Step By Step Through the New Testament

Lesson 2: New Testament Background (part 2) Step By Step Through the New Testament Rev. Christopher J. Respass Antioch Bible Institute Fall 2013

Jewish Literature • OT Writings A. OT in Hebrew B. Septuagint—OT written in Greek C. Targums—OT in Aramaic with extra material not found in the biblical text.

Jewish Literature

Jewish Literature • Apocrypha: A. writings of history, fiction and Jewish wisdom. These writings are accepted by Roman Catholics, but rejected by Protestants. B. Examples: 1 & 2 Maccabees, Baruch

Jewish Literature • Pseudepigrapha A. Books falsely claiming to be written by famous persons—usually of biblical or historical renown. B. Example: Letter of Aristeas, 1 & 2 Enoch

Jewish Literature • Dead Sea Scrolls A. Contains whole books and fragments of OT copies dated between 200BC and 70 AD.

Jewish Literature • Mishnahs A. Oral interpretations and applications of the law. Often called the “traditions of the elders”

Jewish Sects • Pharisees A. Rigidly adhered to the Law B. Believed in the resurrection and angels C. Largest and most influential sect. D. Modern orthodox Jews follow the Pharisaical pattern.

Jewish Sects • Sadducees A. Fewer than Pharisees, but had greater political influence. B. Supported a literal interpretation of Torah (they only accepted the first five books of the OT). C. Denied the existence of angels, resurrection and the concept of personal immortality.

Jewish Sects • Essenes A. Somewhat “monastic” with very strict adherence to the OT. B. The Qumran community where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered is believed to have been an Essene commune. C. Placed strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God and predestination. D. More apocalyptically focused.

Jewish Sects • Zealots A. More political than religious, the Zealots were fanatical nationalists that supported violence as a means of liberation from Rome (c.f., Barabbas). B. Wanted to repeat the Maccabean Miracle. C. One of Jesus’ apostles was Simon the Zealot (Luke 6:15).

The NT Canon Q: What books comprised the Bible of the early Christians?

The NT Canon 1. The Bible of early Christians was the Old Testament (see, Acts 2:14-36 for an example of Peter’s use of the OT in preaching). 2. They also had an oral sources that serves as the basis for the developing doctrine of Christianity (see, 1 Cor. 15:1-4).

The NT Canon • “Canon” refers to the accepted books of the old and new testaments. • As Protestants (i.e., not Roman Catholics), we have 27 books in our NT canon.

Criteria for Acceptance in the NT Canon • Apostolic Authorship: did an Apostle or his close associate write it? • Apostolic Doctrine: is it consistent with the Apostles’ teaching? (c.f., Gal. 1:6-9). • Moral Edification: does it promote and encourage righteousness? • Widespread Acceptance in the Church: does the church accept the book as inspired?

A Few Observations… • God used men to write the Bible, but he superintended the process (2 Tim 3:16). • The Apostle Peter viewed Paul’s letters as scripture before they were included in the canon (2 Pet. 3:14-16). • Every letter written during “bible days” does not qualify it as an inspired book (see, Col. 4:16).

A Few Observations… 4. The Church has the responsibility of upholding sound doctrine consistent with Apostolic teaching and not political correctness or cultural shift.

Translation of the NT and More • Basic Rules for Interpreting Scripture A. Pray and ask for the Holy Spirit’s help B. Follow normal rules of word meaning and grammar (including allowances for the specific genre). C. Know the setting of the passage—context.

Translation of the NT and More D. Accept the Limits of God’s Revelation—he has not answered every question. E. Distinguish interpretation and Application F. Clearer Passages help explain more difficult ones.

Translation of the NT and More • …And More A. a Translations B. a Paraphrase C. Formal v. Dynamic Equivalence D. What is the Best Translation?

Step By Step Through the New Testament