Study Guide Answers

 

Survey of the Old Testament

 

Extracted from the writings of

Matthew Henry

 

Genesis

Chapter 1

 

 

1.        Why is the term “testament” or “covenant” used to describe the Bible? Answer: This is called a testament, or covenant (Diatheke)(NT:1242), because it was a settled declaration of the will of God concerning man in a federal way, and had its force from the designed death of the great testator, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, Rev 8:8.

 

2.       What does the word “Pentateuch” refer to? Answer: The first five books of the Bible.

 

3.        List the threefold description of the Scriptures according to Jesus. Answer: Law, Prophets, and Psalms.

 

4.        When was Genesis written? Answer: While some think, when Moses was in Midian, for the instruction and comfort of his suffering brethren in Egypt: it is probable that he  wrote it in the wilderness, after he had been in the mount with God.

 

5.        List six things the book of Genesis introduces. Answer: (1) Creation of the world (2) The entrance of sin (3) The entrance of death (4) The invention of the arts (5) The rise of nations and (6) The beginning of the Church.

 

Exodus

Chapter 2

 

1.        In what two ways was Moses a servant of the Lord? Answer:  Moses used his pen to serve the Lord by recording history and his used his rod of authority to guide the people of God.

 

2.       What does the term “exodus” mean?” Answer:  A departure, or going out.

 

3.       Give the spiritual significance of the term “exodus.” Answer: No sooner have we made our entrance into the world than we must think of making our exit, and going out of the world. When we begin to live we begin to die.

 

4.       State the two major divisions of the book. Answer:  I. The accomplishment of the promises made before to Abraham (chapters 1-19). II. The establishment of the ordinances which were afterwards observed by Israel (chapters 20-40).

 

5.        What New Testament passage states that Moses wrote of Christ?  Answer:   John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

 

Leviticus

Chapter 3

 

1.        What three historical accounts are recalled in Leviticus? Answer: (1) The consecration of the priesthood (chapters 8-9). (2) The punishment of Nadab and Abihu (chapter 10). (3) The ecclesiastical laws of God.

 

2.        What do the ecclesiastical laws regulate? Answer: These laws regulated the sacrifices and offerings of Israel.

 

3.        Where does the term “Leviticus” come from and what does it mean? Answer: The term comes from the Septuagint and refers to the priestly tribe of Levi.

 

4.        Does Leviticus suggest that there is a proper way to worship the Lord? Explain. Answer: In the divine appointments with God there are particular forms to follow.

 

5.        How might a New Testament believer apply the teachings found in Leviticus? Answer: While the New Testament Christian is freed from the yoke of ceremonial law, the ancient laws strengthen faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Numbers

Chapter 4

 

1.        What is the origin of the title of the book and why is it so named? Answer: While the other titles for the books of the Old Testament come from the Septuagint, this title comes from the English. The title comes because of the numbers of the children of Israel which are so often mentioned.

 

2.        How many times was the Exodus Generation numbered and where? Answer: (1) At Mt. Sinai (chapter 1) and (2) on the plains of Moab thirty nine years later (chapter 26).

 

3.        What is contained in the historical part of the book? Answer: (1) The numberig and organization of the tribes (chapters 1-4). (2) The dedication of the altar and Levites (chapter 7-8). (3) The travels of the nation (chapter 9-10). (4) The murmuring and unbelief, for which they were sentenced to wander for forty years in the wilderness (chapter 11-14). (5) The rebellion of Korah (chapters 16,17). (6) The history of the last year of the forty (chapter 20-26) (7) The conquest of Midian, and the settlement of the two tribes (chapter 31, 32). (8) An account of their journeys (chapter 33).

 

 

 

4.        What did the laws set forth in Numbers regulate? Answer: (1) Laws about the Nazarites, etc (chapter 5,6). (2) Laws about the priests’ charge, etc. (chapter 18,19). (3) The feasts (chapter 28, 29). (4) The vows (chapter 30). (5) Their settlement in Canaan (chapter 27, 34, 35,36).

 

5.        Give the spiritual application of this book to Christians today. Answer: Hebrews 4:1 provides an application of the book to ourselves. Let us fear lest we seem to come short.

 

 

Deuteronomy

Chapter 5

 

1.        What major event is recorded in the last chapter of this book? Answer: The death of Moses.

 

2.        What does the word “Deuteronomy” signify? Answer: Literally, the Second Law or the second time the Law was given.

 

3.        Why was the Law repeated? Answer: The men of the Exodus generation to which the law was first given were all dead, and a new generation had sprung up.

 

4.        State one attribute of God manifested by the giving of the Law. Answer: In compassion to the infirmities of the people, the laws of more common concern are delivered a second time.

 

5.        State one spiritual application of Deuteronomy. Answer: What God has spoken once we have need to hear twice, to hear many times, and it is well if, after all, it be duly perceived and regarded.

 

6.        List three ways the book was to be magnified and honored. Answer: (1) The king was to write a copy of it with his own hand, and to read therein all the days of his life, ch. 17, 18, 19. 2  (2) It was to be written upon great stones plastered, at their passing over Jordan, Deut 27:2-3. (3) It was to be read publicly every seventh year, at the feast of tabernacles, by the priests, in the audience of all Israel, Deut 31:9, etc.

 

7.       In which chapter is a song sung? Answer: Chapter 32.

 

8.        How much time is covered in the book? Answer: Two months.

 

9.        How should the last words of a person be treated? Answer: With great respect.

 

10.   How did Jesus use this book of the Bible? Answer: The Lord answered the devil’s temptations with direct quotations from Deuteronomy.

 

 

Joshua

Chapter 6

 

1.        List some of the “lost” books of the Bible. Answer: (1) The Book of Jasher (2) The Chronicles of the Kings of Israel and Judah (3) The Book of Gad (4) The Book of Nathan and (5) The Book of Iddo.

 

2.        Who might be the author of Joshua? Answer: Ezra the scribe.

 

3.        In what three ways is Joshua shown to be the leader of Israel? Answer: (1) He led the people of Israel into Canaan. (2) He led the people in the conquest of Canaan. (3) He led the people in the distribution of the land that was conquered.

 

4.        How is the providence of God revealed? Answer: (1) In the kingdom of nature, (2) in punishing the Canaanites when the measure of their iniquity was full, (3) by His faithfulness to His covenant with the patriarchs, and (4) by His kindness to His people Israel, notwithstanding their provocations. (5) We may see him as the Lord of Hosts determining the issues of war, and (6) as the director of the lot, determining the bounds of men's habitations

 

5.        How is Joshua a type of Christ? Answer: He bore our Savior’s name and serverd as a high priest (Acts 7:45;  Heb. 4:8; Zech. 6:11-12). Joshua saves God’s people from the Canaanites as Jesus promised to save His people from their sins. Christ, as Joshua, is the captain of our salvation, a leader of commander of the people, to tread Satan under their feet, to put them in possession of the heavenly Canaan, and to give them rest, which (it is said, Heb. 4:8), Joshua did not.

 

Judges

Chapter 7

 

1.        How many years are covered in Judges? Answer: Two hundred and ninety nine years.

 

2.        List 12 of the Judges of Israel. Answer:

(1)    Othniel of Judah

(2)    Ehud of Benjamin

(3)    Barak of Naphtali

(4)    Gideon of Manasseh

(5)    Abimelech his son

(6)    Tola of Issachar

(7)    Jair of Manasseh

(8)    Jephtha of Manasseh

(9)    Ibzan of Judah

(10)Elon of Zebulun

(11) Abdon of Ephriam

(12) Samson of Dan

 

3.        How many tribes are represented by the Judge? Answer: Eight.

 

4.        Characterize the Judges of Israel. Answer: They do not appear here either so great or so good as one might have expected the character of such a peculiar people would be. We find them wretchedly corrupted, and wretchedly oppressed by their neighbours about them.

 

5.        Describe the government of Israel during the days of the Judges. Answer: The government of the judges was not constant, but occasional. The judges were raised up and animated by the Spirit of God to do particular service to the public when there was occasion, to avenge Israel of their enemies, and to purge Israel of their idolatries, which are the two things principally meant by their judging Israel.

 

6.        What was the name of the woman who judged Israel? Answer: Deborah.

 

7.        Spiritually, who was the true king of Israel? Answer: During the government of the judges, God was in a more especially manner Israel’s king; so Samuel tells them when they were resolved to throw off this form of government (1 Sam. 12:12).

 

8.        In Hebrews 4:12, who are the four judges honored? Answer: (1) Gideon (2) Barak (3) Samson (4) Jephtha

 

9.        Ho might be the author of the book of Judges? Answer: The prophet Samuel.

 

10.   What should a Christian be thankful for? Answer: Christians should be grateful for magistrates both supreme and subordinate, for they are ministers of God unto us for good.

 

Ruth

Chapter 8

 

1.        Who might have written Ruth? Answer: The prophet Samuel.

 

2.        What is the design of the book? Answer: (1) To lead individuals to recognize the hand of Providence and, (2) to lead people to Christ.

 

3.        Give the most important descendant of Ruth. Answer: The Messiah.

 

4.        What does Ruth typify? Answer: In Ruth there is the anticipation of the calling of the Gentiles in due time into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

5.        What city is the setting for the story of Ruth? Answer: Bethlehem.

 

 

 

1 Samuel

Chapter 9

 

1.        Describe the contents of 1 and 2 Samuel. Answer: These books record the fall of Eli and the rise of Samuel. A full account of his birth, childhood, life and government is provided. The life of Saul is then followed by the rise of David to power.

 

2.        What is the title of those works in the Latin Vulgate? Answer: The First and Second Book of the Kings.

 

3.        What is the title of those works in the Septuagint? Answer: The First and Second Book of the Kingdoms.

 

4.        Who is the author of these works? Answer: It is probable that Samuel wrote the history of his own time, and that, after him, some of the prophets that were with David (Nathan as likely as any) continued it.

 

5.        What official position did Eli and Samuel hold in the nation? Answer: They were priests unto the Lord.

 

2 Samuel

Chapter 10

 

1.        Who were the enemies of David? Answer: The enemies of David included Saul, the Jebusites, and the Philistines.

 

2.        Against whom did David ultimately sin? Answer: David against Urriah the Hittite and against the Lord God (Psalms 51).

 

3.        What was the sin of Ammon? (chapter 13) Answer: He molested his sister.

 

4.        Who was Absalom and what did he do? Answer: Absalom was the favored son of David and the handsome crown prince. He led a rebellion against his father to take the throne by force.

 

5.        For what sin of David did thousands of Israelites die? (chapter 24) Answer: Lifted up with pride David counted the people of Israel, not to take a census but to inflate his own ego. It was a great sin in the sight of God.

 

1 Kings

Chapter 11

 

1.       Who was Solomon? Answer: Solomon was the second son born to David and Bathsheba who was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Beloved by God, Solomon was chosen to follow David to the throne of Israel.

 

2.        What caused the nation of Israel to be divided? Answer: The many wives of Solomon took his heart away from the Lord. As a form of Divine judgment, the Lord divided the kingdom of Israel.

 

3.        Describe the character of the kings of Judah. Answer: The many wives of Solomon took his heart away from the Lord. As a form of Divine judgment, the Lord divided the kingdom of Israel.

 

David                                 the devout

Solomon                           the wise

Rehoboam                       the simple

Abijah                                the valiant

Asa                                     the upright

Jehoshaphat                     the religious

Jehoram                            the wicked

Ahaziah                             the profane

Joash                                 the backslider

Amaziah                            the rash

Uzziah                               the mighty

Jotham                               the peaceable

Ahaz                                  the idolater

Hezekiah                           the reformer

Manasseh                         the penitent

Amon                                the obscure

Josiah                                the tender hearted

Jehoahaz

Jehoiakim

Jehoiachin

Zedekiah                           all wicked

 

4.        What did David want to build for the Lord? Answer: David wanted to build a Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant.

 

2 Kings

Chapter 12

 

1.        Who was Elijah and what are some of the miracles he performed? (chapters 17-19) Answer:  Elijah was a 9th century prophet of God who ministered during the reign of King Ahab. He fed a widow and her son, restored the child back to life when he died, called fire down from heaven, and prayed that it not rain for three years. The rains ceased until he prayed again.

 

2.        How did Elijah leave earth? (chapters 1-2) Answer: Elijah ascended into heaven in a chariot of fire.

 

1.        List some of the miracles of Elisha. (chapters 3-7) Answer: (1) The miracle of Jordan (2) The miracle of the healed waters (3) The miracle of judgment upon irreverent young men. (4) The miracle of the flood (5) The miracle of the Shunammite’s son (6) The miracle of the poisoned food (7) The miracle of the healing of Naaman (8) The miracle of the healing of Gehazi (9) The miracle of the swimming axhead (10) The miralce of open and blinded eyes and (11) The miracle of the siege

 

2.        Compare and contrast Hazael and Jehu. Answer: Hazael and Jehu were both anointed as rulers and appointed to be instruments of God. Hazael would be used of the Lord to bring correction to Israel while Jehu would bring destruction to the house of Ahab (chapters 8-10).

 

3.        Describe the reign of Hezekiah. (chapters 18-20) Answer: The reign of Hezekiah was both good and glorious.

 

1.        Who was the king that destroyed Jerusalem? (chapters 24-25) Answer: Nebuchadnezzar

 

 

1 Chronicles

Chapter 13

 

1.        Who is the author of the Chronicles? Answer: Ezra has been suggested.

 

2.        According to legend what happened to the Law? Answer: It was burnt and destroyed so that Ezra was divinely inspired to write it all over again.

 

3.        When were the Chronicles written? Answer: Following the Babylonian Captivity.

 

4.        Describe the contents of the Chronicles. Answer: We have in 1 Chronicles (1) a collection of sacred genealogies (2) A repetition of the history of the translation of the kingdom from Saul to David and the triumph of David’s reign (3) An original account of the settlement David made of the ecclesiastical affairs and the preparations for the building of the Temple.

 

5.        What preparations did David make for the building of the Temple? (chapters 22-29) Answer: David provided Trees and stones along with silver and gold for the Temple.

 

2 Chronicles

Chapter 14

 

1.        List four empires that once ruled the world. Answer: Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman

 

2.        Who was Rehoboam? (chapters 10-12) Answer: Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and his successor on the throne f Israel. His mother was Naamah, an Ammonitess (1 Kings 14:21). Born c. 975 BC, Rehoboam was about forty-one years old when he began to reign. Because he was foolish in his political polices the kingdom was divided.

 

3.        What great spiritual lesson is to be learned from the lives of the kings? Answer: The Lord honored those who honored God. Those who rebelled against righteousness knew the heavy hand of Divine discipline.

 

4.        List the books of the Bible written after the Babylonian captivity. Answer: Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

 

5.        What is one thing that the Christian can be certain of concerning the Bible? Answer: We may be confident that the foundation of God stands fast.

 

Ezra

Chapter 15

 

1.        What is the theme of Ezra? Answer: The history of this books if the accomplishment of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the return of the Jews out of Babylon at the end of seventy years.

 

2.        What does the book of Ezra foreshadow? Answer: The narrative foreshadowed the deliverance of the gospel church out of the New-Testament Babylon.

 

3.        What troubles did the Jew meet with when they returned to Jerusalem? (chapters 3-6) Answer: Tremendous personal and physical opposition concerning the rebuilding of the Holy City and the Temple.

 

4.        What did Ezra force many men to do? (chapters 9-10) Answer: Divorce their foreign wives.

 

5.        What was the result of this action on family units? Answer: While much sorrow and heartache was involved, the nation of Israel became smaller but more racially pure.

 

Nehemiah

Chapter 16

 

1.        Name three famous Greeks who lived during the days of Nehemiah? Answer(1) Xenophon (2) Demosthenes (3) Plato

 

2.        Who was the ruler of Persia? Answer: Artaxerxes

 

3.        What government office did Nehemiah hold and for how long? Answer: Twelve years, from his twentieth year (Neh. 1:1) to his thirty second year (Neh. 13:6), Nehemiah was the governor of Judea.

 

4.        By what authority did Nehemiah go to Jerusalem? Answer: As the king’s trusted cupbearer Nehemiah received a commission from the king to go to Jerusalem.

 

5.        Describe his religious reforms. (chapter 13) Answer: The religious reforms of Israel included a solemn reading of the Law, fasting, prayer, and a renewal of their vows.

 

Esther

Chapter 17

 

1.        In what passage is the name of God mentioned? Answer: The name of God is never mentioned in this book though the Providence of God is evident.

 

2.        What does the Feast of Purim commemorate? (chapter 9:20) Answer: This feast commemorates the grace of the Lord in delivering His people from the plot of Haman to destroy Mordecai and all Jews.

 

3.        Who is the author of this book? Answer: It is possible that Mordecai is the author note Esth. 9:20).

 

4.        Who was Esther? Answer: The root meaning of Esther is aster which means “a star” and implies “good fortune.” She was related to a family carried away captive with Jeremiah about 600 BC. When her parents died, Esther came under the guardian caer of Mordecai, a palace official, to whom she was related by marriage. In the Providence of God, Esther became Queen of the land and so was in a position to expose a plot to destroy her people.

 

5.        Describe the death of Haman. (chapters 5-7) Answer: When Haman was perceived by the king as making inappropriate advances against the Queen, he was taken and hanged on the same gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.

 

 

Job

Chapter 18

 

1.        Who is the human author of this Divine narrative? Answer: It is the opinion of many of the ancients that this history was written by Moses himself in Midian, and delivered to his suffering brethren in Egypt. Others suggest that Elihu was the author (note Job 32:15-16).

 

2.        What is the evidence that Job was a real person? Answer: His history is referred to by James (5:11). Also Job 5:13 is quoted by the apostle (cf. 1 Cor. 3:19). Ezekiel names him with Noah and Daniel (Ezek. 14:14).

 

3.        List five teachings of Job. Answer: The glory of God (chapters 38-39). (2) The reality of Gentile devotion in the ancient world. (3) The providence of God. (4) The importance of patience in suffering (James 5:11). (5) A type of Christ.

 

4.        List the three “friends” of Job. Answer: (1) Eliphaz (2) Bildad (3) Zophar

 

5.        How will the righteous respond when the Lord delivers them from suffering and sorrow? Answer: When the Lord delivers the righteous from all their trials they will be found to praise, honor, and glorify Him.

 

Psalms

Chapter 19

 

1.        List three authors of the Psalms. Answer:  (1) David (2) Moses (3) Asaph

 

2.        Why were the Psalms written? Answer: (1) To assist the exercises of natural religion and to kindle in the souls of men devotion to the Lord. (2) To advance the excellencies of revealed religion.

 

3.        How might the Psalms be of practical use to Christians today? Answer: (1) The Psalms can be sung (2) The Psalms can be studied for doctrinal truths. (3) The Psalms can be prayed.

 

4.        What are the seven penitential Psalms? Answer: Psalm 6,32,38,51,102, 130 and 143.

 

5.        How were the Psalms divided? Answer:

Book One           Psalms 1-41

Book Two           Psalms 42-72

Book Three        Psalms 73-89

Book Four         Psalms 90-106

Book Five           Psalms 107-150

 

Proverbs

Chapter 20

 

1.        Who is the human author of the book of Proverbs? Answer: Solomon is the author of this book.

 

2.        What else did this author write? Answer: Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon

 

3.        Define a proverb and tell the value of teaching by proverbs. Answer: Short sentences filled with Divine wisdom and practical counsel.

 

4.        List several topics found in the Book of Proverbs: Answer: Government, ethics, sexual misconduct, friendships, marriage, and wisdom.

 

5.         Provide an outline of the book. Answer:

 

Introduction                                   Chapters 1-9

First Volume                                  Chapters 10-24

Second Volume                             Chapter 25-29

Agur’s Prophecy                          Chapter 30

The Wisdom of Lemuel               Chapter 31

 

Ecclesiastes

Chapter 21

 

1.        What is the test and theme of the book? Answer: “The key text of this book is Ecclesiastes 1:2, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”

 

2.        Observe three major truths about the book. Answer: (1) It is a sermon. (2) It is a penitential sermon. (3) It is a practical sermon.

 

3.        What is the scope of Ecclesiastes? Answer: The scope of this book is to show that our happiness does not consist in being gods to ourselves, to what we will and do what we will, but in having Him that made us to be a God to us.

 

4.        Listen seven things that cannot bring happiness. Answer: (1) Education (2) Politics (3) Sexual licentiousness (4) Honor (5) Power (6) Accumulation of money (7) Many material possessions.

 

5.        When should all people begin to have a relationship with the Lord? Answer: In the days of their youth.

 

Song of Solomon

Chapter 22

 

1.        How are Christians to understand this book? Answer: This portion of Scripture sets forth the spiritual relationship that exists between Christ and the Church.

 

2.        How might the Jews have understood this book? Answer: The Jews would have applied this book to their own situation. God betrothed the people of Israel to himself; he entered into covenant with them, and it was a marriage-covenant. He had given abundant proofs of his love to them, and required of them that they should love him with all their heart and soul.

 

3.        Which Psalm provides the key to unlocking this book? Answer: Psalm 45.

 

4.        When properly understood, how will the heart respond to the Divine narrative? Answer: The scope of this book is to show that our happiness does not consist in being gods to ourselves, to what we will and do what we will, but in having Him that made us to be a God to us.

 

 

5.        What is the proper frame of mind to study the Song of Solomon? Answer: A serious state of mind is needed to study the Song of Solomon for there are many things which are hard to understand.

 

Isaiah

Chapter 23

 

1.        Why did the prophets arise? Answer: The prophets arose because the children of Israel were afraid of God speaking directly to them (cf. Num. 12:6; Deut. 5:27-28).

 

2.        List some of the Old Testament prophets? Answer:

 

 (1) Abel             Matthew 23:31,35

 (2) Enoch         Jude 1:14

(3) Noah

(4) Abraham     Genesis 20:7

(5) Jacob            Genesis 49:1

(6) Moses           Deuteronomy 34:10

 

3.        Tell something of the man Isaiah. Answer: Isaiah ministered in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and Jeroboam, king of Israel. He may have been a member of the royal family.

 

4.        Of what does Isaiah speak? Answer: The prophet addresses two great issues. The first concerned the coming invasion by the forces of the Assyrian Sennacherib. The second issue was the coming Messiah and His kingdom.

 

5.        In chapter 7 what great messianic sign is promised? Answer: A virgin was to conceive and have a child.

 

Jeremiah

Chapter 24

 

1.        List five facts about Jeremiah. Answer: (1) He was a prophet at an early age. (2) He ministered for more than fifty years. (3) He preached an unpopular message. (4) He often wept over the sins of the people and the judgment that was to fall upon them. (5) He suffered for the faith.

 

2.        What is the last account of him? Answer: The last account we have of Isaiah in his history is that the remaining Jews forced him to go down with them into Egypt; whereas the current tradition is, among Jews and Christians, that he suffered martyrdom by being stoned to death. Long after, when Alexander entered Egypt, he took up the bones of Jeremiah where they were buried in obscurity, and carried them to Alexandria, and buried them there.

 

 

3.        What is the theme of his writings? Answer: Judgment on sin and the great mercy of a gracious God.

 

4.        According to legend, what did Jeremiah do when Jerusalem was destroyed? Answer: There is a story in the Apocryphal writings (Baruch 6 and 2 Mac. 2:4) said to be written by Jeremiah to the captives in Babylon, warning them against the worship of idols, by exposing the vanity of idols and the folly of idolaters. It is related that, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Chaldeans, he, by direction from God, took the ark and the altar of incense, and, carrying them to Mount Nebo lodged them in a hollow cave there and stopped the door; but some that followed him, and thought that they had marked the place, could not find it. He blamed them for seeking it, telling them that the place should be unknown till the time that God should gather his people together again.

 

5.        What concern should a Christian have after reading the book? Answer: That good men are not honored in their own generation.

 

 

Lamentations

Chapter 25

 

1.        Who is the human author of this work? Answer: Jeremiah

 

2.        Why did he write this book? Answer: The occasion of these Lamentations was the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldean army and the dissolution of the Jewish state both civil and ecclesiastical thereby. Some of the rabbies will have these to be the Lamentations which Jeremiah penned upon occasion of the death of Josiah, which are mentioned 2 Chron 35:25.

 

3.        What is unusual about the composition of this book? Answer: The composition of it; it is not only poetical, but alphabetical, all except the 5th chapter, each verse begins with a several letter in the order of the Hebrew alphabet, the first aleph, the second beth, etc., but the 3rd chapter is a triple alphabet, the first three beginning with aleph, the next three with beth, etc., which was a help to memory

 

4.        Of what practical use was this work to the Jews? Answer: This portion of Scripture was of great use to the pious Jews in their sufferings, furnishing them with spiritual language to express their natural grief by, helping to preserve the lively remembrance of Zion among them, and their children that never saw it, when they were in Babylon, directing their tears into the right channel (for they are here taught to mourn for sin and mourn to God), and withal encouraging their hopes that God would yet return and have mercy upon them;

 

 

 

 

5.        Of what practical use is this work to the Church? Answer: This portion of Scripture is designed to affect the Church with godly sorrow for the calamities of the Church of God, as becomes those that are living members of it and are resolved to take our lot with it.

 

Ezekiel

Chapter 26

 

1.        What does the name “Ezekiel” mean? Answer: “The strength of God,” or “One girt or strengthened of God.”

 

2.        How and why did Ezekiel die? Answer: According to tradition Ezekiel was put to death by the captives in Babylon, for his faithfulness and boldness in reproving them; it is stated that they dragged him upon the stones till his brains were dashed out. An Arabic historian says that he was put to death and was buried in the sepulcher of Shem the son of Noah.

 

3.        Where was Ezekiel when he prophesied? Answer: The scene is laid in Babylon, when it was a house of bondage to the Israel of God; there the prophecies of this book were preached, there they were written, when the prophet himself, and the people to whom he prophesied, were captives there.

 

4.        How do we know about sin? Answer: By the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

5.        What final spiritual principle is learned from the narrative? Answer: Those who would apply the comforts of Christ to themselves must apply the convictions to themselves.

 

Daniel

Chapter 27

 

1.        What is the meaning of the name “Daniel”? Answer: The judgment of God.

 

2.        From what tribe did Daniel come? Answer: He was of the tribe of Judah.

 

3.        Through the reigns of which foreign rulers did Daniel ministry? Answer: Daniel ministered through the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian king, and the Persian kings Cyrus, and Darius.

 

4.        What future empires did Daniel predict would arise? Answer: Daniel foresaw the rise of the Medes-Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans.

 

5.        Under which man did the Jews see excessive harshness? Answer: Antiochus.

 

 

 

Hosea

Chapter 28

 

1.        How many of the Minor Prophets prophesied to be captive? Answer: Nine.

 

2.        How many prophesied after the Exile? Answer: Three.

 

3.        When did Hosea minister? Answer: Hosea ministered in the eighth century BC prior to the coming of Isaiah.

 

4.        How long did he minister? Answer: The ancient Jews contend that Hosea prophesied for almost fourscore and ten years (about 90 years!).

 

5.        What did Hosea predict? Answer: Hosea predicted the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel.

 

Joel

Chapter 29

 

1.        What three things did Joel speak of? Answer: (1) A locust invasion. (2) Repentance. (3) The mercy of God.

 

2.        To whom did Joel minister? Answer: To the nation of Judah.

 

3.        What are the people called upon to do? Answer: The people are called upon to repent and turn from their sins.

 

1.        What promises are given to the nation? Answer: If the people would repent the Holy Spirit would be poured out and there would be material prosperity as well.

 

2.        What glorious things are spoken of in chapter 3? Answer: Spiritual Jerusalem and all the prosperity and perpetuity of it.

 

Amos

Chapter 30

 

1.        Is Amos the father of Isaiah? Answer: There is no evidence for that.

 

2.        What was the occupation of Amos? Answer: Amos was a country-farmer.

 

3.        What is the significance of the name “Amos”? Answer: Amos signifies a burden, whence the Jews have a tradition that he was of a slow tongue and spoke with stammering lips; we may rather, in allusion to his name, say that his speech was weighty and his words the burden of the Lord.

 

 

4.        What were the specific sins of the nation? Answer: (1) Idolatry (2) Hard hearts (3) Hypocritical sacrifices.

 

5.        How does the book come to a conclusion? Answer: The work concludes with a promise of the setting of the Messiah’s kingdom and the happiness of God’s spiritual Israel therein.

 

Obadiah

Chapter 31

 

1.        What is unique about the composition of this book? Answer: This is the shortest of all the books of the Old Testament.

 

2.        Who is Obadiah? Answer: Little is known of Obadiah. Some believe him to the same with that Obadiah that was steward to Ahab’s household (1 Kings 18:3). But that conjecture has no ground. This Obadiah came later. Some think he was a contemporary with Hosea, Joel, and Amos.

 

3.        Against whom did Obadiah preach? Answer: Obadiah spoke against the nation of Edom.

 

4.        Was Obadiah an Edomite by birth? Answer: There is no evidence for this.

 

5.        How is the Word of Truth divinely established? Answer: Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established

 

Jonah

Chapter 23

 

1.        How many days did God give Nineveh to repent? Answer: Forty days.

 

2.        From which city did Jonah come? Answer: Jonah was of the city of Gath-hepher in Galilee, a city that belonged to the tribe of Zebulon.

 

3.        During whose reign did Jonah minister? Answer: Jonah ministered during the days of Jeroboam II.

 

4.        How is Jonah a type of Christ? Answer: One way is that as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish so Christ was in the grave for three days.

 

 

5.        What two themes are united in the life of Jonah and the message he proclaimed? Answer: Human infirmity and the grace of God.

 

 

 

Micah

Chapter 33

 

1.        To whom did Micah minister? Answer: Micah had a message for Samaria and Jerusalem.

 

2.        State two purposes for the book of Micah. Answer: (1) To convince sinners of their sins. (2) To comfort God’s people with promises of mercy and deliverances with an assurance of the coming of the Messiah and of the grace of the gospel through Him.

 

3.        Where else in Scripture is Micah quoted? Answer: Micah is quoted in Jeremiah 26:17-18 and Matthew 2:5-6.

 

4.        What did Micah predict about Christ? Answer: His birth.

 

5.        Which New Testament ruler was interested in this Old Testament prophecy? Answer: Herod the Great.

 

Nahum

Chapter 34

 

1.        What does the name of Nahum signify? Answer: A comforter.

 

2.        Whose destruction is foretold in this book? Answer: The destruction of the city of Ninevah is foretold.

 

3.        During whose reign did Nahum minister? Answer: Hezekiah, king of Judah.

 

4.        For what purpose did Nahum prophesy? Answer: Nathan wanted to encourage God’s people in the Day of Judgment and social upheaval.

 

5.        Did Nahum have anything to say to Israel and Judah? Answer: While it is possible that Nahum had s

 

Habakkuk

Chapter 35

 

1.        According to legend, whose son is Habakkuk? Answer: According to some of the ancient Jewish rabbin  Habakkuk was the son of the Shunamite woman that was at first miraculously given, and afterwards raised to life, by Elisha (2 Kings 4). Others said that the prophet Jonah was the son of the widow of Zarephath, which Elijah raised to life. Still others say that he lived and prophesied in the reign of king Manasseh.

 

 

 

2.        During whose reign did Habakkuk minister? Answer: It is uncertain when Habakkuk ministered but it was probably in Judah during the Chaldean period (Hab. 2:20; 3:19 and 1:5,6)

 

3.        What does Bel and the Dragon have to say about Habakkuk? Answer: In the apocryphal story of Bel and the Dragon mention is made of Habakkuk the prophet in the land of Judah, who was carried thence by an angel to Babylon, to feed Daniel in the den; those who give credit to that story take pains to reconcile our prophet's living before the captivity, and foretelling it, with that. Huetius thinks that that was another of the same name, a prophet, this of the tribe of Simeon, that of Levi; others that he lived so long as to the end of that captivity, though he prophesied of it before it came.

 

4.        What is the duty of a prophet? Answer: The prophet was responsible to address God in the people’s name and they were to address the people in the name of the Lord.

 

5.        What great political events had happened in Judah during the days of Habakkuk? Answer: Judah was to be invaded by the Chaldeans who brought great hardships upon the land.

 

Zephaniah

Chapter 36

 

1.        What distinction among the prophets does Zephaniah hold? Answer: Zephaniah was last in time, of all the minor prophets before the captivity, and not long before Jeremiah, who lived at the time of the captivity.

 

2.        What did he foretell? Answer: Zechariah foretells the general destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, and sets their sins in order before them, which had provoked God to bring their ruin upon them, calls them to repentance, threatens the neighboring nations with the like destructions. 

 

3.        What hope did Zephaniah offer to the people? Answer: Zephaniah gives encouraging promises of their joyful return out of captivity in due time, which have a reference to the grace of the gospel.

 

4.        Who is Zephaniah? Answer: He was the son of Cushi.

 

1.        When did Zephaniah engage in prophecy? Answer: He ministered during the days of Josiah the son of Amon, the king of Judah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haggai

Chapter 37

 

1.        To whom did Haggai minister and when? Answer: Haggai appeared about eighteen years after the return of the Jews from Babylon, when the building of the Temple was opposed by its enemies and neglected by its friends. Haggai prophesied unto the Jews that were in Jerusalem.

 

2.        Why did Haggai speak to others? Answer: In the mouth of two witnesses the works of the Lord was to be established.

 

3.        What is the time span of this work? Answer: All of the prophecies were delivered within four months in the second year of Darius, beginning with the sixth month and ending in the ninth.

 

4.        How did Haggai speak of Christ? Answer: Haggai spoke of Christ as the glory of the latter house referring to the second temple that was rebuilt.

 

5.        Which Psalms are attributed in part to Haggai? Answer: Psalm 138, 146, 147, 148.

 

 

Zechariah

Chapter 38

 

1.        Who was a colleague of Zechariah? Answer: Haggai

 

2.        When did Zechariah minister? Answer: In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah.

 

3.        How did Zechariah comfort the people? Answer: Zechariah encouraged the people to hope for God’s favor, having reproved them of their sin, and threaten God’s judgments against the impenitent.

 

4.        What did Zechariah say about Christ? Answer: Zechariah spoke of the Messiah and the setting up of His kingdom in the world.

 

5.        Which specific Temple is in view. (Zechariah 5:1) Answer: The Second Temple (Ezra 5:1).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malachi

Chapter 39

 

1.        From which country and of whose descent did Malachi come? Answer: We have only his name, Malachi, and no account of his country or parentage.

 

2.        What does the name Malachi mean? Answer: His name signifies, “my angel.”

 

3.        What is the scope of his prophecy? Answer: Haggai and Zechariah were sent to reprove the people for delaying to build the temple. Malachi was sent to reprove them for the neglect of it when it was built.

 

4.        Why did Malachi preach? Answer: Malachi called the people to repent of their profanation of the temple service (for from idolatry and superstition they ran into the other extreme of impiety and irreligious), and the sins he witnesses against.

 

5.        What are the final messages of the last prophet of the Old Testament era? Answer: Malachi concludes with a direction to the people of God to keep in remembrance the law of Moses and to live in expectation of the gospel of Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Study Guide

 

for

 

Survey of the New Testament

 

by

 

Stanford E. Murrell

 

Based on the Writing of

Matthew Henry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Study Guide Questions

 

Survey of the New Testament

 

Extracted from the writings of

Matthew Henry

 

Matthew

Chapter 1

 

1.        What does the word “gospel” mean?

2.        List three false gospels.

3.        Who was Matthew?

4.        When were all the gospels written?

5.        What argument could be set forth that Matthew wrote in Greek?

 

Mark

Chapter 2

 

1.        What is known about Mark?

2.        According to tradition who directed the writing of Mark’s gospel?

3.        What does Mark emphasize in his gospel?

4.        Was Mark and apostle?

5.        According to legend what happened to Mark?

 

Luke

Chapter 3

 

1.        What is known about Luke?

2.        What does Luke emphasize in his gospel?

3.        What other works did Luke write?

4.        How did Luke die?

5.        Who was Luke closely associated with?

 

John

Chapter 4

 

1.        Who was John?

2.        Why was his gospel written?

3.        What other works did John write?

4.        Who do the four living creatures of the Revelation represent?

5.        How did John die?

 

 

 

 

 

Acts

Chapter 5

 

1.        Why is there not more history in the book of Acts?

2.        What are some of the miracles that confirmed the authority of the apostles?

3.        What evidences are there for the resurrection of Christ in Acts?

4.        What story does the book of Acts continue?

5.        How was the Church built?

 

Romans

Chapter 6

 

1.        How many of the New Testament epistles might be credited to Paul’s authorship?

2.        In what year was The Epistle to the Romans written?

3.        Who carried the letter from Corinth to Rome?

4.        What great doctrine is set forth in this epistle?

5.        What godly counsel is found in the practical part of the letter? (chapters 12-15)

 

1 Corinthians

Chapter 7

 

1.        Where was the city of Corinth located?

2.        How was the church established in Corinth?

3.        Why was the epistle written?

4.        What were some specific sins of the saints?

5.        In what chapter are the following topics discussed: communion, spiritual gifts, love, and the resurrection?

 

2 Corinthians

Chapter 8

 

1.        How long after the first epistle was the second letter sent to Corinth?

2.        What should the attitude of the assembly be towards a person who has repented?

3.        What did Paul want the church to do for the believers in Jerusalem?

4.        In what chapter is a comparison made between the Old Testament church and the New?

5.        In which chapter does Paul give a defense of his apostolic ministry?

 

Galatians

Chapter 9

 

1.        What necessitated the writing of the letter to the Galatians?

2.        What was the great concern of the apostle?

3.        What specific doctrine does the apostle defend?

4.        What exhortation is given?

5.        What is the design of the apostle in writing the letter?

Ephesians

Chapter 10

 

1.        What evidence is there that the letter to the Ephesians was designed to be sent to that Church?

2.        Where was Paul when he wrote this letter?

3.        What was his purpose in writing?

4.        How does Paul present the arguments he wishes to make?

5.        Which chapters teach the doctrines of the faith and which chapters teach the duties of the Christian life?

 

Philippians

Chapter 11

 

1.        How did the city of Philippi receive its name?

2.        What famous battle was fought near the city of Philippi?

3.        What year was the letter to the Philippians written?

4.        How did Paul know he should go and preach to the Philippians?

5.        What lady was used of the Lord to help establish the church in the city of Philippi?

 

Colossians

Chapter 12

 

1.        Why was the letter to the Colossians written?

2.        When was it written?

3.        Who established the church at Colosse?

4.        What hope is there for Christians with lesser spiritual gifts?

5.        What spiritual lesson can be learned from Paul’s example in ministering to the church at Colosse?

 

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 13

 

1.        What was Thessalonica known for in the ancient world?

2.        Who founded the church at Thessalonica?

3.        Who was sent to report on the church in Thessalonica?

4.        What distinction does this epistle have in Pauline writings?

5.        What year was the letter written and what was its purpose?

 

2 Thessalonians

Chapter 14

 

1.        When was 2 Thessalonians written?

2.        What is the main topic of concern?

3.        How does the author alleviate the concerns of the church?

 

1 Timothy

Chapter 15

 

1.        What ministry did Timothy, Titus, and Philemon have in the early church?

2.        How did Timothy come to faith?

3.        What is the main theme of 1 and 2 Timothy?

4.        What is the main responsibility of the pastor?

 

2 Timothy

Chapter 16

 

1.        Where was Paul when he wrote to Timothy?

2.        What future lay before Paul at the time of writing 2 Timothy?

3.        Under whose reign did Paul die?

4.        What distinction in the writings of Paul does 2 Timothy hold?

5.        What is the design of 2 Timothy?

 

Titus

Chapter 17

 

1.        Compare the spiritual work of Titus with the work of Timothy.

2.        What are some things which are known about Titus personally?

3.        Where did Titus minister?

4.        Why did Paul write to Titus?

5.        What specifically was Titus to teach and do?

 

Philemon

Chapter 18

 

1.        What was the occasion for the writing of Philemon?

2.        What is one way that the goodness of God is revealed?

3.        Who was Onesimus?

4.        How was Philemon to treat Onesimus?

5.        How does the experience of Onesimus reflect salvation?

 

Hebrews

Chapter 19

 

1.        What do the Arians believe?

2.        Who is the author of Hebrews?

3.        What is the purpose of the epistle?

4.        How does the author re-enforce his arguments?

5.        What spiritual lesson might be learned from the effort to study this epistle?

 

 

 

James

Chapter 20

 

1.        Who is the author of this epistle?

2.        Why is this letter called a “general” epistle?

3.        What was the author known for?

4.        What is the broad purpose of this epistle?

5.        What might have been a specific intent of the author in writing this letter?

 

1 Peter

Chapter 21

 

1.        What false teachings have been perpetuated about Peter?

2.        List the threefold purpose for the writing of 1 and 2 Peter.

 

2 Peter

Chapter 22

 

1.        What special moment was Peter, James, and John present with the Lord?

2.        What evidence is there that Peter is the author of this epistle?

3.        What is the design of 2 Peter?

 

1 John

Chapter 23

 

1.        What are some other names for Jesus?

2.        List three things about John.

3.        Why was 1 John written?

 

2 John

Chapter 24

 

1.        Who is the “elect lady” whom John addresses?

2.        How did the Lord honor and exalt women?

 

3 John

Chapter 25

 

1.        What is the theme of this epistle?

2.        Who was Gaius?

3.        What virtue did Gaius possess that is to be imitated?

 

 

 

 

 

Jude

Chapter 26

 

1.        Why was Jude written?

2.        List two special features of the “truth.”

3.        What is one indication of false doctrine?

4.        What is one thing that the Christian can know with confidence?

5.        What caution should the church take in relation to false teachers?

 

Revelation

Chapter 27

 

1.        What prophetic utterances have blessed the church?

2.        What did Christ predict?

3.        Why is this book of the Bible called The Revelation?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Study Guide Answers

 

Survey of the New Testament

 

Extracted from the writings of

Matthew Henry

 

Matthew

Chapter 1

 

1.        What does the word “gospel” mean? Answer: The word gospel signifies “good news” or “glad tidings.” “Gospel” is an old Saxon word; it is “God’s spell” or “word.”

 

2.       List three false gospels. Answer: (1) The Gospel of Peter (2) The Gospel of Thomas (3) The Gospel of Philip.

 

3.        Who was Matthew? Answer: Matthew was by birth a Jew, by calling a publican, and by sovereign grace a disciple of Jesus Christ. He was said to have written this gospel about eight years after the ascension of Christ.

 

4.        When were all the gospels written? Answer: All the books of the New Testament were completed prior to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.

 

 

5.        What argument could be set forth that Matthew wrote in Greek? Answer: It is possible that Matthew wrote a gospel in Hebrew for the Jews but also a copy in Greek for the Gentiles. He wrote in the common language of the people.

 

Mark

Chapter 2

 

1.        What is known about Mark? Answer: Markus, a Roman name, was by birth a Jew. We read of John whose surname was Mark, sister’s son to Barnabas, whom Paul was displeased with (Acts 15:37-38), but afterward had a great kindness for (Col. 4:10 cf. 2 Tim. 4:11).

 

2.        According to tradition who directed the writing of Mark’s gospel? Answer: It is a tradition very current among the ancients, that St. Mark wrote this gospel under the direction of St. Peter, and that it was confirmed by his authority.

 

3.        Was Mark an apostle? Answer: While Mark was not an official apostle he may have been one of the seventy disciples that Jesus sent out (Luke 10:19 cf. Mark 16:18).

 

 

4.        What does Mark emphasize in his gospel? Answer: Mark emphasizes the miracles of Christ.

 

5.        According to legend what happened to Mark? Answer: St. Jerome saith that, after the writing of this gospel, he went into Egypt, and was the first that preached the gospel at Alexandria, where he founded a church

 

Luke

Chapter 3

 

1.        What is known about Luke? Answer: Luke was born at Antioch. He was a Jewish proselyte and was converted to Christ during one of Paul’s missionary journeys (Acts 16:1). Paul calls him the beloved Physician (Col. 4:14).

 

2.        What does Luke emphasize in his gospel? Answer: Luke focuses attention upon the priestly nature of Christ.

 

3.        What other works did Luke write? Answer: Luke is also the author of the Acts of the Apostles.

 

4.        How did Luke die? Answer: Jerome says that Luke died when he was eighty-four years of age, and was never married.

 

5.        Who was Luke closely associated with? Answer: Luke was a close traveling companion of Paul in his travels (2 Cor. 8:18).

 

John

Chapter 4

 

1.        Who was John? Answer: John was the brother of James and an apostle of Jesus Christ.

 

2.        Why was his gospel written? Answer: John may have written his gospel at the request of the ministers of several churches of Asia in opposition to the heresy of Corinthus and the Ebonites who held that Jesus was merely a man.

 

3.        What other works did John write? Answer: John is the author of the three epistles that bear his name plus the book of the Revelation.

 

4.        Who do the four living creatures of the Revelation represent? Answer: The four evangelists with John being the eagle which soars high into the sky to reveal the Son of God to man.

 

5.        How did John die? Answer: John lived the longest of all the apostles and died a natural death.

 

Acts

Chapter 5

 

1.        Why is there not more history in the book of Acts? Answer: “For fear of overburdening the world (John 21:25), a Divine limitation was placed on what was recorded.

 

2.        What are some of the miracles that confirmed the authority of the apostles? Answer: There were miracles of mercy, restoring sick bodies to health and dead bodies to life, miracles of judgment, and much greater miracles wrought on the minds of people, in conferring spiritual gifts upon them, both of understanding and utterance.

 

3.        What evidences are there for the resurrection of Christ in Acts? Answer: There constant testimonies from those that conversed with Christ after He arose from the dead. Also, the power of the Holy Spirit was present to convert souls through the preaching of the gospel.

 

4.        What story does the book of Acts continue? Answer: The book of Acts continues to show how the superstructure of the church was raised among the Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles.

 

5.        How was the Church built? Answer: The disciples were baptized, organized in to religious societies, met regularly for worship, learned the apostle’s doctrine, took communion, prayed, and performed good works.

 

Romans

Chapter 6

 

1.        How many of the New Testament epistles might be credited to Paul’s authorship? Answer: Thirteen epistles of Paul are certain. Hebrews is often attributed to him.

 

2.        In what year was The Epistle to the Romans written? Answer: Paul wrote this letter c. AD 56 from the city of Corinth.

 

3.        Who carried the letter from Corinth to Rome? Answer: A lady named Phebe, a servant of the church at Cenchrea (Rom. 1:16) carried the letter to the church at Rome.

 

4.        What great doctrine is set forth in this epistle? Answer: The glorious doctrine of justification by grace through faith alone is taught in this epistle.

 

5.        What godly counsel is found in the practical part of the letter? (chapters 12-15) Answer: In Romans 12 there are general exhortations given for proper conduct of all Christians. In chapter 13 directions are provided for acting as members of a civil society. Rules for the conduct of Christians to one another as members of the church are outlined in chapters 14 and 15.

1 Corinthians

Chapter 7

 

1.        Where was the city of Corinth located? Answer: It was situated on the isthmus (or neck of land) that joined Peloponnesus to the rest of Greece, on the southern side, and had two ports adjoining, one at the bottom of the Corinthian Gulf, called Lechaeum, not far from the city, whence they traded to Italy and the west, the other at the bottom of the Sinus Saronicus, called Cenchrea, at a more remote distance, whence they traded to Asia.

 

2.        How was the church established in Corinth? Answer: The history of the church is recorded in Acts 18:1-18. For two years Paul labored in the lewd city of Corinth to establish a church.

 

3.        Why was the epistle written? Answer:  Because of the great doctrinal confusion and open immorality that Paul heard had come into the church, he wrote to correct heresy and rebuke gross sin being allowed in the sanctuary.

 

4.        What were some specific sins of the saints? Answer: The specific sins of the saints included: incest, parties and factions, abuse of spiritual gifts—especially tongues, pride, law suits, various lusts, drunkenness at the Lord’s Table, and disrespect towards apostolic authority.

 

5.        In what chapter are the following topics discussed: communion, spiritual gifts, love, and the resurrection?  Answer: Communion in chapter 11; spiritual gifts in chapters 12, 14; Love in chapter 13; and the resurrection in chapter 15.

 

 

2 Corinthians

Chapter 8

 

1.        How long after the first epistle was the second letter sent to Corinth? Answer: About a year after writing to the church at Corinth Paul addressed the assembly once more.

 

2.        What should the attitude of the assembly be towards a person who has repented? Answer: A person who has truly repented of past sins should be restored and received again into communion.

 

3.        What did Paul want the church to do for the believers in Jerusalem? Answer: Because of a famine in the land, Paul wanted financial relief to be taken to the church at Jerusalem. A collection was to be gathered each Lord’s day for this purpose.

 

4.        In what chapter is a comparison made between the Old Testament church and the

New? Answer: In chapter 3 a great comparison and contrast is made between the law written on tablets of stone and the new covenant written on the flesh of the heart.

 

 

5.        In which chapter does Paul give a defense of his apostolic ministry? Answer: In chapters 10-12 Paul finds it necessary to defend himself from his false accusers who had attacked his position as an apostle and his persona as a man.

 

Galatians

Chapter 9

 

1.        What necessitated the writing of the letter to the Galatians? Answer: False teaches had come into the church of the Galatians to insist that the ceremonial law of Moses be kept in addition to faith in Christ. This mingling of law and grace, works righteousness and faith undermined the gospel of redeeming grace.

 

2.        What was the great concern of the apostle? Answer: Paul was concerned that the church would return to the law and leave the glorious doctrines of free grace for a works based righteousness thereby nullifying the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary.

 

3.        What specific doctrine does the apostle defend? Answer: Paul defends the doctrine of justification by faith whereby individuals are declared righteous based on belief in the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross.

 

4.        What exhortation is given? Answer: The church must “stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free.”

 

5.        What is the design of the apostle in writing the letter? Answer: The purpose of this letter was to (1) combat false teaching (2) caution against abusing spiritual liberty (3) settle those who might be wavering in the faith (4) recover those who had been perverted by erroneous teaching and (5) confirm those in the faith who had maintained their integrity in the gospel.

 

Ephesians

Chapter 10

 

1.        What evidence is there that the letter to the Ephesians was designed to be sent to that Church? Answer: The epistle is expressly inscribed (1:1) to the saints that are at Ephesus; and in the close of it Paul tells them that he had sent Tychicus unto them, whom, in 2 Tim. 4:12, he says he had sent to Ephesus.

 

2.        Where was Paul when he wrote this letter? Answer: Paul was in prison in Rome.

 

3.        What was his purpose in writing? Answer: The purpose for this apostolic writing was to establish the Ephesians in the truth and then to further acquaint them with the mystery of the gospel.

 

 

 

4.        How does Paul present the arguments he wishes to make? Answer: Paul reminds the believers of what their lives were once like when they acted as idolatrous heathens. Now that they have been converted to Christ they have been received into a covenant relationship with the Lord.

 

5.        Which chapters teach the doctrines of the faith and which chapters teach the duties of the Christian life? Answer: In Ephesians 1-3 the doctrines of the faith are set forth while in Ephesians 4-6 the duties of the Christian life are revealed.

 

Philippians

Chapter 11

 

1.        How did the city of Philippi receive its name? Answer: It took its name from Philip, the famous king of Macedon, who repaired and beautified it, and afterwards made it a Roman colony.

 

2.        What famous battle was fought near the city of Philippi? Answer: Near this place were the Campi Philippici, remarkable for the famous battles between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great, and that between Augustus and Antony on one side and Cassius and Brutus on the other.

 

3.        What year was the letter to the Philippians written? Answer: This letter was written c. AD 62 during Paul’s second Roman imprisonment.

 

4.       How did Paul know he should go and preach to the Philippians? Answer: Paul was called in an extraordinary manner to preach the gospel at Philippi, Acts 16:9. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. He saw God going before him, and was encouraged to use all means for carrying on the good work which was begun among them, and building upon the foundation which was laid.

 

5.        What lady was used of the Lord to help establish the church in the city of Philippi? Answer: Her name was Lydia.

 

Colossians

Chapter 12

 

1.        Why was the letter to the Colossians written? Answer:  The design of the epistle is to warn them of the danger of the Jewish zealots, who pressed the necessity of observing the ceremonial law; and to fortify them against the mixture of the Gentile philosophy with their Christian principles.

 

2.        When was it written? Answer: Along with Ephesians and Philippians this letter was written by Paul c AD 62 during his second Roman imprisonment.

 

 

3.        Who established the church at Colosse? Answer: Epaphras had planted this church.

 

4.        What hope is there for Christians with lesser spiritual gifts? Answer: Christians must not think that all spiritual honor is reserved for the most spiritual or useful of God’s servants. We can all be used of the Lord if we are open to His leadership. It is not ability but availability that the Lord uses.

 

5.        What spiritual lesson can be learned from Paul’s example in ministering to the church at Colossi? Answer: One person may “water” what others have “planted” or “build” upon the “foundation” laid by someone else.

 

 

 

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 13

 

1.        What was Thessalonica known for in the ancient world? Answer: The city of Thessalonica was once well known for commercial trade being a metropolis of Macedonia.

 

2.        Who founded the church at Thessalonica? Answer: Passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, Paul and his party came to Thessalonica, where the apostle planted a church that consisted of some believing Jews and many converted Gentiles (Acts 17:1-4).

 

3.        Who was sent to report on the church in Thessalonica? Answer: Timothy (Acts 18:5)

 

4.        What distinction does this epistle have in Pauline writings? Answer: This may have been the first of all the Pauline epistles.

 

6.        What year was the letter written and what was its purpose? Answer: c. AD 51.

 

2 Thessalonians

Chapter 14

 

1.        When was 2 Thessalonians written? Answer: c. AD 51/52

 

2.        What is the main topic of concern? Answer: This second epistle seems to have been designed to prevent a mistake, which might arise from some passages in the former epistle, concerning the second coming of Christ, as if it were near at hand.

 

3.        How does the author alleviate the concerns of the church? Answer: The apostle informs the church that there were many intermediate counsels yet to be fulfilled before that day of the Lord should come, though, because it is sure, he had spoken of it as near.

 

1 Timothy

Chapter 15

 

1.        What ministry did Timothy, Titus, and Philemon have in the early church? Answer: All three ministers were evangelists (cf. Eph. 4:11). Their commission and work was much the same with that of the apostles, to plant churches, and water the churches that were planted.

 

2.        How did Timothy come to faith? Answer: Timothy was converted by Paul, and therefore he called him his own son in the faith: we read of his conversion in Acts 16:3.

 

3.        What is the main theme of 1 and 2 Timothy? Answer:  The scope of these two epistles is to direct Timothy how to discharge his duty as an evangelist at Ephesus, where he now was, and where Paul ordered him for some time to reside, to perfect the good work which he had begun there.

 

4.        What is the main responsibility of the pastor? Answer: The main responsibility of the pastor is to feed the flock of God, which He had planted with His own blood.

 

 

2 Timothy

Chapter 16

 

1.        Where was Paul when he wrote to Timothy? Answer: This second epistle Paul wrote to Timothy from Rome.

 

2.        What future lay before Paul at the time of writing 2 Timothy? Answer: As a prisoner in Rome, Paul sensed danger for his life; this is evident from these words, I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand, 2 Tim 4:6. It appears that his removal out of this world, in his own apprehension, was not far off, especially considering the rage and malice of his persecutors.

 

3.        Under whose reign did Paul die? Answer: had been brought before the emperor Nero, which he calls his first answer, when no man stood with him, but all men forsook him, 2 Tim 4:16.

 

4.        What distinction in the writings of Paul does 2 Timothy hold? Answer: Because the work in Crete was more difficult than ordinary, Paul wrote this epistle to him to encourage his heart and to give practical counsel in the work of the ministry.

 

5.        What is the design of 2 Timothy? Answer: Titus was to teach “sound doctrine.”

 

 

 

 

Titus

Chapter 17

 

1.        Compare the spiritual work of Titus with the work of Timothy. Answer: Both were converts of Paul, and his companions in labours and sufferings; both were in the office of evangelists, whose work was to water the churches planted by the apostles, and to set in order the things that were wanting in them: they were vice-apostles, as it were, working the work of the Lord, as they did, and mostly under their direction, though not despotic and arbitrary, but with the concurring exercise of their own prudence and judgment, 1 Cor 16:10,12

 

2.        What are some things that are known about Titus personally? Answer: We read much of this Titus, his titles, character, and active usefulness, in many places-- he was a Greek, Gal 2:3. Paul called him his son Titus 1:4, his brother 2 Cor 2:13, his partner and fellow-helper 2 Cor 8:23, one that walked in the same spirit and in the same steps with himself. He went up with the apostles to the church at Jerusalem Gal 2:1, was much conversant at Corinth, for which church he had an earnest care, 2 Cor 8:16.

 

3.        Where did Titus minister? Answer: On the island of Crete.

 

4.        Why did Paul write to Titus? Answer: Because the work in Crete was now more difficult than ordinary, Paul wrote this epistle to him to encourage his heart and to give practical counsel in the work of the ministry.

 

5.        What specifically was Titus to teach and do? Answer: Titus was to “sound doctrine.”

 

Philemon

Chapter 18

 

1.        What was the occasion for the writing of Philemon? Answer: In the Providence of the Lord, Paul had met a runaway slave whom he was no sending back. Paul wanted the slave to be treated with dignity and grace.

 

2.        What is one way that the goodness of God is revealed? Answer: In the act of salvation the goodness and grace of God is manifested.

 

3.        Who was Onesimus? Answer: Onesimus was the name of the runaway slave.

 

4.        How was Philemon to treat Onesimus? Answer: Philemon was to receive and treat his formerly unprofitable servant as a brother.

 

5.       How does the experience of Onesimus reflect salvation? Answer: We, like Onesimus, were revolters from God's service, and had injured him in his rights. Jesus Christ finds us, and by his grace works a change in us, and then intercedes for us with the Father, that we may be received into his favour and family again, and past offences may be forgiven; and we are sure that the Father heareth him always.

 

 

Hebrews

Chapter 19

 

1.        What do the Arians believe? Answer: Arians deny the Godhead and self-existence of Christ.

 

2.        Who is the author of Hebrews? Answer: While the authorship of this epistle is uncertain, many scholars ascribe it to the Apostle Paul.

 

3.        What is the purpose of the epistle? Answer: The purpose of this epistle is to set forth the supremacy of Christ over the law, over Moses, over angels, and over the Levitical priesthood and over the sacrifices they offered.

 

4.        How does the author re-enforce his arguments? Answer: The glories of Christ are set forth.

 

5.        What spiritual lesson might be learned from the effort to study this epistle? Answer: While there are many things hard to understand in Scripture, there is spiritual sweetness in searching them out.

 

James

Chapter 20

 

1.        Who is the author of this epistle? Answer: The writer of this epistle was not James the son of Zebedee; for he was put to death by Herod (Acts 12) before Christianity had gained so much ground among the Jews of the dispersion as is here implied. But it was the other James, the son of Alpheus, who was cousin-germane to Christ, and one of the twelve apostles, Mt. 10:3. He is called a pillar Gal. 2:9, and this epistle of his cannot be disputed, without loosening a foundation stone.

 

2.        Why is this letter called a “general” epistle? Answer: It is called a general epistle, because (as some think) not directed to any particular person or church, but such a one as we call a circular letter. Others think it is called general, or catholic, to distinguish it from the epistles of Ignatius, Barnabas, Polycarp, and others who were noted in the primitive times, but not generally received in the church, and on that account not canonical, as this is. Eusebius tells us that this epistle was "generally read in the churches with the other catholic epistles." His. Eccles. Page 53. Ed. Val. Anno 1678.

 

3.        What was the author known for? Answer: James was called “the just” for his great piety.

 

4.        What is the broad purpose of this epistle? Answer: The design of it is to reprove Christians for their great degeneracy both in faith and manners, and to prevent the spreading of those libertine doctrines which threatened the destruction of all practical godliness.

 

5.        What might have been a specific intent of the author in writing this letter? Answer: It was also a special intention of the author of this epistle to awaken the Jewish nation to a sense of the greatness and nearness of those judgments which were coming upon them; and to support all true Christians in the way of their duty, under the calamities and persecutions they might meet with.

 

1 Peter

Chapter 21

 

1.        What false teachings have been perpetuated about Peter? Answer: There are many things confidently affirmed of this holy man that are directly false: as, That he had a primacy and superior power over the rest of the apostles-- that he was more than their equal-- that he was their prince, monarch, and sovereign-- and that he exercised a jurisdiction over the whole college of the apostles: moreover, That he as the sole and universal pastor over all the Christian world, the only vicar of Christ upon earth-- that he was for above twenty years bishop of Rome-- that the popes of Rome succeed to St. Peter, and derive from him a universal supremacy and jurisdiction over all churches and Christians upon earth-- and that all this was by our Lord's ordering and appointment; whereas Christ never gave him any pre-eminence of this kind, but positively forbade it, and gave precepts to the contrary. The other apostles never consented to any such claim. Paul declares himself not a whit behind the very chief apostles, 2 Cor 11:5 and 12:11. Here is no exception of Peter's superior dignity, whom Paul took the freedom to blame, and withstood him to the face, Gal 2:11. And Peter himself never assumed any thing like it, but modestly styles himself an apostle of Jesus Christ; and, when he writes to the presbyters of the church, he humbly places himself in the same rank with them: The elders who are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, 5:1

 

2.        List the threefold purpose for the writing of 1 and 2 Peter. Answer: (1) To explain more fully the doctrines of Christianity to these newly-converted Jews.(2) To direct and persuade them to a holy conversation, in the faithful discharge of all personal and relative duties, whereby they would secure their own peace and effectually confute the slanders and reproaches of their enemies. (3) To prepare them for sufferings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Peter

Chapter 22

 

1.        What special moment was Peter, James, and John present with the Lord? Answer: These three apostles were present at the transfiguration of Christ.

 

2.        What evidence is there that Peter is the author of this epistle? Answer: The penman of this epistle appears plainly to be the same who wrote the foregoing; and, whatever difference some learned men apprehend they discern in the style of this epistle from that of the former, this cannot be a sufficient argument to assert that it was written by Simon who succeeded the apostle James in the church at Jerusalem, inasmuch as he who wrote this epistle calls himself Simon Peter, and an apostle (v. 1), and says that he was one of the three apostles that were present at Christ's transfiguration (v. 18), and says expressly that he had written a former epistle to them, 3:1.

 

3.       What is the design of 2 Peter? Answer: The design of this second epistle is the same with that of the former, as is evident from the first verse of the third chapter, whence observe that, in the things of God, we have need of precept upon precept, and line upon line, and all little enough to keep them in remembrance; and yet these are the things which should be most faithfully recorded and frequently remembered by us.

 

1 John

Chapter 23

 

1.        What are some other names for Jesus? Answer: Jesus is called the Word, the Life, the Light; his name was the Word of God. Compare 1:1 and 5:7 with John 1:1 and Rev 19:13.

 

2.        List three things about John. Answer: (1) He is the disciple, whom Jesus loved, the Lord’s peculiar friend. (2) He is the one who leaned on the Lord’s breast at the Last Supper. (3) He is the one who asked “who is he that betrayeth thee?”

 

3.        Why was 1 John written? Answer:  The Epistle was sent to divers churches (some say of Parthia), in order to confirm them in their steadfast adherence to the Lord Christ, and the sacred doctrines concerning his person and office, against seducers; and to instigate them to adorn that doctrine by love to God and man, and particularly to each other, as being descended from God, united by the same head, and traveling towards the same eternal life

 

2 John

Chapter 24

 

1.        Who is the “elect lady” whom John addresses? Answer:  Here we find a canonical epistle inscribed, principally, not only to a single person, but to one also of the softer sex.

 

2.        How did the Lord honor and exalt women? Answer: In gospel redemption, privilege, and dignity, there is neither male nor female; they are both one in Christ Jesus. Our Lord himself neglected his own repast, to commune with the woman of Samaria, in order to show her the fountain of life; and, when almost expiring upon the cross, he would with his dying lips bequeath his blessed mother to the care of his beloved disciple, and thereby instruct him to respect female disciples for the future. It was to one of the same sex that our Lord chose to appear first after his return from the grave, and to send by her the news of his resurrection to this as well as to the other apostles; and we find afterwards a zealous Priscilla so well acquitting herself in her Christian race, and particularly in some hazardous service towards the apostle Paul, that she is not only often mentioned before her husband, but to her as well as to him, not only the apostle himself, but also all the Gentile churches, were ready to return their thankful acknowledgments. No wonder then that a heroine in the Christian religion, honored by divine providence, and distinguished by divine grace, should be dignified also by an apostolic epistle.

3 John

Chapter 25

 

1.        What is the theme of this epistle? Answer: Christian communion is exerted and cherished by letter. Christians are to be commended in the practical proof of their professed subjection to the gospel of Christ.

 

2.        Who was Gaius? Answer: Gaius was a friend of John’s.

 

3.        What virtue did Gaius possess that is to be imitated? Answer: Gaius was well known for his gift of hospitality.

 

Jude

Chapter 26

 

1.        Why was Jude written? Answer: This epistle was designed to warn the church against seducers and their seduction, to inspire us with a warm love to, and a hearty concern for, truth (evident and important truth), and that in the closest conjunction with holiness, of which charity, or sincere unbiased brotherly-love, is a most essential character and inseparable branch.

 

2.        List two special features of the “truth.” Answer: (I) It is the truth as it is in Jesus (Eph. 4:21) and (2) it is truth which is after (or which is according to) godliness (Tit. 1:1).

 

3.        What is one indication of false doctrine? Answer: Immorality is a natural product of false doctrine.

 

4.        What is one thing that the Christian can know with confidence? Answer: We know from what foundation we are wholly and solely to draw all necessary saving knowledge.

 

5.        What caution should the church take in relation to false teachers? Answer: Christians should not believe that they are more spiritual than others.

 

Revelation

Chapter 27

 

1.        What prophetic utterances have blessed the church? Answer: That glorious prediction of breaking the serpent's head was the stay and support of the patriarchal age; and the many prophecies there were concerning the Messiah to come were the gospel of the Old Testament.

 

2.        What did Christ predict? Answer: Christ himself prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem; and, about the time in which that was accomplished, he entrusted the apostle John with this book of revelation, to deliver it to the church as a prediction of the most important events that should happen to it to the end of time, for the support of the faith of his people and the direction of their hope.

 

3.        Why is this book of the Bible called The Revelation? Answer: It is called the Revelation, because God therein discovers those things which could never have been sifted out by the reasonings of human understanding, those deep things of God which no man knows, but the Spirit of God, and those to whom he reveals them.

 

 

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