HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE?

CHAPTER 9

NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament covers an important period of time in the Roman Empire(Encyclopedia Britannica). Caesar Augustus[Octavian] became the first Real Emperor[31 B.C.-A.D. 14], reigning at the birth of Christ. Tiberius[A.D.14-37] reigned during the adulthood of Jesus, and during the beginning of the church. Caligula Gaius Caesar[A.D.37-41], the insane Emperor ruled until assassinated by the Praetorian Guard who picked Claudius as Emperor[A.D.41-54]. Claudius reigned during the time of the famine, when the church sent financial help to Jerusalem(Acts 11:28). Nero[A.D. 54-68] ruled during Paul's journeys. He beheaded Paul, crucified Peter, as well as killing many Roman christians(Foxe's Book Of Martyrs). Nero committed suicide during the revolt against him(Encyclopedia International). Four Emperors fought each other between A.D. 68-69, Galboa, Otho, Vitallius, and Vespassian who went on to rule until A.D. 79 {during the Fall of Jerusalem, A.D.70}. Then Titus ruled[A.D.79-81]. Domitian followed Titus as Emperor[A.D.81-96]. He persecuted christians throughout the empire, and also had the Apostle John exiled on the Island of Patmos(Encyclopedia Americana). Domitian's wife had him murdered, so Nerva[A.D.96-98] became Emperor. Scholars believe Nerva had Timothy killed(Foxe's Book Of Martyrs). The last Emperor of the First Century A.D.[The New Testament] was Trajan[A.D.98-117], when the last Apostle, John died around A.D. 98-100(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible).

GENERAL EPISTLES

The Seven general Epistles or Letters were written by four men, Peter, James, John, and Jude[Judas](Everyone In The Bible). The Letters are called "General" Letters or Epistles for two reasons. They all refer to the church as a whole, and not to specific individuals or to individual congregations(Grolier's Encyclopedia). Secondly, they were written by several writers(Academic American Encyclopedia). Peter and John were among the original twelve Apostles(Halley's Bible Handbook). Scholars debate whether or not the writers of James and Jude were the Apostles or Jesus' brothers(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). In reality, it doesn't matter, because the scriptures reveal that God directed their words(Second Peter 1:20,21). The Scholars who believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God(Second Timothy 3:16,17) declare James and Jude to be part of the scriptures, the Holy Bible(Why We Believe The Bible). Most of the scholars that deny even the existence of God, or any of the miracles mentioned in the Bible, STILL believe that James and Jude should be part of the Bible(Isaac Asimov's Commentary On The Bible). All of the General as well as Paul's Epistles warn of the dangers of false teaching(First Corinthians 15:12; Ephesians 5:15-16; First John 4:1).

JAMES- This book was considered the First Book written of the New Testament(Clarke's Commentary). The Letter was written about A.D. 44 or 45 in Jerusalem(Nave's Topical Bible). Scholars debate whether the writer was the Apostle James or the brother of Jesus(Matthew 13:55), the second oldest in Jesus' family(Who's Who In The New Testament). If the Apostle James was the writer, it would have been just before his death by King Herod(Acts 12:2). Most scholars believe the writer of the Letter was Jesus' brother(The Compact Survey Of The Bible). James saw the risen Christ(First Corinthians 15:7), was thought to have been married(First Corinthians 9:5), and Paul acted on his advice(Acts 21:18-26). James was an elder in the Jerusalem Church(Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Galatians 1:19). Peter reported first to James on his release from prison(Acts 12:17). Paul visited him as well(Galatians 1:19), which lead some to believe that James was an Apostle then(The Encyclopedia Of Religion And Ethics). To be an Apostle, one had to have seen the Lord(Acts 1:21-25). James was one of the writers of a letter to the gentile Christians(Acts 15:13-29), concerning whether or not they should follow the Jewish Laws(What Is The Bible All About?). James was surnamed "the just"(Who's Who In The New Testament). It was said he spent so much time on his knees in prayer that they became hard and callous like a camel's knees(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). James was martyred in A.D. 66 in Jerusalem(Butler's Lives Of The Saints). James was hurled off the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem(International Standard Bible Encyclopedia), then he was stoned and clubbed to death by the Sanhedrin[71 members] (Foxe's Book Of Martyrs), led by the High Priest Ananben Anan(Illustrated Dictionary And Concordance Of The Bible).

The book of James was addressed to the Christian Jews(James 1:1). The book deals with practical living. The Book has been called the "Gospel of Common Sense"(A Commentary On The New Testament Epistle). James writes about the "perfect Law of Liberty," God's word(James 1:25; 2:12). James reminds the reader of the difference of just listening to God's word and doing what it says(1:19-27). The Book of James discusses "pure religion"(1:27), by resisting temptation(The Compact Survey Of The Bible). We are not to show favoritism(James 2:1-13). James tells of the difference between having faith only, versus those of one's deeds showing one's faith(2:14-26). James tells us to control our tongues(3:1-12). The book discusses True Wisdom(3:13-18), by following God's way and not the world's way {the "doing it my way" philosophy}(4:1-5:6). James closes by discussing the importance of patience and prayer(5:7-20).

FIRST PETER- Believed by most scholars to have been written in Rome(First Peter 5:13) about A.D. 64-67(Halley's Bible Handbook) by the Apostle Peter(First Peter 1:1), although some take the term "Babylon" literally and think Peter was actually in Babylon at the time(The Interpreter's Bible). Peter met Jesus through his brother Andrew(John 1:40-42). Peter was a fisherman(Matthew 4:18), who lived in Capernaum(Mark 1:21,29,30) when Jesus called him to be an Apostle(Who's Who In The New Testament). Peter was also known as Simon Barjona(Matthew 16:17), [the son of Jonah](Anchor Bible Dictionary), and Cephas(John 1:42). Peter, James and John were the inner three, and saw Jesus' transfiguration(Mark 9:1-10; Second Peter 1:16-18). Peter denied Jesus(John 18:13-27), but later preached the first sermon at The Pentecost(Acts 2:14-36). Peter converted Cornelius, the first gentile(Acts 10,11). Paul later rebuked Peter, for when certain Jewish men visited Peter in Antioch, it prompted Peter to stop eating with the gentile Christians(Galatians 2:11-21). Scholars have argued for centuries whether the name of Peter's wife was Concordia or Perpetua(The Catholic Encyclopedia), but agree that Peter WAS married, and that his wife traveled with him(First Corinthians 9:5). When Nero burned the city of Rome in order to rebuild it in his own image, he blamed the christians for the destruction, in order to misdirect suspicion(Funk And Wagnall's Encyclopedia). According to tradition, when Peter was sentenced to be crucified, Peter asked and was granted to be hung upside down, because he did not feel worthy enough to be crucified as his master, the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified(Foxe's Book Of Martyrs). John Mark[Markus in Latin] was with Peter in Rome at the time of the writing(First Peter 5:13).

The book of First Peter was written to the churches in Asia Minor(1:1), such as Bithynia, Galatia, and Cappadocia(Handy Dictionary Of The Bible). The Theme of First Peter deals with having Faith and Hope even in suffering(First Peter 1:4-25). In addition, Peter gives the churches instructions for living(2,3), including marriage(3:1-7), and giving respect to authority(2:18-25).

SECOND PETER- The second Letter written to the churches in Asia Minor(Second Peter 3:1). Some disputed whether or not it was genuine due to his style2 of writing being similar to Jude(The Lion Encyclopedia Of The Bible). Most scholars think that the similarity could be due to the fact that they knew each other, or that God simply chose them to be similar as proof that they are inspired(Bible Handbook- A Guide For Basic Bible Learning). The Apostle Peter however says that he is the writer(Second Peter 1:1), and that he was present at the Lord's transfiguration(1:16), and was warned by Christ of his death(1:14). Some churches in the area included Ephesus, Laodicia, and Smyrna(Revelation 2,3). Peter writes this in Rome about A.D. 66,67(Clarke's Commentary). His death is near(Second Peter 1:14). Peter mentions that Paul has also written to them(Second Peter 3:15-17). The Theme for Second Peter is to Be like Christ(1:4). Peter warns the christians about false teachers(2:1-22). The Apostle Peter reminds them of the Second Coming of Christ(3:4-15). Peter then closes the Letter/Epistle with both a warning and some encouragement(3:17,18).

FIRST JOHN- Written about A.D. 90-95 in Ephesus(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). While most scholars agree that the writer is the Apostle John(Everyone In The Bible), some argue that it might have been some elder by the name of John(The Catholic Encyclopedia). John writes a general Letter to christians. The Epistle was written to counter the Gnostic movement(Halley's Bible Handbook). The Gnostics believed that all matter is evil, and all spirit is good. They thought that both were separate. Gnostics believed that because the body has natural desires, and that it was okay to follow those desires, and nothing the body did was a sin to the spirit because they were not connected(The Encyclopedia Of Religion And Ethics). The Gnostics denied the physical life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, because if he was the son of God, he moved around on the earth as a spirit only(What Is The Bible All About?). They also believed in "special knowledge"(The Illustrated Dictionary And Concordance Of The Bible). One third of the New Testament fought against this philosophy(Halley's Bible Handbook). The Leader of the cult was Cerinthus of Ephesus(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). The Church of Christ Scientists and the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints[Mormons], as well as certain other types of denominations and cults are present day examples of Gnosticism's presence(Exalted Above The Hills). John states that God is Light(First John 1:5-10), and God became flesh(John 1:1-14). John stated that to know God was to obey God(First John 2:2-6). He warned of false Christs coming(2:18-27). John told that True Love is shown in Right Living(3:6-24; Mark 12:30-31; John 14:15). The letter warns of false teachers(First John 4:1). John closes with the statement that to know the True God is to love God(5:1,20) and to keep ourselves from all types of idolatry, including dealing with the worship of self, or of self-worship(Jeremiah 10:23; John 6:45; Romans 1:25; 12:16; Ephesians 5:17; First John 5:21).

SECOND JOHN- Written in Ephesus about A.D. 90-95(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). Most Scholars agree the writer is the Apostle John(The New Catholic Encyclopedia). John writes to the Elect Lady(Second John 1). Scholars debate as to whom the Elect Lady was. Some think she was a christian woman, while some think it was a congregation(Bible Handbook-A Guide For Basic Bible Learning). Scholars who think it was a woman debate as to whether the name was Electa or if it was Kyria(Peloubet's Bible Dictionary). These scholars also debate about whether the "Sister"(Second John 13) was a woman or a congregation, also(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). The Theme of this single chapter Letter/Epistle is to follow Truth(Second John 1-4) and Love(5,6), and also to avoid false teachers(7-11). Some Scholars think John was an Elder of the Church in Ephesus(1).

THIRD JOHN- Written to Gaius(Third John 1) in Corinth(First Corinthians 1:14; Romans 16:23) about A.D. 90-95 in Ephesus(Halley's Bible Handbook). Gaius is believed to have been a wealthy convert of John, who lived near Ephesus(Peloubet's Bible Dictionary). John thanks Gaius for his hospitality to the evangelists sent by John. John also tells Gaius in the one chapter Epistle to follow after Truth(Third John 1-3,8,12), the Gospel of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ(Clarke's Commentary). Christ himself bore witness of the Truth(John 5:33; 14:6 18:37,38). John warns of the false teacher Diotrephes(Third John 9). The messenger carrying the Letter/Epistle was Demetrius(12). Because of some of the wording in Third John, some Scholars believe that John was an Elder of the Lord's church in Ephesus(1). Third John is the Shortest Book in the Bible(Guinness Book Of World Records).

Questions

1. How many General Letters are there in the New Testament?

2. How many men wrote the General Epistles?

3. Which was the first book written in the New Testament?

4. Which Letters in the New Testament were written by Peter?

5. What was the Theme(s) of the Book of James?

6. What was the Theme(s) of the Book of First Peter?

7. What was the Theme(s) of the Book of Second Peter?

8. What was the Theme(s) of the Book of First John?

9. What was the Theme(s) of the Book of Second John?

10. What was the Theme(s) of the Book of Third John?

11. What was the Theme(s) of the Book of Jude?

12. Which Books in the New Testament were written by John?

13. Who were the Gnostics? Name some present day Gnostics.

14. Of who or what did all the Letters say to avoid?

15. How many Epistles warned of false teachers, and exhorted

to remain faithful and true to God?

16. What sins can we avoid by controlling our tongues?

17. Why should we study the General Epistles?

18. Why should we study the Bible?