1. The Old Testament tells of the person and work of the messiah that is to come. The New Testament shows how Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled, and is fulfilling, what was written of the messiah. The substance of the Old Testament continues in effect while the outward form is done away with (ceremonial law), or changed (civil law).
2. The main events of the life of Jesus are his birth (incarnation); his baptism and temptation; his calling of his disciples; his ministry of teaching and healing; his conflict with the religious leaders (concerning the meaning of the law and his authority); his arrest and trial; his crucifixion, death and burial; his resurrection from the dead; and his ascension to exercise authority for the extension of his kingdom.
3. The reasons for the rejection of Jesus as the messiah centered on the question of his identity as not only the son of David but as the son of God, his interpretation of the law in contrast to the traditions of the elders, and the nature of the kingdom he came to establish.
4. The main point of his teaching concerned the kingdom of God. The opening words of his ministry called for repentance because the kingdom was at hand. His parables were about the nature of the kingdom and its king. The Sermon on the Mount was about the character of the members of this kingdom. He taught the true meaning of the law of the kingdom. He taught entry to this kingdom was by spiritual birth. He revealed himself to be the king of this kingdom. Lastly, he commissioned his disciples to bring all nations into this kingdom.
5. The prologue of John’s gospel speaks of the Word of God as the one by whom all things were made. This Word that has been rejected as reason, scripture and general revelation becomes incarnate to restore man to the knowledge of God. In John, Jesus progressively reveals himself, through his miraculous signs and by his teaching, to be the messiah, the son of God, the Word incarnate, through whom alone man has eternal life (knowledge of God).
6. The book of Acts records the growth of the kingdom of God. It begins with Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit), preaching and large numbers of conversions in Jerusalem (1-6); persecution and the spread of the gospel to Judea and Samaria (7-8); the conversion of Paul and the gospel going to the gentiles throughout the world (to Asia Minor, Greece and Rome through the missionary journeys of Paul).
7. The book of Romans is a systematic statement of the Christian faith. All men have clear general revelation of the nature and existence of God and the law of God and so are without excuse for unbelief and sin (1-2). Since no one is righteous, a person is accepted by God on he basis of the righteousness of God which comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Abraham too was accepted by faith (3-4). This reconciliation by grace through Christ’s atoning death has benefits far greater than the effects of Adam’s sin. It not only forgives sin, but frees from the power of sin. It extends to the whole of creation and triumphs over every opposition (5-8). This grace comes into a person by God’s sovereign choice and though Israel does not now believe, God will bring both the gentiles and Israel to believe (9-11). In view of God’s mercy men are to devote themselves to God and to do his will in all things. The will of God in many applications of the law is urged upon those who believe (13-16).
8. In the letters to the Corinthians, Paul deals with divisions in the church particularly with respect to the diversity of gifts. True ministry is a spiritual warfare involving much suffering, ending in triumph. In the letter to the Galatians, Paul affirms that no human effort can be added to or mixed with the free gift of salvation by God’s grace.
© Surrendra Gangadean