The New Testament

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The Word of God, which is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, is set forth and displays its power in a most wonderful way in the writings of the New Testament which hand on the ultimate truth of Gods Revelation. Their central object is Jesus Christ, Gods incarnate Son: his acts, teachings, Passion and glorification, and his Churchs beginnings under the Spirits guidance. CCC 124

Some background information

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The titles "Old" and "New Testament" were used by St. Paul. The term "testament," as applied to the two parts of the Bible, means: a covenant, agreement, pact. In the language of the Bible it denotes the agreement or pact between God and man: Man agreed to do certain things and God, in return, promised certain

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The Gospels

The word "Gospel" comes from the Anglo-Saxon term "godspell" and, as used in the Bible, denotes the glad tidings of man's redemption. The 4 Gospel writers, or evangelists, are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John The Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures because they are the principle source for the life and teaching of the Incarnate Word, our Savior CCC 125

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The Synoptic Gospels

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The first three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) are frequently called the Synoptics (from the Greek terms syn "together," and opsis "view"). When placed side by side and brought under one view, these three Gospels present a striking resemblance and appear as one narrative. Not only are many of the same events and speeches recorded in each, but the order and manner in which they are narrated is nearly the same.

Matthew the Evangelist, the author of the first gospel is symbolized by a human (not an angel as sometimes thought) - a figure of humanity and reason. Mark the Evangelist, the author of the second gospel is symbolized by a lion - a figure of courage and monarchy. Luke the Evangelist, the author of the third gospel (and presumably the Acts of the Apostles) is symbolized by an ox bull or calf - a figure of sacrifice, service and strength. John the Evangelist, the author of the fourth gospel is symbolized by an eagle- a figure of the sky, and believed to be able to look straight into the sun.

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The Acts of the Apostles

Continues the account begun in the Gospels, showing the growth of Christianity Thought to be by the same author as the Gospel of Luke, and written shortly after the Gospel of Luke

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Epistles

Letters to various people, communities, churches Many were written by Paul

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Revelation

Written to seven churches in Asia minor Written to encourage Christians to preserve faith in the midst of trials and tribulations

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How to find scripture passages

Referenced by book, chapter, verse (i.e. John 3:14) Index Concordance Bible Dictionary or Encyclopedia Commentary

The Church forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ by frequent reading of Divine Scriptures. CCC 133
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IN BRIEF 134 "All Sacred Scripture is but one book, and that one book is Christ, because all divine Scripture speaks of Christ, and all divine Scripture is fulfilled in Christ" (Hugh of St. Victor, De arca Noe 2, 8: PL 176, 642). 135 "The Sacred Scriptures contain the Word of God and, because they are inspired, they are truly the Word of God" (DV 24). 136 God is the author of Sacred Scripture because he inspired its human authors; he acts in them and by means of them. He thus gives assurance that their writings teach without error his saving truth (cf DV 11). 137 Interpretation of the inspired Scripture must be attentive above all to what God wants to reveal through the sacred authors for our salvation. What comes from the Spirit is not fully "understood except by the Spirit's action' (cf. Origen, Hom. in Ex. 4, 5: PG 12, 320).

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138 The Church accepts and venerates as inspired the 46 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New. 139 The four Gospels occupy a central place because Christ Jesus is their centre. 140 The unity of the two Testaments proceeds from the unity of God's plan and his Revelation. the Old Testament prepares for the New and the New Testament fulfils the Old; the two shed light on each other; both are true Word of God. 141 "The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord" (DV 21): both nourish and govern the whole Christian life. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" ( Ps 119:105; cf. Is 50:4).

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1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Ephesians 6:10-17 2 Timothy 1:7

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"To be ignorant of the Scriptures, is to be ignorant of Christ." ~Saint Jerome

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