New Testament - A Brief Introduction


The New Testament contains the sacred books that are unique to Christianity. All the New Testament books were written in the Greek language probably in period between 50 to 120 A.D., and were originally used in various early Christian churches. The earliest written books are the letters by the apostle Paul to many of the early Christian communities, such as, 1st Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Philippians, and Philemon. Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) tell of the birth, life, ministry, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospel of Mark was written around 70 A.D., about 40 years after Jesus was crucified. Matthew and Luke were written between 80 and 90 A.D. Finally, The Gospel of John appeared in its final form around 95 A.D.		Other Topics about Presbyterians Brief Statement of Faith Reformed Tradition Worship Style Jesus Christ Holy Spirit The Bible Sin & Salvation
Books of the New Testament Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1st Corinthians 2nd Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1st Thessalonians 2nd Thessalonians 1st Timothy 2nd Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1st Peter 2nd Peter 1st John 2nd John 3rd John Jude Revelation	The collection of books we know as the New Testament emerged in the late second century, A.D. The church leaders included books they believed were written by eyewitnesses to the events narrated, while rejecting many other early Christian writings. Christianity first emerged as a Jewish sect, so it was natural for the new Christians to revere their sacred Jewish books as well as the new Christian books. Eventually, 27 books came to form the present New Testament, along with the Old Testament books, which became the Christian Bible as we know it today. The New Testament canon was formally adopted by the Synod of Carthage in 397 A.D. The Gospels tells of Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and his ministry which lasted approximately three years which includes examples of his teachings, such as parables and the Sermon on the Mount also included are examples of his ministry of healing the sick. The book Acts of the Apostles and letters by the Apostle Paul and others tell of the growth of the early Christian Church, views of Jesus and development of the churches early theology about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived an ordinary life until he reached the age of 30, then begins His ministry among the Jews. He traveled from town to town, healing the sick and preaching that the kingdom of God would be fulfilled in His coming. He taught obedience to God and love for all people, both Jew and Gentile. He said love of God and love of others were the two great principles that should totally guide our lives. Many of the Jews had expected the Messiah to be a great political and military leader who would defeat Israel's enemies. However, Jesus saw His kingdom as spiritual rather than political. For Him, the way to victory was not through force and violence, but through love, humility, service to one's fellow man, and doing the will of God, the Father.
Jesus' death on the cross and his miraculous resurrection convinced many people that Jesus truly was the Christ, and their personal savior as well. Christianity was born, and Jesus' former disciples became its leaders. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as the Son of God, the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, and as the means of our personal salvation from the power of sin and death. The young Christian communities suffered much persecution from the Jewish religious establishment and from the Romans. Saul, a member of the Jewish religious establishment, was one of the fiercest persecutors of Christians. One day, while on the road to Damascus, Saul saw a blinding light and Jesus spoke to him saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" As a result of this overwhelming experience, Saul had a complete change of heart. Now known as Paul, he became a zealous Christian missionary and extended Christianity outside Judaism, founding many Christian communities in the Gentile world. Paul wrote many letters to the people of the churches he had founded. He explained his beliefs about Jesus, instructed them in proper modes of worship, and sometimes chastised them for moral lapses. He taught that the way to salvation and eternal life is through faith in Jesus Christ. Many of Paul's letters have become part of the New Testament. Through these letters we know Paul as the most energetic and influential interpreter of Jesus' life and teachings.		"The Word of Scripture should never stop sounding in your ears and working in you all day long, just like the words of someone you love. And just as you do not analyze the words of someone you love, but accept them as they are said to you, accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart, as Mary did. That is all. That is meditation.... Do not ask "How should I pass this on?" but "What does it say to me?" Then ponder this Word long in your heart until it has gone right into you and taken possession of you." Dietrich Bonhoeffer