Introduction to the New Testament

• The Old Testament sets forth a system of doctrine and duty.

–Historical record of facts

– Involving and demonstrating the will of God in heaven

–Man’s duty toward God

–Man’s duty to himself and his fellowman

Relationship Between the Testaments

• New Testament is not independent of the OT history; it is a sequel to it.– Human redemption was in God’s mind

before the creation (1 Peter 1:18-20; Ephesians 3:8-11).

– Plans and provisions not known or understood during OT times

– Revealed to man by Holy Spirit in the NT

Relationship Between the Testaments

• Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.– The two constitute the whole of divine

revelation.– They complement each other.– Both have distinct unity.– In the OT, God’s eternal purpose is a

mystery; it is revealed in the NT (1 Corinthians 2:6-13; Ephesians 3:1-7).

Relationship Between the Testaments

• Attributes of Deity

• God’s eternal existence

• Perfect holiness

• Unity of Godhead

• Unlimited power

• Rule over the nations

• Principles of righteousness

• Necessity of holiness to receive blessings

• Final consequences of sin

• Eternal life as reward for faithfulness– Romans 15:4

– Hebrews 11

– Hebrews 3 and 4

Old Testament Reveals

• Promise• Prophecy• Type• Shadow

• Christ’s resurrection• Future rewards and

penalties• God’s universal

provisions by grace• Atoning blood of

Christ• Justification of all

mankind

Fundamental Truths - OT

• Coming of Christ• Perfect example of

holiness• Death for our sins• His resurrection and

justification• Ascension• Our King and High

Priest

• Establishment of the church

• Relationship with Christ

• Purchased with His blood

• Signs confirming the gospel

Fundamental Truths - NT

• Old Testament - God’s covenant agreement with His people– Confirmed by the sprinkling of animal

blood

– Ratified by agreement of the people• Exodus 19:7,8• Deuteronomy 5:27

Testament and Covenant

• New Testament - God’s covenant agreement with His people today– Sanctified by Christ’s blood– Ratified by the people’s obedience to His

commands– Provisions of God’s grace– Faith must be active and obedient.

Testament and Covenant

• Conditions of the times

– Principles of righteousness are eternal.

– Remain the same despite the circumstances

– Principles and applications affected by exact situations

– Effects on the writers

New-Testament Background

• Jews and the history between Babylonian captivity and reign of the Herods– The synagogue worship continued until NT

times.

– Rebuilding

– Greek (Hellenistic) influence

– 100 years under Egypt

Religious Background

• Maccabean Period broke the Syrian rule, and the temple was rededicated.– Jerusalem and Palestine remained under

Roman government.

– Herod dynasty

– Herod the Great—Kings of the Jews

– Slaughter of young children

–Murder of John the Baptist

Religious Background

• Agrippa—the last of the Herods– Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to death.

– The Jews were scattered in every place.

– The Law standard of ethical conduct

– Septuagint increased the influence of the Jewish religion.

– Synagogues built

– Pharisees and Sadducees

Religious Background

• Rome dominated the entire civilized world.– Emperor rule– After the battle of Carthage, Rome won

control over the Italian peninsula.– Under the Caesars, Rome persecuted the

Christians.– Palestine’s dual form of government• Jewish government headed by Herod• Roman government headed by Pilate

Political Background

• Greece, in a real sense, captured the world with its culture.– Greek became the universal language.– Greek customs and culture pervaded, even

in Rome.– Koine Greek - language of NT– Gnostic influences– Emphasized philosophy and learning–Widespread immorality– Skepticism was the order of the day.

Cultural Background

• Army officers and politicians became very rich.– 85 million people—7 million in Rome– 6 million slaves– Freedom could be purchased for a price.– Freedmen were a large class.– No middle class in Roman society– Nobility highly extravagant– There were organized trade guilds.

Social Conditions

• The door of commercial opportunity was open to the Roman Empire.– Egypt grew grain for the empire.– Roman ships sailed the seas.–Wonderful highways encouraged travel.– Drinking houses filled with immorality– Alexandria had a great library.– Athens had its temples and culture.– Under Greek rule, the Jews were shown

kindness.

Trade and Commerce

• Representatives of all 12 tribes still existed.

• Scattered throughout the known world (Acts 2:6-11)

• Wherever the gospel spread, the people were acquainted with God through OT Scriptures.

• In the beginning, Christianity was planted between great mountains of Jewish prejudice and heathen philosophy!

Final Thoughts