The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible, focusing on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the early Christian community. It contains 27 books, divided into four main sections:
- The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John): These books recount the life and ministry of Jesus, highlighting his teachings, miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection.
- The Acts of the Apostles: This book describes the spread of Christianity after Jesus’ ascension, focusing on the work of the apostles, especially Peter and Paul.
- The Epistles (Letters): Written by apostles like Paul, Peter, James, John, and others, these letters provide guidance, encouragement, and theological teachings to early Christian communities.
- Revelation: A prophetic and symbolic book written by John, offering visions of the end times, the ultimate victory of God, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth.
The New Testament emphasizes themes of love, grace, faith, redemption, and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
A Look at the First Book of the New Testament, Matthew.
Matthew, also known as Levi, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and is traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. Before following Jesus, Matthew worked as a tax collector, a profession often despised by Jewish society at the time due to its association with Roman authority and corruption. His calling by Jesus is described in the Gospels, where Jesus invites him to leave his profession and become one of His disciples. Matthew’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah and includes teachings such as the Sermon on the Mount.