Freedom Christian Center Bible Studies 
Digging Deep into the Word of God
Summary Introduction to the New Testament – December 17, 2024

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Theme: God's love for the world and His plan for us to inherit eternal life.
Central Message
• To present God’s plan for the salvation of all people
• The promise of eternal life to all who believe in Jesus Christ
• The teachings of Jesus Christ
• The second coming of Jesus Christ
Overview of the New Testament: The New Testament is a continuation of God’s revealed will in the Old Testament. There are 66 books in the Holy Bible (39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament). The New Testament contains the revealed Christ; God’s eternal will; offer of grace; and eternal death for those who reject Jesus Christ. The New Testament is divided into four sections or parts:

The Gospels
• Although there are many translations of the New Testament, the original manuscript was written in Greek. 
• The first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• Each Gospel is named after its writer.
• The Gospels present Jesus Christ in His three offices of Prophet, Priest, and King.
• The Gospels focus on the mission of Jesus – revelations about Him as the Son of God, his birth, life, and works.
• Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called Synoptic Gospels; which means they share the same story in similar sequence or summary; sometimes from different perspectives. 
• The Gospel of St. John tells Jesus’ story from a different perspective and presents Him as the Son of God. 
• The synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke have similarities and differences; but each of these three Gospels is written for a particular purpose. For example, Matthew was written to present Jesus as King; Mark was to present Jesus as Servant, and Luke was to present Jesus as Son of Man. 
• All four Gospels focus their message on Jesus Christ.
History Book
• The Book of Acts is known as the history book. It contains the history of the early Church.
• Written by Dr. Luke, a physician. He also wrote the Gospel of St. Luke. The Book of Acts is a continuation of Luke’s writing in the Gospel of St. Luke.
• The Book of Acts contains the promise, release, power, and work of the Holy Spirit in the church and in the community.
• Acts focuses on God’s will for the church --- what grows the church; what maintains the power of the Holy Spirit in the church; having the fear of God.
• The conversion of Saul and his work as an Apostle of Jesus Christ; the work of Peter and other Apostles.
• The Persecution of Saints.
Letters (Epistles)
• Various letters written by the Apostles to the Church and believers everywhere. There are 13 Pauline epistles and 8 epistles written by others.
• Pauline epistles: Romans; I & II Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I & II Thessalonians; I & II Timothy; Titus; Philemon (13 total).
• Non-Pauline epistles: Hebrews; James; I & II Peter; I, II & III John; Jude (8 total)
Prophecy
• The revelation of Jesus Christ to Apostle John concerning the church and things to come – the end of the world.

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Summary of the New Testament: John 3:16–17 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

Question to ponder: What does the New Testament mean to you?

Assignment for next week: Read the Book of Matthew Chapter 1.