New Testament Summary

Introduction to 1 John:  True Fellowship Is Rooted in Christ Collin Leong. September 30, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author and His Background Author : Traditionally attributed to John the Apostle , son of Zebedee, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Background : John was an eyewitness to Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection (1 John 1:1–3). He also authored the Gospel of John and Revelation , and is known as the “apostle of love” due to his emphasis on love and fellowship. His writing style is cyclical and pastoral , often repeating themes to reinforce truth and clarity. 2.  Audience and Their Background Recipients : Believers in Asia Minor , likely a network of house churches under John’s spiritual care. Background : The churches were facing internal division and false teaching , especially early forms of Gnosticism that denied Jesus’ true humanity. Some members had left the community, causing confusion and discouragement (1 John 2:19). John writes to reassur...

Introduction to 2 Peter: Certainty of Christ’s Return Collin Leong. September 30, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author and His Background Author : Peter , one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, though the authorship has been historically debated. Background : The letter claims to be written by “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). The author refers to being an eyewitness of the Transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16–18), aligning with Peter’s experience in Matthew 17. He also speaks of his impending death, echoing Jesus’ prediction in John 21:18–19 (2 Peter 1:14). While early church leaders were slow to accept 2 Peter into the canon, it was eventually affirmed as Scripture due to its apostolic claims and theological consistency. 2.  Audience and Their Background Recipients : Believers who had previously received 1 Peter—likely Christians in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Background : These believers were facing false teaching , especially denial of Christ’...

Introduction to 1 Peter: Cast Your Anxiety On Christ Collin Leong. September 29, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author and His Background Author : Peter , one of Jesus’ twelve apostles and a key leader in the early church (1 Peter 1:1). Background : Peter was a fisherman called by Jesus and became a bold preacher of the gospel (Matthew 4:18–19; Acts 2). He witnessed Christ’s transfiguration, suffering, resurrection, and ascension. Though he famously denied Jesus, he was restored and commissioned to “feed [His] sheep” (John 21:15–17). Peter refers to himself as a “witness of the sufferings of Christ” and a “fellow elder” (1 Peter 5:1), writing with pastoral care and apostolic authority. 2.  Audience and Their Background Recipients : Believers described as “elect exiles” scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia —regions in modern-day Turkey (1 Peter 1:1). Background : These Christians were facing social marginalization , legal hostility , and cul...

Introduction to James: Act Your Faith In Christ Collin Leong. September 29. 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author and His Background Author : James , the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55), not one of the twelve apostles. Background : James initially did not believe in Jesus during His earthly ministry (John 7:5). After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared personally to James (1 Corinthians 15:7 - "Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles" ), leading to James’s conversion. James became the leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13; Galatians 2:9), known for his wisdom, integrity, and devotion—often called James the Just . He was called an apostle in Galatians 1:19, though he wasn't a close disciple of Christ. (Same as Paul) He was martyred around AD 62 , according to the Jewish historian Josephus. 2.  Audience and Their Background Recipients : Jewish Christians from the twelve tribes scattered among the nations (James 1:1). Background : These believers were ...

Introduction to Hebrew: None I s Greater Than Jesus Christ Collin Leong. September 27, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author and His Background Author : Unknown . The author does not identify himself, and early church tradition offers several possibilities—Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Apollos—but none are confirmed. Background : The author was highly educated , fluent in Greek, and deeply familiar with the Old Testament and Jewish sacrificial practices. He knew Timothy personally (Hebrews 13:23), suggesting close ties to Paul’s circle. His writing style is more polished and philosophical than Paul’s, leading many scholars to lean toward someone like Apollos , described in Acts 18:24 as “eloquent and competent in the Scriptures”. 2.  Audience and Their Background Recipients : A group of Jewish Christians , likely living in a Hellenistic city , possibly Rome . Background : These believers were well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures and familiar with the Jewish sacrificial system . The...

Introduction to Philemon: Spiritual Equality in Christ Collin Leong. September 26, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author and His Background Author : The Apostle Paul (Philemon 1:1). Background : Paul was a former Pharisee and Roman citizen who became a leading missionary after his conversion (Acts 9). He wrote this letter while imprisoned in Rome. Paul had a close relationship with both Philemon and Onesimus, and he uses this letter to mediate a deeply personal situation with gospel-centered wisdom. 2.  Audience and Their Background Recipient : Philemon , a wealthy Christian and leader in the church at Colossae . Background : Philemon hosted a church in his home (Philemon 1:2), indicating his influence and generosity. He had a slave named Onesimus , who had run away—possibly after stealing from him—and later encountered Paul in Rome. Onesimus became a Christian under Paul’s ministry and began serving Paul during his imprisonment. Paul writes to Philemon to appeal for forg...

Introduction to Titus: Be A Peacemaker in Christ Collin Leong. September 25, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author and His Background Author : The Apostle Paul (Titus 1:1). Background : Paul was a former Pharisee and Roman citizen who became a leading missionary and church planter after his conversion (Acts 9). He mentored Titus, a Gentile believer (Galatians 2:3), who became a trusted co-worker and spiritual son (Titus 1:4). Titus accompanied Paul on several missionary journeys and played a key role in managing difficult church situations, including in Corinth and Crete. 2.  Audience and Their Background Recipient : Titus , serving as a church leader on the island of Crete . Background : Crete was a large Mediterranean island known in the ancient world for its immorality and dishonesty (Titus 1:12). The churches there were young and vulnerable to false teaching, especially from Jewish legalists and deceptive leaders (Titus 1:10–16). Titus was left in Crete to “set in order wh...

Introduction to 2 Timothy: Finish Well In Christ Collin Leong.  September 25, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author and His Background Author : The Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 1:1). Background : Paul was a former Pharisee and Roman citizen who became a leading missionary after his dramatic conversion (Acts 9). He mentored Timothy, a young pastor with a Jewish mother and Greek father (Acts 16:1), and entrusted him with leadership in the church. Paul refers to Timothy as his “beloved child” in the faith (2 Timothy 1:2), reflecting their close spiritual bond. 2.  Audience and Their Background Recipient : Timothy , serving in Ephesus , a major city in Asia Minor. Background : Timothy was a trusted companion of Paul, known for his sincere faith and pastoral leadership. The Ephesian church faced doctrinal challenges and cultural pressures, requiring strong leadership and clarity. Paul writes with urgency, knowing Timothy must carry on the gospel mission amid rising persecution and ...

Introduction to 1 Timothy: Church Leadership For Christ Collin Leong.  September 25, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author and His Background Author : The Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:1). Background : Paul was a former Pharisee and Roman citizen who became a leading missionary after his conversion (Acts 9). He mentored Timothy, a young disciple with a Jewish mother and Greek father (Acts 16:1), and entrusted him with leadership responsibilities in several churches. Paul refers to Timothy as his “true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), reflecting their deep spiritual bond. 2.  Audience and Their Background Recipient : Timothy , serving as a pastor in Ephesus , a major city in Asia Minor. Background : Ephesus was a wealthy and influential port city, famous for the Temple of Artemis . The Ephesian church faced challenges from false teachers , moral confusion, and leadership instability. Timothy was tasked with correcting doctrine, appointing qualified leaders, and modeling go...