The New Testament or Covenant is not an annihilation of the Old Covenant, but the fulfilment of it. For Jesus said, "Think not that I came to abolish the law, or the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil. (Matthew 5:17). The sinful man couldn't obey the terms of the Holy Covenant. Therefore, the Word Himself became flesh and dwelt among us and fulfilled the things in which we failed and brought forth for us a New Covenant which was based on faith and not on works.
THE NEW TESTAMENT
THE GOSPELS
The word 'Gospels' means Good News. The four gospels bring us good news of great joy. They share with us the message of life, hope, restoration, forgiveness, salvation and much more. In the Gospels, we read about the birth, early life, baptism, ministry, miracles, teachings, sufferings, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and they are named after their authors.
- The gospel according to Matthew
- The gospel according to Mark
- The gospel according to Luke
- The gospel according to John
Among these authors, Matthew and John were direct disciples of Jesus Christ, and they are called the Apostles, having been eyewitnesses to what they wrote. Luke was a physician and a travel companion of Paul the Apostle. Mark, known as John Mark, was a disciple of the apostles, probably Peter.
THE ACT OF THE APOSTLES
Like the history books in the Old Testament that recount the story of the nation of Israel, the Acts of the Apostles tell the history of the early church. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the conversion of the Jews, the persecution of the disciples, the death of Stephen and James, the gospel reaching the Gentiles, the conversion and missionary journeys of Paul the Apostle.
PAULINE LETTERS OR EPISTLES OF PAUL
These letters were written by Paul the Apostle to different churches and his disciples at various times during his ministry. The letters to the churches include: -
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
The letters to the disciples include: -
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
In these letters, Paul the Apostle teaches, edifies, confronts, comforts and warns his readers.
OTHER EPISTLES
The other epistles are
- Hebrews
- James
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
Among these epistles, Hebrews is the one with a debated authorship. Many attribute the authorship of the book of Hebrews to Paul. However, Paul the Apostle has always signed all his letters, which is missing in the Hebrews. Thus, making his authorship debatable. Other letters are named after their authors. Peter and John are the Apostles, and Jude was an early disciple.
REVELATION
This book is also a letter, or to be exact, a group of letters written to seven different churches. These letters are full of visions that John the Apostle, during his imprisonment on the island of Patmos, saw concerning the seven churches in Asia Minor and about events that would take place at the end times and beyond.
The New Testament is the hope and joy of a sinful man. For what the Old Covenant demanded, the New Covenant fulfilled. Though good and perfect, the Law was it became a doom to a sinful person like me. But grace and truth through Jesus Christ made a sinner like me a son of the kingdom. I admire the Law but rely on the Grace.
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