New Testament
Matthew
Author – Matthew
Time – 4 B.C. to 30 A.D.
Summary – Matthew’s Gospel is aimed at a Jewish audience. Its purpose is to witness that Jesus was the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. Matthew emphasizes the words of the Lord regarding the Kingdom of Heaven. This was done to counterbalance the popular Jewish belief of the day that the Messiah would be a militant leader who would overthrow the current Roman occupation and re–establish the throne of David.
Mark
Author – Mark
Time – 4 B.C. to 30 A.D.
Summary – The book of Mark describes in detail Jewish customs and is therefore thought to be aimed at a non–Jewish audience (in particular, Romans). Mark describes in very life–like terms the miracles of Jesus, and great detail is given of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. It is thought that Mark was the first of the four Gospels, probably written between 65 and 70 A.D. It is thought that the book was taken by dictation from the Apostle Peter, because some events contained in the book are unique to Peter.
Luke
Author – Luke
Time – 4 B.C. to 30 A.D.
Summary – The book of Luke gives us the most complete look at the life of Jesus. Luke uses eyewitnesses as sources for his writings. He stresses Jesus’ humanity (since Luke was a doctor himself) and compassion as well as the power of the Holy Spirit and of prayer.
John
Author – John
Time – 4 B.C. to 30 A.D.
Summary – The book of John was written in order that men may believe that Jesus is the Son of God and consequently the Redeemer of all who believe in him and the things concerning the Kingdom of God. John cites eight signs to establish and prove this point, culminating in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. John is the only one of the four Gospels that does not cite any parables; instead John emphasizes Jesus as the manifestation of God.
Acts of the Apostles
Author – Luke
Time – 30 to 60 A.D.
Summary – Acts records the foundation and activities of the first–century church. It illustrates the struggles and problems that they faced as well as the solutions to overcome the problems. It describes the power that was given to a select number of men by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to promote the Gospel. The book also traces the missionary journeys of Paul as he helped form churches throughout Asia Minor, southeastern Europe and Rome.
Romans
Author – Paul
Time – 58 to 60 A.D.
Summary – Paul was instructed by the Lord Jesus Christ to be a minister to the Gentile people. He begins the letter by showing how all men are sinners in the eyes of God and therefore worthy of death. However, Paul explains that Jesus Christ was the "last Adam" in whom no sin was found, and is able to provide an acceptable covering for men’s sin if they agree that God is always right, accepting all that Jesus said and follow after him in their own lives. With this in mind, Paul explains the distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles and the final outcome of all things when the Lord Jesus returns to the earth to establish the Kingdom of God.
1st and 2nd Letters to the Corinthians
1st Corinthians
Author – Paul
Time – 55 – 57 A.D.
Summary – Written to the church at Corinth by the Apostle Paul. He deals with a series of problems and false teachings that were present in the newly formed church. Most members were from an immoral pagan background and were encouraged to change their way of life. There were also problems with those who tried to "blend" the teachings of Christ with the Law of Moses.
2nd Corinthians
Author – Paul
Time – 55 – 57 A.D.
Summary – This second letter to the church at Corinth was also penned by Paul. It was written after he made a "painful" and unsuccessful visit to the young church in an attempt to give instruction and guidance on several divisive issues. Upon learning that a majority of members had repented, he wrote the letter of 2nd Corinthians. It gives encouragement, yet teaches of the suffering that each member must face for the Lord Jesus’ sake. He concludes by surmising that when he is weakest, then God is able to work through him most powerfully. This letter was, in all likelihood, written about six months after the first letter to the Corinthians.
Galatians
Author – Paul
Time – 48 – 50 A.D.
Summary – The letter to the churches in Galatia focuses on the divisions that Jewish Christians were causing among new Gentile converts. These Judaisers were trying to convince the Gentiles that first, Paul’s authority was given by men and not by God, and secondly, that they needed to be circumcised and to keep the ritual law in order to be saved. Paul argues that both Jew and Gentile alike enjoy in Christ complete salvation. Through Christ they can be justified, that is, reckoned right with God, by association with the Promises made to Abraham. Reliance on the Law would only lead to death, and could not produce life–giving freedom, as only Christ could grant that freedom. Paul was showing that all legalistic variations of the Gospel are perversions of it and should be shown as such.
Ephesians
Author – Paul
Time – 62 – 63 A.D.
Summary – The letter is divided into two sections. The first outlines the blessings and spiritual riches in Christ. The second the walk in imitation of Christ. The letter illustrates the abundance of spiritual riches that Christ himself received, namely grace, glory, mercy, immortality, and was written to foster the development of Christ–like behavior. By doing so, the believer would learn to walk worthy of his vocation; not as Gentiles which know not God, but as children of light who show forth love and walk correctly in all aspects of life and action until the return of the Lord Jesus. It is thought that this letter was one of several letters which were circulated to the different churches in Asia and that it was written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28 v 30).
Philippians
Author – Paul
Time – 62 A.D.
Summary – The tone of this letter is more personal in nature than any other letter. Paul outlines his own beliefs and states that all believers must not be self–centered in their lives, but must look to Christ for an example of self–sacrifice and unity in purpose. He further contrasts enemies of the cross with those who are friends of the Lord Jesus and the cross. It is thought that Paul wrote this epistle while he was in prison.
Colossians
Author – Paul
Time – 62 – 63 A.D.
Summary – The letter to Colossae was written in response to the heresies that were brought to Paul’s attention. The major errors that had crept into the church were:
- the exaltation of angels or other "elemental spirits",
- the belief that self–denial and religious rituals produce spirituality, and
- the claiming of a special knowledge beyond that found in the Gospel of Christ.
Paul states that these are ideas based on human tradition and are therefore worthless. He teaches love, humility, submission to authority, and finally prayer to establish a believer in the wisdom of God.
1st & 2nd Letters to the Thessalonians
Author – Paul
Time – 50 A.D.
Summary – The main focus in these letters is the state of the dead in Christ. It deals with their resurrection and the future Kingdom of God. Paul appears to have written these letters because of the large number of newly baptized believers in Thessalonica. He was forced out of the city by jealous Jews. The occurrence of "you know" in the letters indicates that Paul had begun to teach them but was interrupted and therefore wishes to solidify the subject matter. Further encouragement is given in the second letter regarding the punishment of those wicked men who were persecuting them.
2nd Thessalonians – Christ As Our Victory
Key Verses – "And to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ... when he comes, in that day, to be glorified in his saints and to be admired among all those who believe"
2Thessalonians 1 v 7 to 10
1st & 2nd Letters to Timothy
Author – Paul
Time – Between 62 and 66 A.D.
Summary – Paul gives Timothy encouragement and reminds him of the work at hand. He reveals his fears to Timothy of the dangers within the church and gives advice for the godly conduct of all individuals. The two letters to Timothy, along with that to Titus are often called the Pastoral letters, because they were addressed to pastors, or leaders, of churches and not to the churches themselves.
2nd Timothy
The challenge – Stir up the gift of God
Titus
Author – Paul
Time – 62 to 66 A.D.
Summary – This letter was written by Paul from Nicopolis to Titus who was teaching the churches on the island of Crete. The letter provides Titus with instruction and advice for his conduct as well as guidance for dealing with the believers in Crete.
Philemon
Author – Paul
Time – 61 – 62 A.D.
Summary – Paul writes to Philemon whose slave, Onesimus, had run away to Rome, where he met Paul and became a Christian. Paul sends him back to his rightful owner with his personal letter of recommendation to accept him back with love and charity.
Hebrews
Author – Probably Paul
Time – 63 A.D.
Summary – This letter persuasively presents the distinctiveness of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The letter is primarily written to Jewish Christians who were wavering between Judaism and Christianity. Its primary message was to prove that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecy and symbol. With Christ as the fulfillment, there was no longer a need to offer the animal sacrifices, etc., required under the Mosaic Law. Christ is the High Priest and mediator of all believers in all ages who look for the salvation of God.
James
Author – James
Time – 43 – 50 A.D.
Summary – The letter of James contains practical information pertaining to everyday life as a Christian. It is not directed at any church in particular, but rather to Jewish believers, revealing their responsibilities to the principles of the Law as manifested in Christ. It focuses on real faith, and shows that there is a need to develop faith as an energizing power that would find its outworking in a changed life; therefore, the epistle dwells on practice and not doctrine.
1st and 2nd Letters of Peter
1st PETER
Author – Peter
Time – 60 A.D.
Summary – This letter was written to Christians in Asia Minor to help establish a joyful hope in the face of coming persecution. Peter sternly warns that persecution would come and that each individual must stand fast against it.
2nd PETER
Author – Peter
Time – 66 A.D.
Summary – The theme of this letter is true knowledge. The newly formed church was threatened by false teachers, and therefore Peter exhorts the Christians to be aware of this danger. Peter explains that false teachers had crept in and were secretly subverting the true doctrine of the Gospel
1st, 2nd & 3rd Letters of John
1st John
Author – John the apostle
Time – 85 to 100 A.D.
Summary – This letter was written to a community who faced heresy. John teaches how to walk in the light and also to keep in remembrance the sacrifice which the Lord Jesus Christ made for them.
2nd John
Author – John the apostle
Time – 85 to 100 A.D.
Summary – The letter is addressed to an "elect lady", who is advised to have minimal fellowship with unbelievers. The ideas of love, truth, and obedience are emphasized.
3rd John
Author – John the apostle
Time – 85 to 100 A.D.
Summary – The letter commends Gaius for allowing Christian teachers the use of his home and financial means. He is urged to receive only good men, which were known by their works and to shun evil men.
Jude
Author – Jude
Time – Around 60 A.D.
Summary – Jude warns of the danger of the false teachers who have "slipped in" unknown to the newly converted Christians. He further outlines the past judgments upon evil men who forsook the Word of God and perverted it into the traditions of men.
Revelation
Author – The apostle John
Time – 95 A.D.
Summary – This is the final book of the New Testament and the Bible as a whole. John is shown events down the ages affecting the true believers and the events leading up to the return of Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. The vision is highly symbolic, and shows the corruption of the church as well as the judgments on those who are held accountable
The opinions expressed here may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Trinity House Ministries
Free Will Contributions
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