The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW13

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T H E N E W T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

D. Be aware of the historical climate around the time of Messiah Jesus’ coming.

(Erich Sauer, The Dawn of World Redemption . Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing, 1951, p. 176.)

1. A time of world centralization (commerce within the empire itself, political organization, overall governmental and military oversight)

2. A time of world cultural unity (Graeco-Roman influence, koine Greek used as the universal business language)

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3. A time of world trade and intercourse (interaction and inter-connection among provinces in terms of finance, commerce, trade among representative cultures, nations, and peoples)

4. A time of world peace (the conquest of Rome of the then-known world)

5. A time of world demoralization (varying degrees of Roman oppression, as well as varying degrees of national allegiance to Rome)

6. A time of world mingling of religions (great diversity of religious belief and spiritual practice)

E. Distinguish between having a comprehensive treatment of Jesus’ life in the Gospels but not an exhaustive one.

F. Make discipleship your purpose in studying the life of Christ, Matt. 28.19.