Let's hear it for the New!

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/255121d9/lets-hear-it-for-the-new-the-bible-part-two

The Bible is the only book that understands you so intimately that your whole life will begin to make sense through its lens.1 We looked at the breadth of the Old Testament last [https://conta.cc/42hP4o7] now let's take a closer look at the New Testament, shall we? And as mentioned, having a basic working understanding of the Bible's contents is so valuable if we are desirous of knowing what God has to say to us.

The Bible was written by about 40 different authors on three different continents, comprised of 66 different books - yet maintained consistency. Only possible because it was inspired by God.2 

The Bible addresses the biggest and most controversial questions of life: 'How did I get here? Why am I here? What happens when I die?'3

While the Old Testament spans about 1000 years in its 39 books, the New Testament covers only about 80-90 years. 

The writings of the New Testament were finished before 100 A.D.--critical in supporting the veracity of Scripture. Knowing that the first three gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) were written when many were alive and could remember the things Jesus said and did . . . and many would still be alive when the fourth one (John) was written as well.  The scriptures, the stories of Jesus and the early church would have been refuted and the writers discredited if they recounted or represented falsehoods.

Contained in the New Testament's 27 books-

(once again, not ordered chronologically)--are the following categories:

~The Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, his training of the disciples and life with them. Each gospel is unique in perspective and purpose. We studied through Mark last year and will pick up Luke again on Thursday...different from each other.

~History - the establishment of the early church and its spread through Mediterranean lands

~Paul's Letters - After Paul's conversion on the Damascus Road, recorded in Acts 9, he wrote letters or 'epistles' to the established churches. We are certain he wrote 13 of them, while the authorship of the book of Hebrews is in question.

~General Letters - of Peter, of John, James and Jude.

~Apocalypse - the book of Revelation, written by the apostle John when he was on the Isle of Patmos - a revelation from Jesus Christ himself.

The NT was written by the apostles of Jesus Christ, or companions of the apostles. This means that the authors were either eyewitnesses of the events they described or they recorded eyewitness firsthand accounts. "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty."4



Scripture is reliable. While the Bible is inspirational and useful for instruction and application to our lives, it can be defended as truth! Once again, the gospels were written when people who were still alive could have refuted them--their claims about Jesus' life, death, miracles, and resurrection-they did not, that's because they were true.

I think of the psalmist, David, the 'man after God's own heart'-who said,

 "Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."5

Yes, the Bible you hold in your hands is a gift from God . . . it will instruct and inform you all the days of your life.

Please listen: Red Letter Blueprint - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYm__B0-EVY

How I treasure the words of God!

Christine



1 - The 40-Day Feast, Wendy Speake, p. 57

2 - How do we know the Bible is true? written by me: https://conta.cc/3gWotUK

3 - One Meaningful Search: written by me: https://conta.cc/3OUZTT8

4 - 2 Peter 1.16

5 - Psalm 119.89