New Testament Survey: Acts-Revelation, by Dr. Robert Stein

Class Transcriptions: 

Lecture 1:
Acts - Author

Acts was written by the same person that wrote the Gospel of Luke and continues where Luke left off with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus.

Lecture 2:
Acts - Sources

Luke wrote as a historian and includes details related to geography, political leaders and navigational terms. He was also an eyewitness and acquainted with eyewitnesses of events recorded in Acts.

Lecture 3:
Acts - Purposes

Luke's purpose in writing Acts was give an orderly historical account of events surrounding Christ's ascension, the first followers of Christ and the spread of the early Church.

Lecture 4:
Acts - Outline

Acts 1:8 is the theme verse for the whole book. The structure of the book of Acts shows how this theme was fulfilled by recording events relating the spread of the gospel geographically.

Lecture 5:
Acts - Nature

At first, the early Church was made up mostly of Jews who continued to live a Jewish lifestyle.

Lecture 6:
Acts - Events

Two events in the early Church were the choosing of an apostle to take the place of Judas Iscariot, and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

Lecture 7:
Acts - Conversion

The elements of conversion in the New Testament are repentance, faith, confession, regeneration and baptism.

Lecture 8:
Acts - Languages

Many of the early Christians spoke Greek and Aramaic. Stephen was one of the first deacons and was martyred for his faith.

Lecture 9:
Acts - Paul's Background

The apostle Paul's background as a Jew, training as a Pharisee, and Roman citizenship had a significant influence in his ministry and writings.

Lecture 10:
Acts - Paul's Conversion

Paul had a dramatic conversion experience as he was traveling on the road to Damascus.

Lecture 11:
Acts - Theology

After Paul's conversion, on some areas of his theology his positions stayed the same, and on some areas his positions changed dramatically.

Lecture 12:
Acts - Chronology

Many of the events related to Paul's life and ministry are recorded in the book of Acts.

Lecture 13:
Acts - Cornelius

The conversion of Cornelius and Peter's vision were important events in emphasizing the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Church.

Lecture 14:
Acts - First Journey

The church at Antioch sent out Paul, Barnabas and John Mark to preach the gospel. This was Paul's first missionary journey.

Lecture 15:
Acts - Jerusalem Council

The Jerusalem Council was a meeting of the early Church leaders to decide how to include Gentiles Christians into what had, up to this point, been a predominantly Jewish Christian group.

Lecture 16:
Acts - Second Journey

Barnabas and John Mark went to Cyprus and Paul and Silas went through Asia Minor, then to Macedonia and Greece.

Lecture 17:
Acts - Introduction to the Letters of Paul

Some of the letters from Paul in the New Testament are to an individual and some are to congregations. The letters are written in a form that includes the same general elements in the same order.

Lecture 18:
1 Thessalonians

A main theme of 1 Thessalonians is the second coming of Christ.

Lecture 19:
2 Thessalonians

Paul addresses some issues regarding the second coming of Christ, such as being responsible to work and support yourself in the meantime.

Lecture 20:
Acts - Third Journey

On his third missionary journey, Paul spent most of his time in Ephesus.

Lecture 21:
Galatians - Background

Paul defends his apostleship and explains that the foundation of our relationship with God is based on faith, not works.

Lecture 22:
Galatians - Outline

Paul begins by defending his apostleship. He then explains justification by faith and gives some ethical exhortations.

Lecture 23:
Corinthians - Introduction

Most people agree that Paul wrote both letters to the Corinthians. He answered questions from people in the Corinthian church and addressed problems that had arisen.

Lecture 24:
1 Corinthians

In 1 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes unity and diversity in the body of Christ, and responds to questions about marriage, spiritual gifts, and the Lord's Supper.

Lecture 25:
2 Corinthians

Paul defends his actions and apostleship and encourages the people in the church in Corinth to contribute to his collection for the poor in Jerusalem.

Lecture 26:
Romans - Introduction

The content of Paul's letter to the church in Rome was shaped by the ethnic background of the congregation and the challenges they were facing at that time.

Lecture 27:
Romans - Integrity

The outline of Paul's letter to the Romans indicates his understanding of the fundamental concepts of the gospel.

Lecture 28:
Romans - Occasion

Paul wrote Romans from the perspective of his calling as the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Lecture 29:
Romans - Problem

Paul begins Romans by stating the problem of sin and enumerating a few specific sins. His conclusion in chapter 3 is that both the Jews and the Gentiles are under the wrath of God.

Lecture 30:
Romans - Remedy

The divine remedy to the problem of sin and separation from God is justification by a righteous God.

Lecture 31:
Romans - Results

The results of God's righteousness include peace, hope, freedom, living in the Spirit and assurance.

Lecture 32:
Acts - Arrest, Trial and Imprisonment

Paul was arrested in the Temple in Jerusalem, went on trial in Caesarea, and was transported to Rome and imprisoned awaiting trial before Caesar.

Lecture 33:
Philippians

A major theme in the book of Philippians is joy in times of adversity.

Lecture 34:
Colossians

In Colossians, Paul emphasizes the preeminence and supremacy of Christ.

Lecture 35:
NT Survey - Indicative and Imperative

Imperative is always based on the indicative.

Lecture 36:
Ephesians - Introduction

Most scholars agree that Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul, partly because the content follows an outline that is similar to other letters attributed to him that are contained in the New Testament.

Lecture 37:
Ephesians - Comments

In Ephesians, Paul emphasizes who we are in Christ and the mystery of the gospel.

Lecture 38:
NT Survey - Philemon

Paul writes to Philemon about how Philemon should receive his runaway slave Onesimus, who has become a committed disciple of Christ under Paul's influence and is returning to him.

Lecture 39:
Acts - End of Paul's Life

Luke does not record the details of Paul's death in the book of Acts.

Lecture 40:
NT Survey - Authorship

The best argument is for Pauline authorship, possibly with the help of a secretary.

Lecture 41:
1 Timothy

Two themes in 1 Timothy are the role and requirements for bishops and elders, and the role of women in ministry.

Lecture 42:
NT Survey - Titus

Paul gives instructions to Titus who is a pastor in Crete.

Lecture 43:
2 Timothy

Paul gives instruction to Timothy, who is a young pastor.

Lecture 44:
Hebrews - Introduction

It is unclear who wrote the book of Hebrews.

Lecture 45:
Hebrews - Content

A major theme in Hebrews is the supremacy of Christ. There are also passages that emphasize that perseverance is essential.

Lecture 46:
NT Survey - James

According to James, true faith results in works.

Lecture 47:
1 Peter - Introduction

The apostle Peter wrote this letter to encourage Christians to be faithful during a time of suffering.

Lecture 48:
1 Peter - Content

Themes in 1 Peter include the atonement, the new birth and the continuity of the Old and New Testaments.

Lecture 49:
2 Peter - Authorship

Some people question whether or not 2 Peter was written by the apostle Peter.

Lecture 50:
2 Peter - Content

Themes in 2 Peter include false teachers and the return of the Lord.

Lecture 51:
1 John - Introduction

1 John is similar to the Gospel of John in style, vocabulary, theology, and purpose.

Lecture 52:
1 John - Chapters 1-3

John makes a distinction between acts of sin and continuing in sin.

Lecture 53:
1 John - Chapter 4-5

Jesus came as God in the flesh and offers us the gift of eternal life.

Lecture 54:
Revelation - Introduction

Revelation is a book written in an apocalyptic genre by the apostle John.

Lecture 55:
Revelation - Key Issues

The philosophy of interpretation you use when you study the book of Revelation determines what you think specific passages in the book are teaching.

Lecture 56:
Revelation - Chapters 1-12

Chapters 1-12 begins with the seven churches, and includes the seven seals and seven trumpets.

Lecture 57:
Revelation - Chapters 13-22

Revelation chapters 13-22 focus on the beast, Christ's final victory, final judgment and the millennium.

Lecture 58:
NT Survey - Dating, Need, Collection

After Christ ascended and the church was spreading, it was helpful to have a written record of Christ's life and the apostles' teaching. All the books included in the New Testament were written before the end of the first century.

Lecture 59:
NT Survey - Criteria, Arrangement, Authority

Each book included in the New Testament had to meet specific criteria. They are arranged with the Gospels first, then letters, then the book of Revelation.