UNIT 1: THE BIBLE

THE BIBLE: FORMATION, STRUCTURE AND BOOKS

THE STORY AND THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE
 English word Bible – comes from the Greek
BIBLE – starting place & major source for the study of the Christian faith “biblia” – meaning “books” books or collection of books books or
 The written witness to God’s words and acts in history. collection of books
 “biblos” – a book of papyrus; refers to the inner bark / core of the
THE TWO COVENANTS OR TESTAMENTS: papyrus plant.
 Bible has many books, but it is really one book -- one continuous story Papyrus - a kind of plant from which paper of the ancient world was
 with two distinct parts or “testaments” – made of (i.e. made from reeds).
 From the Latin testamentum – meaning “oaths,” “promise” or
“covenant,” “agreement” How Bible Came to Us (transmission and translation)
 A library / collection of 66 books = 39 Old testament + 27 New
Testament 1. Through ORAL TRADITION – The stories of God’s words and acts
passed down in oral form from one generation to the next and preserved
THE TWO MAJOR DIVISIONS OF THE BIBLE through memorization (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Joshua 1:8).
(Its Corresponding Number of Books in the Common Bible)
2. Through WRITTEN TRADITION – Beginning with the Kings of Israel
1. OLD TESTAMENT (39 books) (1020 BC), the stories and traditions were written down and collected
 Contains the covenant God made with the people of Israel at Mount and then during and following the exile (500 BC) were blended and
Sinai: combined into books, e.g. Torah completed around 400 BC, Historical
“Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall Books & Prophets around 200 BC, and Writings around 100 BC.
be my treasured possessions out of all the peoples.” Exodus 19:5
 is a record of God’s words to and dealings with the people of Israel  The books were written over a period spanning at least 1200 years –
whom God called to be “a light to the nations.” from 1100 B.C. to A.D. 100 BC - or approximately 1500 years (1400 BC
 It is also known as the HEBREW SCRIPTURES or the JEWISH BIBLE. to 65 AD)
 “B.C.” – stands for “before Christ”
2. NEW TESTAMENT (27 books)  “A.D.” – comes from the Latin Anno Domini – meaning “in the year of the
 contains the new covenant as foretold by the prophet Jeremiah: Lord”
“The days are surely coming [said the Lord] when I will make a new  written by many different authors (some known, some unknown)
covenant…” (Jer. 31:31)  over 40 known writers – Shepherds, Kings, Fishermen, Peasants,
 Instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper, when He said to His disciples: Doctors, Tax-collectors
“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”  written in many different places such as Palestine (Israel), Babylon
(Luke 22:20) (Iraq), Persia (Iran) Jerusalem, Corinth, Ephesus, Rome, Greece,
 originally written in Greek – thus also known as the GREEK BIBLE. Turkey, Antioch and the Isle of Patmos.
 It contains books written based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
emphasizing God’s love and forgiveness to all people and not just Israel. 2
The earliest manuscripts of the Bible were written on scrolls made of:  Jews, Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox have different OT canons –
 Papyrus - a kind of plant from which paper of the ancient world was i.e. different numbers of OT books
made of (i.e. made from reeds).
 Parchment – the skin of sheep, goats, and other animals. Jewish / Hebrew Canon – OT books that were accepted by the rabbis
 Paper – early in the 2nd century, manuscripts began to be produced in (experts / teachers of the Law of Moses) as sacred or inspired Scripture.
book or leaf form, called CODICES – with pages that can be turned.  Contains 24 OT books because many books in the Hebrew
Scriptures are not divided. E.g. Kings, Samuel, Chronicles are
 Originally, copies of Bible were made by hand, usually by scribes in each one book, Ezra and Nehemiah are one book, and 12 Minor
scriptoriums, and were few in number and very expensive (e.g. Codex Prophets are one book (the Book of the Twelve).
Sinaiticus (handwritten Greek Bible (OT & NT) required skins of 360
goats and sheep.) Protestant Canon – OT 39 books arranged differently than the books in
the Jewish canon;
 STEPHEN LANGTON (lecturer at the University of Paris and later
Bishop of Canterbury) – divided the Bible into chapters in 1226. Roman Catholic Canon – OT 46 books (the additional 7 came from
Septuagint / Apocyrpha.)
 ROBERT ESTIENNE (French printer in Geneva) – divided the chapters
into verses. Orthodox Canon – OT contains 50 books: The Catholic OT books plus
1 Esdras, 3 Maccabees, the Prayer of Manasseh and Psalm 151
 Geneva Bible – published in Geneva in 1560 – the first Bible in which
the text is divided into verses. OT Canon fixed in 90 AD, NT Canon fixed in 4th Century AD

 JOHANN GUTENBERG of Mainz, Germany – in 1456 – invented the 3. Through TRANSLATION - The Bible was translated into different
Printing Press, and the production of the Bibles moved from handwriting languages so that it could be read and understood by the people in their
to movable type. own common or ordinary language (lingua franca).

 Written materials compiled, edited, formed into books and canonized OLD TESTAMENT:
(measured by rule of faith: in Old Testament, based on belief in God; in Originally written in Hebrew & Aramaic – the ancient languages of
New Testament, based on belief in Jesus Christ. the Jews. It was translated into Greek around 250-200 B.C – when
Greek became the common language under Alexander the Great
Canon - It is the standard, the rule, the principle or basis used by with his program of Hellenization (Hellas – ancient name for Greece)
scholars to accept and recognize the books of the Bible as genuine, of the ancient world in 4th century BC.
sacred, inspired and authoritative Scriptures.

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 SEPTUAGINT – Greek Old Testament – Hebrew Scriptures translated JEROME included these books in his Latin Vulgate since his basis
into Greek at Alexandria (280-246 B.C.) by 72 translators – derived was the Septuagint but cautioned that these were not to be
from the Latin word Septuaginta – means seventy. It became the considered on the same level of books as the Hebrew canon –
Bible of the Early Greek speaking church, the Greek speaking Jews books accepted by the rabbis as sacred, inspired and authoritative
living outside of Palestine, and also for the early Christians. It Scriptures.
contains 15 books that are not in the Hebrew Scriptures.
It was given DEUTERO-CANONICAL status (meaning “second
NEW TESTAMENT: canon” or a “secondary position”) later.
Originally written in Greek, and some in Aramaic (the vernacular or It appears in the Roman Catholic Bibles as they used the Vulgate
common language of Palestine in the time of Christ. as basis and accorded 12 apocryphal books full canonical status by
Greek – main language of the Greek Empire and later adopted by the Council of Trent in 1546.
the Roman Empire. Latin – became the official language of the It was excluded from the Protestant versions which have generally
Roman Empire in the 4th century. gone back to the Hebrew canon which includes only the basic 39.
The Roman Empire under Constantine the Great was divided into:
The Western Empire – with its capital in Rome thus known as the English Translation – begun by John Wycliffe who translated the
Roman Empire and speaks Latin; and Latin Vulgate Bible into English in 1382.
The Eastern Empire – with Constantinople as the capital – also First English Bible – printed was a New Testament translation by
known as the Byzantine Empire and speaks Greek. William Tyndale – the “father” of the English Bible – completed in 1524.
After England split with the Roman Catholic Church in 1534, many
VULGATE – from the Latin vulgatus meaning “common or “ordinary” English translations began to appear.
- the first complete Bible translated into Latin and completed in
405 by ST. JEROME (a most accomplished scholar and linguist of King James Version – as King James I of England commissioned a
his day) as commissioned by Pope Damascus when the Western committee of 54 scholars to produce an “authorized” English version in
Church became Latin-speaking in the 4th century AD. 1611. It became the Protestant Bible of the English-speaking world until
It became the Bible of the Western Church until the Reformation well into the 20th century.
and the basis for all Roman Catholic translation until 1943.
It was also the first Bible to be printed with movable type (the 2 Schools of Thought about Translation:
GUTTENBERG Bible).
1. Word-for-Word – very technical – King James Version, New
APOCRYPHA - It is categorized as the 15 inter-testamental (“between the American Standard, New KJV, New Revised Standard Version
testaments”) books which were included in the Greek Canon of the 2. Though-for-thought – whole phrase or sentence is translated –
Scripture (the Septuagint) but not in the Hebrew canon. New International Version, New Living Translation, Good News Bible
It is from the Greek word meaning “secret” or “hidden” referring to / Today’s English Version, New Century Bible.
their questionable authorship and authenticity.

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THREE MAJOR APPROACHES IN UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE 1. REVELATION - This concept of the Bible interprets the Word of God as
a witness to the divine-human encounter, that is, God’s self-disclosures,
1. THEOLOGICAL - It is one way of understanding the Bible as the Word making Him known to all people through the testimony of the heavens
of God by seeking answers to faith questions of who God is – God’s and the earth, and of life on earth, and specifically through persons
nature, character / attributes; what God does – God’s work in creation whom God called and supremely in the person of Jesus Christ and to
and history; and what God says – God’s statutes / commandments – as His followers.
accepted, reflected, believed and confessed by the people of God.
General & Special Revelation:
2. HISTORICAL - This approach of understanding the Bible examines the  Religion - Humankind’s attempt to reach God
Word of God encased particularly within a culture-bound and specific  Christianity - God’s attempt to reach Humankind
period in the life story of God’s people as a nation, as a record and an  God “reaches” humankind through revelation:
interpretation of events in which the active presence of God is
perceived. General Revelation - Refers to the testimony of the Heavens and the
Earth, and of Life on earth. A testimony to all people that there is a
3. TEXTUAL - This approach understands the Bible as literature, that is, as Creator, whom we call GOD.
Word of God expressed and recorded by the people in typical and Special Revelation - Refers to specific revelations and disclosures such
different literary forms and styles of expressions reflecting a particular as:
cultural background and historical situation.  God revealing His name,
 Calling Abraham to be the “father” of His people,
THE BIBLE - As the “Word of God”  Freeing the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt,
– a metaphor or figure of speech because:  Giving the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai
◦ God did NOT dictate the Bible.  Speaking through prophets
◦ God communicated with those entrusted with the task of putting  Coming to earth in the person of Jesus of Nazareth
pen to paper through VISIONS and DREAMS.
The Bible is the written witness to the revelations
“And the Lord said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among
God made to the Israelites and to the followers of JESUS
you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision, I speak with
him in a dream.” Numbers 12:6 2. INSPIRATION - This is the concept of the Bible as being God-breathed
◦ And through encounters with prophets and apostles whom God which declares that the men and women who wrote and collated the
called to speak God’s WORD to us and for us– “The Word of Scriptures were divinely selected, guided and empowered by the Holy
God in the words of men.” Spirit to assure the faithful writing and transmission of their testimony,
and thus making the Scriptures a reliable and trustworthy guide for faith
THREE CONCEPTS THAT RELATE TO THE BIBLE
and life.
Interrelated concepts:
Bible’s AUTHORITY comes from its being the INSPIRED witness THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE:
to the REVELATIONS of GOD. ◦ The Bible is the vehicle or medium through which God’s Word
comes to us.
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 ◦ INSPIRATION THE THEME AND MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE
 the divine selection of those who wrote the scriptures, and There is a unifying theme from Genesis to Revelation:
the guidance to assure the faithful writing transmission of 1. Covenant – that God made with Israel and through Jesus with all
their testimony. humankind.
 Comes from the Latin word “spirare” – “to breathe into”
2. Salvation History – the successive, progressive revelations of
“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, God so that all might come to the knowledge of the truth and be
for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, saved. (1 Tim. 2:4)
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every
good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 3. Promise and Fulfillment – God’s promises of a Messiah from
the House of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) and a new covenant (Jer.
Concepts of Inspiration of the Bible: 31:31) and the fulfillment of these promises in Jesus of Nazareth
1. Verbal or Plenary inspiration – belief that every word in the (Luke 1:31-33), who established a new covenant at the Last
Bible is inspired. Supper. (Luke 22:20).
2. Inerrant - belief that the Bible is without error in all regards. MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE – is that Jesus Christ is the one sent by God
“Limited inerrancy” - the Bible is without error in all that it teaches. – the one prophesied by the prophets and witnessed by the apostles;
3. Infallible – meaning that the Bible is reliable and trustworthy, the one sent to die for our sins – to forgive us and to save us; the one
especially as to self-revelation of God in Jesus Christ. sent to reconcile is with God the Father – and also with each other.
Inspiration also apply to:
 the Holy Spirit’s inspiration of those who decided which books BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
were & were not to be included in the canon (thus God’s choice);
 the inspiration of those who did & still do translate the Scriptures In the OLD TESTAMENT
in different languages to assure the faithful transmission of God’s - Psalms and Proverbs - Are collection of poems and sayings
Word to all people everywhere. In the NEW TESTAMENT
 the Spirit’s illumination of believers who “hear the word and - The majority of the books are letters
accept it [and are blessed] a hundredfold.” (Mark 4:20)
OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS (39 BOOKS)
3. AUTHORITY - This concept of the Bible accepts the Word of God as
normative, that is, as the guide and standard on how Christians ought to Four Broad Sections of the Old Testament:
live life – particularly in matters of faith (orthodoxy) and practice 1. Torah or Pentateuch – or Books of Law
(orthopraxis). 2. Historical books
3. The Prophets
4. The Writings – or Wisdom & Poetry Books

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 FOUR BROAD SECTIONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT Twelve (12) Minor Prophets:
1. Torah or Pentateuch (5 books) – Genesis to Deuteronomy 1. Hosea 7. Nahum
– are 5 foundation books in which 2. Joel 8. Habakkuk
 God calls (elects) Israel to be His people, 3. Amos 9. Zephaniah
 frees Israel from its bondage in Egypt, 4. Obadiah 10. Haggai
 and enters into a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai 5. Jonah 11. Zechariah
Five foundation books: 6. Micah 12. Malachi
1. Genesis 4. The Writings -- also called devotional and wisdom literature:
2. Exodus 1. Job
3. Leviticus 2. Psalms
4. Numbers 3. Proverbs
5. Deuteronomy 4. Ecclesiastes
2. Historical Books (12 books) – Joshua to Esther 5. Song of Solomon or Song of Songs
-- trace the history of Israel over a period of some 800 years: NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS
 the entry of the Israelites into the Promised Land (Canaan) under -- Has 27 books divided into four sections:
Joshua in 1250 B.C. 1. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - are written
 the settlement of the land during the 200 year period of the Judges; testimonies to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
 the monarchies of Saul, David 9c. 1000 B.C. & Solomon as kings 2. The Acts of the Apostles - are historical account of the early
over Israel; days of the Jerusalem church, and the three missionary journeys
 the split and division of the land into the kingdoms of Israel & Judah of Paul, covering the period of A.D 30 o the early 60’s
and their defeat by the Assyryians (in 721 B.C.) & by the Babylonians 3. The Letters or Epistles – a total of 21 Letters
in 586 B.C.; Comprise 13 letters written by or attributed to Paul.
 the Exile in Babylon and the return of the exiles in Israel (in 538
B.C.); Paul’s Letters written to church Paul’s Personal letters
 the resettlement of Jerusalem & Judea under the leadership of Ezra communities: written to individuals:
& Nehemiah (mid 400s B.C.) 7 Places 9 Letters 3 Persons 4 Letters
Rome Romans Timothy 1 & 2 Timothy
3. The Prophets -- collected writings of the
Corinth 1 & 2 Corinthians Titus Titus
Four (4) Major Prophets:
Galatia Galatians Philemon Philemon
1. Isaiah,
Ephesus Ephesians
2. Jeremiah
3. Ezekiel Philippi Philippians
4. Daniel Colossae Colossians
Also include Lamentations – Jeremiah’s laments over the Thessalonica 1&2
Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Thessalonians

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 8 General Letters:
1 Letter written to the Hebrews
7 Letters written by
1. James – Letter of James
2. Peter – 1 & 2 Peter
3. John – 1, 2 & 3 John
4. Jude

4. The Revelation to John - Consists of apocalyptic visions about

the sovereignty of God and His coming victory and triumph over
the forces of evil.

In the New Testament --

 books do not appear in chronological order, e.g.
 Paul’s letter were written prior to the writing of the Gospels
 letters of Paul are ordered according to recipient & roughly in order of
length e.g. 9 church letters, 4 personal letters, Romans – longest letter &
not the 1st letter, Philemon – the shortest but written earlier
 Gospels – begin with Matthew but majority of NT scholars believe that
Mark was the 1st or earliest Gospel to be written
 books that make up NT are written testimonies to the good news of
Jesus and letters to Christian faith communities

3-FOLD BASIS FOR NT CANON:

1. The authors had to have apostolic credentials or have enjoyed a close

association with an apostle e.g. Mark with Peter, Luke with Paul;
2. The writings had to be consistent with the church teachings about Jesus.
3. The writings had to have had church-wide acceptance & usage.

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 UNIT II: THE OLD TESTAMENT TaNaKH - The three-fold section and order of the Hebrew or Jewish Bible
- based on the 1st three letters of the Hebrew names for its 3
The Old Testament: The Roots of our Faith sections:
Old Testament 1. Torah - 1st 5 books in the OT
 traditionally referred as the old covenant - from the Hebrew Word “tora” which means ‘instruction’
 the covenant that God made with Israel at Mount Sinai - also called the “Five Books of Moses” - the principal figure in four of
New Testament the five books.
 the new covenant God made with humankind based on the person and - the most important part of the Hebrew bible
work of Jesus - is central to Jewish worship, with the five books being read aloud in
their entirety each liturgical year
Connection of the OT & NT - called “Pentateuch” in the Christian Bible
 It is impossible to understand the ministry and message of Jesus apart 2. Neviim - the Prophets - in the Hebrew canon are prophetic writings or
from the Old Testament. “religious history”
 God’s plan of salvation did not begin with the birth of Jesus; it began 3. Kethuvim - the Writings - “history history” - includes the wisdom /
with the call of Abraham. devotional books
 It is one continuous story with a unifying theme (from Genesis to Major Sections of Books in the Old Testament
Revelation):
HEBREW SCRIPTURES / CHRISTIAN OLD TESTAMENT
God’s covenant with Israel and with all humankind through Jesus
JEWISH BIBLE
Christ;  contains 24 books which have a  Contains 39 books arranged
the successive revelations of God’s act of salvation in human history; three-fold order / section: differently than the books in the
promised and fulfilled through the coming of the Messiah in the  called the TaNaK or TaNaKH - based Jewish canon
person of Jesus Christ. on the 1st three letters of the Hebrew  Order of books is based on the
names for its 3 sections: Septuagint
The Old Testament takes a look at:  Four-fold order:
 the prologue to the biblical story T – Torah (the “Books of Moses”) = 5
– the creation accounts, books Pentateuch / Law (the “5 Scrolls”) = 5
1. Genesis books
– Adam and Eve and the downward fall
2. Exodus 1. Genesis
 God’s call of Abraham 3. Leviticus 2. Exodus
 the Exodus from Egypt 4. Numbers 3. Leviticus
 the Mosaic Covenant 5. Deuteronomy 4. Numbers
 the rise and fall of Israel as a nation and as a kingdom 5. Deuteronomy
N – Niviim / Nevi’im’ (Prophets) = 8
 the sayings and writings of the prophets
books Historical Books = 12 books
 Israel’s wisdom and devotional literature. Former Prophets (Religious 6. Joshua
History): 7. Judges
6. Joshua 8. Ruth***
7. Judges 9. 1 Samuel
15 8. Samuel 10. 2 Samuel
 9. Kings 11. 1 Kings 4 Categories / Sections of Books in the Old Testament
12. 2 Kings 1. Pentateuch / Torah - (5 books) Genesis to Deuteronomy
Latter Prophets: 13. 1 Chronicles***
2. Historical Books - (12 books) Joshua to Esther
10. Isaiah 14. 2 Chronicles***
11. Jeremiah 15. Ezra*** 3. Prophets - (5 Major + 12 Minor = 17 books) Isaiah to Malachi
12. Ezekiel 16. Nehemiah*** 4. Writings / Devotional & Wisdom Literature (5 books) - Job to Song of
13. The Book of the Twelve: 17. Esther*** Solomon
Hosea
Wisdom Books = 5 books I. PENTATEUCH: Creation, Fall, Election, Salvation and Covenant
Joel
Amos
18. Job  the first five “foundation” books of the OT derived from the Greek
19. Psalms words “Penta” - “five” and “Teukhos” - “scroll” = “five scrolls”
Obadiah
20. Proverbs  contains:
Jonah
21. Ecclesiastes
Micah  the story of Israel becoming a nation
22. Song of Solomon / Song of
Nahum
Songs  Israel’s most important and sacred writings, those in which God:
Habakkuk  spoke to Israel’s ancestors and leaders - to Abraham, Isaac,
Zephaniah The Prophets Jacob and Moses;
Haggai Major Prophets: (4 + 1)
 chose or elected Israel - the covenant with Abraham;
Zechariah 23. Isaiah
Malachi 24. Jeremiah  rescued or saved Israel from its bondage in Egypt—the
25. Lamentations+++ Exodus;
K – Kethuvim / Khetuvim (Writings)  and entered into a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai.
26. Ezekiel
= 11
27. Daniel +++
books
Minor Prophets: (12) THE 5 BOOKS OF PENTATEUCH
14. Psalms
28. Hosea
15. Proverbs 1. GENESIS – the story of beginnings
29. Joel
16. Job
30. Amos
Chapters 1-11
17. Song of Solomon
31. Obadiah  The Prologue to the Biblical Story
18. Ruth***
32. Jonah – God’s special love for humankind, the interconnectedness of the
19. Lamentations+++ human race, and the universality of human sin.
33. Micah
20. Ecclesiastes  Answer to Israel’s question: Why did God' call Abraham?
34. Nahum
21. Esther***
22. Daniel+++
35. Habakkuk  It is the first step in God’s plan to rescue the human race from its
36. Zephaniah sinful disobedience and alienation.
23. Ezra-Nehemiah***
37. Haggai contains the:
24. Chronicles*** 38. Zecharia€h  the Creation stories (Chaps. 1-2):
39. Malachi
 the universe, planet earth, and living creatures
 the human race - the crown of God’s creation:
- created in God’s image, formed from the dust of the
ground and breathed the breath of life
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 - Man as Adam - Hebrew word for “humankind” Abraham: The Founding Patriarch (Gen. 12-25)
(expressing the unity of humankind) Biblical story of redemption begins with...
- Woman as Eve - a word meaning “life” (the mother of all  The Call of Abraham - inaugurates the election of Israel as
living beings) God’s chosen people.
 are less about the how of Creation than the who of  God’s Promises to Abraham:
Creation - the One behind Creation, the One who brought 1. Father of a “great nation”
everything to being 2. God’s blessing (God’s divine favor) to “all families of the earth.”
3. Promised Land - Canaan for his offspring.
 the “Fall” stories (Chaps. 2-11):  Story of Grace and Faith
 Adam & Eve in the Garden (Chaps 2-3);  Biblical story begins with God’s grace - the call of Abraham to be
 the downward fall: brothers Cain & Abel, Noah & the a father of the community whose mission was to bring God’s love,
Flood, and the Tower of Babel (Chaps. 4-11) forgiveness and salvation to all nations (“peoples”)
 tell about the origin of sin, universality of sin and God’s  The “saving grace” must be accepted in faith - e.g. Abraham
judgment of sin; believed God’s promises - and then this comes to mean faith In
 tell of God’s love for humankind e.g. God made clothes Jesus Christ.
for Adam & Eve, gave Cain a mark of protection, told  The Abrahamic Covenant
Noah to build an ark for himself and his family, and called - Hebrew concept of covenant - includes both promises and
and made a covenant with Abraham. obligations.
- Three Important Covenants God made with Israel:
Chapter 12 of Genesis: (up to Revelation)
1. The Covenant of Election - with Abraham, the “sign” of which was
 God working out the plan of salvation by:
circumcision. (For most Christians - the sign of belonging to God
 calling Abraham;
is baptism.)
 entering into covenant with Abraham, Moses and David;
2. The Sinaitic Covenant - the Formal Covenant - with Moses at
 settling Israel in the land of Canaan;
Mount Sinai and in the Ten Commandments.
 calling prophets to exhort Israel to return to the covenant God
3. The Davidic Covenant - with David, promising that a descendant
made with then at Mount Sinai
of his would rule over a kingdom with no end.
 and coming to earth in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
The Ancestral History of Israel Isaac: The Promised Son (Gen. 24-28)
 the Patriarchs of Israel:  Abraham was to be the father of a great nation but Sarah was
1. Abraham - the founding Patriarch barren;
2. Isaac - the Promised son  God’s grace overcomes the barrenness of Sarah;
3. Jacob - the father of the “12 tribes” of Israel  Abraham & Sarah were very advanced in years but God provide
4. Joseph - brought Israel to Egypt them a son as promised;

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  God tested Abraham - (the final test) God commanded him to - Jacob wrestled with an angel of God at Peniel (Hebrew
offer Isaac as a burnt offering in Mount Moriah; meaning “the face of God”)
 Abraham obeyed but God provided a ram for the sacrifice; - Changed his name to Israel - “one who strives with God” to
 Abraham proved his faithfulness and obedience - someone God obtain his blessing.
could depend on to put into action God’s plan of salvation. - Received God’s blessing at Bethel
- 10 sons of Jacob, 2 sons of Joseph (Manasseh & Ephraim -
Jacob and Joseph (Gen. 27 - 50) took the places of Levi and Joseph) = became the fathers of
 Isaac married Rebekah, and they had twin sons - Esau and the 12 tribes of Israel.
Jacob - Judah - the 4th son - became the remnant tribe - the tribe
 Jacob entrusted with the mission of being God’s “light to the nations’
- the younger, deceived his father and received the “birthright” - from which Joseph and Mary, Jesus’ parents, descended.
(privileges accorded to the firstborn)
- fled to Paddan Aram to escape Esau, married the two daughters  Joseph
of Laban (Leah and Rachel - through them and their two (2) - final story in Genesis
maidservants - had twelve (12) sons) - 11th & favored son of Jacob
- Genesis 35:22-26 - sold into slavery by his jealous brothers
Leah’s with Bilhah: with Zilpah: Rachel’s - taken into Egypt and eventually became the viceroy - the 2nd
Sons: Rachel’s Leah’s Sons: ranking government official
servant maidservant - brothers went to Egypt to purchase grain due to famine in
1. Reuben Canaan
2. Simeon - reunited & reconciled with each other and with Jacob
3. Levi - settled in Goshen in Northern Egypt
4. Judah
5. Dan 2. EXODUS – the story of the “going out” of bondage from Egypt.
6. Naphthali The "Center” of the Old Testament
7. Gad  Israel’s miraculous deliverance from bondage in Egypt - the single
8. Asher most important event in Israel’s history, with the leadership of Moses
9. Issachar as the Deliverer & Lawgiver.
10. Zebulun  God’s special covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai through the giving
of the Ten Commandments.
Daughter: 11. Joseph
 Told every year at Passover - the story of the angel of death struck
Dinah
down all the1st born of Egypt but passed over the houses of the
12. Benjamin
Israelites.

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Moses: Deliverer and Lawgiver (Exo. 2-4)  God carefully prepared Moses for his “calling”:
 An unnamed Pharaoh (king of Egypt) 1. His early years with his mother hired by pharaoh’s daughter
- did not know Joseph (did not acknowledge the privileges to nurse him - made him aware of his heritage & prepared
accorded to Joseph’s family) him for mission.
- feared the Israelites becoming “more numerous & more 2. His education in the Pharaoh’s household - prepared him to
powerful” than the Egyptians later confront the pharaoh.
- laid heavily burdens on the Israelites - but continue to multiply 3. His years in the Midian desert - prepared him to lead the
- ordered every male child to be thrown into the Nile Israelites into and through the Sinai Peninsula where they
 Moses escaped Pharaoh’s order when his mother set him adrift in received the 10 Commandments.
the Nile in a watertight reed baskets,
 Was lifted out of the water by the pharaoh’s daughter, who set  2 Great Events in Moses’ Life:
about to care for & raise him 1. The Exodus from Egypt
 Name was derived the Hebrew verb meaning “to draw out” or an - took place after 430 years Israelites had lived in Egypt
Egyptian word meaning “son of” - Israelites encountered the God of their forefathers who
 Birth parents were Levites (Levi - Jacob’s 3rd son) saved them from certain death
- Became the defining moment in Israel’s history
Three 40-year periods of Moses life: (according to Acts 7)
1. At 40 years old - killed an Egyptian who had beaten an Israelite, 2. The Sinaitic Covenant
fled to Midian, east of Egypt (Saudi Arabia), married Zipporah, - after crossing the Red Sea and pharaoh’s soldiers
daughter of Jethro, had 2 sons and settled down as a shepherd. drowned in the sea
2. After 40 years - God called Moses out of a “burning bush” - bush - led the Israelites through the Sinai Peninsula.
that burned but was not consumed - to bring the Israelites out of - at Mount Sinai - God entered into a covenant with Israel,
Egypt. sealed with the blood of oxen
- its heart is contained in the 10 Commandments (Exo. 20:3-
3. For 40 years - performed wonders and signs in Egypt and at the 17) which became the religious and moral law of Israel.
Red Sea, and in the wilderness.
“I AM WHO I AM” The last three of the Law Books – instructs the Israelites how to worship
- God’s name revealed to Moses - refer to God’s nature and and serve God in the world
character - that God is living, active being; 3. LEVITICUS
- expressed in the OT by the 4 consonants - YHWH (in the 10th  The book of the Levites – the priestly descendants of Levi, one of
century AD - 2 vowels were added for pronunciation - to make the 12 sons of Jacob.
Yahweh:  The Law Book that provides instructions, rules, and regulations
A - Adonai - “Lord” pertaining to Israel’s religious ceremonies, worship, sacrifices,
E - Elohim - “God” offerings and codes of behavior under the guidance of the Levites.

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4. NUMBERS 7. JUDGES
 The book that records the census and organization (“numbering”) of  Tells the pre-monarchial story of Israel under the leadership of twelve
the 12 tribes of Israel into a community or nation; tribal leaders like Deborah, Gideon and Samson during their
 The 40-day information-gathering mission by the 12 spies who occupation of the Promised Land from the death of Joshua to the rise
ventured into the Promised Land; of the Kingdom of Israel.
 and Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  Philistines - Israel’s principal enemy during this period.
5. DEUTERONOMY Historical books that record Israel’s monarchy when they were ruled by
 The “second law” or “repeated law.” the Great Kings of Israel: (Period of the United Kingdom)
 The book that records the retelling of Israel’s covenant relationship
with God; 8. RUTH
 the second giving of the Law - the Ten Commandments,  The book that tells of the Moabite woman who showed uncommon
 the Shema – Israel’s monotheistic creed or great confession of faith; loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law and deep devotion to the God of
 Moses’ final instructions to the twelve tribes before their invasion of Israel.
Canaan under the leadership of Joshua;  She became the great grandmother of Israel’s greatest hero, David.
 and Moses’ death.
9. 1 & 2 SAMUEL
II. HISTORICAL BOOKS (12 books) – Joshua to Esther: The Rise and  Tells the history of Israel, from the last of the Judges to the beginning of
Fall of Israel the Kingdom with Saul (as the 1st anointed King) to David (the shepherd
 Contains the story of Israel in the land of Canaan, the land God boy turned greatest hero of Israel.)
promised to Abraham
10. 1 KINGS & 1 CHRONICLES – an account of Israel’s history from King
Two Books that record the Period of Settlement beginning with the David’s final years to the reign of Solomon - the wisest & great monarch.
invasion and conquest of Canaan: *** Note: (12th - 13th books)
 This period is also called the “Tribal Confederacy” from 1250 B.C. 1 & 2 Chronicles - are the books that retell the history of Israel under
to around 1020 B.C. as Canaan was ruled by tribal leaders. the monarchy from the reign of Kings Saul, David and Solomon
 Canaan - as the Promised Land - located at the crossroads of the up to the division of the Kingdom of Israel, and their defeat and
world (Europe, Asia and Africa), a place where Israel would be God’s exile in Babylon. These accounts were earlier recorded in the
light to the nations. books of Samuel and Kings.
6. JOSHUA
 Tells the story of the invasion of Canaan in 1250 B.C. with the fall of  The Philistines threat to the Israelites - reason why Israel wanted “a
Jericho under the leadership of Joshua. king over us…like other nations. (I Sam. 8:19-20)

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 3 Great Kings of the United Kingdom of Israel: - had many wives including foreign wives - to forge
1. Saul - Israel’s 1st king (c.1020-1000 B.C.), a great warrior but political alliances,
was unstable and a disappointment as God’s “anointed”. - erected altars & idols to the pagan gods of his wives
- taxed the people & compelled them to work in his
2. David - Israel’s greatest hero, youngest son of Jesse (a
government & on his
Judean farmer), born in Bethlehem in 1030 B.C. Also known
building projects.
as the shepherd boy turned king.
 Rehoboam - his son succeeded him upon his death in 922
 ruled over Judah and Israel for 40 years-from age 30 to 70
B.C.
(1000-961 B.C.)
 Israel split into two:
 a charismatic leader; a great military commander who
 Israel - with the 10 northern tribes and Samaria as
broke the power of the Philistines and extended and
capital.
secured Israel’s borders;
 Judah - with the 2 southern tribes, Judah & Benjamin,
 a political genius who united the northern and southern with its capital at Jerusalem.
tribes by locating Israel’s capital in the neutral city of
Jerusalem (the city of David.) Two historical books that record the Period of the Divided Kingdom –
 a religious figure who brought the Ark of the Covenant to Judah and Israel – their division & defeat.
Jerusalem
1. 2 KINGS
 wrote psalms of worship to God and prayers of forgiveness
and cleansing (after his adultery with Bathsheba and the 2. 2 CHRONICLES
murder of Uriah, [Psalm 51]).  Corruption, oppression and faithlessness of kings and priests in the North
and South led to the decline and demise of both kingdoms.
The Davidic Covenant - God’s plan of salvation became
 Northern Kingdom of Israel - had 19 kings
more specific in the Davidic narrative. God, through the
 Defeated by the Assyrians in 721 B.C., with most Israelites deported
prophet Nathan, promises that from David’s house
or assimilated into the Assyrian population - resulting to the 10 Lost
(descendants) will come One whose “kingdom shall be made
Tribes of Israel.
sure forever.” (2 Sam. 7:16)
Jesus’ genealogy is traced from the lineage of David with  Southern Kingdom of Judah - had 20 kings
Joseph - Jesus’ earthly father, a descendant of David  Defeated by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., Solomon’s Temple
destroyed, Judeans were exiled.
3. Solomon - the great monarch; 2nd child of David and
 Became the surviving “remnant” and were called “Jews” - a
Bathsheba; was given the gift of wisdom and came to be
known as the wisest king. designation for those from or identified with Judah.
 Built Solomon’s temple - his most famous legacy  Diaspora - Greek word for dispersion - Jews who left Judah and
 “did what was evil in the sight of God” (I Kings 11:6) resettled in North Africa, Asia Minor and Europe - estimated 80% in
e.g. 1st century A.D. lived outside of Israel.

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Three books that record Israel’s history during the period of Exile or 16 Prophets form part of the inspired canon. These prophets were divided
Captivity in Babylon; return to their homeland in Judah, and the into four groups:
restoration and rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Prophets of Prophets of the Prophets of Prophets of
1. EZRA – story of the Jews returning to their homeland (Israel’s new or the Northern Southern Kingdom Captivity Restoration
second Exodus) when Babylon was defeated by the Persians under King Kingdom (Judah)
Cyrus in 539 B.C. (Israel)
 a priestly descendant of Aaron, who reinstituted Jewish religious life in 1. Hosea 5. Isaiah 12. Ezekiel 14. Haggai
Judah, to strengthen the faith of those who returned and took up 2. Amos 6. Jeremiah 13. Daniel 15. Zechariah
residence in the Promised Land. 3. Joel 7. Obadiah 16. Malachi
4. Jonah 8. Micah
2. NEHEMIAH – the Jew made governor of Judea led the exiles in their return 9. Nahum
to Jerusalem and inspired the rebuilding of its walls. It ties with the book of 10. Habakkuk
Ezra. 11. Zephaniah
3. ESTHER –the story of a beautiful Jewish girl, who became queen to the
Prophets are also categorized chronologically as:
Persian Emperor Ahasuerus (Xerxes) and who by her great courage and
Narrative Pre-Exilic Exilic Prophets Post-Exilic
devotion to her people saved them from the plot to have all the Jews in the
Prophets Prophets (586-538 B.C.) Prophets
Persian Empire exterminated, with the help of her guardian, Mordecai.
- “speaking” or (760-586 B.C.) - during the exile (538-440 B.C.)
pre-literary - before the exile - 2 prophets - after the exile
III. THE PROPHETS
prophets: - 9 prophets “canonical” - 5 prophets
4 Major (meaning “longer”) 12 Minor (meaning “shorter’)
“writing” prophets - books are named
Prophets: Prophets:
or
1. Isaiah Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah,
Elijah (c. 870- Amos (c. 770-750) Ezekiel (c. 593- Haggai (c. 520)
2. Jeremiah (with Lamentations) Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, 846) Hosea (c. 750-722) 571) Zechariah (c. 520-
3. Ezekiel Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah Elisha (c. 850- Daniel (c. 500s) 518)
Isaiah (c. 740-690)
4. Daniel and Malachi 800) Malachi (c. 440)
Micah (c. 740-685)
Prophet – is “the one who calls or is called” or “one who speaks for (includes Zephaniah (c.635- Jonah (most likely
another” (“Thus says the Lord”), entrusted with the task of Nathan) 620) postexilic)
communicating God’s message. Jeremiah (c. 626- Joel (most likely
 came on the scene during the period of the kings as check and 586) postexilic)
balance to the kings and fade out in the postexilic period when Habakkuk (c. 615-
there were no longer kings in Israel. 590)
 spoke to the people of Israel and Judah in the context of their Nahum (c. 612)
everyday lives and times, calling them to change their ways and Obadiah (c.605-
590)
return to the covenant.

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12 MINOR PROPHETS - comprised 1 scroll IV. THE WRITINGS (POETRY, DEVOTIONAL AND WISDOM
HOSEA - 1st among the Minor Prophets because it is the longest among the LITERATURE)
pre-exilic prophetic writings, though
AMOS - the first book to be written 1. JOB - The story of a righteous man who was allowed by God to
experience severe testing and suffering and yet remained patient and
Some of the most important and well-loved prophets: steadfast in his faith to God.

1. ISAIAH - One of the major pre-exilic prophet who is most frequently 2. PSALMS - It is the longest book of the Bible known as Israel’s soul
quoted in the New Testament because of its messianic prophecies music, used in worship and devotions as it consists of prayers,
about the One sent from God who will be born of a virgin and called laments, petitions, and hymns of praise to God. Most of the writings
“Immanuel” and become the suffering servant who will give his life as a were attributed or dedicated to David as its patron.
ransom for many. 3. PROVERBS - The theme of the book is wisdom which comes from the
fear (extreme awe or reverence) of the Lord; and provides practical
2. AMOS - The first pre-exilic book to be written and named after a prophet advice / saying on how to live as God’s children in the everyday affairs
and considered as the greatest of the minor prophetic writings in terms of the world. It is dedicated to Solomon because of his legendary
of style, message and personality. He spoke against Israel’s empty wisdom.
ritualistic worship and its unjust treatment of the poor saying that God
wants “justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever- 4. ECCLESIASTES – begins, “Vanity of vanities… all is vanity” (1:2) – all
flowing stream.” (5:25) of life is futile and has no meaning – in life. How does one do this? The
just and unjust suffer equally. The author of the book who calls himself
3. JEREMIAH - He is most remembered for his prophecy of a new “the Teacher” (1:12), says that only in God, the Maker and Creator of
covenant which the New Testament interprets as having been instituted all things, can one find meaning in life. How does one do this? By
by Jesus at the Last Supper. He is also considered as the one who fearing (revering) God and keeping “His commandments, for that is the
wrote the book of Lamentations thus he is known as the “Weeping whole duty of everyone” (12:13). A famous passage is Chapter 13:1-8
Prophet.” “A Time for Everything.”
4. JONAH - He was the prophet swallowed by a whale – one of the best- 5. THE SONG OF SONGS / SONG OF SOLOMON – had a hard time
known stories in the Old Testament – teaching the universality of God’s winning its way into the Hebrew canon, because its concerns seemed
love, showing that we cannot run away from God when we are called to to be the celebration of love between man and a woman and because
announce this love to others – even when the others are our most hated it contains no mention of God. It was eventually received into the
enemies, our “Assyrians.” canon because of its references to Solomon, whose name is
5. MALACHI - The last book in the Old Testament that centers on the law mentioned seven times in the book and because Rabbi Akiba, one of
of giving tithes and offerings. the founder of rabbinic Judaism, argued that the book was not about
human love but an allegory about God’s love for Israel.

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 UNIT III: THE NEW TESTAMENT  Need for a written account of Jesus’ life occurred because His followers
were dying.
4 CATEGORIES / SECTIONS OF BOOKS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT  Written to answer a number of questions in the first century world; two of
the most important were the following:
I. Gospels
II. Acts of the Apostles 1. If Jesus was the Messiah, why did the Jews not recognize and accept
III. Letters or Epistles: Letters of Paul & General Letters Him as such?
IV. Revelation to John Answer: Most Jews were looking for a king to lead Israel in the
overthrow of Rome, not a suffering servant.
I. GOSPELS - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
 These books are the written testimonies to the life, death, resurrection 2. If Jesus was the Son of God, why was He crucified as a common
and teachings of Jesus Christ presented as the “Good News” – i.e. the criminal on a cross?
Son of God died that we might not perish but have eternal life, and that • Answer: God sent His Son to die a public sacrificial death for the sake of
by knowing the truth about Jesus we might have life in His name. the world.
 gospel – comes from the Old English word TWO-FOLD STRUCTURE OF THE GOSPELS
 “godspel” – “God’s [good] story” which derives from the Greek
word… 1. The 1st Half has to do with Jesus’ Public Ministry
 euangelion – from eu - meaning “good” (as in eulogy, euphemism His sermons, parables, discourses and teachings to the crowds, which
and euphoria); are interspersed with healings and miracles to authenticate His message
 and angelion – meaning “message” or “news” = “good message / (validating the message through the messenger).
news” 2. The 2nd Half has to do with Jesus’ Disciples
 the 1st 4 books of the NT – the books containing the good news His teaching that the way of salvation is through the Cross (Mark 10:45)
 Contain biographical material but covers only 10% of Jesus’ life (His , followed by his arrest, trials, beatings and crucifixion and then His
last three years or so) resurrection to again confirm His message.
 Primary concern is not with the facts of Jesus’ life --- but with the
meaning of His life. WHY ARE THERE FOUR GOSPELS?
 Each of the four testimonies was an authentic, distinctive, valuable
 Intention of the writers was not to write historical accounts of the life
witness to Jesus and that our understanding of Him would be richer &
of Jesus, but to present their understanding of the person and work
deeper with all four rather than only one, or with a harmonized,
of Jesus for their audiences.
composite gospel.
THE DATING & WRITING OF THE GOSPELS  If the Gospels are written testimonies to Jesus, why are they different?
 MARK (65-70 A.D.) - 1st to be written The reason:
 MATTHEW & LUKE (mid-80s)  The authors were writing to different communities or audiences.
 JOHN (mid-90s)  Each chose to emphasize, in shaping his narrative, different aspects
 Stories about Jesus were transmitted, initially, in oral form; of the Jesus story.

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  Mark wrote to Christians suffering persecution in Rome.  And how does one enter the kingdom?
 Matthew wrote to Jewish Christians that Jesus was the long-  As to the 1st question:
awaited Messiah. Jesus came to inaugurate the kingdom: the “kingly rule” of God
 Luke wrote to Gentile Christians that Jesus was the Savior of the will come when Jesus returns. So it has two dimensions:
world. a.) It is already among us
 John wrote a theological reflection on the meaning of the One in b.) and not yet (“thy kingdom come”)
whom “the Word became flesh.”  As to the 2nd question:
 The Unique Features in each Gospel: One enters the kingdom by: repenting and believing the good
 In Mark - Jesus’ miracles play a larger part news (Mark 1:15);
 In Matthew only – Jesus’ sermon on the Mount is found And being in the kingdom is so important that one should sell all
 In Luke – Jesus’ parables more numerous and better known that he or she has to obtain (enter) the kingdom (Matt. 13:44-46).
 In John - Jesus’ “I am” sayings– unique to the 4th gospel  A final question has to do with the church: Is the church the kingdom
of God on earth? No, it is the witness to the future coming of
THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS kingdom.
1. Matthew 1. MATTHEW: The Jewish-Christian Gospel
2. Mark  The Gospel written by a tax-collector who became one of Jesus’
3. Luke disciples
 The word synoptic comes from “syn” (“with” or “together”) and  Portrays Jesus as the Promised Messiah, the fulfillment of Israel’s
“optos”(“seeing” as in optic), meaning that these three gospels see hopes,
things in much the same way.  With the Sermon on the Mount – summarizes the essence of
 The Kingdom of God - Jesus’ principal teaching in the Synoptic Jesus’ teachings about how Christians are to live in the world – and
Gospels mentioned some 50 times in the first three (3) gospels and the Great Commission as its unique materials.
hardly at all in John.  It is written for the Jewish Christians (Jews who believed that
 What is the Kingdom of God? Jesus was the Messiah) thus the need to trace the Jewish
 “The kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15) genealogy of Jesus.
 “The kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21)  Represented by a man - symbolizing Jesus’ humanness, because
 “There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see his gospel begins with the human ancestry of Jesus.
that kingdom of God has come with power” (Mark 9:1) Matthew’s Placement – Pride of place
 Does not mean a kingdom, i.e. not a geographical place, but  was once believed to be the 1st Gospel
kingship, as in the kingly rule or reign of God.  much more complex than Mark (60% longer than Mark)
 It is a spiritual concept, not a political one.  has good teaching materials and it addresses church problems
 Is the kingdom here, or is it coming in the future? e.g. disciplining members who sinned (18:15-20)
 best bridge between the 2 testaments – because his message is
that Jesus is the One promised in the OT

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Matthew’s Structure Matthew’s Audience
 begins with a long genealogy, the long story of Israel, beginning  Are Jewish Christians because Jewish words and customs are
with father Abraham, moving through the generations to King not explained; it is assumed that his readers know what he is
David, from which the Messiah was to be descended, and ending talking about.
with Joseph, Mary and Jesus  Written to Christians in Antioch, because the 1st reference to
 Matthew’s Jesus comes to bring a new word from God (Five Matthew is by Ignatius, the 3rd bishop of Antioch
discourses) Matthew’s Message
 Matthew’s Jesus as the new Moses, based on the similarities:  Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah whom the Jews fail to
MOSES JESUS recognize and refuse to acknowledge.
 saved from death by Pharaoh’s  saved from Herod’s “slaughter
 Matthew’s claim that Jesus is the Messiah is set forth in two
daughter of the innocents” by an angel
ways:
 went from Midian to Egypt of the Lord
1. His genealogy from Abraham to David to Joseph shows that
 wandered in the wilderness for  went from Bethlehem to Egypt Jesus was a descendant through Joseph, his “legal” father, of
40 years  was in the wilderness for 40
the House of David.
 expounded the law he received days 2. His numerous references to the prophecies of Isaiah, Micah,
on Mount Sinai  gave a new exposition of the
Hosea, Jeremiah and others regarding the Messiah. He uses
 Moses’ five books of the Torah law in the Sermon on the what are called “fulfillment citations” to show that various
Mount (“You have heard it
events took place in the life of Jesus to fulfill what had been
said, but I say…”)
spoken or written about the Messiah.
 Matthew’s five discourses
2. MARK: The Foundation Gospel
Matthew’s Five Discourses  The first Gospel to be written, the shortest and straightforward
 Each ends with a concluding statement “When Jesus had finished presentation of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ
saying…” and with Jesus moving, geographically, to a new  With emphasis on Jesus’ miracles and His portrait as the crucified
location. Son of God.
 These have to do with:  His main source was Peter, one of the first disciples of Jesus
 discipleship (The Sermon on the Mount: 5:1-7:28)  And he wrote for the Gentile-Christians in Rome.
 mission (apostleship, mission, confessing Christ: 10:1-11:1)  It is represented by a lion symbolizing Jesus’ mighty power as this
 the Kingdom of God (the growth and end-times: 13:1-53) gospel opens with “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” during
 community life (humbleness, forgiveness, wherever 2 or 3 are Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist.
gathered: 18:1-19:1) and
 the coming judgment (the 7 woes, signs of the end of the age and  First Gospel – 1st attempt to put the oral stories of Jesus into a
for the least of these my brethren: 23:1-26:1) written narrative - & because it was a source document for
Matthew and Luke

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  According to tradition, it was written in Rome, in the years  He was the one who “confesses” Jesus as the Messiah
immediately following Peter’s death in the mid-60s.  He organized the “Jesus Story” into its present format, not Peter
 Shortest with 661 verses, mostly narrative, with very few
Mark’s Structure:
teachings
 it is the most lively and action-oriented of the Gospels  more concerned with theological order than with chronological
 Has 2 endings: a “shorter ending” which stops at 16:8, and a order: the cross is ever before his eyes.
“longer ending” (16:9-20)  is in a hurry to get his message across, seen in his frequent use
 Contains no resurrection appearances and has a short prologue – of the word “immediately” (some 40 times) - Jesus did this / that…
Jesus’ baptism and testing – and then  opening line proclaims Jesus to be “the Son of God”, repeated 3
 A Three-Part Structure: times to an ever-expanding audience:
1. Jesus’ ministry in Galilee (1:14-7:23)  At his baptism, heavens open up & God’s voice says to
2. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (7:24-10:52), and Jesus, “You are my Son.” (1:11)
3. Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem (11:1-16:8/20)  On the Mount of Transfiguration, with 3 disciples they hear
 Matthew & Luke generally follow Mark’s outline but modify it e.g. God say, “This is my Son.” (9:7)
Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem in Luke is 10 chapters long (9:51-  At the foot of the cross, a Roman Centurion declares for all
19:27) to hear, “Truly this man was God’s Son” (15:39)
 Jesus is the one prophesied by Isaiah to call Israel to repent and
The Author: believe the Good News.
 also called John Mark (Acts 12:2, 25)  1st half – Jesus preaches throughout Galilee & performs
 John – his Hebrew name and Mark / Marcus – his Greco-Roman miracles to show His divine power: healing the blind, feeding
name the multitudes, raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead.
 Son of Mary, widow of some means who lived in Jerusalem,  Hinge (turning point) – Peter’s confession of Jesus as the
whose house was the center for the early church in Jerusalem Messiah (8:27-30)
(Acts 12:12); location of the Last Supper  2nd half – Jesus tell his disciples that he did not come to be
 Must have followed Jesus and the disciples into the Garden of served but “to give up his life as a ransom for many.” (10:45),
Gethsemane and may have been the “young man” in the garden an important foundation verse for the doctrine of
(Mark 14:51-52) substitutionary (“for us”) atonement.
 Cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4:10), and together they accompanied  Jesus said that the “good news must be proclaimed to all
Apostle Paul on Paul’s 1st missionary in the late 40s. At Perga, nations” (13:10)
Mark “left them and returned to Jerusalem.” (Acts 13:13)
Mark’s Audience:
 He was with Peter in Rome. His gospel has definite Petrine focus:
 Gentile Christians: no Jewish genealogy, few OT references,
Peter is…
Jewish words & customs are explained (7:3-4), it is a Gentile, a
 1st disciple to be called
Roman Centurion at the foot of the cross, who declares Jesus to
 listed 1st among the disciples
be God’s Son (15:39)
 mentioned more often & more prominently than the others

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Mark’s Message: 3. Validation (proof of miracle): woman “was healed of her disease”
 Is Jesus good news or false hope? (v. 29), Jairus’s daughter “got up and began to walk about.” (v.
 John the Baptist, Jesus’ forerunner was beheaded 42)
 Jesus Himself was crucified  The healing agent was Jesus, but there were also acts of faith:
 Paul & Peter, 2 of the church’s leading figures & greatest  To the woman, Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made
heroes had been martyred you well.” (v. 34)
 Persecution of Christians in Rome, as scapegoats for the  To Jairus, Jesus said: “Do not fear, only believe.” (v. 36)
burning of Rome, was on the increase  In the 1st miracle, it was the faith of the woman being
 Mark writes to strengthen the courage and faith of his readers, healed.
tells them that hoping in Jesus is real hope, just as it was for  In the 2nd, it was the faith of the child’s father, which should
Jesus’ disciples when He assured them that if they lost their lives encourage us to pray for others.
“for my sake” they would be saved. (8:35)  If Jesus was the incarnate Son of God, “who created the heavens
Jesus’ Miracles: and the earth,” there is no reason to be hesitant about His
 Passion narrative – an important feature of Mark’s Gospel performing numerous spectacular miracles.
 Miracle stories – another feature, 1/3 of his Gospel, as compared
to only 20% in the other 3 Gospels. There are some 35 miracles 3. LUKE: The Universal Gospel
in the Gospels  The longest book in the New Testament (1,149 verses)
 A miracle has been described as “an event that happens in a  Luke-Acts comprise 1 quarter of the New Testament
manner contrary to regularly observed processes of nature.”  Written by “the first Christian historian,” a physician and a second-
generation Christian as he was not among the disciples or the first-
Two Kinds of Jesus’ Miracles: hand eyewitnesses of Jesus’ public life.
1. Healing Miracles (vast majority): exorcising demons, curing lepers  Luke did not know or claim to have known Jesus during His public
and giving sight to the blind. life.
2. Nature Miracles: stilling the wind, feeding the multitudes and
 Based his gospel on the writings and eyewitness accounts of others
raising people from the dead.
(1:1-3)
Miracle Format: Threefold Structure  He is careful to name people (such as emperors) and to date events
 As illustrated in the intertwined double miracle: (5:21-43) (“In the 15th year of…”) as though he is writing history which he
1. Setting: Woman suffering from hemorrhages for 12 years (v. 25) continues in the Acts of the Apostles
& Jairus’ daughter is dead (v. 35)  His intent, however, is theological: to show God working out His
2. Miracle: Hemorrhaging woman came up behind Jesus & “touched purposes on the plane of history.
His cloak” (v. 27); Jesus went to Jairus’s home & took the girl by  Most of the parables of Jesus, the most unique and popular were
the hand & said to her “Little girl, get up.” (v. 41) presented in this account portraying Jesus as the Universal Savior,
 With an ox as a symbol to represent Jesus’ sacrificial death.

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Luke, The Physician:  The Rich Fool,
 was neither a disciple nor an apostle (Mark had some exposure  The Prodigal Son,
to Jesus, certainly Matthew did, but Luke had none.)  The Rich Man and Lazarus,
 generally assumed as a Gentile, with his knowledge of things  The Pharisee and the Tax Collector,
Jewish, which could have easily come from Paul  and The Story of Zacchaeus
 seems to have been a doctor, given his use of precise medical
language & terms and Paul’s reference to him as “the beloved Luke’s Audience
physician.” (Col. 4:14)  written to convince readers that Jesus was the Universal Savior
 met and joined Paul at Troas on Paul’s 2nd missionary journey  genealogy goes beyond David and Abraham to Adam:
(Acts 16:9-10) in the early 50s  Jesus did not come to save only Israel, He came to save all who
 helped Paul start a church in Philippi, which he then served as are lost.
pastor; later rejoined Paul (Acts 20:5-15) and  readers are believed to be Christians who lived in northern
 accompanied him to Caesarea when Paul was imprisoned there, Mediterranean cities
& then sailed with him to Rome (Acts 27:1)  wrote for Greco-Roman audience, which knew little about the OT
or Judaism, as seen in his
Luke’s Structure:  dedication to Theophilus
 follows Mark’s storyline, but is more polished, literary & expansive  literary style & vocabulary
 wants to be sure that Theophilus – perhaps his “patron,” who  frequent use of Greek rather than Hebrew words such as:
would see the publication of his two writings – knows “the truth  Master rather than Rabbi
concerning the things about which (he has) been instructed.” (1:4)  Mount of Olives rather than Gethsemane
by writing a 1st century historical narrative with names, dates and  Place of Skull rather than Golgotha
places.  his general avoidance of Semitisms such as Messiah and Son of
 has 2 great “movements” – coming and going – Jesus’ coming David
from heaven to earth, which begins in the manger, and Jesus’  and his limited references to Jewish customs
going from earth to heaven, which ends with His resurrection and
ascension. Luke’s Message:
 Hinge / turning point is verse 9:51 “When the days drew near for  Jesus’ homily in the synagogue at Nazareth (4:16-21), which
him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” marks the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, as Luke’s gospel
 Story begins in Jerusalem, with Zechariah in the Temple, and in a nutshell:
ends in Jerusalem, with the disciples waiting for the Holy Spirit, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me
which comes on Pentecost. to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim
 Gospel’s centerpiece is the ten-chapter journey from Jerusalem release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set
to Samaria (9:51-19:27) where we get: at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable
 The Story of Mary & Martha year of the Lord." (18-19)
 Parables of the Good Samaritan,

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  Jesus understood Himself to be the One anointed by the Spirit Fuller Seminary’s George Vanderlip Classifies Jesus’ Parables into
(4:18) – Four Broad Groups:
 the One who came to bring the good news of salvation to the  The dawning of the Kingdom of God in and through the
poor, the sick, and the demon-possessed; ministry of Jesus, e.g. Sower, Mustard Seed & other “growth”
 to tax collectors e.g. Matthew & Zacchaeus; to adulterers & parables.
adulteress;  God’s gracious love and compassion, as the waiting father
 to women as well as men (women receive more attention in showered upon his “prodigal” son.
Luke than in the other gospels)  Warnings about the coming judgment, as in the parable of the
 to the lost, e.g. the one stray sheep, the Prodigal Son rich man (who wanted to warn his 5 brothers) & the beggar
 and to outcasts and the despised e.g. lepers, Samaritans & Lazarus.
even Roman soldiers (7:1-10)  The nature of discipleship as illustrated in parables such as
 Luke is not as terse as Mark, nor as harsh as Matthew, nor as the Good Samaritan
other worldly as John  There are some 45 parables in the Synoptic Gospels (John uses
 Message is that Salvation is now: discourses rather than parables)
“Today (in the synagogue in Nazareth) this scripture has been  Luke has the most parables (and Mark the least)
fulfilled in your hearing” (4:21)  Luke has some of the best-remembered parables, e.g.the Good
“Today salvation has come to this [Zacchaeus’s] house” (19:9) Samaritan and the Prodigal Son (regarded as the most
“Today you [the penitent sinner] will be with me in paradise.” memorable) and the parables of the Rich Farmer (or Fool) and
(23:43) the Rich Man and Lazarus.

Jesus’ Parables The Parable of the Sower

 Parable – described as “an earthly story with a heavenly  Luke 8:4-15 - one of the only five parables found in all 3 Synoptic
meaning” – a story with details from everyday life told to present a Gospels
religious or spiritual truth.  one of only a handful of allegorical parables
 one of only two parables with an explanation
3 Kinds of Parables in the Gospels:  in Luke, it is the 1st of some 30 parables that Jesus uses as a
1. Similitude - in which Jesus begins by saying, “The kingdom of means of instruction
God [or heaven] is like…” (Mark 4 & Matt. 13)  the sower is Jesus,
2. Narrative – e.g. Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, many of  the seed is the gospel ,
which have a surprise ending  the soil is the hearer of the gospel,
3. Allegories - in which each detail symbolizes something else e.g.  and the different soils are the different responses to the gospels
Parable of the Sower  Jesus says that some “may not understand his parables” (Lk.
8:10), meaning that the truth always remain hidden from those
who do not care to see and hear what God has revealed.

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 Four Kinds of Soils and People:  The most popular, translated into more languages than any book
 The hard path (walking paths): in the OT or NT
Those who shut their minds to God’s Word; those who see and  Wrote his gospel “so that you may come to believe that Jesus is
hear but refuse to believe, like the Pharisees. the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may
 The thin soil (thin soil over rock): have life in His name.” (20:31)
Those who receive God’s Word and then fall away; those whose  Probably written in Ephesus in the mid-90s, with 878 verses,
faith is shallow and rootless, like Peter before Jesus’ resurrection, midway in length between Mark, the shortest, and Luke, the
who confessed Jesus asd the Messiah and then denied him. longest.
 The thorny soil (soil where seeds and weeds grow together):
Those who believe God’s Word but never give it 1 st place in their Differences Between John and the Synoptic Gospels:
lives  John’s Gospel stands apart from the synoptics in terms of style,
Those whose faith is choked by the goods, comforts and structure and content, the overlap is only about 10%
pleasures of the world, like the rich young ruler (18:18-25)  Omissions: no birth narrative or baptism, no temptation or
 The good soil (deep, fertile, well-prepared soil): testing in the wilderness, no exorcisms, no parables or
Those who hear God’s Word as a “saving” word; those who beatitudes, no transfiguration, & no agony in the Garden of
believe, like Jairus and the woman with hemorrhage, and are Gethsemane
richly blessed.  Additions : adds the story of
 the Wedding in Cana,
 Two Different Interpretations:  the discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus,
 As a warning:  the stories of the woman at the well
Only those who plant the gospel in their lives (the rich soil)  and the man born blind whose sight was restored
will be saved.  the washing of the disciples’ feet on Maundy Thursday,
 As an encouragement:  the raising of Lazarus, and
“For to those who have [faith], more will be given” (Luke  several Jewish feasts & festivals
8:18), that is, gathered up in God’s final “harvest.”  Geographical and chronological differences between John
and the Synoptics:
4. JOHN: The Spiritual Gospel  Jesus’ ministry is principally in Judea (John’s focus is on
 The spiritual, theological and most popular Gospel Jerusalem, not Nazareth and Capernaum);
 Written by the beloved disciple of Jesus addressed to the  Jesus’ ministry extends over three years (3 Passovers)
Christian community in Ephesus, rather than what appears to be only 1 year in the synoptic
 Presents Jesus Christ as the Word Incarnate or the “Word made  the ministries of Jesus & John the Baptist overlap (clearly
flesh” separate in the synoptics)
 With the “I Am Sayings” of Jesus as its unique feature.  It is often referred to as the fourth gospel.
 It is represented by an eagle because its first words are “In the  Intention was not to write a 4th synoptic gospel but, instead, to
beginning” meaning “in the heavens” symbolizing Jesus’ divinity. supplement the other three with a theological reflection on the
One in whom “the Word became flesh”. (1:14)

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JOHN: THE BELOVED DISCIPLE Two halves / parts: Public Ministry & Private Ministry
 younger brother of James (“the sons of thunder”) and a member  The first half (1-12), dealing with Jesus’ public ministry, has been
of the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples called The Book of Signs (or Miracles):
 the disciple whom Jesus loved (or had a special relationship with  turning water into wine at Cana
him)  healing the cripple at the pool of Bethsaida
 may have been Jesus’ half cousin, because it appears that his  feeding the multitudes
mother (Salome) and Mary were sisters (Mark 15:40 , Matthew  healing the man born blind
27:56 , John 19:25)  raising Lazarus from the dead
 Leader of the church in the latter decades of the 1st century  The second half, dealing with Jesus’ ministry to his disciples (13-
 Died in his nineties in Ephesus at the end of the 1st century. 17) and his passion (18-21), has been called The Book of Glory:
 This maybe the reason why John, rather than Jesus’ siblings who Jesus’ hour, his death and his resurrection, his “glorification.”
do not seem to believed in Him (7:5), was asked to care for Mary
after Jesus’ death (19:27) John’s Audience:
 Leader of the church in the latter decades of the 1st century  has written his gospel “so that you may come to believe in Jesus”
 lived out his final years at Ephesus, where he died in his nineties (20:31)
at the end of the 1st century  readers are Greek-speaking Jews, because some Jewish terms
 5 books bear the name of John in the NT: the Gospel of John, 3 have to be translated (1:41);
letters of John, & the book of Revelation  they have general knowledge of the Old Testament (3:14) &
 Although the language & style of these books occasionally differs, Jewish beliefs & practices
the theology is the same and the five are collectively called the  they have some familiarity with Jesus’ public life & ministry; & his
Johannine Literature. death & his resurrection
 John, the son of Zebedee, is the “disciple who is testifying to  although they lived outside of Palestine (Ephesus), they appear to
these things.” (21:24) have some understanding of the geography of the gospel story
John’s Structure: John’s Message:
 opens his gospel with an echo from Genesis 1:1 “in the  simple yet profound
beginning…”  begins his gospel with Gen. 1:1:
 At the very beginning was God, who has now come to usher in a  “In the beginning was the Word” Jn 1:1
new beginning  “who became flesh and lived among us” 1:14
 John weaves his narrative around seven signs, which are  Jesus is much more outspoken about who He is (“I am the Way”)
followed by discourses than in the other gospels.
 The end comes with Jesus’ crucifixion, followed by his  He is the Son of the Father, who sent Him – the very Son of God,
resurrection, which is the sign of the new creation. the incarnate Word of God, the revealed & living presence of
God.
 Jesus did not come to bring the message of eternal life:

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  He is the message - the very incarnation of the message  Referring to himself as the true, everlasting light, he says
 He was not the one who spoke God’s Word, as the prophets had “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in
done; He is the Word - the living Word. darkness but will have the light of life” (8:12).
 Speaking to the crowds, Jesus says, “
JESUS AND NICODEMUS “I am the gate [to eternal life]. Whoever enters by me will be
 In John 3, Jesus receives a visit from Nicodemus, saved” (10:9).
 a distinguished Pharisee,  Using the Old Testament image of God as “shepherd,” as in the
 “a leader of the Jews” and 23rd Psalm, Jesus tells his listeners:
 a secret admirer of Jesus “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life
 not a “believer”, at least during Jesus’ lifetime, perhaps to [to protect and save] his sheep” (10:11).
avoid being “put out of the synagogue” (9:22)  After the death of Lazarus, Jesus tells Mary and Martha:
 appears 3x in John’s Gospel, but nowhere in the other 3. “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even
 Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be “born from above” or though they die [physically], will live [spiritually], and everyone
anew or again (3:3). who lives and believes in me will never die” (11:25-26).
 Our 1st birth is biological birth - our birth from “below”.  Speaking to Thomas and the disciple, Jesus says:
 Our 2nd birth is our spiritual birth - our birth from “above” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life [the true way to eternal
 When we are born again – when we turn away from sin & toward life]. (14:6)
Jesus and experience Him in our lives – we become a new  Using familiar agricultural imagery, Jesus says to the disciple:
creation, with a new purpose & a new will. “I am the vine (the life-source), you are the branches. Those who
 The apostle Paul, in talking about his rebirth, says, abide in me and in them bear much fruit” (15:5).
 “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20) The Gospels: Four Stories, One Jesus
 Jesus goes on to talk about “eternal life” – one of John’s favorite  Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have given us different portraits of
themes. Jesus, but they all have the same Jesus, who lived and died and
 Eternal life is given a fuller interpretation in John’s gospel than in rose again.
the other three.  Those who were imprisoned, thrown to the lions, sawed in half
 In the synoptics, it means “life everlasting” – life beyond the grave and burned at the stake went to their deaths because they
 In John, also means the enjoyment of God’s blessings in this life believed that the gospel testimonies to Jesus are true.
– the quality of life, not merely the duration of life.
II. ACTS OF THE APOSTLES – History of the Early Christian Church - It is
JESUS “I AM” SAYINGS the second-half of the writer’s two-volume work on the origins of
 After feeding the multitudes with physical bread, Jesus says, Christianity, the story of how the Good News, the Gospel moved from
“I am the bread of life [the bread from heaven that sustains life Jerusalem to its spread throughout the Roman Empire in the decades
forever]. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and following Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension; and how it was done by
whoever believes in me will never be thirsty”. (6:35) the apostles such as Peter, Paul and others in fulfillment of Christ’s Great
Commission; and the planting or founding of the early Christian churches.

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III. EPISTLES - It is the term used to categorize the twenty-one letters in the 3. 1 & 2 CORINTHIANS
New Testament written to specific church communities, individuals and to 1 Corinthians 13 - It records Paul’s “Hymn of Love” where he listed
the general readers of the whole church. 13 Pauline + 8 General = 21 fifteen attributes of Agape love – the self-giving acts of love that does
not expect anything in return. It is also known as the love chapter in
Paul’s First letters the Bible.
1 THESSALONIANS – Paul’s first letter – which makes it the first New The Prison Epistles of Paul
Testament book to be written – in the year 50 or 51 to a church he 4. PHILIPPIANS - Paul’s letter of great joy to his favorite church, which
founded on his 2nd journey. Paul exhorts his disciples to continue in the he established on his 2nd journey (Acts 16). It contains the
faith and in holy conversation. Christological hymn or creed, “At the name of Jesus, every knee
should bend,,,and every tounge confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
2 THESSALONIANS - Paul corrects an error concerning the speedy (2;10-11)
coming of Christ the second time.
5. COLOSSIANS – Paul’s letter to a church that he had neither planted
The confusion and question about Jesus’ return: Had he already come? If nor visited. It addresses a number of heresies in the church in
not, what would happen to those who had died in the interim? Paul’s Colossae.
reflections concerning Jesus’ return are the most important feature of 6. PHILEMON - The only “personal” letter of Paul and the only letter from
these two letters (1 Thess. 4:13-18). the hand of Paul, written to a wealthy member of the Colossian church
appealing to him to forgive and accept back his runaway slave.
The Great Epistles of Paul
7. EPHESIANS – The most important Prison Epistle of Paul written to a
1. GALATIANS - It is considered as one of the Great Epistles of Paul, Christian community where he stayed for more than two years on his
called as the Magna Carta of Christian Liberty or Freedom from the 3rd journey. Chapter 2:8 underlies the founding principle of the
Law (from Jewish Legalism) with emphasis on Justification by Faith i.e. Protestant Reformation declaring that we are saved by grace through
one is made right with God not by works of the law (observance of faith, not your own doing or works but the gift of God i.e. works are
Jewish rules, rituals and customs) but by God’s grace through faith in something we do as a result of salvation, not something to secure our
Jesus Christ alone. This letter ends with the nine fruits / manifestations salvation.
of the Spirit. The Pastoral Epistles of Paul – letters to two young pastors mentored by
2. ROMANS - It is Paul’s Magnum Opus being the culmination of his Paul to establish and maintain orthodoxy, rebuke false teachers and
thinking after many years on the mission field; the most complete and doctrines, and to be models of Christian conduct; they are also given
systematic statement of his understanding of the Gospel i.e. “the qualities and characteristics to look for in selecting leaders so as to put
power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith in Jesus Christ”; their churches in the strongest and ablest hands.
his final legacy to the church. It is also called by Martin Luther as “the 1. 1 & 2 TIMOTHY – a young pastor mentored by Paul who became his
purest Gospel’, and by scholars as “The Gospel According to Saint constant companion beginning at Paul’s second missionary journey
Paul” and with chapters 12-15 as “Paul’s Sermon on the Mount.” when he was asked to take Mark’s place. He was assigned in the
Church at Ephesus.

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 2. TITUS – a Gentile Christian and a loyal and faithful disciple of Paul – THE ORDER AND CLASSIFICATION OF PAUL’S LETTERS
assigned in the Church at Crete. Biblical Order Chronological Order Classification Order
The General Letters – because they are not addressed to specific Romans 1 Thessalonians 50/51 AD The First Letters
churches or readers but to the whole church and is known by the names 1 Corinthians 2 Thessalonians 52 AD 1-2 Thessalonians
of their authors, not their addressees - James, Peter, John and Jude - 2 Corinthians Galatians 49/55 AD The Great Epistles
1. HEBREWS - It is the longest of the eight non-Pauline letters and is an Galatians 1 Corinthians 55 AD Galatians
important argument in establishing the sufficiency of Jesus’ perfect, Ephesians 2 Corinthians 55 AD 1-2 Corinthians
once-for-all-time sacrifice for our sins. It also presents a chapter known Philippians Romans 57/58 AD Romans
as “Faith Hall of Fame”. Colossians Philippians 55/61 AD The Prison Epistles
1 Thessalonians Colossians 61 AD Philippians
2. JAMES - The early church attributed this letter to the oldest of Jesus’ 2 Thessalonians Philemon 61 AD Colossians /
four brothers, who was widely respected by the Jewish community. It is 1 Timothy Ephesians 62 AD Philemon
written to “the 12 tribes in the Dispersion” meaning to Jewish 2 Timothy 1 Timothy 62 AD Ephesians
Christians. It is called as the “wisdom” book of the New Testament Titus Titus 63 AD The Pastoral Letters
and the faith plus works epistle as he writes “Faith without works is Philemon 2 Timothy 64 AD 1-2Timothy
dead.” (2:17) Titus
3. 1 PETER - This letter has been called “the Epistle of Courage” – the
courage to suffer as Christ did, in quiet dignity. It was written to comfort IV. REVELATION TO JOHN
Christians “of the Dispersion” who were being persecuted by the state,  An Apocalyptic book using symbolic languages that tells of the visions of
called Babylon, most likely a code word for Rome. the “end things” and “visions of the future”
4. I JOHN – written against those who denied Jesus’ humanity - those  Written by John in the island of Patmos during the intense persecution of
who said that Jesus only seemed to be human, John says, “We have Christians under Roman Emperor Domitian.
seen…heard…touched with our hands” the crucified and risen Christ.  It was written to give hope that God who is sovereign will save His people,
(1:1). Written to Christians confused by false teaching, seeks to and though evil will continue or even get worse, God will intervene and
reassure them by giving them three tests of genuine faith: Light and prevail and all who have been steadfast and faithful will be rewarded.
darkness: the first two tests, walking in the light and loving the
brethren. Truth and falsehood: the third test, believing that Jesus
Christ, God’s Son, was a real, human person. 2 & 3 John – shortest Prepared by:
books in the Bible – by the same person identified with the Johannine
Community. REV. GEMMA OCO – CRUZ, Faculty
5. JUDE – the brother of James and presumably by Jesus (Mark 6:3) College of Religious Studies, Philippine Christian University
brief letter written to warn against false teachers and concentrates on
Textbook: “A Handbook of the Christian Faith” by John Schwarz, Copyright
strengthening Christians to resist them, closely parallel to 2 Peter -
1993, 1999, 2001, 2004, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49515, USA
encouraging his readers to fight on for the faith which once and for all
God has given to His people.
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 UNIT IV: JESUS OF NAZARETH  introduced Greek language, culture & religion;
 built a number of Greek cities e.g. Alexandria in Egypt
THE WORLD, LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS  Hellenization - Alexander’s program of Greek enculturation - from the
 1st Century Greco-Roman-Jewish World - world in which Jesus grew word Hellas, ancient name of Greece
up and lived out His ministry;  Jewish community in Alexandria - became so Hellenized that the Hebrew
 Life & Ministry of Jesus - birth, baptism by John the Baptist, public Scriptures was translated from Hebrew to Greek - the Septuagint.
ministry, teachings, betrayal, arrest, trials, crucifixion, burial, resurrection  In the year 323 B.C., at the young age of 33, he died of a fever (typhoid or
and ascension malaria) in Babylon.
 All these provide important background information for the study of the  With no legal heir - his empire was divided among his generals. Two
Gospels - the written testimonies to the person and work of Jesus. notable:
THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD  Ptolemy - became the ruler of Egypt and Palestine, with his capital at
 Period between the return of the exiles from Babylon (538 B.C.) and the Alexandria. (Cleopatra - the wife of Marc Anthony, who committed
birth of Jesus. suicide in 30 B.C., was the last of the Ptolemies)
 Period of religious history about which very little is known.  Seleucus - became the ruler of Syria and Babylonia, with his capital at
 Second Temple - the modest temple built at the urging of the prophets Antioch.
Haggai and Zechariah (520-515).  Seleucids wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea - resulted to
 Governor Nehemiah - rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem (c. 445). many battles between Seleucids & Ptolemies
 Ezra - reestablished Jewish religious life.  Seleucids finally triumphed and became the rulers of Palestine in 198
 Hebrew Scriptures - were collected, through the final canon not yet B.C.
confirmed Alexander and the Greeks
 Jews regained control of their land from the Syrians (Seleucids), and  Alexander the Great
taken away a century later by the Romans.  one of the greatest generals and conquerors in all history
Alexander and the Greeks  in the year 336 B.C., at the age of 20, succeeded his father Philip II, King
 Alexander the Great of Macedonia (northern Greece) who was assassinated
 one of the greatest generals and conquerors in all history  a brilliant military tactician and a bold, courageous leader
 in the year 336 B.C., at the age of 20, succeeded his father Philip II, King  after solidifying his throne, defeated the Persians & moved east,
of Macedonia (northern Greece) who was assassinated conquering Egypt, Palestine (in 332) and Babylon
 a brilliant military tactician and a bold, courageous leader  a pupil of Aristotle & loved everything Greek
 after solidifying his throne, defeated the Persians & moved east,  dream was to unify The East and The West - induced soldiers to marry
conquering Egypt, Palestine (in 332) and Babylon women among the peoples he conquered
 a pupil of Aristotle & loved everything Greek  introduced Greek language, culture & religion;
 dream was to unify The East and The West - induced soldiers to marry  built a number of Greek cities e.g. Alexandria in Egypt
women among the peoples he conquered  Hellenization - Alexander’s program of Greek enculturation - from the
word Hellas, ancient name of Greece
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  Jewish community in Alexandria - became so Hellenized that the Hebrew The Roman Empire
Scriptures was translated from Hebrew to Greek - the Septuagint.  Romans
 In the year 323 B.C., at the young age of 33, he died of a fever (typhoid or  Wanted to control the perimeter of the Mediterranean Sea; Egypt - the
malaria) in Babylon. breadbasket of the Roman Empire
 With no legal heir - his empire was divided among his generals. Two  Pompey
notable:  in 63 B.C. led the Roman army as they marched into Jerusalem
 Ptolemy - became the ruler of Egypt and Palestine, with his capital at  subjected Israel again to foreign rule - the mighty Roman Empire
Alexandria. (Cleopatra - the wife of Marc Anthony, who committed  Octavian (Augustus - “The August One”)
suicide in 30 B.C., was the last of the Ptolemies)  Jesus was born during Octavian’s reign
 Seleucus - became the ruler of Syria and Babylonia, with his capital at  the grand nephew and adopted heir of Julius Caesar
Antioch.  assassinated in 44 B.C.
 Seleucids wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea - resulted to  the 1st Roman emperor
many battles between Seleucids & Ptolemies. Seleucids finally
 considered as Rome’s greatest emperor because of his organization of
triumphed and became the rulers of Palestine in 198 B.C.
the administration of the empire
 ruled from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14
The Maccabean Revolt
issued the decree that “all the world should be registered” for tax purposes
 Antiochus IV
(Luke 2:1) which sent Joseph & Mary to Bethlehem - Jesus’ birthplace
 took the title Epiphanes (“God Manifest”)
 Tiberius (A.D. 14-37)
 became king of the Seleucid or Syrian Empire in 175 B.C.
 Augustus’ adopted stepson who succeeded his throne
 in an effort to stamp out Judaism:
 in the 15th year of his reign (Luke 3:1) Jesus began his public ministry and
- banned sacrifices at the temple, Sabbath sacrifices, the teaching of the
was crucified
Scriptures, circumcision of newborn males - all “on pain of death”
- desecrated the temple by offering a swine (pig) as a sacrifice to Other notable emperors of the 1st century:
Zeus - the principal Greek God.  Claudius (A.D. 41-54)
 Provoked a Jewish uprising led by:  expelled Jews and Jewish Christians from Rome in 49, died in 54 - Jews
Mattathias - a priest & his 5 sons returned
Judas - one of the 5 sons of Mattathias  Nero (A.D. 54-68)
- nicknamed Maccabeus which means “The Hammer”.  persecuted Christians and, according to tradition, was responsible for the
Maccabees - Jewish guerrilla forces - defeated the Syrians in Dec. 164 deaths of Peter and Paul
B.C. & purified the temple which Jews celebrate as  Vespasian (A.D. 69-79)
Feast of Lights or Hanukkah (“Dedication”) - an 8-day festival that  put down the Jewish revolt of 66-70 and
occurs around the same time of year as Christmas;  built the famous Colosseum in Rome
Jews regained control of their homeland for a short time (160-63 B.C.)  Titus (A.D. 79-81)
 Vespasian’s son who destroyed Jerusalem at the end of the 1st Jewish
War

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 Domitian (A.D. 81-96) Herod the Great
 Believed to be the emperor behind chapters 4-22 of the book of  “King of the Jews” - (40 B.C.) title given by Marc Antony, the ruler of the
Revelation Eastern half of the Roman Empire, actually a vassal king (feudal
 Trajan (A.D. 98-117) tenant/servant)
 the first non-Italian (Spanish) emperor  called “The Great” (not by the Jews) because of his great architectural
achievements:
Israel / Palestine  the Temple of Jerusalem - which he dismantled & rebuild in 20 B.C. to
 was part of the Roman province of Syria, Roman Empire had 14 provinces, win the favor of the Jews
ruled by local kings such as the Herods, and by governors such as  Herod’s Temple - grander than Solomon
Pontius Pilate - ruled Judea and Samaria from 26-36, and  Herod’s Palace - where Jesus was tried by Pontius Pilate
Antonius Felix & Porcius Festus - mentioned in the Book of Acts  Antonia Fortress (named for Marc Antony) in Jerusalem - where Jesus
 1ST Jewish War - brutally crushed by Rome, temple was burned, thousands was mocked & scourged by the soldiers
of Jews killed or sold into slavery, city was razed  Caesarea - (named after Caesar Augustus) a town in Northwest
 Western or “Wailing” Wall - of the Temple platform left standing - now the Palestine on the Mediterranean Sea, Herod’s capital city & later Pilate’s
holiest site in Israel official residence; It also where Paul was imprisoned in the late 50s.
 Essenes at Qumran near the dead Sea - also defeated by the Romans  Herodium - Herod’s residence south of Bethlehem, where some believe
 2nd Jewish War (132-135) - also crushed, after which Rome changed he is buried
Israel’s name to Palestinia - “Land of the Philistines” - to remove the name  Machaerus in Perea - east of the Dead Sea where John the Baptist
of Israel from the land. was imprisoned & beheaded
 State of Israel - established by the United Nations in 1948  Masada on the west side of the Dead Sea - string of fortresses -
destroyed by the Romans at the end of the 1st Jewish War
THE HOUSE OF HEROD
 Ruled Palestine from 37 to 4 B.C. and was paranoid about others claiming
 Antipater
his throne:
 Founder of the House of Herod
– ordered the execution of two of his ten wives and three of his seven
 a half-Jew from Idumaea, Old Testament land of Edom, south of Judea; sons, whom he considered potential rivals;
Edom - name given to Esau in Genesis 25:30; Edomites - Esau’s – ordered the killing of “all the children in and around Bethlehem who were
descendants two years old and under” when he learned that Jesus, Israel’s hoped-for
 sided with Julius Caesar during his Egyptian campaign against Pompey Messiah, and thus a potential rival, had been born there (Matthew 2:16)
for the sole control of Rome (48-47 B.C)  allowed by Rome to rule the land of the Jews for 33 years
 rewarded by Caesar with governorship of Judea (in 47 B.C) and with
Roman citizenship Herod’s Successors
Julius Caesar - granted the Jews 2 special privileges: Upon Herod’s death, his kingdom was divided and bequeathed to 3 of his sons:
1. Exemption from military service and 2. the freedom to  Archelaus
worship their own God  ruled Judea and Samaria from 4 B.C. to A.D. 6
 assassinated in 42 B.C. & replaced by his son, Herod  an evil and oppressive ruler like his father

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 Jews sent a delegation to Rome to protest against him JEWISH POLITICAL & RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES IN THE 1st CENTURY
 removed by Emperor Augustus and banished him to Gaul (now Belgium  in the 1st century - Majority of Jews lived in Judea , in the South; &
and France) heavily Gentiles in Galilee (“Galilee of the Gentiles”, Matthew 4:15), in
 the ruler to whom Joseph is warned & told to to take his family to Nazareth the North
which is beyond Archelaus’s control (Matthew 2:19-23)  Sadducees - the ruling hierarchy; Pharisees and the Essenes - the
 Herod Antipas “religious” of Israel, to which Scribes were attached or related. Zealots -
 or simply Antipas - to avoid confusion with his father the “freedom fighters”
 ruled the regions of Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. until removed ny The Sadducees
Emperor Caligula in A.D. 39  Israel’s priestly party
 the ablest of Herod’s sons  controlled the temple and the Sanhedrin, the ruling council
 imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29) at his fortress  name comes from Zadok (Greek: Saddouk), a priest during David’s reign
palace at Machaerus whose descendants held office in Israel from the time of Solomon (1 Kings
 had a brief encounter with Jesus on Good Friday (Luke 23:6-12) 2:35).
 Phillip the Tetrach  gave priority to Torah over the rest of Jewish Scriptures
 (ruler of a fourth”)  did not believe in bodily resurrection;
 ruled the northeastern territories from 4 B.C. until his death in A.D. 34  focus was on the temple and maintain status quo
 rule was one of moderation and justice  believed to be responsible for the death of Jesus Christ
 rebuild the ancient city of Panion - which he renamed  regarded Jesus Christ as a dangerous revolutionary who might provoke a
Caesaria Philippi - location of Peter’s great confession to Jesus: “You are riot that would bring down the heavy hand of Rome
the Messiah” (Mark 8:27-30)  were linked with the temple; after its destruction in the year 70 they
 Herod Agrippa I disappeared from the scene
 called King Herod in the Book of Acts (12:1)
 grandson of Herod the Great The Pharisees
 ruled over the former territories of Antipas & Philip, & from A.D. 41-44 over  the “religious” of Israel
all Israel  term means “separated one” because they separated themselves from
 responsible for execution of apostle James, the brother of John (Acts 12:2), anything that was impure
and for the arrest and imprisonment of Peter (Acts 12:3-19)  came to prominence in the years following the Maccabean uprising
 stricken down by “an angel of the Lord” (Acts 12:23) in the year 44  middle-class fundamentalist laymen, few in number
 Herod Agrippa II  more admired than the Sadducees for their learning & piety; and believed
 called King Agrippa or Agrippa in the book of Acts succeeded his father in:
 the last Herodian ruler, who died in the year 93  the whole Scripture, not just the Torah;
 heard Paul’s defense at Caesaria in the late 50s (Acts 25:13-26:32)  in an expanded law or “fence around the Torah” - stringent rules &
 sided with Rome against his own people in the 1st Jewish War regulations concerning the Sabbath & other matters
 and in the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:8)

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 believed the best way to reflect God was to keep the law THE FIRST-CENTURY NEW TESTAMENT WORLD
 challenged Jesus when they felt he did not do such as when he ate with Economics
sinners, healed lepers & broke the Sabbath  Palestine - an agrarian economy w/ rich variety of grains, vegetables, fruits,
 paid more attention to the law than to matters of “justice & mercy & faith” sheep & goats
(Matthew 23:23) - as Jesus said when He countered them  wealthy landowners farmed their lands by leasing them out to tenants,
sharecroppers & day laborers
The Zealots
 there were stonemasons, carpenters, butchers, bakers, weavers, potters,
 Jewish resistance fighters (“heirs” of the Maccabees) who wanted to
craftsmen, merchants
overthrow Rome.
 village life was primitive, travel was by foot and very slow (15-20 miles a
 Galilee - hotbed of Zealot activity day)
 Provoked the uprising against Rome in the year 66, which precipitated the  Rome levied taxes on crops, imposed tolls & duties on people &
First Jewish War. merchandise
 Simon the Zealot - one of the 12 disciples of Jesus  Jewish law required both tithe & grain offerings to be mad at the temple
 Judas Iscariot - another one of the 12 may have been a Zealot who was  Civil taxes and religious tithes could amount to as much as 40-50% of one’s
disillusioned with Jesus income.
The Essenes Society
 means “pious one”  Jewish society less rigid than Roman society
 lived celibate lives in small semi-monastic communities (the “monks of  Hereditary priests - at the top - officiated at the temple and offered
Judaism”) sacrifices for the people; assisted by the Levites.
 believed they were Israel’s true remnant  Priestly Group & Lay aristocracy - wealthy individuals who were not
 a peaceful people destroyed by the Roman Tenth Legion in the year 68 in members of priestly families - formed a socio-religious political group that
the 1st Jewish War exercised control over the lives of people
 Common people (farmers, craftsmen, and merchants - below the priests,
 were able to hide their “library” - some 800 manuscripts, including every
Levites, and aristocracy
book of the Old Testament except Esther - in clay jars in 11 caves near
 Slaves - below the common people - who ended up in the wrong side of a
Qumran west of the Dead Sea
conflict / who were born to women in slavery / who could not pay their debts
 Qumran documents - oldest extant Jewish Scriptures, some dating back to
 Rural villages in Galilee and elsewhere were more conservative than those
250 B.C. - accidentally discovered by a Bedouin shepherd boy in 1947
who lived in large cities like Jerusalem - a constant tension between these 2
The Scribes groups
 not a political party or religious community but professional people who Domestic Life
could read and write  The family was the basic unit with religious obligations:
 principal function - copy, interpret, and teach the Scriptures  Marriage - arranged by parents, frequently when children were quite
 referred to in the New Testament as scribes, “scribes of the Pharisees” young, & often to family relatives e.g. cousin;
 teachers and experts in the Law (of Moses). - Girls were married between ages 12-14, males between ages 18-20
 Procreation - (“Be fruitful and multiply.”)
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 Women were restricted to home and were second-class citizens - even  Spiritual hunger - for something other than Roman mythology and
excluded from certain area of the temple. emperor worship. People wanted a faith that could give meaning &
 Unusual for men to converse with women in public, even their wives. hope.
 Sons were more highly favored than daughters, but boys were considered  A growing, widespread belief in one God, partly as a result of Diaspora
“nobodies” until the age of 12 or 13. - The dispersion of Jews who left Palestine following the fall of
Religious Life Jerusalem in 586 B.C.
 Jews were either - More than 150 cities in the Roman Empire are known to have had
 Full-blooded Jews - (those born Jewish) or Synagogues in the 1st century – a witness to their belief in a single,
 Proselytes (those who converted to Judaism). supreme, sovereign God.
 Two other groups:  In the “fullness of time” -- a one hundred year window between the
 “God-fearers” - those attracted to Judaism but who never converted to beginning of Augustus reign in 27 B.C. & the final mopping-up operation at
Judaism Masada in 73 at the end of the 1st Jewish war
 Gentiles - term for anyone who was not Jewish, including the God-fearers.  the “Word became flesh” -- entered human history in the person of Jesus
 Temple in Jerusalem - most important Jewish institution of Nazareth
 Two other important institutions: THE BIRTH OF JESUS
 Sanhedrin - the chief judicial & legislative body within Judaism  Four Gospels - deal with Jesus’ public life from his baptism by John in the
 Synagogue - from a Greek word meaning “place of assembly”; functioned Jordan River to his death and resurrection in Jerusalem.
as a place of worship, prayer, study, and fellowship; more important than Several possible reasons why Matthew and Luke added birth (or nativity)
the temple for people living outside of Jerusalem narratives to their gospels:
JESUS OF NAZARETH: IN “THE FULLNESS OF TIME”  There was an interest in Jesus’ origins.
Two Greek words for time:  Jesus’ legal or earthly father, Joseph, was from the line of David -
 Khronos - denotes linear time, from which we get the word “chronology”; important to establish because the Messiah was to be a “Son of David”
Kairos - denotes the “right time” or “perfect time”. (2 Sam. 7:12-16).
 Jesus came in Kairos time---in “the fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4)---which  It was important to show that Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem fulfilled the
made it possible for the Gospel to spread throughout the Roman Empire. prophecy in Micah 5:2 regarding the Messiah’s birthplace.
There was:  Matthew and Luke wanted to begin their gospels with Jesus’ conception
 Universal peace, prosperity, and stability in the world -- the Pax to show that He was, from the very first moment, divine.
Romana - (“Peace of Rome”) which began with the reign of Augustus in Joseph and Mary
27 B.C.  the “parents” of Jesus
 Lingua Franca - common universal language (Greek) - made it possible  Joseph - His legal father
for the Gospel to be preached everywhere in the Greco-Roman world,  from the tribe of Judah (Matt. 1:1-2; Luke 3:33-34)
and a road system & safe routes which allowed Paul, Barnabas & others  drops out of the picture after Jesus’ story in the Temple when He was 12
easy access to important cities in the Mediterranean. years old. (Luke 2:41-52)
 believed to have died while Jesus was still in Nazareth
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 Mary - His natural mother  The complete agreement of the 2 accounts on all essential points:
 young virgin, cousin of Elizabeth who found favor with God (Luke 1:28)  the principal characters: Mary & Joseph
 Immaculate Conception - the doctrine which refers to Mary’s conception,  the revelations made by the angel
not that of Jesus, is an attempt to explain how Jesus was born of a human  conception takes place between betrothal & marriage (virginity of Mary is
without the taint of original sin. emphasized) through the agency of the Holy Spirit
 Betrothal - or engagement of couples was entered into at a young age  child’s name is to be Jesus
(Mary probably at 13) and before witnesses and, for all intents and  birth takes place in Bethlehem during latter years of the reign of Herod the
purposes, the betrothed couple was married. Great
- If one party died, the other was deemed a legal widow or widower.  and family settles in Nazareth
- Couple still live with their respective parents until formally married.  Importance of birth narratives - not the details of Jesus’ birth but the
 Marriage - after a period of betrothal, usually one year, sometimes in a inbreaking of God into human history.
lavish ceremony e.g. Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11).  The material in the birth narratives - may have come from Luke, who tells us
- After the wedding, bride leaves her parents, husband assume that he “investigated everything carefully” (Luke 1:3), & have had ample
responsibility time to visit with Mary (who died in the early 60s) while he was in Caesarea
 Between betrothal & marriage - an angel came to Joseph in a dream (in during Paul’s imprisonment (c.59-60).
Matthew’s Gospel), and to Mary in person (in Luke’s Gospel), announced
When was Jesus Born?
that Mary would conceive a son through the power of the Holy Spirit and
 during the reign of Herod the Great (who died in 4 B.C.), & had earlier
that they were to “name him Jesus” (Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:31) meaning “God
ordered all of the children in Bethlehem up to two years of age to be killed
saves” (us from our sins).
when he learned that Jesus had been born there.
The Birth Narratives  approximately in 6 or 5 B.C, died in A.D. 30 - lived approximately 35 years
 Matthew’s birth narrative (1:18-2:18) - told from Joseph’s perspective.  may have been in the spring (shepherds and sheep in the fields, the wise
Contains the: men travelling to Jerusalem) rather than winter
 account of the “wise men from the East” who, led by the star of  Christmas (“Christ’s Mass”) - celebrated on December 25 since year 336,
Bethlehem, pay homage to Jesus; when Emperor Constantine combined Christ’s birth with the celebration of
 holy family takes refuge in Egypt the winter solstice - the day on which the sun is “reborn”, - because Jesus
 Luke’s narrative (1:26-38; 2:1-20) - told from Mary’s perspective. Contains was “the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
the:  Epiphany - Greek word meaning “manifestation”; celebrates the
 account of Augustus’ decree that those living in Roman provinces “should presentation of Jesus to the wise men (“magi”) who came to Bethlehem.
be registered”, which sends Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem (a 5-day Occurs 12 days after Christmas on January 6.
journey);
 Jesus is born in a stable & visited by shepherds. Note: The term B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini: “In the Year of
 Harmonizing the two accounts: the Lord”) are being replaced by B.C.E. (Before the Common Era) and C.E.
 Annunciation (‘announcement”) - that Mary was to conceive a child (Common Era).
through the agency of the Holy Spirit - comes to Mary in Luke’s Gospel &
to Joseph in Matthew’s Gospel.
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The Incarnation of God  It was also the first declaration of Jesus’ unique relationship to God and His
true identity - the Beloved Son of God.
Two (2) Key Beliefs of Christian Faith:
 took place in Jordan River by John the Baptist:
– INCARNATION - the belief at the beginning of the Jesus story -- God
 (or Baptizer) the last great Israelite prophet;
becoming incarnate (flesh) in Jesus (John 1:14) -- the merger of the divine
 killed by Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14-29) early in Jesus’ ministry at
and the human.
Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea - for his outspoken criticism of
– This distinguishes Christianity from other religions of the world e.g.
Antipas’ marriage to Herodias, the wife of his half brother, Herod Philip
Judaism & Islam (the other two monotheistic religions.)
(not to be confused with Herod the Tetrach) as a violation of Mosaic Law
– Only Christianity believes that the eternal, transcendent God of the
(Lev. 20:21) ;
universe became incarnate in a human being, namely, JESUS of
 understood as the Elijah figure who announces Jesus as the Anointed
Nazareth.
One of God (Matt. 11:14, Luke 7:27) - the one Israel has long been
– RESURRECTION - the belief at the end of the Jesus story which confirms waiting for.
everything that Jesus said and did during His life, the most important being o Jews believe that Elijah - as prophesied by Malachi (2 Kings 2:11)
His saving death on the cross. would return to announce the coming of the Lord
– This event proved that Jesus is indeed God.  not “Elijah returned” - not the reincarnation of Elijah (John 1:21-23) as
 The story of the virginal conception of Jesus is about the incarnation of God some believed but
in Jesus, not about the virgin birth of Jesus.  the one sent to fulfill Elijah’s mission to announce the coming of the
Messiah
BRIEF OUTLINE OF JESUS’ MINISTRY Why Jesus was baptized?
 Most of what we know about Jesus occurred during his public ministry Jesus’ baptism was:
(years A.D. 27 to 30) as reported in the Gospels.  His consecration by the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:10), which empowered Him for
 Knew little about His life before He was baptized by John, other than He his messianic ministry.
grew up in Nazareth - a small town in the hills of Lower Galilee;  For the forgiveness of sins - was His first step in identifying with and bearing
 Had four half brothers -- James, Joseph, Judas and Simon -- and the sins of those for whom He came to give His life.
unnamed half sisters (Mark 6:3, 3:31, Matthew 13:55-56, 27:56;12:46,  A signal of the coming of the kingdom of God, which he came to proclaim
John 2:12, 7:3-5, Acts 1:14, 12:17; 15:13, Galatians 1:19); (Mark 1:15).
 father’s vocation was carpentry
JESUS’ TESTING IN THE WILDERNESS
 “Hidden years” - the years between His birth in 6 or 5 B.C. and the  Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He is tempted (or
beginning of His public ministry in A.D. 27 tested) by Satan for forty days - the biblical shorthand for a long period of
Jesus’ Baptism, Testing and Calling Twelve to be His Disciples time
JESUS’ BAPTISM  Jesus demonstrates in His testing His perfect obedience to the will of God
 The event that launched Jesus on His mission when He was consecrated and His superiority over Satan.
by the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:10) which descended on Him like a dove and  Jesus was alone in the wilderness - the account of His testing must have
empowered Him for His messianic ministry. been told to the disciples at a later date, along with other personal material
in the Gospels (Mark 4:34)

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Why did God allow Satan to tempt or test Jesus? 6. Bartholomew - believed to be Nathanael in John’s Gospel (1:45-51)
 To let us identify with Jesus humanness - “Because He himself (Jesus) 7. Matthew - also called Levi, the tax collector, the author of the 1st Gospel
was tested … he is able to help those who are being tested.” Hebrews 2:18 in the NT canon.
JESUS’ DISCIPLES 8. Thomas Didymus - the “twin”; commonly called “doubting Thomas”
Disciple - comes from a word denoting “learner”; student or apprentice, In because he refused to believe in Jesus’ resurrection until he saw and
NT often refers to the “Twelve.” felt Jesus’ scars (John 20:24-28); believed to have took the Gospel to
 Came from Galilee (with possible exception of Judas Iscariot, who many India, where he was martyred
scholars believe came from southern Judea.); were working men, probably 9. Thaddaeus - “Judas son of James” in Luke 6:16 & acts 1:13),
middle class. 10. James - the son of Alphaeus, about whom nothing is known
 2 sets of brothers: Peter & Andrew, James & John 11. Simon the Zealot, - which may mean that he was once a zealot
 The “Inner Circle” - have a special or unique relationship with Jesus, 12. Judas Iscariot - possibly meaning “from Kerioth” in Judea, the only
always 1st on the list; were with Jesus during the healing of Jairus’ daughter; disciple with a second name (to distinguish him from other Judases of
at the Mount of Transfiguration, and when Jesus’ prayed the Garden of the Bible); the treasurer of the disciples (John 12:5-6), who betrayed
Gethsemane: Jesus, after which he hanged himself (Matt. 27:3-5).
1. Simon Peter - always listed 1st among the disciples. JESUS’ PUBLIC MINISTRY
– Simon was his Hebrew name; after his confession of Jesus as the Three (3) Periods of Jesus’ Public Ministry:
Messiah at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus calls him Peter (from Greek word  Period of Obscurity - Jesus’ baptism in Jordan, his testing in the
“petra”, meaning “rock” Matt.16-18) wilderness, and calling the Twelve to be His disciples.
– Had a wife who accompanied him on his missionary journeys (1 Cor.  Period of Popularity - Jesus’ healing the sick, performing great miracles
9:5), they both were martyred in Rome in the mid 60s; had a daughter and preaching and teaching “with authority”.
named, Petronilla.  Period of Opposition - Jesus’ challenges to the religious authorities,
– often the mouthpiece for the disciples; 2 NT letters bear his name especially in Jerusalem (chasing the money changers out of the temple),
2. James - the older brother of John - sons of Zebedee, who had a resulting in his arrest and crucifixion.
successful fishing business with boats & employees. Jesus gave them
the name “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). He was beheaded in the year JESUS’ MISSION
44 by Herod Agrippa 1 (Acts 12:2) 1. He came to REVEAL God, who is beyond human comprehension.
3. John - younger brother of James; son of Zebedee; exiled to the isle of John 10:30 - “the Father & I are one”; “Whoever has seen me has seen
Patmos in the 80s; died in Ephesus at the end of the 1 st journey; the the Father” (14:9)
author of the 4th Gospel, 3 letters bear the Johannine name (1,2,3 John) Heb. 1:3 - Jesus is “the exact imprint of God’s very being.”
and the book of Revelation Col. 1:15 - He came as “the image of the invisible God;” as the “human
THE OTHER NINE (9) DISCIPLES: face” of God
4. Andrew - the first disciple whom Jesus calls and who leads his brother Heb. 1:2 - He came to speak for God
Peter to Christ (John 1:41-43); they were fishermen in Capernaum. 2. To REDEEM humankind through His faithful life and saving death.
5. Philip - mentioned three times in John’s Gospel. Isaiah 53:11-12 - “the righteous one, my servant” would bear “the sin of
many”, Luke 22:37-Jesus said the words of Isaiah would be fulfilled in Him

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 The “Suffering Servant” - who came to die for- to atone for-our JESUS’ ARREST, TRIALS, CRUCIFIXION,
transgressions against God’s commandments to love God and another. DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION
Judas’ betrayal - which led to Jesus’ crucifixion - set in motion God’s plan  Jesus’ public life ends with His passion (means “suffering” in the New
of salvation Testament sense.
Jesus’ death - not a meaningless tragedy - it was the capstone in God’s - from the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane to His death on the Cross
plan of salvation - the Passion Narrative - included in all 4 Gospels
JESUS’ DEATH - the longest self-contained segment in each of the Gospels
Why was Jesus killed? This is a two-part question: JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
1. Why did Jesus went to Jerusalem, knowing that He would be killed there Palm Sunday: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey
(Mark 10:32-34)? (Zech:9:9b), with people waving palm branches (symbols of victory) (John
Answer: To die a one-time-forever sacrificial death for the sins of the world 12:13) and crying “Hosanna!” (means “Lord, save us.”)
(Heb. 10:1-18). Monday: Jesus overturns the money changers’ tables and drives the
merchants out of the temple.
2. Why, shortly after He arrived in Jerusalem, did the authorities put Him to Tuesday: The Pharisees and others ask Jesus about his “authority”;
death? Why did the Sadducees want Him killed? Why did Pontius Pilate, whether or not Jews should pay taxes to Caesar; marriage in heaven; and
knowing He was innocent (Luke 23:13-15), have Him crucified? which of the commandments is the most important.
The Sadducees Wednesday: The plot against Jesus.
 Keepers of the status quo - were afraid that Jesus’ preaching and actions Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane and
might incite a riot that would bring a swift, brutal response from Rome, so Jesus’ arrest and indictment.
Jesus had to be dealt with. (John 11:49-50) Good Friday: The Jewish and Roman “trials” and Jesus’ scourging,
 They have reason to be concerned because the Roman army’s mission crucifixion, death, and burial.
was to quash all disturbances. Holy Saturday: Jesus in the tomb.
Easter Sunday: Resurrection Day (the Lord’s Day). Christ is risen! He is
Pontius Pilate risen indeed!
Why did Pilate allowed the innocent Jesus to be crucified? THE EVENTS OF JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
 already offended the Jews by erecting Roman emblems (“graven images”) The Last Supper - Jesus’ last meal with His disciples, took place in an
of Emperor Tiberius in Jerusalem and by diverting funds from the temple “upper room” at Mary’s house (Mary, the mother of Mark) on what is now
treasury to build an aqueduct; called Maundy Thursday.
 and when the Jews were seriously offended, they went to Rome & Maundy - Latin Mandatum, meaning “mandate” or “command” because on
complained, & threatened to do the same again if he did not hand Jesus Jesus’ new commandment to love another “as I have loved you.” (John
over to be crucified (John 1912) 13:34)
 have a reason to be concerned - because Jewish delegation had been 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 - earliest account of Jesus’ Last Supper in Paul’s
successful in having Archelaus removed in A.D. 6. (In the year 36 Pilate letter - at this meal Jesus’ instituted the new covenant - and when we
himself was removed from office.) partake of the bread & the wine, we remember & affirm this covenant.

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Judas’s Betrayal - Judas led the Jewish authorities to Jesus in the Garden  accused was then made to carry his crossbeam to the spot of execution
of Gethsemane as he was driven by Satan to betray Jesus and that he was which for Jesus was the “Place of the Skull” (Golgotha in Greek,
given money for doing so (Luke 4:13; 22:3-5) Calvary in Latin) - so called the area was shaped like a skull or it was a
Peter’s Denials - predicted by Jesus; highlights the honesty of the gospel place of execution
accounts because Peter was highly regarded in the early church. Jesus Simon of Cyrene - (an ancient city in present-day Libya) when Jesus
returned to Peter after His resurrection and “reinstated” him, summoning fell on route, was forced by the Roman soldiers to carry Jesus’ beam
him to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-19) the rest of the way
Jesus’ Arrest and Jewish Trial  Crosses were put in a public place, with a sign or notice of the accused
– On Thursday evening - in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was crime as a warning to others. Jesus’ sign read: “The King of the Jews”
arrested by temple guards; formally charged by the Sanhedrin (from (Mark 15:26) - implying that Jesus claimed to be a king who opposed
Greek word meaning “council”) - the 70-member Jewish ruling body the empire.
(Num. 11:16), plus the chief priests, which had authority over religious  The victim was then stripped naked (humiliated) and nailed or bound to
matters. the cross to prevent any movement. Death was by asphyxiation and
– On Friday morning - was tried and found guilty of blasphemy - a grave was slow and agonizing - some lived & suffered for days.
offense on which the name or essence of God is cursed or reviled.  The final disgrace came at the end: the body of the deceased was left to
– Jesus blasphemy - not that He claimed to be the Messiah - but he birds of prey, who often picked it clean.
claimed to be divine (Mark 14:62). Jesus’ Death and Burial
Jesus’ Roman Trial  Most scholars believe that Jesus died on April 7 in the year 30.
Rome denied capital punishment powers to local authorities throughout the  Jesus was crucified at 9:00 A.M. (Mark 15:25)
empire (John 18:31b), so Jews took Jesus to Pontius Pilate:  and remained on the cross until 3:00 P.M. (Mark 15:33)
 the Roman governor who resided at Antonia Fortress on Jerusalem  abandoned by his disciples and closest friends, except for his mother, a
during Passover Week - (celebration of the liberation of Israel from few workers and John. After Jesus died
foreign rule, dating back to the Exodus) to keep peace and order  Joseph of Arimathea - a member of the Sanhedrin and “a disciple of
 gave in to the leaders of the Sanhedrin & sentenced Jesus to death as a Jesus” (Matt. 27:57), placed him in his family tomb. Some women followed
political revolutionary - a trumped-up charge because the Sanhedrin’s Joseph so they would know where to go on Sunday (Easter) morning to
guilty verdict on the grounds of blasphemy would not have warranted anoint Jesus’ body with oils and spices for burial (Luke 23:55-24:1)
Roman execution Jesus’ Resurrection
Jesus’ Crucifixion On the 3rd day Jesus was raised from the dead. The Resurrection accounts
Crucifixion - the cruelest and most shameful method of capital are written as fact---as something that actually happened---not as theology.
punishment.  emphasize the element of surprise - no one expected what happened on
 Roman citizens could be crucified only for high treason - why Paul, a Easter morning, even though Jesus said He would be raised on the 3 rd
Roman citizen was beheaded. day (Mark 8:31)
 abolished by Emperor Constantine in 316 because of its inhuman cruelty  they struggle to describe Jesus’ risen body - with wounds that could be
 usually preceded by flogging or scourging with whips containing bones felt - but somehow transformed. Jesus was not immediately recognized -
and metal in the lashes - to weaken the victim’s resistance & shorten his body was physical but it could pass through doors;
the time it would take him to die.
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  was able to eat & drink as he did before his crucifixion  Son of Man
“Unless something very real took place on that strange, confused  used by Jesus in referring to Himself. (Mark 10:45; John 3:14) Why?
morning, there would be no New Testament, no church, and no  had no known or precise meaning, as did the term Messiah
Christianity.” ~Frederick Buechner, The Magnificent Defeat  use of term in Daniel 7:13-14 “a son of man coming with the clouds
Jesus’ Ascension of heaven” - Jews interpret as messianic
 After forty days, Jesus was “taken up…into heaven” (Acts 1:11) ,ended  Son of God
His earthly life;  term used in the Gospels to express Jesus’ unique relationship to
 mentioned in Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:9-11, Mark 20:17, John 20:17 God and His true identity (John 14:9)
“ascended / ascending”- (ascend means “to rise”)  term did not require any special knowledge for Gentile readers, as
 not meant to be understood as if heaven were a place in space & time did Messiah
but to be understood as Jesus’ coming into the presence of God, and  Title or designation used by the early church in inferring to Jesus in
being seated “at the right hand of God” (Romans 8:34) - where He now the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.
reigns over all things.
Symbols for Jesus
JESUS’ NAMES, TITLES AND SYMBOLS  The Cross - the most sacred and universal Christian symbol which
The Names and Titles of Jesus symbolizes Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and his victory over death.
Altogether, there are some fifty names or titles for Jesus in the New  Crucifixes (Latin word for “crucify”) - crosses with Jesus hanging from the
Testament, among them: crossbeam which symbolize his sacrificial death (universal in Roman
Savior, Son of the Most High, Immanuel (“God with us”), Lord, Master (a Catholic churches)
title of respect),Teacher, Rabbi, Son of David (a messianic title), The  Crosses in most Protestant churches are without the figure of Jesus,
Galilean, The Nazarene, The Carpenter, The Prophet, The Lamb, The symbolizing his resurrection and triumph over death.
Word, The Lion of Judah, The Great High Priest, The Alpha and the Omega
The three most common titles:
 Messiah
 From Hebrew word mashiah - meaning “one who has been anointed”.
 Israel’s expectation was that the Messiah - the Anointed of God - would
come from the House of David, and would like David, lead Israel in the
defeat of its enemies
 Greek word is Christos, thus the English is “Christ”.
 seldom used by Jesus Himself - because of its political connotation - He
came as a suffering servant to redeem humankind, not as a military
leader to win a victory for Israel over Rome
 Jesus Christ - or Christ Jesus - combining His name & His title. Paul
merges the person and wok of Jesus when he refers t Jesus as Christ
(1 Cor. 1::23)

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Other symbols often seen in Christian churches and Christian art:  A and Ω
 INRI (Latin: Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum; English: Jesus of Nazareth, First and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
King of the Jews). 1st letters of the 4 words Pontius Pilate inscribed on the “The Alpha and the Omega…who is and who was and who is to come.”
plaque over Jesus’ head on the cross in John’s gospel (John 19:19) (Rev. 1:8)
confirming his execution as a political rebel or revolutionary. “The first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Rev. 22:13)

 X and P
1st two letters---Chi (X) and Rho (P)--of the Greek name for Christ (Christos)
which became a monogram (a design composed of one or more letters or  IXΘYE
initials of a name) for Christ. Word made from the first letters of the words Jesus Christ, God’s Son (and
our) Savior (“Iesous Christos Theou Uios Soter”), pronounced “ickthoos”.
The letters spell the Greek word fish, which became and is still a popular
Christian symbol.

 IHS
1st three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek---I (iota), H (eta) and ∑
(sigma).
Prepared by:

REV. GEMMA OCO – CRUZ

Faculty, College of Religious Studies
Philippine Christian University, Manila
Textbook: “A Handbook of the Christian Faith” by John Schwarz, Copyright
1993, 1999, 2001, 2004, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49515, USA

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 MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
VERSES 661 1,068 1,149 878
UNIQUE Jesus’ action and Jesus as the Jesus’ Jesus as “the
DATE 65-70 Mid-80s Mid 80’s Mid-90s JESUS urgency fulfillment of birth narrative; Word made
MATERIALS / “immediately” Israel’s hopes; Jesus’ concern flesh”; Jesus’
AUTHOR John Mark, Matthew, the Luke, a John, the
STORIES IN Jesus’ Jesus’ Sermon for sinners, “born again”
a follower of disciple, companion of disciple &
THE humanness; on the Mount; outcasts and dialogue with
Jesus or his followers apostle Paul apostle
NARRATIVES Jesus’ miracles Jesus’ “end- women; Nicodemus
AUDIENCE Gentile Jewish Christians in the Christian (1/3 of the times discourse Jesus’ parables
Christians in Christians in Greco– Roman community in gospel); (24-25); Jesus’ (most in number
Rome Syria / Galilee world Ephesus Jesus’ passion Great and most
(first written Commission unique); Jesus’
JESUS’ “To give His life “To fulfill what “To seek out & To do “the will account) ascension
MISSION as a ransom for has been save the lost” of Him who
many” (10:45) spoken” (1:22) (19:10) sent me” (6:39) SPECIAL • Earliest • Pride of place • Historical • Independent
FEATURES • Shortest • Systematic • Sophisticated of Synoptics
PORTRAIT OF Crucified Son of Promised Universal The Word
• Straight- • OT references • Holy Spirit • Eyewitness
JESUS God Messiah Savior Incarnate forward & citations • Book of Acts • Theological
• Two endings • Catechetical sequel • Most popular
BEGINNING Baptism by John Birth and Jewish Birth and Before
OF THE the Baptist Genealogy universal Creation (the SYMBOL Lion – Man – Ox – Eagle –
JESUS genealogy divine logos) lives in the symbolizing a sacrificial soar higher
STORY wilderness; Jesus’ animal than any other
opens with “the humanness; symbolizing bird;
JESUS’ 1ST Capernaum: Sea of Galilee: Nazareth: Cana: Jesus’ voice of one begins with the Jesus’ sacrificial the first words
IMPORTANT Jesus’ 1st Jesus’ 1st Jesus’ 1stSelf- 1st Sign (2:7- crying in the human ancestry death; starts in his gospel
PUBLIC ACT healing (1:21-28) Sermon (5-7) claim (4:16-21) 11) wilderness”; of Jesus. with Zechariah “In the
Symbolizes entering the beginning”/ “in
STRUCTURAL Peter’s Peter’s Start of Jesus’ Jesus’ washing Jesus’ mighty temple to burn the heavens”;
CENTER- confession of confession of journey to the disciples power incense Jesus divinity
POINT Jesus as the Jesus’ as the Jerusalem feet (13:1)
Messiah (8:27- Messiah(16:31- ((9:51)
31) 21)