New Testament Study Guide PDF

New Testament Study Guide Justin Wednesday December 18th 8:00 to 10:00 - On the book of James, Hebrews, 1-3 John, 1-2 Peter, Jude, Revelation - Multiple choice, Essay and Short Answer questions should be expected. James - Has 5 chapters and seems to say through works, not faith??...

New Testament Study Guide Justin Wednesday December 18th 8:00 to 10:00 - On the book of James, Hebrews, 1-3 John, 1-2 Peter, Jude, Revelation - Multiple choice, Essay and Short Answer questions should be expected. James - Has 5 chapters and seems to say through works, not faith?? - James is a general letter which is addressed universally to all Christians. - 6 topics in this book - James refers to himself as a servant of Jesus rather than a brother. - James unlike Paul was not a Roman citizen thus he was not as able to travel. - Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Jesus including James - James was then converted after witnessing the resurrection. - James wrote 2 letters. - The Theology of James addresses suffering, faith and temptation. - Ethics of James includes relationships, wisdom and wealth. - Faith is tested through trials -> this is evidence of a mature faith. - Pagan view of suffering is that suffering is a lack of success. - Temptation and sinfulness, God does not will temptation but he allows it. Our sinful nature is what causes temptation.  - Relationships, don’t grumble or judge one another. - Do not swear but instead let your yes be yes and your no be no. - Koosmos is everything that opposes God. Hebrews - Is debated whether it is a universal letter or not - Possibly written by Priscilla because of the language but also written by Paul possibly. Conclusion is that this letter is anonymous. - Audience of Hebrews are leaders and all the saints. - This letter was written in 85 CE so Paul was already dead. - Conversion of the people in this letter was dramatic. They heard preaching and saw miracles. Most were Jews and some were maybe Gentiles. - Maintaining faith is important. After their conversion they faced opposition from friends and family. This caused some to consider leaving the faith. - Immaturity and apostasy. Going back to Judaism and misunderstanding of basic teaching. - Who is Jesus in Hebrews? He is the ultimate high priest, sacrifice, covenant human being divine. - Some people in Hebrews thought Jesus was 100% God 0% human or the other way around. Author of Hebrews says Jesus was 100% God and 100% human. Some of the commandments and prohibitions in Hebrews include - Let the marriage bed be undefiled, do not be led away with strange teachings. Brotherly love is important. Keep life free from money and be content. - Show goodness and share what we have. 1-3 John - These letters were written by John the son of Zebedee. - He was the youngest of the 12, possibly 12 to 13 years old. He needed Jesus as a guardian. - Only apostle to see Jesus' crucifixion and he stayed with Jesus when all the others had left. He also became Mary’s son. - Issue with these letters is persecution. Temptation to leave the faith is prominent and some christians had already left. - Referred to as beloved which youngest in a family is referred to as beloved. - Became “Elder”. - Ended up in Asia minor in Ephesus. - Was with Mary, mother of Jesus. - Heresy, apostasy and persecution were the problems mentioned. - The 1st letter is a sermon because of a different ending but 2nd and 3rd John have a traditional ending to the letters. - Elect lady and children are the audience and there is debate over who this is exactly. Possibly Phoebe after Paul’s death. - Liturgical differences are music, preaching, liturgy, and church building. - Theological debates are the Lord’s supper, baptism and leadership. - Heresy is Jesus’ humanity, divinity, ethics and authority. 1-2 Peter - Same problems as 1-3 John such as persecution and heresy.  - There is debate over where Peter was when he wrote these. - Divisions in the church over Peter’s teaching vs Paul’s teaching, Jews and Gentiles, men and women and poor vs wealthy. - 1 Peter 4:3 suggests a Gentile audience. - 1 Peter addresses church and Christian settings. Revelation - Debate over who wrote Revelation, possibly John but a different John than the son of Zebedee. - Patmos is where John would have been imprisoned. - John sent letters to 7 churches - Ephesus Have good works and toil but they have abandoned the love for God that they had at first. They also hate the work of pagans which is good. - Smyrna - Tribulation and poverty and they have good faith. - Pergamum - They held fast to God’s name and did not sway. However some in the church still held to the teaching of Balaam, ate food that was meant for sacrifices and some practice sexual immorality. - Thyatira  - They have patient faith and endurance but they tolerate evil teaching and pagan ways that practice sexual immorality and adultery. - Sardis - Their faith is dead - Philadelphia - They have kept the word and have not denied the name. - Laodicea - They are lukewarm neither hot nor cold in their works. - One of the big differences in Revelation is that seeing God in the OT meant death but now in the Holy Spirit, seeing God means life.