The Bible Story - Part Four

The break between the last book of the Old Testament and the first book of the New Testament lasts 400 years. During this time the Romans gain control of what remains of the Israelite nation. Jesus' birth brings a new covenant between God and all the people of the world.

The Bible Story - Part Four

The Romans

There were 400 years between the last events of the Old Testament and the coming of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.  During this time, Alexander the Great conquered the huge territory ranging from Greece in the West to Pakistan in the East, and in the process took control of the province of Judea, the home of the Jews. 

After Alexander died in 323 B.C., the Greek empire split into two with Judea the buffer zone between them.  The Jews suffered for this, first being ruled by the Ptolemies (from Egypt to the south) for 125 years, then the Seleucids (from Syria to the north) from 198 B.C. onwards.

One Seleucid king, Antiochus Epiphanes, invaded Judea and desecrated the Temple in 167 B.C., (Daniel 9:27).  This was the last straw for the Jews who fought back and unexpectedly defeated the Seleucids and reconsecrated the Temple. 

In 63 B.C., Roman general Pompey took control of Judea, assuming it into the Roman Empire.  Herod the Great was made King of Judea. 

It was under Herod’s rule that Jesus Christ was born.

The New Testament and Coming of the New Covenant

The Messiah God has promised (Isaiah 61:1) was born to a poor couple named Mary and Joseph in the town of Bethlehem in about 6 B.C.  Jesus was a direct descendant of David (Matthew 1: 1-16).   Not much is known about his childhood and early adult life.

At the age of about 30 he was baptized by John (Matthew 3:16) and began his ministry by announcing that he was the fulfilment of the prophecy of the coming Messiah (Luke 4:21).  He called 12 disciples to be called his apostles (Mark 1:17) and began teaching them about the Kingdom of God, and who will enter it.  He travelled with his disciples throughout the region (particularly the Sea of Galilee) teaching people, healing the sick, challenging the religious establishment, demonstrating God’s grace and mercy, and modelling an intimate relationship with God.

Jesus' Death and Resurrection

However, religious leaders arrested Jesus for proclaiming he was the Son of God and for rejecting their ritualistic implementation of God’s Law.  Jesus was tried before Pilate and Herod and sentenced to death by crucifixion.  He was crucified at Golgotha (Matthew 27:33) and his body taken to a nearby garden tomb (Matthew 27:60). 

Three days later, he rose from the dead (Matthew 28:6) as he had promised.  He appeared to the apostles and followers (Luke 24:15) and even ate with them (Luke 24:43).  He then ascended to heaven to be with God (Luke 24:51), his sacrifice a full atonement for the sins of all people, from Adam and Eve to the end of time.  His death and resurrection established a new covenant of salvation by grace.

 

 

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