The New Testament is the completion of the Scriptural masterpiece. The Old Testament without the New Testament is like a story without an ending, like a bud that never flowers. The Old Testament prepares for the New; the New Testament fulfills the Old. In numerous ways, sometimes clearly, sometimes vaguely, the Old Testament points ahead to Jesus Christ. He is the thread of hope that winds its way through the first half of the Bible.
That hope, that expectation, is clothed with flesh and blood in the New Testament. The Messiah appears! Those Old Testament prophets were right! He actually walks on this earth as a man - the God-man. The record of His life is preserved for us in the four Gospels. His miraculous birth, His incomparable words and deeds, and His life-giving death and resurrection distinguish Him as the most unique person of human history.
Following Christ's ascension, His apostles blanketed the world with the good news that sinners could become saints, that even Gentiles could enter the kingdom of God. Because of that message, churches sprang up from Jerusalem to Antioch, from Galatia to Italy. Acts records the path of this mighty wave. But the good news of Christ brings not only insurance for eternity. It also brings power for today. The New Testament Epistles explain how the power of the risen Christ can transform life's experiences. Repeatedly the authors proclaim that God can live in man! What more could we need? Finally, Revelation holds out hope. Christ is coming again, and when He does the wheels will be set in motion to end time and begin eternity.
The New Testament, penned by at least nine different authors over a period of 50 years, falls naturally into four divisions:
(1) Five Historical Books. These books describe the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as well as the spread of Christianity throughout the first-century world.
(2) Nine Pauline Epistles to Churches. The apostle Paul, missionary and the theologian of the New Testament church, writes to encourage and instruct new congregations of believers which he has helped to plant.
(3) Four Pauline Epistles to Pastors. In addition, Paul writes four letters to pastoral leadership, exhorting them to faithfulness and diligince in their pastoral duties.
(4) Nine General Epistles. These books contain practical help for Jewish believers who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ, and need to go on to maturity in their Christian lives.
New Testament Survey
by Rob Morgan
Nov 13, 2012
The Overview of the New Testament
The New Testament is the completion of the Scriptural masterpiece. The Old
Testament without the New Testament is like a story without an ending, like a bud that never flowers. The Old Testament prepares for the New; the New Testament fulfills the Old. In numerous ways, sometimes clearly, sometimes vaguely, the Old Testament points ahead to Jesus Christ. He is the thread of hope that winds its way through the first half of the Bible.
That hope, that expectation, is clothed with flesh and blood in the New Testament.
The Messiah appears! Those Old Testament prophets were right! He actually walks on this earth as a man - the God-man. The record of His life is preserved for us in the four Gospels. His miraculous birth, His incomparable words and deeds, and His life-giving death and resurrection distinguish Him as the most unique person of human history.
Following Christ's ascension, His apostles blanketed the world with the good news that sinners could become saints, that even Gentiles could enter the kingdom of God. Because of that message, churches sprang up from Jerusalem to Antioch, from Galatia to Italy. Acts records the path of this mighty wave. But the good news of Christ brings not only insurance for eternity. It also brings power for today. The New Testament Epistles explain how the power of the risen Christ can transform life's experiences. Repeatedly the authors proclaim that God can live in man! What more could we need? Finally, Revelation holds out hope. Christ is coming again, and when He does the wheels will be set in motion to end time and begin eternity.
The New Testament, penned by at least nine different authors over a period of 50 years, falls naturally into four divisions:
(1) Five Historical Books. These books describe the life and ministry of Jesus
Christ as well as the spread of Christianity throughout the first-century world.
(2) Nine Pauline Epistles to Churches. The apostle Paul, missionary and the theologian of the New Testament church, writes to encourage and instruct new congregations of believers which he has helped to plant.
(3) Four Pauline Epistles to Pastors. In addition, Paul writes four letters to pastoral leadership, exhorting them to faithfulness and diligince in their pastoral duties.
(4) Nine General Epistles. These books contain practical help for Jewish believers who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ, and need to go on to maturity in their Christian lives.