Hamilton Reformed Church 2010 New Testament Survey Session 2 – The Synoptic Gospels & Acts

New Testament Survey 1. Background 2. The Synoptic Gospels and Acts 3. The Writings of John 4. Paul’s Letters 5. The Other New Testament Letters

Recap … God’s sovereign hand Under foreign rule – Roman Under foreign rule – Roman But still in the promised land, religion focussed around temple But still in the promised land, religion focussed around temple One huge empire One huge empire Time of peace, ease of travel (letters carried by hand) Time of peace, ease of travel (letters carried by hand) Jews / Jewish synagogues scattered throughout empire Jews / Jewish synagogues scattered throughout empire In communication with Jerusalem, many come to Jerusalem for Passover In communication with Jerusalem, many come to Jerusalem for Passover One common language – Greek One common language – Greek OT available in Greek (Septuagint) OT available in Greek (Septuagint) Great sense of expectation … Great sense of expectation …

Unanswered Questions Where is this promised king and his kingdom? Where is this promised king and his kingdom? Where is the greater glory God promised for the new temple? (Haggai 2:9) Where is the greater glory God promised for the new temple? (Haggai 2:9) What has happened to God’s covenant with us? What has happened to God’s covenant with us? Why have we not heard from God for 430 years? Why have we not heard from God for 430 years? Has God in his anger forgotten to show mercy? (Psalm 77:9) Has God in his anger forgotten to show mercy? (Psalm 77:9) The King has come!

The Synoptic Gospels Tell the story of Jesus Tell the story of Jesus Cover very short period of time Cover very short period of time Historical narrative Historical narrative To communicate a particular message To communicate a particular message Look for this Gospel’s point Look for this Gospel’s point “Contradictions” testify to eye-witness accounts “Contradictions” testify to eye-witness accounts Is there a common source for synoptics? Is there a common source for synoptics? Self consciously build on Old Testament Self consciously build on Old Testament Each has distinct entry point from OT Each has distinct entry point from OT NT writers constantly prove points from OT NT writers constantly prove points from OT

The Kingdom in the Gospels Synoptics all speak of coming of long awaited Kingdom Synoptics all speak of coming of long awaited Kingdom In OT future but in Gospels Kingdom breaks in In OT future but in Gospels Kingdom breaks in Matthew & Luke – Kingdom “at hand” and “has come” Matthew & Luke – Kingdom “at hand” and “has come” Kingdom comes at exorcisms Kingdom comes at exorcisms Mark – Kingdom always near Mark – Kingdom always near but doesn’t come till Jesus’ death but doesn’t come till Jesus’ death Parables illustrate the Kingdom Parables illustrate the Kingdom Miracles are evidence of the Kingdom Miracles are evidence of the Kingdom

Matthew A Jew writing to Jews A Jew writing to Jews Matthew – the disciple (ex tax collector) Matthew – the disciple (ex tax collector) Picks up from 2 Chronicles Picks up from 2 Chronicles Follows style of OT Follows style of OT Traces legal line from Abraham in Rabbinic style Traces legal line from Abraham in Rabbinic style Presents Jesus as the promised Messiah Presents Jesus as the promised Messiah Repeated use of “fulfil” Repeated use of “fulfil” Quotes OT 62x (Mark 30x, Luke 26x, John 16x) Quotes OT 62x (Mark 30x, Luke 26x, John 16x)

Matthew cont … Arranged around 5 discourses interspersed with narrative Arranged around 5 discourses interspersed with narrative Sermon on the mount Sermon on the mount Commissioning of disciples Commissioning of disciples Kingdom parables Kingdom parables Parables of unmerciful servant etc Parables of unmerciful servant etc Olivet Discourse Olivet Discourse Discourse flows naturally out of narrative Discourse flows naturally out of narrative E.g. 4:23 & 9:35 E.g. 4:23 & 9:35 “When Jesus finished saying there things he …” “When Jesus finished saying there things he …” Material grouped thematically rather than chronologically Material grouped thematically rather than chronologically

Sermon on the mount Charter of the Kingdom Charter of the Kingdom Sets out Kingdom ethics Sets out Kingdom ethics Contrasts Kingdom righteousness with that of Pharisees Contrasts Kingdom righteousness with that of Pharisees Lord’s prayer – both present and future reality Lord’s prayer – both present and future reality Already but not yet Kingdom Already but not yet Kingdom Those who enter coming Kingdom are those live obediently as Kingdom citizens now Those who enter coming Kingdom are those live obediently as Kingdom citizens now But drives to the cross Matt 5:20 But drives to the cross Matt 5:20

Mark A Jew writing to Gentiles A Jew writing to Gentiles Most likely John Mark (not disciple) Most likely John Mark (not disciple) Seems to be derived from preaching of Peter Seems to be derived from preaching of Peter Picks up from end of Isaiah Picks up from end of Isaiah Shortest of Gospels Shortest of Gospels Fast paced – “immediately …” Fast paced – “immediately …” Follows plan of a narrative, fuelled by conflict towards resolution Follows plan of a narrative, fuelled by conflict towards resolution Starts at time of Jesus’ ministry Starts at time of Jesus’ ministry Virtually no intrusion into story Virtually no intrusion into story

Mark cont … States purpose up front 1:1 States purpose up front 1:1 Gospel of two halves Gospel of two halves Culminated in two confessions Culminated in two confessions In 1 st half successful, popular In 1 st half successful, popular In 2 nd half progressively abandoned In 2 nd half progressively abandoned Son of God not necessarily same as God the Son Son of God not necessarily same as God the Son In OT SoG honorific for Israel & King In OT SoG honorific for Israel & King Shorter ending (at 16:8) probably original Shorter ending (at 16:8) probably original

Luke / Acts A Gentile writing to Gentiles A Gentile writing to Gentiles Luke – the doctor Luke – the doctor Picks up from Malachi Picks up from Malachi Follows style of OT Follows style of OT Traces biological line from Adam Traces biological line from Adam Purpose statement Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1ff Purpose statement Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1ff Two volume work centred around Jerusalem Two volume work centred around Jerusalem Seems interviewed number of eye witnesses Seems interviewed number of eye witnesses Very accurate historically Very accurate historically Longest of Gospels Longest of Gospels Many unique features in Luke Many unique features in Luke Mention of boyhood, interest in siblings Mention of boyhood, interest in siblings

Luke Marked by interest in people Marked by interest in people Individuals: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, Anna, Mary & Martha, Zaccheus Individuals: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, Anna, Mary & Martha, Zaccheus Social outcasts: shepherds, sinful woman (7:36ff), tax collectors, penitent thief on cross, parables: Pharisee & Tax Collector, Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son Social outcasts: shepherds, sinful woman (7:36ff), tax collectors, penitent thief on cross, parables: Pharisee & Tax Collector, Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son Women: mentions 13 women not mentioned elsewhere including widow of Nain, women who supported Jesus Women: mentions 13 women not mentioned elsewhere including widow of Nain, women who supported Jesus Social relationships: 3x dines with Pharisees, visiting Mary & Martha, Zaccheus, home in Emmaus Social relationships: 3x dines with Pharisees, visiting Mary & Martha, Zaccheus, home in Emmaus Poverty & Wealth: 2 debtors, rich fool, tower builder, lost coin, unjust steward, rich man & Lazarus, parable of minas Poverty & Wealth: 2 debtors, rich fool, tower builder, lost coin, unjust steward, rich man & Lazarus, parable of minas

Luke Gospel of prayer Gospel of prayer 9 prayers of Jesus – only 2 found elsewhere 9 prayers of Jesus – only 2 found elsewhere Holy Spirit Holy Spirit At Jesus’ conception, baptism, temptation, synagogue in Nazareth, gives joy in work At Jesus’ conception, baptism, temptation, synagogue in Nazareth, gives joy in work Joy Joy songs of Mary, Zechariah, Simeon, Angels songs of Mary, Zechariah, Simeon, Angels Finishes with joy 24:52,53 (c.f. 24:32) Finishes with joy 24:52,53 (c.f. 24:32) Jesus ministry covered in three sections Jesus ministry covered in three sections In and around Galilee 4:14-9:50 In and around Galilee 4:14-9:50 Journey section 9:51-19:27 Journey section 9:51-19:27 In Jerusalem 19:28-24:53 In Jerusalem 19:28-24:53 Jesus as Son of Man Jesus as Son of Man compassionate, ideal man but also Saviour of the world. compassionate, ideal man but also Saviour of the world.

Acts Act II Act II Same genre as Gospels Same genre as Gospels Written around AD62 Written around AD62 Linchpin in NT – bridge from Gospels to Letters Linchpin in NT – bridge from Gospels to Letters Movement of Gospel from Jew to Gentile Movement of Gospel from Jew to Gentile Establishes credentials of NT writers Establishes credentials of NT writers Gives background to many of Epistles Gives background to many of Epistles Descriptive not prescriptive! Descriptive not prescriptive! E.gs. Practices of early church E.gs. Practices of early church Selling of property Selling of property

Acts Book in two halves Book in two halves Chs 1-12 Gospel to Jews (Peter) Chs 1-12 Gospel to Jews (Peter) Chs Gospel to Gentiles (Paul) Chs Gospel to Gentiles (Paul) Follows geographic plan of Acts 1:8 Follows geographic plan of Acts 1:8 Chs 1-7 Jerusalem Chs 1-7 Jerusalem Ch 8 Samaria Ch 8 Samaria Ch 10 Caesarea (in Gentiles house – ends of earth!) Ch 10 Caesarea (in Gentiles house – ends of earth!) Marked by regular summary statements Marked by regular summary statements E.g. Acts 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20 E.g. Acts 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20 Each marks pause before Gospel goes in new direction Each marks pause before Gospel goes in new direction

Acts Begins with brief recap of end of Luke Begins with brief recap of end of Luke Acts 2 possible because of way God worked in history Acts 2 possible because of way God worked in history OT believers gather in Jerusalem for the Passover OT believers gather in Jerusalem for the Passover The Church is born! The Church is born! Church initially unopposed (2:47) Church initially unopposed (2:47) But opposition again resurges (4:1ff) But opposition again resurges (4:1ff) As well as corruption within (5:1-10) As well as corruption within (5:1-10) And tensions between members (6:1-7) And tensions between members (6:1-7) Martyrdom of Stephen scatters believers (7) Martyrdom of Stephen scatters believers (7) But serves purpose of advancing Gospel (8:4) But serves purpose of advancing Gospel (8:4) But persecution follows the church (9:1ff) But persecution follows the church (9:1ff)

Acts The persecutor becomes a promoter (9:4ff) The persecutor becomes a promoter (9:4ff) The persecutor becomes the persecuted (9:29) The persecutor becomes the persecuted (9:29) But for a time, the church knows peace (9:31) But for a time, the church knows peace (9:31) The Gospel goes to Gentiles (10) The Gospel goes to Gentiles (10) And Jews rejoice … eventually (11:18) And Jews rejoice … eventually (11:18) The church establishes a base in Gentile territory (10:19ff) The church establishes a base in Gentile territory (10:19ff) James (brother of John) martyred (12:1ff) James (brother of John) martyred (12:1ff) Missionary work begins (13:1ff) Missionary work begins (13:1ff) Division is avoided (15) Division is avoided (15) Gentiles help Jews (21:17-19) Gentiles help Jews (21:17-19) Paul arrested and finishes in Rome (21:17ff) Paul arrested and finishes in Rome (21:17ff)

Summary The King has come … The King has come … And gone … And gone … But he’s still here … (Matt 28:20) But he’s still here … (Matt 28:20) In very brief period of time Gospel explodes onto world stage, spreads rapidly, baton passed to Gentiles In very brief period of time Gospel explodes onto world stage, spreads rapidly, baton passed to Gentiles Christ is building his Kingdom … Christ is building his Kingdom … And the gates of hell cannot prevail against it (Matt 16:18) And the gates of hell cannot prevail against it (Matt 16:18)