NEW TESTAMENT CHAPTER 17 ORGANIZATION OF NEW TESTAMENT

NEW TESTAMENT CHAPTER 17

ORGANIZATION OF NEW TESTAMENT • 27 Books in New Testament • Classified same as books of OT 1. Law 4 gospels – teach New Law 2. History Acts of the Apostles – early Church history 3. Wisdom Epistles – tell how to live as Christians 4. Prophecy Revelation – symbols & images reminding us of OT

FOUR GOSPELS • 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

VOCABULARY • 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.

DEVELOPMENT OF GOSPELS: 3 STAGES 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

SYMBOLS OF EVANGELISTS 1. Matthew – Man - begins genealogy of Christ according to humanity 2. Mark – Lion - image/voice crying our in wilderness (John Baptist) 3. Luke – Ox - animal of sacrifice; emphasis of worship/prayer 4. John – Eagle - divinity to humanity

MATTHEW • 1 st 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

MARK • 2 nd 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

LUKE • 3 rd 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

JOHN • “beloved disciple” • Year: 90 -100 AD • Audience: Jewish Christians; filled with allusions to Old Testament events and symbols that only Jewish readers would understand • Emphasizes Christ as Word of God Incarnate • The family relationship of the Trinity is revealed most completely in John

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES • 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 apostles

THE EPISTLES • 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

EPISTLES: ST. PAUL • 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 • 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, 1 st duty as Christians is to love • Jude: warns against false teachers, and against those who would divide the Church

REVELATION • 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

MEMORIZE THE BOOKS! • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=u. Pmif. DA 1 ak 0