Bible Content F (Chappell/Meek)

Question 1

Name the general divisions of the New Testament and the books in each.
~ Which are the “Prison Epistles”?
~ Which are the “Pastoral Epistles”?
~ Which are the “Catholic (or, General) Epistles”?

Answer 1

1. Gospels (Matt.; Mark; Luke; John)
2. History (Acts)
3. Epistles (Rom.; 1 Cor.; 2 Cor.; Gal.; Eph.; Phil.; Col.; 1 Thess.; 2 Thess.; 1 Tim.; 2 Tim.; Titus; Philem.; Heb.; James; 1 Pet.; 2 Pet.; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John; Jude)
4. Apocalypse (Rev.)

“Prison Epistles”: Eph.; Phil.; Col.; Philem.

“Pastoral Epistles”: 1 Tim.; 2 Tim.; Titus

“Catholic (or, General) Epistles”: Heb.; James; 1 Pet.; 2 Pet.; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John; Jude

Question 2

What are the distinctive features of each of the four Gospels?

Answer 2

Matthew’s purpose:
(“Fulfillment of Messiah”)
To prove that Jesus is the Messiah and eternal king

Matthew’s distinctives:
1. Jesus’ relationship to Israel
2. Why Israel rejects Jesus

Mark’s purpose:
(“Jesus is Lord”)
To present the person, work, and teaching of Jesus as good news

Mark’s distinctives:
1. Shortest Gospel (focus on Jesus’ actions more than his teaching)
2. Direct, fast-moving style toward the cross (“immediately”)

Luke’s purpose:
(“Certainty of faith”)
To present an orderly account of Jesus’, the perfect man and savior’s, life

Luke’s distinctives:
1. Longer and more literary than other Gospels
2. More comprehensive than other Gospels

John’s purpose:
(“That you may believe”)
To prove that Jesus is the Son of God, who brings life to all who believe in him

John’s distinctives:
1. Focuses on the mystery of Christ’s person and incarnation
2. Stresses the importance of faith

Question 3

Outline the life of Christ.
~ Name, locate, and briefly discuss three of Jesus’ parables.
~ Name, locate, and briefly discuss three of Jesus’ miracles.

Answer 3

1. Genealogies (Matt. 1; Luke 3)
2. Preparation
   ~ Birth: in Bethlehem during a census under Herod the Great and Augustus Caesar (Luke 1–2); visited by wise men (Matt. 2); held by Simeon and Anna (Luke 2)
   ~ Youth: a trip to Egypt (Matt. 2); alone in the temple (Luke 2)
3. Public ministry
   ~ Obscurity (in Judea and Galilee): baptism (Matt. 3; Mark 1; Luke 3; John 1); temptation (Matt. 4; Mark 1; Luke 4); preaching (Matt. 4; Mark 1; Luke 4); Nicodemus (John 3)
   ~ Popularity (in Galilee): calling disciples (Matt. 10; Mark 3; Luke 6); the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7; Luke 6); parables of the kingdom (Matt. 13; Mark 4; Luke 8); sending the apostles (Matt. 10; Mark 6; Luke 9)
   ~ Adversity (in Galilee/Judea): feeding 5,000 and walking on water (Matt. 14; Mark 6; Luke 9; John 6); Peter’s confession (Matt. 16; Mark 8; Luke 9); transfiguration (Matt. 17; Mark 9; Luke 9); raising Lazarus (John 11)
4. Passion
   ~ Triumphal entry (Matt. 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12)
   ~ The Last Supper (Matt. 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 13–16)
   ~ The High Priestly Prayer (John 17)
   ~ Resurrection (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20–21)
5. Ascension (Luke 24; Acts 1)
6. The Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13; Mark 4; Luke 8): What kind of ground are you?
7. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10): Who is my neighbor?
8. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15): How does Jesus receive sinners?
9. The Healing of the Paralytic (Matt. 9; Mark 2; Luke 5): Jesus, as the Son of God, has the authority to forgive sins.
10. The Feeding of the 5,000 (Matt. 14; Mark 6; Luke 9; John 6): Jesus is the Bread of Life who compassionately feeds his people forever.
11. The Raising of Lazarus (John 11): Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life who alone has authority over death.

Question 4

What are the basic elements found in each of the sermons recorded in Acts?

Answer 4

1. Introduction
2. Testimony to the resurrected Christ
3. Testimony of disciples’ witness
4. Call to repentance
5. Cultural sensitivity

Question 5

Relate the writing of the Pauline epistles to the life of Paul.

Answer 5

1. Conversion (Acts 9)
2. First Missionary Journey (Acts 13–14; Gal.)
3. Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15–18; 1 Thess.; 2 Thess.)
4. Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18–21; Romans; 1 Cor.; 2 Cor.)
5. First Imprisonment in Caesarea and Rome (Acts 21–28; Eph.; Phil.; Col.; Philem.)
6. Fourth Missionary Journey and Second Imprisonment in Rome (1 Tim.; 2 Tim.; Titus)

Question 6

Locate and discuss at least two passages which deal with law and grace.

Answer 6

Rom. 3:21–24 (Although all fall short of God’s glory, with total inability to keep God’s law, God has graciously provided Jesus to keep the law, that all who believe in him might be counted law-keepers with him.)

Gal. 3:10–11 (All those who strive to justify themselves by obedience to the law remain under a curse, but faith in Christ brings justification because he has not only kept the law perfectly but removed its curse for all those whose faith his in him.)