1. Introduction
The New Testament is an integral part of the Christian Bible, containing the teachings of Jesus and the early Christian church. It is a collection of 27 books, written in Greek, and is the second part of the Bible. The New Testament covers the life and teachings of Jesus, the founding of the early church, and the spread of Christianity throughout the world.
The New Testament is divided into four sections: the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. The Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ life and teachings, while the Acts of the Apostles provide an account of the spread of Christianity. The Epistles are letters written by the early church leaders, and the Book of Revelation is a prophetic vision of the end times.
This introduction will provide an overview of the New Testament, focusing on the first book in the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew. We will look at the authorship of the book, the themes it covers, and the impact it has had on Christianity. We will also consider the relevance of the New Testament today, and the importance of studying it for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith.
2. Overview of the New Testament
The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible, following the Old Testament. It is composed of 27 books, written in Greek, and is divided into four sections: the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament and are attributed to four of Jesus’ disciples: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books tell the story of Jesus’ life and teachings.
The Acts of the Apostles is the fifth book of the New Testament and is attributed to the Apostle Luke. It tells the story of the early Christian church, from the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection to the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.
The epistles are the next 21 books of the New Testament and are attributed to various authors, including Paul, Peter, James, and John. These books contain instructions and advice for early Christians on how to live and worship God.
The Book of Revelation is the last book of the New Testament and is attributed to the Apostle John. This book is a prophetic vision of the end times and contains warnings and promises of God’s judgment and salvation.
The New Testament is not only a collection of books, but also a collection of stories, teachings, and instructions that form the foundation of the Christian faith. It is an essential part of the Bible and provides insight into the life and teachings of Jesus.
3. The First Book in the New Testament
The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible and is composed of 27 books. The first book of the New Testament is the Gospel of Matthew, which was written by the Apostle Matthew around AD 80-90. It is a narrative account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Matthew is set in the historical context of first-century Palestine, and it focuses on Jesus’ role as the Messiah. Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and his teachings. He also emphasizes the importance of Jesus’ actions and miracles in spreading the gospel message.
The book is divided into five main sections: the infancy narrative, the ministry of Jesus, the parables of Jesus, the passion narrative, and the resurrection. The infancy narrative describes the birth of Jesus and his ministry in Galilee. The ministry of Jesus focuses on his teachings and miracles, as well as his debates with the Pharisees and Sadducees. The parables of Jesus are stories that illustrate spiritual truths. The passion narrative describes the events leading up to Jesus’ death, as well as his resurrection. Finally, the resurrection describes Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven.
The Gospel of Matthew is an important book in the New Testament because it is the first book in the New Testament, and it provides the foundation for the other books in the New Testament. It is also the source of many of Jesus’ teachings, which are still relevant today.
4. Authorship of the First Book
The first book in the New Testament is the Gospel of Matthew, and it is traditionally attributed to the apostle of the same name. Although there is no definitive proof of authorship, there are several pieces of evidence that point to Matthew as the author.
The first is the testimony of the early church fathers. Papias, a bishop of Hierapolis in the early second century, wrote that the Gospel of Matthew was written by the apostle of the same name. This is further supported by Irenaeus, a bishop of Lyons in the late second century, who wrote that the Gospel of Matthew was written by “Matthew, who was once a publican, but afterwards an apostle of Jesus Christ.”
The second piece of evidence is the fact that the Gospel of Matthew was written in Aramaic. This suggests that the author was familiar with the language and culture of the Jews, which would be true of Matthew, who was a Jew.
The third piece of evidence is the author’s style of writing. The Gospel of Matthew is written in a very Jewish style, with many Old Testament references and quotes. This is consistent with what we know of Matthew, who was a tax collector and therefore likely well-versed in the Old Testament.
Finally, the Gospel of Matthew contains many details about the life of Jesus that could only have been known by someone who was an eyewitness. This suggests that the author was someone who was close to Jesus and familiar with his teachings. Again, this would be true of Matthew, who was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles.
In conclusion, while the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew is uncertain, the evidence suggests that it was indeed written by the apostle of the same name. This is supported by the early church fathers, the fact that it was written in Aramaic, the author’s style of writing, and the details about the life of Jesus that could only have been known by someone who was an eyewitness.
5. Themes of the First Book
The first book of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew, is full of rich theological themes. It is the longest of the four gospels, and its main purpose is to prove the Messiahship of Jesus. Matthew seeks to do this by presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.
At the heart of the Gospel of Matthew is the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is presented as the King of the Kingdom of Heaven, and he teaches about the Kingdom through parables. He also demonstrates the power of the Kingdom through his miracles and teachings. The Kingdom of Heaven is a place of justice, mercy, and love, and it is the ultimate goal of all of Jesus’ followers.
The Gospel of Matthew also emphasizes the importance of discipleship. Jesus calls his disciples to follow him and learn from him. He teaches them about the Kingdom of Heaven, and he shows them how to live a life of holiness and obedience. Jesus also sends out his disciples to spread the good news of the Kingdom and to make disciples of all nations.
The Gospel of Matthew also emphasizes the importance of faith. Jesus teaches his disciples that faith is the key to understanding the Kingdom of Heaven. He encourages his followers to have faith in him and to trust in God’s promises. He also warns them against having too much faith in material possessions, as these can lead to spiritual blindness.
Finally, the Gospel of Matthew emphasizes the importance of love. Jesus teaches his disciples to love their enemies and to love one another. He also teaches them to forgive those who have wronged them. In the end, Jesus shows that love is the greatest commandment and the most important part of living in the Kingdom of Heaven.
These are just a few of the themes that are found in the Gospel of Matthew. It is a book that is full of rich theological teachings, and it is an essential part of the New Testament. By studying the Gospel of Matthew, we can learn more about the teachings of Jesus and the power of the Kingdom of Heaven.
6. Conclusion
The first book in the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew, is a powerful and influential text that has shaped the Christian faith for centuries. Written by the Apostle Matthew, it is the first of four Gospels and the longest book in the New Testament. It is a record of Jesus’ life and ministry, and it contains many of the most famous stories and teachings of Jesus, such as the Sermon on the Mount. The book is divided into five main sections, each of which focuses on a different theme: the Kingdom of Heaven, the Law and the Prophets, the Kingdom of God, the Church, and the End Times. It is an essential text for understanding the life and teachings of Jesus and the development of Christianity.