...while he was in prison. Throughout Paul’s life the Philippians held a special place in his heart. He wrote to them with affection, and the epistle breathes a note of joy throughout. When Paul first came to Philippi, he was thrown in jail. The location of his imprisonment has been long debated. In the deep of the night, bound and beaten, he sang a hymn to God. A decade later Paul was again in prison, and he still was celebrating the Christian’s joy in the midst of suffering, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). Paul begins the epistle by giving thanks for the love of the Philippians and by praying for its increase. Even though Paul is in prison, the gospel is not confined; on the contrary, it is increasing. Whether Paul lives or dies, “Christ is preached” and this results in salvation. Following these reflections, Paul introduces a series of exhortations: to remain faithful in suffering; to remain considerate of others, as Jesus Christ was and to avoid evil and live blamelessly. The final chapter of Philippians summarizes several miscellaneous matters. Paul exhorts quarrelsome church members to rise above their differences. He also leaves two important lessons, on substituting thankful prayer for anxiety and on the characteristics of a noble and godly life. He concluded with thanks for the Philippians’ gift and included final greetings. The Book of Hebrews The book of Hebrews is the nineteenth book in the New Testament...
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...David Trobisch and David Parker on the Origin of the New Testament, the Historical Jesus, and How Manuscripts Can Reveal What Texts Conceal Tom Dykstra I grew up with a picture of Paul traveling through Asia and Europe, founding congregations, counseling and teaching the men and women who had given their life to Jesus. If he could not visit them, he sent letters. When Paul died, his letters were kept as treasures. Each church that had received one of his letters saved it, had it read during worship services, and exchanged copies of the letter with other congregations close by. Later the congregations tried to complete their collection. But this view does not match the uniformity of manuscript evidence. --David Trobisch 1 It is even more remarkable that attempts to reconstruct the supposed document 'Q' (the lost collection used by both Matthew and Luke postulated by those who argue that Matthew and Luke are independent) use text-critical terminology to describe their activities. However, since all they are doing is making selections from a twentieth-century printed text, which does not even presume to provide confidently the text of the four-Gospel collection, never mind that of the independent first-century texts, this use of language must be dismissed as illusory. --David Parker 2 Modern scholarship has produced detailed biographies of Paul, massive multi-volume inquiries into “the historical Jesus,” and mountains of exegetical literature that claims to extract the author’s...
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...explains about the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. Jesus also tells the disciples in Matthew to “Go and make disciples of all the nations” (28:19). The most influential chapters in Matthew are the sermon on the mount (5-7) and the parables section. Romans The book of Romans is of the Epistle genre it is the first canonical order, but it is not Paul’s first Epistles. It is the longest and the most influential of all the apostles’ writings. This book is based on Paul’s faith, Paul professes this to the people of Roman, and he tells them that righteousness comes by faith not by works (9:1) He is not ashamed of the gospel and tells the people of this, informs them of the wrath of God and of his judgment. He explains to the people that god is good and righteous and if they will have faith in Jesus Christ they will be blessed as Abraham was. Paul explains how death is because of Adam and how they can obtain eternal life through Jesus Christ. Paul also explains to the Romans, that through Jesus Christ, we can gain acceptance and encouragement. To finish his letter Paul offers some personal and...
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...ministry to both Jewish and Roman audiences. Fourteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament have traditionally been attributed to Paul, and approximately half of the Acts of the Apostlesdeals with Paul's life and works. Seven of the epistles are undisputed by scholars as being authentic, with varying degrees of argument about the remainder. The Pauline authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews, already doubted in the 2nd and 3rd centuries but almost unquestioningly accepted from the 5th to the 16th centuries, is now almost universally rejected by scholars. The other six are believed by some scholars to have come from followers writing in his name, using material from Paul's surviving letters and letters written by him that no longer survive. Other scholars argue that the idea of a pseudonymous author for the disputed epistles raises many problems. Today, his epistles continue to be vital roots of the theology, worship, and pastoral life in the Roman and Protestant traditions of the West, as well as the Orthodox traditions of the East. Among the many other apostles and missionaries involved in the spread of the Christian faith, his influence on Christian thought and practice has been characterized as being as "profound as it is pervasive". Augustine of Hippo developed Paul's idea that salvationis based on faith and not "works of the law". Martin Luther's interpretation ofPaul's...
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...The letter to the Galatians written by Paul to the churches he established in Galatia during his first missionary journey declares that freedom in Christ flows from justification by faith through grace alone. These verses assert Paul’s divine calling to establish the gentile church and appeal to Galatian Christians to resist adding to the gospel of grace the observance of certain Jewish traditions including circumcision, Jewish festival and food laws promoted by Jewish Christians (Judaizers), thereby alienating themselves from Christ Elevating themselves these Judaizers claimed to be sent by the apostles in Jerusalem who had known Jesus in the flesh, while undermining Paul’s authority as second-hand (1:11). Paul defends his authority as neither second-hand, received nor taught by man, but direct revelation of Jesus Christ (1:12; 1Cor15:8; Acts9: 3-6; Matt16:16-17). Indeed, his life testifies to the transforming power of the gospel of grace… ‘For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism’, he continues. Cheered by Jews, feared by Christians, Paul was both famous and infamous, but not unknown. In Paul’s zeal (1:13) to uphold ‘the traditions of his fathers’ (the Law), it was not enough to expunge from Jerusalem ‘heretical’ Christians claiming this man Jesus as Messiah fulfilling the Law and bringing an end to temple sacrifice. Rather, Paul sought to annihilate the Christian cult, dragging them to prison or having them killed (Acts7:58-60, 80:1-3, 9:1, Acts26:9). Hebrew of...
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...leaders are plotting against Him. Jesus is betrayed, tried and crucified. He is placed in the tomb and rises three days later. He came back to the disciples “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”(Luke 24:45) and then parts from them and is carried up into heaven. Acts Genre: Narrative Major personalities: Peter, Paul, and the other apostles, although they play little or no role. Key theme: The work of the Holy Spirit in the early history of Christianity. Key Events: Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus and Paul’s three missionary journeys (13:1–21:16), his trials in Jerusalem and Caesarea (21:17–26:32) and his final journey to Rome. The book of Acts gives us the history of the Christian church as well as the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it also tells us of the mounting opposition to the gospel as well. Before Paul was converted, he took absolute pleasure in persecuting and killing Christians. After Paul’s conversion he had the same fervency of preaching God’s Word and loving Him, as he did when...
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...opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”(Luke 24:45) and then parts from them and is carried up into heaven. Acts The book of Acts is basically narrative in genre. Some of the prominent personalities of the book of Acts are Peter and Paul and that of the other apostles, although they play little or no role. The basic theme is the work of the Holy Spirit in the early history of Christianity. The book of Acts gives us the history of the Christian church as well as the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it also tells us of the mounting opposition to the gospel as well. Before Paul was converted, he took absolute pleasure in persecuting and killing Christians. Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-31) is a highlight of the book of Acts. After Paul’s...
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...of 5 he studied the Hebrew language and the Old Testament. Growing up, he lived a strict life of a Pharisee persecuting Christians, but on the road to Damascus, Jesus had confronted him “Saul why do you persecute me?” He blinded Paul for 3 days finally healed by an apostle, regaining his vision. Soon after he was baptised, changed his name to his Roman name Paulus (long for Paul), knowing he had to spread the word of God. After seeing the light of God, St Paul started to work as missionary travelling thousands of miles trying to convert people to Christianity and spreading the word where ever he went. He wrote important letters. He worked...
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...The Letters of Paul Apostle Paul is very unique with his writings to the people. Paul made his letters real as they could get and they dealt with life and death issues. The letter structure of was highly important part of the ancient letter, as compared to the Hellenistic letter with those in Paul’s letter to Philemon. The whole anatomy of Paul’s letters was special because they all had structure. Paul has several sections in his letters: salutation, thanksgiving, the body, the closing, and the conclusion. The salutation was the most stable elements during the ancient period. The form is rather precise unlike today were we use the sender and recipient, as well as a greeting in the letter. I saw how Paul molds us in his letter to Philemon. During the time of this letter, Paul was in prison, he was addressing the master of Onesimus, which was a runaway slave who has sought refuge with Paul. Meanwhile, Onesimus was converted this set the stage for this letter. In this letter, Paul reminded Philemon that his apostolic mission gave him a prior claim on Onesimus. Paul treated Onesimus as if he was his own brother. Earlier during the beginning of the salutation, Paul identifies himself as a “prisoner for Christ Jesus.” Thus, this condition keys around Paul’s plea for leniency to Onesimus surfaces in the beginning of the letter. In Romans, we see how Paul’s original version of the conservative letter opening. His writings were to the church, one that he never been to before nor...
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...Philemon: Written by Paul and is a letter to Philemon. Written from a prison in Rome around 60 AD to appeal to Philemon to forgive and receive Onesimus, a runaway slave. Salutations in verses 1-3; Philemon’s love and faith in verses 4-7; Paul’s appeal in 8-22; final greeting in 22-25. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back – not to mention that you owe me your very self. (Philemon 17-19) General letters: The 8 general epistles were written by other apostles and leaders including Peter, James (the half-brother of Jesus), John, and Jude. These letters were addressed to the early Christians to provide guidance,...
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...Lance Whitehead L25214036 BIBL104 7/04/2012 Summary of the New Testament Books I. Luke The genre in the book of Luke is gospel. Luke is not only a physician, but also a historian that wrote concerning the perfect humanity of Jesus Christ. Throughout Luke’s gospel the humanity and compassion of Jesus is portrayed in His mission of seeking and saving the lost. In the introduction, Luke emphasized how the beginnings of Christ and John the Baptist intertwined. Jesus prepared for His ministry for over thirty years, which is summarized in one verse (2:52). After being baptized by John the Baptist and tempted by Satan, Jesus began His ministry that lasted only three years. In Jesus’ ministry, authority was shown over every realm, including demons, disease, nature, effects of sin, and traditions. With the growing number of ones that believed, there were also those that rejected the gospel. Jesus taught His disciples on a number of practical matters by parables, including the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost Son. After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples before He ascended to heaven. II. John The genre in the book of John is gospel. The humanity of Jesus, as the Son of Man, is shown in the gospel of Luke. Jesus is portrayed in the gospel of John in His deity as the Son of God. The seven “I am” statements and seven miracles represent the deity of Christ in the gospel of John, more than any other book in the Bible. The major theme in the...
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...other offerings were excepted. With the arrival of Christ some people continue to question how His fulfillment of the law impacts the instructions of the tithe and giving found in the Old Testament. Some will look at the Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians as examples of a new rules for Christian giving. Was it Paul’s goal to abolish the concept of tithing or was he referring to some other form of offering? Using Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians this paper will argue that the New Testament offers new paradigm for giving separate from the Old Testament commandment to tithe. Historical Background Paul writes his second canonical letter to the church at Corinth in response to the report of Titus’ visit. Paul had spent a large portion of his ministry at Corinth, but in recently the relationship between Paul and the church at Corinth had been strained. After his departure from Corinth some problems and conflicts began to arise. In response to this Paul writes his first letter which was non-canonical to the Church at Corinth. During his ministry in Ephesus Paul heard of more difficulty and received a letter from the church in which they sought clarification to his instructions resulting the the letter now known as 1 Corinthians. Paul’s letter resolved some of the issues, however a new threat began to develop. Certain teachers calming to be apostles from Jerusalem started teaching and began to draw people away from Paul and the truth of the Gospel. This treat resulted...
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...1. Know the things that Jews were looking for at the time of Jesus. Messiah/ Davids King Prophet like Moses New Exodus Coming of Elijah God to come to his temple God to pour out his spirit over all flesh All Nations to worship on God’s holy mountain God’s kingdom to fill the whole earth 2. Know the differences between the beliefs and practices of the people groups of Jesus’ day A. Sadducees Believed in the 1st 5 books of the OT Did not believe that God still preformed miracles or that man would rise from the dead Were influential because they had control of the Jewish temple Disbanded after the temple was destroyed B. Pharisees 1. Believed whole OT was authoritative 2. OT Law to changing circumstances of everday life 3. Believed God still preformed miracles C. Essenes 1. 4000 people 2. withdrew from society (communal living) 3. Thought Pharisies and sadducess were corrupt so they did not offer sacrifices at the temple 4. Helped to preserve scruipture by copying it. 3. Know the difference different approaches to Bible translations covered in Class (For example- Formal Equivalent, Functional Equivalent, etc.). Formal Equivalent- (literal)- keeping orginal words, word order, and grammar. The problem is different word order can make sentecnes awakward and slightly change...
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...Acts. Paul’s frequent reference to him as his son may indicate that he was a Pauline convert, but the evidence is not clear. It is believed that Paul may have used the expression “son” to refer to Timothy as his “son in the ministry”. Timothy was the recipient of the letter in second Timothy from Paul and when Paul refers to him as his “dear son” it is an expression of affection. Historical A. Date According to Frank Gaebelein in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, “It is obvious that the second Epistle to Timothy was written no later than A.D.67. He also states that it may have been as early as 65 and if we assume omitted details in the book of Acts account, earlier dates might be possible. B. Location/Setting Frank Gaebelein says, Second Timothy was written from prison in Rome, shortly before the Apostle Paul’s death. He goes on to state that Timothy was in Ephesus when Paul wrote to him. It is often alleged that the church structure in the Pastoral Epistles reflects the church in the early second century instead of the first. C. Authorship The authenticity of Paul’s correspondence with Timothy and Titus went unchallenged until the nineteenth century. According to Philip Towner, the greeting first identifies the writer and then redefines the identification of Paul. Thomas Lea states that many contemporary interpreters feel that the name “Paul” in all three Epistles (I & II Timothy, Titus) is a pseudonym and feel that an admirer of Paul penned the letters at a...
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...PAUL'S JOURNEY FROM JERUSALEM TO ROME The Apostle Paul arrives in Jerusalem together with some of the disciples from Caesarea. He is lodged "with one of the early disciples, Mnason from Cyprus." The next day Paul goes to see James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church are also present. Paul tells them "in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry." After hearing it they praise God and say to him: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the Law." These words indicate that it was the orthodox Jews of that time who had were better qualified than others to comprehend Jesus' Messiahship. And this is the way it is today, too. However, Paul had to remember that rumours were being spread about him that he teaches Jews to abandon Moses and forbids circumcision. Therefore he should take four men who "have made a vow." Now their Nazirite time had expired and therefore as a sign of this they had to have their hair cut and offer a fellowship sacrifice to the Lord.99 Paul "purified himself" with them, paid for their offering and took them into the Temple, so that people could conclude that Paul too lived according to the Law. And the elders assured them a second time that "as for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat from which the blood has not been drained and from sexual immorality." Thus they held fast...
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