Rhema Week 2.1 The New Testament

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Rhema Week 2.1 The New Testament

Welcome back!A very happy New Year to you
all James and Richard
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Spring Term 2011
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Images of Christ

• Look at the different images of Christ around the
  room
• Decide on one you particular like
• Decide on one you dislike
• (please leave in place until asked to collect
  them)
• Be prepared to share briefly why you like/
  dislike a particular image.
• (Some images from The Christ we Share pack)

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Judea The Inter-Testamental Period

• Persian Control 532BC
• Alexander the Great 332BC
• The desecration of Antiochus and
  the Maccabean revolution 164BC

• Roman Invasion 63BC
• Herod the Great 39BC-4BC
• Sons

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Judaism The Inter-Testamental Period

• The Pharisees
• added to the Law of Moses,
• considered their own laws more important
• Christs railed against their hollow legalism and
  lack of compassion.

• The Sadducees
• represented the aristocrats and the wealthy.
• wielded power through the Supreme-Court-like
  Sanhedrin,
• rejected all but the Mosaic (first 5) books of
  the Old Testament.
• Did not believe in resurrection

• The Synagogue
• Developed by Jews during exile
• place for community affairs,
• a place of worship,
• centre for religious teaching.

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The Apocrypha

• (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for
  example of life and instruction of manners but
  yet doth it not apply them to establish any
  doctrine such are these following
• The Third Book of Esdras.The Fourth Book of
  Esdras.The Book of Tobias.The Book of
  Judith.The rest of the Book of Esther.The Book
  of Wisdom.Jesus the Son of Sirach.Baruch the
  Prophet.The Song of the Three Children.The
  Story of Susanna.Of Bel and the Dragon.The
  Prayer of Manasses.The First Book of
  Maccabees.The Second Book of Maccabees.
• All the Books of the New Testament, as they are
  commonly received, we do receive, and account
  them Canonical.

• From the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion of the
  Church of England
• Article VI. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy
  Scriptures for salvationHoly Scripture
  containeth all things necessary to salvation so
  that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be
  proved thereby, is not to be required of any man,
  that it should be. believed as an article of the
  Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to
  salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we
  do understand those Canonical Books of the Old
  and New Testament, of whose authority was never
  any doubt in the Church.
• Of the Names and Numbers of the Canonical Books
• ltlist of the Old Testament booksgt

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The Dead Sea Scrolls

• The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in eleven
  caves along the northwest shore of the Dead Sea
  between the years 1947 and 1956.
• The Scrolls can be divided into two
  categoriesBiblical and non-Biblical. Fragments
  of every book of the Old Testament have been
  discovered except for the book of Esther.
• The Isaiah Scroll, found relatively intact, is
  1000 years older than any previously known copy
  of Isaiah. In fact, the scrolls are the oldest
  group of Old Testament manuscripts ever found.
• In the Scrolls are found never before seen psalms
  attributed to King David and Joshua.
• The Scrolls are for the most part, written in
  Hebrew, but there are many written in Aramaic.
• The Dead Sea Scrolls were most likely written by
  the Essenes during the period from about 200 B.C.
  to 68 A.D. The Essenes are mentioned by Josephus
  and in a few other sources, but not in the New
  Testament.

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The Roman Empire
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Timeline of The New Testament
40BC 30 20 10 0 AD10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 10 110 120 130
40BC 30 20 10 0 AD10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Paul arrives in Rome
?Death of Paul
C115-118 Revolt of Jews in provinces
Persecution of Christians under Domitian
AD67 Jewish Revolt
Pauls Conversion
?Death of John
AD70 Titus captures Jerusalem temple destroyed
132-135 Jewish revolt sack renaming of
Jerusalem
Pauls 1st Missionary Journey (c46-47)
Pauls 2nd Missionary Journey (c48-51)
Pauls 3rd Missionary Journey (begins 53)
Paul in prison in Caesarea
Roman Rule
Vespasian 69-79
Vitellius 69
Claudius 41-54
Augustus 31BC-AD14
Otho 69
Trajan 98-117
Domitian 81-96
Tiberius AD14-37
Nero 54-68
Hadrian 117-138
Galba 68-69
Caligula 37-41
Titus 79-81
Nerva 96-98
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Literary Forms in NT

• Gospels - New literary form
• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• John
• History
• Acts of the Apostles
• Apocalyptic Writing
• Revelation

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Letters (Epistles)

• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy

Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter
1 John 2 John 3 John Jude

• Discussion
• Read together Pauls letter to Philemon
• How is the structure of the letter similar/
  different to a letter we would send today?
• What you think the letter is about?
• what you think the main themes are?
• What points are relevant today?

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Sacraments

• Christianity is an almost religion-less faith
  in the New Testament we find
• No rituals
• No priestly caste
• Nothing we have to do to win approval by God or
  earn our place in heaven
• A relationship with the Father through the Son,
  in the power of the Holy Spirit
• But Jesus gave us two sacraments
• Baptism washing
• Communion eating and drinking
• No detailed instructions

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Questions about the sacraments

• Why did Jesus ask us to do these things?
• How vital are they to believers?
• Why washing (once), eating and drinking
  (repeated)?
• Why water then wine?
• How do we ensure that we perform these actions
  correctly?
• How have different parts of the church viewed
  them through the centuries?
• What is your understanding of Baptism and
  Communion?

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Instructions

• Jesus command
• Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
  baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
  the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mat 2819)
• and when he had given thanks, he broke it and
  said, "This is my body, which is for you do this
  in remembrance of me." In the same way, after
  supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the
  new covenant in my blood do this, whenever you
  drink it, in remembrance of me. (1 Corinthians
  1124-25)
• Jesus example,
• Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan,
  to be baptized by him. (Mat 313)
• Apostles teaching
• "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
  name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be
  forgiven (Acts 238)
• For whenever you eat this bread and drink this
  cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he
  comes. (1 Corinthians 1126)

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The meaning of Baptism

• Baptism represents
• A cleansing of our sin this is Johns baptism
  of repentance
• An identification with Jesus in his death, burial
  and resurrection so clearly described by Paul
• A prayer for Jesus to baptise us in the Holy
  Spirit, to do for us what John the Baptist
  promised.
• John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah
• Elijah was involved with a baptism in water on
  Mt. Carmel, when he ordered that the sacrifice
  should be drenched with water three times
• Elijah prayed and fire descended from heaven on
  the sacrifice
• On the Day of Pentecost, the fire from heaven
  fell on the disciples. This was when they were
  baptised in the Holy Spirit
• Our bodies are to be living sacrifices, water
  baptism is therefore an act of preparation before
  we are baptised with the Holy Spirit and with
  fire

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How might Baptism be interpreted?

• Baptism is a symbolic token. It effects nothing.
• Baptism signifies the entitlement to Gods gift
  of grace. This gift must be received by faith
  before, during or sometime later after baptism.
• Baptism is a opportunity for God to bestow he
  gift of grace
• Baptism automatically and unconditionally
  conveys Gods grace. Anyone who is baptised
  (especially an infant) is automatically saved
  and reborn and receives the gift of the Holy
  Spirit. (Catholic View - ex opere operato)

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Water, Bread and Wine

• Baptism water externally, Communion bread and
  wine internally
• Water ? wine Jesus first miracle (water for
  purification ? wine for new life)
• Or dont you know that all of us who were
  baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his
  death? We were therefore buried with him through
  baptism into death in order that, just as Christ
  was raised from the dead through the glory of the
  Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans
  63-4)
• For whenever you eat this bread and drink this
  cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he
  comes. (1 Corinthians 1126 )
• Baptism and communion re-enact the burial of
  Jesus
• in baptism we are identified with Jesus (Romans
  63-4)
• In communion Jesus is buried in us, so that he
  can be resurrected in us (body and blood
  re-united)
• Communion is a prayer that we may be transformed
  into Jesus likeness (you are what you eat)
• Baptism speaks of Us in Christ, Communion
  speaks of Christ in Us
• We become the re-presentation of Jesus on earth

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Baptism and Communion The Debates

• Baptism
• Infant or believers only?
• Full immersion or sprinkling?
• Anyone or only after instruction?
• Rebaptism?
• Communion
• Do we need someone to preside?
• How often?
• What words should be used?
• What actually happens at communion?

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Homework

• 1) Read the whole of Marks Gospel
• (preferably in a single sitting)
• Try and approach it as though it is a new story
  to you.
• Make a note of anything that strikes you
• What are the important stories or themes?
• Is Mark a good story teller? (is is an
  un-put-downable book to read or a chore?)

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Rhema Week 2.2
The Four Gospels

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Comparative Documentary Evidence
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Important Manuscripts
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John Rylands ManuscriptFragment of Johns
Gospel (AD 125-150)
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Codex Sinaiticus
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Exercise

• Glean as much as possible about each author and
  his contact with witnesses, etc.
• Group 1, Mark
• Mark 1415, 1452
• Acts 1212-17
• Acts 1537-39
• Philemon 23
• 1 Peter 513
• Group 2, Matthew
• Matthew 1
• Matthew 2
• Matthew 5
• Matthew 2762, 282-4, 2811-15
• This is material that is unique to Matthews
  Gospel what does it tell us about the authors
  perspective?
• Group 3, John
• 323 1935 220
• 44 202, 8
• 52 2120-25
• 1022,23
• 1913

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Authorship and Sources of Gospels
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Marks Gospel Background

• Shortest of Gospels
• Probably first to be written (AD65-70) could be
  earlier
• For non-Jewish Audience Explains Jewish customs
  (Mk 72-4, 1542) translates Aramaic words
  (317, 541)
• Tradition that John Mark was the writer
• Wrote it in Rome from what he heard directly from
  Peter.
• Marks mother had a house in Jerusalem where
  Jesus followers met (Acts 1212)
• Cousin to Pauls companion Barnabas (Colossians
  410)
• Mark deserted Pauls first missionary journey at
  Perga (Acts 1313)
• Caused a split between Paul Barnabas, but
  Barnabas gave him a second chance (Acts 1536-39)
• Mark was restored to Pauls favour (2 Timothy
  411)

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Marks Gospel Style

• Limited vocabulary -1,270 different words
• Transliterating Latin words into Greek
• Influence of Aramaic (mother tongue)
• Forceful, fresh vigorous style
• immediately occurs 41 times
• Impression of on the spot reporting
• Eyewitness style details
• eg reaction of crowds, (127, 212)
• emotional repose of Jesus, (141, 35, 734)
• reactions of disciples (95-6, 1024)
• Interaction with readers
• Eg Directly addressing them (210, 719)

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Matthews Gospel Background

• Probably written before the destruction of the
  temple in AD70)
• For a Jewish Audience
• shows that Christianity was rooted in Judaism.
• Bridge connecting Jesus with what had happened in
  the past
• Jesus presented as the long awaited Messiah
• Tradition that Matthew (Levi) the tax collector
  was the writer
• Wrote it in Antioch Greek speaking city with
  large Jewish population
• Matthew 103-Matthew referred to in a
  self-deprecating way not found in Mark or Luke.
• son of Alphaeus therefore probably brother to
  James son of Alphaeus
• Had a party for Jesus (Matthew 910)

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Lukes Gospel background The most beautiful book
ever written

• Ernest Renan on Lukes Gospel
• Author Luke the doctor, a companion of Paul
  (Colossians 414, Philemon 124, 2 Timothy 411)
  see the we passages in Acts
• The anti-Marcionite Prologue to the Third Gospel
  (between A.D. 160 and 180)
• " Luke was an Antiochian of Syria, a physician by
  profession. He was a disciple of the apostles and
  later accompanied Paul until the latter's
  martyrdom. He served the Lord without distraction
  having neither wife nor children, and at the age
  of eighty-four he fell asleep in Boeotia, full of
  the Holy Spirit. While there were already Gospels
  previously in existence-that according to Matthew
  written in Judaea and that according to Mark in
  Italy-Luke, moved by the Holy Spirit, composed
  the whole of this Gospel in the parts about
  Achaia. In his prologue he makes this very point
  clear, that other Gospels had been written before
  his, and that it was necessary to expound to the
  Gentile believers the accurate account of the
  divine dispensation, so that they should not be
  perverted by Jewish fables, nor be deceived by
  heretical and vain imaginations and thus err from
  the truth.

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Johns Gospel Background

• Very different picture of Jesus to The Synoptic
  Gospels
• Thought for many years to be a late book c. AD120
• now placed between AD 70 100, probably post AD85
• Appears to have been written by an eyewitness/
  based on eyewitness testimony
• Possibly for a group of mainly Gentile Christians
  who needed encouragement, support and sound
  teaching
• Christians expelled from the synagogue after
  Jewish council in AD90
• John refers to Jesus opponents as The Jews
  yet Jesus himself was a Jew
• Jesus followers being put out of the synagogue
  
• Tradition that was written by John son of
  Zebedee, brother of James
• Written in Ephesus
• Gives a good reason why Johns name is not
  mentioned in the Gospel
• References to the beloved disciple Makes
  sense for this to be John

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Rhema Week 2.3
Marks and Matthews Gospels

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The Four Gospels
Gospels in probable order of writing Written for???? The Gospel starts with
Mark Romans Baptism of Jesus
Matthew Jews Birth of Jesus
Luke Greeks Conception of John the Baptist
John Christians In the beginning
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In the beginning

• Jesus pre-existence
• John 11-2 In the beginning was the Word, and
  the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He
  was with God in the beginning.
• John 1030 I and the Father are one.
• Colossians 117 He is before all things, and in
  him all things hold together.
• Hebrews 138 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday
  and today and for ever.
• Revelation 2213 I am the Alpha and the Omega,
  the First and the Last, the Beginning and the
  End.

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Marks Gospel Background

• Shortest of Gospels
• Probably first to be written (AD65-70) could be
  earlier
• For non-Jewish Audience
• Explains Jewish customs (Mk 72-4, 1542)
  translates Aramaic words (317, 541)
• Tradition that John Mark was the writer
• wrote it in Rome from what he heard directly
  from Peter.
• Marks mother had a house in Jerusalem where
  Jesus followers met (Acts 1212)
• Cousin to Pauls companion Barnabas (Colossians
  410)
• Mark deserted Pauls first missionary journey at
  Perga (Acts 1313)
• Caused a split between Paul Barnabas, but
  Barnabas gave him a second chance (Acts 1536-39)
• Mark is restored to Pauls favour (2 Timothy
  411)

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Marks Gospel Style

• Limited vocabulary -1,270 different words
• Transliterating Latin words into Greek
• Influence of Aramaic (mother tongue)
• Forceful, fresh vigorous style
• immediately occurs 41 times
• Impression of on the spot reporting
• Eyewitness style details
• e.g. reaction of crowds, (127, 212)
• emotional repose of Jesus, (141, 35, 734)
• reactions of disciples (95-6, 1024)
• Interaction with readers
• E.g. Directly addressing them (210, 719)

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Marks Gospel Themes

• Christology (view of who Jesus was)
• Jesus was Son of God
• The Messiah
• Son of Man
• Messianic secret (Jesus asks, his disciples,
  those he heals, demons to keep his identity
  secret)
• Kingdom of God
• Future expectation
• Present reality (Let little children come to
  me)
• Discipleship
• Failure of disciples to understand
• Hardship and cost of being a disciple

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A Passion Narrative with an Extended Introduction

• Prologue (11-15)
• Part 1 Jesus Public Ministry (116-826)
• Jesus authority (116-312)
• over sickness, sins, evil, conflict with
  religious leaders
• Jesus teaching (313-66) Kingdom of God words
  actions
• parable of sower, mustard seed
• Jesus and mission (67-826) widening effect of
  Jesus ministry
• sending out of 12, feeding of 5000,
  Syro-Phoenician women
• Part 2 Jesus Death (827-168)
• Jesus foretells his own death and resurrection
  (827-1052)
• Jesus in and around the temple (111-1337)
• Last supper, arrest, trial, crucifixion,
• burial resurrection (141-168)

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Thinking into Mark

• Read Mark 2.1-12
• Try to imagine the scene from the point of view
  of the person/ people you have been allocated
  (Jesus, The crowd, The invalid, The four friends,
  The scribes, )
• Imagine what the room might have been like
• the atmosphere
• Where were you in the room?
• What might you have expected?
• What might you have thought felt, at the time/
  afterwards
• Share back with rest of group

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The End of the Gospel Problems

• Three Main versions of the end of the gospel
• 161-8
• The shorter ending (not in all translations eg
  NIV)
• The longer ending 161-20
• If 161-8
• Seems unfinished
• Where is the Good News promised at the beginning
  (finishes with women being afraid)
• Verse 8 finishes in Greek they were afraid for
  doesnt make sense
• If 161-20
• Doesnt read the same as rest of Gospel
• Textual criticism

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The End of the Gospel Textual Criticism

• Compare all the early manuscripts of Mark what
  is most common ending
• Not found in earliest manuscripts
• Early theologians doubted its authenticity
• Is the style and vocabulary similar to the rest
  of the Gospel?
• Style and vocabulary more similar to Luke better
  Greek
• Third of words not used elsewhere in Gospel
• Link between v8 9 very abrupt
• Does the content and theology fit with the rest
  of the Gospel?
• Mary Magdalene introduced for first time (169)
• Jesus severe rebuke to his disciples (1614)
• Immunity from snakes and poisons (1618)

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Matthews Gospel Style

• Crafted Gospel with specific structure
• -5 blocks of teaching
• -each finished with when Jesus had finished
  saying all these
• -Interspersed with narratives (What Jesus does)
• Systematically arranged
• Good quality Greek

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Matthews Gospel Themes

• Christology (view of who Jesus was)
• Jesus Son of David Jesus is the Messiah from
  line of David
• Lord used frequently
• Son of God
• Prophecy and fulfilment.
• How Jesus fulfils OT prophecy
• Kingdom of heaven
• uses Jewish term heaven rather than God
• Discipleship
• Importance of changing behaviour
• The Religious Leaders
• Heart for his people (Jews) but frustrated by
  their leaders

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Matthews Gospel Structure

• Prologue The Origin and Birth of Jesus the
  Christ (11-423)
• Genealogy, Infancy, Baptism
• Teaching 1 The Gospel of the Kingdom (31-729)
• The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Miracles of
  healing
• Teaching 2 The Kingdom Extended (81-111)
• The Mission charge,
• Teaching 3 The Gospel of the Kingdom
  (112-1353)
• Rejection of John the Baptist and Jesus by the
  Jews
• Teaching 4 Progressive Polarization (1354-192)
• Controversies with Pharisees, Peters confession,
  Transfiguration
• Teaching 5 Judgement and the end of the world
  (193-265)
• Jesus goes up to Jerusalem and teachers
• The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus
  (266-2820)

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Things of God vs. Things of Men

• Read Matthew 1613-23
• Why this extreme contrast?
• I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
  heaven vs. Get behind me, Satan!
• Things of God
• Come from revelation
• Require a step of faith
• Things of Men
• May come from human compassion or reasoning
• Ignore the power and love of God
• Gods way
• Wait for revelation step out in obedience and
  faith give God the glory
• Otherwise do nothing

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Homework

• Read Marks Gospel (preferably at one sitting)
• What do you think of it as a peace of writing?
• How would you describe the nature of Jesus?
• Are we really following Jesus in the way
• lived his life?
• exercised his ministry?
• related to other people?

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Rhema Week 2.4 Lukes Two-Part Story

• The Evangelists Gospel (euaggelion)

• Summaries of Luke and Acts
• Exercise Evangelistic summaries of the gospel

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The most beautiful book ever written

• Ernest Renan on Lukes Gospel
• Author Luke the doctor, a companion of Paul
  (Colossians 414, Philemon 124, 2 Timothy 411)
  see the we passages in Acts
• The anti-Marcionite Prologue to the Third Gospel
  (between A.D. 160 and 180)
• " Luke was an Antiochian of Syria, a physician by
  profession. He was a disciple of the apostles and
  later accompanied Paul until the latter's
  martyrdom. He served the Lord without distraction
  having neither wife nor children, and at the age
  of eighty-four he fell asleep in Boeotia, full of
  the Holy Spirit. While there were already Gospels
  previously in existence-that according to Matthew
  written in Judaea and that according to Mark in
  Italy-Luke, moved by the Holy Spirit, composed
  the whole of this Gospel in the parts about
  Achaia. In his prologue he makes this very point
  clear, that other Gospels had been written before
  his, and that it was necessary to expound to the
  Gentile believers the accurate account of the
  divine dispensation, so that they should not be
  perverted by Jewish fables, nor be deceived by
  heretical and vain imaginations and thus err from
  the truth.

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Summary of Lukes Gospel

• 11-4 gt Introduction
• 15-252 gt Birth and infancy of Jesus
• 31-413 gt John the Baptist, baptism, genealogy,
  temptation
• 414-962 gt Jesus Galilean ministry (Nazareth,
  calling of disciples, healing, teaching,
  parables, Transfiguration)
• 101-24 gt Sending out the 72
• 1025-1927 gt Jesus moves towards Jerusalem
  (teaching, parables, healings, etc.)
• 1928-2138 gt Jerusalem ministry from Palm Sunday
• 221-2356a gt Passion (betrayal, arrest, trial,
  crucifixion)
• 2356b-2453 gt Resurrection (empty tomb, walk to
  Emmaus, in Jerusalem, commissioning of disciples,
  Ascension)

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Unique points in Luke

• Birth narrative from Marys perspective
• Emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit,
  examples
• Luke 135 The angel answered, The Holy Spirit
  will come upon you, and the power of the Most
  High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be
  born will be called the Son of God
• Luke 225-27 Now there was a man in Jerusalem
  called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He
  was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and
  the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been
  revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would
  not die before he had seen the Lords Christ.
  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple
  courts. When the parents brought in the child
  Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law
  required,
• Luke 41 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit,
  returned from the Jordan and was led by the
  Spirit in the desert,
• Luke 1021 At that time Jesus, full of joy
  through the Holy Spirit, said, I praise you,
  Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you
  have hidden these things from the wise and
  learned, and revealed them to little children
• Luke 1113 If you then, though you are evil,
  know how to give good gifts to your children, how
  much more will your Father in heaven give the
  Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
• Luke 1212 for the Holy Spirit will teach you
  at that time what you should say.
• Famous Parables The Good Samaritan and The Two
  Sons
• The Walk to Emmaus
• The Ascension (also in Acts)

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Summary of Acts

• 11-26 gt Ascension and waiting
• 21-47 gt The Day of Pentecost
• 31-542 gt The Jerusalem Church
• 61-81a gt Growth and persecution (deacons
  appointed, Stephens martyrdom)
• 81b-943 gt Into Samaria and beyond, Pauls
  conversion
• 101-1118 gt The Gentile Pentecost
• 1119-30 gt Antioch
• 121-25 gt Herods attack
• 131-1535 gt Pauls 1st Journey (including the
  Council in Jerusalem)
• 1536-1823a gt Pauls 2nd Journey (including
  entry into Europe)
• 1823b-2116 gt Pauls 3rd Journey (in Asia)
• 2117-2831 gt Pauls arrest and journey to Rome

Focus on Peter Focus on Paul
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Highlights in Acts

• Acts 1 The Ascension
• Acts 2 The Day of Pentecost the Baptism in the
  Holy Spirit and the birth of the church
• Acts 3 First healing by Apostles
• Acts 7 Martyrdom of Stephen
• Acts 9 Conversion of Saul/Paul
• Acts 10 The Gentile Pentecost
• Acts 15 The Council in Jerusalem
• Acts 21 Paul arrested in Jerusalem
• Acts 27 Paul shipwrecked on Malta
• Acts 28 Paul under house arrest in Rome

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Pauls 1st Journey (Acts 131-1535)
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Pauls 2nd Journey (Acts 1536-1823a)
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Pauls 3rd Journey (Acts 1823b-2116)
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Pauls Journey to Rome (Acts 2117-2831)
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Evangelistic Speeches

• Luke 2419-27
• Acts 222-39
• Acts 311-26
• Acts 48-12
• Acts 1034-46
• Acts 1326-41
• Acts 1722-31
• Acts 233-21
• Acts 262-23
• Read these passages and write down a necessary
  and sufficient evangelistic statement of the
  gospel.

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Rhema Week 2.5 John
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Who?

• Q Who wrote Johns Gospel?
• John 212025 Peter turned and saw that the
  disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.
  (This was the one who had leaned back against
  Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is
  going to betray you?") This is the disciple who
  testifies to these things and who wrote them
  down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus
  did many other things as well. If every one of
  them were written down, I suppose that even the
  whole world would not have room for the books
  that would be written.
• A The Beloved Disciple
• A the most likely candidate is the Apostle John,
  son of Zebedee, brother of James
• He is never mentioned by name in Johns Gospel
• John the Baptist is referred to as John
• The author knew Palestine well and seems to have
  been an eyewitness to the events
• Early Christian writers agreed Theophilus
  (c180AD), Irenaus quoting Polycarp (who knew
  John), Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian

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When? What?

• Q When did he write the Gospel?
• John 2120-23 Peter turned and saw that the
  disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.
  (This was the one who had leaned back against
  Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is
  going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he
  asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered,
  "If I want him to remain alive until I return,
  what is that to you? You must follow me.
  Because of this, the rumour spread among the
  brothers that this disciple would not die. But
  Jesus did not say that he would not die he only
  said, "If I want him to remain alive until I
  return, what is that to you?"
• A Towards the end of his life
• Q What was Johns major problem in writing the
  Gospel?
• John 2125 Jesus did many other things as well.
  If every one of them were written down, I suppose
  that even the whole world would not have room for
  the books that would be written.
• A Choosing what to include from his memories of
  Jesus life and words.

63
Why? Who?

• Q Why did he write the Gospel? What criteria
  did he use to chose his material?
• John 2030-31 Jesus did many other miraculous
  signs in the presence of his disciples, which are
  not recorded in this book. But these are written
  that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
  the Son of God, and that by believing you may
  have life in his name.
• A That the reader may believe that Jesus is the
  Messiah, God Incarnate, and through faith in him
  have life (more on this later)
• Q Who is he writing for?
• A Not the people who saw Jesus miracles, but
  those who came later, including us

64

• John wrote his Gospel
• To introduce us to Jesus and to give us the
  details of his life, death and resurrection
• To help us to put our faith in him and to receive
  his life
• He chose his material mainly for point 2

65
Johns Gospel Structure

• Prologue
• Revelation of the Word (Logos) (11-18)
• Part I The Book of Signs
• The Public Ministry of the Word (119-1250)
• The witness of John the Baptist (119-34)
• Controversy conflict
• Part II The Book of Glory
• The Private Ministry of the Word (131-1726)
• The Last Supper (131-30)
• Jesus prayer for his disciples (171-26)
• The Passion of the Word (181-2031)
• Epilogue (211-25)
• The Appearance at the Sea (211-14)
• The Reinstatement of Peter (2115-23)

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Johns Gospel Narrative

• 11 - The raising of Lazarus
• 12 - Jesus anointed Palm Sunday
• 13 - Jesus washes the disciples feet
• 18 - Jesus betrayed, arrested and tried (Peters
  denials)
• 19 - Jesus sentenced, crucified and buried
• 20 - The Resurrection appearances to Mary
  Magdalene, Thomas, etc.
• 21 - The appearance by the lake

• 1 - Calling of the Disciples Water into wine
• 2 - Jesus clears the Temple
• 4 - The Samaritan woman at the well healing of
  officials son
• 5 - Healing at the pool
• 6 - Feeding 5,000
• 7 - At the Feast of Tabernacles
• 8 - Woman caught in adultery
• 9 - Healing of man born blind

67
Johns Gospel Teaching and Commentary

• 1 - Prologue John the Baptist speaks about
  Jesus
• 3 - Jesus and Nicodemus John the Baptist
  testifies about Jesus
• 5 - Life through the Son
• 6 - Jesus the bread of life
• 8 - Debates with the Jews
• 10 - The good shepherd

• 12 - Jesus predicts his death
• 14 - Jesus the Way the Paraclete (the Holy
  Spirit)
• 15 - The Vine and the Branches
• 16 - The work of the Spirit the joy to come
• 17 - The High Priestly Prayer
• 21 - Jesus commissions Peter

68
Life psuche and zoe

• John 2031 by believing you may have life in his
  name.
• In New Testament Greek there are three words
  translated life
• bios duration, manner or means of life
• psuche soul, natural life
• zoe the life of God
• John uses zoe and psuche consistently
• The gift of zoe is a major theme of Johns Gospel

69
Sons of God

• We are not begotten by God, we are only made by
  Him in our natural state we are not sons of God,
  only (so to speak) statues. We have not got Zoe
  or spiritual life only Bios or biological life
  which is presently going to run down and die. Now
  the whole offer which Christianity makes is this
  that we can, if we let God have His way, come to
  share in the life of Christ. If we do, we shall
  then be sharing a life which was begotten, not
  made, which always has existed and always will
  exist. Christ is the Son of God. If we share in
  this kind of life we also shall be sons of God.
  We shall love the Father as He does and the Holy
  Ghost will arise in us. He came to this world and
  became a man in order to spread to other men the
  kind of life He hasby what I call good
  infection. Every Christian is to become a
  little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a
  Christian is simply nothing else.
• C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Book IV, Chapter
  4

70
Little Christs

• It is not a question of a good man who died two
  thousand years ago. It is a living Man, still as
  much a man as you, and still as much God as he
  was when He created the world, really coming and
  interfering with your very self killing the old
  natural self in you and replacing it with the
  kind of self He has. At first, only for moments.
  Then for longer periods. Finally, if all goes
  well, turning you permanently into a different
  sort of thing into a new little Christ, a being
  which, in its own small way, has the same kind of
  life as God which shares in His power, joy,
  knowledge and eternity. C.S. Lewis, Mere
  Christianity, Book IV, Chapter 7

71
Zoe and Psuche in John

• John 14 In him was life, and that life was the
  light of men.
• John 316 "For God so loved the world that he
  gave his one and only Son, Or his only begotten
  Son that whoever believes in him shall not
  perish but have eternal life.
• John 414 but whoever drinks the water I give
  him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give
  him will become in him a spring of water welling
  up to eternal life."
• John 521 For just as the Father raises the dead
  and gives them life, even so the Son gives life
  to whom he is pleased to give it.
• John 524 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my
  word and believes him who sent me has eternal
  life and will not be condemned he has crossed
  over from death to life.
• John 526 For as the Father has life in himself,
  so he has granted the Son to have life in
  himself.
• John 539-40 You diligently study the Scriptures
  because you think that by them you possess
  eternal life. These are the Scriptures that
  testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to
  have life.
• John 627 Do not work for food that spoils, but
  for food that endures to eternal life, which the
  Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father
  has placed his seal of approval.

72
Zoe and Psuche in John

• John 640 For my Fathers will is that everyone
  who looks to the Son and believes in him shall
  have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the
  last day.
• John 651 I am the living bread that came down
  from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he
  will live for ever. This bread is my flesh, which
  I will give for the life of the world.
• John 653-54 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the
  truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man
  and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has
  eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last
  day.
• John 668 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to
  whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal
  life.
• John 1028 I give them eternal life, and they
  shall never perish no-one can snatch them out of
  my hand.
• John 1225 The man who loves his life (psuche)
  will lose it, while the man who hates his life
  (psuche) in this world will keep it for eternal
  life.
• John 1513 Greater love has no-one than this,
  that he lay down his life (psuche) for his
  friends.

73
Jesus Life

• Jesus said
• John 1418-20 I will not leave you as orphans I
  will come to you. Before long, the world will
  not see me any more, but you will see me.
  Because I live, you also will live. On that day
  you will realise that I am in my Father, and you
  are in me, and I am in you.
• The word translated see means perceive, e.g.
  John 419
• The word translated realise means know
• We have the potential to live as Jesus did, with
  his life in us

74
I am Statements

• I am the bread of life (635)
• I am the light of the world (8.12)
• I am the gate (109)
• I am the good shepherd (1011)
• I am the resurrection and the life (1125)
• I am the way, the truth and the life (146)
• I am the true vine (151)

75
I am life (zoe)!

• John 635 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of
  life. He who comes to me will never go hungry,
  and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
• John 812 When Jesus spoke again to the people,
  he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever
  follows me will never walk in darkness, but will
  have the light of life."
• John 109 I am the gate whoever enters through
  me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and
  find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal
  and kill and destroy I have come that they may
  have life, and have it to the full. 11 I am the
  good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his
  life (psuche) for the sheep
• John 1125 Jesus said to her, "I am the
  resurrection and the life. He who believes in me
  will live, even though he dies
• John 146 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the
  truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father
  except through me.
• John 151 "I am the true vine, and my Father is
  the gardener.

76
John 653-58

• 53 Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth,
• unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and
  drink his blood, you have no life in you. Jesus
  is speaking here of his life, the abundant life,
  the new life, the eternal life, which we can have
  by allowing him in.
• 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has
  eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last
  day. We need to go on receiving more of Jesus
  throughout our lives to have an assurance of
  eternal life.
• 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real
  drink. Food sustains us and becomes us, gives us
  life, energy and substance.
• 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
  remains in me, and I in him. If we are willing to
  feed on him, we can carry him with us wherever we
  go.
• 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live
  because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me
  will live because of me. If we actively go on
  receiving Jesus into ourselves we can live in the
  same way that Jesus did.
• 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven.
  Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who
  feeds on this bread will live for ever. The
  physical bread of communion is nothing more than
  just that but when we receive it with faith and
  understanding as an acted-out prayer then we
  have the assurance that the life of Jesus will
  sustain us for ever.

77
Jesus relationship with the Father

• John 519 Jesus gave them this answer "I tell
  you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself
  he can do only what he sees his Father doing,
  because whatever the Father does the Son also
  does
• John 640 For my Fathers will is that everyone
  who looks to the Son and believes in him shall
  have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the
  last day.
• John 1030 I and the Father are one.
• John 1411 Believe me when I say that I am in
  the Father and the Father is in me or at least
  believe on the evidence of the miracles
  themselves
• John 171 After Jesus said this, he looked
  towards heaven and prayed "Father, the time has
  come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify
  you. 2 For you granted him authority over all
  people that he might give eternal life to all
  those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal
  life that they may know you, the only true God,
  and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent

78
The Children of God

• John 110 He was in the world, and though the
  world was made through him, the world did not
  recognise him. 11 He came to that which was his
  own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to
  all who received him, to those who believed in
  his name, he gave the right to become children of
  God 13 children born not of natural descent,
  nor of human decision or a husbands will, but
  born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made
  his dwelling among in us. We have seen his
  glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came
  from the Father, full of grace and truth.
• Can only those who received Jesus while he was
  on earth become children of God?

79
Increasing Intimacy with God

• Master servant
• John 1226 Whoever serves me must follow me and
  where I am, my servant also will be. My Father
  will honour the one who serves me
• Friend friend
• John 1515 I have called you friends, for
  everything that I learned from my Father I have
  made known to you.
• Parent child
• John 2017 I am returning to my Father and your
  Father, to my God and your God.
• Bridegroom bride
• John 329 John the Baptist said, The bride
  belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends
  the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is
  full of joy when he hears the bridegrooms voice.
  That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
• You in Christ
• John 1418-20 I will not leave you as orphans I
  will come to you. Before long, the world will
  not see me any more, but you will see me.
  Because I live, you also will live. On that day
  you will realise that I am in my Father, and you
  are in me, and I am in you.
• Christ in you
• John 1726 I have made you known to them, and
  will continue to make you known in order that the
  love you have for me may be in them and that I
  myself may be in them.

80
Homework

• Read Letter to Galatians

81
Rhema Week 2.6Pauls letters Galatians in
particular
82
FFM Awayday 5th March 2011

• Us in Christ and Christ in Us
• Preliminary Itinerary
• 1000 Introduction and worship
• 1015 Teaching (1)
• 1100 Coffee
• 1115 Quiet Time
• 1230 Lunch
• 200 Teaching (2)
• 230 Quiet Time
• 3.15 Eucharist

• This will take place at The United Reformed
  Church, Church Stretton. Tea and coffee will be
  available during the day.  
• The car park at the United Reformed Church has
  has about 12 spaces.

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5906-02
83
Church Stretton
83
5906-02
84
Who was Paul?

• Hellenistic upbringing
• Roman citizen by birth
• Jewish legal training
• Pharisee
• Earned his own living, a tent-maker
• See him first in Acts 7.58 8.1
• against the Christians, followers of the Way
• Conversion on the road to Damascus
• Acts 9
• Wrote Romans Philemon (some dispute about 12
  Timothy, Titus)
• Did not write Hebrews

85
Letters - Structure

• Followed the letter writing style of his day
• Rhetoric was an important subject in its own
  right

• Salutation
• letter writers name and recipient
• greeting
• Thanksgiving
• Main body of letter
• doctrinal
• ethical
• practical
• Closing
• personal news or greeting
• exhortation or blessing
• farewell

86
Summary of Galatians

1. No Other Gospel (11-12)
2. Paul Called by God (113-210)
3. Justification by Faith (211-35)
4. The Law and the Promise (36-325)
5. Freedom in Christ (421-56)
6. Life in the Spirit (57-26)
7. Boasting in the Cross (611-18)

87
A. No Other Gospel (11-12)

• Key verse
• 16 I am astonished that you are so quickly
  deserting the one who called you by the grace of
  Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7
  which is really no gospel at all.
• Are there many gospels? Can we make up our own?
  Is Pauls gospel different from Jesus?
• Compare
• 13 the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself
  for our sins to rescue us from the present evil
  age
• with
• Mark 1045 For even the Son of Man did not
  come to be served, but to serve, and to give his
  life as a ransom for many."
• Compare
• 215 "We... 16 know that a man is not
  justified by observing the law, but by faith in
  Jesus Christ.
• with
• John 629 Jesus answered, "The work of God is
  this to believe in the one he has sent."
• Compare
• 51 It is for freedom that Christ has set us
  free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
  be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
• with
• John 835 Now a slave has no permanent place in
  the family, but a son belongs to it for ever. 36
  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free
  indeed.

88
B. Paul Called by God (113-210)

• Pauls Testimony
• Key verse
• 115 But when God, who set me apart from birth
  and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to
  reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him
  among the Gentiles,
• All true Christian ministry reveals Christ
  working through us
• Key verse
• 277 they saw that I had been entrusted with
  the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles,
  just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8 For God,
  who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an
  apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my
  ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.
• God calls each one of us to specific ministries

89
C. Justification by Faith (211-35)

• Key verses
• 215 We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile
  sinners' 16 know that a man is not justified by
  observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.
• 32 I would like to learn just one thing from
  you Did you receive the Spirit by observing the
  law, or by believing what you heard?
• Paul gets very hot under the collar at the
  thought that the Judaizers want to add something
  to the gospel
• Jesus law nothing
• Jesus church nothing
• Jesus good works nothing
• Jesus anything nothing
• Jesus everything

90
D. The Law and the Promise (36-325)

• The relationship between law and grace, between
  the Old and New Covenants, is one of the great
  themes of the New Testament
• The Book of Galatians see this as Gods necessary
  progressive revelation to humankind
• 23 Before this faith came, we were held
  prisoners by the law, locked up until faith
  should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in
  charge to lead us to Christ that we might be
  justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come,
  we are no longer under the supervision of the
  law.

91
E. Freedom in Christ (421-56)

• Five kinds of Slavery
• Slavery to another person, open and concealed
  (e.g. Hagar)
• Self-imposed slavery to a principle, cause,
  religion, etc. (e.g. legalism)
• Slavery of children (for their own protection)
• Slavery to illness and disability
• Slavery to sin (see John 833)
• Jesus sets us free from all kinds of slavery
• 51 It is for freedom that Christ has set us
  free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
  be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
• From the Book of Common Prayer
• O God, who art the author of peace and lover of
  concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our
  eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom
  Defend us thy humble servants

92
F. Life in the Spirit (57-26)

• Key verses
• 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But
  do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful
  nature
• 16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will
  not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
• Or in the Authorised Version
• 16 This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye
  shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
• If our daily life is in communion with the Holy
  Spirit then we become fruitful and transformed to
  be like Jesus
• 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
  peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
  faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
  Against or according to such things there is no
  law.

93
G. Boasting in the Cross (611-18)

• Key verse
• 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our
  Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has
  been crucified to me, and I to the world.
• Pride is a sin, except our pride in Jesus
• Jeremiah 2923 This is what the LORD says "Let
  not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the
  strong man boast of his strength or the rich man
  boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts
  boast about this that he understands and knows
  me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
  justice and righteousness on earth, for in these
  I delight," declares the LORD.

94
Extraordinary Verses in Galatians

• Ephesians 122 And God placed all things under
  his feet and appointed him to be head over
  everything for the church, 23 which is his body,
  the fulness of him who fills everything in every
  way.
• Galatians 220 I have been crucified with Christ
  and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The
  life I live in the body, I live by faith in the
  Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
• Galatians 419 My dear children, for whom I am
  again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is
  formed in you,..
• Remember what Jesus said
• Matthew 2820b ...And surely I am with you
  always, to the very end of the age.

95
Sermon Planning Exercise

• Imagine we are doing a sermon series on Galatians
• Each pair select a passage
• After studying the passage, ask yourself these
  questions
• What is the main argument?
• Which are the key verses?
• What would we like our hearers to go away
  understanding?
• What response would we like them to make?
• What other Bible passage(s) or quotations could
  we use?
• Do we have any personal illustrations, things in
  the news, etc. that would help our hearers?
• Be prepared to share your answers

96
For next week

• Read in preparation for the Session
• 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14
• 2 Corinthians 212 412

97
Rhema Week 2.7 Pauls letters, Part II

• Signs of a Spirit-filled church Lessons from 1
  Corinthians
• 1 Corinthians 12-14
• Spiritual Gifts
• Modified Houts Questionnaire
• 2 Corinthians 3 4

98
Structure of 1 Corinthians 12-14

1. 121-6 The Trinity manifested through the church
2. 127-11 Varieties of spiritual gifts
3. 1212-27 The church as the body of Christ
4. 1228-31a Distribution of gifts and ministries
   in the church
5. 1231b-133 Gifts without love
6. 134-8a The nature of love
7. 138b-13 The eternal nature of love
8. 141-22 Prophecy and tongues compared
9. 1423-40 Gifts and order in the church

99
Key verse

• 1 Corinthians 127 Now to each one the
  manifestation of the Spirit is given for the
  common good.
• This could be translated as Now to everyone a
  manifestation of the Spirit is being given, for
  the common good.
• In ministry, to be effective for God, we must use
  the gifts he has given us
• This means that we need to
• Discover our gifting
• Grow in confidence and ability
• Exercise our gifts in the church and the world

100
Use of Spiritual gifts

• Jesus exercised the gifts of the Spirit (1
  Corinthians 128-10)
• message of wisdom (e.g. Matthew 728)
• message of knowledge (e.g. John 418)
• faith (e.g. John 1412)
• gifts of healing (e.g. Matthew 423)
• miraculous powers (e.g. Luke 824)
• prophecy (e.g. John 1250)
• distinguishing between spirits (e.g. Mark 58)
• 1 John 26 Whoever claims to live in him must
  walk as Jesus did.
• See also Romans 124-8, Ephesians 411, Hebrews
  24

101
Use of Spiritual gifts

• In the Book of Acts
• message of wisdom (e.g. Acts 69-10)
• message of knowledge (e.g. Acts 53)
• faith (e.g. Acts 316)
• gifts of healing (e.g. Acts 288)
• miraculous powers (e.g. Acts 209-10)
• prophecy (e.g. Acts 2110-12)
• distinguishing between spirits (e.g. Acts 1618)
• Discovering your gifts the Modified Houts
  Questionnaire

102
1 Cor 12 4 -14 Word of Wisdom Word of
Knowledge Faith Healings Working of
miracles Prophecy Discernment of spirits Speaking
in tongues Interpreting tongues
1 Cor 12 27 30 Apostles Prophets Teachers Mira
cles Healings Helps Administration Tongues
Rom 12 6-8 Prophecy Ministry Teaching Exhortation
Giving Leading Showing mercy
Eph 4 11 Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastor/te
achers
103
2 Corinthians 3

• 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the
  Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And
  we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the
  Lords glory, are being transformed into his
  likeness with ever-increasing glory, which co