SERMON: New Testament Overview, Part 1: The New Testament

New Testament Overview
Part 1: The New Testament

For the last session of the OT Overview, we considered the Intertestamental Period

Roughly 400 BC – 4 BC
This moves from Persian dominance through Hellenization (“Greeking”) into the Roman period.

When Daniel was written, Aramaic was the lingua franca
Alexander the Great normalized a “common” (Koine) Greek among his troops and all the lands he conquered.
Because of this, the Jews translated the OT in Greek (The Septuagint [LXX], c. 250-125 B.C.)
By the time of New Testament, Greek had major dominance (Latin was restricted to Rome)
There are intersections of Greek philosophy in the first century mind that the writers of Scripture address (Acts & Epistles)

The Rise of Antipater and his Sons (63-37 B.C.)Roman supporters of Edomite descent (Idumaean), founded the Herodian dynasty
The Reign of Herod the Great (37-4 B.C.)King of Judea, slaughtered babies in Bethlehem
The Rule of Herod’s Sons (like Herod Antipas) and Grandson, Herod Agrippa I (4 B.C.-A.D. 44)
The Rule of Roman Governors (A.D. 6 onward)(E.g., Pontius Pilate from 26/27 to 36/37 AD)

The Apocrypha, which was not officially recognized as Scripture by anyone (Jew or Gentile) until the RCC made it canonical in response to the Reformation. It contains some helpful history but also dubious and false accounts.
The Pseudepigrapha (false writings), those books falsely claiming to be written by biblical authors (e.g., Enoch I and The Testament of Abraham)

Temple (renovated by Herod)
The synagogues, which became prominent in the exile and post-exile, now a part of Jewish daily life.

Spurious writings and attacks on genuine writings
The content of the New Testament writings testified of their own authenticity, and were naturally collected
Apostolic writings were already being used in worship
Ultimately, and edict by Diocletian in AD 303 demanding all sacred books to be burned resulted in the New Testament collection.

Paul, for example, recognized Luke’s writing on a par with the OT (1 Tim. 5:18 quotes Deut. 25:4 and Luke 10:7, noting both texts as “the Scripture says”).
Peter also recognized Paul’s writings as Scripture (2 Peter 3:15–16).
Letters were being read in the churches and even circulated among the church (cf. Col. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27).

Clement of Rome (c. AD 95) mentioned at least eight New Testament books in a letter;
Ignatius of Antioch (c. AD 115) also acknowledged about seven books;
Polycarp, a disciple of John, (c. AD 108), acknowledged fifteen letters. (These are only what these men mentioned.)
The Muratorian Canon (AD 170) included all the NT books except Hebrews, James, and one epistle of John.
Athanasius in AD 367 cited the 27 books of the NT
In AD 363, the Council of Laodicea stated that only the OT and 27 books of the NT were to be read in the churches.
The Council of Hippo (AD 393) recognized the 27 books,
the Council of Carthage (AD 397) affirmed that only those canonical books were to be read in the churches.

Apostolicity. Was the author an apostle or did he have a connection with an apostle? (E.g., Mark wrote under Peter’s authority, and Luke wrote under Paul’s authority).
Acceptance. Was the book accepted by the church at large?
Content. Did the book reflect consistency of doctrine with what had been accepted as orthodox teaching?
Inspiration. Did the book reflect the quality of inspiration? The book should bear evidence of high moral and spiritual values that would reflect a work of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Shaun Marksbury