CHAPTER 17

The New Testament

The New Testament The New Testament does not replace the Old

Testament: it fulfills the Old Testament

St. Augustine said that the New Testament is hidden in the Old, and the Old is revealed in the New

The Old Testament is the gradual unfolding of God`s plan of salvation- the plan that reaches its climax with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

How The New Testament Is Organized

The books of the New Testament can be put into the same classes as the books of the Old Testament

Classification New Testament Books

LAW Four Gospels: In the OT Moses gives the old law and the founding of Israel. In the same way the four Gospels give us the new law and the story of the founding of the church, which is new Israel.

HISTORY Acts Of The Apostles: The OT gives the history of Israel from the death of Moses. The Acts gives us the history of the early church from the ascension of Jesus Christ.

WISDOM Epistles: Letters written by the Apostles telling us how to live as Christians.

PROPHECY

Revelations: John brings us the word of the lord in symbols and images often recalling those used in the OT prophets.

The New Law: The Four Gospels All four Gospels tell the same story.

Each Gospel writer tells it from a different point of view.

The first three Gospels are called “Synoptic” because their points of view are similar.

Scholars believe Mark`s Gospel was first, Matthew & Luke both used Mark as a reference.

It is also believed there was a collection of Jesus sayings called the “Q.”

Matthew Matthew was also called “Levi”, a tax collector Jewish Christians were the main audience for

Matthew's Gospel. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the true heir of David`s

kingdom. Matthew is the one who most lets Jesus speak for

himself.

Mark Mark was a disciple of

Peter. Peter was Mark`s main

source for the story of Jesus' life.

Roman Christians were Mark`s main audience.

Mark emphasizes Jesus as leader of a new Exodus.

Many scholars believe that Mark`s Gospel was the earliest of the four.

Luke Luke was called “The Beloved Physician.” Luke was a well- educated man. Gentile Christians were Luke`s main audience. Luke wrote another Gospel because he wanted to

give an orderly account. Luke includes details of Jesus` conception and

birth not found anywhere else. Luke also had information from the mother of

Christ, Mary.

John John was known as “the disciple whom Jesus

loved.” John emphasizes as the Word of God Incarnate. John also stresses our new creation in Christ. The family relationship of the Trinity is revealed

most completely in John`s Gospel.

History: The Acts Of The Apostles

St. Luke wrote this book as a sequence to his Gospel.

It is the only reliable history of the church. This is because everything he said can be verified.

In portions of the book he switches from “They” to “We” indicating he was an eyewitness.

Wisdom: The Epistles As the church spread the Apostles wrote letters to the

churches they had founded. All the letters addressed problems that Christians

faced as they tried to live in a secular world. Letters are arranged roughly from longest to shortest.

Roman Empire

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

St. Paul`s to Individuals

St. Paul`s to Individuals

1 Timothy 2 Timothy

Titus Philemon

Hebrews James

1 Peter 2 Peter

John Jude

Prophecy: The Revelations

The revelation is a vision of the things to come that is both terrifying and comforting.

It speaks in symbols, and it is hard to understand.

Main message is that god will preserve all his people and bring them into Heavenly Jerusalem.