books of the bible | a New Testament church

March 20, 2022December 23, 2024

Revelation: The Promise of Victory in Christ – Bible Overview

The book of Revelation, a book filled with figures and imagery, was written by the apostle John to the seven churches of Asia (1:4). These early Christians saw the things in the book play out in their time, as evidenced by the fulfillment timestamps found in the book itself (1:1, 3; 22:6, 10). By no means was everything in the book fulfilled in the first and second centuries AD (ie. final judgment, casting of Satan & his hosts into hell; glorification of God’s people in heaven), but in our approach to the book we cannot ignore the original recipients or the timestamps provided.

February 6, 2022December 23, 2024

Jude: Contending Earnestly for the Faith – Bible Overview

The author of the book of Jude identifies himself as “…a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James…” (1:1). Mentioning James in this way infers that he was widely known to the brethren. There are four men named James in the New Testament, but only one James whom we know had a brother named Judas (a.k.a. Jude). Jesus’ brother James was a prominent man in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; 16:13; 21:18; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19; 2:9, 12). Jude is likely the Lord’s brother, though it seems perhaps our of humility, he identified himself as the brother of James and the Lord’s bondservant.

January 16, 2022December 23, 2024

1, 2 & 3 John: You Can Know That You Have Eternal Life – Bible Overview

These three epistles are all associated with the apostle John, brother of James, and son of Zebedee, who was in Jesus’ inner circle of friends. Though he is not named specifically in the books, the internal evidence logically leads to John being the writer.

January 9, 2022December 23, 2024

1 & 2 Peter: Living With Service And Fellowship In The Faith – Bible Overview

Prior to being a disciple of Christ, Peter was a fisherman working on the Sea of Galilee working with James and John, the sons of Zebedee (Luke 5:10). Peter and his brother were originally form Bethsaida (John 1:44), but they eventually moved to Capernaum along with Peter’s wife and mother-in-law (Luke 4:31, 38).

January 2, 2022December 23, 2024

James: A Guide To Practical Christianity – Bible Overview

James identifies himself as “a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). There are three men named James in the New Testament:

December 26, 2021December 23, 2024

Hebrews: the Gospel is BETTER than the Law – Bible Overview

As per the name, the book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians. In his commentary, Robert Milligan summarized the purpose of the book in this way:

December 19, 2021December 23, 2024

Philemon: A Friend of the Apostle Paul – Bible Overview

While Paul was in prison in Rome, he wrote three letters to churches (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians) and one personal letter to a beloved friend – Philemon (Philemon 1:1). There are several commendable things about Philemon.

December 12, 2021December 23, 2024

Titus: Called To Be Zealous For Good Works – Bible Overview

Titus was a young Greek man (Galatians 2:3) whom Paul called “a true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4). This description would indicate Paul had brought Titus to the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:15). We do not know where or when Paul met him, but after Paul’s first missionary trip had ended, Titus was among those who went with Paul to Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1-2; Acts 15) to confront the Judaizing teachers who falsely taught the Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved. With Paul’s support, he did not yield to the pressure of the false teachers (Galatians 2:3-5).

December 5, 2021December 23, 2024

1 & 2 Timothy: The Work of an Evangelist – Bible Overview

Timothy was a young man from the city of Lystra. His mother was Jewish but his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). The disciples at Lystra spoke well of Him, and so Paul desired for Timothy to join him as he traveled preaching the gospel (Acts 16:2-3). Paul spoke of Timothy as “a true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). Paul took Timothy under his wing and mentored him, serving as a father-figure to him in spiritual things.

November 28, 2021December 23, 2024

1 & 2 Thessalonians: Encouraging New Christians – Bible Overview

On his second missionary journey, Paul and his companions went to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1). He spent three Sabbaths at the synagogue teaching the Jews about the suffering and resurrection of the Christ (Acts 17:2-3). The response to the gospel among the Jews was minimal, but many of the Gentiles heard and obeyed the Lord (Acts 17:4-5a). The Jews, out of envy, arranged a mob to cause trouble for Paul and those who were with him, accusing them of having “…turned the world upside down…” (Acts 17:5b-8). For their safety, the Thessalonians sent Paul and Silas away (Acts 17:10).