imitate Christ’s humility, have no confidence in the flesh and be unified as a body of believers.

Colossians – Paul writes to combat false teaching. Presents the supremacy of Christ – he is all that we need. The second half of the book contains practical instruction on holy living.

1 Thessalonians – Paul had to leave Thessalonica abruptly due to persecution. This letter contains encouragement to new believers, instruction on godly living and teaching on Christ’s return.

2 Thessalonians – Similar themes to Paul’s previous letter as either there had been a misunderstanding or they hadn’t acted upon his instructions.

Paul’s church letters – Ephesians to 2 Thess

1 Timothy – Paul has left his young assistant to look after the church in Ephesus. The letter contains instruction on church leadership and organisation as well as personal encouragement for Timothy.

2 Timothy – Paul has been left alone and is in prison awaiting execution. He writes to Timothy a warning to guard the Gospel and to boldly pass it on to others just as Paul had devoted his life to.

Titus – Paul left Titus in charge of the church in Crete – an island reknown for it’s dishonesty, evil and laziness. As a church leader Titus should set a good example and develop other leaders there.

Paul’s pastoral letters – 1 Timothy to Philemon

Philemon - Paul writes a tactful letter pleading for leniency towards a runaway slave called Onesimus.

Hebrews (??) – Originally written to Jewish believers. The total supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. He is the fulfilment of the Old Testament promises and prophecies. Men and women of faith (ch 11). Don’t turn back or give up.

James (Jesus’ brother) – Possibly the earliest book of the New Testament. James was leader of the Jerusalem church. The letter shows how faith works out in practise. Both an encouragement and a warning.

1 Peter (Apostle) – Trouble from outside the church. To encourage those who are suffering for Christ because he is our strength and hope. It also contains teaching on Christian living and duties.

2 Peter (Apostle) – Trouble from inside the church. Warning against heresy coming from false teachers and evildoers within the community. The readers should aim to grow spiritually and be watchful as Jesus will return.

Non-Pauline letters – Hebrews to 2 Peter

1 John (Apostle) – He writes to combat Gnostic teaching that was creeping into the church and to give believers assurance of salvation (children of God). Love one another.

2 John (Apostle) – A warning not to accept false teachers and offer them hospitality.

3 John (Apostle) – A plea to accept teachers and evangelists and offer them hospitality.

Jude (Jesus’ brother) - Similar content to 2 Peter. Be on guard against false teachers and be prepared to oppose them with the truth about God’s saving grace.

Non-Pauline letters – 1 John to Jude

Revelation

Jesus Pentecost Evangelism 2nd Coming Victory

•An encouragement to keep going.

•God wins! Salvation will be completed. The world will be perfected.

Genesis 1-3 Revelation 21-22

We are here

Canon of Scripture – The Apocrypha

Why the Protestant church rejects the Apocrypha:

1. The writers of the books don’t claim themselves to have the same authority as the writers of the Old Testament.

2. They weren’t widely regarded by Jewish historians. “not… worthy of equal credit” - Josephus.

3. Not reference by Jesus or other New Testament writers. (There’s 295 OT references in the NT.)

4. There are factual errors and teaching that is inconsistent with the rest of the Bible.

“Those having been hidden away”

“Rule” or “measure”

Canon of Scripture – The New Testament

The New Testament Canon was finally agreed by the ‘Council of Carthage’ in AD 397.

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” Hebrews 1v1-2a

Apostolic Origin

Universal Acceptance

Consistent Message

Reliability of the Bible

Do these differences in text matter?

• Obvious spelling mistake• Changes one word but not the meaning• Changes the meaning of the sentence

New testament 24,970

Iliad (Homer) 643

•Partial manuscripts exist that were written in the 2nd century.•We can reconstruct the originals with an accuracy of ~99%.•Eliminating mistakes and scribal changes.•No one spiritual doctrine rests upon a disputed text

Study tools

Pray to God before reading. Ask Him to speak to you.

Daily Bible notesRead the Bible in one year

Study guidesCommentariesConcordance

Reference books

MeditationSermons and pod casts Word live www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id

Bible Gateway www.biblegateway.com

Evaluation

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•What bits did you enjoy?

•What have you learnt?

•What would you change?

•Any other comments?