THE BIBLE CONTINUED

WHAT IS THE NEW TESTAMENT


A collection of 27 books and letters, written over a period of 50 years by a number of different authors, The New Testament focuses on one special person belonging to the nation of Israel: Jesus Christ. The word testament means covenant or agreement. The Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, is about the covenant between God and the people of Israel [the Jews]. Many times the Jewish people failed to uphold the Laws of God and be faithful to Him.


Prophets began to talk of a new covenant that the people would keep, because it would be written on their hearts. Jesus was the new covenant and through His birth, life, death, and resurrection this was made possible. This offer was not only for just the Jews but also for all the people of this world. This new beginning will be completed when Christ returns again and all things are made new.


Very few writings outside the Bible include the Name of Jesus. Tacitus a Roman historian mentions Him in passing only as a ‘Christian’ put to death by Emperor Nero. Jewish historians offer little more except to say He practiced magic, beguiled the people, and He was hanged for heresy and misleading the people.

For all practical purposes, our only knowledge of Jesus comes from the New Testament. We are told very little of his life past His birth until He meets up with John the Baptist. The period covered after that is His Ministry, and what He taught, this covers a little over three years.


As we mentioned in our Introduction to the New Testament, the books following this cover the beginning of the Church, and letters to individuals and churches wrote afterwards.


Our goal here is to look deeper into the Books of the New Testament. Who wrote them, why they were wrote, and whom they were wrote to. We also will include scriptures that we believe have been questioned by different groups, and some that you might want to ponder on yourself.


As always, we ask that you pray and ask God to open your eyes to a deeper understanding of His Word.


Recj/LJG