Week Five - Summer Reading Challenge 2024

New Testament books cover the history of about a century, 'New Testament' in fact means, 'New Covenant'. In our Bible the books do not occur in the chronological order of their writing. For example, some of the Pauline Epistles were written before the Gospels. We, in this survey, will attempt doing a survey of history in the chronological order as far as possible.

This means we start with the outline story of Jesus but don’t read the Gospels now. Although the Gospels tell the story before the apostolic times, they were written after the apostolic era and reflect the theology and community of that time. We will come back to the Gospels next week.

Once you have the sketch of the geography and periods of Jesus’ life as in section A, go straight reading ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, where you find the story of the early church. The notes place some of Paul’s letters in their historical context. You may want to read or browse through each of those wherever they appear in the notes.

Bishop John

STORY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

A. THE LIFE OF JESUS (c.5BC to A.D.30)

The Geography of JESUS' Life: His life was within the confines of Palestine except escape to Egypt (Mtt.2:13-14) and visit to Tyre and Sidon at the crisis of His ministry (Mtt.15:21).

Palestine is located at the eastern end of the Mediterranean sea. From Mount Lebanon on the north to the Southern end of the dead sea is a distance abut 175 miles. Palestine at the time of Jesus was divided into 3 major provinces. In the North was Galilee, the home country of Jesus. South of Galilee was Samaria. The Southern country was Judea.

Jesus' ministry was mainly in Galilee and Judea. But he had to pass through Samaria to go to Judea from Galilee. It was on such an occasion that Jesus ministered to the Samaritan women (Jn.4).

The Periods Of Jesus Life :

Jesus' birth happened in the days of Herod the Great (Lk.1:5), a vassal king of Rome. During that time the Roman Emperor was Caesar Augustus (2:1). Birth of Jesus was c.5 B.C.

Herod died in 4 B.C. After the flight to Egypt now Mary and Joseph come back to their land. Herod Antipas succeeded Herod the Great in Galilee and Perea, and Archelaus in Judea. Jesus' family settles down at Nazareth in Galilee.

Luke places Jesus' ministry in the time of Tiberius Caesar. (Lk.3:1). Tiberius was the successor of Augustus as Roman emperor after the death of the latter in A.D.14. He reigned till his death in A.D.37.

Another figure appears in Jesus' time is Pilate, the Roman Governor (Prefect) for Judea, whose headquarters was in Caesarea (but he was in Jerusalem during passover and so Jesus was brought before him) and he was in power A.D. 26-36). He handed Jesus over to Herod Antipas, for Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction i.e. Galilee. Herod returned Jesus to Pilate.

B. THE HISTORY OF THE EARLY CHURCH c.A.D. 30-100

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

1. The Church gets established (Acts.1:1-8:3). The Church gets established among the Jews. The Pentecost (Acts 2) was the starting point. Peter stands out as the leader in the early period of the apostolic Church. The Church was persecuted by Jews this time. Stephen becomes the first martyr of the Church.

2. The Period of Transition (8:4-11:18). So far the Church was growing among the Jews only. But in ch.8, Philip goes to Samaria with the Gospel. The conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch is also a mark of transition. Ch.9 records the conversion of Paul who in turn would become the apostle to the gentiles. Conversion of Cornelius, a now-Jew, was an eye-opener to Jewish Christians.

3. The Gentile Christianity and the Pauline Programme: (Acts 11:19 - Ch.28). Having sent by the Church in Antioch, Paul takes up the mission to the gentiles. Paul becomes the central figure in the gentile Christianity. The Church in Antioch becomes the centre of gentile mission. The following table provides us some dates to remember.

AD

c.33 The conversion of Saul

c.47-48 The First Missionary Journey (Acts.13-14)

c.49 The Council of Jerusalem (Acts.15)

c.50-52 The Second Missionary Journey (16:1-18:22)

c.52-56 The Third missionary Journey (18:23-21:17)

c.57 Paul's arrest in Jerusalem (21:27-23:30)

c.57-59 Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea (23:31-26:32)

c.60, 61 Paul under house arrest in Rome (28:14-31)

c.64 The fire at Rome. Nero's persecution of Christians

c.65 The martyrdom of Paul.

The 'Acts of the Apostles' provides us the details concerning three missionary journeys of Paul.

a) THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY (A.D.47-48) Acts 13-14.

Antioch -- Cyprus (Salamis, Paphos) -- Perga: John Mark returns --

Antioch of Psidia : declare that they turn to Gentiles (13:46) --

Iconium -- Lystra : Paul and Barnabas were worshipped -- Derbe --

Lystra -- Iconium -- Antioch of Psidia -- Perga -- Antioch in Syria.

GALATIANS, the first Epistle of Paul was written probably just after his first missionary journey and before the Jerusalem Council in A.D. 49. Paul had already visited South Galatia and established Churches - Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. The context of the Epistle is 'Judaizing controversy'. Some Jewish Christians taught non-Jews must become Jews first and keep the law before becoming Christians. Paul presents the Gospel of Grace over against the Judaizing message. According to another theory, this Epistle was written sometime during Paul's third missionary Journey (52-56 A.D.).

JERUSALEM COUNCIL (A.D.49) Acts.15. Apostles and elders met to discuss the Judaizing controversy. Decided not to compel gentile converts to observe the Law. James, brother of Jesus, seems to have chaired the meeting. Paul establishes the case for gentiles. Council affirms the sufficiency of Grace received through faith.

b) THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (c.AD 50-52). Acts 16:1-18:22).

Paul takes Silas with him this time.

Antioch in Syria -- Derbe -- Lystra : Paul takes Timothy in his tour in Galatia -- Iconium -- Troas : Paul sees the vision of Macedonian man -- Philippi: Conversion of Lydia; Paul and Silas jailed; jailor converted -- Thessalonica -- Berlea -- Athens; Paul was alone; Areopagus Sermon; Timothy and Silas rejoins Paul but sends Timothy to Thessalonica and Silas elsewhere – Corinth: with Priscilla and Aquila, Timothy and Silas rejoins Paul.

I AND II THESSALONIANS were written during Paul's stay in Corinth (about 1½ years). First letter was written immediately after Timothy rejoined Paul. In the first letter Paul congratulates the Church on their conversion and growth, and also exhort them toward further progress, with particular emphasis on comfort from the second coming of Christ. "What happened to those who have already died ?" was a question that troubled Thessalonians. II Thessalonians was written not long after the first letter, seeing that fanaticism and a desire for deliverance from persecution were growing among the members. It is a corrective letter.

Corinth -- Cenchrea: Paul takes Jewish vow -- Ephesus: Priscilla and Aquila accompany Paul this far -- Caesarea -- Jerusalem -- Antioch in Syria.

c) THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY (AD 52-56) Acts 18:23 - 21:17.

Antioch in Syria -- Galatia and Phrygia (Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch of Psidia) -- Ephesus: John's disciples receives the Spirit; spends two years and three months.

I CORINTHIANS was written during this time. He concentrates on the problems in the Corinthian Church. Disunity (chs. 1-4), Immorality and marriage (Chs.5-7), food dedicated to idols (8:1-11:1), head-covering (11:2-34) the Lords Supper (11:34ff), concerning spiritual gifts (12-14) and resurrection (Ch.15).

Ephesus -- Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea).

Paul wrote II CORINTHIANS from Macedonia. After the first letter he had made a 'painful visit' to Corinth from Ephesus in which he failed to accomplish his purpose [ 2 Cor: 2:1]. Then Paul sent a "sorrowful letter" [ 2 Cor: 2:4]. II Corinthians was written after Titus brought the news that the majority in the Church had submitted to Paul's authority. This Epistle is known as the Epistle of Paul's ministry. He explains his personal conduct and defends his ministry. II Corinthians in the present form seems to be an assemblage from three original letters. One of these letters was prior to the present I Corinthians (See I Cor.5:9).

Macedonia -- Greece or Achia (Athens and Corinth).

The letter to ROMANS was written while Paul was at Corinth, as a preparation for his first visit to that city. The theme is justification by GOD's grace through Jesus Christ. Man's problem: sinfulness (1:18-3:20), GOD's remedy: Justification (3:21-Ch.5), Christian living (Chs.6-8). Israel's problem (Chs.9-11) Practical exhortations (Chs.12-16). For Paul, theology always leads us to ethics.

Corinth -- Macedonia -- Troas: Eutychus incident -- Miletus: Farewell to the Ephesian Church -- Tyre -- Caesarea -- Jerusalem: presents a report before the Church.

d) PAUL'S ARREST IN JERUSALEM AND IMPRISONMENT IN CAESAREA

(AD 57-59). Acts. 21:27 - 26:32.

The Arrest (21:27 - 23:30). The Roman commander arrests him. He speaks to the crowd; presented before the Sanhedrin. The commander sends him to Felix at Caesarea.

The Caesarean Imprisonment (23:31 - 26:32). Trials before Felix and Festus. Hearing by King Agrippa-II. As Paul makes an appeal to Caesar, Festus decides to send Paul to Rome.

PAUL'S JOURNEY TO ROME (Acts.27:1 - 28:10). Caesarea - Crete - Malta -- Rome.

e) PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT IN ROME (AD 60-62). Acts. 28:14-31.

While waiting for the trial before Caesar, Paul was enjoying some amount of freedom. He was allowed to have visitors and to preach the Gospel to them.

It seems that three of his letters - PHILIPPIANS, PHILEMON and COLOSSIANS were written during Paul's Roman imprisonment.

PHILIPPIANS is a thank you note for the Philippian Church's financial support to Paul. Paul takes this opportunity to counteract the tendency toward divisiveness in the Church (2:2; 4:2), to warn against Judaizers (ch.3) and to encourage the believers in the midst of opposition (1:28). This letter is also called and “Epistle of Joy”.

COLOSSIANS deals with what is called "Colossian heresy", which detracted from the person of Christ, emphasised human philosophy, and included angel worship and Jewish legalism. Paul asserts the superiority of Christ in the Epistle.

PHILEMON is a plea for a runaway slave named Onesimus who became Christian through Paul, addressed to Philemon, another convert of Paul and the master of Onesimus.

We do not have the details about the last two years of Paul's life in the NT. Paul was put to death by Romans in AD.64/65.