The New Testament | Essential Christianity 201

September 14, 2025
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Essential Christianity
The Holy Bible: The New Testament

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Kings 22:8 (ESV) 8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.”

Soul Tattoo: The Bible is God’s story, fulfilled in Jesus, and essential for life today.

1. What is the New Testament?

27 books, written around 44–95 A.D.
Written originally in Common Greek.

2. Who Wrote It and Why?
  • The Gospels: (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
  • Acts: (Written by Luke)
  • Paul’s Letters: (13 books: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon)
  • General Letters (James, 1st and 2nd Peter, 1st, 2nd and 3rd John, Hebrews and Jude)
  • Revelation: (Written by John)
3. Why a New Testament?

The Old Testament looked forward to the Messiah.
The New Testament declares: The Messiah has come.

John 20:30-31 (NIV) 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

4. Fun Facts:
  • The shortest verse: John 11:35 (NIV) 35Jesus wept.
  • Longest book: Luke
  • Shortest book: 3 John
  • The Book of Matthew quotes the Old Testament 99 times.
  • Paul wrote more books than anyone else, but Luke actually wrote more words (Luke + Acts)

Keys to Revival, Reform and a Return to God’s Ways:

1.) Revival comes through the Word Made Flesh.

John 1:14 (ESV) 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

True revival begins not with a book in our hands but with the Word alive in our hearts.

2.) Reform comes through the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles.

Acts 2:42 (NIV) 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Reform happens when God’s Word doesn’t just inform us but transforms us.

3.) Returning to God comes through repentance and renewal in Jesus Christ.

Acts 3:19 (NIV) 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Return is more than regret it is redirection.

Returning to God always leads to refreshing from God.

4.) Revival and reform are sustained by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 (ESV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Transformation is a process, not an event.

The Spirit of God sustains what the Word of God sparks.

Josiah’s 3 Steps:
1.) Rediscover the Word of God.
2.) Respond to the Word of God.
3.) Rely on the Holy Spirit. 

Revival begins when the Word is rediscovered, reform takes root when the Word is obeyed, and renewal lasts when the Spirit empowers.

Soul Tattoo: The Bible is God’s story, fulfilled in Jesus, and essential for life today.