1 Compare New Testament history with these four descriptions of Old Testament history: foreshadow, promise, problem, commencement What is meant by “the four hundred silent years”? Compare Judaism of 400 B.C with Judaism of Jesus’ time, concerning vernacular, places of worship, and religious groups What were the three geographical centers of Judaism during the silent centuries? When did the Sadducees and Pharisees originate? Name the six periods of Jewish history during the silent years Which was the Period of Independence? What was the political state of Palestine when Jesus was born? What did the Greek Septuagint version contribute to Christianity’s rst century? To what extent did Jesus and the apostles use that version? What were the contributions of the Roman background to the early Christian church and the New Testament? II POLITICAL SETTING Because the New Testament writings have a historical setting, it is natural that they include references to secular rulers of the Bible lands, rulers who were governing the people at that time This is the political setting of the New Testament The gospels and Acts contain most of the New Testament’s references to the secular rulers The average Bible student has di culty identifying and associating the references, because of confusion over di erent kinds of rulers (There were kings, governors, procurators, emperors.) The purpose of this section of study is to distinguish between the di erent titles of rulers, identify the lands of their rule, and learn the names of the rulers who appear in the Bible account A THE LANDS All the action of the New Testament takes place in lands of the Roman Empire That was the “world” of such references as Acts 17:6 The territorial scope of Roman supremacy is shown on Map D, The Roman Empire.22 Observe the boundaries of the Empire when Jesus was born (5 B.C.) The capitol of the Empire was Rome, Italy (See Map E, page 64, for its location.) Where on Map D is Palestine located (not identi ed by name)? Compare its size with other lands, such as Egypt (See Map L, page 207.) ... titles of rulers, identify the lands of their rule, and learn the names of the rulers who appear in the Bible account A THE LANDS All the action of the New Testament takes place in lands of the. .. were governing the people at that time This is the political setting of the New Testament The gospels and Acts contain most of the New Testament? ??s references to the secular rulers The average Bible... the “world” of such references as Acts 17:6 The territorial scope of Roman supremacy is shown on Map D, The Roman Empire.22 Observe the boundaries of the Empire when Jesus was born (5 B.C.) The