New Testament-Session VIII

This week’s session was on the New Testament. Just as we finished learning about the Old Testament which God promises to send a Messiah to deliver his people from slavery of sin, the promise is fulfilled in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Here are my notes from the PowerPoint slides: Click here for the PowerPoint.

1. The basic theme of the New Testament is Jesus Christ. Each book reveals a different side of his mystery. The four gospels record the words and deeds of Jesus as they were remembered and handed down in the early generations. ---Handbook for Today’s Catholic- page 43
2. Timeline: Remember these are approximate dates NOT EXACT dates. 
3. Key Figures in the New Testament among many others: Jesus, Mary, John the Baptist, the 12 Apostles, Gospel Writers, St. Paul, etc. The New Testament is grouped into 3 different classes: The Historical books (Gospels & Acts), the Didactic books or Teachings (Letters) & the Prophetic book (Revelations)
4. Gospels: Only two of the Gospel writers were Apostles, Matthew, the tax collector and John, the youngest of the 12 Apostles. Mark, possibly son of Peter or a follower of Paul (John Mark). Luke, the physician & a non-Jew was a follower of Paul. Mark’s Gospel is the oldest and shortest; he possibly wrote it in the year 64 to 70 AD Luke’s Gospel was probably written 84 AD as well as Matthew. John’s Gospel was the newest gospel and probably written at the close of the first century. Matthew, Mark, & Luke’s Gospels are called Synoptic (similar view). It is believed that Matthew & Luke drew their stories from Mark. John’s Gospel is very different in a literary sense and there are long discourses.
5. Acts of the Apostles: The Gospel Writer Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles. AKA a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Luke was a follower of the Apostle St. Paul. The word apostle comes from the Greek: someone who was sent forth. Even though St. Paul was not one of the original 12 Apostles, we call St. Paul an Apostle because Christ appeared to St. Paul and he was commissioned at his conversion. Here he begins with the Ascension of Jesus, Pentecost event, teachings of Peter & finally ending with Paul. The Apostles were commanded to “Go out into the world & spread the Good News.” They were commissioned to baptize all believers.
6. Letters of St. Paul: St. Paul wrote to many Christian communities that he established – with words of encouragement, instruction, and above all faith in Christ.
7. Catholic letters: These letters are called catholic (with a small ‘c’) universal. James, Peter, John, & Jude did not write to any particular community but to everyone willing to hear the message of faith.
8. Revelations: The final book in the Bible and in the New Testament, is the Book of Revelations: Sometimes called the Apocalypse of St. John. This book is a message of hope for persecuted Christians, promising Christ’s ultimate triumph in history and the promise of Christ’s return. –The second coming.

I hope that you find this helpful and please let me know if you are unable to open any of the links.

Here's the video I showed in class. Also as a reminder: We start class for the next two sessions at 6 pm.