NT Session 4 Major Letters of Paul
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The document provides an overview of Paul's missionary journeys and letters, including: 1) Paul wrote letters like Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and 1 & 2 Corinthians during his missionary journeys to address issues in the early churches. 2) His letters defended Christian doctrine against false teachings, explained how to properly live out the Christian faith, and built up the believers. 3) Paul established churches throughout Europe and Asia to spread the gospel and then wrote letters to encourage and guide the new believers.
NT Session 4 Major Letters of Paul
- 1. Foundations (Year Two) “Encountering the New Testament” Session #4. Encountering GALATIANS, ROMANS & CORINTHIANS
- 2. Written earlier: The NT Writings Letter of James (40’s/50’s) Letters of Paul: Written later: Galatians (48/49 CE) Letters of Peter (64-66) 1 & 2 Thessalonians (51-52) Mark (68-70 ) 1 & 2 Corinthians (53-57) Matthew (70-80) Romans (56-57) Luke-Acts (70-80) Prison letters (61-62): Hebrews (50’s/60’s?) (Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon & Philippians) Letter of Jude (50’s ?) Pastoral letters (64-66): Writings of John: (1, 2 Timothy & Titus) Gospel, Letters & Revelation (90-96)
- 3. Paul (by El Greco c. 1587- 92)
- 4. Conversion & early journeys of Saul (Acts 9,11,12/ Gal. 1) “I was blind but now I see”
- 5. Paul: The missionary (Acts 13 ) Paul’s three (post-conversion) convictions: 1. His whole previous way of life lay under the rebuke of God (Phil. 3:4-11) 2. The Jesus whom he had been persecuting was the Son of God, truly alive and in ultimate control (1 Cor. 15; Col. 1:15-20) 3. He (Paul) had been called to take this message to the world (Gal. 1:1, 13-17)
- 6. Paul’s Gospel A New LORD – Jesus, the Christ (Phil. 2:5-11) A New Message – Forgiveness/ Eternal Life as gift (Acts 5:20; Gal. 1:6-9) A New People – Church (Jew/ Gentile) incorporates & replaces Israel (Acts 13:47; 14:27; Gal. 3:28) A New Life-Principle - “Life by the Spirit” (Rom. 8; Gal. 5)
- 7. The first missionary journey Paul & Barnabas GALATIA 47-49 CE
- 8. The Gospel (or Christian Message) Galatians: the importance/ foundation of the Gospel (Gal. 1:6-9; 2:16) Romans: the content/ structure of the Gospel (Rom. 1:1-4, 15-17) Corinthians: the application/ outworking of the Gospel (1 Cor. 1:18-25; 15:1-5 & 11 Cor. 4:3-4; 5:17;11:4)
- 9. Galatians “There is no document in the NT more indisputably Paul’s than the letter to the Galatians” FF Bruce “The magna carta of Christian freedom” “The Christian declaration of independence” “The battle cry of the Reformation” “The letter to the Galatians is my letter - To it I am, as it were, in wedlock. Galatians is my Katherine!” (Martin Luther)
- 10. Paul writes to the Galatian churches?
- 11. The first Christian heresy Jewish legalism What this teaches us: Christ +…… Resolving conflicts in the church The Church Council at Jerusalem Lessons from Acts 15:1-35 49 CE
- 12. The difficulty (vv.1-5) A disagreement…or something more? Is doctrine important? Primary & secondary doctrines? What’s going on up in Galatia? Heresy = any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established doctrine
- 13. The discussion (vv. 6-21) Setting the scene (vv.1-5) The testimony of Peter The testimony of Paul (& Barnabas) The verdict of James The consent of the (whole) church
- 14. The decision (vv. 22-35) The letter (make it clear for all) The couriers (Judas & Silas) The requests (not absolutes!)
- 15. What’s all this got to do with us? 1. Diversity in non-essentials unity in essentials 2. Knowing where & when to draw the line 3. Acknowledge dependence on the larger Church (orthodox = right thinking) 4. Celebrate what God is doing Don’t let the fundamentals become incidental – or the incidentals will be come fundamental
- 16. The Message of Galatians Introduction A defence of the Christian messenger (1:11-2:21) PERSONAL A defence of the Christian DOCTRINAL message (3:1-4:31) PRACTICAL A defence of the Christian’s Conclusion liberty (5:1-6:10)
- 17. Paul’s introduction Of himself: Of the gospel: Sent by God To alter with it is to Supported by the desert God church leaders There is only one Paul’s signature gospel To tamper with it is (“Grace & peace…”) to risk damnation Test the messenger
- 18. Paul’s credentials “Called by God, Saved by God & Given the Gospel by God” (1:11-24) “Accepted by the Church” (2:1-10) “Took his stand – no matter who opposed him” (2:11-21)
- 19. Two key texts “Know that a person is not “I have been crucified justified by observing the with Christ and I no law, but by faith in Jesus longer live, but Christ Christ. lives in me. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that The life I now live in the we may be justified by body, I live by faith in faith in Christ and not by the Son of God, who observing the law, loved me and gave because by observing the himself for me.” (2:20) law no one will be justified.” (2:16) I live by faith Christ lives in me
- 20. Defence of the Gospel #1. (Ch.3) “You foolish Galatians” (A promised gift) On what basis did you receive it? On what basis did Abraham receive it? What’s the (real) alternative? An illustration: A covenant A promise A law (to lead us to faith)
- 21. Defence of the Gospel #2. (Ch.4) “You are all sons of God through faith” (Adoption) God redeemed us as slaves God adopted us as sons God treats us as heirs An illustration: Two sons Two women Two cities
- 22. Living out the Gospel (5-6) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” Stand firm in your freedom Don’t give in to legalism (in any form) Keep running the good race Serve one another in love” “Live by the Spirit” Watch yourself/ Carry one another's burdens “Sow to the Spirit” Watch yourself/ Don’t get caught up in pride
- 23. The second missionary journey Paul & Silas EUROPE 49-52 CE
- 24. The second missionary journey Conflict between Paul & Barnabas Barnabas & Mark go to Cyprus/ Paul & Silas to Asia Timothy joins the mission team “The man of Macedonia” - Go West young man! Philippians conversions: Lydia, Slave girl & Jailor Thessalonica (The persecutors) Berea (The disciples) Athens (The philosophers) Corinth (18 months of fruitful ministry) Ephesus - Antioch
- 25. Paul writes his first two letters “To the Thessalonians” (from Corinth)
- 26. The third missionary journey Paul GREECE & ASIA 53-58 CE
- 27. The third missionary journey Asia Minor Ephesus (three levels of spiritual warfare) …but three years of fruitful ministry Macedonia – Greece (3 months) - Macedonia Miracle at Troas (Eutychus) Farewell to the Ephesian elders Tyre – Caesarea – Jerusalem Report to James & the bishops “When they heard this, they praised God”
- 28. Paul writes “To the Corinthians” 56-57 CE Letter #1 From the Corinthians Letter #2 1 Corinthians (56) Letter #3 A severe letter Letter #4 2 Corinthians (57)
- 29. Paul writes “To the Romans” 57-58 CE
- 30. The Letters to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians A severe letter (2 7:8) An encouraging letter Warning: Repent & sort Thanksgiving: Gratitude out the problems for response Issues: Social Ministry: Comfort Moral Reconciliation Practical Generousity Spiritual Warfare Doctrinal Suffering