Introduction to the New Testament

1
Introduction to the New Testament
2
Relationship Between the Testaments

• The Old Testament sets forth a system of doctrine
  and duty.
• Historical record of facts
• Involving and demonstrating the will of
  God in heaven
• Mans duty toward God
• Mans duty to himself and his fellowman

3
Relationship Between the Testaments

• New Testament is not independent of the OT
  history it is a sequel to it.
• Human redemption was in Gods mind before the
  creation (1 Peter 118-20 Ephesians 38-11).
• Plans and provisions not known or understood
  during OT times
• Revealed to man by Holy Spirit in the NT

4
Relationship Between the Testaments

• Old Testament is the New Testament concealed the
  New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.
• The two constitute the whole of divine
  revelation.
• They complement each other.
• Both have distinct unity.
• In the OT, Gods eternal purpose is a mystery it
  is revealed in the NT (1 Corinthians 26-13
  Ephesians 31-7).

5
Old Testament Reveals

• Necessity of holiness to receive blessings
• Final consequences of sin
• Eternal life as reward for faithfulness
• Romans 154
• Hebrews 11
• Hebrews 3 and 4

• Attributes of Deity
• Gods eternal existence
• Perfect holiness
• Unity of Godhead
• Unlimited power
• Rule over the nations
• Principles of righteousness

6
Fundamental Truths - OT

• Promise
• Prophecy
• Type
• Shadow

• Christs resurrection
• Future rewards and penalties
• Gods universal provisions by grace
• Atoning blood of Christ
• Justification of all mankind

7
Fundamental Truths - NT

• Coming of Christ
• Perfect example of holiness
• Death for our sins
• His resurrection and justification
• Ascension
• Our King and High Priest

• Establishment of the church
• Relationship with Christ
• Purchased with His blood
• Signs confirming the gospel

8
Testament and Covenant

• Old Testament - Gods covenant agreement with His
  people
• Confirmed by the sprinkling of animal blood
• Ratified by agreement of the people
• Exodus 197,8
• Deuteronomy 527

9
Testament and Covenant

• New Testament - Gods covenant agreement with His
  people today
• Sanctified by Christs blood
• Ratified by the peoples obedience to His
  commands
• Provisions of Gods grace
• Faith must be active and obedient.

10
New-Testament Background

• Conditions of the times
• Principles of righteousness are eternal.
• Remain the same despite the circumstances
• Principles and applications affected by exact
  situations
• Effects on the writers

11
Religious Background

• Jews and the history between Babylonian captivity
  and reign of the Herods
• The synagogue worship continued until NT times.
• Rebuilding
• Greek (Hellenistic) influence
• 100 years under Egypt

12
Religious Background

• Maccabean Period broke the Syrian rule, and the
  temple was rededicated.
• Jerusalem and Palestine remained under Roman
  government.
• Herod dynasty
• Herod the GreatKings of the Jews
• Slaughter of young children
• Murder of John the Baptist

13
Religious Background

• Agrippathe last of the Herods
• Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to death.
• The Jews were scattered in every place.
• The Law standard of ethical conduct
• Septuagint increased the influence of the Jewish
  religion.
• Synagogues built
• Pharisees and Sadducees

14
Political Background

• Rome dominated the entire civilized world.
• Emperor rule
• After the battle of Carthage, Rome won control
  over the Italian peninsula.
• Under the Caesars, Rome persecuted the
  Christians.
• Palestines dual form of government
• Jewish government headed by Herod
• Roman government headed by Pilate

15
Cultural Background

• Greece, in a real sense, captured the world with
  its culture.
• Greek became the universal language.
• Greek customs and culture pervaded, even in Rome.
• Koine Greek - language of NT
• Gnostic influences
• Emphasized philosophy and learning
• Widespread immorality
• Skepticism was the order of the day.

16
Social Conditions

• Army officers and politicians became very rich.
• 85 million people7 million in Rome
• 6 million slaves
• Freedom could be purchased for a price.
• Freedmen were a large class.
• No middle class in Roman society
• Nobility highly extravagant
• There were organized trade guilds.

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Trade and Commerce

• The door of commercial opportunity was open to
  the Roman Empire.
• Egypt grew grain for the empire.
• Roman ships sailed the seas.
• Wonderful highways encouraged travel.
• Drinking houses filled with immorality
• Alexandria had a great library.
• Athens had its temples and culture.
• Under Greek rule, the Jews were shown kindness.

18
Final Thoughts

• Representatives of all 12 tribes still existed.
• Scattered throughout the known world (Acts
  26-11)
• Wherever the gospel spread, the people were
  acquainted with God through OT Scriptures.
• In the beginning, Christianity was planted
  between great mountains of Jewish prejudice and
  heathen philosophy!