A STUDY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT ( PART I ) A better understanding of the background setting of the writing of the New Testament books gives us a better understanding of the message of the New Testament. The Christian Age began on Pentecost Day of Acts 2. It has to do with a common plan of salvation for all, with the gospel message, the establishment and growth of the early church, our citizenship in the kingdom of God, and is called "grace and truth" that came by Jesus Christ. The gospels, Acts, the epistles, and Revelation all interweave in our saving message. Luke best describes the history in the book of Acts. We need to show this as we show the great Biblical message of salvation.
HOW ACTS AND THE REST OF THE BOOKS INTERWEAVE 1. Acts 1 begins with the conclusion of the gospels especially as related in Luke 24. Jesus tells the apostles they were to be baptized with the Holy Spirit with power, his ascension into heaven, and choosing Matthias to take the place of Judas are all found in that chapter. 2. Acts 2 is about the great things that came to pass on Pentecost Day. A) The apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit with attendant tongues. (Acts 2:1-13) B) Peter preaches a great sermon telling people of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection to be both lord and Christ. (Acts 2:14- 41) C) About 3,000 repent and are baptized for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:37- 41) D) The worship conducted by the Jerusalem church and their early joy, growth, and benevolence. (Acts 2:42- 47) 3. Only the 12 apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit as can be seen from the following things: A) Christ promised it to the 12 apostles. (Acts 1:2- 6) B) Matthias was numbered with the 12 to await the Spirit’s coming on Pentecost Day. (Acts 1:26) C) They were filled with the Spirit that morning and spoke with tongues. (Acts 2:4) D) They were from Galilee and were thus recognized as the tongue speakers. (Acts 2:7, 8) E) Peter stood up with the 11 and preached the sermon denoting that he and the other 11 apostles had the baptism of the Spirit and thus inspiration to give the message. (Acts 2:14- 21) F) The people who were pricked by the gospel message presented asked Peter and the rest of the apostles "what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37) G) Their worship continued in the Apostles’ doctrine which was the authentic message given only by the 12 by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:42) H) Only the apostles did signs and wonders indicating that they were baptized with the Spirit. (Acts 2:43) 4. Another thing that shows conclusively that the apostles were the only ones baptized with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day is that they were the only ones who could lay hands on others and these others receive miraculous powers. (Acts 6: 2-6) Seven men were chosen to wait tables and the apostles prayed and laid hands on them. Verse 8 speaks of Stephen afterward doing wonders and miracles. This si the first recorded person other than and apostle having miraculous powers. Acts 8:18 declares that it was by the apostles hands that the Holy Spirit was given. The reason Saul (Paul) was told that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit was that he was chosen to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. (I Timothy 1:1) He laid his hands on Timothy. (II Timothy 1:6) It is true that Cornelius’ house had the baptism of the Spirit. (Acts 11:15, 16) but they had no apostolic power to transmit gifts by laying on of hands. The reason for the baptism on them was to show the Jews that the Gentiles had a right to the gospel. (Acts 10:45- 48) 5. Acts 7 tells of the martyrdom of Stephen; Acts 8 tells of the Samaritans receiving the gospel; Acts 9 of the conversion of Saul (Paul); Acts 10 the conversion of the first Gentiles; Acts 11 of the gospel success in Antioch of Syria; and Acts 12 of the martyrdom of James. 6. Acts 13 and 14 relate the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. They went through Cyprus, Perga of Pamphylia, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe preaching the word, converting souls, and establishing congregations of the Lord’s Church. Acts 14:23 tells of ordaining a plurality of elders in every congregation. This is the only organization of the church outside the great fact that Christ is the head of the church universally. 7. Acts 15 reveals a meeting of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to understand the truth that the Gentile converts are not to be required to observe the law of Moses. This was revealed to the apostle Paul as well as other apostles. 8. The second missionary journey of Paul is found in Acts 15:40 through chapter 18. Paul spent some time in Syria and Galatia strengthening the churches and then received the call to go to Macedonia. He carried Timothy, Silas, and Luke with him and conversions and churches were established in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth. He stayed in Corinth for 18 months. At this time he wrote his first epistle (letter) to the Thessalonians. This was between A.D. 51-52. This could well be the first written book of the New Testament. About 6 months later he wrote II Thessalonians. The subject matter has to do with the great truths about the second coming of Christ. 9. The third missionary journey of Paul is found in Acts 19-21. He stayed at Ephesus for two years and three months. (Acts 19:8, 10) During this time he wrote the books of Galatians and I Corinthians. In Macedonia he wrote II Corinthians. In Corinth he remained for three months during which time he wrote the book of Romans. On his way to Jerusalem with a gift from the area churches to the needy saints there he worshiped at Troas where we learn of the early church observing the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. (Acts 20:7) 10. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, accused of insurrection by the Jews and was taken to Caesarea where he remained in prison for two years. After a marvelous defense before Festus and Agrippa he is sent to Rome because he appealed to Caesar. (Acts 21-28) Here he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and possibly Hebrews. 11. Paul was released from prison A.D. 62 or 63 and he did extensive preaching and wrote to Timothy at Ephesus and Titus at Crete. He was arrested again at Nicopolis and received the death sentence as a Christian. His last book was that of II Timothy. (Lesson 2 is next week.)
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