LESSON 1

Several different forces had a part in shaping the world of the New Testament. For instance, consider these facts. Though the Romans ruled Palestine when the New Testament was written, the language of the New Testament itself was Greek.

Jesus, whose story is told in the New Testament, was a Jew, the Messiah whose coming the Old Testament Scriptures foretold.

Furthermore, in the pages of the New Testament we read of people who followed many kinds of pagan religions and mystery cults. What were the forces that shaped the New Testament world?