How to Read the New Testament, part 2

Daniel Lee
Nov 26
3 min read

After making your way through the writings centered on a Jewish audience and perspective, it's time to move into the next section.

[TL;DR: Mark, Acts 1-12, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Peter]

Volume 2: Ready, Set, Go

These next writings focus on the apostle Peter and the rapid spread of the early church. Let's begin with...

The Gospel According to Mark

While Matthew is the first Gospel account in the biblical order as we know it, Mark's Gospel was likely the first one written. Matthew and Luke appear to have used Mark as a template of sorts, or at least a resouce, for their own writings. According to tradition, Mark's Gospel is actually a recording of Peter's memoirs, stories, and teachings about Jesus.

Mark is fast paced, heavy on actions and miracles and lighter on teachings and theology. It's also written to a mixed Jewish and Gentile audience, with the author explaining Hebrew words and customs throughout the book. Peter plays a predominate roll in the Gospel of Mark alongside Jesus as his right-hand man and leader among the apostles. But we also see a lot of his faults and failures.

This leads us into...

Acts chapters 1-12

This may seem strange, but the reason for this split is fairly obvious to those familiar with the book of Acts. The author (Luke) focuses on Peter's ministry in and around Jerusalem for the first dozen chapters. We are briefly introduced to Saul/Paul in chapters 7, 8, & 9. However Peter and the other disciples remain the primary interest of chapters 1-12. We see the message of Christ spread from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria. We see the Gospel make its way into Africa. Gentiles begin coming to faith in Christ. The early days of the church were filled with action and miracles and excitement, much like the Gospel of Mark.

1 and 2 Thessalonians

These two letters, along with Galatians, were among the first letters written by Paul to encourage the churches across Greece and Rome. His letters to the church in Thessalonica shed light on the life of this newborn church. Many Christ followers in the First Century believed Jesus would come back from heaven during their lifetimes. They believed his return was imminent. These letters help answer some of the same questions we have today - What happens when we die? Is Jesus coming back soon? How should we live in the meantime?

Obviously, Jesus did not return in their lifetimes. And he likely won't return in ours. These letters help us learn to adjust our expectations without damaging our faith and trust in Christ.

1 and 2 Peter

These letters from Peter shed light onto the man Peter became. Gone are the days of his foolish, hasty, foot-in-mouth words and actions. This is not the same Peter who denied knowing Jesus. This Peter has lived out his life in faith and service to his Lord, boldly proclaiming the good news to anyone who would listen. He writes to encourage the church to keep going despite sufferings. He writes to share the lessons he's learned over the years and the wisdom that only comes from failure.

Shortly after these letters, Peter would face the end of this earthly life at the hands of Emperor Nero's deranged persecution of Christians. Tradition tells us Peter was crucified upside down, because he did not deem himself worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

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