New Testament Survey – Acts to Revelation
This is the second part of an introductory course to the New Testament, covering the books from Acts to Revelation. These lectures were given at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky during the spring of 2003.
| 1. Author |
Acts was written by the same person that wrote the Gospel of Luke and continues where Luke left off with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. |
| 2. Sources |
Luke wrote as a historian and includes details related to geography, political leaders and navigational terms. He was also an eyewitness and acquainted with eyewitnesses of events recorded in Acts. |
| 3. Purposes |
Luke's purpose in writing Acts was give an orderly historical account of events surrounding Christ's ascension, the first followers of Christ and the spread of the early Church. |
| 4. Outline |
Acts 1:8 is the theme verse for the whole book. The structure of the book of Acts shows how this theme was fulfilled by recording events relating the spread of the gospel geographically. |
| 5. Nature |
At first, the early Church was made up mostly of Jews who continued to live a Jewish lifestyle. |
| 6. Events |
Two events in the early Church were the choosing of an apostle to take the place of Judas Iscariot, and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. |
| 7. Conversion |
The elements of conversion in the New Testament are repentance, faith, confession, regeneration and baptism. |
| 8. Languages |
Many of the early Christians spoke Greek and Aramaic. Stephen was one of the first deacons and was martyred for his faith. |
| 9. Background |
The apostle Paul's background as a Jew, training as a Pharisee, and Roman citizenship had a significant influence in his ministry and writings. |
| 10. Conversion |
Paul had a dramatic conversion experience as he was traveling on the road to Damascus. |
| 11. Theology |
After Paul's conversion, on some areas of his theology his positions stayed the same, and on some areas his positions changed dramatically. |
| 12. Chronology |
Many of the events related to Paul's life and ministry are recorded in the book of Acts. |
| 13. Cornelius |
The conversion of Cornelius and Peter's vision were important events in emphasizing the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Church. |
| 14. First Journey |
The church at Antioch sent out Paul, Barnabas and John Mark to preach the gospel. This was Paul's first missionary journey. |
| 15. Jerusalem Council |
The Jerusalem Council was a meeting of the early Church leaders to decide how to include Gentiles Christians into what had, up to this point, been a predominantly Jewish Christian group. |
| 16. Second Journey |
Barnabas and John Mark went to Cyprus and Paul and Silas went through Asia Minor, then to Macedonia and Greece. |
| 17. Introduction |
Some of the letters from Paul in the New Testament are to an individual and some are to congregations. The letters are written in a form that includes the same general elements in the same order. |
| 18. 1 Thessalonians |
A main theme of 1 Thessalonians is the second coming of Christ. |
| 19. 2 Thessalonians |
Paul addresses some issues regarding the second coming of Christ, such as being responsible to work and support yourself in the meantime. |
| 20. Third Journey |
On his third missionary journey, Paul spent most of his time in Ephesus. |
| 21. Background |
Paul defends his apostleship and explains that the foundation of our relationship with God is based on faith, not works. |
| 22. Outline |
Paul begins by defending his apostleship. He then explains justification by faith and gives some ethical exhortations. |
| 23. Introduction |
Most people agree that Paul wrote both letters to the Corinthians. He answered questions from people in the Corinthian church and addressed problems that had arisen. |
| 24. 1 Corinthians |
In 1 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes unity and diversity in the body of Christ, and responds to questions about marriage, spiritual gifts and the Lord's Supper. |
| 25. 2 Corinthians |
Paul defends his actions and apostleship and encourages the people in the church in Corinth to contribute to his collection for the poor in Jerusalem. |
| 26. Introduction |
The content of Paul's letter to the church in Rome was shaped by the ethnic background of the congregation and the challenges they were facing at that time. |
| 27. Integrity |
The outline of Paul's letter to the Romans indicates his understanding of the fundamental concepts of the gospel. |
| 28. Occasion |
Paul wrote Romans from the perspective of his calling as the Apostle to the Gentiles. |
| 29. Problem |
Paul begins Romans by stating the problem of sin and enumerating a few specific sins. His conclusion in chapter 3 is that both the Jews and the Gentiles are under the wrath of God. |
| 30. Remedy |
The divine remedy to the problem of sin and separation from God is justification by a righteous God. |
| 31. Results |
The results of God's righteousness include, peace, hope, freedom, living in the Spirit and assurance. |
| 32. Arrest |
Paul was arrested in the Temple in Jerusalem, went on trial in Caesarea, and was transported to Rome and imprisoned awaiting trial before Caesar. |
| 33. Philippians |
A major theme in the book of Philippians is joy in times of adversity. |
| 34. Colossians |
In Colossians, Paul emphasizes the preeminence and supremacy of Christ. |
| 35. Indicative |
Imperative is always based on the indicative. |
| 36. Ephesians Introduction |
Most scholars agree that Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul, partly because the content follows an outline that is similar to other letters attributed to him that are contained in the New Testament. |
| 37. Ephesians Comments |
In Ephesians, Paul emphasizes who we are in Christ and the mystery of the gospel. |
| 38. Philemon |
Paul writes to Philemon about how Philemon should receive his runaway slave Onesimus, who has become a committed disciple of Christ under Paul's influence and is returning to him. |
| 39. End |
Luke does not record the details of Paul's death in the book of Acts. |
| 40. Authorship |
The best argument is for Pauline authorship, possibly with the help of a secretary. |
| 41. 1 Timothy |
Two themes in 1 Timothy are the role and requirements for bishops and elders, and the role of women in ministry. |
| 42. Titus |
Paul gives instructions to Titus who is a pastor in Crete. |
| 43. 2 Timothy |
Paul gives instruction to Timothy, who is a young pastor. |
| 44. Hebrews Introduction |
It is unclear who wrote the book of Hebrews. |
| 45. Hebrews Content |
A major theme in Hebrews is the supremacy of Christ. There are also passages that emphasize that perseverance is essential. |
| 46. James |
According to James, true faith results in works. |
| 47. 1 Peter Introduction |
The apostle Peter wrote this letter to encourage Christians to be faithful during a time of suffering. |
| 48. 1 Peter Content |
Themes in 1 Peter include the atonement, the new birth and the continuity of the Old and New Testaments. |
| 49. 2 Peter Authorship |
Some people question whether or not 2 Peter was written by the apostle Peter. |
| 50. 2 Peter Content |
Themes in 2 Peter include false teachers and the return of the Lord. |
| 51. Introduction |
1 John is similar to the Gospel of John in style, vocabulary, theology and purpose. |
| 52. Chapters 1-3 |
John makes a distinction between acts of sin and continuing in sin. |
| 53. Chapter 4-5 |
Jesus came as God in the flesh and offers us the gift of eternal life. |
| 54. Introduction |
Revelation is a book written in an apocalyptic genre by the apostle John. |
| 55. Key Issues |
The philosphy of interepretation you use when you study the book of Revelation determines what you think specific passages in the book are teaching. |
| 56. Chapters 1-12 |
Chapters 1-12 begins with the seven churches, and includes the seven seals and seven trumpets. |
| 57. Chapters 13-22 |
Revelation chapters 13-22 focus on the beast, Christ's final victory, final judgment and the millenium. |
| 58. Dating, Need, Collection |
After Christ ascended and the church was spreading, it was helpful to have a written record of Christ's life and the apostles' teaching. All the books included in the New Testament were written before the end of the first century. |
| 59. Criteria, Arrangement, Authority |
Each book included in the New Testament had to meet specific criteria. They are arranged with the Gospels first, then letters, then the book of Revelation. |
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