Which books are more important in the New Testament

[Rock022]

I have heard people say they preach the gospel but put in higher status all other books of the NT over the four gospels.
I place the four gospels at a higher level.

 

[shawntc]

I think that since all of them are Spirit-breathed, they all hold equal weight. That said, they all have different functions, and thus make them better for certain things.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are good for talking about who Jesus is. Matthew connects Jesus to the Jews, Luke is quite systematic, and John presents Jesus in a very ethereal, divine manner.

Romans is a great book of theology, aptly placed as the first epistle. It probes into the "why's" of what we believe.

James is a very practical book. As are 1 and 2 Corinthians.

1, 2, and 3 John are books that reveal a heart that wants to serve God.

Revelation is a strongly prophetic book.

 

[Rock022]

What about

Acts
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 and 2 Thessalonians
1 and 2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 and 2 Peter
1,2 and 3 John
Jude

I know you just gave examples maybe someone else can pick it up, I believe they are all good, but the Gospels have the best of the best.

 

[BishopSEH]

I would have to disagree. As wonderful as the four Gospels are they are truly no higher in value that the rest of the Bible. While I, like most if not all, have my favored books in the Bible, placing them or any other over the whole is foolish. Think for a moment if you will, that you are a lover of fine art. There is a work by Rembrandt titled, The Stoning of Saint Stephen". Its a beautiful rendering of a man seeing glory amiss the violence of those that resist change. Now imagine this work if you striped away most of the scene. Lets say you just keep the focal point of Stephen on his knees gazing heavenward. First you would lose the context of why he is looking to heaven. In fact you may very well lose the concept that he is looking at heaven at all.

What you would see is a man on his knees with head tilted up with one hand raised. The painting would lose its impact. As with the Bible, if you just focus on the Gospel you lose the reason why the Gospel is so important. Further you would lose all the practical application of the Gospels found in the epistles. You would also lose the words of Christ in the Book of Revelation. The fact is, the Gospel, without the rest of the Scriptures becomes, to an extent, a sounding gong without understanding as to why the gong rings out.

In Christ,

Bishop SEH

 

[tribesman]

Scripture works together as a whole.

2Tim.3

[14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

[Rock022]

Scripture works together as a whole.

This was Paul talking to Timothy about the Old Testament Scriptures. Why you guys keep quoting a reference to the OT from a letter to Timothy and say it is the whole NT?

Here is the proof it was referring to the OT

[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures

Timothy knew this from a child. NT was not written yet, this was a letter.

 

[unique1976]

All books in the Bible are important, The Old Testament reveals the Father, the Gospels reveal the Son, and the Epistles reveal the Holy Spirit. All are important to know God!!!

 

[Rock022]

But I do agree scripture works together as a whole, but to see this you do not go from one passage of the bible. We learn this when we see a steady truth that could not have been written by men because all the scriptures have been written over a long period.

The continuities of this truths of Jesus and Adam, the blessed virgin and eve, the constant wedding teachings, many many more, not because it says so in one verse. This is why people can not defend the scriptures, they use only one verse.

 

[crossnote]

I have heard people say they preach the gospel but put in higher status all other books of the NT over the four gospels.
I place the four gospels at a higher level.

In general I find that the four Gospels pictures the gospel enacted in the person of Jesus Christ.
whereas the Epistles (especially Paul's) is the Gospel revealed. That is Paul explains what the impact and ramifications are for mankind as a result of the Work of Christ.

 

[tribesman]

This was Paul talking to Timothy about the Old Testament Scriptures. Why you guys keep quoting a reference to the OT from a letter to Timothy and say it is the whole NT?

Here is the proof it was referring to the OT

[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures

Timothy knew this from a child. NT was not written yet, this was a letter.

What you say here is correct. However the statement must also be taken for how it applies to us who have the NT.

 

[nathan3]

No one is higher then the other. It is all God's word. No one wanting knowledge ever says I'll only read half a book. You read it all.

 

[crossnote]

Most of Scripture is addressed to a Jewish audience.
Because I am a gentile I pay very close attention to what the Spirit speaks through the Apostle to the Gentiles and view the rest of Scripture from that perspective.


For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
(Rom 11:13)

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
(Rom 15:16)

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
(Act 22:21)

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
(Act 26:16-18)

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles
(Gal 2:7-8)

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
(2Ti 1:11)

and yet without ignoring the rest of Scripture.

 

[crossnote]

I would make an exception with the Gospel of John which emphasizes 'who' Jesus is (compared to the Synoptics) through explanation and dialogue as well as what He did.