Keynotes of the Books of the New Testament

Reviewing key words, verses, phrases, and messages from the Gospel accounts refreshes our memory (2 Peter 1:12) and helps us to find key ideas as we read.

Matthew

• Key Word-Kingdom
• Key Verses-Matthew 1:21-23
• Message-Jesus, the King of the Jews

Mark

• Key Word-Straightway
• Key Verses-Mark 10:43-45
• Message-Jesus, the Perfect Servant

Luke

• Key Phrase-Son of Man
• Key Verse-Luke 19:10
• Message-Jesus, the ideal Man

John

• Key Word-Believe
• Key Verses-John 20:30-31
• Message-Jesus, the Only Begotten Son of God

Acts

• Key Words-Beginning
• Key Verses-Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41, Acts 2:47
• Message-The apostles’ witness of Christ, beginning at Jerusalem

Romans

• Key Word-Righteousness
• Key Verses-Romans 1:16-17
• Message-Justification is by obedient faith in Christ

1 Corinthians

• Key Words-Our Lord
• Key Verses-1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:10
• Message-The Lordship of Jesus

2 Corinthians

• Key Words-Comfort; ministry
• Key Verses-2 Corinthians 4:5-6
• Message-Christians are ministers of comfort and of the new covenant

Galatians

• Key Words-Liberty
• Key Verses-Galatians 5:1
• Message-Christ is the Deliverer.

Ephesians

• Key Word-The church
• Key Verses-Ephesians 1:22-23
• Message-The church is the body of Christ.

Philippians

• Key Words-Joy; Love
• Key Verses-Philippians 1:21
• Message-To live is Christ.

Colossians

• Key Words-Fullness
• Key Verses-Colossians 2:9-10
• Message-Christ is all an in all.

1 Thessalonians

• Key Words-Hope
• Key Verses-1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
• Message-Christ is coming again.

2 Thessalonians

• Key Word-The Day of the Lord
• Key Verses-2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
• Message-The righteous judgment of Christ.

1 Timothy

• Key Words-Minister
• Key Verses-1 Timothy 3:15-16
• Message-Be an example of the believers.

2 Timothy

• Key Words-Unpretended Faith
• Key Verses-2 Timothy 3:14-17
• Message-Preach the word, keep the faith.

Titus

• Key Words-Savior and Salvation
• Key Verses-Titus 2:11-15
• Message-God’s grace brings salvation to all.

Philemon

• Key Word-Receive
• Key Verses-Philemon 1:9; Philemon 1:15-17
• Message-The gospel’s transforming power.

Hebrews

• Key Word-Better
• Key Verse-Hebrews 8:6
• Message-Christ’s superiority.

James

• Key Words-Faith; Works
• Key Verses-James 2:21-26
• Message-Faith shown by works.

1 Peter

• Key Words-Suffering; Hope
• Key Verses-1 Peter 3:15; 1 Peter 3:21
• Message-Suffering patiently and joyously to God’s glory.

2 Peter

• Key Word-Knowledge
• Key Verses-2 Peter 1:3-4
• Message-The word of Christ is the source of life and godliness.

1 John

• Key Word-Fellowship
• Key Verses-1 John 1:7
• Message-The life of fellowship with God.

2 John 

• Key Word-The Doctrine of Christ
• Key Verses-2 John 1:9-11
• Message-Christ’s teaching must be received and obeyed, all error rejected.

3 John 

• Key Word-Truth
• Key Verses-3 John 1:4
• Message-Walking in the truth.

Jude 

• Key Words-Keep; Kept
• Key Verses-Jude 1:3
• Message-Keep the faith so that God may keep you from stumbling

Revelation

• Key Word-Overcome
• Key Verses-Revelation 2:10
• Message-The glorious triumph of Christ, ultimate victory of the righteous (Revelation 15:2)

Source-Frank J. Dunn, Know Your Bible (Frank and Yvonne Dunn Publications-1997), 430-648