Invitation to the New Testament 13: General Epistles

GENERAL EPISTLES: 

GENERAL EPISTLES

Introduction: 

Introduction The General Epistles include the books of James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John, and Jude. For the most part, these epistles are addressed to groups of Christians instead of specific churches.

JAMES: 

JAMES

PowerPoint Presentation: 

12 Tribes Scattered Abroad

Background: 

Background Authorship - Which James? Assuming that the author of this book is a James mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament, the 4 possibilities are: 1. James, the father of Judas (not Iscariot - Luke 6:16). We know so little about this James that it seems unlikely that God would've tapped him to write the epistle of James.

Background: 

Background 2. James, the son of Alphaeus , a.k.a. James the less (Mark 15:40). If this James had been the writer, he would've likely mentioned his apostleship. The writer of the epistle of James doesn't identify himself as an apostle. 3. James, the son of Zebedee, the brother of John (Matt. 4:21). If this James had been the writer, don't you think he would've mentioned his famous brother? Moreover, this James died as a martyr in early church history (44 A.D. – Acts 12:2).

Background: 

Background 4. James, the half-brother of Jesus. a. This James was most likely the writer because: 1) He was well known and didn't need to go to any lengths to identify himself. 2) He had a strong Jewish background as did the writer of the epistle who includes in his letter 108 Old Testament quotations or allusions. 3) The epistle of James bears many similarities to James‘ speech before the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).

Background: 

Background b. James, the half-brother of Jesus, is mentioned twice in the gospels (Matt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3). He didn't become a follower of Jesus until after Jesus' resurrection (Mk. 3:21; Jn. 7:1-10). Jesus made a special visit to James after His resurrection, which likely led to James' salvation (1 Cor. 15:7). James is next seen with the believers in the Upper Room awaiting the Spirit's arrival (Acts 1:14). After Peter left Jerusalem (Acts 12:17), James became the leader of the church there. He moderated the first church council in Acts 15.

Background: 

Background B. Audience - Christian Jews scattered abroad ~ These believers had left Jerusalem for two reasons: the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7, 8) and a famine in the city (Acts 11:27-30). Date - 45-47 A.D. (This was likely the first book of the New Testament.)

Purpose: 

Purpose Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, James wrote… A. to address the needs of the believers in the dispersion B. to encourage them in their suffering (1:1-12; 5:13-18) C. to encourage them in consistent Christian living 1. religious practices (1:19-27) 2. partiality (2:1-13) 3. faith and works (2:14-26) 4. tongue (3:1-12) 5. true wisdom (3:13-18) 6. worldliness (4:1-12) 7. riches (5:1-6) 8. patience (5:7-11)

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline Theme – practical faith, faith that works toward maturity in the Christian life B. Key Verse – 1:22 C. Outline Salutation (1:1) 1. The Nature of True Faith (1:2 - 3:12) a. True faith is purified by trials (1:2-12) b. True faith does not attribute evil to God (1:13-18) c. True faith obeys the Word of God (1:19-27) d. True faith does not show partiality (2:1-13) e. True faith produces good works (2:14-26) f. True faith controls the tongue (3:1-12)

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline 2. The Nature of True Wisdom (3:13 - 5:20) a. Definition of true wisdom (3:13-18) b. Wisdom in the spiritual life (4:1-12) c. Wisdom in the commercial life (4:13-17) d. Wisdom in the use of wealth (5:1-6) e. Wisdom in waiting for the Lord (5:7-12) f. Wisdom in the prayer life (5:13-18) g. Wisdom in restoring an erring Christian (5:19-20)

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“Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, w hen it is finished, brings forth death.” ~ James 1:14-15

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WHY does Satan tempt us?

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Satan tempts us in order to draw us away.

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Satan attempts to draw us unto our own ways. “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust , and enticed.” ~ James 1:14

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Satan attempts to draw us into sin. “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin …” ~ James 1:14

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Satan attempts to draw us into lying.

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Satan attempts to draw us into profanity.

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Satan attempts to draw us into murder.

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Satan attempts to draw us into adultery.

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Satan attempts to draw us into pornography.

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Satan attempts to draw us into addictions.

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Satan attempts to draw us into cheating.

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Satan attempts to draw us into stealing.

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Satan attempts to draw us into gambling.

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Satan attempts to draw us into gluttony.

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Satan attempts to draw us into envy.

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Satan attempts to draw us into jealousy.

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Satan attempts to draw us into SIN.

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Satan attempts to draw us unto death. “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death .” ~ James 1:14

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Death is not cessation. “It is appointed unto men once to die, b ut after this the judgment.” ~ Hebrews 9:27

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Death is separation. Physical Death Separation of the soul from the body

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Death is separation. Spiritual Death Separation of the soul from God

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Death is separation. Eternal Death Separation of the soul from God in Hell forever

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WHY does Satan tempt us? Satan tempts us in order to draw us away. Satan attempts to draw us unto our own ways. Satan attempts to draw us into sin. Satan attempts to draw us unto death. “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:24-25

Insight: 

Insight James 2:14-26 is the most troubling part of this letter. On the surface it sounds as if James is preaching a "works salvation". Some people take this passage to be in conflict with what Paul writes in Romans 4 about salvation coming by faith alone. The key to interpreting the passage is to understand where James is "coming from". Whereas Paul is dealing with how we are justified before God, James is talking about how we appear just before men. Only God can see our hearts to know whether we're truly saved. To convince others of our salvation, God has decreed that genuine faith will produce good works which are visible.

1 PETER: 

1 PETER

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Galatia Bithynia Asia Cappadocia Pontus

Background: 

Background A. Peter the apostle wrote 1 Peter. 1. Peter was one of Jesus' inner circle of three. (James and John were the other two.) He saw Jesus in His glorified state while on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:16-18). 2. Peter was a married man. After Jesus’ ascension, it appears that his wife travelled with him (1 Cor. 9:5). 3. Tradition teaches that Peter died in an upside- down crucifixion around 67-68 A.D. 4. Silvanus (Silas) wrote what Peter dictated (5:12). Silas was Peter’s amanuensis.

Background: 

Background B. Audience ~ Peter wrote to Jewish Christians, perhaps intermixed with Gentile believers, who lived in northern Asia Minor (1:1). Date and Place of Writing - 64 A.D. from “Babylon”

Purpose: 

Purpose Peter wrote this letter to encourage persecuted Christians and to challenge them to live such worthy lives that the false charges which were being brought against them would be seen for the lies they were.

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline Theme – suffering (7 different words are used for it in 1 Peter), victory over suffering B. Key Verse – 4:12 C. Outline Salutation (1:1) 1. The Destiny of the Christian (1:2 - 2:10) a. Plan of salvation (1:2-12) b. Products of salvation (1:13-25) c. Purpose of salvation (2:1-10)

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline 2. The Duty of the Christian (2:11 - 3:12) a. Subjection in the state (2:11-17) b. Subjection in the household (2:18-25) c. Subjection in the family (3:1-12) 3. The Discipline of the Christian (3:13 - 5:11) a. Suffering as a citizen (3:13 - 4:6) b. Suffering as a Christian (4:7-19) c. Suffering as a shepherd (5:1-4) d. Suffering as a soldier (5:5-11) Conclusion (5:12-14)

Insights: 

Insights According to 1 Peter 1:5, our salvation is sure because we are kept by the power of God through faith. There is no question that God has the power to sustain my salvation and make me acceptable to Himself. It is through faith that we tap into that power. When a person chooses not to exercise faith in Christ any longer, he is cutting himself off from God's sustaining power.

Insights: 

Insights The hope we possess should inspire us to lead holy lives. Three reasons to be holy are: 1. 1:16 – “because it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy” 2. 1:17 – because God impartially judges all men’s works 3. 1:18 – because of the price of our redemption

Insights: 

Insights 1 Peter 3:18-20 is the most confusing passage in the book. Some take it to teach a "compartmental theory" in which they assert that Jesus, after His death and prior to His resurrection, descended into the earth and preached to the spirits of the deceased. During His message He supposedly reaffirmed the condemnation of the fallen angels and wicked men and then escorted the righteous into God's presence. Most likely what Peter meant in these verses is that the spirit of Christ rested upon Noah as he preached to the people of his day. Just as the folks then could've been saved from the flood by believing Noah's message and entering the ark, we are saved today by believing the gospel of Christ.

2 PETER: 

2 PETER

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Galatia Bithynia Asia Cappadocia Pontus

Background: 

Background A. Authorship – Simon Peter, the apostle (1:1) Audience - Christians, especially those in northern Asia Minor (compare 3:1 to 1 Peter 1:1) Date and Place of Writing - 64-67 A.D. (just before Peter's death [1:14-15]) possibly from Rome

Purpose: 

Purpose In his first letter, Peter wrote to encourage Christians who were suffering persecutions from without. In this second letter, he is concerned about the dangers within the church.

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline Theme – growing in knowledge is the key to avoiding the influence of heresy Key Verse – 3:18a (The key word is "knowledge“ [used in one form or another 16 times in the letter.) C. Outline Salutation (1:1, 2) 1. Safeguards against the Apostasy (1:3-21) a. The maturity of believers (1:3-11) b. The testimony of an apostle (1:12-18) c. The authority of Scripture (1:19-21)

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline 2. Description of the Apostates (2:1-22) a. Their methods (2:1-3a) b. Their judgment (2:3b-13) c. Their character (2:14-22) 3. Answering the Charge of the Apostates (3:1-18) a. Their denial of the second advent (3:1-4) b. The assurance of the second advent (3:5-10) c. The way to live in light of the second advent (3:11-18)

Insights: 

Insights The description of false teachers in 2 Peter 2:9-22 ends with a word about the state of those who follow after false teachers. It would appear that those who swallow false teaching can go so far as to forfeit their salvation and be worse-off than they were before giving their hearts to Christ. BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHOM YOU LISTEN TO AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE!

Insights: 

Insights When God destroyed/purged the world in the days of Noah, it was with a flood. The next time it will be with fire (3:10).

1 JOHN: 

1 JOHN

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Asia Minor

Background: 

Background Authorship - John, the apostle (known as a son of thunder and the apostle of love) 1. John doesn't identify himself as the writer but internal evidence suggests that he was. The writer of 1 John uses the same vocabulary and expressions as found in the Gospel of John. 2. John may have been the only apostle still living by the time 1 John was written.

Background: 

Background Audience - general (A circular letter perhaps intended primarily for the Christians of Asia Minor) Date and Place of Writing - 85-90 A.D. from Ephesus (where John may have been serving as pastor and district overseer)

Purpose: 

Purpose John wrote 1 John to reassure Christians about their faith and to renew their confidence. A. John wrote the Gospel of John to show men how they might have eternal life (John 20:31). He wrote 1 John to show men how they might know they have eternal life (1 Jn. 5:13). B. The word "know" is used more than 30 times in 1 John.

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline A. Theme – assurance of salvation B. Key Verse – 5:13 C. Outline Introduction (1:1-4) 1. Assurance through Walking in the Light (1:5 - 2:29) a. In Personal Spiritual Conduct ( 1:5 - 2:6) b. In Social Relationships (2:7-11) c. In Separation from the World (2:12-17) d. In Adherence to the Truth (2:18-29)

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline 2. Assurance through Abiding in Love (3:1 - 4:21) a. The Ethical Proof of Love (3:1-12) b. The Social Proof of Love (3:13-24) c. The Theological Proof of Love (4:1-6) d. The Emotional Proof of Love (4:7-21) 3. Assurance through Exercising Faith (5:1-12) Conclusion: The Certainties of Life (5:13-21)

External Tests of Faith: 

External Tests of Faith While one writer sees in 1 John as many as 16 tests to determine whether one is saved, here are four of the more obvious: 1. The light test (1:5-7) 2. The obedience test (2:4) 3. The love test (2:9-10) 4. The compassion test (3:17)

4 Reasons Why Christians Should Love One Another: 

4 Reasons Why Christians Should Love One Another 1. Because we are born of God (4:7, 8) Because Christ loved us and died for us (4:9-11) 3. Because the Holy Spirit lives in us (4:12-16) Because it is the command of God (4:20, 21) Notice that these reasons have nothing to do with how lovable the other person is but have everything to do with God and His Word.

4 Things You Can Count On: 

4 Things You Can Count On Christians will overcome the world (5:1-5) 2. The deity of Christ (5:5-13) 3. The power of prayer (5:14, 15) Our victory over Satan (5:18-20)

2 JOHN: 

2 JOHN

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Asia Minor

Background: 

Background Authorship - John, the apostle Audience ~ Possibilities: a. the universal church b. an undetermined local church c. church at Babylon d. influential lady in Babylon e. influential lady in Asia Minor (This is the most likely recipient.) Date and Place of Writing - 85-96 A.D. f rom E phesus or Patmos

Purpose: 

Purpose John wrote 2 John to warn the woman and her children about false teachers and to tell them not to receive them into their home.

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline A. Theme – walking in truth and love B. Key Verse – v. 6 C. Outline Salutation (1-3) 1. His Request for Reciprocal Love (4-6) 2. His Warning Against Apostasy (7-11) 3. His Desire to Visit (12) Closing Greetings (13)

Insights: 

Insights John emphasizes both truth and love in this tiny letter. These two elements must be kept in balance. Truth is foundational to real love. Truth must come first. Love without truth isn't real love. (Love – truth = liscentiousness Truth – love = legalism)

Insights: 

Insights During the first century, churches often met in people's homes. Hospitality was extremely important because of this and because there were numerous travelling ministers at that time. Although John wants this woman who has opened her house to the church to continue exercising hospitality, he wants her to screen out false teachers who could do all sorts of damage to the church.

3 JOHN: 

3 JOHN The Bad, The Good, and Demetrius ???

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Macedonia Derbe Corinth

Background: 

Background A. Authorship – John, the apostle B. Audience – Gaius ~ Possibilities: a. Gaius of Macedonia (Acts 19:29) b. Gaius of Derbe (Acts 20:4) c. Gaius of Corinth (I Cor. 1:14; Rom. 16:23) d. Another Gaius whom John won to the Lord. Date and Place of Writing - 85-96 A.D. from Ephesus or Patmos

Purpose: 

Purpose John wrote 3 John to commend Gaius and Demetrius while condemning Diotrephes

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline Theme – help and hospitality toward itinerant ministers B. Key Verse – v. 8 C. Outline Salutation (1) 1. Gaius, the Hospitable One (2-8) 2. Diotrephes , the Preeminent One (9-11) 3. Demetrius, the Good One (12) Conclusion (13, 14)

Insight: 

Insight Apparently there was a dispute in the church over the reception of itinerant ministers. Gaius wanted to show them hospitality and Diotrephes didn't, going so far as to kick-out of the church those who received these men. It would seem that Diotrephes was a self-appointed ruler of the church. John writes to condemn him and to commend Gaius.

JUDE: 

JUDE

PowerPoint Presentation: 

G E N E R A L A U D I E N C E

Background: 

Background A. Authorship - Jude 1. Seven men in the New Testament bear the name Jude or Judas. 2. We believe the writer of this book to be Jesus' half-brother (Mark 6:3). 3. At first Jude was an unbeliever (John 7:3-8), but eventually was convinced of Jesus’ deity (Acts 1:14). B. Audience - general (v. 1) Date - 67-70 A.D. (After 2 Peter was written? [compare 2 Peter 2:1 with Jude 4])

Purpose: 

Purpose Jude wrote his letter to exhort the readers to contend* for the faith. “Contend" means to "militantly defend."

Theme, Key Verse, Outline: 

Theme, Key Verse, Outline A. Theme – contending for the faith B. Key Verse – v.3 C. Outline Salutation (1, 2) 1. The Warning of Apostasy (3, 4) 2. Historical Examples of Apostasy (5-7) 3. Description of the Apostates (8-16) 4. The Duties of Believers (17-25)