Welcome to this week’s blog. For the next few weeks, I will continue to focus on my favorite book, the Bible.
This week I will start with part two of the Bible, the New Testament (the Bible, Part 2). I will identify the purpose of each book, the author of each book, the date written, key verses and key people involved to help give you a better understanding of the Bible before you dive into it on your own.
When you open your Bible, you will find the New Testament has 27 books, starting with Matthew (28 chapters) and ending with Revelation (22 chapters). To date, I’ve completed the overview of the Old Testament, 39 books, Genesis (50 chapters) and ending with Malachi (4 chapters).
If you wish to revisit any of the Old Testament blogs, you can find them on my website: https://www.thewitnesstoday.com/blog-archives.
The authors and compilers of the first five books of the New Testament are Matthew (Levi), Mark (John Mark), Luke and John.
1st Book – Matthew: Verses (1-28)
Purpose: To prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal King.
Author: Matthew (Levi)
Date Written: ~ 60-65 A.D. (After Death)
Key Verse: ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.’ – Matthew 5:17 (NIV).
Key People: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, the disciples, the religious leaders, Caiaphas, Pilate and Mary Magdalene
2nd Book – Mark: Chapters (1-16)
Purpose: To present the person, work, and teachings of Jesus
Author: John Mark. He was not one of the 12 disciples, but he accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:13).
Date Written: Between 55-65 A.D. (After Death)
Key Verse: ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ – Mark 10:45 (NIV).
Key People: Jesus, the 12 disciples, Pilate and the Jewish religious leaders
3rd Book - Luke: Chapters (1-24)
Purpose: To present an accurate account of the life of Christ and to present Christ as the perfect human and Savior.
Author: Luke – a doctor (Colossians 4:14), a Greek, and Gentile Christian. He is the only known Gentile author in the New Testament. Luke was a close friend and companion of Paul. He also wrote Acts, and the two books go together.
Date Written: ~ 60 A.D. (After Death)
Key Verse: Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’ – Luke 19:9-10 (NIV).
Key People: Jesus, Elizabeth, Zechariah, John the Baptist, Mary, the disciples, Herod the Great, Pilate and Mary Magdalene
4th Book – John: Chapters (1-21)
Purpose: To prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God, and that all who believe in Him will have eternal life.
Author: John the Apostle, son of Zebedee, brother of James, called a ‘Son of Thunder’
Date Written: ~ 85-90 A.D. (After Death)
Key Verse: Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. – John 20:30-31 (NIV).
Key People: Jesus, John the Baptist, the disciples, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Jesus’ mother, Pilate and Mary Magdalene
5th Book – Acts: Chapters (1-28)
Purpose: To give an accurate account of the birth and growth of the Christian Church
Author: Luke (a Gentile Physician)
Date Written: Between 63-70 A.D. (After Death)
Key Verse: ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ – Acts 1:8 (NIV).
Key People: Peter, John, James, Stephen, Philip, Paul, Barnabas, Cornelius, James (Jesus’ brother), Timothy, Lydia, Silas, Titus, Apollos, Agabus, Ananias, Felix, Festus, Agrippa and Luke
Let’s recap. This week we covered the first five books (1-5) of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts). Next week I will pick up with Romans (6th Book) in the New Testament with the same format.
I am hoping you find this format an easy, quick overview of each chapter.
Blessings until next week,
Debra Pauli Unstoppable Believer
Scripture Quoted From: New International Version Bible (NIV)
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