New Testament Background, Gospels, Acts, and Romans: Key Themes

Koine Greek

Widely used Greek language of the eastern Mediterranean following Alexander the Great

Hellenization

Spread of Greek language and culture

Pax Romana

Period of relative Roman peace and stability

Roman roads

Important infrastructure connecting cities throughout the Empire

Jewish Diaspora

Jewish communities living outside Judea

Sadducees

Especially associated with the Jerusalem Temple and priestly leadership

Pharisees

Associated with Torah interpretation and religious practice

Messiah

Anointed one

Matthew's traditional identification

As a tax collector

Matthew's emphasis

On Israel and Jewish Scripture

Jesus presented in comparison

With Moses

Kingdom of Heaven

A central theme in the Gospel of Matthew

Sermon on the Mount

A collection of teachings by Jesus

Women included in Jesus' genealogy

Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba / wife of Uriah

Great Commission

Make disciples of all nations

Luke and Acts

Two volumes of one larger narrative

Both addressed to

Theophilus

Luke's narrative movement

Toward Jerusalem

Luke's attention to

Poor, marginalized, socially excluded

Good Samaritan

A parable told by Jesus

Theme of reversal

A recurring motif in the Gospel of Luke

Importance of the Holy Spirit

A key theme in the Gospel of Luke

John's differences from Synoptic Gospels

Longer theological dialogues and discourses

Repeated travel to Jerusalem

A characteristic of the Gospel of John

Temple cleansing

Appears near the beginning of Jesus' ministry in John

Logos

Word, reason, rational ordering principle

The Word became flesh

A significant theological statement in John

First sign

Wedding at Cana

Pattern of discipleship

Encounter, recognition, witness

Geographical movement of Acts 1:8

Jerusalem → Judea and Samaria → Ends of the Earth

Pentecost

Jewish festival of Shavuot / Weeks

Peter interprets Pentecost

Through the prophet Joel

Stephen's death

Leads to persecution and scattering

Philip's ministry

In Samaria

Saul

Road to Damascus

Cornelius

Roman centurion

Gentile inclusion

A significant theme in Acts

Jerusalem Council

Debate over whether Gentile believers must become Jews

Paul in Athens

Altar 'to an unknown god'

Acts ends

With Paul in Rome

Historical setting of Romans

Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome

Paul likely wrote Romans

Around AD 56-58

Euangelion

Good news / announcement

Romans 1-3

Discusses Gentile idolatry and judgment

All have sinned

A key theological statement in Romans

Pistis Iesou Christou

Debate over 'faith in Christ' vs 'faithfulness of Christ'

Participation in Christ's death and resurrection

Discussed in Romans 6

Israel in Romans 9-11

Question of whether God has rejected Israel

The Big Idea of Romans

How can Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus live together as one people?

The gospel creates a family

A central theme in Paul's discussion