New Testament GospelsEmpower Amy F. Davis Abdallah Ph.D.
The genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1 includes women: Tamar (3), Rahab (5), Ruth (5), Uriah’s wife (6), Mary
God is into redeeming everything
You have a role in that redemption, regardless of your background
Major NT Theme
The major NT theme is God desires to bring all things into unity in Christ The OT (Hebrew Bible) describes different kinds
of separation This is the major NT theme, and we will see
how it is revealed in the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation.
PoliticalBackground of the NT
The Jews in Palestine were under the control of the Roman Empire Approximately 400 years, called the “Silent
Period” had passed since the recorded events of the Hebrew Bible (OT)
Many empires had controlle Palestine (Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome) The story of the Samaritans
PoliticalBackground of the NT
The Roman Empire brought the ability to travel freely because of peace, Roman Roads, and a common language (Greek);
“Kairos” the fullness of time
The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD
SocialBackground of the NT
Life was communal and centered around family living and working together
Betrothal and marriage language “I go to prepare a place for you” “In my father’s house there are many rooms” “Behold I stand at the door and knock”
House architecture
Religious Background of the NT
The people met on Sabbath (Saturday) in the synagogue to worship (maybe music, definitely Torah reading, teaching if there was a teacher there)
The sects included Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes The main reason Jesus is hard on the Pharisees is that
there are so many of them, and everyone respected them greatly.
Good male Jews attended pilgrim feasts at the temple in Jerusalem (Passover, Feast of Booths, Pentecost)
The Gospels
Matthew, Mark, Luke are Synoptic Gospels, while John is in a class by itself.
The differences between the Gospels (handout)
Jesus
Son of God and Son of man (divine and human)
Was God incarnate (conception, baby, growing up)
Was a teacher with followers
Grew up in Galilee
Jesus’ Disciples
The large group, the 12, and the three closest (Peter, James, John)
Often did not “get it,” but sometimes did
Left much to follow Jesus
Ran away when Jesus was arrested, slept as he prayed in Gethsemane
Became much more powerful after Pentecost in Acts
Jesus and Women
Women witness Jesus’ resurrection first, and were the first sent to tell of it—the Gospel
Women are disciples of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3, 10:1-17, 10:38-42—Mary and Martha, Matt 13:49-50—mother and brothers)
Jesus speaks to women and about women (John 4, Luke 15—lost coin, Matt 25—10 virgins, talents)
Women are not singled out for having little faith (Martha—John 11:20-27)
Events in the Life of Christ
Birth, presentation, teaching at temple
Baptism & temptation
Teachings: Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) On the Plain (Luke 6:17-49), etc. On the nature of parables
Miracles: wine, physical healing, calming the storm, deliverance from demons
Transfiguration, triumphal entry
Final week in Jerusalem, followed by death & resurrection
Connection to the Theme
The major NT theme is God desires to bring all things into unity in Christ. How do the following passages suggest this? (You read these as pre-reading for the class) John 13:1-7 John 14:1-14 John 15:1-16 John 17:1-23