The New Testament

The New Testament consists of twenty-seven books. These books reveal God’s salvation of sinful humankind by the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and reveal the everlasting kingdom of God.

The Gospel & Acts

The four Gospels narrate the life of Jesus Christ—His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection.

The book of Acts tells the story of the first Christians.

1. Matthew—Tells the story of Jesus, the promised Messiah.

   • Audience—Jewish world. This book reveals that Jesus is the Messiah King of Israel.

2. Mark—Tells the story of Jesus, the suffering Son of Man

   • Audience—(Romans) Greek-speaking world. This book reveals that Jesus is the Power of God in the world.

3. Luke—Tells the story of Jesus, the Savior of the world.

   • Audience—Gentile world. This book reveals that Jesus is the Ideal Man of God.

4. John—Tells the story of Jesus, the Son of God.

   • Audience—The Whole world. This book reveals that Jesus is the Word of God.

5. Acts—Tells the story of the early church.

Reading the New Testament

The New Testament events occur in a time of political difficulties. The Roman Empire had tightened its fist around regions like Judea, where people were unwilling to bow down to the Roman emperors. Many Jews hoped and prayed for a liberating Messiah to come, drive the Romans away from Jerusalem, and rebuild the kingdom of David.

God did send the Messiah, but he was not the Messiah they were expecting. He is much more than a political leader: HE is the Savior who conquered death, defeated evil and sin, allows us a direct relationship with God, and offers eternal life.

Four Gospels, One Jesus

The term gospel was used in the Roman world as an imperial proclamation, the good news of the deeds of Caesar. However, in the New Testament, the “Good News” these books present is about “Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).

The Gospels tell a story about the actions and teachings of Jesus. In his life and words, Jesus proclaimed the coming of God’s kingdom. God’s promises to his people in the Old Testament are now fulfilled in Jesus. However, we do not find just one story about Jesus. Rather we find four similar yet distinctive stories. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell us about Jesus’s life and work from four related perspectives. Why are there four Gospels instead of just one? One answer is that it takes four points of view to get the whole story about Jesus. Some might argue that one authoritative story should be enough. However, God chose to reveal himself using four Gospels.

The Gospel of John begins with these words: “In the beginning was the Word….The word became flesh” (John 1:1,14). God chooses to speak to humans by means of other humans. This is true of the Bible and supremely true of Christ, whom we are told is God in the flesh (John 1:14–18). So then, the Gospels are, like Jesus, both a Divine work and a human work. They have real human authors and one divine Author. They give details that might be difficult to understand, but they are never truly contradictory. They have four different points of view on the history of Jesus, but only one Divine conclusion as to HIS identity as the Son of God.

The Epistles & Revelation

The twenty–one epistles are letters from early church leaders to churches and believers. The epistles are traditionally grouped into two sections: the Pauline Epistles, which are the thirteen letters written by the apostle Paul, and the eight General Epistles, which are letters written by other apostles or leaders.

Paul’s letters were written to young churches, pastors, and friends to guide, encourage, and correct them as they lived as followers of Jesus.

The General Epistles

The General Epistles were written by a variety of early church leaders, including Peter, James, and John, to provide encouragement to Christians facing persecution and to warn them about false teachings.

The book of Revelation is unique in the New Testament because it is the only book that is written in an apocalyptic style; it relates its message through signs, symbols, dreams, and visions.

The Pauline Epistles & General Epistle

The Pauline Epistles

1. Romans—A letter about the power of the gospel.

2. 1–Corinthians—A Letter to clear up misunderstandings.

3. 2–Corinthians—Paul’s most personal letter.

4. Galatians—A letter about justification by faith.

5. Ephesians—A letter about living in God–honoring ways.

6. Philippians—A letter about living like Christ.

7. Colossians—A letter about the supremacy of Christ.

8. 1–Thessalonians—A letter about hope in the face of persecution.

9. 2–Thessalonians—A letter about being ready.

10. 1–Timothy—Instructions for leading a church.

11. 2–Timothy—A letter about persevering.

12. Titus—Instructions for church leadership and upright living.

13. Philemon—An appeal for reconciliation.