Let’s look at how the New Testament in the Bible came about.

Acts 1:1-2

¹ In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach ² until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

To fulfill His earthly mission, Jesus became a human being. He was born into a family, became a member of a society and nation. He grew physically, socially, intellectually and spiritually. He experienced all situations common to humans. The New Testament narrates His birth, a quick transition into his adulthood and then concentrates on the last three and a half years of His earthly life.

When Jesus began His work, He recruited and trained disciples. They learnt from Him, observed His behavior and remembered his instructions. As Jesus ministered to the masses, he also trained and prepared His disciples for the task they would be fulfilling when He returned to heaven.

Many obeyed his teachings and became His followers. He was so popular that the religious leaders were jealous of the huge crowd that followed Him wherever He went - despite the heat endured, the hours spent, and the inconvenience caused.

Jesus fulfilled His ultimate mission for humanity - paying for the sins people were never able to pay. He paid with His life, the sins of all humans from Adam and Eve to the last human to be born.

Jesus died a criminal, suffering the capital punishment of the Roman Empire. He was nailed to a cross. The Jewish religious leadership conspired and accused Him of treason, though many, including the presiding judge, attested to his innocence.  He was convicted because of public pressure and blackmail.

His crime was being the “King of the Jews”. This charge was written on a sign in the 3 common languages at the time – Latin, Greek and Hebrew. The sign was put above His head. The title is true for His lineage and royal line which could be traced from both His mother Mary and stepfather, Joseph. Both were descendants of King David to whom God promised the line of kingship. The resurrection of Jesus made Him the everlasting King of Israel.

Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection finalized God’s plan of redemption - the bringing back of humanity into His fold. The penalty for the sin of Adam and Eve and their descendants was fully paid. The barrier that separated man from God was demolished! People could now enjoy reconciliation and the blessings God had originally desired for humans. The process remains the same – humans must live under the authority of God and His Word. When any one hears the Gospel of Jesus and responds to His leadership and management, the result would be like eating the fruit of the Tree of Life!

Many people documented what Jesus said and did. Later, four sets of writing – the 4 Gospels came to be generally accepted. Three of the writers were Jews and wrote mainly to the Jews. The fourth writer, Dr Luke, was a Gentile (a non-Jew) and he wrote for a Gentile audience. Each author wrote from his own perspective about the life, works and teachings of Jesus.

As the disciples and followers of Jesus spread the Gospel (“good news” in Greek) to all the world, people responded positively and soon, groups of believers began to grow. In time, they formed a social unit called the church. The growth and development of the church is recorded in the book of Acts.

Luke, a medical doctor, wrote the book of Acts. This was a sequel to his first book, the Gospel of Luke. He diligently researched, compiled and submitted his findings to Theophilus who was likely a person of high position and status. Dr Luke wrote the books to affirm and encourage Theophilus in his faith.

Luke drew his sources from eyewitness accounts of Jesus. He might have interviewed the disciples of Jesus and probably also Mary, the mother of Jesus. Luke was with the Apostle Paul in his missionary travels and even imprisonment.

In contrast with the other three Gospel writers who focused on the nation of Israel and the Jews, Dr Luke focused on all humanity in general. He traced Jesus’ ancestry in reverse from his human father, Joseph, back to Adam. The angel’s message on the birth of Jesus was for the whole world. Luke included stories of Gentile people e.g. the Good Samaritan. The parables of the lost coin and the lost sheep showed that God was seeking all types of people. Luke’s use of language and vocabulary belonged not to the spiritual genre but to scientific research. He graphically described Jesus’ dying on the cross in medical terms.

Forty days after Jesus resurrected, he returned home to heaven and the Holy Spirit continued His work. Jesus’ disciples became the active agents to proclaim God’s message and build the Kingdom of Jesus. The movement started by Jesus of Nazareth extended throughout the whole Roman Empire. At first, they were thought to be a sect of Judaism. But as the movement grew larger, the difference between Judaism and Christianity became clearer.

The book of Acts focused mainly on the work of the Apostles Peter and Paul. The other disciples went to other parts of the world to evangelize and I’m sure there are records of their journeys and ministries, but these records are not part of what we call the Bible.

As the followers of Jesus multiplied rapidly, churches were established – and issues arose in the process. The disciples addressed these problems through their epistles. These epistles to the churches were to be read publicly. Letters however, were written to individuals and these were more personal. The Apostle Paul wrote more than half the epistles and letters in the New Testament.

The influence of the Gospel reached every social unit in the Roman Empire. The Apostle Paul even managed to proclaim it to the palace! In the Epistle to the Philippians (Chapter 4, verse 22), Paul sent greetings to them from the ‘household of Caesar’. This far-reaching influence enraged some emperors; they felt very threatened. At least two emperors, Nero and Domitian, persecuted the Christians. In AD 64, a great fire lasting for 6 days, devastated the city of Rome. Emperor Nero blamed the Christians and persecuted them. Emperor Domitian was more severe. He required all his subjects to make incense offerings before his image at his shrine. A certificate was issued to all who did so. Those who failed to do so were severely punished or executed.

Jesus’ followers saw this as idolatry. Many would rather face death than make an offering. They preferred to listen to God than to the emperor. For the true follower of Jesus, this was not a difficult decision to make.

This was the setting when the Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John. Revelation is apocalyptic literature. This type of literature is not new – the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament is also apocalyptic. It is a hybrid of different literary forms. Instructions and prophecy are also included.

Apocalyptic writing is a coded message. To an ordinary reader, it’s simply a story using numerology, symbols and images. But when one – the follower of Christ - has the code, the real message is known. Revelation encourages those being severely persecuted and about to give up their faith. The book opens with epistles to the seven churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). In the opening statement, the writer indicates that God is aware and in control of all situations. The audience is to hold fast to what they have heard and believed for the ultimate victory belongs to them. Jesus will deliver all that He has promised.

As the writings began to respond to the needs of the Christian community, some were gradually considered Scriptures and compiled, resulting in the New Testament.

Over a long period of time, guidelines were developed. Further writings were added. Finally, a list of books, universally considered to be inspired by God, resulted. This was called the Canon. It included both the Old and the New Testaments. This is what we now call the Bible or the Word of God.

Rev Dr Betia advises, “God continues to speak today through the Scriptures or the Bible. One must read the Bible if he wants to hear God. And when reading the Bible, Simply Listen!

We read, we listen, we obey!