Intro to New Testament Flashcards
Who ruled over the Israelites at the end of the OT and beginning of NT?
End of OT - Persian Empire (539 - 300 BC)
Beginning of NT - Roman Empire (63 BC - 70 AD)
When did Alexander the Great rule and what were his accomplishments?
Ruled from 332 - 323 BC
Introduced:
- Greek language
- Greek religion - pagan worship of Greek gods
- Greek culture - architecture/Greek games
- Philosophy
- Scientific Development
When did Ptolemy II rule and what were his accomplishments?
Ruled from 323 - 204 BC
- Commissioned 70 scribes to translate the OT Hebrew scriptures into Greek
- Septuagint (LXX)
When did Antiochus IV rule and what were his accomplishments?
Ruled from 204 - 167 BC
Forced Indoctrination of Jews to Greek religion by:
- Outlawing circumcision
- Observance of the Sabbath was forbidden
- Possession of scripture was illegal
- Outlawed the assembly of Jews to pray
- Dietary laws become illegal
- Pagan celebration were mandated
When did Judas Maccabees rule and what were his accomplishments?
Ruled from 167 - 63 BC
- Cleansed and rededicated the temple
- Jews returned to the LORD
When did Herod the Great rule and what were his accomplishments?
Ruled from 37 BC - 4 AD
- Recaptures Israel from its uprising in 37 BC (took 3 years)
- Given the title “King of the Jews”
- Expanded Zerubbabel’s temple (known as “Herod’s temple”)
- Masada: Great fortress by the Dead Sea
What are the factors that contribute to the right climate for the Messiah’s arrival in a physical sense?
Greek Culture - Common language of the people
- Septuagint: Translation of OT Hebrew scriptures into Greek
Roman Politics - Roads created mobility for people and ideas to travel rapidly
Hebrew Religion - They still believed in God, but rules and traditions stunted spiritual hunger and growth
What are the factors that contribute to the right climate for the Messiah’s arrival in a spiritual sense?
- The Jews still believed in God, but rules and traditions stunted spiritual hunger and growth
- The Greeks prized intellect and physical strength, but more pagan in religious practices
- The Romans has strength in political prowess, but did not trust in God
What are the different genres of the NT? Give examples from each genre.
- History/Historical Narrative: Matthew - Acts
- Letters (Epistles): Romans - Jude
- Prophecy/Revelation: Revelation
What are the habits of an effective Bible reader?
- Begin with the basics
- Pick a spot
- Don’t feel guilty
- Find a plan that works for you
- Be creative, add variety!
- Give the distractions to God
- Learn to listen
What are some benefits of scripture memory?
- Renews our mind and transforms our lives
- It turns against temptation
- Defense against despair
- Allows to share with unbelievers better
- Better understanding of God and His will
- Brings God’s blessing to our lives
What are examples of word-for-word (formal) Bible translations and what they’re useful for?
For in depth study and personal development:
- Interlinear
- NASB
- AMD
- ESV
- KJV
- NKJV
What are examples of thought-for-thought (Dynamic) Bible translations and what they’re useful for?
For everyday reading and group study:
- HCSB
- NRSV
- NAB
- NIV
-NLT
What are examples of paraphrase Bible translations and what they’re useful for?
For devotional reading and gaining diverse insights:
- GNT
- MSG
- TLB
What are the ethnic groups represented in the NT?
- Jews
- Gentiles
- Samaritans
- Romans
Describe the characteristics of the Jews.
- Descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
- Described by God as: a holy nation and a kingdom of priests
Describe the characteristics of the Gentiles.
- People not from Israel
- Anyone who was not Jewish
Describe the characteristics of the Samaritans.
- A mix of race and religion
- Hated by Jews (considered half-breeds)
Describe the characteristics of the Romans.
- The ruling oppressors during the times of the NT
What were the various groups of leaders in the Jewish social structure?
- Pharisees
- Sadducees
- Scribes
- Levites
- Chief (High) priests
- Sanhedrin
- Zealots
- Tax collectors
Describe the role of the Pharisees.
- “Separated Ones”
- Rejected Greek and Roma cultural influences
- Held to the authority of the entire OT and the oral law
- Believed in miracles, angels, immorality, and resurrection
- Influenced religious life of Jews w/ strict rues and regulations
Describe the role of the Sadducees.
- “Righteous Ones”
- Influenced by Greek and Roman culture
- Held only to Torah (books of the law)
- Rejected miracles, angels, immorality, and resurrection
- Wealthy, aristocratic, and connected to ruling authorities
- Rulers in the temple
Describe the role of the Scribes.
- A profession that copies sacred writings and recorded historical events
- Specialized in interpreting the Law of Moses
Describe the role of the Levites.
- Descendants of the tribe of Levi
- Designated to oversee the ceremonies of the Temple
Describe the role of the Chief (High) Priests.
- Lead priest from the tribe of Levi
- Could enter the Holy of Holies on Day on Atonement (Yom Kippur)
- Likely Sadducees who carried a certain amount of political power
Describe the role of the Sanhedrin.
- Supreme court of the Jewish people
- Consisted of Chief priest, elders, scribes, lawyers, or others learned in Jewish law
Describe the role of the Zealots.
- Believed like the Pharisees, but were also a political group.
- A Jewish revolutionary group, violently opposed to Roman Rule
Describe the role of the Tax Collectors
- “Publicans”
- Local Jewish men employed by Roman authorities to collect taxes for them
Name the 3 characteristics of the NT and explain.
- Historical Accuracy - Eye witnesses or people close to eye witnesses; authors are closely linked to the events
- Textual Authenticity - NT is authenticated by manuscripts available in the original language
- Divine Authority - God organized His word exactly how he wants it to be
Who was the audience for the gospel of Matthew and how was Jesus portrayed?
Audience - Jewish Christians
- Jesus is the “King of the Jews”
Who was the audience for the gospel of Mark and how was Jesus portrayed?
Audience - Gentile Christians
- Jesus is the “Suffering Servant of God”
Who was the audience for the gospel of Luke and how was Jesus portrayed?
Audience - Theophilus, Gentile Christians
- Jesus is the perfect “Son of Man”
Who was the audience for the gospel of John and how was Jesus portrayed?
Audience - The World
- Jesus is the eternal “Son of God”
Recite the Bible Verse of the week.
1 John 5:11-12
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
