Bible Notes

(1/9/13) Inter-Testamental Period (432 B.C.- 4 B.C.) Over 400 years
Malachi- written 432 B.C.
Christ born 4 B.C.
Persian Period (450-330 B.C.)
Hellenistic (Greek) Period (330-166 B.C.) Alexander the Great
After his reign, the kingdom was divided into 4 parts for his 4 major generals.
Ptolemy ruled Egypt
Seleucid ruled Palestine and North Syria
Hasmonean (Maccabean) Period (166-63 B.C.)
Jews revolt against Hellenism
Maccabeans-Jewish loyal family
Roman Period (63 B.C. into the A.D.s)
Romans want the Holy Land for military reasons
Pompey conquered Jerusalem
Hellenistic Period (330-166 B.C.)
Alexander the Great defeated the Persians
Conquered Palestine in 332 B.C.
Policy of “Hellenization” (Greek culture)
His empire was divided among his 4 generals.
Ptolemy-Egypt
Seleucid-Palestine
The Seleucids
Antiochus IV “Epiphanes” (175-164 B.C.)
Tried to destroy Judaism and plant Hellenism
Tried to destroy the Torah
Required offerings to Zeus
Erected a statue of Zeus at the temple in Jerusalem
Sacrificed a pig on the altar of the temple
This led to the Jewish “Maccabean” revolt.
Hasmonean Period (166-63 B.C.)
Mattathias destroyed a Greek altar in his village, thus setting off the revolt in 166 B.C.
Hasmonean Dynasty was the priestly family within the Maccabeans
Roman Period (63 B.C. to the A.D.s)
Pompey, a great Roman general, conquered Jerusalem
Killed priests
Entered the most Holy Place in the temple
The Jews never forgave the Romans for the sacrilege
Herod the Great (37 B.C.-4 B.C.)
Idumean (racially close to a Jew)
Hired by the Roman government as a “civil servant”
Octavius Caesar Augustus (27 B.C.-14 A.D.)
His accomplishments:
Peace, the Pax Romana (27 B.C.- 180 A.D.)
Common Culture
Shared language
Stable economy
Good and safe transportation
Son of Julius Caesar
“August” is a divine title so they called him Augustus
(1/23/13)
Example of Roman Influence
Herod and the Herodian family
Tax collectors (Matthew 5:46)
Going the 2nd mile
Jewish Literature Produced During this Period
Septuagint (LXX) ca. 250 B.C.
Greek translation of the Bible
Apocrypha: books written during persecutuion; do appear in Catholic Bible
1&2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, add to Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, Literature of Jeremian, Prayer of Azariah, Song of the 3 Young Men, Bel and the Dragon, Susanna, 1&2 Maccabees (Good history of the revolt, NOT the Bible), Prayer of Manasses Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947 All of the Old Testament “Isaiah A” scroll: most important one
Social Developments The Diaspora (dispersion) of the Jews Emergence of Sects
Sadducees: want to protect position, no belief in eternal life, sell outs to Romans
Pharisees: Loyal to Moses’ law until death, legalists
Essenes: Qumran, get out of society rather than face the pressures of it
Herodians: turn coat Jews, Loyal to Romans
Zealots: “terrorists” of the day-so fiercely loyal to Jewish culture that they would not mind knifing a Roman soldier in the back
The Temple
Center of Social life for Jews: courtyard

The “Synoptics”
Synoptics
Matthew, Mark and Luke provide only a brief insight ( a synopsis) into Jesus’ life and teachings, but it’s enough
We don’t have a complete and full biography…maybe 50 days of Jesus’ life total
Synoptic Problem
Similarity in arrangement
Similarity in style and wording
Yet differences among the gospels
Synoptic Gospels
Mark has 677 verses, 70 of which are unique (1/10)
Matthew has 1,070 verses, 330 of which are unique (1/3)
Luke has 1,150 verses, 520 of which are unique (1/2)
Matthew and Mark: 230Mt, 50Mk
Matthew and Luke: 170Mt, 50Lk, Quella (other)
Mark and Luke: 170Mk, 230Lk
350 verses in common
These gospels allow us to see Jesus’ life from different viewpoints (vectors)
Gospel of Mark
Author: John Mark (Jewish)
Traveled with Paul and Barnabus on the 1st missionary journey
Date: 50s or 60s (before the destruction of the temple in AD 70)
Place of Writing: Maybe Jerusalem
Recipients/Destination: Gentiles. Maybe Rome
Purpose/Theme:
To show Jesus as tireless
Maybe to prepare Gentiles in Rome for persecution
Structure:
1st half-“piles up the evidence” for Jesus
Turning point: Mk 8:27-29; Mt. 16:21; Lk 9:31,51; Jn 11:45-53 a. Peter’s confession
2nd half- slows down. Points towards Jesus’ death

(1/28/13)
Critical Issues
Priority of Mark or Matthew?
Ending of Mark?
16:20-long ending (9-20 in weak evidence)
16:8-stronger mss evidence
By not having the longer ending, we don’t miss any of Jesus’ teachings
Characteristics
Much about Peter
Vivid detail
Astonishment
Latinisms
Gospel of Matthew
Author: Matthew, also called Levi
Date: 50s or 60s
Place of Writing: Palestine or Syrian Antioch
Recipients/Destination: Greek speaking Jews
Purpose/Theme:
the kingdom is coming
Jesus is the promised Messiah to bring the Kingdom
Structure: built around 5 sermons
Sermon on the Mount- 5:7- Ethics
Limited Commission- 10- Preaching
Parables- 13- the nature of the Kingdom
Life in the Church- 18
Mt. of Olives Sermon- 24-25- be prepared (for the destruction of Jerusalem, etc)
Turning Point- Matthew 16:13-20 (Peter’s Confession)
Critical Issue: The synoptic problem
Characteristics
Jesus predicts his approaching death ( 12:40; 16:4; 16:21; 17:9; 17:12; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; 26:2; 26:18; 26:24; 26:54)
Most were after the turning point
Strong Jewish tone
Emphasis on the kingdom kingdom=the Church
Parables
Baptisms
Baptisms in Matthew
John’s 3:11
Holy Spirit Baptism 3:11
Baptism of Fire 3:11-12; eternal destruction
Baptism of Jesus (personal) 3:13-17
Christian Baptism 28:18-20
Gospel of Luke
Author: evidence points to Luke the Physician from Troas (McMillon)
Date: A.D. 59-63
Place of Writing: Rome, Achaia, or Ephesus
Recipient/Destination:
Theophilus (“One who loves God”)
All believers, especially Gentiles
Purpose/Theme:
Commend the preaching of the gospel to the world
Answer attacks on Jesus
Show that Gentile Christians had a place in the Kingdom
Luke 16:16 “The Law and the prophets were proclaimed until John [the Baptist]
Might be a key to Luke’s theology
Characteristics
Importance of Gentiles as well as Jews
Concern for women
Concern for the poor and downtrodden
Emphasis on the Holy Spirit
Structure: 9:51 is Luke’s Turning Point as Jesus “resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”
9:51, 53; 13:22, 33, 34; 17:11; 18:31-33; 19:11, 28, 41; 24:47
Critical Issue
Relationship between Luke and Acts
Luke 1:3 to Acts 1:1 “Bridge to Acts” Luke 24:45-49
Anticipates things in Acts
Gospel of John
Author: The Apostle John “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” 13:23
Date: A.D. 85
Purpose/Theme: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” 20:31
Structure:
Built around people’s responses to Jesus’ teachings and miracles.
Not necessarily in chronological order.
Water to wine 2: 1-11 “He thus revealed his glory and his disciples put their faith in him.”
Woman at the well 4:1-39 “Many Samaritans believed in him.”
Bread of Life 6:25-66
Peter 6:69 “Holy one of God.” “Many turned back and followed him no more.”
Lazarus 11:45 “Many of the Jews […] put their faith in him.”
Turning Point of John Critical Issues:
Relation to the Synoptics?”
Inclusion of John 7:53-8:11 (Woman caught in adultery)
Compare to Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive”
This statement is nowhere in the gospels except Acts
Turning Points in the Gospels:
Matthew- 16:21 Peter’s Confession
Mark 8:27-29 Peter’s Confession
Luke 9:31,51 The journey to Jerusalem
John 11:45-53 The raising of Lazarus

(2/4/13)
Charts on the four books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Acts
Preview notes
Ch. 1 helps us to see the bridge between Luke and Acts
Ch. 2 marks the beginning of the church (on the Day of Pentecost)
Ch. 15 (Paul goes on his first missionary journey in chapters 13 and 14): issue that Jews say you cannot be a Christian without being Jewish first the conclusion in chapter 15 is to this question and is a letter within a letter, this is what sparks Paul’s letter to Galatians
Author: Luke the Physician from Troas (McMillon)
Luke and the “we” passages: 16:10-17; 20: 5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-20; 28:1-16
Date: A.D. 63 (period covered 30-63 AD)
Place of Writing: Rome, Achaia, or Ephesus
Recipient/Destination
Theophilus
All believers, especially Gentiles
Purpose/ Theme
To present an historical account of Christian origins the life of the early church To give a defense of the faith both to Jews and Gentiles. Leading to conversion
To provide a guide for conducting the church to show the triumph of Christianity in the face of persecution
Characteristics
Accurate Historical Detail
People, cultures, government, courts, archaeology proves a lot
Characteristics
Accurate historical detail
People, cultures, government, courts; archaeology proves a lot
9:11, straight street
17:23 altar in Athens to “unknown god”
18:12 Gallio was proconsul
22:28 Paul a Roman citizen even though he was a Jew weird because Paul was a “super duper Jew” (a Pharisee)
25:12 Paul’s appeal to Caesar
Literary excellence in language
Koine Greek (common everyday language)
If it had been written in the Old Greek, only highly educated people would be able to read it
Adolf Deissman discovered Koine Greek
Proper use of terms
Uses Aramaisms (Jewish expressions in Palestine)
5:4, 12; 6:5; 9:19; 10:3; 13:39; 15:27
Dramatic description
Inclusion of speeches adds to the drama
Speeches balanced between Peter and Paul
Shipwreck account in Acts 27 is the best example
Book is vivid and fast-moving
Objective account
Luke records good and bad in the early church
Strife between Jews and Greeks 6:1
Discord between Paul and Barnabas 15:39
Various differences (15:2, 21:20-21)
Critical Issue
Relationship between Luke and Acts
Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1
“Bridge to Acts” Luke 24:45-49
Things in Acts anticipated in Luke
“most excellent” Lk. 1:3> Acts 23:26; 24:4
“Light revealed o the Gentiles” Lk 2:32>Acts 13:47-48 witnesses, Lk 1:2; 24:48>Acts 1:21; 8:4; 26:16
“stone rejected” Lk. 20:17>Acts 4:11
The Holy Spirit
Davidic lineage Lk. 1:69; 2:4,11 > Acts 2:25-35
Highlights
Kingdom of Heaven/God=the church Matt. 16:18-19
Pentecost-the church began Acts 2
50 days after Passover
Description of early Christian Fellowship
Acts 2:42-47
Peter is the focus ch 1-7
Paul is the focus ch. 9-28
Holy spirit is focus throughout Acts
Over 40 references
1st missionary journey mainly Galatia
Antioch to Cyprus
Paphos on Cyprus
Perge
Pisidian Antioch
Iconium
Lystra
Derbe
Return to Antioch
(2/11/13)
Antioch to Cyprus
Paphos on Cyprus
Perge
Pisidian Antioch
Iconium
Lyustra
Derbe
Return to Antioch
Look at maps for 2nd and 3rd journeys
Romans
Author: Paul 1:1
No opposition to Pauline Authorship
References that agree with known facts of Paul’s life
Doctrinal content is definitely Paul’s
Date: A.D. 57
Place of Writing: Corinth or Cenchrea
Recipients/Destination: Members of the church in Rome (1:7)
Mostly Gentiles, but some Jews (4:1)
Purpose/Theme:
Prepare for his coming to Rome
To present basic system of salvation to a church that had no t yet received it
Explain relationship between Jews and Gentiles
Critical issue
Recipients (as given above)
Purpose (as given above)
Characteristics
Most systematic of Paul’s letters
Doctrines taken one at a time
Emphasis on Christian doctrine
Widespread use of OT quotations
Deep concern for the Jews (Israel)
Structure
Chapters 1-11: Theological section
Sin (3:23 “all have sinned”)
Grace (5:7-8; 18-19; 6:14)
Faith: life commitment (3:22; 4:3,9; 5:1)
Righteousness/Justification (3:10, 20; 4:9)
Redemption (3:24) Purchasing something back that you had once had is Redemption in that time
Jews and Gentiles (11:11, 23)
Chapters 12-16: Practical Application (2/18/13) * 1 Corinthians acropolis: city on a mountain (high city)
Acts 18:12-17 happens in Corinth
Gallio: the Gallio Inscription at Delphi
Why we can date the Corinthian letters and know when Paul established the church at Corinth
Corinth
Good for commerce
Beema: good for court; marketplace
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 55
25 years after the death of Jesus
Place of Writing: Ephesus on the third missionary trip
Church of Corinth was established on the second missionary trip, the letters were written on the third
Recipients/Destination: Corinthian Christians who have asked for teaching
1 Corinthians 7:1 “Matters you wrote about.”
8:1; 12:1; 16:1 food sacrificed to idols; spiritual gifts; collection for God’s…
Purpose: 1:11; Quarrels among you
Theme: the need for development of spiritual maturity in the church
Critical Issues
Were there 2 or three letters to the Corinthian church?
There were 2 (preferred view)
1st , then 2nd (which isn’t extant but is referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:3-4), 3rd (which is our current 2 Corinthians) –is the other view
Purpose
Stop divisions in the church (1:10-4:2)
Stop immorality in the church ( 5:6, 12:20)
Stop litigation in the pagan courts (6:1-8)
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper (11:17-34)
Correct false teaching on the resurrection (15)
Collect money for poor Christians in Jerusalem (16:1-4)
Central doctrine of Christian faith is resurrection of Jesus
2 Corinthians
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 55 (later the same year as 1 Corinthians)
Place of Writing: Macedonia 2 Corinthians 2:13 and 7:5
Recipients/ Destination: Corinthian church and all of Achaia
Purpose/Theme: to deal with:
False teaching (1-7)
Paul’s personal integrity (8-9)
Uphold Paul’s apostolic authority (10-13)
(2/20/13)
Galatians (a shorter version of Romans)
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 48-49
Place of Writing: Syrian Antioch
Recipients/Destination
“To the churches in Galatia” Gal. 1:3
Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe: circular letter
Circular letter
Exact location of Galatia
North (no evidence Paul ever went here)
South (letter probably went here)
Purpose: to address a legalistic heresy that followed his teaching there
Called Judaizers because the require compliance with certain Jewish laws before becoming a Christian
Structure:
Doctrinal section Gal. 1-4
Affirms authenticity of gospel Paul preaches 1:6-24
Must conform to original teaching 1:9
Law of Moses: helps world know how to follow God and what it means so you can function on your own
Practical section Galatians 5-6
Freedom in Christ (what it means) 5:1
Life in the Spirit (5:16-26)
Works of the flesh (sinful nature) 5:19-21
Fruit of the Spirit 5:22-25
Christ has set us free from the law of Moses so how do we use our freedom?
To serve one another 5:13
NOT to run wild
Critical issue
To churches in North Galatia or South Galatia? (3/4/13)
Ephesians
Purpose/Theme doesn’t address a specific heresy
To expand their understanding of God’s eternal purpose
Structure
Doctrinal section, ch 1-4
God’s eternal plan (In his true nature)
God the Father planned before creation, 1:3-6
Chose us, 1:4
Predestined us, 1:5
God the Son 1:7-11
Redemption 1; 7
Forgiveness 7
God the Holy Spirit 1:12-13
Guarantees our salvation 1:13-14
Unity (oneness in Christ)
Unity (oneness in Christ) 2-4
Jews and Gentiles 2:14
The “mystery” union of Jews and Gentiles 3:2-13
Make every effort to maintain unity 4:1-6
Father
Creator, sustainer, judge
Son
Prophet, priest, King
Holy Spirit
Confirms the Word of God, convicts
Bridge from Doctrinal to Practical
4:17 “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do…
Broke down the middle wall of pertition
Practical section, chapter 4-6
Personal behavior 4:17
Live as “children of light” 5:1
Husbands and wives 5:21-33
Children and parents 6:1-4
Slaves and maters 5-9
Wearing the “armor of God” 6:10-17
Pray 6:18-19
Philippians
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 61
Place of Writing: Rome, one of the four prison epistles
Recipients/Destination: Philippi, a Roman colony
City of Philippi
Prayer by the river, Acts 16:13
Lydia baptized, Acts 16:14-15
Slave girl with an evil spirit, Acts 16:16-18
Her owners lost their fortune telling income from her, 16:19-21
Paul and Silas imprisoned, 16:22-24
Conversion of the jailer, 16:25-34
Release of Paul and Silas fro prison, 16:35-40
(3/6/13)
Purpose/Theme
Primary purpose-to thank the Philippians for the gift sent him in Rome (1:5, 4:10-19)
To report his circumstances 1:12-26 and 4:10-19
To encourage them to stand firm in persecution 1:28-30 and 4:4
To encourage humility and unity 2:1-11, and 4:2-5
To commend Timothy and Epaphroditus to them 2:19-30
T warn against Judaizers (legalists) and antinomaians (libertines), chapter 3
Critical issue: place of writing-Rome
Characteristics
No OT quotations
A missionary thank you and report letter
Shows a strong Christian attitude and life
NT letter of “joy” 16 times
A major Christological passage, 2:5-11
Major Christological Passages
John 1:1-18: Jesus is the logos (word)
Phil. 2:5-11: Jesus emptied himself, kenosis (to empty)
Col. 1:15-20: Jesus is the image of God
Heb. 1:1-4: Jesus is God’s final revelation
Colossians
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 61
Place of Writing: Rome
Prison epistle
Recipients/Destination: Colosse
Started by Epaphras, Paul’s convert in Ephesus, Acts 19:0 and Col. 1:7-8
Purpose: to refute the Colossian heresy (only inferred and never named)
Theme: to show the complete adequacy of Christ contrasted with the emptiness of human philosophy
Critical issue: what was the heresy?
Not Gnosticism
A diverse heresy ( 2 elements: Jewish and Gnostic)
Ceremonialism, 2:16-17
Rules about food, drink, religious festivals, and circumcision
Asceticism, 2:21
“Do not handle, taste, touch”
Angel worship, 2:18
Deprecation of Christ, 1:15-20; 2:2-3,9
Secret knowledge, 2:2-3, 18
Reliance on human wisdom and tradition, 2:4; 8
Col. 2:8-15
Four circular letters
Galatians Ga. 1:2
Ephesians Eph. 1:1
Colossians Col. 4:16
“Letter from Laodicea” not extant (doesn’t exist), Col. 4:16
All of the NT writings were eventually circulated
Philemon
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 61
Place of Writing: Rome
Recipient/Destination: Philemon is a slave owner in Colosse
Purpose: Do the right thing-accept Onesimus back
Critical issue:
Was Onesimus a blood brother to Philemon as well as a Christian brother? Vs. 16
1 Thessalonians
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 51
Place of Writing: Corinth on the 2nd missionary journey
Recipients/Destination: Thessalonians (Acts 17:4)
Purpose: to encourage new converts
They’ve only been Christians for about 3 months by this point
Theme: Eschatology (last things, end of the world)
“Wrath of God” 2:16, 5:9
“Crown” 2:19
“Sleep” 5:6,7,10
“Coming of the Lord” 4:15
“Lord himself will come down from Heaven” 4:16
“Loud command” 4:16
“voice of the archangel” 4:16
“trumpet call of God” 4:16
“Meet the Lord in the air” 4:17
“The day of the Lord” 5:2
“Thief in the night” 5:2,4 (3/13/13)
2 Thessalonians
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 51
Place of Writing: Corinth, 2nd missionary journey
Recipients/Destination: Thessalonians
Critical issue: Some question Pauline authorship
Purpose:
Encourage the persecuted 1:4-10
Be steadfast and work 2:13-3:15
Correct misunderstanding about the Lord’s return 2:1-12
Theme: Eschatology (Last things-end of the world)
“coming of the Lord” 2:1
“day of the Lord” 2:2
“rebellion (the apostasy)” 2:3
“man of lawlessness (man of sin)” 2:3,8,9
“man doomed to destruction (son of prediction)” 2:3
“counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders” 2:9
“powerful delusion” 2:11
The Pastorals: 1&2 Timothy, Titus
Likely written on a “4th missionary journey” after the 1st imprisonment in Rome
Paul is old and concerned about his “children”
Concern for “sound doctrine”
1Tim. 1:10, 2 Tim. 4:3, Titus 1:9; 2:1
1 Timothy
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 65
Place of writing: From Philippi after imprisonment in Rome
Recipient/Destination: Timothy in Ephesus
Paul’s “true son in the faith” 1:2
A traveling companion to Paul
A co-sender of 6 of Paul’s letters
A Jewish Christian mother and Greek father
(3/25/13)
Purpose: Pastoral care for the church at Ephesus
Themes:
God is the Savior
Sound doctrine and teaching
Godliness
Topics Covered
Worship, 2:1-8
Elder and Deacon qualifications, 3:1-13
Personal living
2 Timothy
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 65 [66]
Place of Writing: 2nd Roman imprisonment
Recipients: Timothy
Purpose:
Paul was lonely at the end of his life, 4:6-8
Concerned about Ephesus and other churches
Titus
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 65
Place of Writing: Corinth
Recipients/Destination: Titus on the Island of Crete
“even one of their own prophets has said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.’” Titus 1:12
Purpose/Theme: To encourage godliness
“Doing good” 1:8,16; 2:3,7,14; 3:1,8,14
Topics covered
Elder qualifications 1:5-9
Instructions to various groups 2:1-9
(3/27/13)
Hebrews
Author: unknown
Date: A.D. 69
Before A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Place of Writing: not sure
Recipients/Destination: Jewish Christians in general? Or to a particular locality? Heb. 2:3-4; 10:32-34: 13:7
Not sure
Purpose: to encourage Christians not to revert to Judaism or fall away from the faith
2:1 pay more attention and don’t drift away
3:6 hold on to courage and hope
3:12 avoid a sinful and unbelieving heart that turns away from God
3:14 hold firmly to your original confidence in the Lord
6:11 show diligence in faith to the very end
6:12 don’t become lazy
Doctrine of hope-Jesus IS our hope
NOT wishful thinking
We are convicted that Jesus Christ is coming back one day to take us with Him to live eternally
10:23, 25, 35, 39; 12:1, 7; 13:9
Theme: the superiority and sufficiency of Jesus Christ
Structure: two main types of material in Hebrews
Theological
Inspirational
“therefore” is the common transition between them
Critical issues: authorship and destination
Other:
Very Jewish
“let us…” statements (about 20)
4:1,11,14,16; 6:1; 10:23-25; 12:1,2
Horatory subjunctives
Type of imperitive
Polite, respectful commands
The Faith Hall of Fame-Hebrews 11
11:1 Fiath defined “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
11:6-12 Examples
11:13-16 Messages
General format
9:23-understanding of the Tabernacle and Temple
(4/1/13)
James
The “general letters” are addressed to general audiences rather than specific churches or persons
James 1, 2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude
Author: James, probably the brother of Jesus
Date: A.D. 50
Place of Writing: ? Not sure
Recipients/Destination: General audience
“the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.” 1:1
Purpose/Theme
An emphasis on “real Christian living”
Listening and doing 1:22
Treating all people equally, 2:1-12
Practicing your faith, 2:14-24
1 Peter
Author: Peter 2 Peter 3:1
Date: A.D. 60-67
Place of Writing: Babylon on the Euphrates River
Recipients/Destination: “God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia…” 1 Peter 1:1
Purpose/Theme: 1 Peter 5:12
How to deal with persecution from outside the church
To encourage
The grace of God is true
Contents: several subjects
Holiness of life
1 Peter 1:15
Description of believers
A spiritual house, 2:4-8
A chosen people, 2:9-10
Aliens in the world, 2:11-12
Submission
To rulers 2:13-17
To masters, 2:18-20
Christ was submissive, 2:21-25
Wives to husbands, 3:1-6
Husbands to wives, 3:7
2 Peter
Author: Simon Peter 2 Pet 1:1
Date: A.D. 65-68: prior to his death under Nero
Place of Writing:?
Recipients/Destination:?
Purpose/theme
How to deal with false teachers inside the church
Stimulate Christian growth, ch. 1
Combat false teaching, ch. 2-3
Be watchful of Lord’s return, ch. 3
Critical Issue
The relationship of 2 Peter and Jude
Compare 2 Pet 2 with Jude 4-18
Jude
Author: Jude, the brother of Jesus, Mt. 13:55
Date: A.D. 65 prior to 2 Peter
Place of writing: ?
Recipients/Destination: General
“To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ…” Jude 1
Purpose/Theme: To warn against false teachers who pervert the doctrine of grace
Jude 3-4
Critical Issue
The relationship of 2 Peter and Jude
2 Peter 2
False teachers, 1
Angels sinned, 4
Sodom and Gomorrah, 6
Indulge the flesh, 10
Revile angelic majesties, 10
Unreasoning animals, 12
The way of Balaam, 15
Black darkness, 17
Arrogant words, 18
Remember the words, 3:2
Last days 3:3
Jude 4-18
Godless men, 4
Angels sinned, 6
Sodom and Gomorrah, 7
Defile the flesh, 8
Revile angelic majesties, 8
Unreasoning animals, 10
Error of Balaam, 11
Black darkness, 13
Speak arrogantly, 16
Remember the words, 17
Last times, 18 (4/8/13)
Salvation by:
Law-Jews
Special knowledge-Gnostics A.D. 85 (1-3 John)
Faith/Grace-Christians
1 John author: John the son of Zebedee, Mk. 1:19-20 also the author of the Gospel of John and Revelation
Date: A.D. 85
Place of Writing: don’t know –perhaps Asia?
Recipients:
To “believers” 1 John 2:12-14, 19; 3:1; 5:13
Perhaps a circular letter since no person is named
Perhaps province of Asia (region of Ephesus)
Purpose/Theme
To expose the false teachings of Gnosticism 2:26; Greek=gnosis, knowledge
To give assurance of salvation 5:13
Gnosticism ( an early form of it)
Body (matter) is evil. God (spirit) is good-Dualism
Salvation is an escape from the body by special knowledge, gnosis
Humanity of Christ denied (no body)-Cerinthianism
Huge heresy
The divine Christ joined us only for a short time
Asceticism due to fleshly body being evil
This dualism led to immorality
“since matter, and not breaking God’s law was considered evil, breatking the law was of no consequence.”
Major subjects in 1 John
Walking in the light
Warning about Antichrists 2:18-19,22
Anyone who denies Jesus as Christ is an antichrist
Love for one another 3:16-17; 4:20-21
Gnosticism is selfish
Knowing we are God’s children 5:2-3
What “we know” (gnosis)
2:3,5,18; 3:2,10,14… a special characteristic of 1 John is the “we know” statements
2 John
Author: John “the elder” 2 John 1
Date: A.D. 85
Place of Writing: Province of Asia
Recipient/Destination: “To the chosen lady and her children…” 2 John 1
An unknown Christian woman in Asia
A metaphor for a local church
Critical Issue: The recipient
Purpose/Theme:
In the early centuries, the gospel was spread by traveling evangelists. Believers took these missionaries into their homes and gave them supplies for their travel. Gnostic teachers did the same so readers were encouraged to discern who they were supporting
2 John 10-11
3 John
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first…” 3 John 9-10
Written to Gaius
(4/10/13)
Revelation: God’s Victory Book
Author: John the son of Zebedee, the apostle
Date: A.D. 95
Place of Writing: the Island of Patmos (1:9)
Recipients: the seven churches in Asia
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea
Type of Literature: Apocalyptic “revelation or unfolding”
Highly symbolic
Written during times of persecution
Intended to encourage God’s people
Other apocalyptic sections in the Bible
Ezekiel, Daniel 7-12, Matthew 24-25, Zechariah 1:7-6:8
Purpose: to encourage Christians to resist the pressure to worship the emperor
2:10 “Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you a crown of life.”
Critical Issue: How to interpret it
Preterist: Most of the events took place in the 1st century
Historical: Events from the end of the 1st century to the end of history
Futurist: The events take place at the end of time
Ideal: symbolic of timeless truths such as the victory of good over evil
Three Parts:
Part 1: Letters to the 7 churches of Asia (2-3)
Part 2: Act 1 – ch. 4-11
Part 3: Act 2 – Ch. 12-22
(4/15/13)
Other
The 7 churches in Asia, ch 2-3
The great throne scene, ch 4
The worthiness of Jesus the lamb to open the future, ch. 5
The seven seals, ch. 6-8
The seven trumpets, ch 8-11
The woman and the dragon, ch. 12
The woman is likely God’s plan of eternal salvation
The dragon is Satan
The two beasts, ch. 13
Likely the collusion of Rome and Satan to persecute Christians
The 7 bowls of wrath, ch. 15-16
The fall of Babylon the Great (Rome), ch. 17-19
Celebration of God’s victory over evil, ch. 20
Heaven is the reward, ch. 21-22
A succeeding series of God’s judgment
7 seals lead to 7 trumpets which leads to 7 bowls each judgment is more severe than the previous
Ultimately, God’s