New Testament Survey Prepared and Presented By: M. Dean Morgan 1

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New Testament SurveyNew Testament SurveyPrepared and Presented By:

M. Dean Morgan

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IntroductionIntroduction

• In order to understand aspects of Jesus’ teachings, we must try to hear Him as First-century Galileans heard Him. Only after we understand the meaning of the New Testament in its original context will we be able to interpret it for our time.

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• Intertestamental history covers the period between the writing of the final books of the Old and New Testaments. The conquests of Alexander the Great (334 B.C.) and the Bar Kochba Revolt (A.D. 132-135) serve as the outer limits of this period.

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• The span between the close of the O.T. and the opening of the N.T. times is about 400 years.

• By 168 – 164 B.C., Antiochus Epiphanies IV, king of Syria, sought to bring the Jews under the sway of Grecian culture and religions.

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Introduction: Introduction:

• Koine Greek became the common language of the eastern Mediterranean.

• Koine means “common or profane.” • Hellenism emphasized education,

physical development, athletic contests, art, sculpture, drama, and philosophy.

• Hasidim, or “pious ones” • The celebration is called Hanukkah, the

festival of lights.

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IntroductionIntroduction• Herod Antipas (one of the sons of Herod)

was the son who played the most important role in the events of the N.T.

• Pharisees = “the Separated Ones” with three possible meanings:

1. to their separating themselves from people

2. to their separating themselves to study of the law (“dividing” or “separating” the truth)

3. to their separating themselves from pagan practices

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Introduction: Pharisee BeliefsIntroduction: Pharisee Beliefs• Monotheistic (One God)• Viewed entirety of the O.T. (Torah,

Prophets, and Writings) as authoritative.• Believed that the study of the law was

true worship• Accepted both the written and oral law• More liberal in interpreting the law than

the Sadducees• Quite concerned with the proper keeping

of the Sabbath, tithing, and the purification rituals

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Introduction: Pharisee BeliefsIntroduction: Pharisee Beliefs

• Believed in life after death and resurrection of the body (with divine retribution and reward)

• Revered humanity and human equality• Believed in the reality of demons and

angels• Missionary-minded regarding the

conversion of Gentiles• Believed that individuals were responsible

for how they lived

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Introduction: Sadducees Introduction: Sadducees

• Sadducees = Three possible translations:

1. “The righteous Ones” – based on the Hebrew consonants for the word righteous

2. “Ones who sympathize with Zadok”, or “Zadokites”-based on their possible link to Zadok the high priest syndikoi

3. “syndics”, “judges”, or “fiscal controllers” –based on the Greek word syndiloi

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Introduction: Sadducees BeliefsIntroduction: Sadducees Beliefs

• Accepted only the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy)-the written law of Moses as authoritative

• Practiced literal interpretation of the law

• Rigidly conservative toward the law• Observed past beliefs and tradition• Opposed oral law as obligatory or

binding

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Introduction: Sadducees BeliefsIntroduction: Sadducees Beliefs

• Believed in the absolute freedom of human will – that people could do as they wished without attention from God

• Denied divine providence• Denied the concept of life after death

and the resurrection of the body• Denied the concept of reward and

punishment after death• Denied the existence of angels and

demons• Materialistic

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Introduction: ZealotsIntroduction: Zealots• Their name refers to their religious zeal. • Extremely opposed to Roman rule over

Palestine• Extremely opposed to peace with Rome• Demonstrated against the use of the Greek

language in Palestine• Engaged in terrorism against Rome and

others with who they disagreed politically• (Siscarii {or Sssassins} were an extremist

Zealot group who carried out acts of terrorism against Rome.)

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Introduction: HerodiansIntroduction: Herodians

• Their name is based on their support of the Herodian rulers.

• Their Beliefs:• Not a religious group – but a

political one• Membership probably was

comprised of representatives of varied theological perspectives

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Introduction: Essenes/BeliefsIntroduction: Essenes/Beliefs• Very strict ascetics• Monastic: most took vow of celibacy

(adopting male children in order to perpetuate the group), but some did marry (for purpose of procreation)

• Rigidly adherent to the law (including a strict rendering of the ethical teachings)

• Believed and lived as pacifists• Rejected temple worship and temple

offerings as corrupted• Believed in the immortality of the soul with

no bodily resurrection• Apocalyptically oriented

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The Synagogue The Synagogue

• Preexilic. • Exilic. • Postexilic. • Maccabean.

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The SynagogueThe Synagogue

• The head of the synagogue was the archisynagogos.

• The hazzan was the assistant.

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The Synagogue: Elements Of Worship

The Synagogue: Elements Of Worship

1. The Shema

2. The Decalogue

3. The Eighteen Benedictions

4. The Scripture lesson

5. Psalms

6. The Homily

7. The Blessing

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• For historical purposes there are two men which stand out:

• PHILO

• JOSEPHUS

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Names Of ChristNames Of Christ

1. Jesus

2. Christ

3. Jesus Christ

4. Christ Jesus

5. Lord Jesus Christ

6. Son of God

7. Son of Man

8. Son of David

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Understanding The GospelsUnderstanding The Gospels

• Subject: The history of the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

• Purpose: To reveal how God accomplished the work of redemption, and to give us a foundation for the doctrines in the Epistles.

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• Matthew – the Teachings of Christ

• Mark – the Works of Christ

• Luke – the Parables of Christ

• John – the Conversations of Christ

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Dr. Van DykeDr. Van Dyke• “If four witnesses should appear before a judge

to give an account of a certain event, and each should tell exactly the same story in the same words, the judge would probably conclude, not that their testimony was exceptionally valuable, but that the only event which was certain beyond doubt was that they had agreed to tell the same story. But if each man had told what he had seen, as he had seen it, then the evidence would be credible. And when we read the four Gospels, is not that exactly what we find? The four men tell the same story each in his own way.

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• The first three Gospels, called the Synoptics have much material in common.

• The Gospels tell us WHEN and HOW Christ came.

• The Epistles tell us WHY and FOR WHAT Christ came.

• He [Jesus] is presented as: King in Matthew, Servant in Mark, Son of Man in Luke, Son of God in John.

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Jesus In The Four GospelsJesus In The Four Gospels

• Matthew is concerned with the coming of a Promised Savior.

• Mark is concerned with the life of a Powerful Savior.

• Luke is concerned with the grace of a Perfect Savior.

• John is concerned with the possession of a Personal Savior.

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MarkThe Book Of Christ The

Servant

MarkThe Book Of Christ The

Servant

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MarkMark• Mark means “hammer”. • Purpose: He sets out to prove that

Jesus of Nazareth is the Servant of God, who wholly fulfills the Father’s will, and that we should serve as we follow Him.

• This gospel account has been called “the shortest and clearest, the most marvelous, and at the same time the most satisfactory history in the world”.

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Mark Alone Records:Mark Alone Records:

1. The parable of fasting – teach us the need to fast and pray: 2:19-20

2. The parable of one soil; the seed growing secretly – to teach us the need to grow in grace 4:26-29 with 2Peter 3:18

3. Cure of the deaf and dumb man 7:31-37

4. Cure of the blind man at Bethsaida 8:22-25

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Mark: General CharacteristicsMark: General Characteristics

• There is nothing about the virgin birth.

• There is no visit of wise men. • No account of Jesus as the boy in

the Temple is given. • There is no Sermon on the Mount. • No quotations from the prophets are

imparted.

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Mark: General CharacteristicsMark: General Characteristics

• No divine titles are used. • There is no statement that His

work was finished at His death. • Miracles have a leading place in

Mark as parables have in Matthew.

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MarkMark• Key Chapter: 10 Christ’s purpose of

ministry.• Key Verse: 10:45.• Key Word: Straightway, found 42 times. • Key Phrase: And immediately He: 1;20.• Key Thought: Behold My Servant:

Isaiah 42:1• Christ is Seen as: God’s righteous

Servant: Isaiah 53:11.

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MatthewThe Book Of Christ The

King

MatthewThe Book Of Christ The

King

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MatthewMatthew• Matthew means “the gift of God”. • Contents: This book is a divinely

inspired account of the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah of Jewish prophecy.

• Subject: The teachings (discourses) of Christ.

• Purpose: To prove that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.

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Matthew: Reasons For Writing His Gospel


1. He wanted to convince non-Christian Jews of the truth of Christianity.

2. He sought to explain to Christians how their religion is the fulfillment of God’s promises and patterns of activity in the O.T.

3. He wanted to give young believers basic instructions in Christian living.

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4. He wanted to encourage his church in the midst of persecution from hostile authorities in both Jewish and Roman circles.

5. He desired to deepen Christian faith by supplying more details about Jesus’ words and works.

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MatthewMatthew

• Key Chapter: 16, which contains Peter’s confession of Christ.

• Key Verse: 1:1.• Key Words:

1. King (Christ as ), which occurs 5 times.

2. Kingdom, which occurs 50 times.

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MatthewMatthew

• Key Phrase: That it might be fulfilled: 1:22

• Key Thought: Christ’s Ministry: 20:28

• Spiritual Thought: Repent• Christ is seen as: King of the

Jews: 2:2

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LukeThe Book Of Christ The Perfect

Man

LukeThe Book Of Christ The Perfect

Man

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LukeLuke

• Luke means “luminous” – a light. • Matthew presents Christ as King--

to the Jews.• Mark presents Him as the Servant

of Jehovah—to the Romans.• Luke presents Him as the perfect

Man – to the Greeks

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LukeLuke• In Luke we see God manifest in the

flesh. • In this Gospel we see the God of

glory coming down to our level, entering into our conditions, and being subject to our circumstances.

• We learn from this Gospel that as a boy, Jesus developed naturally (2:40, 52).

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LukeLuke• Luke is the Gospel for the outcast

on earth. • Luke is a poetic book. • Luke speaks more of the prayers of

our Lord than any other Gospel writer.

• Subject: The illustrative truths (parables) of Christ.

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LukeLuke• Purpose: To prove that Jesus is the

Son of Man, the Savior of the world. (19:10).

• Scope: Luke covers a period of about 34 years.

• When and Where Written: Sometime between A.D. 63-68, probably at Philippi or Caesarea.

• Key Chapter: 15. The “Lost and Found” chapter.

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LukeLuke

• Key Verse: 19:10 – “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost”.

• Key Words: Seek and save.• Key Phrase: The Son of Man• Key Thought: Behold the Man.• Spiritual Thought: He is the Friend

of sinners: 19:7

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Luke: Jesus The TeacherLuke: Jesus The Teacher• The Scholars • The School • Entrance

Requirement • Examinations • Rules to be

observed • A Practice

School • The Course

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JohnThe Book Of Christ The Son Of

God

JohnThe Book Of Christ The Son Of

God

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JohnJohn• John or Johanan means “grace, gift, or

mercy of the Lord”. 3 Proofs Of Christ Deity – Chapter 2

1. His divine power – shown by the first of His many miracles: vs. 1-11.

2. His divine authority – shown by His driving out the money changers from the Temple: vs. 13-17

3. His divine knowledge – as show by His first prediction of His death and resurrection: vs. 19-22.

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JohnJohn• Subject: The conversations of Jesus.• Purpose: To prove that Jesus is the

Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing on Him one might have eternal life through His name (20:31).

• When and Where Written: Sometime between A.D. 90-100, in Ephesus.

• Key Chapter: 1. The presentation of Christ; the Word as flesh.

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JohnJohn• Key Verse: 20:31 – “But these are

written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name”.

• Key Words:1. God as Father, over 100 times2. Believe, at least 98 times3. Eternal life, 35 times4. Witness, 21 times5. Love, 20 times

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JohnJohn• Key Phrase: He that believes:

3:18,36

• Key Thought: That you might believe.

• Spiritual Thought: He is the only begotten Son of God: 3:16.

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Miracles Peculiar to JohnMiracles Peculiar to John

a. Turning water into wine: 2:1-11

b. Healing the nobleman’s son: 4:46-54

c. Healing the impotent man at Bethesda: 5:1-9

d. Healing the man born blind: 9:1-9

e. Raising of Lazarus: 11:1-44

f. Draught of fish: 21:3-6

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Three keys that unlock John’s Gospel

Three keys that unlock John’s Gospel

• Back door key: John 20:31

• Side door key: John 16:28

• Front door key: John 1:11-12

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ActsThe Book Of Christian Action

ActsThe Book Of Christian Action

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ActsActs

• Subject: What Jesus continues to do and teach by the Holy Spirit, through believers, since His ascension.

• Purpose: To give us God’s purpose, plan, and power for every believer during this dispensation of grace.

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Acts: The Main PurposeActs: The Main Purpose

1. To present a history.

2. To give a defense.

3. Luke probably wrote this work as Paul awaited trial in Rome.

4. To provide a guide.

5. To depict the triumph of Christianity in the face of bitter persecution.

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Acts: ThemesActs: Themes

• The first of these themes is that of the universal, unhindered spread of the gospel.

• The second theme of Acts concerns the separation of Christianity from the Jews.

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ActsActs

• Acts portrays Him as the ascended and exalted Lord and leader.

• No doubt Acts is the best guidebook to missions that has ever been written.

• Four words summarize the book of Acts: (1) Power; (2) Preaching; (3) Persecution; and (4) Progress.

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ActsActs• To Whom Written: Theophilus (1:1), but

intended for all believers.• When and Where Written: About A.D. 65,

probably in Rome or in Achaia.• Key Chapter: 2. The outpouring of the

Holy Spirit.• Key Verse: 1:8 – “But you shall receive

power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (NKJV).

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ActsActs• Key Word: Witness • Key Phrase: The promise of the Father:

1:4 with Luke 24:49• Key Thoughts:

1. We should obey God rather than man: 5:29

2. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so: 4:20 with Ps. 107:2

• Spiritual Thought: Power…upon you: 1:8

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Books Of The New TestamentDivision III

Books Of The New TestamentDivision III

The Epistles

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EpistlesEpistles

• Subject: The doctrine or teaching concerning what Jesus Christ has done, is doing, and will do for all believers during this age.

• Purpose: To give us the foundation for our faith for salvation, service, suffering, and our hope.

• Each group (division) gives us (1) doctrine, (2) reproof, and (3) correction.

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EpistlesEpistles

• Justification – a change of standing – before God

• Regeneration – a change of nature – from God

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The Book Of RomansThe Book Of Romans

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RomansRomans

• Paul’s estimate of himself as a sinner and a saint are summed up in these words:

1. The chiefest of sinners: 1Tim. 1:15.

2. The least of the apostles, not deserving to be called an apostle: 1Cor. 15:9.

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RomansRomans

• Key Chapter: 3. All under sin.• Key Phrase: The righteousness of

God 1:17.• Key Thought: Justification by faith

without the deeds of the law: 3:28.• Spiritual Thought: Come to God

clothed in His righteousness.

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Romans: PurposeRomans: Purpose1. He wrote to prepare the way for his

coming visit to Rome and his proposed mission to Spain (1:10-15; 15:22-29).

2. He wrote to present the basic system of salvation to a church that had not received the teaching of an apostle before.

3. He sought to explain the relationship between Jew and Gentile in God’s overall plan of redemption. The Jewish believers still felt constrained to observe dietary laws and sacred days. (14:2-6).

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Romans: Four Special TermsRomans: Four Special Terms1. Justified is a legal term meaning to

declare righteous. 2. Grace points to God’s free and

unmerited favor by which God has without charge to believers declared them to have a right standing in His sight.

3. redemption means a price was paid. 4. Propitiation: Perhaps the idea of

satisfaction best illuminates this Pauline concept for us.

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New Testament Survey Prepared and Presented By: M. Dean Morgan 1