TL;DR - Quick Summary
- 27 books written in Greek between ~50-100 AD
- Centers on Jesus Christ: His life, death, resurrection, and teachings
- Documents the birth and growth of the Christian church
- 5 sections: Gospels, Acts, Paul's Letters, General Letters, Revelation
- Fulfills Old Testament prophecies and promises
- Provides foundation for Christian faith and practice
1. The Structure of the New Testament
| Section | Books | Count | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gospels | Matthew - John | 4 | Life & Ministry of Jesus |
| History | Acts | 1 | Early Church & Mission |
| Paul's Letters | Romans - Philemon | 13 | Christian Doctrine & Living |
| General Letters | Hebrews - Jude | 8 | Faith & Perseverance |
| Prophecy | Revelation | 1 | End Times & Victory |
2. The Four Gospels - Meeting Jesus
Four different perspectives on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ:
Matthew - The King
Written for: Jewish audience
Theme: Jesus is the promised Messiah-King
Unique Content: Sermon on the Mount (5-7), Parables of the Kingdom
Key Verse: "I have not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it" (5:17)
Symbol: Lion (royalty)
Mark - The Servant
Written for: Roman audience
Theme: Jesus is the suffering servant who came to serve
Style: Fast-paced, action-oriented (uses "immediately" 40+ times)
Key Verse: "The Son of Man came to serve and give his life" (10:45)
Symbol: Ox (service)
Luke - The Perfect Man
Written for: Greek audience
Theme: Jesus is the perfect, compassionate Savior for all people
Unique Content: Birth narrative, parables of mercy (Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son)
Key Verse: "The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost" (19:10)
Symbol: Man (humanity)
John - The Son of God
Written for: All people
Theme: Jesus is God in human form
Unique Content: Seven "I AM" statements, Upper Room discourse
Purpose: "That you may believe Jesus is the Christ" (20:31)
Symbol: Eagle (divinity)
3. Acts - The Church is Born
Written by Luke, Acts chronicles the explosive growth of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome:
Ch 1-2: Birth of the Church
Ascension, Pentecost, 3,000 believers added
Ch 3-7: Growth in Jerusalem
Early miracles, persecution begins, Stephen martyred
Ch 8-12: Expansion to Gentiles
Philip, Saul's conversion, Peter's vision, Antioch church
Ch 13-28: Paul's Missionary Journeys
Three journeys across Mediterranean, Gospel to Rome
4. Paul's Letters - Theology and Practice
Theological Masterworks
Romans
Complete gospel presentation: sin, salvation, sanctification, sovereignty
Galatians
Freedom in Christ vs. legalism; saved by grace through faith alone
Ephesians
Our identity in Christ; the Church as Christ's body
Church Issues
1 & 2 Corinthians
Addressing divisions, immorality, spiritual gifts, and resurrection
Philippians
Joy in all circumstances; Christ's humility and exaltation
Colossians
Supremacy of Christ; warning against false teaching
End Times Teaching
1 & 2 Thessalonians
Christ's return, living in light of eternity, encouragement
Pastoral Letters
1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
Church leadership, sound doctrine, pastoral care
Philemon
Personal letter about forgiveness and reconciliation
5. General Letters - Faith in Action
Hebrews
Author: Unknown (possibly Paul, Apollos, or Barnabas)
Theme: Jesus is better than everything in the Old Covenant
Famous: Hall of Faith (chapter 11)
James
Author: James, Jesus' brother
Theme: Faith without works is dead
Focus: Practical Christian living, taming the tongue
1 & 2 Peter
Author: Apostle Peter
Theme: Hope and perseverance through suffering
Focus: Living as strangers in the world, false teachers
1, 2, 3 John
Author: Apostle John
Theme: Love, truth, and assurance of salvation
Famous: "God is love" (1 John 4:8)
Jude
Author: Jude, Jesus' brother
Theme: Contend for the faith against false teaching
Focus: Warning about ungodly infiltrators
6. Revelation - The Grand Finale
The final book of the Bible reveals God's ultimate victory:
Chapters 1-3: Letters to Seven Churches
Jesus addresses specific churches with commendations and warnings
Chapters 4-5: Throne Room Vision
Worship in heaven; the Lamb who was slain
Chapters 6-19: Judgments and Conflict
Seals, trumpets, bowls; spiritual warfare; Christ's return
Chapters 20-22: Final Victory
Satan defeated, new heaven and earth, eternal glory
"I am making everything new!"
Revelation 21:57. Key Themes of the New Testament
The Kingdom of God
Jesus inaugurates God's reign through His life, death, and resurrection. The Kingdom is now but not yet fully realized.
Salvation by Grace
We are saved not by our works but through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Holy Spirit
God's Spirit indwells believers, empowers ministry, produces fruit, and guides into truth.
The Church
Believers are united as Christ's body, called to love one another and make disciples of all nations.
Christ's Return
Jesus will return to judge the living and dead, establish His eternal kingdom, and make all things new.
Love
God's love demonstrated in Christ becomes the defining mark of His followers (John 13:34-35).
8. How to Read the New Testament
For New Believers
Start with John → Acts → Romans → Ephesians → Rest of Gospels
For Understanding Jesus
Read all four Gospels to see Jesus from different angles
For Christian Living
James, 1 Peter, Ephesians 4-6, Colossians 3-4
For Deep Theology
Romans, Ephesians, Hebrews, John
The New Testament Proclaims:
- Jesus is Lord: He is God in flesh, crucified and risen
- Salvation is Free: By grace through faith, not works
- The Spirit Empowers: God lives in and through believers
- Love Defines Us: Christians are known by their love
- Hope is Certain: Christ will return and make all things new