New Testament Summaries

To mark the end of our study of the New Testament, we had a big oral exam. The following things about each book had to be memorized word for word...


Matthew
Main Idea: Jesus is the Messiah, the King of the Jews, as was predicted in the OT
Reason Written: Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience to show Jesus was the Messiah
When Written: 50-68 AD
HB: Jewish audience is looking for a political Messiah
Distinguishing Characteristic: Most quotes from prophets; sermon on the mount; only gospel written to Jews.
Mark
Key Verse: 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Main Idea: Jesus came as a suffering servant, not a conquering king
Reason Written: to encourage the persecuted church to endure and tell them that suffering is a normal part of Christianity. They are called to suffer.
When Written: 64-68 AD
HB: 64-68 AD Nero was persecuting Christians and blamed them for the fire in Rome
Distinguishing Characteristic: Concealed Messiah/Revealed Messiah

Luke
Key Verse: Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Main Idea: Jesus is the Savior of all. The kingdom of God includes everyone.
Reason written: Luke writes an orderly account to Theophilus so he may know the truth. May possibly be a defense for Christians.
When written: 58-59 AD OR 61-62 AD
Historical Background: Theophilus was possibly a Roman official who is now a believer.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Geographical-- heads to Jerusalem.

John
Key Verse: 20:30-31 “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Main Idea: Jesus is God
Reason Written:  John writes to combat confusion from mixing Christ, Greek, and Jewish views
When Written:  80s-90s AD
HB: Gnosticism- misunderstanding of Christ; Jews and Gentiles in audience
Distinguishing Characteristic: 7 signs followed by teachings; 7 “I am”s.

Acts
Key Verse: 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Main idea: the unstoppable gospel—the gospel goes from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth under the power of the Holy Spirit. The gospel goes from the Jews to the Gentiles.
Reason written: Luke writes to Theophilus to show the power of the gospel and possibly as a defense for Paul
When written: 62-63 AD
Historical background: Same as Luke…Theophilus was possibly a roman official who is now a believer.
Distinguishing characteristic: Geographical—goes from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth

Romans
Key Verse: 1:16-17 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God was revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Main Idea: Equality between Jews and Gentiles, all saved and justified through faith
Reason Written: Paul deals with Jew/Gentile relationships because of disunity within the church
When Written: 57 AD (end of third journey)
HB: Claudius kicked Jews out of Rome in 49 AD. Nero let them back in 54 AD. The church in Rome because mostly Gentile and now there is division in the church.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Basic Christianity (Christianity 101).

1 Corinthians
Key Verse: 16:14 “Let all that you do be done in love.”
Main Idea: True spirituality is to walk in love. Let all you do be done in love.
Reason Written: Paul wrote in response to reports from Chloe’s people and to a letter from the Corinthians.
When Written: 53-55 AD
HB: Reported Problems: Spiritual pride, immorality, dissention, lawsuits. Written Problems: abuse of freedom, questions about true spirituality, gifts, marriage, and sex issues. All caused by an over-realized eschatology.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Structure: ½ response to Chloe’s people; ½ response to letter

2 Corinthians
Key Verse: 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Main Idea: God’s power made perfect in man’s weakness.
Reason Written: Paul wrote it to defend his apostleship and ministry and to prepare Achaia for the offering for Jerusalem
When: 56 AD (1 year after first letter—1 Corinthians 16:1-4)
HB: Super apostles were accusing Paul and trying to bring down his apostleship
Distinguishing Characteristic: Deals with true spirituality in leadership

Galatians
Key Verse: 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery”
Main Idea of Book: Freedom from the law through faith in Jesus Christ. Justification by faith brings freedom
Reason the book was written: the Galatians are buying into the circumcision faction and gales teaching
When Written: 48-49 AD
Historical Background: Confusion about the law OR thinking Jesus + Law = Salvation
Distinguishing Characteristics: Justification- Greek legal term meaning legally declared righteous

Ephesians
Key Verse: 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”
Main Idea: Identity in Christ brings unity and spiritual power. Walk out who you are in Christ
Reason written: Paul addresses disunity and tells believers how to live in their immoral and idolatrous culture.
When written: Roman imprisonment: 60-61 or Ephesian imprisonment 53-55.
Historical background: Involved in mystery religions; Temple of Artemis was in Ephesus
Distinguishing characteristic: deals with spiritual warfare

Philippians
Key Verse: 2:5-8 “Have this in mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Main Idea: Humility and servant-hood lead to unity. Rejoice in suffering.
Reason Written: Paul encourages the suffering church, telling them to be unified and to say thanks for the support.
When Written: 53-55 Ephesian Imprisonment OR 61-62 Roman Imprisonment
HB: Church problems—not unified, persecution, circumcision party.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Humility defined: counting others better than yourself.

Colossians
Key Verse: 2:9-10 “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
Main Idea: For the believer, Christ is sufficient for salvation and spirituality. Fullness of deity in Christ and fullness of the believer in Christ.
Reason Written: Paul writes to correct “Colossian heresy” and distorted view of Jesus
When: 61-63 (Roman Imprisonment) or 53-55 (Ephesian Imprisonment)
HB: Syncretism (mix of mystery religions, Jewish mysticism, Christianity…)
Distinguishing Characteristic: Christology passage
1 Thessalonians
Key Verse: 5:23 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Main Idea: In persecution, continue to live blamelessly, ready for Christ’s return.
Reason Written: Paul encourages them in their faith and tells them how to live until the second coming. Also written as a defense against accusations.
When Written: 50-51 AD
HB: Their faith was strong in persecution, but they were afraid that the dead missed the 2nd coming. Young church: Paul was run out of town by Jews after only a few weeks.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Deals with when the second coming will happen and what happens to the dead.
2 Thessalonians
Key Verse: 2:16-17 “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
Main Idea: Second coming has not yet happened, so continue to stand firm.
Reason Written: To correct false teaching that the second coming had already happened. To encourage them in persecution—they will be vindicated at the second coming.
When Written: 50-51 AD, soon after the 1st letter
HB: Persecution. There was false teaching/letter in the name of Paul that 2nd coming had already happened.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Deals with the man of lawlessness and what takes place before Jesus returns.
1 Timothy
Key Verse: 3:14-15 “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”
Main Idea: The church models and defends the faith.
Reason Written: Paul writes to Timothy to encourage him and the church to keep the faith, deal with false teaching, and instruct them in godly living.
When: 57 AD (during 3 year ministry in Ephesus) or 63 AD (during 4th missionary journey)
HB: Came out of mystery religions. Had a problem with false teaching.
Distinguishing Characteristic: One of three pastoral epistles
2 Timothy
Key Verse: 4:5 “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Main Idea: Endure suffering and fulfill your ministry.
Reason Written: Paul passes the torch on to Timothy
When: 64/67 AD (end of Paul’s life)
HB: Timothy is possibly shrinking back due to persecution. False teaching is going on.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Paul’s final letter (and last pastoral Epistle).
Titus
Key Verse: 2:14 “…who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works”
Main idea: sound doctrine plus grace equals good deeds
Reason written: Paul gives Titus instructions of how to deal with ungodly believers, the circumcision party and appointing elders.
When written: 57 AD (3rd journey) or 63-64 ad 4th journey
Historical background: Paul left Titus on Crete, the CP was teaching false doctrine. Cretans had a bad reputation as liars and lazy gluttons.
Distinguishing characteristic: one of three pastoral epistles

Philemon
Key Verse: Philemon 10 “I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment”
Main idea: forgiveness, equality and reconciliation in Christ OR forgive and be reconciled; brotherhood in Christ
Reason written: Paul appeals for Philemon to forgive Onesimus
When written: Rome imprisonment 61-62 AD or Ephesus imprisonment 53-55 AD
Historical background: Onesimus may have run away. He met Paul and got saved. The punishment for a run-away slave was death. Slaves were owned but not treated poorly.
Distinguishing characteristics: only personal letter of recommendation in the bible.

Hebrews
Key Verse: 8:6 “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”
Main Idea: Jesus is superior to Judaism and Old covenant. Jesus is superior to high priest, so hold fast.
Reason: Written to encourage Jewish believers to endure persecution and be faithful to Jesus.
When: 64-65 AD
HB: Jewish-Christian audience under persecution by Nero. Temptation to return to Judaism.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Deals with apostasy. It’s a sermon.

James
Key Verse: 2:26 "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."
Main Idea: Faith in action is alive
Reason Written: James, the brother of Jesus writes to the 12 tribes to disciple the Christians on how to live the Christian life.
When: 45-46AD or 60-62AD
HB: Believers were facing trials and spread throughout Palestine after Stephen was martyred.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Wisdom literature

1 Peter
Key Verse: 5:10 “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Main idea: Suffer now with Jesus and have eternal glory.
Reason written: Peter writes to encourage exiles to grow through social persecution.
When Written: 64-67 AD
HB: Persecution from society
Distinguishing Characteristic: Deals with suffering of Christians

2 Peter
Key Verse: 3:17-18 “You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
Main Idea: Beware of false teachers and grow in knowledge.
Reason written: Peter writes to encourage the readers whose faith is under attack by false teachers.
When Written: 64-67 AD
HB: Grace abusers influencing Christians.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Chapter 2 is the same as Jude

1 John
Key Verse 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Main Idea: he who abides in Christ has eternal life.
Reason Written: John writes to warn about false teachers, to confirm salvation, and to make a clear distinction between light darkness.
When Written: 80s-90s
HB: Gnosticism: body is evil and spirit is pure; pursuit of salvation through knowledge.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Discusses the antichrist.

2 John
Key Verse: 10 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting.”
Main Idea: Truth in love
Reason Written: John writes to warn them against receiving false teachers
When Written: 80s-90s
HB: Gnosticism; traveling teachers were supported by people
Distinguishing Characteristic: Deals with hospitality

3 John
Key Verse: 8 “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”
Main Idea: Be co-workers for God’s kingdom
Reason Written: John writes to encourage Gaius to keep showing hospitality to the saints.
When Written: 80s-90s
HB: Same as 2 John (Gnosticism; traveling teachers were supported by people)
Distinguishing Characteristic: Deals with hospitality

Jude
Key Verse: 3 “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
Main idea: contend for the faith
Reason written: Jude tells believers to contend for the faith because false teachers have entered the church.
When Written: 60s-70s
HB: Grace abusers influencing the church
Distinguishing Characteristic: Use of Apocrypha

Revelation
Key Verse: 17:14 “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
Main Idea: Jesus and the church will win the eternal battle.
Reason Written: John writes to encourage the believers to endure suffering and to assure them that God will judge their enemies.
When Written: 80s-90s
HB: Came out of mystery religions, false teaching, and persecution.
Distinguishing Characteristic: Apocalyptic literature; is a revelation.
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