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What do you know about the New Testament of the Judeo/Christian literary work know as the Bible? Following is a synopsis of the books, stating the who, when and what of each book of the New Testament, starting with Matthew and ending with Revelation.
1. The Gospel According to Saint Matthew, -“Matthew”
(Who)Matthew who was also called Levi, was a Jew from Galilee. He is credited with writing this book of the Bible. Before Matthew became a follower of Jesus Christ he was a tax-collector for the Roman oppressor.
(When) The book is believed to have been written in A.D. 37.
(Purpose) In the very first verse of the book of Matthew the writer states that the book is the “book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” That statement by Matthew connects Jesus with two important Old Testament Covenants(the Davidic Covenant of kingship and the Abrahamic Covenant of promise which can be found in 2 Sam. 7. 8-16 and Gen. 15. 18) In this book Matthew records Christ’s genealogy, His birth in Bethlehem, according to Micah; the ministry of His forerunner, according to Malachi; the ministry of the King Himself; His rejection by Israel; and His predictions of His second coming in power and glory.
This book is foremost the Gospel for Israel. The events that are recorded in the book of Matthew cover a 38 year time span.
The Gospel of According to St. Mark - “Mark”
(Who)The writer of this second Gospel account is Mark who is also called John. John was the son of one of the New Testament Marys and also the nephew of Barnabas. He was an associate of the apostles, and Paul and Luke make reference to him in their writings.
(When)Somewhere between A.D. 57 and A.D. 63.
(Purpose)In this book Jesus is seen as the mighty worker instead of the unique teacher. It is the Gospel of Jehovah’s “Servant the Branch” In the book the servant character of the incarnate Jesus is evident. There is no genealogy, for no one cares about the genealogy of a servant. The tone of the gospel is summed up in Phil. 2. 6-8,
“but this lowly servant, who emptied Himself of the “form of God,” and was found in fashion as a man,” was nevertheless, “the Mighty God”(Isa. 9. 6) and therefore mighty works accompanied Him, authenticating His ministry. It is a book of deeds rather than of words.
The events recorded in Mark cover a period of 7 years.
The Gospel According to St. Luke - “Luke”
(Who) Luke, a physician was a friend and companion of Paul’s. He was believed to be a Jew, but his correct Greek sets him apart as a Jew of the dispersion. Traditionally it is thought that he was from Antioch.
(When) The book of Luke is set between A.D. 63 and 68.
(Purpose)Luke is said to be the Gospel of human-divine Christ, as John is said to be the Gospel of the divine-human Christ. Luke relates those things that project Christ’s humanity - His genealogy is traced to Adam; Luke gives the most detailed account of His family and His infancy and childhood, while still guarding Christ’s diety.
The time span of the book of Luke includes a period of 39 years.
The Gospel According to St. John - “John”
(Who)This fourth Gospel was written by the Apostle John. There has been some discussion about this, but the consensus of historical material confirms the authorship of John. John refers to himself simply, as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He was one of the twelve and was the closest to Jesus.
(When) The date attributed to John’s Gospel is between A.D. 85 and 90.
(Purpose) John’s Gospel seems to assume that the reader already knows many of the details of Jesus’ life. Everything that the author writes in “John” is with the goal of bringing the reader to faith. There are no parables in the book of “John.” The keynote of John’s Gospel is Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God.
The events ofthe book of John span the period of about 7 years.
The Acts of the Apostles - “Acts”
(Who)It is believed that the book of “Acts” can be credited to Paul’s dear friend Luke. It is a sequel to the third Gospel, written also by Luke.
(When) At or near A.D. 65. It begins with the birth of the church on the Day of Pentecost and goes to the close of Paul’s imprisonment at Rome.
(Purpose)At the time of the writing there were plenty of strange rumors going around about the early church. This book records and clarifies that intense time period. It records the ascension, and the promised return of the Lord, and of the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Also, the opening of Kingdom to the Jews at Pentecost, and to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius. Also, the conversion and ministry of Paul is recorded.
The events recorded in Acts cover a period of 32 years.
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle To The Romans - “Romans”
(Who)The Apostle Paul
(When)Believed to have been written by Paul during his third visit in Corinth which would be A.D. 60.
(Purpose) Paul’s doctrines of grace were being assailed so bitterly everywhere by legalistic teachers, that this book sets forth Paul’s teachings, and is an announcement of his visit to Rome, and of his beliefs. The important tenets set forth in the book of Romans are (1) The whole world guilty before God; (2) Justification through the righteousness of God by faith; (3) the crucifixion and resurrection life of Christ and the walk in the Spirit, the Gospel’s provision for inherent sin, (4)the full result in blessing of the Gospel; (5) the Gospel does not abolish the covenant promises to Israel; (6) the Christian life and service and (6) the outflow of Christian love.
The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians - “ 1Corinthians”
(Who) The Apostle Paul
(When)At the close of Paul’s three years’ residence in Ephesus, in about A.D. 59.
(Purpose) Christian conduct. Paul had received reports of the church in Corinth that made him very uneasy. He had received a letter from a delegation from Corinth seeking his advice on various questions. In First Corinthians Paul takes up five of the matters covered in that letter; (1) divisions in the church, (2) a case of incest, (3) court cases between the members of the Church, (4) the abuse of Christian freedom and (5) the general chaos reigning in the church services and even in the Lord’s supper.
Some other issues he addresses are; (1) questions about marriage and single life, (2) problems over food consecrated to idols and social functions held in temples, (3) whether or not women should be veiled, and their place in public meetings and (4) the matter of spiritual gifts and the meaning of the resurrection of the dead.
The Second Epistle of Paul To The Corinthians - “2 Corinthians”
(Who)The Apostle Paul
(When)A.D. 60. Probably written from Philipi after the events of Acts 19.
(Purpose Paul’s letter touches on the state of weakness he is in at the writing of this Epistle. He is experiencing physical weakness, weariness and pain. His apostleship and also his doctrines of grace were being come against and many Jews and Christian Jews distrusted him. The book is divided into three parts; (1) Paul’s principles of action, (2) a collection for the poor and (3) Paul’s defense of his apostolic authority.
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians - “Galatians”
(Who) The Apostle Paul
(When) A.D. 60 during Paul’s third visit to Corinth.
(Purpose) The Galatians had become “prey” of legalizers and Judaizing missionaries from Palestine. The purpose of this letter is the vindication of the Gospel of grace of God from any mixture of law-conditions(circumcision, eating taboos, etc) which qualify or destroy its character of pure grace.
The Epistle Of Paul The Apostle to the Ephesians - “Ephesians”
(Who) The Apostle Paul
(When) About 64 A.D.
(Purpose) This book is the first book of Paul’s to have been authored while he was in prison. It was sent by Tychicus along with the letters to Colossians and the Epistle of Philemon.
(Purpose) This letter was “to the saints and the faithful in Jesus Christ” anywhere.
It contains the highest church truth, but does not go into church order. When he speaks of the church in this Epistle it is about the spiritual church, being the body of church as apposed to speaking about the local assemblies. The three main elements of this book are; (1) the believer’s exalted position through grace, (2) the truth concerning the body of Christ and (3) a walk in accordance with that position.
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians - “Philippians”
(Who) The Apostle Paul
(When) Commonly attributed to the time around A.D. 64 when Paul was imprisoned.
(Purpose) To discuss the Christian experience with the key verse being “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” A rich Christian experience is shown to be the outworking, whatever the believer’s circumstances may be, of the life, spirit and mind of Christ, living in the believer.
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians - “Colossians”
(Who) The Apostle Paul
(When) Believed to have been sent with the letter to the Ephesians, which would put it at about 64 A.D.
(Purpose) As a warning to all the church throughout the ages against certain heresies. One that was surfacing at the time was a “touch not, taste not” form of legalism creeping in. The other error was a false mysticism “Intruding into those things which he hath not seen.”
The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians - “Thessalonians
(Who) Paul
(When) Written from Corinth in A.D. 54.
(Purpose) This Epistle shows the richness in the doctrine of primitive evangelism.
The letter’s purpose is threefold; (1)confirm young disciples in the foundational truths, (2) to encourage them to continue in holiness and (3) to comfort them concerning those who had "fallen asleep."
The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians - “Thessalonians”
(Who) Paul
(When) Very soon after the First Epistle to Thessalonians
(Purpose) Written to instruct the Thessalonians concerning the day of Christ and of the gathering together unto Him. It is basically to teach about a heresy circulating about the “day of Christ.”
The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy - “Timothy”
(Who) Paul
(When) It depends on if Paul was imprisoned once or twice.
(Purpose) This book addresses questions regarding church order, soundness of faith, and discipline.
The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy - “Timothy”
(Who) Paul
(When) Shortly before his martyrdom.
(Purpose) Concerning the personal walk and the testimony of a true servant of Christ in a day of apostasy and declension.
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Titus - “Titus”
(Who) Paul
(When) About the same time as First Timothy.
(Purpose) The qualifications and functions of elders and the pastoral work of the true elder are taught in this Epistle.
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon
(Who) Paul the Apostle
(When) About A.D. 64. (A Prison Epistle)
(Purpose) This letter was written to be sent back with the slave Onesimus who had robbed the Christian Philemon. Onesimus had become a Christian convert through Paul. The main emphases of this one chapter book are practical righteousness, Christian brotherhood, Christian courtesy and the law of love.
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews - “Hebrews”
(Who) Paul
(When) Before the destruction of the Temple A.D. 70
(Purpose) To confirm Jewish Christians by showing that Judaism had come to an end though the fulfillment by Christ of the whole purpose of the law, and also the writer’s concern about the ever present danger to Jewish Christians of either lapsing back into Judaism or of pausing short of true faith in Christ.
The General Epistle of James - “James”
(Who) James
(When) This may be the first Epistle to the Christians. It clearly shows no influence of the doctrines of grace made by Paul or of the relation of Gentile converts to the law of Moses, which culminates in the first council over which James presided.
(Purpose) James theme seems to be religion as the expression and proof of faith. He does not exalt works as opposed to faith, but rather faith as producing works.
The First Epistle General of Peter - “1 Peter”
(Who) Peter(an Apostle)
(When) Probably A.D. 60
(Purpose) This letter was written as a preparation for Christian suffering and victory over it.
The Second Epistle General of Peter - “2 Peter”
(Who) The Apostle Peter
(When) Probably about A.D. 66
(Purpose) This book warns about apostate teachers.
The First Epistle General of John - “1 John”
(Who) The Apostle John
(When) Probably A.D. 90
(Purpose) A very intimate book, comparable to the Song of Solomon. It is a family letter from the Father to His “little children.” The believer’s sins are shown to be like the sins of a child against his earthly father and dealt with as a family matter.
The Second Epistle of John - “2 John”
(Who) The Apostle John
(When) Probably also A.D. 90
(Purpose) Again talks about the deceivers that have entered into the world and discusses the personal walk of the believer in light of this fact.
The Third Epistle of John - “3 John”
(Who) The Apostle John
(When) also about A.D. 90
(Purpose) This is a personal letter to an individual named “Gaius.” It is a letter of encouragement to this faithful elder. John talks about the apostate leader, Diotrephes,
and the damage done by this type of leader.
The General Epistle of Jude - “Jude”
(Who) Jude, the brother of James
(When) Probably A.D. 66(other sources report it as being A.D. 80)
(Purpose) In this letter the coming apostasy of the church is illuminated. It is also about men who have “slipped in” to the churches and what their characteristics are. They are also marked for destruction. Jude’s goal is to stiffen the resistance to such teachers.
The Revelation of St. John the Divine - “Revelation”
(Who)The Apostle John
(When) A.D. 96
(Purpose) Christ is the central theme of this book with all of the events moving toward one conclusion, which is the ushering in of the covenanted kingdom. This book is prophetic. John was commanded to write concerning three things; (1) Things past, (2) things present and (3) things future (among things future being, the Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon, the Second Coming of Christ, and Eternity.)
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