New
Testament Survey Class Four:
Fourth Class: Overview of
the Pauline Epistles, of which there are 13 in total to be considered. (From the
book of Romans through Paul’s short letter of Philemon, we will consider these
doctrinal discourses briefly. First and Second Thessalonians will be studied
together; Romans and Galatians will be considered together because of their
content; First and Second Corinthians will be considered together because of
their content; the prison epistles, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and
Philemon will be grouped together for this study; and finally First, Second
Timothy, and Titus will be studied together because of their instruction to
preachers and elders in the church. Questions will be asked concerning Paul’s
doctrinal letters that he, himself, says are the words of God, inspired and
worthy of instruction [1 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 3:15-17 et al.].
1.) Presumably Paul’s first
epistles written, First and Second Thessalonians are written to comfort the
church at Thessalonica. In the book of Acts, in chapter 17, Paul arrives in this
city and preaches the gospel, converting some to Christ, and thus establishing
the church. What happened when Paul arrived and preached here? Key: Read Acts
17:1-13 and give a brief summary of this context.
Answer:
2.) What is the major theme of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17? Key: Read the text, and give me one answer regarding the theme of these passages.
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3.) In Acts 18:1, Paul
arrives in
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4.) In Acts 18:9-10, the Lord
encouraged Paul while in
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5.) In Acts 18:8 and 1 Corinthians 1:14, what is the common denominator here? Key: A brief synopsis would be nice here.
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6.) Did Paul preach the
gospel of Christ, the law of faith, law of Christ, which are all phrases used in
his epistles, as the power of God unto salvation, or the law of Moses, i.e., the
Old Testament? Key: Romans
Answer:
7.) What purpose did/does the
Old Testament serve? Key: Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Galatians 3:19,
24, from these texts I would note three key words, perhaps four, that are
significant to answering this question.
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8.)
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are considered Paul’s
prison epistles, all written during a two year stay in a rented house at
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9.)
What would you expect to learn more about in the books of Ephesians,
Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon based upon Acts 28:30-31? Key: The
church and the kingdom are synonymous ideas all associated with the body of
Christ (cf., Ephesians
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10.) How many churches are
there? Key: Ephesians
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11.) What are we translated into upon conversion to Christ? Key: Colossians 1:13
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12.)
What is instructed in these passages, Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16? Key:
Are we to play, strum or (_______)?
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13.) What are we to do in Philippians 4:4? Key: Read Philippians 4:1-9 to better understand the context.
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14.) Read the book of Philemon and answer this question: Did you read the book?
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15.) First, Second Timothy and the book of Titus are concerned with several things, but primarily these passages, in my judgment, give you a principle idea. Explain from these passages what that principle concern is. Key: Read these passages to answer this question; 1 Timothy 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:2; 4:1-2; Titus 1:5.
Answer:
Bonus Question: According
to these passages, is the Bible of man alone or of God, inspired by the third
person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit? And, are the words, then, written herein
the very words of God? Cf. 1 Corinthians 2:7-16; 14:37; 2 Corinthians 1:13;
Ephesians 3:1-5; Colossians 1:23-29; 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; 2:13-14; 2
Thessalonians 2:14; 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Will God’s word make you
whole, complete, thoroughly furnished for every good work?