New Testament Epistles Overview

New Testament Structure

• Narrative Books and Acts comprise 14 books
• 14 Pauline Epistles and 7 Catholic Epistles make up 21 books
• Prophetic Book (Revelation) 1 book
• A total of 27 New Testament books.

Authors of the Epistles

• Paul wrote 14 epistles
• Peter wrote 2 epistles
• John wrote 3 epistles
• James and Jude wrote 1 epistle each

Purpose of Epistles

• Precise explanations of teachings to different churches
• Addressing widespread faith across the Roman Empire
• Preserving teachings under Holy Spirit's authority

Content of Epistles

• Theology (explanations about God - Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
• Human Nature (man's duties towards community and the human race)
• Christian Living (guidance on relationships, authority, and social roles)

Studying the Epistles

• Context (understanding circumstances and recipients)
• Holistic Reading (reading the entire epistle multiple times to understand the general theme)
• Detailed Analysis (studying parts in detail)

Impact of Epistles

• Clarify Christ's teachings for believers
• Guide practical church life
• Enduring relevance for all churches across time

St. Paul's Life and Missionary Journeys

• From Saul to Paul: Originally a persecutor of Christians, St Paul transformed into a zealous apostle
• Missionary Journeys: Embarked on extensive missionary journeys, establishing churches and teaching Christian doctrine in various cities including Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome

St. Paul's Missionary Journeys Common Themes

• Starts and ends in Antioch
• Appointment of bishops/priests
• Writing letters & sending preachers
• Difficulties and persecution
• Start in the synagogues
• The return road
• The stop in Jerusalem
• His power and passion for Evangelism

Lessons from St. Paul Missionary Trips

• Divine selection
• Perseverance in service
• Diverse responses
• Trials and Kingdom Entry
• Delegation in service
• Second chances
• Divine guidance in service
• Authentic worship
• Adaptability in communication

Pauline Epistles

• St Paul wrote 12-14 years (between 52-67 AD)
• The Church accepted these books as inspired by the Holy Spirit
• Common greeting to Epistles: "peace and greetings"
• St. Paul mostly used help to write his epistles
• Handwriting greeting at the end of the epistle (a "marking")
• Study the circumstances, recipients, and historical context before studying any epistle

Studying the Epistles

• Epistles don't form a series. The Holy Spirit guided their authors to write according to Church needs and discussion topics
• Contents are useful for all churches in all times, despite being written to specific churches and their needs

The Pauline Epistles (Categories)

• The First Letters (communities)
• Major Letters (communities)
• Letters to Communities
• Letters to Individuals
• The Hebrews

Letters to Communities

• Romans (16 chapters/7111 verses)
• 1 Corinthians (16 chapters/6829 verses)
• 2 Corinthians (13 chapters/4477 verses)
• Galatians (6 chapters/2230 verses)
• Ephesians (6 chapters/2422 verses)
• Philippians (4 chapters/1629 verses)
• Colossians (4 chapters/1582 verses)
• 1 Thessalonians (5 chapters/1481 verses)
• 2 Thessalonians (3 chapters/823 verses)

Letters to Individuals

• 1Timothy (6 chapters/1591 verses)
• 2 Timothy (4 chapters/1238 verses)
• Titus (3 chapters/659 verses)
• Philemon (1 chapter/335 verses)

Letters to All Jews

• Hebrews (13 chapters/495 verses)

The Epistle to the Romans

• Written by Apostle Paul in AD 58 from Corinth.
• Delivered by Phoebe.
• Strengthened the Roman Church with foundational gospel doctrine
• Addressed sins, justification, and sanctification
• Spoke about church's diverse environment

Overview of the Epistle to the Romans

• Key Points:
  • Sinfulness of Humanity
  • Justification by Faith
  • Sanctification.
• Main Theme: Revelation God's righteousness in salvation
• Key Verse: Romans 1:16–17 ("For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...")

The First Epistle to the Corinthians

• Authorship and Date: Written by Apostle Paul in AD 55 from Ephesus, delivered by Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus, and Timothy.
• Purpose and Context: Addressing divisions and moral issues within the Corinthian church, reinforcing Christian conduct and doctrine.
• Historical Context: Corinth was a large, cosmopolitan city with diverse population and rampant immorality. Paul spent 18 months in Corinth, familiar with the church.

Overview of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians

• Authorship and Date: Written by Apostle Paul in AD 55 from Ephesus, delivered by Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus, and Timothy.
• Purpose and Context: Preserve unity, addressing struggles within the Corinthian church, Paul defended apostleship, shared personal insights; addressed Christian conduct, giving, and forgiveness.
• Historical Context: Written after receiving a positive report from Titus on the Corinthians' repentance; Corinth was a diverse city facing internal and external moral challenges

Overview of the First Epistle to the Corinthians

• Key Points: Church split among followers of Paul, Peter, Apollos, Christ; Addressing sexual immorality, lawsuits; Christian Conduct; Guidance on marriage, singleness, spiritual gifts; Resurrection
• Main Theme: Emphasis on purity and unity within the church
• Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:20 ("You have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.")

Overview of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians

• Authorship and Date: Written by Apostle Paul from Corinth in AD 51
• Purpose and Context: Encouragement, strengthening faith amidst persecution, addressing misunderstandings about end times, and standing firm in faith
• Historical Context: Thessalonians was an important city in Macedonia, with a significant Jewish population

Overview of First Epistle to the Thessalonians

• Key Points: encouragement amidst persecution; Christ's return; practical instructions (living a holy life, etc.)
• Main Theme: Emphasis on hope in Christ's return and living a holy life in anticipation
• Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ("For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.")

The First Epistle to Timothy

• Authorship and Date : Written by Apostle Paul around AD 63 after his release from Roman imprisonment.
• Purpose and Context: Provide practical and pastoral advice to Timothy, addressing challenges he faced in leading the church, offering instructions on church leadership
• Historical Context: Timothy was a young pastor in Ephesus, known for his impressive qualities and close relationship with Paul.Written during Paul's travels in Macedonia

Overview of the Epistle to Titus

• Authorship and Date: Written by Apostle Paul around AD 65 or 66 after his release from Roman Imprisonment.
• Purpose and Context: To provide guidance to Titus on organizing the churches in Crete, to Address the need for sound doctrine and good conduct among believers
• Historical Context: Written after Paul and Titus had done significant evangelism in Crete. The churches on Crete were vulnerable to false teachings and immoral behavior

The Epistle to Philemon

• Authorship and Date: Written by Apostle Paul around AD 60-61 during his first imprisonment in Rome
• Purpose and Context : To Philemon, a fellow Christian and slave owner, requesting forgiveness and acceptance of his runaway slave Onesimus, who had become a Christian under Paul's guidance
• Historical Context: Paul spent over two years ministering in Ephesus, converting many, including Philemon

The Epistle to The Hebrews

• Authorship and Date: Likely written between AD 64-69, before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in AD 70
• Purpose and Context : To Jewish Christians, emphasizing the superiority of Christ and encouraging believers to remain faithful amidst persecution.
• Historical Context: Likely sent to a Jewish Christian community possibly in Rome. Written during a time of significant persecution under Nero.

Triads in the Letters of Saint Paul

• Perseverance, Character, Hope
• One Body, Spirit, Hope
• One Baptism, Faith, Lord
• Faith, Hope, Love
• Grace, Peace, Mercy
• Righteousness, Peace, Joy
• Body, Soul, Spirit
• Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding
• Faith, Love, Holiness