The New Testament Chapter 17 New Testament Basics

The New Testament Chapter 17

New Testament Basics l l The New Testament fulfills the Old Testament It tells the story of God’s plan of Salvation reaching it’s climax – The death and resurrection of Christ l All prophesies are finally fulfilled 1

NT organization l l It is arranged the same as the OT Law – Four Gospels l History – Acts of the Apostles l Wisdom – The Epistles or letters l Prophecy – Revelation 2

The New Law l l l The Gospels are considered the Law because they tell us what God expects from us in the New Covenant Jesus instructs the faithful in the NT All four tells the same story 3

The New Law l Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the “synoptic” gospels – Means “seeing together” because they have a similar viewpoint l All are written from slightly different points of view and to different audiences – They focus on different details 4

Matthew l l Written to Jewish Christians Focuses on Jesus as the true heir to the Throne of David – Uses the Genealogy in the first chapter to prove this – This is a repetitive theme l Famous Sermon on the Mount is found in his Gospel 5

Mark l l Written for Roman Christians Mark was a disciple of Peter Focused theme is the New Exodus Focuses on Jesus’ actions as the leader of this New Exodus 6

Luke l l l Written for Gentile Christians Got many of the stories from Jesus’ mother Was a well educated man Makes historical details very important Focuses on Jesus’ ministry to all nations 7

John l Written for Jewish Christians – Uses lots of OT symbolism and events to tell story l l Most unlike the other Gospels John emphasizes Jesus as Word of God Incarnate – Jesus existed from the beginning l Focuses on the Trinity 8

History: Acts of the Apostles l l Written by St. Luke He traveled with the Apostles Book contains the history of the Catholic Church after the Ascension of Christ It includes the story of the first Church Council - the Council of Jerusalem 9

Wisdom: The Epistles l Contains letters of the Apostles to local churches – Some addressing specific issues – Some just encouraging Christians l l Most letters were written by Paul 4 letters are written directly to individual Christians – 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon 10

Prophecy: Revelation l l Writing attributed to John Tells of his vision Written in symbols Main message: – Despite difficulty God will bring his people to Heaven and dry their tears