Books of the New Testament

Why This Matters

The New Testament isn't just a collection of ancient texts—it's the foundation of Christian theology, ethics, and community that you'll be tested on throughout this course. Understanding these books means grasping how early Christians understood Jesus' identity, how the church formed its core doctrines, and how believers were expected to live out their faith. You're being tested on genre recognition, theological development, authorship traditions, and the relationship between Jewish and Gentile Christianity.

Don't approach these books as isolated units to memorize. Each one represents a specific literary genre (Gospel, history, epistle, apocalyptic), addresses particular theological questions (Who is Jesus? How are we saved? How should the church function?), and speaks to a distinct audience and context. Know what concept each book illustrates—that's what separates a strong exam response from simple recall.

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The Four Gospels: Portraits of Jesus

Each Gospel presents Jesus through a distinct theological lens, emphasizing different aspects of his identity and mission. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) share significant material and narrative structure, while John stands apart with its unique theological approach.

Matthew

• Jewish-Christian audience—presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, with frequent "this was to fulfill" citations linking Jesus to Hebrew Scripture
• Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) contains core ethical teachings including the Beatitudes, establishing Jesus as a new Moses figure delivering divine law
• Great Commission (28:19-20) instructs disciples to baptize and teach all nations, making this Gospel central to understanding Christian mission theology

Mark

• Earliest Gospel written (c. 65-70 CE), characterized by urgency and action—the word "immediately" appears over 40 times
• Messianic Secret theme runs throughout, with Jesus repeatedly commanding silence about his identity, revealing a complex understanding of messiahship
• Suffering Servant portrayal emphasizes Jesus' path to the cross, making this Gospel essential for understanding atonement theology

Luke

• Gentile audience and concern for historical accuracy—opens with a dedication to Theophilus and claims careful investigation of sources
• Marginalized groups receive unique attention: women, Samaritans, the poor, and sinners feature prominently in parables like the Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son
• Two-volume work with Acts, making Luke essential for understanding the continuity between Jesus' ministry and the early church's mission

John

• Logos Christology opens the Gospel ("In the beginning was the Word"), presenting Jesus as the pre-existent divine Word made flesh
• Seven "I Am" statements (bread of life, light of the world, etc.) echo God's self-revelation to Moses and assert Jesus' divine identity
• High Christology throughout emphasizes Jesus' unity with the Father and his role as the exclusive path to salvation

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History of the Early Church

Acts serves as the sole narrative account of Christianity's expansion from a Jewish sect in Jerusalem to a movement spanning the Roman Empire. Understanding Acts is essential for contextualizing the epistles that follow.

Acts

• Pentecost narrative (chapter 2) describes the Holy Spirit's descent, marking the church's birth and establishing Spirit-empowerment as central to Christian identity
• Peter and Paul serve as the two main figures—Peter leading the Jerusalem church and mission to Jews, Paul pioneering the Gentile mission
• Jerusalem Council (chapter 15) resolves the Jew-Gentile controversy, establishing that Gentiles need not follow Jewish law—a pivotal moment for Christian self-definition

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Pauline Epistles: Theology and Church Life

Paul's letters form the earliest Christian writings and establish foundational doctrines on salvation, grace, and community. These epistles address specific congregations facing particular challenges, so context matters for interpretation.

Romans

• Systematic theology of salvation—the most comprehensive explanation of sin, justification, and grace in the New Testament
• Justification by faith doctrine (especially chapters 3-5) argues that righteousness comes through faith, not works of the law, for both Jews and Gentiles
• Chapters 9-11 address Israel's place in God's plan, essential for understanding Jewish-Christian relations in early Christianity

1 Corinthians

• Church dysfunction addressed—divisions, sexual immorality, lawsuits, and worship disputes reveal the messy reality of early Christian communities
• Love chapter (chapter 13) defines love as the supreme virtue, surpassing even spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues
• Resurrection theology (chapter 15) provides the earliest written argument for bodily resurrection as essential to Christian hope

Galatians

• Anti-legalism polemic—Paul's most forceful defense of justification by faith alone, written to counter those requiring Gentile circumcision
• "Judaizers" controversy reveals early Christianity's struggle to define its relationship to Jewish law and identity
• Fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23) contrasts with works of the flesh, establishing ethical expectations for Spirit-led living

Ephesians

• Ecclesiology (doctrine of the church)—presents the church as Christ's body, emphasizing unity across ethnic and social divisions
• Spiritual warfare metaphor (chapter 6) introduces the "armor of God," influential in Christian devotional practice
• Household codes (5:21-6:9) address marriage, parenting, and slavery, revealing early Christian adaptation to Greco-Roman social structures

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Apocalyptic Literature: Vision of the End

Revelation represents a distinct genre requiring different interpretive tools than Gospels or epistles. Apocalyptic literature uses symbolic imagery to convey theological truth about God's sovereignty and ultimate victory.

Revelation

• Apocalyptic genre employs numbers, colors, and beasts as symbols—seven represents completeness, the beast represents imperial Rome, etc.
• Persecution context addresses Christians facing Roman hostility, offering encouragement through visions of Christ's ultimate triumph
• New creation conclusion (chapters 21-22) promises a restored heaven and earth, providing the New Testament's fullest vision of eschatological hope

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Quick Reference Table

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Self-Check Questions

1. Which two Gospels would you contrast to demonstrate different early Christian understandings of Jesus' identity—and what specific features distinguish them?

2. If an FRQ asks about the development of Christian doctrine on salvation, which epistle provides the most systematic treatment, and what key concept does it establish?

3. Compare Matthew and Luke's intended audiences—how does this difference shape each Gospel's emphasis and content?

4. Which New Testament book resolves the controversy over whether Gentile converts must follow Jewish law, and why is this event significant for understanding early Christian identity?

5. How does Revelation's literary genre (apocalyptic) differ from Paul's epistles, and what interpretive approach does this require?