Introduction to the Bible Introduction to the Bible Session 10Session 10

Awaiting the Fulfillment – Awaiting the Fulfillment – the Apostles’ Writingsthe Apostles’ Writings

Introduction: Apostle’ WritingsIntroduction: Apostle’ Writings1. The Letters of Paul1. The Letters of Paul2. The Overlap of the Ages2. The Overlap of the Ages3. Other New Testament Writings3. Other New Testament Writings

Intro: The Apostles’ writingsIntro: The Apostles’ writings

The ApostlesThe Apostles

Where their writings fit in salvation historyWhere their writings fit in salvation history

1. The Letters of Paul1. The Letters of Paul

Why were his letters written?Why were his letters written?

Thirteen of the New Testament letters indicate that they were written by the apostle Paul.

The letters of Paul were generally written in response to specific problems that arose in the churches founded as a result of his missionary activity (there are exceptions).

The letters which make up the rest of the New Testament take up the now-not yet tensionnow-not yet tension and explain how Christians should live in the light of it.

Romans

Appears at first to be a theological manifesto

Containing a detailed exposition of the gospel and an explanation of God’s plan for Israel and the nations.

Exceptions

Philemon Was written as a personal letterDealing with the issue of a runaway slave.

Timothy & Titus

Were also addressed to individuals

Who were appointed by Paul to teach and establish effective patterns of ministry in particular churches.

Exceptions

Ephesians

Was perhaps the most general of all

Explaining God’s great work in Christ, Paul’s part in proclaiming it, and practical implications of the gospel for personal, family and congregational life.

Exceptions

Letter toLetter to Basic responseBasic response Key phraseKey phrase

GalatiansTo attack the false teaching which demanded Gentile Christians keep certain aspects of the law of Moses.

Christian Freedom

1 ThessaloniansThe apostle was encouraged to hear news of the faith, hope and love of these new converts, even in the face of persecution.

Encouraged

2 Thessalonians

Encouragement to stand firm in the face of a continuing persecution, attacking a false teaching proclaiming that ‘the day of the Lord has come’.

Stand Firm

1 CorinthiansThere should be no division amongst Christians based on human wisdom rather than the gospel.

No Division

2 CorinthiansExplains the motives and methods of Paul’s ministry to answer the challenges of false apostles.

Rival gospel

Colossians

To establish the uniqueness of Christ, arguing that believers come to ‘fullness of life’ in a relationship with Christ, not by the religious practices advocated by the false teachers.

False Teaching

PhilippiansThankfulness for the partnership in Paul’s ministry. He encourages them to stand firm as they engage in suffering for the gospel.

Partnership

Letter toLetter to Basic responseBasic response Key phraseKey phrase

“Although Paul deals with problems specifically arising from the situation of the churches in the first century, the solutions he proposes have an ongoing relevance and application for Christians in every age.”

This is because the Holy Spirit inspired the apostle to meet those problems with an exposition of the implications of the gospel.

Fundamentally, Christians are called to believe the gospel and to live their lives in its light.

2. The Overlap of the Ages2. The Overlap of the Ages

The ‘age of salvation’ has been inauguratedinaugurated by means of the Messiah’s death, resurrection and ascension. And yet the old creation remains. Thus, Christians live in the overlap of the two overlap of the two agesages, in an interlude called ‘the last days’. The consummationconsummation of God’s purposes will occur when Christ returns.

2. The overlap of the ages:(a) The Return of Christ

• Why is the return of Christ so important?

• What will happen?

• What does p127 add?

(a) The rebellious people will experience his judgement & punishment (2 Thess 1)

(b) All believers will meet the Lord and be together with him forever.(1 Cor 15, 1 Thess 4)

(c) The full reality of the new creation will be experienced without any hindrances of the old creation. (Rom 8:18f, Rev 21-22)

(a) Christians have already been rescued.

(b) Christians are citizens of Christ’s heavenly kingdom.

(c) Christians’ lives should reflect this truth.

2. The overlap of the ages:(b) Ethics & the Gospel

• The NT says lots about the Gospel, and lots about “ethics”. How are the two linked?(Can you think of any well-known passages that demonstrate that link? If not, see Col 3:1-4)

• What does p129 add to this?

The ethical teaching of the New Testament arises from constant reminders about the status of those who belong to Christ.

Setting our hearts and minds “on things above” should look like:

(a)Pursuing the values, ideals and behaviour appropriate to the heavenly realm of the kingdom of God.

(b) Having lives centred on that heavenly realm where Christ reigns and where we truly belong.

(c) For the moment, our heavenly life remains secure with Christ and not visible to others.

3. Other New Testament 3. Other New Testament WritingsWritings

Hebrews Appears to be more like a written sermon

Taking certain important Old Testament texts and expounding them to show how they find fulfilment in the person and work of Christ.

James, Jude & Peter

Are all general letters intended for circulation

Dealing with a variety of problems such as false teaching, wrong behaviour amongst Christians and persecution from unbelievers.

Revelation

Is described by its author (John) as a prophecy

Being addressed to seven churches of Asia Minor, the risen Christ has specific warning and encouragements for each church. The gaze of the readers is then lifted to the heavenly scene to give his readers a different perspective on their situation. This leads into a series of visions about the unfolding events leading to the final judgement and the establishment of ‘a new heaven and a new earth’.

His message is conveyed using “apocalyptic symbolism”“apocalyptic symbolism”, also found in Daniel 7-12, Zechariah 1-6 and in several Jewish documents written in the last years of

Judaism before the writing of the New Testament.

The symbolism is used to convey the fact that the future belongs to God and his Christ and not to the enemies of God.

The main point is to encourage patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of believers as they wait for God to fulfil his purposes.

The aim is NOT to provide a chronological account of future history, but to challenge believers to a constant readiness for the Lord’s return.

The Bible concludes with the clear promise of Jesus: “Yes, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20)

Those who know themselves to be the children of God, destined for the new creation because of their trust in Jesus and his saving

work, can only echo John’s prayer:

“Amen. Come Lord Jesus!”