Introduction to the New Testament

Many people try to read the Bible like two novels, expecting a chronological story. This is not how it was written or compiled. The New Testament is about our new covenant of salvation through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, people were forgiven and received salvation through rigorous attention to the Law and through sacrifice. Now, we receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, who died once for all of us.

The New Testament tells us how Christ can have the authority to pay the penalty for our sin and how the new covenant works. It gives us the history of Christ’s life on earth and the establishment of His Church. It teaches us what it means to be a child of God, saved through Christ and given a new spirit.

The Gospel of Matthew was written between 60-65 A.D. by the disciple Matthew. His focus is on showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah and his message was targeted to the Jews, primarily. Matthew was a tax collector before he became a disciple of Christ and was accustomed to keeping accurate records. Taking this into consideration and the fact that he was a disciple and an eyewitness to the ministry of Christ, his testimony is highly credible.

Mark was a companion to Paul on his first missionary journey. Mark’s Gospel is the earliest, written between 55 and 65 A.D. to the Christians in Rome. Mark doesn’t recount the birth of Christ but begins with Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Mark focuses on Jesus as Savior come in the form of servant.

Luke the Physician was friend and companion to the Apostle Paul. He was an educated man and detail oriented, facts that are clearly evidenced in his Gospel. Luke portrays the perfect Jesus, as a Man and as a Savior. Luke’s account of the life of Christ is very detailed and includes the stories of women in Jesus’ life more completely than any of the other Gospels.

The Gospel of John was written about 85-90 A.D. by the disciple, John. As an eyewitness to the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, his account is highly credible. His focus is to prove Jesus as the Messiah but he also shows Jesus’ compassion. John’s Gospel is the moving account of Jesus’ close friend and companion.

Acts is traditionally attributed to Luke, though some theologians question the authorship. Acts records the acts of the Apostles following the ascension of Christ. It is the history of the first century Christian Church and has tremendous value in terms of documentation of Church development and growth.

Paul wrote Romans in 57 A.D. while he was in Corinth and preparing to go to Rome. It was a letter of introduction to the Church at Rome, introducing his faith more than his person. It is a detailed presentation of doctrine relating to sin and salvation, forgiveness and Christian responsibility and behavior.

1 Corinthians addresses problems that had arisen in the Church at Corinth. It was written about 55 A.D. The Church had become divided and there were doctrinal questions that needed to be addressed. Paul founded this Church and was quite concerned about its condition. The epistle he sent them that is now 1 Corinthians addresses many Church issues including morality, worship, the resurrection and division.

2 Corinthians, like 1 Corinthians, addresses problems within the Church at Corinth. False teachers within the Church were challenging Paul’s Apostleship and authority. He addresses this issue along with concerns about discipline and giving.

Galatians is another Pauline epistle, this one written to refute the teaching of Judaizers. Judaizers were Christians who insisted that the Laws of Moses still needed to be adhered to in order to be saved. Paul teaches how the new covenant replaces the old and that we are no longer enslaved by the Law.

Ephesians was written as a letter of encouragement to the Christians at Ephesus. Paul had spent three years with this Church and was very fond of its members. Paul wrote the epistle in about 60 A.D. while he was imprisoned in Rome. He focuses on unity, showing that we are the Living Church, with Christ at its center. He teaches on Christian conduct and warns of the spiritual battle that all Christians face. He shows that we are not alone in the battle and instructs us on the armor that God has provided for us.

Philippians is Paul’s letter of thanks to the Church at Philippi. It was written in 61 A.D. during his imprisonment in Rome. This letter is almost entirely about joy. He discusses the joy of service, suffering and giving. It teaches us to find the joy in all our circumstances.

Colossians was written about 60 A.D. to correct doctrinal errors that were appearing in the Church at Colosse. Paul addresses these errors by teaching that Christ is God and the Head of His Church. As believers we are united in Him and no earthly means would save us.

1 Thessalonians is one of Paul’s first epistles, written about 50 A.D. The Church at Thessalonica was confused in its understanding of the return of Christ. They expected it to happen immediately and their faith began to waver when it didn’t especially since many were persecuted for their beliefs. This letter was sent to encourage them and to bolster them in the face of persecution.

2 Thessalonians was written only months after 1 Thessalonians and addresses relatively the same issues, persecution and the second coming of Christ. It encourages the Church to persevere and reminds them of the great hope that we have in Christ.

1 Timothy was a personal letter from Paul to Timothy at the Church in Ephesus in about 64 A.D. Paul sent Timothy to the Church to instruct them in doctrine; the Church there had fallen into some false teachings. The epistle is a letter of encouragement to Timothy as well as a testament of instruction on church leadership and discipline.

2 Timothy is again a personal letter to Timothy from Paul. Written in 66 or 67 A.D., this is Paul’s final epistle, a letter of instruction and encouragement to Timothy, who is still pastoring in Ephesus. Paul encourages Timothy to be faithful, even in the face of persecution.

Titus is a personal letter from Paul written about 64 A.D. Titus was pastoring the Church in Crete and Paul wrote this epistle to encourage him and instruct him in Church leadership. It is very similar to 1 Timothy.

Philemon is another of Paul’s personal letters. This one was written to ask Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus ran from Philemon’s home to Rome, where he encountered the Christians there and was converted. Onesimus became a special help to Paul, and Paul here asks Philemon to forgive Onesimus and allow him to return to Rome to help Paul.

Hebrews was written about 70 A.D. The author is unknown but may have been one of the Apostles or their close companions. It was written to Jewish Christians to prove Christ as God. Some Jewish Christians were falling away from the Church because they didn’t understand the superiority of Christ and His saving sacrifice.

James is one of the earliest New Testament books. The author is thought to be James, the brother of Jesus. Written in about 49 A.D., it is our textbook on faith. James teaches us that faith is not some nebulous concept but concrete action. He shows how we have been given a new spirit in Christ and that it is by that spirit our faith becomes an active force transforming our lives and making us useful to Christ.

1 Peter was written about 62 A.D. to comfort the Jewish Christians who had been driven out of Jerusalem and were being persecuted. Peter teaches them to remain faithful to Christ in spite of the circumstances in their lives. Peter also teaches on family life and the need to love one another.

2 Peter was written about 67 A.D. as a circular letter to the Church. He encourages the Church and asks them to be diligent in their faith and service. He reminds us of the importance of Scripture, and warns of false teachings and teachers.

1 John was written between 85 and 90 A.D. to address issues of false teachings within the Church. Some serious doctrinal errors were forming and John addresses these errors about sin and the Christ.

2 John is a short personal letter from the Apostle John to Cyria and her household. Written about 90 A.D., it warns of false teachers and tells what to look out for in false doctrine.

3 John is a brief letter of thanks to Gaius written about 90 A.D. The letter expresses thanks for hospitality and commendation for faithful service. It also warns against prideful leadership.

Jude was written about 65 A.D. as a warning against false teachings and apostasy.

Revelation is the apocalyptic vision of the Apostle John. It foretells the return of the Christ, the tribulation and the ultimate victory of God. Written in about 95 A.D., the letter would have given great comfort to Christians suffering under persecution. Today, it gives Christians comfort, reminding us that the battle is won and through Jesus Christ we have life everlasting.

The New Testament is a highly readable collection of documents testifying to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In it we find answers, comfort, challenge, encouragement and warnings. It is our textbook of salvation, teaching us about Christ’s sacrifice for us and how we should live out our lives for Him.