October 23, 2005

Cawson St. Church of Christ

Hopewell, Virginia

Mural Worthey

 

The Contents of the New Testament

 

Introduction

 

   Sometimes in a Bible study or sermon, it is good to look at details, single passages of Scripture, or even the meaning of just one word.  On other occasions, it is good to back up and look at the bigger picture.  This is what I want to do tonight.  I want to review the contents of the New Testament.  I want to cover 27 documents which include different kinds of literature: gospel, history, letters, and prophecy.  I do not want to say so much about the nature of these documents, as I do the contents.  I believe it is a helpful exercise to think through each of these documents (they are not really books in the sense in which we refer to books).  I can only spend a few moments on each writing to complete this survey in two presentations.

 

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

 

   I group the first four documents of the New Testament because they are records of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  These four accounts of our Lord’s life are from two eyewitnesses—two apostles, Matthew and John—and two close companions of apostles—Mark and Luke.  Mark is to Peter as Luke is to Paul.  Just as Paul called Timothy his son in the faith, so also did Peter refer to Mark.  (1 Peter 5:13, 1 Tim. 1:2.)  Mark was also the nephew of Barnabas.  The gospel of Mark is often called by biblical scholars “the memoirs of Peter.”  Luke, the only Gentile writer of the New Testament, was a close companion and fellow worker of Paul.  Paul referred to Luke as the beloved physician.  (Col. 4:14.)  While in prison and near the end of his life, Paul wrote to Timothy, “Only Luke is with me.”  (2 Tim. 4:11.)

 

   We should not assume that these accounts are the only ones that tell us something about Jesus Christ.  Paul wrote to the Philippians about the mind of Christ. (Phil. 2:5.)  The benefits of Jesus’ life are contrasted to that of Adam.  (Rom. 5:12-21, 1 Cor. 15:45-49.)  A brief description of Jesus’ birth and ascension are given in the last book of the Bible.  (Rev. 12:1-6.)  We learn much about Jesus from all of the writings of the New Testament.  He is the theme of every letter.  John even wrote to the seven churches of Asia that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy.”  (Rev. 19:10.)  The testimony about Jesus and from Him is the very heart of every prophecy.

 

Luke-Acts

 

   The complete writings of Luke were in the past referred to as Luke-Acts.  Combined there are 52 chapters (and 91 pages in my Bible) written by the beloved Gentile physician.  The great value of reading these two documents together is that they form one complete story from the birth of Jesus to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome (with Luke with him).  Luke records that he is writing to Theophilus (one loved of God).  (Luke 1:3, Acts 1:1.)  Luke wanted him to know what Christians believe concerning Jesus Christ.  Luke was presenting to him a rather complete story of the Christian faith.

 

   Luke ends with the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  Acts begins with the final words of Jesus to the apostles before his ascension.  Jesus told them to go into the city of Jerusalem and wait until they receive the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit.  The church was established on that first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  (Acts 2:1.)  According to the words of Jesus, the apostles carried the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the world.  (Acts 1:8.)

 

Romans

 

   The first part (about 2/3) of Paul’s letter to the church at Rome concerns the subject of justification.  The last part deals with the nation of Israel and their relationship to God, and applications of Christianity to Jews and Gentiles.  Paul declared, quoting Habukkuk, that the just shall live by faith.  (Rom. 1:17, Hab. 2:4.)

 

   Paul wrote some significant things about justification (a declaration that one is righteous by faith): 1) it is a justification of the ungodly (4:5), 2) faith makes one righteous (3:21-22), 3) faith is in Jesus’ blood (3:25), 4) God imputes righteousness to the one who believes that God raised Jesus from the dead (4:22-23), and 5) Abraham was justified by faith not by circumcision or the law or works (4:1-4).

 

 

   Romans 8 is the Christian’s catalogue of blessings in Christ Jesus.  There is no condemnation to those who are in Jesus Christ.  (8:1.)

 

1 & 2 Corinthians

 

   The first letter to Corinth was written in response to correspondence that Paul had received concerning divisions among them and to answer questions that he had been asked.  The house of Chloe told Paul about the contentions going on in the church.  (1:11.)  Can you imagine this family cringing when Paul told everyone who told him?  Paul charged that the church was immature in the faith and that he could not speak to them as adults.

 

   Here are some of the questions that Paul answered and the contents of the first letter: 1) divisions caused by following those who baptized them, 2) fornication, a man having his father’s wife, 3) carrying one another to court over frivolous matters, 4) the honorable state of marriage, 5) idols and eating meats offered to idols, 6) dissension over the fellowship meal and Lord’s Supper, 7) quarreling over spiritual gifts, and 8) some denied the resurrection of the body.  We have a wealth of material on all these subjects from Paul.

 

   The second letter is one of the most difficult to outline.  There is no clear theme around which Paul writes the letter. In part, it reveals the joy of Paul when he heard from Titus about the good response of the church to his first letter.  (Chapter 7)   Further, he writes about their planned contribution to the poor saints in Jerusalem.  (Chapters 8-9)  This letter is far more positive than the first.

 

Galatians

 

   This letter is unique in that it addresses more than one church.  Some of Paul’s letters were sent to individuals, like Timothy, Titus, and Philemon; others were sent to one church; but this one was sent to a region.  Galatia was one of the largest provinces of Asia Minor.  It was about the size of New Jersey and was named from the Gauls who conquered this territory.

 

   The message and theme is very clear and easy to discern.  After first receiving the Gospel preached to them by Paul, the Galatians had turned away from it to what Paul described as “another gospel which is not another.”  (1:6-8.)  Some teachers known as the Judaizers, Jewish Christians, argued that Paul was not really an apostle and that he did not teach what the elders and apostles in Jerusalem taught.  These teachers who came down to Galatia from Jerusalem taught that in order to be saved one had to keep the covenant of circumcision and the Law of Moses.  (Acts 15:1, 5, Gal. 2.)  These promoters of the rites of Judaism are described by Scripture as being “a sect of the Pharisees.”  (Acts 15:5.)

 

   Due to this confusion over what the Gentiles should do to become Christians, a conference of elders and apostles was held in Jerusalem.  The discussion ended in unity of all present.  The summary is found in Acts 15:9—“And (God) put no difference between us and them purifying their hearts by faith.”  Paul added that those who seemed to be in conference added nothing to him.  (Gal. 2:6.)

 

   A significant point that Paul makes in Galatians is this: “I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”  (2:21.)

 

Ephesians

 

   The theme of Ephesians is the church of our Lord.  Colossians has some very similar statements about the church to that of Ephesians.  They share a block of similar material called “the household texts.”  (Eph. 5:21-6:6; Col. 3:18-4:1.)  One way to distinguish the two letters is that Ephesians emphasizes the church as the Body of Christ, but Colossians emphasizes Christ as the Head of the church.

 

   Some important statements in Ephesians are these:  Eph. 1:3-4, 7, 22-23; Eph. 2:8-10, 20-22; Eph. 3:17-21; Eph. 4:3-6, 32; Eph. 5:32.

 

Philippians

 

   Philippians is remembered as one of the four prison epistles by the apostle Paul. (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon.)  In addition, the second letter to Timothy was written from a prison in Rome just before his death.   Paul was held the longest in jail at Caesarea and Rome.  Felix kept him bound in Caesarea in order to please the Jews, but when Paul demanded his rights as a Roman to be judged by Caesar, he was moved to Rome.  Paul and Silas were put temporarily in jail at Philippi.

 

   Philippi was the first place in Europe to hear the Gospel after Paul received the Macedonia call to come over and help them.  (Acts 16:9.)  The first convert in Philippi was Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira, and her household.  (Acts 16:14.)  After casting out an evil spirit from a young woman, Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned.  This brought about the conversion of the jailer.  (Acts 16:30f.)

 

   The message to the Philippians is a personal note of gratitude to this church for their fellowship with Paul in the Gospel from the beginning.  (1:5.)  He writes about consolation, peace and joy in Christ Jesus.  He wrote, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.”  (3:1.)  “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice.”  (4:4.)

 

Colossians

 

   We have already mentioned that the emphasis in Colossians is the church as the body of Christ.  It is similar to Ephesians in its content and emphasis upon the church.  However, there are some unique things that belong to this letter alone.  Paul is dealing with a heresy found only here in the New Testament.  They were being troubled with some who worshipped angels and promoted themselves as being more spiritual than others.  (2:18-23.)  They followed some rules imposed upon them, not by the Gospel, but self-imposed to make themselves look more spiritual.  Paul described this Colossian heresy will-worship, false humility, and ascetic. 

 

   This letter is significant in answering the question, What makes one really spiritual?  Is it by denying the body of its needs more than the Gospel requires?  Is it by protruding into worshipping angels?  Paul denies all this and affirms that what makes one really spiritual is having Christ Jesus in one’s heart.  “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”  (2:6.)  The hope of the Gentiles for salvation is not asceticism, but “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  (1:27.)

 

1 &2 Thessalonians

 

   The Christians at Thessalonica were primarily Gentile Christians.  They had turned from worshipping idols to serve the living and true God.  (1 Thess. 1:9.)  In addition, Paul added that they now wait for his Son from heaven, whom God raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivered us from the wrath to come.  (1 Thess. 1:10.)

   These two letters to the church at Thessalonica are known for their focus on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  Every chapter in these two letters (8 chapters in both) contains a reference to the Second Coming.  The Christians did not deny the Second Coming; they thought that it was imminent.  Some had stopped working and had become busy bodies.  Paul commanded them to go back to work and if a man does not work, then neither should he eat.  (2 Thess. 3:10, 1 Thess. 4:11.)

 

   Paul taught that the Second Coming would not occur until an apostasy occurred and the man of sin was revealed.  (2 Thess. 2.)  This is one of the more difficult chapters in the New Testament.  We need more information to be sure about our interpretation.  Paul said that he explained these things to them when he was with them, but he did not explain them to us!

 

1 & 2 Timothy and Titus

 

   We could call the letters to Timothy and Titus preacher to preacher correspondence.  These young preachers were fellow workers with Paul the apostle.  Timothy was left at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3), and Titus was sent to Crete (Titus 1:5).  They were sent to stabilize the newly established churches by grounding them in the Gospel.  The Jews brought into the church a unique set of problems, usually wanting to emphasize the Law and their special status through genealogy.  The Gentiles brought their culture and background into the church.  These young preachers had to deal with a very complex set of circumstances.

 

   Timothy and Titus were given the task of maturing the church and appointing elders and deacons in every church.  In the modern church we have debated two issues that are answered in these three letters: one is the role of located preachers and the need for elders and deacons.  The answer is yes to both questions.  There is a biblical role for each.  Some churches among us refuse to appoint qualified men to serve as elders.  Others refuse to allow located preachers to serve the church.

 

Philemon

 

   The letters of Philemon and Colossians could be discussed together.  Paul had sent Tychicus (TIK ih kuhs) and Onesimus to the church at Colossae.  (Col. 4:7-9.)  Paul had converted Onesimus in Rome and sent him back to Philemon.  The story of the conversion of Onesimus, which means profitable one, is interesting in itself, but the analogy that can be seen in it is especially meaningful.  We all, due to sin, have been unprofitable to the Father.  But after conversion we are sent back to our Master in heaven.  Jesus has written a letter for us to carry with us to present to the Father.  It says to the Father,  “If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.  If he hath wronged thee, put that on my account.  I will repay.”  (Philemon 17-18.)

 

   When we go back to the Father, he will receive us as if we were Jesus Christ himself.  He has paid for our sin debt in full.

 

Hebrews

 

   This significant letter in the New Testament extols the greatness of the Gospel and the Lord over the Old Covenant with its carnal ordinances.  It was written to Jewish Christians to encourage them to hold onto their faith in Jesus Christ.

 

   “Now the just shall live by faith, but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”  (10:38-39.)

 

   The writer ended this sermon by saying that Christians have an altar that Jews do not have a right to eat which serve the tabernacle.  Jews could not partake of the meat of the sin-sacrifices.  It had to be entirely burned.  But Christians can partake of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ if they leave the camp of Jerusalem and Judaism.  (13:10-15.)

 

   This writing is more like a sermon than any other writing in the New Testament.  It is not addressed to any particular person or church.  It is intended for Jewish Christians.

 

James

 

   James is also addressing Jewish Christians, the twelve tribes scattered abroad.  (1:1.)  He calls them brethren (1:1) and refers to the faith of the Lord Jesus (2:1).  This letter has been often described as things pertaining to practical Christianity, or how Christianity applies to everyday life.  He names things like: loving your brother whom you have seen, showing your faith by your deeds, caring for the needy—orphans and widows, the use of the tongue, daily trials of faith and suffering, the relationship between the rich and poor, and prayer.

 

   One of the most difficult doctrinal conflicts in the New Testament comes from the central message of James.  It is the supposed conflict between James and Romans; justification by works and justification by faith.  We believe that there is no conflict, but we should be cautious that we do not teach a form of the Judaizers’ message of mixing law and gospel.  Atonement is not partially by what Jesus did for us and the rest by what we do.  The death of our Lord is a full, sufficient and complete atonement for our sins.  Our response to the Gospel is a response of faith, but it is a biblical faith.  A faith which works by love. (Gal. 5:6.)

 

1 & 2 Peter

 

   We learn a lot from the apostle Peter from these two letters.  Acts of the Apostles is primarily about the missionary work of Paul and Peter.  We know more about the apostle Paul than any other apostle due to the abundance of letters from his pen.  These two epistles by Peter, along with Mark, tell us some more about Peter.

 

   We know that Peter became what Jesus implied when he gave to Simon the name Cephas.  He did become a rock in the early church.  He served not only as an apostle, but also as an elder in the church.  (1 Peter 5:1.)  His faith was renewed unto a lively hope after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  (1 Peter 1:3.)  The theme of the first letter is suffering and following the example of Jesus in how to endure it.  (1 Peter 2:19-25.)

 

   The second letter is very different from the first one.  It deals with growing to maturity in the faith.  (1:5-11.)  It exposes false teachers in that day, showing their ungodly conduct.  (2 Peter 2.)  The third chapter is well-known for its description of the destruction of the heavens and earth by fire.  He exclaims the day of the Lord when Jesus returns.

 

1, 2 & 3 John

 

   The theme of 1 John is assurance, how we may know that we have eternal life.  Know, gnosis Gr., occurs 26 times in this short epistle.  Because of John’s emphasis on knowing, many scholars think that John was combating the Gnostic philosophy.  John wrote:

   “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.”  (5:13.)

 

   “And we know that we are of God and the whole world lies in wickedness.  And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given to us an understanding, that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life.”  (5:19-20.)

 

   Gnosticism as a philosophy (there were several faces of it) was not fully developed until the second century, but it had its beginning even in the first.  We do know that John battled with Cerinthius, a Gnostic philosopher.  Gnostics boasted in their supposed superior knowledge.  They believed that all matter was necessarily evil; therefore, they could not accept the incarnation of Jesus Christ.  If Jesus came in an earthly physical body, they believed that it had to be sinful.  John declared one an antichrist if one denied that Jesus did not come in the flesh.  (1 John 4:3.)

 

   2 John is written the elect lady and her children, probably a reference to the church.  John expresses joy over those who walk in truth and love.  He warns against false teachers and teaches that Christians should not support those who teach that Jesus did not come in the flesh.  (2 John 7.)

 

   3 John could be called a missionary epistle because he commends those who received missionaries and condemns those, like Diotrephes, who rejects them.

 

Jude, the brother of James and servant of Jesus Christ.

 

   This short epistle of only 25 verses is very similar to 2 Peter 2.  It condemns false teachers in that day who secretly slipped in among Christians and took advantage of their innocence and generosity.  Jude said that when the Lord comes with his angels he will execute judgment upon them.

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation

 

   This book is a revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto Jesus to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass in the first century.  (1:1.)  Jesus is the theme of this book, just as He is all the books of the New Testament.  John wrote that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy.”  (19:10.)

 

   There are several unique things about this last book of the New Testament.  1) It is composed of three major kinds of literature—prophesy, letters, and apocalyptic.  2) The message is not so much about spiritual redemption as other books, but it is about the Lord’s judgment against an evil empire.  3) It has more Old Testament material than any other book of the New Testament.  If you want to understand Revelation, you must also understand Daniel and Ezekiel.

 

   The story-line of Revelation is about Christians being persecuted by an evil Roman Empire and Caesar.  There is an evil trinity arrayed against the holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The evil trinity is the red dragon, the sea beast and the earth beast.  The Lord wins the victory against the dragon.  The sea beast is the Roman Empire and the earth beast is the false prophet who promoted the worship of the Caesar.  Christians would not bow down before the image of the beast.  Therefore, they were not permitted to buy and sell in the Romans markets.  They were starving and persecuted by being thrown to wild beasts in the amphitheaters of Rome.  The Lord delivers them by defeating the evil trinity and establishing a kingdom which can never be destroyed by the powers of men and Satan.

 

   This message has often been misunderstood by teachers who promote a Jewish message, rather than the Christian Gospel.  It is not about Jesus reigning in Jerusalem in the future with Jews.  It is about Christians reigning with the Lord in the Kingdom which he died to establish.