Introduction to the

New TestamentWednesday October 2nd

What is the New Testament?

• The part of our Bible that tells us the story of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church

• A collection of 27 documents written in the Greek language that the early Christians added to the Hebrew Bible as sacred scripture

• Includes the 4 Gospels, the Book of Acts, 21 letters and the Book of Revelations

Organization of the Hebrew Bible

& New Testament Hebrew Bible New Testament

• Torah (five books of Moses)

• A• Nevi’im (Prophets &

history of Israel)• A• Kethuvim (Writings –

poetry, wisdom, apocalypse of Daniel)

• Four Gospels (story of Jesus)

• Book of Acts (church history) & Paul’s Letters

• Hebrews, the Epistles & the Book of Revelations

Time of the New Testament• Jesus’ ministry was around the time of 27 to 30 CE in rural

Galilee • Oral tradition was how stories and news was spread• Paul’s letters are the earliest writings in the NT (around

50 to 70 CE)• The Book of Revelations was composed around 95 CE• The early church spread from Galilee & Jerusalem

throughout Asia Minor in the first few generations • The Roman Empire ruled Asia Minor & southern Europe• In retaliation for the Jewish revolt, the Roman Empire

destroyed the city of Jerusalem, the Temple and the priesthood in 70 CE and began active persecution of the Jewish and Jewish-Christian communities

Map of the Roman Empire in Jesus’ Time

Map of the Gospel Communities

The Gospels• Word Gospel derived from Greek word evangelion which means GOOD NEWS

• Tell us the story of Jesus • Questions for you:

oWhat are the four Gospels? oWhat is the first Gospel in the New

Testament?oWhich Gospel was written first?

The Gospels cont.• Mark

o 1st Gospel writteno Written during a time of crisis – earthquakes and Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire

– Nero was persecuting Jews & Jewish-Christians alikeo Theme of the “hidden Messiah” – Jesus’ true identity is kept secret and revealed through

his suffering and death on the cross

• Matthewo 1st Gospel in the NT – links to the Hebrew Bible with his genealogy of Jesus’ ancestors

including Abraham & David o Known as the most Jewish Gospel – Jesus is an observant Jew who teaches the torah to his

followers o Famous for the Sermon the Mount – the Beatitudes

• Lukeo Part of a two volume work (Luke-Acts)o Written in a Greco-Roman community – Gentiles o Luke’s Jesus emphasizes care for the poor o Famous for Lukan stories of the Prodigal Son & the Good Samaritan

• John o Doesn’t not follow the pattern of Mark, Matthew and Lukeo Doesn’t include the stories of Jesus’ birth, baptism or institution of communiono Famous for the “I am” sayings . . . “I am way” etc

The Book of Acts• The story of the early church • Begins with the story of Pentecost • First half is dedicated to the apostle Peter and

Jewish-Christian community in Palestine• Second half is dedicated to Paul and his mission

to the Gentiles • Second half of Luke’s 2 volume work • Luke sees the church as the continuance of Jesus’

ministry on earth

Paul’s LettersAuthentic Paul Attributed to Paul

• Romans• 1 Corinthians• 2nd Corinthians• 1 Thessalonians• Galatians• Philippians• Philemon

• 2 Thessalonians• Colossians• Ephesians• Titus• 1 Timothy• 2nd Timothy

Map of Paul’s Ministry

Hebrews & the Epistles• The Book of Hebrews was included in the NT

because it argues that Jesus was born both a kingly and priestly Messiah (argument among early Christians and the Jewish community)

• The General Epistles were letters from church leaders to the entire church

• 1st & 2nd Peter, James, 1st, 2nd and 3rd John and Jude

The Book of Revelation• The last book in the New Testament • Called apocalyptic literature because it talks

about the end of times• Apocalypse comes from the Greek word apokalypsis which means “unveiling”

• A book full of metaphors & symbolic language • Written during a time of persecution in the Roman

Empire (around 95-96 CE)• Represents the Christian hope for transformation

of the world including the end of evil and the coming of God’s kingdom

Questions?