1. Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews
The Dawn of Christianity
Between the Testaments
and the Early Church Age
Lesson 12
How We Got the Bible
Steve Plaster

2. Lesson Structure
Clash of Cultures: Judaism and Hellenism
People of the Book
The Sacred Writings
Apocryphal Literature, Messiahs, and Resurrection
The Essenes and the Maccabees
The Herodians, the Romans, and the Prophets
Trials and Tribulations of Jesus
Resurrection and the Birth of the Church
Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Paul’s Letters and Trials
Jewish Revolt Groups and the Temple Destruction
How We Got the Bible

4. Interpreting the New Testament
Interpreting the New Testament. 1) Jewish Bible – 39 books consisting of three parts (the law, the prophets, and the writings in Hebrew). 2) Septuagint – known as the Old Testament, Aramaic. 3) Vulgate – the Latin translation of the Greek Old Testament of 46 books and the Greek New Testament of 27 books. 4) Protestant Bible – 39 books in the Old Testament from the Hebrew and 27 books in the New Testament from the Greek.

5. New Testament canon is considered to be apostolic
New Testament canon is considered to be apostolic. The New Testament has four parts (genres), biographies (gospels), history (Acts), letters, and apocalypse (Revelation). The final authentication of the 27 books of the New Testament came in 367AD by Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria.

6. Textual criticism is the categorizing of manuscripts by quantity and quality deriving sources as papyri and letters as block or cursive in style. Hermeneutics seeks to interpret the text. Exegesis seeks to determine what the original author intended. Synoptic gospels implies comparing text side by side.

7. Archaeological texts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Library inform us. Liberation theology seeks to use revolutionary politics and economics to free oppressed people from imperialist oppression. Post modern trends tend to treat the Bible as an historical narrative rather than as truth.

8. The Earliest Non-Pauline Groups and Their Beliefs and Practices
The Earliest Non-Pauline Groups and Their Beliefs and Practices. 1) The four gospels were written just after 70AD. Mark and Luke in 70AD, Matthew in 85-90AD, and John in AD. The following are likely dates of writing: 2) Paul 50-60AD – 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon, Galatians, Romans 3) Pauline School 70-90AD – 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians 4) Unknown 80-90AD – Hebrews

9. 5) Late Pauline School AD – 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus 6) John 95AD, Revelation Earliest church father’s writings: 1 Clement 90-95AD, 2 Clement AD, Didache AD, Ignatius of Antioch 110AD, Polycarp AD, Barnabas AD 7) Acts 70-90AD, James 8) 1 2 and 3 John AD, 1 Peter 9) Jude, 2 Peter AD

10. There is a Q source of 235 verses common to Matthew and Luke but not in Mark. “Q” contains sayings of Jesus and narratives about Jesus. The “sayings” portion contain material that is wisdom and apocalyptic related. Earliest mention of the resurrection is 1 Corinthians 15:3-5.

11. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Written by Paul – 1 Thessalonians,
1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon, Galatians, Romans – 50’sAD
2) Early Pauline School – 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians – AD
3) Later Pauline School – 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus – AD
4) Non-Pauline – Hebrews – AD

12. Dating of Paul’s life is done based upon the Gallio Inscription, Acts 18:11, and the Edict of Claudius placing Paul in Corinth in 49 or 50AD.
Paul attempted to break down the barriers of generation, geography, and gender.
Paul was a bachelor (1 Corinthians 7:8), a Roman citizen (Acts 22:28), and physically strong (2 Corinthians 11:22-12:1).

13. Paul spoke, thought, and wrote in Greek
(Acts 13:8-9).
Paul was born in the free city of Tarsus
(Acts 22:3) in Cilicia, Asia Minor.
Paul was aware of stoic philosophy
(Galatians 5:19-23).
Paul was a Jew (2 Corinthians 11:22,
Romans 9:3-5, 11:1).

14. Paul grew up in Jerusalem, became a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5), and studied under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).
Paul is well educated but worked as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3) which are conflicting in the social status realm of his culture.
Paul’s headquarters were Antioch, Syria, Ephesus, Asia Minor, Caesarea, and Rome.

15. Paul spent three years in Arabia which is actually Nabatea.
Paul spent nearly 14 years in Antioch (36-50AD).
The Jerusalem Conference of 48AD gave Paul the right to mission with the Gentiles
(Galatians 2:7) who in turn need not be circumcised (Galatians 2:3).
Paul’s missionary activity was to the urban centers of the Gentiles.

17. The Dawn of Christianity
Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews
The Dawn of Christianity
Between the Testaments
and the Early Church Age
Lesson 12
How We Got the Bible
Steve Plaster