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 John, in Revelation 22:2ff, notes a river of the water of life as clear as a crystal flowing from the throne of God, "down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." The framework drawing that helps me recall the New Testament (NT) Epistles is the Tree of Life drawing (above) roughly depicting Paul’s missionary journeys and the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem. We recall the same Tree of Life sketch was used to depict Old Testament locations using the right side of the tree (see page 1). The cross of Christ (as noted earlier) provides the "hinge" for the NT Epistles. The NT contains twenty seven books; twenty three epistles, and four gospels. We will study the Gospels and the power of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. Of the twenty two remaining Epistles, thirteen can been attributed to Paul, four to John (I, II, III John) and Revelation, two to Peter (I and II Peter), one each to Jesus’ half brothers James and Jude. The author of Hebrews is generally considered unknown. The majority of the Epistles; Paul’s letters, Peter’s works, James, Jude were written before the Gospels. Tradition teaches us Mark, the first Gospel was written between 65-70 AD and was probably motivated by the deaths of Peter and Paul. James is considered one of the first Epistles, written as early as the late 40’s AD. Paul’s writings span about 15 years, from the late 40’s to 63-67 AD the time of his death. The letters provided readings for church communities in their meetings. 1st century churches passed Paul’s letters from church to church for oral reading. The letters were handwritten and copies made in Koine (common spoken) Greek. An early church was fortunate to have a small collection of the letters (or copies) for oral reading. Eventually the oral sharing of events from the life of Jesus were recorded providing the basis of gospel writers’ works. How to file and organize the 23 Epistles (Acts to Revelation) into four sections for recall is not an easy task. Arbitrarily I have chosen the following four categories choosing to look at Acts (Luke) and Revelation (John) as "Book ends" for the remaining 21 letters. The twenty one letters are grouped into two broad categories, Fourteen Personal letters (written to a person…Timothy, Titus) or group of persons (Romans, Corinthians Hebrews, etc.) and Seven General letters (General subject to General Audience). Paul’s "Gospel letters" to the Gentiles stand alone. Hebrews (author unknown) are grouped together in order with the balance of Paul’s letters (he wrote a total of thirteen letters by far the greatest contributor to the Epistles section of the New Testament) to provide a balance of materials to the 14 personal letters.
Organization
- New Testament 23 -
Epistles Books
Included in Category "Book Ends"
of the Epistles Acts and
Revelation Personal
Epistles – Paul Paul’s
"Gospel Letters"; Romans, I
& II Corinthians, Galatians Other
Personal Epistles Paul’s
First Letters, prison letters, and pastoral
letters, Hebrews Epistles to a
General Audience I and II
Peter, I, II, III John, James, Jude
Read: Acts and Revelation
SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS Luke’s Gospel records the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. In Acts of the Apostles Luke records to Theophilus the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem. The journeys and teachings of two main Apostles [Peter (Acts 1-12) and Paul (Acts 13-28)] form the broad division of the book. The power of the Holy Spirit in the lives and events of Christ’s apostles is evident throughout the Book of Acts. Some key events by Acts Chapters are: Acts
Chapter, Subject Result
of Power of Holy Spirit Pentecost,
Peter preaches - Chapter 2,3 About
3,000 were added to their number Early
Christian Community – Chap. 4 Believers
share their possessions Disciples
before the Sanhedrin – Chap.5 Gamaliel
– Leave these men alone Stephen’s
Death - Chapter 7 Saul
was giving approval to his death Paul’s
(Saul) Conversion Chapter 9 Saul,
why do you persecute me? Peter
and Cornelius – Chapter 10 God
accepts men from every nation The
Church in Antioch – Chapter 11 Barnabas
brought Paul to Antioch Peter’s
escape from Prison – Chapter 12 Night
before trial, Peter chains fell off Paul’s
first Missionary Journey – Chap. 13,
14 Paul
and Barnabas in Asia Minor Council
of Jerusalem – Chapter 15 James,
agrees with Paul and Barnabas Paul’s
2nd and 3rd Journeys –
Chap. 16-20 Paul’s
vision in Macedonia Paul’s
trial, in prison, sails to Rome –
21-28:14 Paul
tried, transferred to Caesarea Paul
in Rome - Chapter
28:15-31. Boldly
he preached Peter preached boldly "let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." He warned them, "Save yourself from this corrupt generation". Those who accepted the message were baptized, about 3,000 in number on a single day. Peter and the disciples were given strict orders by the High Priest not to teach in Jerusalem, but they continued. Peter, John, and the disciples were call before Sanhedrin. They faced a similar trial to that of Jesus, when the wise Gamaliel advised accusers to leave these men alone! "Let them go! For if their purpose or activity was of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting God." Saul’s conversion to Paul the great apostle, on the road to Damascus begins his exciting missionary journeys to the gentiles. The Christ centered character and theological contribution of Paul is studied in greater detail as we examine his thirteen Epistles in the New Testament. There are at least two views of Revelation; one interprets the it as a great book of things to come and a second position views it as an allegory filled with difficult symbolism that conveys that God is sovereign and in the end He will triumph. While I favor the latter position, I appreciate dialog with those holding the former position. I appreciate the beautiful imagery presented in Chap. 21 (New Jerusalem) and 22 (River and Tree of Life). John’s writing style is special and presents the living, breathing Christ, Son of God he knew so well. I’d like to read more on John’s theology, writings, and life. John testifies to what he saw to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Revelation is the only book in the NT that is primarily apocalypse in nature. Apocalypse is a literary form in which divine revelations about the future, especially end times are given to a prophet, agency of angels, in dreams, or visions.
READ: Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians Secondary A book on Paul of Tarsus SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS Paul, born about 5 years after Jesus, of the tribe of Benjamin in Tarsus was educated in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As a young man Saul was a zealous Pharisee, persecuted Christians, and participated in the stoning of Stephan. Sent to Damascus to arrest Christians he was converted, baptized, and escaped in a basket. Paul settled in Tarsus and was brought to Antioch by Barnabas. The Antioch church becomes the first Christian church outside of Jerusalem and became a "sending" congregation for missionaries. Paul establishes churches in Asia Minor and Greece. Paul corresponds with the congregations encouraging, correcting, sharing from his ministry, teaching and establishing a theological base that explains the life of Christ as a fulfillment of the OT. Romans is the theological cornerstone of the NT; Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and letter to Galatia are considered his "Gospel Letters". The churches in Galatia were established on Paul’s first missionary journey. Written about the time of the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), Paul addresses "Judaizers" infiltrating new Christian churches teaching a real Christian must submit to Old Testament Laws. Galatians has been called the ‘Magna Charta of Christian liberty" as Paul explains how grace frees Christians to discover power through living in faith with the Holy Spirit. A special passage from Galatians is 5:22: But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Corinth was a cosmopolitan Greek City of 250,000. On an isthmus it boasted ports on both the Aegean Sea and the Gulf of Corinth. 1st Corinthians deals with one problem after another faced by the worldly Corinthians (moderns also can learn today). Among my favorite passages are from Chapter 12 the Body of Christ and its many parts and Paul’s much quoted definition of Love from Chapter 13. 2nd Corinthians begins with a personal defense of Paul’s apostleship and ministry. The letter provides insight into his giving heart and sufferings for the Kingdom (11) and the thorn that remains in his very being to keep him from becoming conceited (12). Paul planned to travel to Rome and perhaps Spain. Christians from Rome (Priscilla and Aquila) employed Paul in their tent making business. Phoebe carried Paul’s letter to Rome in 56 or 57 AD, five years before Paul arrived in Rome as a prisoner. Paul teaches a man living by faith in Christ gets right with God rather than continuing to live under the law. My "S" outline helps to recall the body of truth Paul shares about the Christian faith in Romans is as follows: Subject Romans
Chapters / Verses Salutation 1:1-17 Sin
defined 1:18-3:20 Saved
by faith in Christ 3:21-5:11 Struggle
with Law and Sin 5:12-7:25 Solution-Spirit
filled life 8 Shared
Root 9-11 Sanctification
– Lead Holy Life 12:1-14:13 Servanthood 14:14-15:22 Saints 15:23-16 REFLECTIONS And we know that in all things God works for the good or those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
READ: I & II Thessalonians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, I & II Timothy, Titus, Hebrews SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS Three groups of Paul’s epistles covered here are: First writings; I & II Thessalonians, Prison Letters; Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon, and Pastoral Letters; Titus, I&II Timothy. Paul’s friendships and correspondence with early churches provides extensive in sights to Paul’s theology as God breathed words on a variety of themes; avoid heresy, keep a clear vision of Christ (Colossians), believers as Priests (Ephesians), do not despair hardship, rejoice (Philippians), and the satisfaction of a deeply committed life (II Timothy). Acts 16:4-5 Pricilla and Aquila home used for church; a precursor of our home Bible study groups? All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. II Timothy 3:16 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Philippians 6:11 In his book, The Pauline Circle F. F. Bruce reminds us of the depth and impact Paul had with the early Christian church. The varied, broad backgrounds of the lives touched by Paul are:
Person Who
Knew Paul Thumbnail
Sketch of Person Mark (cousin
of Barnabas) Left Paul in
Pathos, Gospel author, traveled with Peter,
reconciled with Paul Luke
(Physician) Gospel author
Luke and Acts of Apostles, joins Paul in Troas, as
Paul’s life ends, Luke alone is with him
Barnabas
(Levite from Cyprus) Gift supports
early church, introduces Paul to Christians in
Jerusalem. Timothy (of
Lystra) Eunice
Timothy’s mother friend, affection of a father
to Timothy, "bring my cloak" Silas (Roman
citizen, Jewish Convert) Beaten
with Paul, possibly helped write I & II
Thessalonians Priscilla
and Aquila Moved
from Rome 49 AD, employed Paul, with Paul Corinth,
back in Rome 58 AD Onesimus (of
Colossae) Converted by
Paul in Colossae church, Philemon his escaped
slave Hebrews does not start with a salutation like other NT letters. What we do know is that the author is very familiar with the Old Testament (OT) and frequently compares Jesus to the High Priest of the OT. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1. Great songs of the church are brought to mind such as: Faith of our Fathers Holy Faith, Keep your eyes upon Jesus. Hebrews is written to Jewish believers to present Jesus as the high priest of the New covenant, superior to past high priests of the OT. Jesus is presented as faithful to God, a builder like Moses, but superior to all previous high priests. Jesus is the fulfillment of the new covenant Jer. 31:31-34 by putting God’s laws on men’s minds and writing them on their hearts. Jesus is the mediator that replaced the earthly Tabernacles and mercy seat of the OT with the sacrifice of His life. Christians are encouraged to believe in Christ and be saved. We are reminded of the great cloud of OT witnesses that surround us in Chap. 11. 12:1-2 exhorts to run a race of perseverance with our eyes fixed upon Jesus as the prefector of our faith. Hebrews closes with exhortations about loving our brothers. The author of Hebrews, generally considered to be unknown, has revisited the two great commandments of Jesus; love the Lord and love our neighbors.
REFLECTIONS Help us today to realize the importance of missionary zeal and evangelical reaching out to non-believers. Paul endured hardship for the Lord. Help me to use my unique gifts to share the Gospel. Is Apollos (Acts 18) the author of Hebrews? Help me to understand the person to person ministry of Paul and the power I feel from the Book of Hebrews.
READ: I and II Peter, I, II, III John, James, Jude
SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS The General Letters are written to General Audiences on issues common to the early church and followers of Christ today. Among the themes addressed in these letters are: General
Letter Theme James
Practical
Religion – Faith without works is
empty I
Peter Obedience
– Encourage each other, suffering through to
feed the flock II
Peter A
warning against false teachers I
John Be
joyful, beware of sin, beware of false teachers, be
assured in Christ II
John Love and
truth are keys, avoid false teachings III
John Christian
hospitality Jude Warn the
church against immoral teachers and alarming
heresies Suffering was for Jesus was common among early Christians. Worship of the Emperor and state gods of Rome was popular, and allegiance to Christ was viewed as a lack of patriotism. Peter understands this struggle and writes I Peter to encourage believers to endure. Peter expresses concern about internal pressures from false teachers in II Peter. I Peter warns believers of the external trials in their faith walk. Jesus was the living stone rejected by men but chosen by God. Peter’s imagery is living stones knit together and built into a spiritual house on this earth for the Lord. Christians are aliens to worldly sins and desires, choosing the way of good deeds to glorify God. Believers are a "a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (2:9). II Peter describes the inward journey of the believer. We add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and brotherly love. If we possess these qualities in increasing measure we will be effective and productive witnesses for Jesus Christ. We must avoid false teachers and always be prepared to the day of the Lord "which will come like a thief" (3:10). If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness I John 1:9. So faith by itself, if it has no works is dead. James 2:17. Jesus had four half brothers and at least two sisters (Mark 6:3). Catholic tradition teaches James, Joseph, Judas and Simon were cousins; thus perpetuating Mary as a virgin. Jesus’ brothers did not follow him as Lord during his earthly ministry. (Mark 3:31-35 and John 7:3-5). His brothers met the Risen Christ becoming believers by the Acts 1:14 meeting of believers. Jesus chose the beloved disciple, John, into his family to care of his mother. (John. 19:26-27) Jesus must have been tender with his brothers and their unbelief. Jesus mission was to do God’s work on the earth. The decision to follow Him and "sup" with Him (I like the RSV in Rev. 3:20!) was a free human decision with the Lord. James became titular head of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15), and wrote a book on the importance of practicing and expressing one’s faith in Christ. James was written early (late 40’s AD) among NT books. Tradition teaches James was martyred about 62 AD in Jerusalem. Faith without deeds is empty. Wisdom is shown by a good life, control of one’s tongue, being a good listener and not boasting or bragging. REFLECTIONS John addresses his "dear children" to walk in the light and not love the world. We are reminded as children of God to love one another and avoid false beliefs. II and III John are short epistles encouraging believers to; avoid deceivers, focus on Christ, and show hospitality to each other. Jude, was eager to write about salvation but heard of false teachers and realized the heresy problem needed immediate attention. Jesus foretold of scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires….avoid them! Back To Top |