1. Introduction to New Testament Seven Questions
Through the Bible in a Year
Xavier Reyna, Director
Ben Compere, Editor
Wayman Lim, Choir Director
Susan Turner, Prayer Warrior
Anthony Smith, Sergeant –at-Arms
July 23, 2017
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

2. These Seven Questions Will Guide Us in Understanding the New Testament
What is the New Testament? (A definition)
How does the New Testament relate to the Old Testament?
How were these 27 books selected?
Can we be confident that we have the “original” words of the authors?
What is the content of the New Testament?
Does the New Testament have a unifying theme or message?
Is the New Testament relevant in the 21st century?
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

3. Question 1 What is the New Testament?
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

4. What is the New Testament?
1. What is the NT?
What is the New Testament?
The New Testament is the second portion of the Christian Bible.
It is a collection of 27 documents consisting of four gospels; one history; 21 letters and one apocalypse. They were written in the Greek language by 9 authors over a period of about 50 years.
Along with the Old Testament, it serves as an authoritative source for theology and moral practice.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

5. What Are the 27 “Books” of the New Testament?”
1. What is the NT?
What Are the 27 “Books” of the New Testament?”
Letters
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Gospels
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
History
Acts
Letters
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Apocalypse
Revelation

6. Nine Authors Wrote the 27 “Books” of the New Testament”
1. What is the NT?
Nine Authors Wrote the 27 “Books” of the New Testament”
Author
Source of Authorship
Books
Apostolic Connection
Matthew
Tradition
Jesus’ Disciple
Mark
Paul’s Co-worker
Luke
Luke and Acts
John
John; 1,2 and 3, John; Revelation
Paul
His letters
Romans, 1&2 Corinthians; Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
Jesus’ Disciple – post resurrection
Peter
1&2 Peter
James
His letter
Jesus’ Half-brother
Jude
Anonymous
Hebrews

7. 1. What is the NT?
Surprisingly, Luke Wrote More of the New Testament Than Any Other Author
Author
% of Words
Words
Luke
27%
37,933
Paul
23%
32,407
John
20%
28,092
Matt
13%
18,345
Mark 8%
11,304
Anon 4%
4,953
Peter 2%
2,783
James 1%
1,742
Jude 0%
461
Grand Total
100%
138,020

8. What Time Period Does the New Testament Cover?
1. What is the NT?
What Time Period Does the New Testament Cover? 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Jesus’ Life
Paul’s Ministry
John’s Death
Circa 100 AD
The New Testament covers about 100 years.

9. When Were the New Testament Books Written?
1. What is the NT?
When Were the New Testament Books Written?
The dates of the writing of the New Testament books are difficult to determine.
Estimates vary widely and often depend on the theological bias of the scholar.

10. Reliable Estimates for New Testament Books Dating
1. What is the NT?
Reliable Estimates for New Testament Books Dating 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Jesus’ Life
Gospels Written
Paul’s Ministry
Paul’s Letters
John’s Death
Circa 100 AD
John’s Books AD
The Rest

11. How does the New Testament relate to the Old Testament?
Question 2
How does the New Testament relate to the Old Testament?
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

12. What is the Relationship of the New Testament to the Old Testament?
2. How Does OT
Relate to the NT?
What is the Relationship of the New Testament to the Old Testament?
 It is impossible to fully understand God’s purpose of the Old Testament without reading the ‘rest of the story’ in the New.
In the same way, it is impossible to understand the New Testament story without the foundation laid by the Old.
All of the central themes of the New Testament have their background and context in the Old N Walton, Strauss and Cooper, “The Essential Bible Companion”
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

13. The New Testament is Based on the Old Testament
2. How Does OT
Relate to the NT?
The New Testament is Based on the Old Testament
New Testament Authors
Quote the OT 348 times
Allude to the OT over 2300 times
Mention prominent people 250 times
Use numerous OT events as teaching examples
Consider OT prophecies fulfilled in NT events
“The New is in the Old Concealed. The Old is in the New Revealed.” Attributed to Augustine of Hippo
About 30% of the NT is quotes from or allusions to the OT.

14. Jesus Christ is the Link Between the Two Testaments
2. How Does OT
Relate to the NT?
Jesus Christ is the Link Between the Two Testaments
OLD TESTAMENT
NEW TESTAMENT
Jesus Christ
 ”The New Testament tells of the fulfillment of what the Old Testament promises. The New Testament, then announces the arrival of the Savior that the Old Testament awaits.” Elwell and Yarbrough, “Encountering the New Testament”
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

15. Question 3 How were the 27 books selected?
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

16. How Were these 27 Books We Call the New Testament Selected?
3. How were books selected?
How Were these 27 Books We Call the New Testament Selected?
There were a multitude of books to select from, especially, as time passed.
Were they, as Dan Brown in his best-selling book, “The DaVinci Code” states, decreed by the emperor Constantine in 313 AD?
Or was there some other process by which we have been given the New Testament?
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

17. 3. How were books selected?
Four Criteria for Canonicity (Why certain books were eventually accepted into the New Testament and others were rejected)
Apostolic Origin - attributed to and/or based on the preaching/teaching of the first-generation apostles (or their closest companions).
Universal Acceptance - acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the Mediterranean world (by the end of the fourth century).
Liturgical Use - read publicly along with the OT when early Christians gathered for the Lord's Supper (their weekly worship services).
Consistent Message - containing theological ideas compatible with other accepted Christian writings

18. Recognizing the New Testament Books
3. How were books selected?
Recognizing the New Testament Books
 ”The acceptance of these books indicate only that the church recognized their divine origin. God’s people had already sensed that these books had inherent authority. The church was ratifying what committed Christians had already accepted.” Lea and Black, “The New Testament”
The apostles claimed authority for their writings (Col 3:16; 1 Thess 5:27; 2 Thess 3:14).
The apostle’s writings were equated with Old Testament scriptures (2 Peter 3:1, 2, 15, 16).
Marcion’s mutilated “canon” (140 AD)
The Council of Athanasius (A.D. 367) and the Council of Carthage (A.D. 397) recognized the 27 books in our New Testament today as inspired.

19. Can we be confident that we have the “original” words of the authors?
Question 4
Can we be confident that we have the “original” words of the authors?
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

20. 4. Can we be confident of original words?
Scholars Tell Us the New Testament MSS Compare Well with Other Ancient Literature
Wealth of evidence: over 5,800 Greek manuscripts containing at least a fragment of the New Testament exist
Short time span: between the time the documents are dated and the date of the manuscripts we possess
Translations: we possess about 1,000 translations in Syriac, Coptic and over 8,000 in Latin!
Church fathers: careful study of these authors show the consistency between their quotations of New Testament and early manuscripts
“The New Testament is by far the best-attested writing of classical antiquity.” Elwell and Yarbrough, “Encountering the New Testament”

21. 4. Can we be confident of original words?
The New Testament Manuscripts Stand Up Well Against Other Ancient Literature
“Evidence That Demands A Verdict” Josh McDowell

22. How Good is the Integrity of the New Testament?
4. Can we be confident of original words?
How Good is the Integrity of the New Testament?
You may hear the claim that there are many “errors” in the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament
One scholar claims there are something like 400,000 “errors” in these manuscripts
Is this true?
Well, yes and no!
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

23. Confidence in the Integrity of the New Testament Is High
4. Can we be confident of original words?
Confidence in the Integrity of the New Testament Is High
There are differences among these many manuscripts
However, the vast majority of them concern word order, omission or insertion of a word or a misspelled word – typical copyist mistakes
Scholars carefully study and compare the Greek manuscripts and translations to discern the original words using a discipline called “textual criticism”
There are no differences that affect and Christian teaching on theology or moral practice
We are over 98% confident that we know what the authors originally wrote

24. What is the content of the New Testament?
Question 5
What is the content of the New Testament?
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

25. The Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
5. NT Content
The Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
The word gospel means good news. Almost ½ of the New Testament consists of four accounts of the life of Jesus and the good news he brought to earth. Each of these four books, or gospels, has a different focus and a different audience. Taken together, they give a picture of Jesus’ life and teaching. About 1/3 of their pages are devoted to the events of his last week on earth, including the crucifixion and resurrection
The life of Jesus is filled with events of redemptive importance. Here are some of the more well-known: his birth, his baptism, his temptation in the wilderness, Peter’s confession , the transfiguration, Jesus’ triumphal entry, his arrest, trial, cucifixion and resurrection.
The gospels cover the 30 years of Jesus’ life: from 4 BC to 27 AD.

26. 5. NT Content
Four-Fold Role of the Gospel Writers as Authors (What they contributed, even if "God is the Author" of scripture))
Selected which stories to include or omit from among the many things Jesus said and did (John 21:25).
Arranged the materials in a particular sequence, not necessarily chronologically but often in thematic blocks.
Shaped the individual stories from their sources to emphasize the themes they wanted to stress.
Proclaimed the "good news" about Jesus in ways appropriate to their audiences. Did not write an “objective” history.
The Gospels are written in the form of ancient Greco-Roman biography

27. 5. NT Content
Acts
Luke’s purpose was to continue the "orderly account" begun in his Gospel. Acts tells the story of how the gospel spread from Jeusalem into Judea and Samaria and then into all the Gentile world just as Jesus had foretold.
Acts is packed with well-known and important events: Jesus’ ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the martyrdom of Stephen, Paul’s conversion, the advance of the gospel into the Gentile world, Paul’s three missionary trips and his imprisonment and trip to Rome.
The Acts covers about 40 years from the ascension of Jesus to the imprisonment of Paul: from 27 to 67 AD.

28. 5. NT Content
Paul’s 13 Epistles
The young church was nourished by apostles who set down their beliefs and messages in a series of letters. The first 13 such letters were written by the apostle Paul who led the advance of the gospel to the Gentiles.
While Paul does refer to various historical events in his life in his epistles, their main thrust is dealing with problems and issues that have arisen in the churches he founded or ministers to. Paul does make frequent use of events from the Old Testament in his teaching.
Paul’s epistles cover about 20 years of his ministry from about 45 to 65 AD.
Paul did not write theological treatises. He wrote
to address pastoral problems in the churches.

29. 5. NT Content
The 8 General Epistles
The young church was nourished by apostles, who set down their beliefs and messages in a series of letters. The next 8 letters were written by apostles one of whom remains unknown.
The historical events referred to in these writings are usually events from the Old Testament and are used to teach us lessons about God.
The general epistles begin with James in about 50 AD and conclude the John’s letters around 90 AD – a span of 40 years.

30. The Apocalypse (Revelation)
5. NT Content
The Apocalypse (Revelation)
A prophetic book of visions and symbols, it completes the story begun in Genesis of the cosmic battle between good and evil being waged on earth. Its purpose is to encourage Christians to preserve faith in the midst of trials and tribulations.
After dealing briefly with John and his Patmos experience and the 7 churches of Asia Minor, the Revelation concentrates on prophetic material in a symbolic and often diffcult to comprehend manner.
The Revelation was written about 90 AD but its material covers a time span which extends until the consummation of the ages.

31. Does the New Testament have a unifying theme or message?
Question 6
Does the New Testament have a unifying theme or message?
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

32. Jesus Christ is the Message of the New Testament
6. Unifying Theme
Jesus Christ is the Message of the New Testament
Amid all the diversity of the 27 books of the New Testament there is a common message which ties all of the New Testament together
This common theme is well stated by the author of the book of Hebrews:
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” Hebrews 1;1-2a
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

33. Is the New Testament relevant in the 21st century?
Question 7
Is the New Testament relevant in the 21st century?
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

34. Is the New Testament Relevant? A Good Question
7. Is the NT relevant?
Is the New Testament Relevant? A Good Question
How can a document written
about 2,000 years ago
by 9 different authors
in a languages we no longer speak
amidst a culture that no longer exists
be relevant in today’s progressive and technologically sophisticated world?

35. Is the New Testament Relevant? A Good Answer?
7. Is the NT relevant?
Is the New Testament Relevant? A Good Answer?
Believers contend that the Bible is inspired by God
its truth transcends time, authorship, language and culture
its main subjects are God and humanity whose natures never change
its topics are timelessly relevant for all humanity
it answers life’s ultimate questions
Non-believers must acknowledge the relevance of the Bible due to its past and present influence as well as for its potential for future influence
“The Bible has been and still is one of the most influential books ever published. Its influence is seen in literature, art, music , culture, public policy and public debate.” Schippe and Stetson, “The Bible and Is Influence”

36. TEST
Are you ready???
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

37. What is the unifying theme of the New Testament?
Love your neighbor as yourself
Judge not lest you be judged
Go into all the world and preach the gospel
Jesus Christ
Those who tithe are blessed
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

38. The New Testament books were selected by:
Constantine, Emperor of the Roman Empire
Dan Brown
Jesus’ 12 apostles
Marcion
The consensus of the church
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

39. TEST
The New Testament books when compared to the integrity other ancient literature:
Leave much to be desired
Are about on the same level
Stand up quite well
Are vastly superior
None of the above
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2

40. The New Testament is not relevant to non-Christians.
True
False
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… Hebrews 1:1,2