The General Epistles

© John Stevenson, 2009

What are the General Epistles?What are the General Epistles?

General General EpistlesEpistles

• HebrewsHebrews

• JamesJames

• 11stst & 2 & 2ndnd Peter Peter

• 11stst, 2, 2ndnd, & 3, & 3rdrd John John

• JudeJude

The Epistle to the The Epistle to the HebrewsHebrews

Jesus is Jesus is BetterBetter

GOD,

after He spoke long ago

to the fathers

in the prophets

in many portions

and

in many ways,

in these last days

HAS SPOKEN TO US IN HIS SON,

whom He appointed heir of all things,

through whom also He made the world.

GOD…HAS SPOKEN TO US IN HIS SON,

WHO He appointed heir of all things,

through whom also He made the world.

And He is

the radiance of His glory

and

the exact representation of His nature,

and

upholds all things by the word of His power.

When He had made purification of sins,

He SAT DOWN

at the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Than the

angels

1-2 3-4 8-9 10

Hebrews

Than Moses

or Joshua

As a High Priest

Offering a better sacrifice

Jesus is Better…

5-7

Providing a better

Covenant

As a way of Living

11-13

Hold to Jesus…

How tolive as aresult ofholdingto Jesus

Than the

angels

1-2 3-4 8-9 10

Hebrews

Than Moses

or Joshua

As a High Priest

Offering a better sacrifice

Jesus is Better…

5-7

Providing a better

Covenant

As a way of Living

11-13

Beware of…Neglectingso great aSalvation

Falling awayfrom the

Living GodNot entering

into hisRest

Than the

angels

1-2 3-4 8-9 10

Hebrews

Than Moses

or Joshua

As a High Priest

Offering a better sacrifice

Jesus is Better…

5-7

Providing a better

Covenant

As a way of Living

11-13

Beware of…Neglectingso great aSalvation

Falling awayfrom the

Living GodNot entering

into hisRest

Not goingon to

MaturityThose who fall

away from Jesuscannot renew to

repentance

Than the

angels

1-2 3-4 8-9 10

Hebrews

Than Moses

or Joshua

As a High Priest

Offering a better sacrifice

Jesus is Better…

5-7

Providing a better

Covenant

As a way of Living

11-13

Beware of…Neglectingso great aSalvation

Falling awayfrom the

Living GodNot entering

into hisRest

Not goingon to

MaturityThose who fall

away from Jesuscannot renew to

repentance

There remainsno more sacrifice

for sinsComing short ofthe grace of God─ that no root ofbitterness cause

trouble

The Epistle of The Epistle of JamesJames

Faith Faith Leading to Leading to

WorksWorks

Characteristics of the EpistleCharacteristics of the Epistle

• A Lack of Personal NotesA Lack of Personal Notes

• Little Mention is made of ChristLittle Mention is made of Christ

• Absence of a mention of Gentiles Absence of a mention of Gentiles in the Churchin the Church

• Christianity is not presented in Christianity is not presented in contrast with Judaismcontrast with Judaism

What did What did Martin Luther Martin Luther think of the think of the Epistle of Epistle of James?James?

Epistle of James

Problem with Partiality (2:1-13)

Hearing & doing the Word (1:19-27)

Asking God for Wisdom (1:1-18)

Faith & Works (2:14-21)

Wisdom from above (3:13-18)

Taming the Tongue (3:1-12)

Warnings…Over Quarrels & Conflicts (4:1-16)

Against Arrogant Boasts (4:11-17)

Against the Rich (5:1-11)

About the need for Prayer (5:12-20)

Does James contradict the Does James contradict the Apostle Paul and his Apostle Paul and his

teaching about salvation by teaching about salvation by grace through faith?grace through faith?

The First Epistle of The First Epistle of PeterPeter

Submissive Submissive SufferingSuffering

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered

throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who

are chosen (1 Peter 1:1)

Pontus

Galatia

CappadociaAsia

Bithynia

Call to Holy Living

1 Peter 1:1 - 2:12

Call to Submissive

Living

Call to Suffering

1 Peter 2:13 - 3:13

1 Peter 3:14 - 5:14

What kinds of persecutions What kinds of persecutions do Christians around the do Christians around the

world face today?world face today?

What kinds of What kinds of persecutions do Christians persecutions do Christians in this country face today?in this country face today?

Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ has caused us

to be born again

…a living hope through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

…obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled

and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…

To…

To…

Who…

1 Peter 1:3-41 Peter 1:3-4

In this you greatly rejoice

though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials

Your faith may be proved genuine

It may result in praise, glory and honor

these come so that…

And…

1 Peter 1:6-91 Peter 1:6-9

You rejoice…

obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls

1 Peter 1:10-151 Peter 1:10-15As to this salvation…

The prophets searched…

Angels long to look…

Therefore…Gird your minds for action

Keep sober

Fix your hope on grace

Be holy

You were not redeemed with perishable things

1 Peter 1 Peter 1:17-191:17-19

And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work

Conduct yourselves Conduct yourselves in fearin fear during the time of your stay upon earth;

Knowing that…

You were redeemed with the blood of Christ

But

…of seed which is perishable

1 Peter 1 Peter 1:22-251:22-25

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren…

fervently love one another from the heart

For you have been born again

imperishableBut

Not

through the living and abiding word of God.

Flesh is like grassButThe Word abides

1 Peter 1 Peter 2:1-22:1-2

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander…

Thatby it you may grow in respect to salvation

Long for the pure milk of the word

spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood

as living stones

1 Peter 1 Peter 2:4-52:4-5

but

rejected by men

choice and precious in the sight of God

And coming to Him as to a living stone

You also…

are being built up To offer up…

For you who believe

Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious

corner stone

For those who disbelieve

You will not be disappointed

The stone which the builders rejected, This

became the very corner stone

A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense

To this doom they were also appointed.

1 Peter 2:6-81 Peter 2:6-8

1 Peter 1 Peter 2:9-102:9-10

a chosen raceBut you are…

a royal priesthood

a holy nation

a people for God's own possession

that…you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

Foryou once were not a people

you had not received mercy

butnow you are the people of God

butnow you have received mercy.

1 Peter 1 Peter 2:13 – 3:132:13 – 3:13

You wives, be submissive to your own husbands (3:1)

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect (2:18)

Husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way (3:7)

Let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit (3:8)

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution…

1 Peter 1 Peter 3:14-163:14-16

Andyou are blessed.

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness…

do not fear their intimidation

Anddo not be troubled

Butsanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Andkeep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

1 Peter 1 Peter 3:18-203:18-20

In which also…

He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,

Who…

once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark,

in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

The end of all things is at hand;

1 Peter 4:7-1 Peter 4:7-99

therefore…

be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

1 Peter 1 Peter 4:12-144:12-14

but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.

If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; 1 Peter 1 Peter

4:17-194:17-19and

if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?

if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

And

let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Therefore

Therefore…1 Peter 5:1-1 Peter 5:1-

33I exhort the elders among you…

as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,

shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight

and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God;

nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

You younger men, likewise1 Peter 5:5-1 Peter 5:5-

77and all of you,

be subject to your elders

clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God,

casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

He may exalt you at the proper time,

that

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. 1 Peter 5:8-1 Peter 5:8-

1010Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

But resist him, firm in your faith,

knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Past

Chapter 1

Present Future

Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Holy Living

False TeachersFirst

Coming of the Lord

Second Coming of the Lord

Holy Living

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Course: Understanding the New Testament BI 120E

Instructor: Dr. John Stevenson