Chapter 2
New Testament
This is a synopsis of the New Testament.
The New Testament is made up of twenty-seven
Books, starting with Matthew and ending with Revelation.
The first four Gospel's, Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John, introduce readers to Jesus Christ
giving an historical record of His life on earth.
To understand the life of Jesus
we must consider seven things:
1. There were predictions of the coming of
Jesus Christ.
The coming of Jesus was predicted
by the Old Testament Prophets.
At about 4 B.C. there, was a general
expectancy of the appearance of a Messiah. This expectancy
had been there for over a hundred years.
In 170 B.C. the third book of the Sibyllene
Oracles made reference to the coming of "A King sent
from Heaven."
The Talmud made reference to the Messiah
being born in a royal palace in Bethlehem and that
His name would be "Menechem" which means "Comforter."
There were several people in Jerusalem,
who were waiting for the Messiah's appearance at the
time of His birth.
Two recorded in the Bible:
a. Simeon.
Luke 2:25-30
25 And, behold, there was a man in
Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man
was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of
Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by
the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before
he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into
the temple: and when the parents brought in the child
Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms,
and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant
depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.
b. Anna the Prophetess.
Luke 2:36-38
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she
was of a great age, and had lived with an husband
seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore
and four years, which departed not from the temple,
but served God with fastings and prayers night and
day.
38 And she coming in that instant
gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him
to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
2. Jesus gloriously appeared.
He was born in a manger in Bethlehem
to a virgin called Mary, of the Holy Ghost.
His earthly father was Joseph.
Matthew 1:18
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was
on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused
to Joseph, before they came together, she was found
with child of the Holy Ghost."
The Angelic hosts announced His
coming to the Shepherds who were tending their flocks
in the fields and sang praises to God.
Luke 2:10-14
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear
not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great
joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in
the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward men.
The Magi came from an Eastern Kingdom
to find the Heavenly King and give gifts to Him. They
found the Child Jesus and worshipped Him.
Matthew 2:1-11
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there
came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born
King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the
east, and are come to worship him.
11 And when they were come into the
house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother,
and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had
opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts;
gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
It is believed that these Magi were
of the lineage of the Magi in Daniel's time. They knew of the Prophecies of the coming
Messiah and were watching the stars for a sign of
His coming.
3. Jesus was circumcised.
On the eighth day after His birth,
Mary and Joseph brought Him to the Temple to be circumcised
and presented to God.
Luke 2:21-22
21 And when eight days were accomplished
for the circumcising of the child, his name was called
JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was
conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification
according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they
brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
4. Jesus was taken to the Temple.
At the age of twelve, Jesus was taken
by His parents to the Temple, for His "Bar mitzvah".
Every Jewish boy experiences this after being taught
the Torah and the Jewish Faith.
Luke 2:42-47
42 And when he was twelve years old,
they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the
feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the
days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind
in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of
it.
46 And it came to pass, that after
three days they found him in the temple, sitting in
the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking
them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished
at his understanding and answers.
5. Then there was an eighteen year
period of silence in Jesus' life.
The Bible is silent about this period,
from the time of His Bar mitzvah to His Baptism.
6. Jesus appeared at the Jordan
River.
John the Baptist had predicted the
coming of the Messiah.
Luke 3:15-16
15 And as the people were in expectation,
and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether
he were the Christ, or not;
16 John answered, saying unto them
all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier
than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not
worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost and with fire:
Jesus finally appeared one day amidst
the crowd and John recognized Him.
John 1:29
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming
unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which
taketh away the sin of the world."
Immediately after His baptism, Jesus
went to the wilderness where He fasted for forty days.
He was tempted by the satan and completely defeated
and overcame him.
Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then was Jesus led up of the spirit
into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days
and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get
thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship
the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and,
behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Jesus
was Baptized at the age of thirty.
At the age of thirty, Jesus began
His earthly ministry.
Luke 3:33
"And Jesus himself began to be about
thirty years of age."
7. The Ministry of Jesus.
Jesus called His first five Disciples.
His first miracle recorded in the
Bible was the changing of water into wine at Cana.
He did this and revealed His power and glory to those
He knew including His Mother.
John 2:7-10
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the
waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the
brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out
now, and bear unto the governor of the
9 When the ruler of the feast had
tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not
whence it was:
11 This beginning of miracles did
Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his
glory;
The three-year earthly ministry of
Jesus was divided into three parts, each lasting one
year.
Each year started and ended at Capernaum.
The Three Ministry years:
1. The events of Jesus' first year
Ministry:
(Matthew 4:12-16, Mark 1:14, Luke
4:14-30, John 2:13-4:45)
Jesus went from Capernaum to Jerusalem
for the Passover.
There He cleansed the Temple.
He met with Nicodemus and ministered
to him about being "born again."
He met a Woman of Samaria at Jacobs
well and told her about the Water of Life.
At Cana He healed the Nobleman's Son
who was at the point of death.
He ministered in Nazareth, was rejected
and the people tried to kill Him.
He returned to Capernaum.
2. The events of Jesus' second
years Ministry.
(Matthew 4:18-9:34, Mark 1:16-5:43,
Luke 5:8-8:56)
Here Jesus called four of His Disciples.
He performed the miracle of a catch
of a multitude of fish.
He healed the person who was paralyzed.
He delivered a demon possessed person.
He healed Peters Mother-in-law.
He healed a Leper.
He called Matthew to follow Him.
He again returned to Jerusalem to
keep the Passover.
He healed a Lame Man at the Pool of
Bethesda.
He returned to Capernaum.
He ordained His twelve Apostles on
the Mount of Beatitudes.
He gave the Sermon on the Mount.
He healed the Centurion's Servant.
The Widows dead Son was raised to
life.
A sinful Woman anointed His feet with
ointment from an alabaster box.
He healed a person who had a demon
of dumbness.
He taught the people by telling them
parables.
He calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee.
He delivered Legion who was demon
possessed.
He attended Matthew's feast for his
publican friends.
He healed the Woman with the issue
of blood.
He raised Jairus' Daughter from the
dead.
He healed a blind and a dumb man.
3. The events of Jesus' third year
of Ministry.
(Matthew 13:54-18:35, Mark 6:1-9:50,
Luke 9:1-10:24, John 6:1-10:42)
Jesus went to Nazareth and was rejected
again.
Jesus instructed His apostles, sending
them with power to heal and cast out devils.
Jesus was told of John the Baptists
death.
He fed five thousand.
He walked on the sea.
He performed many miracles.
Some of His followers rejected and
left Him.
He rebuked the Pharisees.
He healed the Syrophoenician Womans'
daughter.
He went to minister in the cities
of the Decapolis.
He healed a deaf and dumb man.
He fed four thousand people.
He healed the Blind Man of Bethsaida.
He was transfigured on the Mount before
Peter, James and John.
Moses and Elijah appeared unto them.
He healed a demoniac Son.
He continued to teach with parables.
He sent forth His seventy Disciples.
He was rejected by the Samaritans.
He healed the Ten Lepers.
He attended the Feast of Tabernacles
at Jerusalem.
He forgave the Woman caught in the
act of adultery.
He again taught with Parables.
The Seventy returned from their mission
and reported to Him.
He healed the Blind Man at the Temple.
He attended the Feast of Dedication
at Jerusalem.
4. The last months of Jesus life
on earth.
(Matthew 19:1-26:13, Mark 10:1-14:9,
Luke 13:10-19:27, John 11:1-12:8)
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
He ministered in Ephraim and Perea.
He attended a Supper arranged by a
Pharisee.
He healed a man with Dropsy.
He again taught with parables.
He blessed the Little Children.
He asked the rich Young Ruler to sell
all and follow Him.
He foretold of His sufferings.
He healed blind Bartemaeus.
He visited Zacchaeus' house and ministered
to him.
Mary anointed Jesus' feet with a pound
of precious spikenard ointment.
5. The last days of Jesus on earth
(Matthew 21:1-28:20, Mark 11:1-16:20,
Luke 24:53, John 12:12-16:7)
He triumphantly entered Jerusalem.
He cursed the barren fig tree and
it withered overnight.
He cleansed the temple.
He taught with Parables and answered
questions.
He Prophesied of future events, concerning
Jerusalem and the end of the World.
Judas Iscariot plotted with the Jews
against Jesus.
Jesus kept the Passover with His Disciples.
He washed their feet during the Last
Supper.
He prayed in the Garden called Gethsemane.
Judas betrayed Him.
Jesus healed Malchus' ear that Peter
cut off with a sword.
He was taken captive and led away.
Jesus was taken before the High Priest
to be tried.
Peter denied Jesus three times and
the cock crowed.
Jesus was taken before the Sanhedrin.
Pilate tried Jesus and found no fault
in Him.
Jesus was scourged thirty-nine times.
The Roman Soldiers mocked Him.
Pilate sentenced Jesus to death.
Jesus was mocked and led away to be
crucified.
Judas Iscariot committed suicide.
Jesus was Crucified.
Jesus ministered to the Thief on the
cross, crucified next to Him.
Jesus was Buried in a new tomb of
Joseph of Aramithea.
Jesus was Resurrected on the third
day.
Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene,
Peter, the Apostles and over 500 people.
Jesus commanded His Disciples to wait
for the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Ascended into Heaven
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The
New Testament Books from Acts to Revelation are about
the
activities
of the Apostles and New Testament Disciples.
After the Ascension of Jesus, the
Disciples found themselves waiting in the Upper Room
for the promise of the Holy Spirit.
They waited there for ten days until
He came and filled them.
The Day of Pentecost:
Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was
fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound
from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled
all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven
tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The New Testament Church was born
and grew very quickly. Thousands were saved and many
new Disciples emerged to play prominent roles.
The next four years.
During the next four years the
following events took place:
On the day of Pentecost over 3000
people were saved. (30 A.D.)
A lame man was healed at the gate
Beautiful of the Temple.
Peter and John were arrested and imprisoned.
They appeared before Annas the High
Priest and Caiaphas.
They were warned not to preach about
Jesus and then released.
The Holy Spirit again visited the
Disciples with great power.
Ananias and Sapphira sinned against
the Holy Spirit and died.
The first seven deacons were appointed.
Stephen was one of them and did great
miracles.
He was arrested, tried, stoned to
death and Saul of Tarsus witnessed it.
Saul of Tarsus was saved on the Road
to Damascus. (35 A.D.)
Ananias was told by Jesus to go and
pray for Saul.
Saul was healed and received the Holy
Spirit.
His life was threatened in Damascus
and he escaped over the wall in a basket.
Paul continued sharing his testimony
and preached about Jesus Christ.
The Disciples sent him to Tarsus.
The Church had rest from persecution.
Peter raised Tabitha from the dead.
Peter was commanded to go to minister
to Cornelius and his family.
As a result, the Holy Spirit was poured
out on the Gentiles for the first time.
Peter was summoned to appear before
the Apostles Council in Jerusalem.
He had to give account of His ministry
to the Gentiles.
Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Paul
and brought him back to Antioch.
They continued there teaching the
Disciples.
It was here that the Disciples were
first called "Christians".
King Herod imprisoned and killed James.
He then had Peter arrested and imprisoned.
Peter was set free by an Angel and
escaped, after the Church prayed for him.
Herod was Smitten by an Angel and
died.
Paul's appointment as an Apostle.
(48 A.D.)
Fourteen years after Paul's conversion
he became an Apostle.
He immediately followed this new calling
and traveled on three Missionary Journeys. After that
he went to Rome.
1. Paul's first Missionary Journey.
Paul and Barnabas were selected and
sent by the Holy Spirit as Apostles.
They sailed from Antioch to Seleucia.
They then sailed to Salamis on the
Island of Cyprus.
From Salamis they traveled to Paphos.
It is here where Saul's name was changed
to Paul.
They ministered to Sergius Paulus,
a Deputy of that Country.
Elymas hindered the Gospel and was
smitten blind.
Paul and Barnabas continued on to
Perga in Pamphylia.
From there they went to Antioch in
Pisidia where Paul preached a great sermon.
They then went to Iconium where mighty
signs and wonders were done.
They then went on to Lystra.
Paul and Barnabas refused to be worshipped
as gods, by the people.
Paul was stoned and raised by the
Prayers of the Disciples.
From Lystra they traveled to Derbe.
They then returned to the places where
they had been, establishing Churches.
They eventually came back to Antioch
in Syria, where they first started.
2. Paul's second Missionary journey.
(52 A.D.)
Paul chose Silas to go with him.
Paul left Antioch in Syria and confirmed
the Churches in Syria, Cilicia and Derbe.
Timothy joined them at Lystra.
The Holy Spirit forbade them to go
and preach in Asia.
They then went to Mysia.
The Holy Spirit forbade them to go
to Bithynia.
They then went to Troas.
There Paul had a vision and was called
by God to go to Macedonia.
They went to Philippi in Macedonia.
They Ministered to Lydia and her Family
who were saved and baptized.
A young demon possessed Girl was delivered
from a spirit of divination.
Paul and Silas were charged before
Magistrates for defrauding her Masters.
They were beaten and jailed.
At midnight they worshipped God and
sang in Prison and an earthquake took place.
As a result of that, the keeper of
the Prison was saved.
(It was to this Church that he
wrote Philippians.)
Paul and Silas were released and they
went to Thessalonica.
Paul ministered in the Synagogue and
some Jews were saved.
Many Greeks were saved.
(It was to this Church that he
wrote 1st & 2nd Thessalonians.)
The unbelieving Jews caused a great
uproar in the city and attacked Jason's House.
Paul and Silas left for Berea at night.
Many Berean's were saved and searched
the scriptures daily.
They then continued their journey
to Athens.
Paul ministered in the Synagogue and
in the Market Place daily.
He reasoned with the Philosophers,
Epicureans and Stoicks.
Paul was taken to the Areopagus where
he preached in the midst of Mars Hill.
He preached of the Unknown God.
Some mocked, some said they would
listen again and many were saved.
Paul and Silas then went to Corinth.
Here Paul met Priscilla and Aquila
and worked with them as a tentmaker.
They were saved and he lived with
them in their home.
He reasoned in the Synagogue every
Sabbath about Jesus the Messiah.
The Jews rejected his message and
he continued ministering in Justus' house.
Crispus the Chief Ruler of the Synagogue
and his household were saved.
Paul continued ministering in Corinth
for eighteen months.
The Jews charged him before Galio
the Deputy of Achaia.
Galio drove them from the judgment
seat.
(It was to this Church that he
wrote 1st & 2nd Corinthians.)
Paul took leave of the Church and
went to Ephesus.
Paul preached in the Synagogue.
He then went to Caesarea and Antioch.
He then went through Galatia and Phrygia.
Priscilla and Aquila ministered to
Apollos an eloquent Teacher.
He was persuaded of the truth.
God began to use him mightily.
Paul returned to Jerusalem and then
went on to Antioch in Syria.
3. Paul's Third Missionary Journey.
(58 A.D.)
From Antioch he went to Galatia.
Then he went through Phrygia to Ephesus
Many Believers received the Baptism
in the Holy Spirit.
He continued ministering there for
two years.
Many mighty miracles and healings
took place.
Many were delivered from demons.
Those delivered brought their books
of curious arts and burned them.
The value of these books was about
50 thousand pieces of silver.
He established a Church at Ephesus.
(It was to this Church that he
wrote Ephesians.)
Demetrius a silversmith who made idols,
accused Paul of despising the goddess Diana.
He caused an uproar in the city and
called an Assembly.
The Townclerk dismissed the Assembly.
Paul continued through Macedonia and
Greece encouraging the Believers.
He came to Troas and ministered there.
He ministered until midnight.
A young boy, sleeping fell out of
a window.
His dead body was revived as Paul
prayed for him.
Then Paul went to Ephesus and ministered
to the Elders of the Church.
He then went to Tyre and ministered
to the Disciples there.
He then went to Ptolemais and ministered
there to the Church.
He continued on to Caesarea and abode
in the home of Philip the Evangelist.
There Agabus a Prophet, warned Paul
that he would be arrested in Jerusalem.
Paul returned by carriage to Jerusalem
and was received gladly by the Apostles.
4. Paul's voyage to Rome. (60 A.D.)
Paul met with the Elders of the Church
at Jerusalem.
He reported of a great successful
Ministry to the Gentiles.
Because of Jewish criticism, they
urged him to take a vow of Purification.
The Jews of Asia saw him in the Temple
and caused an uproar.
The Jews took him out of the Temple
to kill him.
The Chief Captain arrested him and
bound him with two chains.
Paul asked for permission and addressed
the crowd.
He was then brought before the Sanhedrin.
That night Jesus appeared to Paul
confirming that he would go to Rome.
Jews plotted to kill Paul and his
sisters Son warned Paul about it.
The Chief Captain sent Paul at night
to Caesarea to stand Trial there.
Paul was escorted, by 200 Soldiers,
70 horsemen and 200 spearmen.
Paul was kept at Herod's Judgment
Hall.
After five days he appeared before
Felix.
Tertullus prosecuted against Paul
on behalf of the Jews.
Paul defended himself and the case
was postponed.
Paul continued to minister to Felix,
who trembled under conviction.
After two years Paul appeared before
Festus.
Because Festus was appeasing the Jews,
Paul appealed to Caesar for Judgment.
He appeared before King Agrippa and
Bernice his wife and ministered to them.
Paul then sailed for Rome, a prisoner
of Julius a Centurion of the Augustus Band.
One of the Brethren from Thessalonica,
Aristarchus, sailed with Paul.
They encountered a strong wind called
a Euroclydon.
An Angel warned him of impending danger
saying that all would survive.
They were shipwrecked on an Island
called Melita.
While making a fire, a poisonous viper
bit the hand of Paul.
It did him no harm.
Paul ministered to the Islanders and
many received healing.
After three months they continued
by ship to Rome.
At Rome, Paul dwelt by himself, kept
by one soldier.
There he ministered to the Jews and
many believed.
Four two years Paul dwelt in his own
hired house.
He ministered to all that came to
him.
It is reported that Paul was beheaded
at Rome in 67 A.D.
The Books of the New Testament
that Paul wrote to various Churches and Individuals
are:
Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians,
1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon and Hebrews.
These are the names of the other
Apostles and the New Testament books they wrote:
Luke -Acts
Peter - 1 & 2 Peter
James - James
Judas the Brother of Jesus -
John - 1, 2 & 3 John and
Revelation
John is reported to be the last Apostle
to die after 97 A.D.
What happened to the Apostles?
Peter -
Crucified head downward in Rome
James -
Beheaded by Herod in Jerusalem
John -
Banished to Patmos and died a natural death
Andrew -
Crucified
Philip -
Martyred in Hierapolis
Bartholomew -
Flayed to death in Armenia
Thomas -
Martyred in India
Matthew - Martyred in Ethiopia
James -
Crucified in Egypt
Jude -
Martyred in Persia
Simon -
Crucified
