NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY

BOOK AUTHOR APPROX MAIN THEMES HIGHLIGHTS OF EVENTS

DATE

Matthew Matthew AD 50 - Jesus revealed as the Messiah, showing Ch 1-2: lineage, birth, early life of Jesus
genealogy back to Abraham and quoting Old Ch 5-7: Sermon on the Mount
Testament to show fulfillment of prophecies, Ch 10: Mission & purpose of the disciples
mainly written to the Jews, whose civilization Ch 13, 18: Parables, Church
centred around the Scriptures Ch 21-27: arrest, torture, execution of Jesus
- the Kingdom of Heaven Ch 28: Resurrection, Great Commission
- ministry & teachings of Jesus

Mark John Mark AD 57-59 - Jesus revealed as Servant of the Lord / Ch 1: John the Baptist, Jesus’ baptism & temptation
writing Saviour, mainly written to Roman believers and Ch 1-10: Galilean ministry
Peter's Gentiles, emphasizing Jesus’ actions & Ch 10: Judean ministry emphasising miracles over teaching;
account of superhuman authority over the natural realm to casting out demons (Ch 5), feeding 5,000 & walking on water
Jesus a civilzation focused on government and power (Ch 6), healing deaf, dumb, blind, epileptic (Ch 7-9),
- Jesus’ life, death & resurrection transfiguration (Ch 9)
- Galilean ministry & miracles Ch 11-15: last week of Jesus, around Jerusalem
Ch 16: post-resurrection ministry

Luke Luke, AD 58-65 - Jesus revealed as Son of Man, emphasizing the Ch 1-2: details of Jesus’ birth & childhood
physician humanity of Jesus, his portrayal showing the Ch 7-8: Jesus’ tenderness towards women
traveling perfect universal man to a Greek culture that Ch 10-16: motives, treasures of life: Martha & Mary (Ch 10),
with Paul valued beauty, philosophy & wisdom Good Samaritan (Ch 10), the Rich Fool (Ch 12), the Lost Son
- Jesus’ compassion towards the weak, (Ch 15), the rich man and Lazarus (Ch 16), Rich Young Ruler
suffering, women, sinners and all other outcasts (Ch 18), Zaccheus (Ch 19)
- poor & needy the focus of his ministry Ch 19-24: last week; repentant criminal on cross (Ch 23)
Ch 24: Jesus’ resurrection, appearances, ascension

John John AD 85-90 - Jesus revealed as Son of God, emphasizing his Ch 1: origin of Jesus from the beginning
deity, fully God and fully human, and what he Ch 2: Jesus clears the temple
said over what he did Ch 3-4: Nicodemus, Samaritan woman
- Jesus’ statements & theology about himself Ch 5: healing on the Sabbath
Ch 8-10: woman caught in adultery, Jesus’ deity stated
Ch 11: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
Ch 12-17: Last Supper, Gethsemane, prayer for believers
Ch 18-20: arrest / denial, crucifixion, burial, resurrection
Ch 20-21: appearances, Peter re-instated

Acts Luke AD 61-64 - birth & history of early church Ch 1-13: believers empowered by Holy Spirit to be witnesses
- extension of gospel to the Gentiles in Jerusalem (Ch 1-8), Judea & Samaria (8-12), and the ends

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 - working with Holy Spirit and his new indwelling of the earth (Ch 13)
ministry, suffering for gospel, overcoming Ch 9, 15: Saul converted, church backs Paul in theology
persecution and trials Ch 13-21: Paul’s missionary journeys
- life and work of Paul, example of transition Ch 21-26: Paul’s trials in Jerusalem & Caesarea
from Old to New Covenant, law to grace Ch 27: Paul’s final journey to Rome

Romans Paul AD 57, - doctrine of righteousness Ch 1-3: righteousness needed

written in - describes God, who he is, what he has done Ch 3-8: righteousness provided
Corinth to - describes Jesus, and what his death achieved Ch 9-11: righteousness vindicated
Christians in - describes us, what we were like without Christ Ch 12-15: righteousness practised
Rome and who we are after trusting in Christ

1 Corinthians Paul AD 55-57, - restoring Corinthian church to foundation in Ch 1-4: exhortations & teaching regarding unity
from Ephesus Jesus Christ, curing divisions Ch 5: dealing with (sexual) immorality
written to - responding to questions / improper conduct Ch 6: dealing with lawsuits
Christians in - correcting wrong understanding and use of Ch 7: instructions on marriage, celibacy
Corinth spiritual gifts Ch 11: instructions on Lord’s Supper
Ch 12-14: instructions on spiritual gifts
Ch 15: teaching on resurrection

2 Corinthians Paul AD 55-58, - relief and joy that Paul’s first letter had been Ch 3: ministry of righteousness vs condemnation
from well received, resulting in godly repentance Ch 5: basis of Christian faith: new birth exchanged for sin
Macedonia - contrasting Old Testament law with the new Ch 6-10: repentance, holy living, gracious giving
covenant of grace, new birth Ch 10-12: Paul’s authority, heavenly vision, ‘thorn in the
flesh’, humility and grace to overcome

Galatians Paul AD 48-55, - justification by faith alone not works of law Ch 2: inability of law to justify
written from - (resulting in) saving grace, spiritual freedom Ch 3: Abraham’s justification by faith
Antioch to Ch 5: love not works fulfilling the law; spiritual fruit
churches in
the province
of Galatia

Ephesians Paul AD 60-63/62, - to confirm and equip a maturing church Ch 1-3: God’s accomplishment through Jesus for believers
written from - body of Christ, unity of body, bride of Christ Ch 4-5: God’s purpose for the church as the body of Christ
Rome by Paul - Jews and Gentiles one in Christ Ch 5-6: our conduct; our stand against the devil
in prison, to
the Christians
at Ephesus

Philippians Paul AD 61-63, - “Resources through Suffering” Ch 1: Christ our life: rejoicing in spite of suffering
written from - right Christian experience is the outworking Ch 2: Christ our pattern: rejoicing in lowly service
prison to regardless of circumstances, of the life, nature Ch 3: Christ the object of our faith, desire, and expectation
church at and mind of Christ Ch 4: Christ our strength: rejoicing through anxiety
Philippi - acknowledging the church’s generous gift
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Colossians Paul AD 58-62, - diety of Jesus and his sufficiency in meeting Ch 1-2: deity of Christ, false philosophies
written from our needs in every area, for salvation and Ch 3: Christian conduct, and family relationships
Rome by Paul sanctification Ch 4: speech and friendships
in prison, to - mini course in ethics covering all of life
the Christians
at Colosse

1 Paul, AD 50-51, - second coming of Jesus Ch 1-3: thanks for their faith; Paul’s visit stopped by Satan
Thessalonians possibly written from - instructions in holy living Ch 4: living holy lives, in Christ Jesus
with Silas Corinth to Ch 4-5: coming of the Lord, vigilance and conduct in light of
& Timothy Christians at Jesus’ return
Thessalonica

2 Paul, AD 51-52, - clarification that the second coming of Jesus Ch 1: Day of the Lord
Thessalonians possibly written from had not taken place, would follow the Apostasy Ch 2: The Apostasy and exhortations to stand firm
with Silas Corinth to and revealing of the man of lawlessness Ch 3: avoiding idle men who don’t live by the gospel
& Timothy Christians at
Thessalonica

1 Timothy Paul AD 62-66 - care of the church at Ephesus, in essence a Ch 1: watch out for false doctrine and teachers
leadership manual for church organization and Ch 2: instructions on worship
administration Ch 3-5: developing mature leaders, church’s responsibility
- encouragement to Timothy to stand firm, toward singles, widows, elders and slaves
persevere and remain true to his calling Ch 6: flee false doctrines; right understanding of riches

2 Timothy Paul AD 67, - last words to encourage Timothy and all Ch 1: passion for Christ and sound doctrine
shortly before believers to stay focused on the reward of Ch 2: avoiding ungodly beliefs, practices, fleeing immorality
Paul was heaven, avoiding false doctrine and practices, Ch 3: persecution and apostasy (“falling away”) in end time
executed being ground in the truth Ch 4: standing firm in the faith and finishing the race strong

Titus Paul AD 66 - completing the establishment of proper Ch 1: qualifications for elders, dealing with false teachers
leadership in the churches in Crete Ch 2: teaching godly conduct for all kinds of believers
- with saving grace comes power to live as godly Ch 3: devotion to doing good, showing humility to all
examples; devotion to doing good

Philemon Paul AD 60 - receiving a runaway slave back as a brother Verse 10, 16: Onesimus becomes a Christian
- distinction between law and grace, slave and Verse 21: expectation of forgiveness, freedom for Onesimus
freed man

Hebrews ? Paul, AD 65 - superiority of Jesus as mediator of new and Ch 2-5: dangers of neglect, unbelief, spiritual immaturity
? Luke, better covenant, with better promises Ch 10,12: danger of failing to endure, of refusing God
? Apollos & - justification through faith in Jesus’ once-for-all Ch 11,12: heroes of faith, Christ the Author and Finisher of
others sacrifice replacing previous shadows our great salvation
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James James, AD 45-60 - true faith expressed through good works Ch 1: faith walk shown in genuine religion
brother of - the power of the tongue Ch 2-3: genuine faith shown in actions; genuine wisdom
Jesus Ch 4: humility, grace and victory over the devil
Ch 5: justice, patience, effective prayer

1 Peter Peter AD 60-65 - rejoicing in suffering for sake of Christ Ch 1: the Christian’s glorious inheritance
- hope from assurance of Christ’s return Ch 2-3: the Christian’s earthly pilgrimage, wives, husbands,
suffering for doing good
Ch 4-5: living for God, the fiery trial

2 Peter Peter AD 65-68/67 - call to grow strong in the faith to detect and Ch 1: making sure of salvation, accuracy of gospel
combat the spreading apostasy Ch 2: church Apostasy
- authenticity of the Word, sure return of Jesus Ch 3: holy lives, looking for Jesus’ return

1 John John AD 85-95 - true love, joy, fellowship with God and each Ch 1-2: understanding God; evidence of true children of God
other as the body of Christ Ch 3: love for God proved by love for others
- combating Gnostic heresies, showing Jesus as Ch 4: testing the spirits; God’s love and ours
the actual, material, authentic manifestation of Ch 5: faith in the Son of God
God in the flesh, with genuine knowledge of God
therefore resulting in moral transformation

2 John John AD 85-95 - urgent warning against tolerating false Verse 6: definition of love
teachers who denied the literal resurrection Verse 11: the practice of Christian love should not give
- true love not as emotion or feelings, but encouragement to the enemies of truth
obedience to the commandments of God

3 John John AD 85-95 - walking in the truth of the gospel Verses 1-8: praise for Gaius’ hospitality
- hospitality, support and encouragement for Verses 9-11: warnings regarding Diotrephes’ behaviour
fellow believers Verses 12: commending Demetrius’ example

Jude Jude, AD 60-80 - imminent apostasy; contending for the faith Verses 3: change of subject due to necessary urgency
brother of - faith once for all delivered to the saints Verses 4-6: warnings about false teachers
James & Verses 20-11: succeeding spiritual warfare
Jesus

Revelation God > AD 94-96 - unveiling of the character and program of God Ch 1: purpose of the prophecy, blessing
(sources 4, 5:) Jesus > for things that ‘must soon take place’ Ch 2-3: letters to seven churches in Asia
Angel > - disclosure / manifestation in full of Jesus now Ch 4-21: visions of the end of this age and the new heaven
John and in the coming ages and earth (devastations poured out upon the earth; the mark
of the beast, “666”; the climactic battle of Armageddon; the
binding of Satan; the reign of the Lord; the Great White
Throne Judgment; and the nature of the eternal city of God)
Ch 5: Conclusion, call to lordship of Jesus Christ

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Sources:
1: http://www.gotquestions.org/New-Testament-Survey.html
2: Halley’s Bible Handbook
3: New Testament (NIV)
4: http://bible.org/seriespage/book-revelation-overview
5: Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon

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