cgimaryland.org of the nt writers.docx · web viewintroduction. when most people in the world...

Perspectives of the NT Writers ( of 16)

Introduction When most people in the world today hear the name

“Jesus”… or even the term “Christianity” … they think of a religious group started by a man with the charisma to inspire an initially small group of individuals… to follow Him in something brand new… something that had not been tried before… or at least not to the same extent of what may have been tried previously.

Most who claim to practice under the title of “Christian” do so believing that this “Jesus” came to… not so much create a new religion… but to refine… even improve upon… an already established one.

They believe that a main purpose of His arrival was to remove many of the flaws inherent in the execution of the commanded tenants that were originally established.

When one is truly called by the Almighty Yahweh… and one must be called (Yahshua said in John 6:44 that no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him) … when we examine the scriptures… both OT and NT… we see that there is a true continuity that flows… forward and backwards.

This fact should make one think again as to Yahshua’s true purpose when He can as a human on the earth.

Looking over all of the books that make up the OT… how their inspired authors wrote down what they did… and looking at how their contents mesh to create an overall historical record… along with multiple predictions of the future… it is truly amazing how the efforts of all these writers… whose contributions


spanned hundreds of years… were able to create such a complete picture.

Or did they? When we shift our attention to the writers of the of the

NT, those whose writings spanned only, at best, decades… with respect to each other… we see that it is truly amazing as to what they also accomplished.

These NT writers were in many ways different from each other… how they saw things… and how they recorded events.

If we can prove that the ones whose names are attributed to these NT books… are in fact the ones we may be thinking of… names of people mentioned at various times in the NT….

Then we can say that some had a common background, while others did not at all “fill the bill” as to what one would be expecting.

A tax collector? A physician? A fisherman? Only Paul would be considered a true theologian.

Along with seeing the NT in terms of content and style, it’s helpful to view the NT within the framework of the authors of those books.

It’s also helpful to see how they made use of what came before… their use of OT scriptures… to expand and prove what they were conveying had validity.

Who Are the Writers An examination of the writers and their backgrounds

will help us understand the NT better. Matthew:


Generally credited as the author of the 1st gospel which bears the name Matthew; however, there is little direct evidence to prove this.

The name is the English form of the Greek Matthaios, and of the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning “gift of Yahweh”.

The man Matthew, also called Levi, was one of the twelve apostles, and previously a publican, or tax collector.

Not much else is mentioned personally about Matthew.

As a tax collector, Matthew would have been a literate person well suited to author one of the gospel records.

If this book was not written by Matthew, then it most certainly was written by a Jewish male associated with the growing religious movement.

It was probably written in the timeframe of on or shortly after the Roman sacking of Jerusalem in 68-70 AD.

Also, unlike its placement in the Bible, it is not likely to be the 1st account written, and may have drawn some information from other sources, such as the Gospel of Mark.

One important fact about this gospel account is that a highly regarded version, written in Hebrew, is available for us today. This version, as it is being examined by scholars, provides a better understanding of what message the author was conveying to his audience.

Mark:


Generally considered to be the author of the 2nd

gospel which bears the name Mark. Tradition has maintained this for years; although in

recent times some believe that Mark may have only been written down… as a scribe for… the narration of the apostle Peter.

Another theory is that the book was written by an unknown author.

This is also the accepted situation with the Book of Hebrews.

The “Mark” in consideration is also known as John Mark. Acts 12:12: So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

We see this referencing also in Acts 12:25 and Acts 15:37.

In our English understanding, a surname would be considered a family name, as opposed to a given name; so “John Mark” in this context might be considered his first and last names.

However, the word for “surname” is translated from the Greek (Strong’s #1941 “ep-ee-kal-eh'-om-ahee”); it could mean surname, but it could also mean “to entitle on related to worship”.

At that time, Mark, or Marcus, was a commonly given male name.

It was derived from old Latin Mart-kos, meaning “consecrated to the deity Mars.

Marcus was one of the three most common given names in Ancient Rome.


However, his real name was apparently, in the English, John.

This is from the Hebrew Yochanan, or more precisely Yahanan) meaning “Yahweh is gracious”.

The use of “Mark” was probably a way to distinguish him from the apostle John.

Mark was a cousin to Barnabas, and apparently played a prominent role in the early body of believers.

Mark traveled with his cousin Barnabas in the ministry (Colossians 4:10) and later in years ministered with the Apostles Peter (I Peter 5:13) and Paul (II Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 24).

Mark is not identified as one who had walked with Yahshua during His earthly ministry, yet his association with the apostles gives credence to his ability to produce a gospel record.

This gospel account is probably the earliest account to be written (68-70AD); other accounts may have drawn from it.

Luke: Luke is generally considered the author of the 3rd

gospel which bears the name Luke, along with the Book of Acts.

It was probably written after the other gospel accounts were written; most likely Matthew and Mark; perhaps even John. Luke 1:1-4: 1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in

order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,


2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,

3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,

4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

The book of Acts, as the 2nd of a 2-part account, was probably written after 93AD, if we assume Luke references Josephus as a source.

Luke’s contributions, both the gospel that bears his name and the Book of Acts, contributes 28% of the NT text… more than any other single author.

We do know that both books are written to someone named Theophilus. Acts 1:1-3: 1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of

all that Yahshua began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after

He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,

3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of Elohim.

Luke himself is mentioned 3 times in the NT; Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24 & II Timothy 4:11.


Luke was a physician and a fellow worker of Paul, who traveled with Paul during his missionary journeys.

Luke was an educated man whose attention to historical detail is of great value to us today.

John: The apostle John is generally considered the author

of the 4th gospel which bears the name John, along with 3 epistles (1st, 2nd and 3rd John), and the last book of the Bible, Revelation.

His epistles most likely were the 1st of his writings, followed by his gospel account, and then Revelation.

The epistles may have been written as late as 90AD. As mentioned earlier, his Hebrew name is Yahanan

(meaning “Yahweh is gracious”). He was one of the original 12 apostles. He was a fisherman by trade, along with his brother

(and fellow apostle) James. Matthew 4:21-22: 21 Going on from there (the Sea of Galilee) He

(Yahshua) saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,

22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

John was a close personal associate of Yahshua, being referred to as the “... disciple whom Yahshua loved” (John 13:23, 20:2, 21:7, 20).

He was the person whom Yahshua, as He hung dying, left to care for His mother. John 19:26-27:


26 When Yahshua therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”

27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

John’s writings are of tremendous value to the assembly of believers… then and now.

His writings also account for a significant portion of the NT.

His book of Revelation, while even he indicated he didn’t understand all that he wrote, provides a critical insight to our times today… as we race toward the “end of the age” of man’s rule.

It was probably, just as being the last book of the NT, and therefore the Bible, the last written record, circa 95AD.

Peter: The apostle Peter… presumably… authored only 2

epistles (1st and 2nd Peter), yet almost every NT book makes reference to him.

His name Peter is from the Latin Petra, which is from the Chaldean Cephas, which has an origin in the Hebrew Keph, meaning “stone”.

His influence in the early assembly is everywhere; both as examples of righteousness and sometimes being not so righteous.

He was also a fisherman by trade, along with his brother (any fellow apostle) Andrew. Matthew 4:18-20:


18 And Yahshua, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Note that he is also called Simon, or more accurately in the Hebrew, Shimon, meaning “to hear”.

Peter was a part of Yahshua’s inner circle of disciples and remains an important person throughout the early body of believers history.

The 2 epistles bearing his name were probably written sometime after 75AD; they mention a Pauline letter and quote from Jude.

James: James, the author of the epistle of James, was a

brother of Yahshua; either half or step (Galatians 1:19).

His name is the same as Jacob, or Yaʻaqov, meaning He grasps the heel, or supplanter. This is the name of the man who would be named Israel, and what occurred as his twin brother Esau was attempting to come out of the womb 1st.

James was not one of the original 12 apostles, but was clearly a leader in the early body of believers in Jerusalem. It can be shown that he was the man whom the other believed was the chief among them


(rather than Peter; as emphasized by the Roman Catholic church).

Note what happened after Peter miraculously escapes from prison. Acts 12:17: But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Almighty had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

Also, the all-important council meeting in Jerusalem concerning circumcision was chaired by James.

In Acts 15:13 he opened the response with and after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me”.

He concluded in verse 19 therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to Elohim.

His prominence was again mentioned by Paul in Galatians 2:9: and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

Along with being a member of Yahshua’s household, James also had the privilege of seeing Yahshua after He rose from the dead, where in I Corinthians 15:7 it says after that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

This letter was probably written about 65AD. Jude:


Jude was the indicated author of the epistle of Jude, containing only 25 verses.

He was also a brother of Yahshua and James (Jude 1 and Galatians 1:19).

His name is actually Judas, derived from the Hebrew Yehudah, or Judah, a son of Israel.

He was a defender of the faith through his epistle, where he speaks out boldly against the apostasy of his day.

The date of when this was written is not known, but it must have been written after II Peter, which it references.

Paul: The most prolific writer of the NT, at least in terms

of the number of different, individual contributions, was obviously Paul.

His epistles include those written to specific groups, such as the Romans, the Philippians, the Corinthians, the Colossians, the Galatians, the Thessalonians, and the Ephesians.

There were also letters written to individuals; Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

Although not one of the original twelve, he was singled out by Yahshua to be an apostle; to bring the gospel to the non-Jewish people of his day.

The choice of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot was more than likely not something Yahweh was not look for at that time. Acts 1:23-26: 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called

Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.


24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Yahweh, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen

25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Note that nothing is said of Matthias in the scriptures beyond that point.

The entirety of Paul’s writings that we have probably occurred between 54-70 AD.

Paul was probably the only high-profile disciple of Messiah with a dominant religious background.

He was a Jew of respectable heritage and a ranking member of the strict Jewish sect of the Pharisees.

Paul was also a Roman citizen by birth, which he used to his advantage in times of persecution.

His name before his conversion was Saul, or more precisely, in the Hebrew, Shauel, meaning “prayed for to Elohim”.

He was well known because he fiercely persecuted the early followers of Messiah.

Yet, after his miraculous conversion, Paul went on to live one of the most fruitful lives of service for the kingdom of Yahweh.

His fierce dedication to the service of Yahweh and of His Son after his conversion was just as strong… if not even more so… before that fateful encounter on the road to Damascus.


Unknown: The epistle to the Hebrews is normally considered

to have an unknown author; although some indicators point to Paul.

Yet the style of this writing is different from Paul’s standard penmanship.

It also appears to have been written after Paul’s death.

So… at this point… we just don’t know who authored this writing.

Usage of OT Scriptures One of the common traits of most of the NT writers is

to sometimes reference each other… but many, many times… they reference the writings of the OT.

Remember… for many, many years… the new converts were using the OT as their scriptures… exclusively!

Paul heavy uses the OT scriptures. He constantly used his knowledge and application of the OT to prove his points for this so-called “new” religion.

For instance, in the 1st chapter of Romans, he references a key point to our salvation… belief! Romans 1:16-17: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah,

for it is the power of Elohim to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

17 For in it the righteousness of Elohim is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”


Where is this faith reference? In the OT, of course. Habakkuk 2:4: Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.

Paul’s writings often would string several OT references back to back.

Romans 3:10-18 alone has 6 references; to the Psalms, Proverbs and Isaiah.

Paul letter to the Romans alone uses 54 OT references!

You will find this pattern in most of his writings. The author of Hebrews in likewise habit does the

same, as does Peter… the “non-theologian” fisherman!

Yahshua, while not a direct NT author, also used OT scriptures to prove prophesy being fulfilled.

In His infamous encounter with Satan, He fought him with the scriptures… from the OT.

In Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4, Yahshua countered the question from Satan concerning His hunger (He had been fasting for 40 days and 40 nights). Luke 4:3-4: 3 And the devil said to Him, “If <an attempt to

strike at possible vanity> You are the Son of Elohim, command this stone to become bread.”

4 But Yahshua answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of Elohim.’”

How Their Writings Mesh Another example of how the NT writers worked in a

common pattern and effort was how they would relate the same story… but each with a little different


perspective… each adding a little more to the overall story.

The story of the feeding of the 5,000 (men, not counting the women and children) is related in all 4 gospel accounts; Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9 and John 6.

Another common account was when they described Peter’s denial of knowing Yahshua. This occurs in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and John 13.

Yahshua told Peter he would deny Him 3 times before the rooster crowed. This would have been occurring just before daybreak… when rosters have been known to crow a lot!

It’s interesting that Mark says that the cock would crow twice… not found in the other accounts… but is this true?

This is actually a translation and recording error. Earlier it was Yahshua who twice told Peter that he would deny Him 3 times before the cock crowed.

Older Greek manuscripts do not have “and the cock crew” in Mark 14:68 (as a 2nd crowing of the cock).

Also, older Greek manuscripts have Mark 14:72 as “immediately the cock crowed”, not “the cock crowed twice”.

Conclusion These individuals came from, primarily, a Jewish

background. But their upbringings were in many cases very

diverse.


The way they saw the world with respect to each other was rather diverse.

Yet the one thing that they all did… was to describe… from their own perspectives… inspired by the Holy Spirit… the events of Messiah on the earth… and how it completes the picture of how Yahweh would deal with the salvation of mankind.

What they did was to complete the picture… begun by the writers of the OT.

Together, all of the writers… OT and NT… did their job… and did it well… as they were inspired to do!

We should take this as inspiration to us… that the book you hold in your hands… contains everything you need… to understand what Yahweh has in store… for you… for me… and all of mankind!

cgimaryland.org of the nt writers.docx · web viewintroduction. when most people in the world...

Documents