An Overview of Dominant Keywords, Key Messages & Themes Throughout Every Book in the New Testament
The Keywords and Key Messages Bound Within Each Book of the New Testament
Matthew: God of the Jews
Keywords&Messages: Genealogy of Christ, Birth of Christ, King of the Jews, Messiah, Bethlehem, King Herod, Baptism, Repentance, John the Baptist, Disciples, Teaching in Galilee, Ministry, Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Teaches, Jesus Loves, Jesus Heals, Examples of Jesus, Apostles, Parables, Destruction of the Temple, Peter’s Denial, The Last Supper, Persecution, Jesus Betrayed, Judas, Jesus Crucified, Resurrection, Life of Christ
Key Verse:
…and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:2
Mark: God of Service
Keywords&Messages: Brief History of Christ’s Ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus Healing, Twelve Apostles, Parables, Servant, Repent Jesus’s Miracles, Feeding of the 5000, Walking on Water, Herod Kills John the Baptist, Jesus Foretells His Death, Judas Betrays, Persecution, Peter’s Denial, Last Supper, Jesus’s Death, Resurrection
Key Verse:
Luke: God of the Outcast
Keywords&Messages: Son of Man, Focus on Christ’s Importance Acts, Birth of John the Baptist, Birth of Jesus Christ, Jesus Preaching at 12, Return to Nazareth, Baptism of Christ, Lineage of Christ, Healing Miracles of Jesus, Sermon on the Plain, Selecting 12 Apostles, Parables, The Good Samaritan, Prophecy of Christ’s Death and Resurrection, How to Pray, Martha and Mary, Repent, Kingdom of God, Jesus Weeps, Cleansing of Temple, Last Supper, Denial and Betrayal, Jesus Arrested, Christ Dies on the Cross, Jesus is Resurrected, Jesus Appears to Disciples
Key Verse:
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10
John: God of the World
Keywords&Messages: Son of God, Believe in Christ, Ministry, Life of Christ, Fellowship, Faith, Lamb of God, Turning Water into Wine, Journey to Jerusalem, Cleansing of the Temple, Testimony of John the Baptist, Jesus is Bread of Life, Christ’s Miracles, Feast and Festival of Tabernacles, Jesus is the Light of the World, Lazarus, Disbelief of People, Jesus Washes Disciples Feet, Vine and Branches, Christlike Love, Jesus Prays, Pilate, Crucifixion, Raised from the Dead, Jesus Appears to Disciples, Peter Restored
Key Verse:
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31
Acts: God of Power
Keywords&Messages: Spreading of the Gospel, Spirit of Christ, Discipleship, Fellowship, Ministry, The Early Church, Foundation of the Church, The Holy Spirit, Teaching the Word of God, Matthias is Chosen, Jesus Ascends, Peter’s Sermon, Preaching, Faith, Apostles Arrested, 7 Deacons, Stephen, Persecution, Simon, Saul, Herod’s Death, Barnabas, Paul Stoned, Mission of Paul, Missionary Work
Key Verse:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Romans: God of Righteousness
Keywords&Messages: Preaching, Mission Work, Roman Church, Paul, Righteous Life, God’s Judgment, Abraham, Knowledge of Sin, Transgression, Sanctification, Unity with Christ, Parables, Salvation, Love, The Body of Christ, Dedication to God, Healing, God’s Law, Glory of God, Doctrine of Christ
Key Verse:
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:25-26
1 Corinthians: God of Holiness
Keywords&Messages: Paul’s First Letter, Corinthian Believers, Paul’s Ministry, Missionary Work, Spiritual Wisdom, Folly of Man’s Wisdom, God’s Servants, Immoral Behavior, Spiritual Gifts, Unity, Freedom in Christ, Eternal Life, Faith, Resurrection, Spiritual Development, Importance of Humility, Love
Key Verse:
2 Corinthians: God of Weakness
Keywords&Messages: Paul’s Second Letter, Comfort, God’s Compassion, Ministry, Paul’s Mission, Paul’s Apostleship, Affliction and Suffering, Living by Faith, Reconciliation, Jesus’s Death, Generosity, Paradise, Warnings
Key Verse:
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Galatians: God of Justification
Keywords&Messages: God’s Grace, Faithfulness, The Gospel, Word of God, God’s Law, God’s Promises, Fruit of the Spirit, Love One Another, Freedom Through Christ,
Key Verse:
Ephesians: God of Unity
Keywords&Messages: The Body of Christ, Blessings, Divine Grace, Unity of the Church, Prayer, Spiritual Change, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Welfare
Key Verse:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
Ephesians 2:8
Philippians: God of Joy
Keywords&Messages: Stand Firm in Christ, Live in Christ, The Gospel, Faith, Obedience, Gratitude, Christian Kindness, Joy, Christlike Life, Trust in God, Endure
Key Verse:
Colossians: God of Preeminence
Keywords&Messages: Christ is the Head of the Church, Christ is Divine, Christ is Supreme, Life is Found in Christ, Bread of Life, Christ is Eternal, Faith in Christ, Belief in Christ Completes, Fellowship
Key Verse:
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Colossians 2:9-10
1 Thessalonians: God of Encouragement
Keywords&Messages: Return of Christ, Second Coming, The Day of the Lord, Rapture, Hope, Faith, Holiness, Remain Steadfast, Paul’s Mission Work, Timothy, Ministry
Key Verse:
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
2 Thessalonians: God of Admonishment
Keywords&Messages: Christ Comes Again, Second Coming of Christ, Last Days, Day of the Lord, Unbelievers, Faith, Lack of Faith, Honor God, Live in Hope, Remain Faithful
Key Verse:
1 Timothy: God of Godliness
Keywords&Messages: Focus on Importance of Godliness, Holiness, Integrity, Instructions for Ministry, Christian Leadership, Church Governance, Sound Teachings
Key Verse:
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:16
2 Timothy: God of Endurance
Keywords&Messages: Paul, Timothy, Endure, Faith, Ministry, Instructions for Timothy, Paul’s Last Letter, Servant of the Lord, Steadfast in Faith, Missionary
Key Verse:
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
2 Timothy 2:19
Titus: God of Works
Keywords&Messages: Instruction, Consistent Behavior, Church Leadership, Faith, Purity, Mercy, Preaching, Ministry, Word of God, God’s Teachings
Key Verse:
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Titus 3:1-2
Philemon: God of Reconciliation
Keywords&Messages: Christ is Lord and Master, We Belong to Christ, Forgiveness, Repentance, Onesimus, Compassion
Key Verse:
Hebrews: God of Fulfillment
Keywords&Messages: Greatness of Christ, Christ is the Son of God, Warnings for Falling Away, New Covenant, Remain in Christ, Blessings of Christ, God’s Promises, God is Our Father, Jesus Exceeds All, Jesus is Messiah, Obedience
Key Verse:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3
James: God of Trials
Keywords&Messages: Wisdom in the Word of God, Endurance, Faith in Action, Humility, Fruit of our Faith, Faith Thrives on Work, Love All of Mankind
Key Verse:
1 Peter: God of the Persecuted
Keywords&Messages: Mercy, Good Deeds, Suffering Perfects Faith, Humility, Love Your Neighbors, God is Always with Us, Lean on God, Follow in Christ, Grace, Persecution, Eternal Inheritance
Key Verse:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5
2 Peter: God of Patience
Keywords&Messages: Christ is our Strength, Worship, Steer from Temptation, Faithfulness, Trust in the Lord, False Teachings, Spiritual Growth, Seek to Know Jesus Christ
Key Verse:
1 John: God of Love
Keywords&Messages: Keeping New Commandment, God is Light, Encouragement, Jesus is the Son of God, Fellowship, Obedience, Repentance, Righteous Living Do Everything in Love, Spirit of God, Eternal Life
Key Verse:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
2 John: God of Truth
Keywords&Messages: Love One Another, Walk in Truth and Love, Word of God is Freedom, False Teachers
Key Verse:
3 John: God of Discernment
Keywords&Messages: Gaius, Demetrius, Hospitality, Mission Work, Fellowship, Support Others, Help Those in Need
Key Verse:
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
3 John 1:11
Jude: God of Protection
Keywords&Messages: Persevere, False Teachings, Love, Contend for Faith, Remain in Christ, Trust the Word of God, Live in Holiness, Warnings
Key Verse:
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Jude 1:20-21
Revelation: God of Eternity
Keywords&Messages: The Day of the Lord, Retribution, Alpha and Omega, Christ is King, Prophecy Fulfilled, Eternal Life, The Second Coming of Christ, Judgment Day, Good and Evil, End Times, Signs of The End, War in Heaven, Crown of Life, Harvest of Earth, Tree of Life, New Heaven, New Earth, John’s Vision, Great Tribulation, God’s Wrath, Lamb of God, Victory Over Satan, Heavenly Throne, Seven Seals, Blowing of Trumpets, Plagues, Zion, Paradise Restored
Key Verse:
Click here to see Keywords and Key Messages in the Old Testament
-Torrance Church of Christ