New Testament Survey - Chapter 2

Continuation from my notes:

The 13 epistles that Paul wrote which were included in the New Testament, were not put in chronological order.  Instead, they are in order by size...from the longest (Romans) to the shortest (Philemon).  Here's an overview of each of them:


Romans

Paul wrote this book to the church in Rome.  It contains theology and the theme is "The Just Shall Live by Faith".   It gives the doctrinal discussion of salvation and how it relates to the Jews.  Practical applications of Christianity are given, such as responsibilities to God, to the Body of Christ, to adversaries, to government, to weaker Christians, and to others.

I have often said that if our Bible was taken from us and we could only keep one book...the book of Romans has all we need to find salvation and live and grow as a Christian.  Very good book for use in a Bible Study or personal study.

I and II Corinthians

These letters were written in reply to an inquiry from the church in Corinth.  Some of the topics covered are marriage, spiritual gifts, love (The Love Chapter - Chapter 13 of I Corinthians), and resurrection.  II Corinthians gives a defense of Paul's ministry and apostleship, and instructions for giving.

The Prison Epistles - Ephesians, Colosians, Philippians, Philemon

After Paul's third missionary journey he went to Jerusalem.  He was arrested and beaten.  Since Paul was a Roman citizen, he had the right to receive a fair trial, so he was put in prison in Ceasarea for two years to await the trial.  During this time he wrote his Prison Epistles.

Ephesians - was written to mature Christians at the church in Ephesus to encourage their faith and growth.  Paul expounded on salvation was by God's grace, and the responsibility of Christian conduct.  

Colosians - sent to a church in Colossee that Paul did not establish, and containing much of the same material as the letter to the Ephesians.

Philippians - is the most personal of all of Paul's epistles to the churches.  They had supported Paul financially and were dear to his heart.  They were exhorted to live by the example of Jesus Christ and be steadfast in their faith, unified in love, and be humble, putting the needs of others before their own.

Philemon - was not a church, but a person, a businessman in Colossee.  Paul asked Philemon to receive his former servant Onesimus back without punishment.  The Christian principle of forgiveness was the purpose of this epistle.