The New Testament
⚡ The New Testament contains 27 books, and contains the stories of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It also narrates the formative years of the early Christian church, tracing its expansion from a small group of followers in Judea to its spread through the entire Roman Empire.
How is the New Testament divided????
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John):
These are narrations of the life and ministry of Jesus. Each one shows a different perspective on Jesus’s teachings and actions.
The Acts of the Apostles:
This book tells of the spread of Christianity after Jesus’s ascension, and documents the establishment of the early Christian church.
The Epistles (Letters):
These are letters written by the apostles, primarily Paul, to early Christian churches and leaders, giving instruction and guidance, and encouragement.
The Book of Revelation:
This book is a prophetic vision of the end times given to John by God, and offering hope to believers.
Who Wrote the New Testament??
- The Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The Acts of the Apostles is written by Luke.
- The Epistles are written by various apostles, although Paul wrote the most.
The Book of Revelation is written by John.
Why Was the New Testament Written???
The Gospels
The Gospels were written to preserve and share the stories of Jesus’s life and teachings.
The Epistles (Letters)
The Epistles were written by the apostles to address specific believers and churches and the issues they faced.
The Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of the Apostles was written to record the growth and history of the early Christian church.
Revelation
The book of Revelation was a prophetic vision given to the apostle John of Gods ultimate victory, to give hope to Christians.
When did the Events Recorded Take Place??
- The events in the Gospels took place during the 1st century AD, between approximately 4 BC and AD 30/33.
- The events in the Acts of the Apostles took place in the early to mid 1st century AD.
- The Epistles were written throughout the mid to late 1st century AD.
- The book of Revelation, was most likely written in the late 1st century AD.
Why is the New Testament so important??
The New Testament is integral to Christian faith because it presents Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Messiah.
It is the foundation for ALL Christian theology and ethics.
It is the Christians’ guide in understanding salvation, grace, and the nature of God.
It contains the records the beginning of the Christian church.
As one can see, this collection of the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation, paints a multifaceted portrait of Jesus, sharing his message of love, redemption, and the establishment of a new covenant.
The New Testament transcends time and has shaped ethical frameworks, artistic expression, philosophical discussion, and legal systems for centuries.
Its messages and parables have inspired countless literary works, music, and art, and it’s moral principles have significantly altered the formation of societal values and norms.