Step By Step Through the New Testament Rev. Christopher J.
Respass Antioch Bible Institute Fall 2013 Lesson 1: New Testament
Background (part 1)
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New Testament Background `The New Testament (NT) is the
codification of Gods new covenant with his people. OTNT # of Books
Span Christ Orig. lang.
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New Testament World I.How did we get here? Egypt Assyria
Babylon Medo-Persia Greece
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New Testament World Greece (cont) Ptolemies & Seleucids
Maccabean Revolt Hashmonean Dynasty Rome
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Roman Emperors During NT Times 1.Augustus CaesarJesus Birth
2.Tiberius Jesus Death 3.Gaius (Caligula)Pauls Early Ministry
4.NeroChristian Persecutions in Rome 5.DomitianPersecution, Writing
of the Revelation
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Roman Oversight of Conquered Lands 1.Senate Provinces a) Senate
ruled over these territories. b) Usually peaceful territories c)
Locally governed by Proconsuls 2.Imperial Provinces a) Ruled
directly by the Emperor b) Usually troublesome, hotbeds c) Locally
governed by Procurators (governors)
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Roman Government in Judea 1.ProcuratorsPontius Pilate Felix
Festus 2.Judean Vassal King:Herod the Great Archaleus Antipas
Agrippa I (grandson) Agrippa II (great-grand)
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The Jewish Social World 1.Approximately 4 million Jews in the
Roman Empire. Only 700, 000 were in Palestine. Thus, the majority
were in the Jewish diaspora. 2.Multilingual: Hebrew (priestly
language) Aramaic (common language) Greek (many spoke and read
it)
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The Jewish Social World (cont.) 3.Social Classes a) Wealthy
Aristocracy: mostly Sadducees. Controlled businesses linked with
the temple. b) Poor Majority: farmers, craftsmen, businessmen. c)
Plebs: the virtually non-existent middle class who often found
themselves group along side the poor. d) Slaves: largest group.
Often well trained professionals placed in labor because of birth,
debt or war.
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The Religious World A.The religious landscape during the NT
times was pagan. There were a number of different faith systems
being practiced at the time. 1. Family Gods 2. Greek Gods 3.
Emperor Worship (Imperial Cult) 4. Mystery religions 5. The
Occult
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The Religious World (cont.) 6. Gnostic Religion 7. Epicurians
8. Stoics 9. Cynics 10. Skeptics
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The Religious World (cont.) B.The Jewish Theology: Judaism 1.
Monotheisticone Godavoided idolatry 2. Based on the historic acts
of God, not myth, philosophy or speculation. 3. They looked forward
to the coming of a Messiah who would be a political/military
deliverer. Q: How does the Jews Messianic Expectation clash with
the Jesus of Scripture?
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The Religious World (cont.) C.Worship 1. The chief center of
worship with the Temple. The development of Gentile Christianity
severed the connection of the temple with Christianity. 2. The
destruction of the temple if 586 BC, gave rise to the
synagogue.
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The Religious World (cont.) Purposes of the Synagogue 1.A place
for studying and teaching the law. 2.A place for the instruction of
children. 3.A social center for fellowship. The Jews rejection of
Jesus as Messiah led to the complete rupture between Christians and
the synagogue. Q: Any resemblance to the Christian church?