3/4/26 ECP Study ~ Originated by Charles L. Robinson Jr.
- Charles L Robinson Jr.
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Hello, My ECP Family (and whoever else finds this concise study.) I hope everyone is doing great thus far this week. If you are doing great, then great. If it seems not so great, then remember it's ok. Guess what? It's still great because there is goodness in all life circumstances, so always think, believe, and live in your blessed hope and continuously strive in your day to day victories discovering the goodness(s.)
Today, in "our concise study", we will review some selected background information (specifically regarding the New Testament) that you are probably aware of or maybe not aware of. Keep in mind that the below list represents a few essential issues within this comprehensive issue. Pertaining to all, I believe it's some keen and helpful information for us to keep in mind throughout our faith walks. God bless you and I hope that it's pleasant read for your hearts, souls, spirits, and minds:
- The New Testament is the fulfillment Old Testament promises.
- The New Testament, being part of the Holy Bible, involves concurus. Concurus is the interworking of God and human writers in the composition of the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is God-breathed (God inspired.) Theologians refer the writer to inspiration whereby the Holy Spirit worked together with the minds and hearts of Jesus followers to produce trustworthy understandings, recollections, and writings.
- The New Covenant is the new order or dispensation inaugurated by the death of Jesus (compared by his own designation ' The New Covenant in my blood' Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25. Also, it's called the New Testament of it's fulfilled promises made to it people in Jeremiah 31:31-34 that he 'would make a new covenant' with them whereas the desires and power to do his will would be implanted within them and their past sins would be wiped away Hebrews 8:6-12.
- The New Testament derives from the authority of Christ exercised in his own person or delegated to his apostles. They are written deposits of the apostles witness to Christ and the teachings they imparted in his name.
- The New Testament consists of twenty-seven separate works often called 'The Books'.
- Other books did not make church canon, however, after continuous debate we see the twenty-seven books recognized today.
- First Century sources such as the Dead Sea scrolls and Jospheus strongly confirm that the New Testament writings exist.
- The New Testament has a wealth of evidence. There are over six thousand manuscripts containing at least fragments of New Testament that have been cataloged.
- In western nations, more copies of the Holy Bible has been printed than any other book (including best sellers.)
- The invention of codex-leaf form of book made it practical to bind the New Testament writing in the Holy Bible as one volume which could not have been done previously in scroll form.
- There are numerous of ancient version - translations of the New Testament. There has been some concerns regarding versions - translations, however, there has been validating factors to console the concerns. Example of some concerns: 1) Although many people were able to communicate in various languages, that did not mean that they could prepare accurate and faithful translations, 2) Even if confident in various languages, there's a must to capture original text useful for textual criticism. Greek language and other languages have variance (Greek has tense forms - Syriac does not; Greek is an inflected language with full case system - Syriac and Coptic does not; Greek has comparative and superlative forms of adjective - Syriac and Coptic has no case endings.) Even though pericopes are the same, it can be difficult to determine exact Greek wording behind text. 3) Some translations were probably not made from Greek New Testament. Possible Armenian version from Syriac and Georgian from Armenian and Syriac or both. 4) Number of manuscripts exceed Greek New Testament which brings questions how documents checked against Greek manuscripts. However, there are versions that have a wealth of historical discussion: Diattessaron; Syriac; Latin; Coptic; Codex Argenteus; Armenian; Georgian; Ethiopic. English translations: New American Standard Version; New International Version; Revised English Bible; English Standard Version; New revised Standard Version; Holmans Christian Standard; New Living Translation; and Contemporary English Version. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SOME VERSIONS HAVE BEEN STUDIED VERY THOUROUGH VERSE OTHERS WHICH BRINGS MUCH VALIDATION TO VERSION-TRANSLATION IN RELATION TO GREEK ORIGINAL TEXT.
- WHY READ THE NEW TESTAMANT: 1) IT GREATLY SETTLES GOD'S PRESENCE, AND 2) IT HAS PERSONAL RELEVANCE-SIGNIFICANCE TO US TODAY.
God bless you and your families and continue to have a wonderful week.
SOURCES:
1)Zondervan Illustrated Biblical Dictionary
2)Holmans Illustrated Biblical Dictionary
3) Dictionary of New Testament Background
4) Encountering the New Testament Historical and Theological Survey
5) Background of Early Christianity