Step By Step Through the New Testament

Rev. Christopher J. RespassAntioch Bible Institute

Fall 2013

Lesson 1: New Testament Background (part 1)

New Testament Background

`The “New Testament” (NT) is the codification of God’s new covenant with his people.

OT NT # of Books Span Christ Orig. lang.

New Testament World

I. How did we get here?

EgyptAssyriaBabylon

Medo-PersiaGreece

New Testament World

Greece (cont)Ptolemies & Seleucids

Maccabean RevoltHashmonean Dynasty

Rome

Roman Emperors During NT Times

1. Augustus Caesar Jesus’ Birth2. Tiberius Jesus’ Death3. Gaius (Caligula) Paul’s Early Ministry4. Nero Christian

Persecutions in Rome5. Domitian Persecution, Writing

of the Revelation

Roman Oversight of Conquered Lands

1. Senate Provincesa) Senate ruled over these territories.b) Usually peaceful territoriesc) Locally governed by “Proconsuls”

2. Imperial Provincesa) Ruled directly by the Emperorb) Usually troublesome, hotbedsc) Locally governed by “Procurators” (governors)

Roman Government in Judea

1. Procurators Pontius PilateFelixFestus

2. Judean Vassal King: Herod the GreatArchaleusAntipasAgrippa I (grandson)Agrippa II (great-grand)

The Jewish Social World

1. Approximately 4 million Jews in the Roman Empire. Only 700, 000 were in Palestine. Thus, the majority were in the Jewish diaspora.

2. Multilingual: Hebrew (priestly language)Aramaic (common language)Greek (many spoke and read

it)

The Jewish Social World(cont.)

3. Social Classesa) Wealthy Aristocracy: mostly Sadducees. Controlled businesses linked with the temple.b) Poor Majority: farmers, craftsmen, businessmen.c) “Plebs”: the virtually non-existent middle class who often found themselves group along side the poor.d) Slaves: largest group. Often well trained professionals placed in labor because of birth, debt or war.

The Religious World

A. The religious landscape during the NT times was pagan. There were a number of different “faith” systems being practiced at the time.

1. Family Gods2. Greek Gods3. Emperor Worship (Imperial Cult)4. Mystery religions5. The Occult

The Religious World(cont.)

6. Gnostic Religion7. Epicurians8. Stoics9. Cynics10. Skeptics

The Religious World(cont.)

B. The Jewish Theology: Judaism1. Monotheistic—one God—avoided idolatry

2. Based on the historic acts of God, not myth, philosophy or speculation.

3. They looked forward to the coming of a Messiah who would be a political/military deliverer.

Q: How does the Jews’ Messianic Expectation clash with the Jesus of Scripture?

The Religious World(cont.)

C. Worship1. The chief center of worship with the Temple. The development of Gentile Christianity severed the connection of the temple with Christianity.

2. The destruction of the temple if 586 BC, gave rise to the synagogue.

The Religious World(cont.)

Purposes of the Synagogue1. A place for studying and teaching the law.2. A place for the instruction of children.3. A social center for fellowship.

The Jews rejection of Jesus as Messiah led to the complete rupture between Christians and the synagogue.Q: Any resemblance to the Christian church?