F.F. Bruce emphasizes the importance of the reliability of the New Testament documents in Christianity. He argues that the essence of Christianity is not just a code of ethics or a metaphysical system, but rather good news rooted in historical events like the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The historical 'once-for-allness' of Christianity, as recorded in the New Testament, is crucial for understanding the faith's foundation. Even from a purely historical perspective, the character and influence of Jesus, as portrayed in the New Testament, have significantly impacted human history, making the reliability of these records a vital subject of investigation.

F.F. Bruce delves into the New Testament documents, highlighting the historical nature of the first five books, including the Gospels and Acts, which narrate the good news of Jesus Christ's redemption. He discusses the dates of these documents, suggesting the completion of the New Testament around AD 100, with the Gospels possibly written earlier than commonly believed. Bruce emphasizes the early existence of the New Testament through manuscript attestation, comparing it to classical works and noting the wealth of evidence supporting its authenticity.

F.F. Bruce delves into the historical research behind the formation of the New Testament canon, exploring how the Holy Spirit guided the selection and collection of the writings. The sermon discusses early lists of New Testament books by Marcion and the Muratorian Fragment, highlighting the gradual recognition of the twenty-seven books. It emphasizes the importance of determining divinely authoritative books for Christian doctrine and disputes with heretics, leading to the formal inclusion of the New Testament books in the canon by the Church. The sermon concludes by affirming the Church's right choice in selecting the New Testament books over other early documents and apocryphal writings.

F.F. Bruce preaches about the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John, highlighting the historical evidence, origin, trustworthiness, and unique characteristics of each Gospel. He emphasizes the early pursuit of Gospel origins, the importance of eyewitnesses, and the value of understanding the sources behind the Gospels. F.F. Bruce discusses the similarities and differences between the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John, addressing geographical, chronological, and stylistic variations. He explores the portrayal of Jesus in the Gospels, focusing on His messianic identity, humanity, and self-disclosure, while emphasizing the eternal truth and relevance of the gospel message.

F.F. Bruce delves into the credibility of miracle stories in the Gospels, emphasizing the importance of understanding them in the context of Jesus' character and the significance of His resurrection. He highlights that the miracles are signs of divine power and should be viewed as object lessons of the kingdom of God, challenging believers to have faith in God as revealed in Christ. Bruce explains that the miracles, whether healing or nature-related, signify the messianic age and the power of God at work, ultimately pointing to the resurrection of Christ as the greatest miracle of all.

F.F. Bruce delves into the life and conversion of the apostle Paul, a Roman citizen of Jewish birth who zealously persecuted early Christians until his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus transformed him into a chief herald of the Christian faith. Paul's conversion has been considered a powerful evidence for the truth of Christianity. Through Paul's Epistles, we gain insight into the early apostolic preaching about Jesus, emphasizing His divine preexistence, humanity, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and appearances to many eyewitnesses.

F.F. Bruce delves into the historical accuracy and reliability of Luke, the author of the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, highlighting Luke's meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in his writings. Luke's works provide a comprehensive historical account of Christian origins, bridging the gap between the time of John the Baptist and the early years of the Christian Church, offering valuable insights into the political and social contexts of the Roman Empire during that period. Through Luke's writings, we gain a deeper understanding of the significant figures, events, and locations mentioned in the New Testament, demonstrating Luke's commitment to presenting a factual and trustworthy narrative of the early Christian movement.

F.F. Bruce discusses the archaeological evidence supporting the New Testament, highlighting the importance of inscriptions and papyri in confirming historical events and locations mentioned in the Bible. He explores how discoveries in Jerusalem, such as the temple barrier inscriptions and the pool of Bethesda, provide insights into the cultural and religious context of biblical accounts. Bruce also delves into the significance of Greek papyrus finds in revealing the common language spoken during New Testament times, challenging previous notions about the language of the Holy Ghost. Additionally, he touches on the discovery of sayings of Jesus in papyrus fragments and the Gospel of Thomas, shedding light on early Christian beliefs and Gnostic influences.

F.F. Bruce delves into the Rabbinical Writings and Josephus' historical accounts to shed light on the context and references to Jesus in Jewish literature. The Pharisees, led by Yohanan the son of Zakkai, played a crucial role in reconstructing religious law after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. The Talmud, a compilation of Mishnah and Gemara, contains references to Jesus, portraying Him as a transgressor who practiced magic and was hanged for heresy. Josephus, a Jewish historian, independently mentions figures like John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and Jesus Himself, affirming key aspects of the Gospel narrative.

F.F. Bruce delves into early Jewish and Gentile writings to explore references to Christianity in the first century, highlighting the attempts to refute Christian traditions with naturalistic interpretations. He discusses the disappearance of certain writings like those of Thallus and the intriguing letter from Mara Bar-Serapion mentioning Jesus. Bruce also touches on the lack of references to Christianity in classical literature due to its initial obscurity and disreputable nature in imperial Rome. He concludes by emphasizing the historical character of Jesus, supported by evidence from various non-Christian sources.