JUNE 28, 2015

1 Survey of the New Testament

(Abide Conference Series)

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Introduction

What is it? The New Testament is a collection of writings produced by the early church to recount the life and teachings of Jesus and give instructions on how to live as the church of Jesus Christ. Like the Old Testament, men were inspired by God to write what is contained in these writings (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19­21). The New Testament is God’s word to us.

Canon Question Why did these books make it in? Weren’t there other writings? (Gospel of Thomas, Judas, etc?) Criteria of inclusion: ● rule of faith: does the book correspond to the teaching of the church? ● Apostolicity: by an apostle or one who was close to one ● Universality: it was being used everywhere

Structure The Story of Jesus:Gospels The Story of the Church: Acts The Teaching of the Church: Letters of Paul General Epistles Revelation

What happened between Old and New Testaments? 539­331 BC The Persian Period (Esther) 331­164 BC The Hellenistic Period (Alexander the Great) 164­163 BC The Hasmonean (Maccabean) Period (Judas Maccabaeus) 63 BC­ 135 AD The Roman Period (Pompey, Caesars, etc)

The shifts in Judaism: When sacrifices and temple worship became impossible, obedience to the law became central. In order to focus on obedience to the Law, the study of the Law became a central part of Judaism. The teachers and scribes replaced the priests as the heart of Jewish authority.

Political Background: Roman control: ethnarchs and tetrarchs: Herod Antipas governors: Pontius Pilate Emperors: Augustus: 27BC­14AD

3 Tiberius: 14­37 Caligula: 37­41 Claudius: 41­54 (deportation of Jews) Nero: 54­68 (Martyrdom of Peter and Paul?) Vespasian: 69­79 (Destruction of Jerusalem) Titus: 79­81 Domitian: 81­96 (Revelation)

Geography Judea Galilee Samaria

Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria

THE STORY OF JESUS Gospels

What is a “gospel?” The Gospel= the story of good news that is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16) The gospels= spiritual biographies about Jesus’ life and teachings.

Theologically­motivated retelling of history

Resources: “Reading the Gospels Wisely” Jonathan Pennington (Baker Academic 2012).

Synoptic Gospels­ “Seen together” written in consultation with others Matthew author: Matthew the apostle (also called Levi) a tax­collector Audience­ Jewish Christians Distinctions­ Fulfilment quotations, long discourse sections (5) Main emphasis= Jesus is the one promised.

Mark author: Traveled with Peter, likely the one who left Paul and Barnabas Distinctions­ Action oriented, more about what he did than what he said over half of the book covers the last week of Jesus’ life

Luke author: traveled with Paul, used extensive sources

4 Audience: Theophilus Distinctions­ purpose Luke 1:4 “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Possible structure: Geographical: Intro: 1­4:13 Galilee 4:14­9:50 Judea 9:51­13:21 Perea 13:22­19:27 Jerusalem 19:28­24:53

John Author: John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” Distinctions­ “Gospel for dummies,” more emphasis on Judean ministry, deity Purpose­ John 20:31 “that you may believe” (Gospel tract)

THE STORY OF THE CHURCH Acts 1­7 The early days 8­9 Saul 10­12 Gentiles included 13­15 1st missionary journey 16­18:22 2nd missionary journey 18:23­20 3rd missionary journey 21­28 Paul’s suffering

THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH Paul’s Letters

Romans 1­8­ Righteousness through faith 9­11­ Election of God’s people 12­16­ Life as a Christian Verses to know: Romans 8:1, Romans 8:37­39, Romans 1:16, Romans 5:1, Romans 6:11, Romans 12:1­2 Go here for: General revelation, sin, fight with sin, predestination, government

1 Corinthians A response to their letter to him. Reports of problems in church Divisions in the Church (1­6) Marriage (7)

5 Spiritual Gifts (12­14) Verses to know: 1 Cor 1:18, 1 Cor 10:31, 1 Cor 15:3­4, 1 Cor 15:10 Go here for: handling disagreement, marriage, tongues, love, Gospel summary 2 Corinthians Revisiting Church Issues Suffering and the Power of the Spirit in suffering Ch 1­7­ The Ministry of Reconciliation Ch 8­9­ Giving to Jerusalem Ch 10­13­ Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians about the Power of the Spirit at work Verses to Know: 2 Cor 5:21, 2 Cor 5:17, 2 Cor 6:10, 2 Cor 12:9­10 Go here for: comforting the sick, tithing, Galatians Problem of Judaizers. Deviation from Gospel given by Paul to the Church Gal 1­No other Gospel aside from the Gospel of Jesus Christ (no additions) Gal 2­Paul affirmed by Jewish Apostles in Jerusalem, Justified by Faith Gal 3­Explanation of the old Law Gal 4­Adoption into God’s family for All (Jews and Gentiles) Gal 5­New life in Christ, a calling to holiness not disobedience, Fruits of the Spirit Gal 6­Bear with each other Verses to know: Gal 1:6, Gal 3:3, Gal 4:4­6, Gal 5:22­23 Go here for: Law and Gospel Ephesians Leaner version of Romans Salvation (Depravity, God’s Sovereignty, Ramifications and blessings) Unity Ch 1­Spiritual Blessings for the Believer (Through the work of the Trinity) Ch 2­Salvation explained, Reconciliation to God, Reconciliation to one another Ch 3­Mystery of the Gospel Revealed (Gentiles included!) Ch 4­6­How to live in light of Reconciliation to God (Unity, Marriage, Spiritual Warfare) Verses to know: Eph 1:5, Eph 2:4, Eph 2:8­9 Go here for: Predestination, Unity, Gospel, Marriage/parenting

Philippians Theme: Rejoice Ch 1­How suffering and the Gospel coexist ­ furthering the Kingdom of God & his righteousness Ch 2­Christ’s sacrifice defines humility and purpose of believers Ch 3­Paul’s radical identity change, transformational power of the Gospel (To redeem our affections, circumstances) Ch 4­How to properly endure suffering, contentment in Christ ­ Joy in suffering Verses to know: Phil 1:21, Phil 2:9­11, Phil 3:8, Phil 4:12­13 Go here for: Humility, joy

6 Colossians Response to Colossian “heresy” Deviation from Gospel given by Paul to the Church Ch 1­Supremacy of Jesus Christ Ch 2­Addressing of the Colossian “heresy” Ch 3­4­How to live in light of God’s supremacy (Set your mind on Christ, Household life) Verses to know: Col 1:15, Col 2:6­7, Col 3:1­4 Go here for: false teaching, Christology

1 Thessalonians Counseling a young church with questions/concerns ch 2­defending his intentions due to slander ch 4­ concern about those who died missing out ch 5­ end times Verses to know: 1 Thess 2:8, 1 Thess 4:13­18 go here for: funeral, life with the end in view

2 Thessalonians Same ch 1­2 end times ch 3­ idleness (because of end times beliefs) Verses to know: 2 Thess 1:5, 2 Thess 3:13 Go here for: end times

Individual letters

1 Timothy Elder at Church in Ephesus, Acts 19 Theme:Warning against false teachers Qualifications of Leaders in the Church Ch 1­Exhortation to uphold the Gospel (Holiness) Ch 2­Gospel shaped living, Pray, Orderly worship Ch 3­Qualifications for Elders Ch 4­6­Practical instructions for the life of the Church Verses to know: 1 Tim 1:15, 1 Tim 4:7­10, 1 Tim 6:6­7 Go here for: church manual, women pastors,

2 Timothy Elder at Church in Ephesus, Acts 19 Theme:Guard the faith amidst the wolves and false teachers of Acts 20 Suffering is a part of the Christian Life

7 Ch 1­Guard the Gospel, endure in suffering Ch 2­How the Christian is to endure in suffering Ch 3­Scripture empowers the believer to endure Ch 4­Preach the Gospel in and out of season Verses to know: 2 Tim 1:6­7, 2 Tim 2:2, 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Tim 4:2 Go here for: church manual (pt. 2), inspiration

Titus Elder on the island of Crete young church, no elders, hard place to plant a church ch 1­ appoint elders ch 2­ individual instructions ch 3­ life in the world Verses to know: Titus 2:11­12, Titus 3:4­5 Go here for: church manual (pt.3)

Philemon To Philemon, former slave owner of Onesimus. Reconciliation Love Reconciliation on the basis of Christ’s gracious reconciliation of sinners Verses to know: Philemon 7 Go here for: reconciliation, forgiveness

General Epistles

Hebrews Author unknown Written to Jewish Christians Theme: Don’t fall away (Commentary on Leviticus) Supremacy of Jesus (Jesus is the Great High Priest) over angels, humans better covenant, priesthood, sacrifice Ch 1­2­Jesus is preeminent above all beings Ch 3­10­Jesus as the Great High Priest, better than the Mosiac Law Ch 10­13­Call to Faith, Discipline, Endurance and Worship to God Verses to know: Heb 1:3, Heb 4:14­16, Heb 7:22, Heb 7:25, Heb 11:1, Heb 12:2 Go here for: Christology, Sabbath, OT intepretation

James James, Brother of Jesus

8 Be doers of the word, not just hearers 5 Point Inspection Ch 1­How to navigate through trials, how to DO the word Ch 2­”Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is never alone” Ch 3­Taming the Tongue and Godly vs. Demonic Wisdom Ch 4­Run away from Worldliness Ch 5­Patience in trials guided by Godly Wisdom ­ Pray Verses to know: James 1:2, James 1:22, James 2:17, James 4:6 Go here for: Faith and works, wisdom

1 Peter Peter, πετροσ ­ “the rock”, an Apostle Endurance, Suffering, Written to the Elect Exiles Ch 1­2­ A New living hope in Christ, living hope is a call to Holiness, Exiles are now called to salvation Ch 2­4­ Call to glorify God in submission to authority, marriage Ch 5­Exhortation to Shepherd the Flock Verses to know: 1 Pet 1:6­7, 1 Pet 2:9­10, 1 Pet 3:15 Go here for: marriage, new identity, suffering

2 Peter Same Empowerment of the Holy Spirit Ch 1­ God making his people partakers of the Divine Nature, reminder to the Churches to pursue holiness Ch 2­ Addressing of the False Teachers, to avoid them and recognize their folly and foolish earthly wisdom Ch 3­ The Day of the Lord is coming, be ready by practicing holiness Verses to know: 2 Pet 1:3­4, Go here for: Day of the Lord, inspiration

1 John To Love God means to also Love Others Ch 1­Walking in the light vs. Walking in the Darkness, Truth vs. Lies Ch 2­New Commandment, To love a brother is to walk in light and to hate a brother is to walk in darkness Ch 3­Love for our brothers is evidence that we are in fact children of God Ch 4­Be Discerning, God is love, God’s love for us motivates our love for each other ​ Ch 5­Genuine love for God is displayed through obedience to his commandments, Verses to know: 1 John 1:9, 1 John 4:16, 1 John 4:19 Go here for: Assurance, new Christians

2 John

9 Abide in the teaching of Jesus Christ, same teaching as 1 John Verses to know: 2 John 6 Go here for: reaction to false teachers

3 John Support brothers and push them towards holiness through discipline Verses to know: 3 John 11 Go here for: handling the arrogant

Jude Written by Jude, Brother of James and Jesus Unity of the Church, Contending for the Faith Contend for the Faith Judgment of False Teachers Verses to know: Jude 20­21, Jude 24­25 Go here for: false teachers

Revelation Written by John the apostle. Encountering persecution for his faith. Written as a letter to encourage those who are being persecuted to endure, for the Lamb of God will prevail

Ch 1­ Introduction and First vision Ch 2­3­ Direct addresses to specific churches Ch 4­5­ Second vision Ch 6­8­Seven seals, Symbolic Israel Ch 8­11­Seven trumpets, Angels and Two Witnesses Ch 12­15­Woman and the Dragon (Greek Myth­Apollo), Unholy Trinity, The Lamb, call for endurance of the Saints, Seven plagues Ch 16­Seven bowls Ch 17­22 ­ Defeat and Fall of Babylon, The rider on the White Horse, New Heavens and New Earth, New Jerusalem, No Temple, Jesus wins.

Verses to know: Rev 1:8, Rev 4:11, Rev 14:12, Rev 19:1, Rev 19:11­16, Rev 21:22­26, Rev 22:13 Go here for: end times, hope.

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Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4–14:26) ​ ​ c. A.D. 46–47 ​ ​

11 Barnabas and Paul first visited Barnabas’s home region of Cyprus before sailing to the southern region of Asia Minor. When they reached Perga in Pamphylia, John Mark left the group and returned to Jerusalem. Making their way to Antioch (in Pisidia), Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, Paul and Barnabas were driven out of each city by jealous Jewish religious leaders. Later they returned by the same route, strengthening the new churches as they went. From Attalia they set sail for their home in Antioch of Syria.

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36–18:22) ​ ​ c. A.D. 49–51 ​ ​

Paul and Silas revisited the places in Asia Minor where Paul had preached on his first journey (cf. map), while ​ ​ Barnabas took John Mark and sailed to Cyprus. Paul and Silas visited Derbe, Lystra, and Antioch in Pisidia. From there Paul and Silas traveled to Troas, where Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia calling to

12 them. Crossing into Europe, they passed through several towns along the Egnatian Way and traveled to the cities of Athens and Corinth in southern Greece. Then, sailing to Ephesus and Caesarea, they visited the church in Jerusalem before returning to Antioch of Syria.

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:22–21:17) ​ ​ c. A.D. 52–57 ​ ​

Paul’s third missionary journey traversed much the same ground as his second (cf. map). Passing through ​ ​ Galatia and Phrygia, he proceeded directly to the great port city of Ephesus. After three years of preaching and teaching there, Paul traveled again through Macedonia and Achaia, strengthening the believers, and then finished with a visit to Jerusalem.

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The Setting of Revelation

c. A.D. 95 ​ ​

John addressed the book of Revelation “to the seven churches that are in Asia,” namely Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, although there were undoubtedly other churches

14 elsewhere in the province of Asia (e.g., Miletus and Colossae, see Acts 20:17; Col. 1:2). John had apparently ​ ​ ​ ​ been exiled from Ephesus to the island of Patmos, southwest of Ephesus, and it was there that he recorded his visions.

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