Who's ? Right: Top 7 New Testament Stories

While the Holy Bible's New Testament is filled with a wide variety of collective stories, the following Top Seven narratives was chosen by the Who's ? Right blog to represent the most well known tales.   

7 - Sermon on the Mount

Jesus delivered the "Sermon on the Mount" near the beginning of His ministry and it's the longest of Jesus' sermons recorded in the New Testament. Amazingly, Jesus attracted a large group of followers early in His ministry, so it is not surprising that thousands gathered, including His Twelve Disciples, on the Mount that day. His message was basically about what it meant to follow Him, put their trust in Him, and to serve as a member of God's Kingdom. He taught powerful subjects such as prayer, handling of religious laws and judging other people. Jesus also touched upon justice, caring for the needy, divorce, fasting, salvation and much more. The "Sermon on the Mount" also contains both the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) and the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). The exact location of where this spiritual sermon took place is unknown as the Gospels don't make it clear, but tradition places at "a large hill known as Karn Hattin", located along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum (near present-day Kefar Nahum). The words spoken by Jesus that day were practical and concise. Jesus' teachings during the "Sermon on the Mount" represent the major ideals of the Christian life. He was truly a master orator and a gifted thinker.

The story of the "Sermon on the Mount" is recorded in the Book of Matthew, chapters 5-7.

6 - Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. This certain book of the Bible is also referred to as the Apocalypse of John, Revelation to John or Revelation from Jesus Christ. Consequently, it is also the final book of the Christian Bible. Its title is derived from the first word of the Koine Greek text: apokalypsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation."  The author is identified as "John", but his precise identity remains a point of debate among the academic scholars. Early Christian writers, such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria, believed John the Apostle was the "John" of Revelation. Modern scholars take a different view; only acknowledging nothing can be known about the author other than he was a Christian prophet. While other theologians portend this man was a Roman prisoner under the reign of Domitian (81-96 AD) and was called "John of Patmos". Regardless of the author's true identity, the Book of Revelation is the most intense and straightforward tome of all the biblical cannons in the Christian Bible. The obscure and extravagant imagery has led to a wide variety of Christian interpretations: some historians claim the prophetic events occurred during the 1st century of the A.D. era, others say it happened after the fall of the Roman Empire (476 AD). And yet, other biblical scholars believe the revelation of this book is to happen in mankind's future. It is also interesting to point out the Book of Revelation is the only apocalyptic book in the New Testament and therefore occupies a central place in Christian eschatology. However, there is no denying this biblical cannon is the ultimate story about the battle between good and evil. 

The story of the Revelation is recorded in the Book of Revelation, chapters 1-22.

5 - Paul's Conversion to Christianity

Saul of Taurus, "a Pharisee of Pharisees" who intensely persecuted the followers of Jesus, is the main character in this story. He was a very devout Jew; zealous in keeping the religious nature of Judaism intact amid the growing religious movement of the "Jesus followers". In his Epistle to the Galatians, he says, "For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers." (Galatians 1:13–14). Saul was even present for the stoning of Stephen, a wise and righteous man, a follower of Jesus, who was accused of blaspheming God and put to death. It was not until after Jesus was killed on the cross that Saul's life would change forever. While on the road to Damascus to persecute more Christians in that city, he was suddenly blinded by a bright light. It was a resurrected Jesus that stopped the zealous persecutor, saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Those present with Saul heard the voice, but could not see anyone, while Saul himself fell to the ground and closed his eyes in fear. After Jesus had given Saul instructions on what He wanted him to do, Saul dutifully journeyed on to Damascus, where he remained blind for three days. There Saul fasted and prayed, a sign of holy sorrow, and overcome with the guilt of his actions, he only wanted to be forgiven by the Lord. Even Ananias, a follower of Jesus, was skeptical when the Lord came to him in a dream and told him to go lay hands upon Saul so he could regain his eyesight, he said, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem." After Jesus explained that He had plans for Saul of Taurus, Ananias did the Lord's bidding. It was after Ananias lay hand upon Saul and the former persecutor of Christians was able to see again that he changed his name to Paul. He thereafter became a devoted apostle, teacher, writer, and advocate of Jesus. The Apostle Paul is credited with writing the majority of the New Testament. While the accounts of Paul's conversion is described by the theologians as miraculous, supernatural or otherwise revelatory in nature, the majority of Christians believe God used Paul as a vessel to reach out to the Gentiles in His quest to save all of mankind from the snares of evil.   

The story of Paul's conversion is recorded in the Book of Acts, chapter 26, verses 1-32. 

4 - Jesus Walking on Water

Jesus walking on the water is depicted as one of the miracles recounted in the New Testament. There are accounts of this event in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, but it is not included in the Gospel of Luke. This story, which followed the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, tells how Jesus sent the disciples by ship back to the "other side" of the Sea of Galilee while he remained behind. There Jesus spent time alone in prayer after dismissing the crowd. As night fell and the sea arose, the ship became caught in a wind storm. After endlessly rowing against the wind for most of the night, the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. They were initially frightened, thinking that they were seeing a spirit, but when Jesus told them not to be afraid, they were reassured and calmed down. Although Peter had doubts. “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus' response was “Come.” Peter cautiously left the boat and entered the water; he was almost to Jesus when a strong wind suddenly came upon him and he began sinking into the sea in fear. Jesus grabbed him from a watery death and chastised him with, “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”  After Jesus entered the ship, the wind ceased, and they arrived safely at land. Christians find the moral of this story to be... when you don't trust in Jesus and can only focus on difficult circumstances, you will sink under the weight of your problems. But, if you have faith and trust in Jesus, He will take us by the hand and raise us above impossible surroundings.

The story of Jesus walking on water is recorded in the Books of Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52 & John 6:16-21.

3 - Raising Lazarus from the Dead

According to the Book of John, a man named Lazarus was brought back to life by Jesus. His story is a bit vague and does not explain how he died. Lazarus lived at a place called Bethany, near Jerusalem, and had two sisters named Mary and Martha. [Bethany is located in the present-day Palestinian town of Al-Eizariya]. According to the gospel, Jesus was close friends of these siblings and wept upon hearing that Lazarus had died. The account notes that Jesus arrived in Bethany four days after Lazarus had passed away and was already entombed. The sisters, Mary and Martha, indirectly implored Jesus to raise him from the dead. Jesus complied with the request and not long afterward Lazarus emerged from his grave wearing his burial cloths. This was the last miracle Jesus performed before being killed. However, this miracle, which was witnessed by many Jews who had come to grieve with the family, inspired people to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, sent by God himself. Lazarus, while a somewhat vague character, was also present when his sister, Mary, anointed the feet of Jesus with perfume, using her long hair to spread it upon his feet (John 12:1-3). He was mentioned by name as the beggar in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It is interesting to note Lazarus is the only proper name attached to a character in the parables of Jesus. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it states that the miracle performed by Jesus (raising Lazarus from the dead) returned him to his ordinary earthly life and would later die again. The Christian moral of the story: Jesus shows the world that he has power over death.

The story of Raising Lazarus from the dead is recorded in the Book of John, chapter 11, verses 1-45. 

2 - The Last Supper

According to the Four Gospels, the "Last Supper" is a reference to the last meal that Jesus shared with his 12 Disciples before he died. This meal took place towards the end of the week, not long after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem [after raising Lazarus from the dead]. The First Epistle to the Corinthians, written by the Apostle Paul, contains the earliest known reference of the "Last Supper". While all the gospel cannons basically relate the same story, only the first three books of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) mentions what is called the "Eucharist", in which Jesus takes bread, breaks it and shares with the others present, stating, "This is my body given to you." This episode of the "Last Supper" story is not mentioned in the Gospel of John, nor are the disciples referred to in the 1st Corinthians account. The Gospel of John adds to the story: Jesus washed the feet of the apostles, gave a new commandment "to love one another as I have loved you", and included a detailed farewell discourse by Jesus, calling the apostles who follow his teachings "friends, not servants". This was Jesus' way of preparing the apostles for His heavenly departure. Also during this sacred meal Jesus predicts his betrayal by one of the apostles present, which produced shock and denial by his disciples. His prediction came true when it was the Apostle Judas Iscariot that betrayed Him. He also foretells that before the next morning, Peter will "deny knowing him" three times. While the Apostle Peter vehemently denied such an accusation when Jesus prophesied it, Peter would indeed "deny knowing Him" three different times after Jesus was arrested.  There are some scholars that would argue their case for Mary Magdalene being present for the "Last Supper", but the majority of historians and theologians disagree with this scenario, stating only the Disciples were mentioned as being present. The "Last Supper" is commemorated by Christians on what is known as, "Maundy Thursday" (the day before Good Friday).

The story of the "Last Supper" is recorded in the Books of Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; and John 13:1-30.

1 - Birth, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus

The story of Jesus' birth from a virgin and His horrendous death upon the cross is the most well known of stories and basically a guideline for all other cannons in the New Testament. His actual birthdate is unknown, but scholars put His birth between 5-4 BC. The story of His birth is filled with miraculous events from His mother, Mary, conceiving Jesus supernaturally by the hand of God himself, the Magi from the East visiting with gifts, the shepherds witnessing the heavenly host of angels [whom were praising the birth of a king] where they were tending their sheep to the great escape to Egypt the family took due to King Herod being determined to kill all male infants born in or near Bethlehem during the time of Jesus' birth. And, hence was born, the "Nativity of Jesus" and "Christmas" a few centuries later. The first recorded Christmas celebration, honoring the birth of Jesus, took place in Rome on December 25, 336 AD. Likewise Jesus' death was also filled with supernatural phenomenon, such as darkness falling upon the area during the morning hours, a great earthquake occurring when he died and Jesus being resurrected from the dead three days later. Jesus was arrested a week before he was crucified and subjugated to mocking and jeering from his constitutes; His walk to Calvary (also called the Passion of the Christ) occurred on a Friday and was done with godly submission amid the painful persecution He endured. Those present for the crucifixion of Jesus included Mary [mother of Jesus] and her sister [unnamed woman], Mary [Magdalene], Mary [wife of Clopas] and the Apostle John; the other apostles of Jesus were noticeably absent from scripture. Some Christian scholars believe Jesus' other disciples were present, but not mentioned, while other theologians deem the followers of Jesus' hid away in fear. Jesus is recorded as being raised from the dead [3 days later] and appearing to his remaining 11 disciples, including Mary Magdalene, for 40 days, as a testament to His miraculous resurrection, which enabled the disciples to regain their faith to overcome their fear and move forward with spreading the word of Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike. The story of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection ends with His ascension into a heavenly realm; His remaining 11 disciples [Judas Iscariot had committed suicide after his betrayal of Jesus] were present to witness the supernatural event. Acts 1:10-11 states, "They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Christians believe that Jesus' crucifixion was an act to bring humans salvation from sin, the resurrection indicates that death is not the end and the ascension reminds mankind that Jesus has gone to Heaven to prepare a place for them before He returns to conquer evil once and for all.

The story of Jesus' birth, death, resurrection and ascension is recorded in the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts 1.