New Testament

Jesus’ Ministry to Galilee – Luke 1 – 15

The first study year began with a lecture that both reviewed the final events of the Old Testament period and gave an overview of the 400 years between the Testaments (called the Intertestamental Period) that prepared the way for God’s Messiah. Luke 1-15 was our main text for “Jesus’ Ministry to Galilee” but the other three Gospels were occasionally brought in to compare how they dealt with common issues (i.e., genealogy in Matthew compared to Luke). However, the focus was viewing Jesus through the eyes of Luke, and not trying to harmonize the Gospels.

It is Finished – Luke 16 – Acts 7

The second study year picked up with Luke 16 as Jesus continued his journey towards Jerusalem followed by His arrival and the Passion Week. This study also took us into the beginning of Dr. Luke’s second volume, Acts, following the continued work of Jesus through His disciples. God’s salvation through Jesus was to be proclaimed through the power of the Holy Spirit to all who would believe beginning in Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

The Persecuted Church – Acts 8 – 15:35, James and Galatians

The third year began with Acts 8 and a man named Philip. In this study we met the first century believers who were persecuted and some martyred for their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. One of the greatest persecutors was a Pharisee named Saul. But when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, his life was forever changed and he became the great apostle Paul sent to the Gentiles. During this period of history, Paul took his first missionary journey and two letters were written, the letter of James and the letter of Paul to the Galatians. The growth of the church began to change the dynamics as more and more Gentiles were being added. A new struggle began and sides were taken as to whether the Gentiles must first be circumcised (become Jews) before they could be accepted into the Church. This study concluded with the monumental decision made by the Jerusalem Council. “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11)

Paul’s Second and Third Missionary Journeys – Acts 15:36 – 18,

1 & 2 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians

The story picks up in Acts 15:36 with Paul and Barnabas discussing a return visit to the churches they had established in Galatia. A major rift occurred when Barnabas wanted to take John Mark and Paul refused because he had left them during their first journey. The result was two missionary teams, Barnabas took John Mark and headed to Cyprus while Paul took Silas and returned to Galatia. Paul’s second journey took him beyond the churches of Galatia to the cities of Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth where he shared the Gospel and many came to faith in Jesus Christ. In this study, we got acquainted with several of the first century believers including Silas, Timothy, Lydia, Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos. After this journey

Paul wrote two letters to the church at Thessalonica. This was a growing, thriving church, so Paul’s letter was one of encouragement and instruction.

This year also began Paul’s third missionary journey where he spent three years at the city of Ephesus. During Paul’s third journey he wrote three letters, the first of which is covered in this class, 1 Corinthians. The church at Corinth was the church that broke the heart of Paul. The letter he wrote dealt with many questions and is a letter of correction for an immature church.

Paul’s Third Journey (Continued) – Acts 18 & 19, 2 Corinthians and Romans

This fifth study year continued with Paul’s third journey focusing on the remaining two letters that he wrote. Paul had written letters to the problem church at Corinth and eventually made what became a very sorrowful visit. The church was divided and Paul’s authority as an apostle was being questioned. Paul left but rather than allowing the church to remain divided, Paul wrote another letter which is the New Testament 2 Corinthians (a second chance for a corrected church) and sent it with Titus. When Titus returned to Paul he had good news, this letter was well received and now the church was concerned about Paul and his welfare. Paul made another trip to Corinth spending the three winter months there. During that time, all was calm in the church and Paul felt his work was now done. From Corinth Paul wrote a letter to the Romans in anticipation of making Spain the destination of his next missionary journey.

Paul’s Journey to Rome – Acts 20 – 28, Philemon and Colossians

This sixth study focuses on Paul’s return from Corinth to Jerusalem, his arrest and the resulting journey to Rome sometimes called his “fourth journey.” Although the trip was not as Paul had planned, the Gospel still went forth from Rome. During his imprisonment, Paul wrote four letters, two of those letters were covered in this class; the first letter was written to a friend named Philemon to encourage him to welcome back his runaway slave Onesimus. He asked that Philemon welcome him back not as a “man” (slave” but as a new brother in Christ. This was radical thinking but one reflecting their equal status in Christ. Paul also wrote a letter to the church of Colosse that was meeting in Philemon’s home. This letter is all about Christ who is the visible manifestation of the invisible God.

Letters from Rome – Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus and 2 Timothy

The seventh year will conclude our study of the early church with Paul’s final letters from Rome, one to the churches of Ephesus and one to thank the church at Philippi for their support. Paul was released from prison and traveled back through Asia and Macedonia. As time passed, Paul realized that he might not live until Christ returned so wrote to his young disciple Timothy and his fellow worker Titus. The letter’s are called “The Pastoral Letters” as Paul teaches how to have an effective ministry in the churches. Arrested and taken to a Roman prison a second time, Paul realized that he would be executed shortly. His final letter was written to his young disciple Timothy passing the torch of ministry on to the next generation.

Revelation

This year our New Testament study will be The Revelation of Jesus Christ as shown to the apostle John. We begin by setting the stage with a historical background. Because there is a huge gap in time between the end of the New Testament letters and Revelation, it is important to understand the importance of the Jewish Wars, the fall of Jerusalem and the time of persecution in which this letter was written. This is followed by a one week study on John, the apostle to whom this revelation was given. Revelation was written to encourage the believer’s who were going through great trials. It is about how God’s story comes to a successful conclusion. How His plan will be finally realized. And the good news – GOD WINS!

That is the study of Revelation.