Slides of the first part of Book 1

1. In the Fullness of
Time
(Book 1)

2. Purpose
• Not Commentary
• Simple introduction, with particular
reference to
author, context, purpose and special
outlook.
• To help us to go deeper into the
context of each book & get
nourishment in spiritual life.
• (Ex. Reading from St. Luke’s gospel
in Church…)

3. UNIT I -
Introduction to the New
Testament

4. Classification of NT Books
GOSPELS ACTS Pauline Catholic Revelation
Epistles Epistles
Type Gospels History Epistle Epistle Apocalyptic
Num 4 1 13+1 7 1

5. Lesson 1 – Relationship between the
New Testament and Old Testament
• “The New Testament is hidden in the Old
Testament. In the New Testament, the Old
Testament becomes illuminated.” – Augustine
• Testament = covenant, contract
• Old Testament = Yahweh made covenant with Israel
(Ex. 19, 24)
• Both deal with same God
• Both deal with Chosen Nation (Church = New Israel)
• OT fulfilled in NT (ex. St. Matthew)
• Both one salvation history

6. Lesson 3 – Jewish Historical
Background of The NT
• Fullness of Time (Gal 4:4) – importance of
History
• Foreign Domination
– Syrians – Antiochus Epiphanes (175-157 BC)
• Maccabean Revolt (St. Shmuni)
– Romans – 65 BC
• Regional administrators
– Herod I (at time of Christ’s birth)
– Region divided among 3 sons
– Herod Antipas (“that fox” – St. Lk 13:32) in St. Lk Christ
brought before Herod (St. Lk 23:6-12)
– Judea under Archelaus (St. Matt. Joseph & Mary when
returning from Egypt)who was banished to France and
replaced by Roman Procurator

7. Lesson 4 – Religious background
of the people of Israel
• Hope for Messiah (anointed one) multiple
expectations
– Political liberator
– David, Elijah, Moses, on Clouds,
– Confession of St. Peter (St. Matt 16:16)
• Belief in Resurrection
• Temple & Synagogue
– Jesus begins his public ministry in Synagogue
of Galilee (St. Lk 4)

8. Lesson 5 – Geography of Israel

9. Lesson 6 – Formation of NT
• Bible – books written by the Church for the Church
• First books to be written – St. Paul’s letters
• Gospels were not initially written
– Preference for preached word (Kerygma) – Acts 2:42; handed
down (St. Lk 1:2)
– Hope in the second coming (parousia)
• Gospels written b/c
– Eyewitnesses dwindling
– Church spreads to many regions
• NT Canon
– Measuring rod
– “In the worshipping community the Gospels and the letters of
Paul were read and gradually the church considered them also
as valuable as the OT books.”
– See the 3 norms
– St. Athanasius of Alexandria in AD 365 wrote a letter with the
list of 27 books.

10. UNIT II –
Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of
the Apostles

11. Lesson 2 - Gospel
• Gospel (Evangelion) – good news
• There is only one Gospel. – Gospel about
Jesus Christ (The Gospel according to)
• St. Mary Magdalene – Apostle to the Apostles
• Synoptic Gospels (the first 3) – same
perspective
– 1 year ministry; sharp
statements, parables, miracles
• Synoptic Problem – how to deal with the
similarities and differences in the 3
gospels

12. Lesson 3 – St. Mark’s gospel
• Earliest written Gospel
• St. Mark – Son of Mary in whose house
they gathered
• St. Peter’s companion and interpreter and St. Mark
wrote based on St. Peter’s sermons
• Before 70 AD (destruction of Jerusalem); written for
non-Jewish Christians in Rome.
• Console Christians enduring persecution and
importance of suffering in Christian life. Cross

13. Lesson 3 – St Mark’s Gospel
• Son of Man
– Suffering servant of God
– Judge
• Reading on 3rd Sunday of Great Lent
– Lame Man (St. Mark 2:1-12)

14. Lesson 4 – St. Matthew’s Gospel
• One of the 12 Apostles
• In Syria between 80 and 90 AD for Greek
speaking Jewish Christians showing that
Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law.
• Church as the new Israel

15. Lesson 4 – St. Matthew’s Gospel
• The New Moses
– “You have heard it told to your forefathers, but I
tell you.”
– Sermon on Mt (5-7)
– Missionary Exhortation (10)
– Parables about K.O.G (13)
– Church discipline (18)
– Exhortation on end of Times (24-25)
• Church
– “on this rock I will build my church” (10:1-4)
– Christ is the spiritual center of Church
• Reading on Kudos Etho (St. Matt. 16:13-
23)

16. Lesson 5 – St. Luke’s Gospel
• 2 Part book (St. Luke-Acts)
• Jesus as savior of the world
• Written to Theophilus
• Features :
– Social vision – alms giving, Lazarus & rich man
(St. Luke 16)
– Women- Mary, Elizabeth, Hannah, Martha, Mary
– Parables
• Reading on Sunday of Visitation of Mary to
Elizabeth – St. Luke 1:39-56 - Magnificat