NEW

T E S TA
N EM
WE N T
T ESSUTA
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JAMES L. R. CATRON

JAMES L. R. CATRON

Developed as a study course by Emmaus Correspondence School, founded in 1942.

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 New Testament Survey
James L. R. Catron
Published by:
Emmaus Correspondence School
(A division of ECS Ministries)
PO Box 1028
Dubuque, IA 52004-1028
phone: (563) 585-2070
email: ecsorders@ecsministries.org
website: www.ecsministries.org
Revised 2004 (AK ’04), 2 Units
Reprinted 2007 (AK ’04), 2 Units
Reprinted 2012 (AK ’04), 2 Units
ISBN 978-0-940293-73-1
Code: NTS
Copyright © 1996, 2004 ECS Ministries
All rights in this course are reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any manner, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system including
the Internet without written permission from the publisher. Permission is not
needed for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New
King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America

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 Student Instructions

The New Testament was written over about fifty years. The first four
books or Gospels as they are called, cover the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Together they provide a comprehensive picture of His life and teachings.
The Book of Acts provides a history of the early Christians and the spread
of the Church.
Paul’s letters to various local churches and individuals are full of
encouragement and explanations of the beliefs of the church. There are a
number of letters from other authors and the New Testament closes with
the Book of Revelation. In this last book, we are told of things to come.
This study will help you fit the New Testament together and understand
the reasons for the coming of the Lord Jesus and the tremendous impact of
His life, death and resurrection.

Lessons You Will Study

1. Introduction to the New Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Matthew, Mark and Luke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3. Gospel of John and Acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4. Romans and 1 Corinthians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
5. 2 Corinthians and Galatians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
6. Ephesians and Philippians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
7. Colossians and Philemon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
8. 1 and 2 Thessalonians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
9. 1 Timothy, Titus and 2 Timothy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
10. Hebrews, James and 1 Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
11. 2 Peter and 1, 2, 3 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
12. Jude and Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

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 Course Components
This course has two parts: this study course and the exam booklet.

How To Study
This study has twelve chapters, and each chapter has its own exam.
Begin by asking God to help you understand the material. Read the chapter
through at least twice, once to get a general idea of its contents and then
again, slowly, looking up any Bible references given.
Begin studying immediately, or if you are in a group, as soon as the
group begins. We suggest that you keep a regular schedule by trying to
complete at least one chapter per week.

Exams
In the exam booklet there is one exam for each chapter (exam 1 covers
chapter 1 of the course). Do not answer the questions by what you think
or have always believed. The questions are designed to find out if you
understand the material given in the course.
After you have completed each chapter, review the related exam and see
how well you know the answers. If you find that you are having difficulty
answering the questions, review the material until you think you can answer
the questions. It is important that you read the Bible passages referenced
as some questions may be based on the Bible text.

How Your Exams Are Graded

Your instructor will mark any incorrectly answered questions. You
will be referred back to the place in the course where the correct answer
is to be found. After finishing this course with a passing average, you will
be awarded a certificate.
If you enrolled in a class, submit your exam papers to the leader
or secretary of the class who will send them for the entire group to the
Correspondence School.
See the back of the exam booklet for more information on returning
the exams for grading.

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 C H A P T E R

1
Introduction to
New Testament Survey

In the fall of l951 as I was beginning my senior year of high school my

parents gave me a gift of a Bible. This, my mother said, would be my
graduation gift. Though I had begun to attend a high school Sunday
School class, I was disappointed that this gift, given months before
graduation, was to be my graduation present. Why did my parents not
give me something practical, like money? Though I had nothing against
the Bible, and in fact had some respect for it, I did not perceive this to be
the best gift I could have ever received. My parents were not believers
but they gave me the Bible anyway. I tried to read it occasionally, but it
was difficult and boring. Little did I realize that within a few months
after receiving that Bible I would actually love it and make an effort to
read the whole New Testament starting with Matthew’s Gospel. Little
did I realize that I would eventually give my life to the study and
communication of the Bible, the Word of God.Why the change in attitude?
It was due to the fact that I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior on
January 3, 1952. Jesus Christ is the key to understanding the Bible (Luke
24:45). He gave me a hunger and thirst for the Word of God. I still have
that hunger and thirst some forty-two years later. He can do the same for
you. As you read this book and the appropriate Scriptures which go along
with each lesson I trust that you will grow and mature in your faith in
Christ. I trust that God our Father will not only give you an increasing
hunger for the Bible, but for practical application of the Scriptures to
your life.

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 2 New Testament Survey

I. Background to New Testament Survey

The New Testament was written over a fifty-year period of time (A.D. 45–95).
This is very brief in contrast to the Old Testament which was written over
several centuries (c. 1400–400 B.C.) There are two portions of background
which prepare a student to have a good grasp of the New Testament.The first
portion is the Old Testament and the second is the Intertestament Period. The
New Testament finds its roots in the Old Testament in a primary sense, and in
the Intertestament period in a secondary sense.

A. The Old Testament Roots of the New Testament

Without the Old Testament there would be no New Testament. One
famous Biblical scholar of the fifth century A.D. said that “The New is in
the Old concealed; The Old is in the New revealed.” What did he mean
by that? Among other things, he meant that the unconditional promises
and prophecies of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in the New
Testament. The four Gospels, for instance, demonstrate clearly that the
prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the coming Messiah are
fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ. The death of Jesus, for example, was
prophetically described in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22. The New Testament
would be very difficult to understand in several places without a knowledge
of the Old Testament. The New Testament constantly mentions people,
places, institutions, ceremonies, beliefs, etc. which would be a mystery
without a knowledge of the Old. The Christian must not neglect the
reading and study of the Old Testament. Make a reading schedule and
determine to read through this first great portion of the Bible. The greater
the familiarity you have with the Old Testament the more you will be
able to understand and interpret the New.

B. The Intertestament Roots of the New Testament

400–4 B.C.
With the book of Malachi the Old Testament came to a close (400 B.C.).
Between Malachi and Matthew (400–4 B.C.) God did not give to the
Hebrew people any further revelation. For this reason this period is
sometimes called the Four Hundred Silent Years. Though silent in the
sense of communicating new revelation to Israel, God was still at work
during this period fulfilling His prophetic Word from parts of Daniel 8,
11, and Zechariah 9. The prophecies and their fulfillments were: (1) in
the realm of the change of political powers controlling Palestine (six

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 Introduction to New Testament Survey 3

military governments ruled Palestine during the 400 years); (2) the
persecution of the Jews by Gentile overlords; (3) and God’s protection
and preservation of Israel from physical extinction and spiritual corruption
through paganism.
Many things mentioned in the New Testament, especially the Gospels
and the book of Acts, find their roots in the 400 years between the
Testaments. For instance, (1) the family of king Herod (Matthew 2:1, 22);
(2) the Jewish Sanhedrin—Jewish Supreme Court (Luke 22:66); (3) the
religious sectarian groups such as the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees
(Matthew 2:4; 3:7) along with their religious ideas, traditions and practices
(Matthew 25:1-2; 23; Acts 23:8). Then there were (4) political and
militaristic groups such as the Herodians (Matthew 22:16) and the Zealots
(one of Jesus’ apostles had formerly been a Zealot—“Simon called the
Zealot” (Luke 6:15). Of course (5) the Roman Empire which took over
Palestine during Intertestament times (63 B.C.) was still in power throughout
the New Testament era (Luke 2:1; 3:1; John 11:48).
The Intertestamental Period was in a sense a period of preparation
for the coming of Jesus, the Christ. He came, says Paul, “when the fullness
of the time had come . . .” (Galatians 4:4-5). During the 400 years
between the Testaments God was at work preparing for that time when
His Son, Jesus Christ, would step out of eternity into time. Note the
following preparations which led to the “fullness of the time.”
There was the preparing of the way through the Greek language. Alexander
the Great conquered the Mediterranean world and the near east
(334–323 B.C.) in a cultural sense as well as militarily. One very important
aspect of Greek culture was the Greek language. After Alexander, the Greek
language gradually became the language used everywhere.The OldTestament
Scriptures were translated into Greek in Egypt between 250 and 100 B.C.
This translation known as the Septuagint was used by Jews scattered over the
Mediterranean world who were losing their ability to speak Hebrew. In the
providence of God the gospel was spread to Jews and pagans in the Greek
language. Also, the whole New Testament was originally written in Greek.
There was the preparing of the way through Roman political power. The
Roman Empire brought a number of positive things which made the spread
of the gospel a reality. For one thing, the Romans built a vast system of
excellently made roads throughout the empire. Preachers of the gospel,
like Paul, took advantage of these roads to enable them to move swiftly
and with ease to their destinations. Never were circumstances better or
more favorable for the proclamation of the gospel. The fact that Rome had
its armies stationed throughout the empire to insure the law and order for
which they were famous was a plus to the growth of Christianity.

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 4 New Testament Survey

There was the preparing of the way through the Hebrew religion. During
Intertestamental times Judaism developed into a highly legalistic system.
This legalism continued on into New Testament times with great vigor.
Legalism is man’s attempt to make himself acceptable to God on
the basis of self effort (law keeping). It is illustrated in the Gospels in the
various encounters Jesus had with the Scribes and Pharisees (see
the teaching of Jesus, for instance, in Matthew 15). Legalism was Jesus’
most formidable obstacle to overcome in Judaism. However, what positive
things did the Hebrew religion contribute? The answer is simple. The
Hebrew religion centered around the truth of monotheism (one God),
and the Law of Moses. Wherever the Jews went in the dispersion they
took these two foundational truths. Paul took advantage of this ideal
situation when he went on his missionary journeys. How? He would always
go to the Jews first, at the synagogue, using what truth they did know as
a springboard to preach the gospel.

II. The Books of the New Testament

A. The Canon of New Testament Books
There are 27 books of differing lengths, authors, content, style, emphasis
and purpose in the New Testament. They may easily be arranged into
three major categories: history, letters (also called epistles) and prophecy.
Observe the following arrangement:

HISTORY
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts
LETTERS
Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,1 and 2
Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus,
Philemon, Hebrews, James,
1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John, Jude
PROPHECY
Revelation

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 Introduction to New Testament Survey 5

B. Summary of The Major Categories

of New Testament Books
1. History
The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) give four different historical
portraits of the Lord Jesus Christ. The English word “gospel” is derived
from the Anglo-Saxon word “godespell.” Gode means good and spell means
story or tale. The gospel is not just a good story, but a good story which is
the good news of salvation to all mankind (Luke 2:10-11). The “good
news” encompasses Christ’s coming, ministry on earth, perfect life, suffering
and death upon the cross for the sins of the world. His bodily resurrection
from the dead and His ascension to heaven with the promise of His return.
The writers of the four Gospels wrote by inspiration of the Holy
Spirit so that we might have an accurate, purposeful and authoritative
account of Christ’s life. Just as any thoughtful modern-day preacher would
tailor his sermon to meet the needs of the congregation, so the writers of
the four Gospels wrote their portraits of Christ’s life keeping in mind the
makeup and needs of those for whom they wrote. But why four Gospels?
Why not just one? Or why stop at four? Why not five or even more? The
fact that there are four Gospels may be accounted for by the intention of
the Holy Spirit to reach four representative groups which would find
their counterpart in any age. Matthew wrote to the Jews presenting
Jesus as the promised King; Mark wrote to the Romans and portrayed
Jesus as the servant of the Lord; Luke wrote to Theophilus (for the Greeks)
picturing Jesus as the perfect man; and John wrote for the world with his
portrait of Jesus as God. In modern times there are those to whom Mark’s
Gospel will have a special appeal and they will be first influenced by it.
Others today may find that John’s Gospel is very attractive to them and
they are first affected by it, etc.
The four Gospels may be divided into two categories. The first
category includes Matthew, Mark and Luke. These three Gospels are
called by scholars the synoptic Gospels. What does that mean? Synoptic
means “to see together.” In other words, these Gospels take a similar
approach in their presentation of the life of Jesus. John’s Gospel, the
second category, is very dissimilar from the first three because over ninety
percent of its content is not found in the other three.
The Book of Acts is the last of the five historical books. It continues
the history where the Gospels finish. Jesus ascended to heaven but His
work of reaching the world continued on through the preaching of the
Apostles and others. Acts reveals the new body, the Church, which Jesus

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 6 New Testament Survey

had predicted (Matthew 16:16-18) and which the Holy Spirit created on
the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). It gives the history of the growth and
development of the Church from Jerusalem to Rome. It is a thrilling
book recording the triumph of the gospel throughout the Mediterranean
world. During the history of the Acts period ten of the letters (epistles)
of Paul were written. James also wrote his letter during this period.

2. The Letters (Epistles)

There are 21 books of the New Testament in this category.These are divided
into two.The first major section consists of 13 letters written by the Apostle
Paul (Romans through Philemon), and the second is made up of Hebrews
through Jude which scholars have called the General Epistles.
Some of the letters of Paul were written to individuals to encourage
them in their faith and work (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus). Some were written
to particular churches to challenge their faith, pass on new truth and
instruction, correct error, solve problems and warn against evil and false
teachers (1 Corinthians, Colossians, etc.). Paul’s letters have a great
balance of doctrinal truth and practical application to individual and
corporate church life.
The designation General Epistles is applied to Hebrews, James, 1 and 2
Peter, 1, 2, 3 John and Jude. The designation is not a Biblical expression
but it does appear in the title of five of the above letters in the King James
Version (A.D. 1611). It is an old term and scholars have puzzled over its
meaning without coming up with any satisfactory answer. One interesting
view is that the term denotes writings which are general in nature and not
addressed to any specific church. One discerns when reading these eight
epistles that two of the prominent themes are (1) encouragement for
Christians who are suffering persecution (Hebrews through 1 Peter); and
(2) warning against false teachers and teaching (2 Peter through Jude).
By way of clarification, there has always been debate over the authorship
of Hebrews. The author of Hebrews does not identify himself but some
believe it was Paul. Most, however, think it was someone else based on the
author’s literary style, vocabulary, method of argumentation, etc.

3. Prophecy
The book of Revelation gives a fitting conclusion to the New
Testament. Though other New Testament books have some prophetic
themes concerning both the Church and Israel, Revelation is exclusively

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 Introduction to New Testament Survey 7

devoted to prophecy. John was told by Christ in Revelation 1:19 to “Write

the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things
which will take place after this.” Revelation majors on the judgment which
God will bring upon the earth prior to the second coming of Christ, and
it ends on the positive note of victory over God’s enemies and the
establishment of the kingdom.

C. The Order of the New Testament Books

The order in which we find the New Testament books in our Bible is
logical rather than chronological. For instance, James was probably the
first book of the New Testament to be written (A.D. 45) but it is 20th in
the order given in the New Testament. John’s Gospel was written
somewhere between A.D. 85–95 but it is fourth in order. Galatians was
written around A.D. 47–49, shortly after James, but it is ninth. In this
study of the New Testament we shall consider each book, except Philemon
and Titus, in the order in which it is placed in our Bibles. Philemon will
be studied with Colossians and Titus before 2 Timothy. The first four
books (Gospels) give the basic history of the founder of Christianity,
Jesus Christ. This is followed by the proclamation of the person and
work of Christ in the book of Acts. This in turn is followed by the
interpretation of Christ’s person and work in the Letters. Finally, the
book of Revelation shows the consummation of all things in the second
advent of Jesus Christ.

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 New Testament Survey AK ’04

NEW
T E S TA M E N T
S U RV E Y
E
J A M Exam B
S L . Rooklet
. CATRON
AK ’04 (2 Units) NTS

______________________________________________________
Student Name (please print)

______________________________________________________
Address
______________________________________________________
City, State, Zip

Course Grade: __________

______________________________________________________
Instructor

Exam developed by Emmaus Correspondence School, founded in 1942.

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 A Note on the Exams
The exams are designed to check your knowledge of the course material and
the Scriptures. After you have studied a chapter, review the exam questions
for that lesson. If you have difficulty in answering the questions, re-read the
material. If questions contain a Scripture reference, you may use your Bible
to help you answer them. If your instructor has provided a single page Answer
Sheet, record your answer on that sheet. This exam contains the following
types of questions:
Multiple Choice
You will be asked to write in the letter of the correct answer at the space
on the right. Here is an example:
The color of grass is
A. blue C. yellow
B. green D. orange B
________

What Do You Say?

Questions headed this way are designed to help you express your ideas
and feelings. You may freely state your own opinions in answer to such
questions.
R eturning the Exam
See the back of this exam booklet for instructions on returning your exam
for grading.

Do Not Photocopy These Exam Pages

Revised 2004 (AK ’04), 2 Units

Reprinted 2007 (AK ’04), 2 Units
Reprinted 2012 (AK ’04), 2 Units
ISBN 978-0-940293-73-1
Code: NTS
Copyright © 1996, 2004 ECS Ministries
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical.
Printed in the United States of America
E2

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 New Testament Survey AK ’04

CHAPTER 1 EXAM
Introduction to the New Testament
______________
EXAM GRADE
Before starting this exam, write your name and address on the front of this
Exam Booklet.
Directions: Read each question carefully and write the letter of the correct
answer in the blank space on the right. Use the separate answer sheet if provided.
1. The New Testament was written over a period of
A. 25 years C. 40 years
B. 30 years D. 50 years ________
2. The time between the two testaments is called the
A. silent years
B. prosperous years
C. rebellious years
D. dark years ________
3. God prepared the way for the coming of His Son through
A. the Greek language
B. the Roman political power
C. the Hebrew religion
D. all of the above ________
4. The books of the New Testament are arranged as
A. wisdom, prophecy, and history
B. history, letters, and prophecy
C. poetry, law, and wisdom
D. letters, prophecy, and poetry ________
5. The order of the New Testament books is
A. chronological C. logical
B. topical D. psychological ________
6. The four Gospels give four different
A. periods of the Lord’s life
B. purposes of the Lord’s life
C. portraits of the Lord’s life
D. powers in the Lord’s life ________

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 Chapter 1 Exam Continued

7. The Holy Spirit gave us four Gospels to

A. reach four representative groups of people
B. fulfill the prophecy of the Old Testament
C. make the life of Christ more exciting
D. dramatize the fullness of Christ’s life ________
8. The writer of most of the general letters is
A. Paul C. John
B. Peter D. Luke ________
9. Among other things, the Book of Acts records the history
of the
A. choosing of the twelve apostles
B. Pharisees and Sadducees
C. growth and development of the church from Jerusalem
to Rome
D. the death of the Apostle Paul ________
10. The Book of Revelation is exclusively devoted to
A. prophecy
B. the Holy Spirit
C. God’s promise of world peace
D. encouragement ________

What Do You Say?

How would you respond to someone who says that Christ was born at the
wrong time and therefore was rejected and killed?

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

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