New Testament Review Flashcards

Introduction to the New Testament and Salvation History

Salvation History is defined through God's communication with humanity, known as Revelation. The fullest source of this Revelation is centered in the person of Jesus. Essential to this history is the Paschal Mystery, which represents the redemption Jesus pays and the salvation he provides, leading to freedom and new life through his Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. Closely tied to this is the Kingdom of God, which refers to God's realm and reign. It is characterized by being happening now but not yet fully realized, existing both here on Earth and in Heaven. To participate, one must receive God's love and act as a witness to that love.

Historically, the New Testament serves as the New Covenant, acting as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and its extension into eternity, with Jesus serving as the Mediator. The Hebrew Scriptures canon (Old Testament) was set between the end of the $1^{st}$ and early $2^{nd}$ century $AD$. In contrast, the New Testament, also known as the Christian Testament or Christian Scriptures, consists of a identical $27$ book canon for all Christians. Its composition took place between $50s-100$ $AD$. Its genres include gospels, letters, church history, homilies, and apocalyptic literature. As Saint Augustine observed, the New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New.

The Fidei Depositum, or Deposit of Faith, consists of Scripture and Tradition as complementary sources that guide and govern the relationships, rules, and rituals of the Catholic Church. Within Catholicism, dogmas are essential beliefs that will not change, such as the Incarnation and transubstantiation. Notable figures include Mary, the mother of Jesus and wife of Joseph from the tribe of Judah. Catholic tradition includes the Assumption, where Mary was taken up into Heaven preserved from the decay of death, and the Coronation, where she was declared Queen of Heaven and Earth, the greatest saint, and the premier intercessor. Additionally, Saint Benedict's Rule instructs followers to welcome each other as they would welcome Jesus.

The Political and Geographical World of Jesus

The Chosen People have been occupied or controlled by external powers for most of their history. A brief period of Jewish independence, lasting slightly more than a century, was ended by Roman occupation. The Romans took control of Palestine in $63$ $BC$ and would later crush Jerusalem and the Temple in $70$ $AD$. Rome permitted the Jews to practice their religion provided they met their duties and taxes. Many Jews Viewed Rome as an occupier and desired a Messiah to overthrow them. Consequently, Rome suppressed or outlawed Judaism and Christianity during the first three centuries $AD$.

Jewish society was divided into several key groups. The Pharisees focused on the law, studying and enforcing the Torah literally as a demonstration of faith. The Sadducees were priests centered on the Temple rituals and Torah readings; they were noted for being politically accommodating. The Zealots sought rebellion and anticipated a Messiah who would militarily overthrow the occupiers of Palestine. The Essenes focused on purity, moving into caves in the desert to avoid sin; they were responsible for chronicling the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Geographically, Palestine is the political name for the Holy Land, while Israel is the religious name. The region is divided into three main areas. Galilee is the northernmost region, containing Cana, Capernaum, Mount Tabor, and Nazareth. Samaria is the middle region, where the people were often looked down upon for intermarrying with occupiers. Judea is the southern region, housing the political, economic, and religious capital, the Temple, and towns like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Gaza. Gaza is located in the southwestern corner, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and Egypt.

Specific locations hold great significance: Nazareth was Jesus' hometown; Bethlehem (in Judea) was his birthtown; and Jerusalem (in Judea) was the site of his death. Capernaum (in Galilee) served as the home base for Jesus' ministry and honors the descendants of the Zebulun and Naphtali tribes. Natural landmarks include the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus called his first disciples, calmed a storm, walked on water, and caught fish. The Jordan River was the site of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist and is freshwater. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, contains saltwater, and was the relocation space for the Essenes. Mount Tabor is the location of the Transfiguration. In Jerusalem, Gethsemane is the garden where Jesus prayed before the Passion, and Golgotha (the place of the skull) is the location of his crucifixion.

The New Testament Canon and Bible Basics

The Bible is considered the Word of God, while Jesus is identified as the Word of God incarnate, or the Logos. The Greatest Commandment, from $DT$ $6.5$, is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. The Second Greatest Commandment, from $LV$ $19.18$, is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. As stated in $1$ $JN$ $4.16$, God is Love, and those who live in Love live in God. Saint Thomas Aquinas defined love as consistently willing and choosing the good of the other for their own sake and loving what and who God loves.

Contextual Scripture study involves detailing events, tenets, and directives, identifying what points toward God and eternity, and analyzing languages, genres, and history to understand Revelation. Faith is put into action through Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The term "Amen" translates to "I believe," "certainly," or an affirmative. The Rosary is a specific Catholic prayer seeking Mary’s intercession while meditating on the life of Jesus. The term "euangelion" means gospel or "Good News," and a gospel is a testimony of faith that Jesus is Christ.

The Incarnation refers to God becoming human in Jesus. Gospel development occurred in three eras: first, disciples learned directly from Jesus for a couple of years; second, apostles shared Scripture and Sacraments through oral tradition for a couple of decades; third, testimonies were written down between $50-100$ $AD$. The Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke) are those that can be "seen together" due to their similarities; they share sources such as the Gospel of Mark, Quelle (or Q), and unique sources M and L. God became human to reconcile humanity with God, demonstrate God’s love, provide a model for holiness, and allow humanity to share in God’s nature.

The Ministry and Passion of Christ

Jesus' ministry is marked by encounters with the supernatural; for instance, Satan quotes Scripture, and demons recognize Jesus' divinity. Christians are baptized with water in the name of the Trinity for the forgiveness of sins, the cleansing of Original Sin, initiation into the community, and anointment as God's children. Jesus demonstrated his power through miracles, which required faith; these included exorcisms, healings, nature miracles, and resuscitations.

Teaching tools in Jesus' ministry included parables—storytelling with everyday elements used to teach ethics and faith—and discourses, which were longer, extended sermons. The Passion involved scourging (flogging with a spiked whip) and crucifixion, a death penalty involving nailing a person to a tree or cross for a slow, public death intended to discourage dissenters. The biological cause of death was often asphyxiation. Jesus was buried before the sundown start of the Sabbath/Pesach by wealthy Jewish men who secretly believed in him. The Resurrection followed, where God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, conquering sin and death. Jesus appeared in a glorified yet physical body first to Mary Magdalene and later to the disciples with the greeting, "Peace be with you."

After Jesus, the faith spread through figures like Paul of Tarsus. A tentmaker and Pharisee who once persecuted Christians, Paul experienced a metanoia (conversion) and became the Apostle to the Gentiles and a martyr. The curriculum of the faith includes Theological Virtues (faith, hope, and love—with love being the greatest per $1$ $Corinthians$ $13.13$) and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, as listed in $Galatians$ $5.22-23$). The New Testament structure includes $13$ epistles by Paul and his disciples, $7$ Catholic Letters by Apostles or their students, the anonymous homily of Hebrews, and the Book of Revelation authored by John on the island of Patmos.

The Gospel of Mark: The Suffering Servant

The Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus as the Suffering Servant, emphasizing salvation through suffering, humility, and the concept that the last shall be first. It was authored by John Mark, a disciple of Peter and companion of Paul. Key verses include $Mark$ $1.1$, which introduces the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and $Mark$ $1.15$, which states that God's kingdom is near and calls for repentance (metanoia) and belief. Metanoia is described as an "about-face" or a turnaround in attitude and action, turning away from sin toward God.

Mark highlights Jesus' healing on the Sabbath, teaching that the priority of faith is people, particularly those in need, as the Sabbath was established by God for human benefit. John the Baptist is presented as the Forerunner who prepares the way for the Messiah, baptizing with water. At Jesus' baptism, a voice declares, "This is my Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," marking the second of three epiphanies revealing Jesus' divinity.

The Parable of the Sower explains how different people receive the Word of God:

1. The Ground: Those who hear the Word but immediately lose it because it is snatched by Satan.
2. The Stones: Those who hear and are excited but hold it only for a short time before it fades.
3. The Thorns: Those where the Word takes root but is choked out by the distractions of life.
4. The Good Soil: Those who hear, allow the Word to take root and grow, and then multiply it manyfold. Additionally, the Parable of the Mustard Seed teaches that even the smallest amount of faith, if nourished, can grow to great size and influence.

The Gospel of Matthew: Fulfillment and the Master Teacher

Matthew (also called Levi), a tax collector and apostle, presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the Master Teacher. The Infancy Narrative includes a genealogy featuring women such as Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. The Incarnation is revealed to Joseph in a dream. Significant terms include Yeshua ("God saves"), Emmanuel ("God with us"), and Bethlehem ("House of Bread"). The Magi, foreigners who brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, represent the first of three epiphanies. Historical markers include the death of Herod in $4$ $BC$, providing a latest possible year for Jesus' birth.

The Sermon on the Mount contains the first discourse, featuring the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer. The Lord's Prayer includes $7$ petitions, including "Your will be done" (humble surrender) and "Deliver us from evil" (protection from the Devil). Saint Augustine noted that all prayers across Scripture are reflected in the Lord's Prayer. The sermon also includes antitheses, where Old Testament traditions are paired with deeper New Testament teachings in the format: "You have heard it said… but I say."

Peter (Simon) is a central figure in Matthew. He was from Capernaum, the homebase of ministry, walked on water, and made the profession of faith that Jesus is the Christ. He was named the "rock" upon which the Church (ekklesia) would be built. The Church is defined as the community pursuing unity with the Trinity through Scripture, Sacraments, Saints, and Social Mission. Other key events in Matthew include the Transfiguration (where Jesus fulfills the Law, represented by Moses, and the Prophets, represented by Elijah), the teaching on Final Judgment, and the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations.

The Gospel of Luke: The Universal Savior

Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of Paul, wrote his gospel and the Acts of the Apostles for an audience represented by Theophilus ("lover of God"). He presents Jesus as the Universal Savior for everyone. The Infancy Narrative includes historical figures like Caesar Augustus and Quirinius. It notes a census in Bethlehem that started in Italy in $8$ $BC$, helping establish Jesus' birth around $6$ $BC$. Key moments include the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary: Annunciation ($March$ $25$), Visitation ($May$ $31$), Nativity ($December$ $25$), Presentation in the Temple ($February$ $2$), and Finding Jesus in the Temple ($12$ years old).

In Luke's version of the Lord's Prayer, there are $5$ petitions, and God is addressed as "Abba" (Daddy), inviting a personal family relationship. The gospel introduces the concept of "autobasileia," meaning the kingdom in person (Jesus). Luke emphasizes forgiveness ($70 \times 7$ times) and addresses "concupiscence," the inclination to choose sin due to a weakened will. Famous parables include the Mary and Martha story (choosing the presence of God over lesser goods), the Prodigal Son (God's generous love for those who return), and the Good Samaritan (everyone is your neighbor).

The Emmaus experience is compared to the Mass: Jesus broke open the Scriptures and then broke bread (Eucharist) with the disciples, providing nourishment for their journey of faith.

The Gospel of John: Divinity and the Word

John's Gospel emphasizes Jesus' divinity as the fullest revelation of God. The Prologue identifies Jesus as the Logos (Word of God) who has always existed in a state of "kairos," sharing divinity with the Father while remaining distinct. The Book of Signs (chapters $1-12$) includes seven signs demonstrating power over nature, disease, and death. The Wedding at Cana was the first sign, prompted by Mary’s request to "Do whatever he tells you." This act of turning water into wine preserved the family's honor and was the third of three major epiphanies.

John records various "I AM" statements: Bread of Life, Light of the World, Gate/Door, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, Way Truth Life, and True Vine. The Book of Glory (chapters $13-21$) covers the Last Supper, the washing of feet, and the Passion. Jesus' final words, "Tetelestai" ("It is finished"), and the piercing of his side with a sword are recorded here. Post-resurrection, Jesus reconciles with Peter by asking three times, "Do you love me?"

The Early Church and Acts of the Apostles

Acts of the Apostles, also written by Luke, serves as the history of the early Church. After the Resurrection, Jesus taught the $11$ remaining disciples for $40$ days in Jerusalem before his Ascension into the sky. He promised to return the same way he left. The disciples then discerned a replacement for Judas, selecting Matthias over Justus after praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost, occurring on the Shavuot pilgrimage feast, is the "Birthday of the Church." It took place $50$ days after Easter and marked the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, turning them into apostles. This event marks the end of the Easter liturgical season.

Questions & Discussion

Which Jews were gathered for Shavuot? Describe what happened to the disciples/apostles on Shavuot/Pentecost. Describe the crowd of Jews' reactions and responses to what they heard and saw.