The Overcoming Library-The New Testament

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The Overcoming Library-The New Testament

This is the part of the Bible written after God sent His Son to live upon the earth. It's God's message of His great love for us through Jesus.

1. Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and the first of the four books called the Gospels, or the good news, because they tell of the story of Jesus. Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, helps the Christian Jews to understand that Jesus was really the Savior who was promised so many times in the books of the Old Testament. The prayer that Jesus gave that we call the Lord's Prayer is in the sixth chapter of this book. The story of the wise men is told in this Gospel, but not in the others.

2. Mark was written by a man of that name, who was a special friend of Peter, one of the twelve apostles. Mark does not tell the story of Jesus as a baby or a child, but begins the story of Jesus as a grown man. Mark wished to teach those who read this book that Jesus is the Son of God.

3. Luke was written by a physician. Many of the best-loved stories are told only in this book. Some of these are the angel's good tidings and the shepherds' visit, the boy Jesus in the Temple, the good Samaritan, the prodigal son, raising the widow's son, and healing the lepers. The Apostle Paul called Luke "the beloved physician."

4. John is the last of the four Gospels. John, like Matthew, was one of the twelve apostles and wrote of those things that he had really seen and heard. This book also begins with Jesus as a man. John does not tell all of the stories of Jesus that the others tell, but he tells of the love of Jesus and of the Father who sent Him and why God gave His Son to the world.

5. Acts is the history of the acts or deeds of the apostles after Jesus returned to heaven. This is the story of the beginning of the Christian church and the church's birthday, named the Day of Pentecost. In the first part of the book, one reads of the brave deeds of Peter and in the latter part, the wonderful stories about Paul. The story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is in the book. This book of history is believed to be written by Luke, who wrote one of the Gospels.

6. Romans is the first of the group named Pauline Epistles. Epistle is another word for letter and the thirteen books in this group are letters written by the Apostle Paul to Christians in different places. Paul, the great missionary, had longed wished to visit the church at Rome. He could not go at that time, so he wrote this beautiful and helpful letter to take the place of his visit. Paul tells his readers that righteousness is a free gift from God.

The Overcoming Library-Books of the Bible, New Testament

 

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The New Testament (Part 2)

The Overcoming Library..The New Testament (Part 2)

1 Corinthians to Colossians

1 Corinthians- is the letter written by Paul to the Christian church in the city of Corinth. Paul had received bad news of this church. Its members were quarreling and doing many other things that Christ's people should not do. Paul wrote this letter to help the Christians in Corinth correct their faults. The thirteenth chapter of this book is like a beautiful poem and is often called the "Love Chapter."

2 Corinthians- is the second letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in the city of Corinth. The members of this church have had Paul's first letter and are trying to overcome their wrongdoing, about which he wrote. Paul tells them of the offering the churches are giving to the poor in Jerusalem and asks them to help.

9. Galatians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to all the Christian churches in Galatia. Many of the members of these churches were not Jews but Gentiles. Some men who had come among these churches stirred their members up against Paul and his teachings by telling them that they must keep certain Jewish laws. Many turned from Paul and believed the new teachers, and the church members were quarreling amongst themselves.

Ephesians- is another letter written by the Apostle Paul. Wise people who have studied this epistle think that it was a circular letter intended to be passed around and read in several churches. When Paul wrote this letter he was a prisoner in Rome, awaiting trial. This is a beautiful letter in which Paul urges the Christians in these churches to live in such a way as to be worthy to be followers of Jesus.

Philippians-is a letter written by the Apostle Paul when he was held prisoner in Rome. The Christians in Philippi had sent a messenger to him with gifts and when the messenger was ready to return, Paul wrote a beautiful letter for him to take back home. Paul thanks his friends for their gifts and urges them to be true followers of Jesus. It is often called the Epistle of Joy.

Colossians- is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the members of the church at Colossae. Paul had heard that a false teacher was teaching the members of the church at Colossae things that were not true. He wrote this letter urging these Christians not to believe this wrong teaching, but to know that Jesus is all powerful in heaven and on earth. He gave some plain rules to grown folk and to children to help them live lives pleasing to Jesus.



The Overcoming Library..Books of the Bible by Jerold C. Potter