NWE TESTAMENT SURVEY 2

New Testament Survey : 2
[4th Edition, November 2007]
Page
Lesson 1 The Period of Expansion 1
Acts: Part 1 and 2
Lesson 2 James 10
Acts part 3
Galatians
Lesson 3 The Council of Jerusalem 19
Acts part 4
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
Lesson 4 Paul’s third journey 26
The Corinthian Letters
1 Corinthians
Lesson 5 2 Corinthians 33
Romans
Lesson 6 The Prison Epistles: 45
Philemon
Colossians
Ephesians
Philippians
Author:
Eileen Crowhurst
Copyright © 1998 All Africa Bible College
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SBCI, P.O. Box 324, Hillcrest 3650, South Africa
E-mail: sbci@absamail.co.za Tel. 031-7660284 Fax. 031-7660449
www.sbci.co.za
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The Period of Expansion : 30 – 60 AD
Acts Part 1 and 2
Lesson 1
PERIOD DATE EVENT HISTORY BOOK
WRITTEN
INCEPTION
4 BC Birth of Jesus
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
30 AD Crucifixion
PERIOD
OF
EXPANSION
33 - Paul is born again
35 AD
45 AD
50 AD Council of
Jerusalem
52 AD
Events described in
the Book of Acts
56 AD
61 - Paul’s First
62 AD Imprisonment
in Rome
James
Galatians
1 & 2
Thessalonians
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Romans
(Mark)
Philemon
Colossians
(Matthew)
Ephesians
Philippians
(John)
Luke
Acts
Take a few minutes to look at the above chart.
Notice:
1. Look in the First Part – The Period of Inception.
Do you see that, according to the column on the right, no books were written during
Jesus’ lifetime and ministry?
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Obviously the Gospel writers were all alive when Jesus was living, but they did not write
their books until much later.
2. In fact, if you look at the next section, the Period of Expansion, you will see at the
bottom of the right-hand column, that the Gospel of Luke was written after the books of
Corinthians and Ephesians, etc., even though in the Bible it appears in the front part of
the New Testament.
It appears at the beginning, because the books of the New Testament are grouped
according to the type of book – with the Books of History coming first, then the
“Epistles” or letters, and last the one book of Prophecy in the New Testament, the Book
of Revelation.
3. Look at that right-hand column again. The first book to be written was James,
followed by Galatians.
4. The centre column has the dates the books were written, and it is important to
remember that these dates are approximates, since we do not know exactly when some of
the books were written.
However, the dates given should serve to give you an understanding of New Testament
chronology, ("chronology" means time sequence or order).
Acts – The Acts of the Apostles
ACTS The Gospels show what Jesus Christ began to do during His ministry on
earth, and the book of Acts tells us what He continued to do after His
resurrection, now working through the apostles by the Holy Spirit.
AUTHOR Luke. He was one of the 12 disciples and the author of the Gospel of Luke.
The Book of Acts is the second letter Luke wrote to Theophilus, telling him
what happened when men and women began to spread the news of a risen
Saviour to the uttermost parts of the known world.
DATE Acts is written between 62 and 65 AD, that is, about 30 years after Jesus'
death and resurrection.
TIME In 36 AD, Pontius Pilate was removed as procurator (governor) of
Palestine.
In 41 AD, Herod Agrippa I was made king of Galilee, Judea, Perea and
Samaria.
As the grandson of Herod the Great, he had to overcome the disgrace of
being Idumean (from Esau); therefore he stressed his Jewish background as
the son of one of Herod’s Jewish wives, Mariamne.
He began the first official persecution of the Christians.
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James the son of Zebedee was executed, Peter was imprisoned and James, the
Lord Jesus’ brother, took over the leadership of the Jerusalem church.
At the same time, in Rome:
In 37 AD Caesar Tiberius died and Caligula ruled in Rome.
Caligula demanded that he be worshipped and ordered his statue to be placed
in the temple at Jerusalem, but died before the order was carried out.
He was a madman; once appointing a horse as an official of government!
Caesar Claudius ruled from 41 – 54 AD.
He made all the Jewish people living in Rome leave, (among who were
Aquila and Priscilla, Acts 18:2).
KEY VERSE Read Acts 1:8
PURPOSE
1. To inform Theophilus of the spread of the Gospel and the continued ministry of Jesus
Christ.
2. To show Christianity as the fulfilment of Judaism.
3. Jesus did not start a new religion called “Christianity”. Christianity is the next step
in God’s plan – "that the world might know I am Lord".
4. To outline the development of the Church:
a) From mostly Jewish to mostly Gentile.
b) From its centre at Jerusalem to its new centre at Antioch.
c) From an old pattern to a new one – to show the way Christ builds His church.
OUTLINE
1. The Establishment of the Early Church
In Jerusalem and Judea Acts 1:1 – 8:3
2. Transition – to Samaria and farther away Acts 8:4 – 11:18
3. The Gentile Church and Paul’s Missions Acts 11:19 – 15:35
4. Paul’s Second and Third Missions Acts 15:36 – 21:16
5. Paul’s Imprisonments Acts 21:17 – 28:31
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IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTICE:
1. Firstly, can you see that the above outline of Acts is not divided according to exact
chapters? Verses and chapters were put in later, to help readers find certain verses. They
do not appear in the original text.
2. The “books” which follow Acts in the Bible, are “letters to churches”, which were written
during the events that took place described in Acts (with the exception of Revelation
which was written after Acts).
3. The New Testament books, as they appear in the Bible, were grouped according to the
author, not according to when they were written.
They were then grouped by their length; from the longest book to the shortest.
For example: Romans, written by Paul, appears before Philippians, also written by Paul,
because Romans is longer.
We are going to study these books or letters chronologically, fitting them into the
events related in Acts.
Acts Part 1 – The Establishment of the Early Church
The Gospel in Jerusalem and Judea – Acts 1:1 to 8:3
The Gospel spread to other countries, for example Egypt and Syria, but Acts is mainly
concerned with its move northwards into Asia Minor, Macedonia, Achaia and Rome.
A. The Foundation – Pentecost
Acts 1.
1. About 120 people were gathered together, as Jesus had asked them to do.
Read Acts 1:4-5
Judas was replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26).
2. The coming of the Holy Spirit gave the believers new heavenly languages and a
new sense of unity and boldness to endure persecution.
Read Acts 2:1-4
The response: a) Some were amazed (verse 6-7, 12).
b) Others mocked (verse 13).
3. Peter’s Preaching (2:14-41; 3:12-26).
He used Old Testament quotes and prophecies to show that Jesus is the Messiah,
that He has risen, and that repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit are necessary.
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Acts 2 – The Early Church.
4. Read Acts 2:37-41.
The Early Church – The apostles, because of their preaching and teaching were
naturally accepted as leaders, but there was no formal organization at all.
The believers “shared all things in common”, but what they gave was voluntary.
Meetings were held in homes and featured teaching, breaking bread (which is
communion) and prayer.
B. Opposition from the Jews
Acts 3 and 4.
1. Read Acts 3:1-8.
a) The response of the people – Read verses 9-10.
b) The response of the Priests and Sadducees – Read Acts 4:1-4.
They were “greatly disturbed because Peter and John were teaching the
people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead”, because,
remember, besides disliking Jesus, the Sadducees did not believe in
resurrection.
c) The rulers, elders, scribes, and High Priests – Read Acts 4:5-7.
d) Their question – “By what power or in what name have you done this?”
(verse 7)
e) Read verses 10-12.
f) Read verses 16-17.
g) Read Peter and John’s answer – verses 19-20.
h) Their prayer – verses 24-30.
Note: They did not pray that God would take the opposition away, but that
He would make them bold to keep on speaking!
And that signs and wonders would take place … not because of them, but
through the name of Jesus.
With the result that the place where they had gathered was shaken and they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit (again) and began to speak with boldness.
Acts 5.
2. Read Acts 5:1-11.
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a) The people’s response – Read verses 13-14.
b) The Jewish leaders’ response – Read verses 17-18.
C. The First Dispersion
1. The violent death of Stephen and persecution from Jewish leaders caused most
Christians to leave Jerusalem and go to Judea and Samaria.
From this point on in Acts, little more is said of the Church in Jerusalem. It was
strongly Jewish in character and kept some observance of the Law, as problems that
surfaced later will show.
Acts 7.
2. Read Acts 7:51-60 and Acts 8:1.
The reaction of those with guilty consciences and unrepentant hearts is always to
attack those who are speaking truth.
Note the introduction of Saul, an influential Pharisee.
Acts Part 2 – Transition – To Samaria and farther away
Acts 8:4 – 11:18
Acts 8.
Up to this time the new Christian believers were tolerated, although they were a source of
irritation to the Jewish authorities.
Arrests and imprisonments were not regular. Believers were well thought of and enjoyed the
favour of the people (2:47).
Genuine miracles had been seen (4:15-16), which kept the hostile priesthood from treating
them too harshly.
But, Stephen’s accusation of the nation for its rejection of Jesus Christ, so angered the
authorities they immediately stoned him.
Acts 8:2 “And they were stoning Stephen … And on that day a great persecution arose
against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered…”
A. Philip travels to Samaria
Note: This is not Philip, the disciple, but Philip “the evangelist”, a deacon (Acts 6:5).
1. The Eunuch from Ethiopia – Acts 8:26-39. (“Eunuch” means a man who has
been castrated. This was a common practice amongst the royal courts.)
a) Racial backgrounds were overcome.
b) Ministry to one individual was important to God.
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c) The message of the Gospel went to Africa.
2. The people of Samaria – Acts 8:40.
Samaritans were not Jews, but a mixed race of Hebrew and other nations that were
conquered by Assyria and moved into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) in 721 BC.
They were mostly Gentiles although they knew of Jehovah, but there was hostility
between Jew and Samaritan and they usually avoided each other.
Therefore Philip’s outreach and preaching to Samaria was surprising, and the
response of the Samaritans was amazing – because they left their false worship and
believed on Jesus Christ.
B. The Conversion of Paul
From enemy – to believer – to a leader of the Church.
1. Background.
He was born into a strict Hebrew family at the beginning of the century.
He was born in Tarsus – a large, busy city in Cilicia (The North Eastern corner of
the Mediterranean Sea).
He was educated in strict Judaism, in the Hebrew language and the Scriptures. At
the age of 12 he was sent to study with Gamaliel (22:3), made good progress
(Galatians 1:14) and was able to speak Aramaic and Greek.
As a young man, he was already a leader in Judaism.
He may have been a member of the Sanhedrin (Acts 26:10).
He was troubled by the consciousness of sin the Law brought.
A zealous Pharisee, he persecuted the Church (Galatians 1:14; Philippians 3:5).
To earn a living, he made tents.
Acts 9.
2. Read Acts 9:1-9.
Paul’s conversion was part of the transition from the Jewish-centred Church
of Jerusalem, to the Gentile Church of the Roman world.
Damascus: A city under Roman rule but with its own independent king.
Christians who had fled Jerusalem were gathering there. (Acts 9:1-19)
Rome gave the Jews permission to take away people they considered criminals or
capable of causing civil disturbance.
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On the road, Paul heard the voice of the risen Jesus, and realized that Jesus of
Nazareth, whom he had despised, was Lord of all.
Although blinded, Paul continued on to Damascus, overwhelmed by his experience
and unable to eat or drink for three days, until Ananias visited him with a special
message and the power to restore his sight.
With his sight restored, Paul was immediately baptized.
3. “Is this not he who destroyed ….” Read Acts 9:20-25.
4. What happened next …
Read Acts 9:29-31 Then Galatians 1:14 – 2:1
After leaving Damascus, Paul spent the next 3 years in “Arabia” (perhaps a
town nearby).
He returned to Jerusalem, visiting Peter for 15 days and met with James, Jesus’
brother.
He preached boldly in Jerusalem – but the Jews responded by wanting to kill him
and he was sent to Caesarea for safety and from there to Tarsus.
During these years, Gentiles in Antioch were being converted to Christ. The church
had to decide how to care for these new converts. It was then that Barnabas
remembered Paul and went to Tarsus to look for him, Acts 11:25.
C. Peter
Acts 10.
Read Acts 10:1-2 and verse 5
Then verses 9-17
Read verse 22 and verses 27-28
Now read verses 34-35 and 42-48
1. The Importance of Cornelius’ Salvation.
Because Jews believed so strongly that only they were God’s people and only they
could have a relationship with Him, the Lord had to show Peter a vision of food
which, under Jewish Law, would be unclean food, to convince him it was God’s
plan for the Gentiles to be saved.
By receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit, Cornelius showed that it was possible
to become a Christian without becoming a Jew first; but still the matter was not
settled.
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2. The Reaction of Christian Leaders.
Read Acts 11:1-4 and verses 15-18
Memory Verse
Acts 1:8, “…but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and
you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to
the remotest part of the earth”.
Teacher’s Notes
1. Page 5, the church in Jerusalem had retained some of the old Jewish traditions.
This led to problems later on. Refer to Acts 15:1 and Acts 21:17-26.
2. It is interesting to note that the Jewish authorities were so full of rage at Stephen
that although they were not permitted by Rome to carry out the death sentence on
anyone, they “covered their ears and then rushed upon him with one impulse, drove
him out of the city and began stoning him”. (Acts 7:57-58)
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James – The Book of Faith and Works
Acts Part 3 and Galatians
Lesson 2
The question of where the Old Testament Law fits into a Christian’s life was a serious matter.
Two books address this problem – the Book of James … and the Book of Galatians.
AUTHOR James, a half-brother of Jesus. (That is, a son of Joseph and Mary.)
At first James did not believe Jesus was the Messiah (Mark 3:21), but later he
became a Christian and an important leader of the early church in Jerusalem.
DATE About 45 – 48 AD Written in Greek
TIME After Stephen’s death, when Christians came under persecution and many left
Jerusalem for other countries.
WRITTEN TO “The twelve tribes who are dispersed (or scattered) abroad”, referring to
Hebrew Christians outside of Palestine, whose faith was being tested.
James was concerned that they were becoming bitter, materialistic, impatient,
argumentative and judgmental; in danger of losing their sense of unity and
purpose. Therefore, he wrote to encourage them in their struggles of faith.
KEY VERSES Read James 2:17-18
KEY CHAPTER James 1. The most difficult areas of Christian life – “The Two T’s” –
Temptation and Testing. James shows the correct response:
Testing consider it all joy
Temptation that God is not tempting us; we are tempted by our
own lust
PURPOSE
1. To show that good works are not a means to salvation, but they are a product of
salvation.
Faith without works (taking action) is dead faith, and dead faith is worse than no faith at
all.
2. To show that personal standards of right and wrong are seen in their conduct.
(James’ teaching is very similar to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.)
3. To comfort and encourage Hebrew believers in their trials and temptations.
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Note: James was not attacking justification by faith – he was protesting against the
hypocrisy of pretending to have faith without demonstrating it by putting it into
action.
He insists that faith must produce results. True believers are to match their faith with
their deeds.
Hearing means more than listening – it should change your behaviour.
The Three Men Named JAMES:
1. James, the son of Zebedee, one of the twelve, and older brother to John – nicknamed
"the sons of thunder" by Jesus. Herod Agrippa I executed him. Acts 12:1-2.
2. James, the son of Alphaeus, also one of the twelve. We know little of this disciple. His
mother was one of the devoted women who stood at the cross and later visited the tomb.
3. James, the brother of Jesus, one of those waiting in the upper room on the day of
Pentecost. Acts 1:14.
He took over the leadership of the Jerusalem church when Peter was withdrawn from
Palestine. He had a very legalistic approach to Christianity, but on the whole was a good
leader. He was also known as "James the Just".
The Scribes and Pharisees cruelly martyred him by throwing him from the top of the
temple, but the fall did not kill him and so he was stoned and finally clubbed to death.
Acts Part 3 – Paul's Journeys to visit the Gentile Church
Acts 11:19 – 15:35
Acts 11 and 12.
A. Church Growth
1. Antioch.
Read Acts 11:19-22, then verses 25-26
The people of Antioch were mostly Greek.
Barnabas and Paul worked together in Antioch for at least a year.
At one time or another Peter, Barnabas, Titus, John Mark, Judas Barsabbas, Silas,
Luke and Paul were in Antioch.
Believers were first called “Christians” here in Antioch.
The word “Christian” comes from “Christos”, meaning “Anointed”. Jesus, the
Christ, means “Jesus, The Anointed One”. “Christians”, were those who followed
the Anointed One.
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2. Agabus prophesies about a famine.
Read Acts 11:27-30
The response of the Christians in Antioch was to send immediate help to the
brethren through Barnabas and Paul (Saul).
3. Persecution increases in Jerusalem.
a) Read Acts 12:1-11.
James, the son of Zebedee, was killed and Peter imprisoned.
b) Read verses 18-19.
Herod executed the guards.
c) Read verses 20-24.
B. Paul’s First Journey
Acts 13.
1. Read Acts 13:1-2 Paul is not a new name for Saul. He most likely had both
names from birth. Saul is a Hebrew word for “asked of God”,
and Paul is Greek for “little”.
Read verses 4-12 The salvation of the Roman Proconsul, Sergius Paulus.
Read verse 13 This is the writer of the Gospel of Mark. Paul was
disappointed that Mark returned to Jerusalem, perhaps because
of the increasing difficulty of their journey.
The relationship was restored, however, and Mark was with
Paul during Paul’s last imprisonment in Rome.
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2. To Asia Minor (and Antioch in Asia Minor, not Syria).
Antioch of Pisidia
Read Acts 13:14-42 and verse 44
Now read verses 45-46.
a) Jewish Opposition – the “thorn in Paul’s flesh”?
Let’s quickly look at several Scriptures.
Acts 13:44 “… the whole city assembled to hear the word of God”.
Look at the next verse “But the Jews …”
Acts 13:48-49 “the Gentiles … began rejoicing … and the word of the
Lord was being spread through the whole region”.
The next verse “But the Jews …”
Acts 14:1 In Iconium … a great multitude believed.
Verse 2 “But the Jews …”
Acts 14:3 Spent a long time there, speaking boldly.
Verse 4 “But the Jews …”
Acts 14:6-7 In Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe they preached …
Verse 19 “But the Jews …”
Acts 17:1-2 In Thessalonica … and some were persuaded …
Verse 5 “But the Jews …”
Acts 17:10 To Berea, where the word was received with eagerness.
Verse 13 “But the Jews …”
And on they went – Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, and then on to Macedonia,
Philippi and Troas and everywhere it seemed the Jews resisted Paul.
b) Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
Could it be that this “thorn in the flesh” was the continual harassment of the
Jews, who seemed to follow Paul, always trying to undo what God was doing
amongst the Gentiles?
To Jews, the Law was everything and the Law plus their traditions was a
powerful hold over the people. It gave them authority and position.
God’s response to Paul was that His grace was sufficient; therefore Paul said
he would boast in his weakness, for through our weaknesses, the power of
God is always seen.
Acts 14.
3. Iconium.
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Initially a church was built in the synagogue, but there was such division of opinion
that eventually the church had to move to Lystra and Derbe.
In Lystra a cripple was healed – as a result, Paul and Barnabas were worshipped as
gods. Of course, they instantly corrected that.
Acts 14:19-20 – Again Jewish opposition from Antioch and Iconium followed
them. Paul was stoned and left for dead.
4. To Derbe, and then a return through Lystra, Iconium, Antioch Pisidia,
Pamphylia, Attalia … and back to Antioch of Syria.
Read Acts 14:26-27, “God had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles”.
C. The Circumcision Question – Is it necessary to observe the Law?
Shortly after Paul and Barnabas arrived back in Syrian Antioch, men from the Jerusalem
church arrived.
These men caused great problems by insisting that new Gentile Christians had to keep the
Law, first undergoing circumcision (a sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his
descendants) before becoming Christians.
They insisted Christians had to follow all the requirements and traditions of the Mosaic
Law.
In other words, they taught that Jesus' death and resurrection was not sufficient for
righteousness.
They had also visited the new congregations of Christians, which Paul and Barnabas had
formed on their journey, telling them that Paul had only taught half of what God required
for righteousness!
The new Christians were thrown into confusion – many of them had no Old Testament
experience.
When these “Judaizers” (for so they were called) insisted on teaching Old Testament Law
plus their own traditions, these new Christians found themselves faced with hundreds of
rules and regulations.
Some tried to keep certain Jewish festivals and the Sabbath, but the majority did not
know what to do.
Paul was furious with these Judaizers. He knew their teaching was spreading
discouragement throughout the new churches.
It was important to visit the churches again, but he could not leave right away, so instead
of visiting, he wrote the churches of Galatia a letter – what we now call the Book of
Galatians.
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Galatians – The Book of Christian Liberty
AUTHOR Paul
DATE About 48 A.D, after Paul's first missionary journey.
TIME In Rome, Claudius ruled as Emperor. He expelled all Jews from Rome.
WRITTEN TO The churches of "Galatia" (a Roman province of Asia Minor) which
were started on Paul's first missionary journey.
PURPOSE
1. To assure the churches of Galatia that salvation is not a result of keeping the Law but of
faith in Jesus Christ. (Jewish "legalizers" said faith in Christ was not enough.)
"What must I do to be saved"? must always be answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and you shall be saved". (Acts 16:31)
2. To give an answer for the attack by the Judaizers on Paul's ministry as an Apostle.
KEY VERSES Read Galatians 2:21 and then read verse 3 and verse 11
Read Galatians 6:15
MESSAGE 1. A believer is no longer under law but is saved by grace alone.
2. But freedom under grace is not permission to sin.
3. Having received the Spirit, we must now let Him rule our everyday lives.
OUTLINE
1. Paul's authority as an Apostle: Chapters 1 and 2.
The first attack made by the Judaizers was that Paul was not an authentic Apostle;
therefore he had no right to give direction to new Christians.
a) What is an Apostle?
The word "Apostle" means "sent one". Jesus, the Great Apostle, was sent by God
and carried the message and the authority of the Sender.
Apostles "lay foundations" – that is basic Biblical teaching. They ordain elders,
repair or correct old foundations by teaching sound doctrine, train and equip
leaders, edify, strengthen and bring unity.
They are "expert master builders", able to bring church leadership to maturity.
(Ephesians 4:11-15)
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b) Did Paul have Apostolic authority?
His answer is in Galatians 1:10 – 2:21.
He did not need authorization from Jerusalem as he had met Jesus face-to-face.
His visit there was not to authorize his ministry. The other Apostles recognized his
anointing, giving "the right hand of fellowship".
Paul was in no way inferior to Peter (considered to be the greatest of the Apostles)
for when Peter had stopped eating with the Gentile Christians at Antioch because
Jewish believers arrived, Paul opposed him "to his face", (2:11) and Peter had
accepted the rebuke.
c) A false "Gospel"?
Read Galatians 1:6-9
Paul uses very strong language! Why? Because anything other than "justification
by faith" is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.
d) From the old to the new.
Read Galatians 2:18-21
Verse 18 Paul moved from the old covenant of law to the new covenant given by
Jesus.
If he now returned to the old, that would be saying the old was
sufficient for righteousness after all … therefore, he would have
transgressed by leaving it and going to the new.
Verse 21 If a person could be justified by keeping the law, Jesus would not have
had to die.
2. Christians and the Old Testament: Chapters 3 and 4.
Read Galatians 3:1-5
The Galatian Christians had received the Holy Spirit, not because they obeyed Old
Testament Law, but because they had faith in Jesus.
The promise of the Messiah was given to Abraham and his descendants.
The Judaizers argued that those who wanted to become Abraham's descendants must be
circumcised and continue in Old Testament Law.
a) But God's promises to Abraham were made prior to the law!
("prior to" – means before – "before the law came into existence")
Abraham was justified BY FAITH and so must we be.
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Read Galatians 3:6-9 and verses 17-18
b) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.
Read verses 10-14
c) The purpose of the law.
Read Galatians 3:21-24
The law was given to drive us to faith in Jesus Christ, not to save us.
d) Now we are sons, not slaves.
Read Galatians 3:25-29 and 4:1-7
Jesus' birth was according to God's schedule – "the fullness of time".
Read verse 10 – Sabbaths – the Feasts and the sign of the Mosaic covenant.
e) Sons of freedom, not sons of bondage.
Read Galatians 4:21-31
Paul compares Sarah (a free woman) with Hagar (a slave), and their sons, with two
covenants.
i) Ishmael from Hagar is like Mt. Sinai. At Mount Sinai God gave Moses the
Law.
ii) It is the other son, Isaac, who is the son of promise.
3. Applying the Gospel of Grace to our lives: Chapters 5 and 6.
a) To live by the law, is to deny what Jesus has done for us.
Read Galatians 5:1-6 … then read it again.
Remember, to submit to circumcision was the first step in becoming followers of
the Old Covenant.
Law and grace are two contradictory principles. That is, they oppose each other!
They are opposites!
b) But that does not mean we are free to sin.
Note: Paul does not mean "flesh" in the sense of that which covers our bones.
"Flesh" is the carnal nature; the way people behave who do not know God.
Note: "If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law". (verse 18)
Read Galatians 5:19-21 and verses 22-23
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How do we get rid of our "flesh nature"?
The only way to get rid of our flesh nature is by crucifying it. (verse 25)
By making a quality decision every day to set our mind, will and emotions in
agreement with God's Word.
c) The legalists’ (Judaizers) pride versus Paul who boasts only in Christ.
Read Galatians 6:12-15
4. Applying Galatians to our lives today.
How much law is there in your life?
Old Testament New Testament
The Law The Law ?????
Are you more acceptable to God if you….
eat certain foods and not others
wear certain clothes
don't wear jewellery
have a certain version of the Bible
always wear a tie, if you're a man
wear a hat to church, (ladies)
only wear certain colours
etc.
Can you think of other "rules"? __________________________________________
________________________________________
Memory Verse
Acts 16:30-31, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, 'Believe in the Lord
Jesus and you shall be saved'”.
Teacher's Notes
The office of apostle did not disappear after the first generation of apostles in the New
Testament. God is restoring the apostolic anointing in order to complete the preparation
of His Bride … the Church.
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The Council at Jerusalem – Acts 15
Acts Part 4, 1 and 2 Thessalonians
Lesson 3
Read Acts 15:1-2 and verses 4-6
1. Peter's argument. Verses 7-11.
a) It had already been settled that God wanted the Gentiles saved.
b) They had been baptized in the Holy Spirit, a sign of God's favour.
c) The Law was a heavy burden to the Jews and no one, not even the Pharisees (the
religious experts), could keep it.
d) Salvation is by grace alone, and is available to everyone.
2. Paul and Barnabas. Verse 12.
a) God would not have given their ministry success if He had not approved of what
they were doing.
b) God's approval was seen by the signs and wonders that had occurred.
3. What James said. Verses 13-21.
a) God's plan was to save all who would seek Him.
b) He said Gentile Christians should not be required to keep the law.
The Conclusion:
1. Gentiles did not have to be circumcised or keep the law.
2. Paul and Barnabas were recognised as Apostles to the Gentiles.
3. Peter and the others were recognised as Apostles to the Jews.
Verse 21 – "abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from fornication, from what is
strangled and from blood".
This addressed the practical problem of ethnic and religious differences between Jewish
and Gentile Christians.
The Gentiles were from many different cultures and religions – most of which had very
different attitudes towards food and life than that of the Jews, who had been used to strict
rules governing every aspect of their daily lives.
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The Apostles had to find common ground in order for Jews and Gentiles to meet together
at the same table (including the communion table).
In order to make this possible, the Jewish leaders suggested that Gentile Christians
should keep away from those activities that were particularly offensive to Jewish
Christians: namely, eating food that had been offered in pagan sacrifices, or meat from
which blood had not been drained and sexual behaviour, even within marriage, that was
immoral.
Paul accepted this arrangement but it was a compromise, as we will see later when Paul
faced a similar situation in Corinth … he did not quote the Jerusalem Council's decisions,
but instead argued once more from basic Biblical truth.
Acts Part 4 –Once again to the Gentiles
A. Paul's Second Journey – Read Acts 15:36-40
B. A Dispute
Barnabas wanted to take along his cousin, John Mark, but Mark's behaviour was
unsatisfactory on the last trip. Paul thought Mark would be a bad risk.
Barnabas took Mark with him to Cyprus, his home country and Paul chose Silas, a
representative of the Jerusalem Council from Antioch, and a prophet (Acts 15:32).
And here we have a pattern – Apostle and prophet ministering together – the "foundation
of apostles and prophets", who build on The Foundation, Jesus Christ.
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Acts 16.
From Antioch, through Syria and Cilicia, westward along the caravan route to
southern Galatia – Derbe and Lystra.
1. Read Acts 16:1.
Timothy – He had a Greek father, Jewish mother and grandmother. He was
thoroughly trained in Old Testament Scriptures and, although young, he was highly
regarded.
His circumcision violated no principle but removed an obstacle to his working
among the Jews of the region.
Here we see an even better pattern – Apostle, Prophet and Disciple travelling
together.
2. On to Macedonia.
Read Acts 16:6-10
Two things happened at Troas:
a) A vision of a man asking Paul to "come to Macedonia and help us".
b) Luke joined them. Remember, Luke wrote the book of Acts … verse 10,
"immediately we sought to go to Macedonia …"
3. They arrived at Philippi.
It was on a busy trade route, the leading city of its region and a Roman colony – all
its citizens, therefore, were Roman citizens.
They jealously guarded their citizenship and political privileges and tried to avoid
any action that would bring them into disfavour with Rome. Knowing this, Paul
would later write, "For our citizenship is in heaven …" (Philippians 3:20).
4. Beaten and thrown into prison.
Read Acts 16:16-19
Verses 22-23 and 25-26 and then 27-31
5. Beaten and imprisoned – Roman citizens!
Read Acts 16:37-40
6. Luke remained in Philippi – Perhaps Luke led the new church there.
Amazing – singing
praises in prison!!!
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Acts 17.
7. The City of Thessalonica.
Thessalonica was named after the sister of Alexander the Great and was a seaport,
the centre of trade, and the capital city of the province it was in.
The city officials were called "politarchs" : or "authorities" (17:6).
The Thessalonians' response to the Gospel:
Read Acts 17:2-4
Now turn to 1 Thessalonians 1:9 and 2:13
Now go back to Acts and read 17:5-6
8. The Bereans also respond to the Gospel.
Read Acts 17:10-11 and verses 13-15 – Silas and Timothy remain in Berea.
A little later Timothy joined Paul in Athens and after informing him of recent
events, was sent back to Berea.
9. Paul in Athens.
The city of Athens was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Its citizens prided
themselves on their past, their culture and their intellectualism.
They loved to wonder and talk of the basic truths of life and of the universe.
Read Acts 17:16 and then verses 23-28
Their response – Read verses 32-34
Acts 18.
10. To Corinth.
Paul's visit to Athens must have affected him deeply, for he says in 1 Corinthians
2:3, "I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling …"
Corinth was a busy city and full of people from various countries.
Rather than sailing around the bottom of Greece, many ship's captains preferred to
unload their cargoes at Corinth.
It was a wealthy city, with a false culture of luxury and sensuality. Morally,
Corinthians were regarded as absolutely corrupt. The saying "to live like a
Corinthian", meant to live the wickedest kind of immoral life.
Priscilla and Aquilla.
On his arrival, Paul went to work at his old trade of tent making and met Aquilla
and Priscilla who had been expelled from Rome.
You need
to
remember
this!
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In a short time Silas and Timothy arrived from Philippi, bringing news of the
churches as well as some money for Paul.
Read Acts 18:5-6 and verses 8-11
Paul settled in Corinth for a year and a half (18:11) and during this time wrote two
letters to the church at Thessalonica – we know these letters as 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians – The Book of The Second Coming of
Christ
AUTHOR Paul
DATE 52 AD, during Paul's stay in Corinth
WRITTEN TO The church in Thessalonica; capital city of Macedonia
Acts 17.
Remember, when Paul was in Thessalonica, many Greeks as well as some Jews and prominent
ladies in the city had made Jesus Lord of their lives. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1:9 "you
turned to God from idols", meaning the majority of the church were Gentiles.
The unbelieving Jews in the city violently opposed Paul and the Gospel by attacking the house
of Jason where Paul was staying. Later they also travelled to Berea, his next stop, to drive him
out of that city too.
Silas and Timothy brought a report to Paul, during his stay in Corinth, that in the first six
months of being established the church at Thessalonica had spread the message of the Gospel
throughout the whole surrounding area.
But there were some problems:
1. The attacks by the Jews had led to persecution.
2. Sexual immorality had crept back in.
3. They were curious about what happened when Christians died.
PURPOSE
1. Paul wrote to encourage the church to excel in their faith despite persecution by the Jews.
2. To correct certain errors and misunderstandings regarding the second coming of Jesus
Christ.
KEY VERSES Read 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13
And 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
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MESSAGE 1. Jesus' return is a wonderful comfort for those who eagerly await Him.
2. Being aware of His coming helps us to live holy lives (4:11-12).
3. The Lord's return will be as a thief in the night … to those who are in
darkness (living sinful lives); but it will be wonderful for those who are
in the light (living the way Christians should live).
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
NB It is from these verses that we get the word "rapture" which means "to be
caught up".
That is, those Christians who are still alive when Jesus returns, will experience a change
in their bodies, as God gives them new, immortal bodies. They will be "caught away" to
be with Him.
Paul reassures them that Christians who died before He returns will also rise, so we will
all be together with Him forever.
In chapter 5, Paul warns them to be alert. Being aware that Jesus will return should
make us pay attention to how we are living as well as to our character.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
But soon after receiving this letter, the church was drifting away again.
They began to discuss what Paul had said regarding Christians who had died and Jesus'
return and came up with lots of wrong possibilities.
It was not long before Paul had to write to them again.
2 Thessalonians – The Coming Day of The Lord
AUTHOR Paul
DATE 52 AD
TIME During Paul's stay in Corinth
WRITEN TO The church at Thessalonica
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
This suggests that the leaders of the church were confused because of a letter that supposedly
came from Paul, saying that Jesus had already returned.
Paul says Jesus' return will not come before:
1. An "apostasy" – Read Matthew 24:12.
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An apostasy is a great falling away, or departure from faith in Jesus. That is, many will
stop being Christians and will turn away from God.
2. A "man of lawlessness is revealed".
He will be a wicked world leader who opposes God and persecutes God's people.
3. The "abomination that causes desolation" – is set up in the temple.
PURPOSE
1. To correct the error that the Day of the Lord (Jesus' return) had begun. (Some believers
had given up their jobs, and were living off others.)
2. To encourage the believers' faith, which was being tested by persecution – the “spirit of
the anti-christ”.
3. To instruct them to continue in their occupations and in correct Christian living until the
Lord's return.
KEY VERSES Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
And 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3
MESSAGE 1. Encouragement – the Lord Jesus will judge their persecutors.
2. To assure them that they were not in the midst of God's judgment,
which false teachers were telling them was the reason for their
persecution.
3. To instruct them that Jesus is coming back and requires us to work
while we wait.
Acts 18.
Read Acts 18:11-17
After spending one and a half years at Corinth Paul left, taking Aquila and Priscilla with
him, and travelled eastwards to Ephesus.
Acts 18:19
Here in Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla begin their ministry.
Paul stayed only a short time before returning to Antioch. (18:22)
Memory Verse
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, "For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or
asleep, we may live together with Him".
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Paul's Third Journey, The Corinthian
Letters and 1 Corinthians
Lesson 4
In our last lesson, we saw that Paul concluded his second missionary journey, leaving Priscilla
and Aquila in Ephesus, and he then continued on to Antioch. Then he once again returned to
visit the churches in Galatia and Ephesus.
Read Acts 18:23-26
Apollos was a good man, but he did not know that the Messiah had come, or that Jesus had
been crucified and had risen again, or that the Holy Spirit had come.
Acts 19 – Ephesus.
Read Acts 19:1-3 – Apollos went to Corinth and Paul went on to Ephesus.
The Baptism of John – Read Acts 19:4-5.
John's baptism was for repentance, not the Christian baptism of a disciple of Jesus.
Now read verse 10 … How long did Paul remain in Ephesus? (2 years)
Ephesus was a seaport, the leading city of the Roman province of Asia. By a network of
highways, Ephesus linked all the major cities of Asia with Rome. It was very important for
commerce and for religious and political reasons.
The city governed itself. Labour "guilds", which were something like labour unions, had a strong
influence over the city and we can see this in the pressure the guild of silversmiths had, which
Luke tells us about in Acts.
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One of the outstanding features of Ephesus was the temple of Artemis, the goddess of fertility.
(Another name for Artemis is Diana.) This idol's many-breasted figure had a female face and a
solid block of stone where legs would normally be found.
The temple of Artemis was not only a place of worship, it was a bank – receiving money for
safekeeping as well as lending money.
The temple was so magnificent it was considered one of the wonders of the world and attracted
worshippers who travelled long distances to come to the large statue.
Read Acts 19:21-22
God performed wonderful miracles in Ephesus through Paul, "and the word of the Lord was
growing mightily and prevailing". (Acts 19:20)
It is during this time in Ephesus that Paul heard disturbing news about the church in Corinth,
and he wrote to them.
The Church at Corinth:
Do you remember what the city of Corinth was like?
Temples, shrines and altars were found all over the city.
In the temple dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of sex and war, more than a thousand
prostitute-priestesses lived in luxurious rooms surrounding the shrine, making the city a wellknown
centre of immorality.
Another temple was dedicated to the Greek god Apollo, who was supposed to be the son of
their most powerful god, Zeus. Apollo represented all that was manly, handsome, etc.
THE CORINTHIAN LETTERS.
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth at least three times, and visited them once during his stay in
Ephesus.
With the Corinthian letters, more than any others, we must always keep in mind the situations
and problems the church faced. For instance, could a Christian eat meat that was left over from
a heathen sacrifice and then put out for sale at the market? Was it alright for a Christian to join
heathen friends and relatives for a meal after a sacrifice? etc.
Remember, the people had come from false religions and immoral backgrounds. Most of them
were Gentiles who had no Old Testament understanding; therefore those who claimed to have
knowledge easily confused them.
The Lost Letter to the Corinthians.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:9, "I wrote you in my letter not to keep company with immoral
people …"
This suggests that Paul had written to the Corinthian church once already, but this letter has
never been found.
Refer to page
22
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1 Corinthians – How to Live as a Christian
AUTHOR Paul
DATE 55 AD
TIME The reign of Claudius as Emperor of Rome ended when his fourth wife,
Agrippina, poisoned him in order to ensure the throne for her son, Nero,
while he was young enough to be moulded (influenced) by her.
Nero was only 17 when he was made Emperor. He ruled from 54 – 68 AD.
At the beginning, he changed some of the more abusive decrees of Claudius'
rule, and the first eight years of his reign were stable.
Paul's ministry in Ephesus was during the first 3 years of Nero's rule.
But later, Nero's reign was marked by terrible persecutions, even of his own
people. He had his wife and his mother killed, and persecuted many, many
Christians.
Paul was eventually tried and executed under Nero's rule – but that is a
few years ahead of what we are studying right now.
WRITTEN TO The Corinthian church. Remember, this is actually the second letter he is
writing. No one has found the first letter, although it reached the church.
KEY VERSES Read 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 and 1 Corinthians 3:10-11
Also 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
KEY WORD This is a letter of correction.
For just a minute, pretend this is your church.
A visiting preacher is coming today:
It is a very difficult time for your church – four groups have divided it. These
divisions are over which teacher is the best and a group that admires one
teacher will not have anything to do with a group that thinks another teacher
is better. Some members are living in adultery. Some are getting drunk at the
Lord's Supper! Some are even refusing to share their food with someone who
is not of the same social standing. One man is having sex with his
stepmother!
What would you recommend the visitor preach to your church?
Would you be a little surprised if he stood up and began this way?
"I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given
you by Jesus …. because you have become rich in all things, including all
speech and all knowledge. The message of Christ has become so firmly
Are you marking
these keys in your
Bible?
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established in you that you have not failed to receive a single blessing, as you
wait for our Lord … He will also keep you to the end so that you will be
faultless on the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ…"
Well, Paul began just like that! Paul proclaimed who they are. Then, and
only then, could he begin to deal with their problems. The people who belong
to Jesus Christ will rise to such a word – because man acts as he thinks.
(Proverbs 23:7)
If he thinks and believes he is a terrible person, he will act like a terrible
person … but if he believes God loves him, he will act like a person God
loves.
Now Read 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 … And all of this is for you, too!
KEY 1 Corinthians 13 – the definition of "love".
CHAPTER
Paul shows that true love is not an emotion or a feeling – it is an action! This
is why when "God so loved the world, He gave …" (John 3:16).
PURPOSE The church at Corinth was destroying its Christian testimony through
immorality and disunity. Paul writes to answer the following:
1. Chloe's report of divisions – Chapters 1-4.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:11-12 – each group followed their favourite teacher.
Paul's Answer: The leader and centre of every church is Christ, and the power of the
Gospel is the Cross.
Note: This is the reason Paul says, in verses 13-17, that he is glad he did not baptize
many at Corinth. He is not saying baptism is not important, but that no one
should baptize anyone in order to gain a personal following.
2. Immorality: A specific case – Chapter 5.
A member of the church was having a sexual relationship with his stepmother. This is
completely unacceptable – to God and even to the unsaved.
Paul's Answer: He rebukes them for tolerating this disgraceful behaviour, and instructs
them to exclude the wrong doer in order to show that the church does not approve of sin.
Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-11: Christians are not to stop keeping company with sinners –
otherwise how will they ever be won to Christ? Even Christ was known as "the Friend of
sinners". However, we are not to accept that kind of behaviour from Christians – as the
Corinthians were doing with this man.
3. Lawsuits between Christians – Chapter 6:1-8.
Christians must settle such legal matters outside the law courts.
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4. Immorality in general – Chapter 6:9-20.
Remember, people may listen to what you say, but they will also watch what you DO.
And, if how you live does not match up with what you say … the world will rightly call
you a hypocrite.
Note: What we do shows what we really believe. It shows what is really important
to us.
Just like the Corinthians, you are an open letter, read by everyone around you. What kind
of a gospel is "The Gospel According to You"?
5. Replies to questions – Chapters 7-16.
a) Marriage – Chapter 7.
Marriage is good, but it brings responsibilities. The single person is free of the
duties of a husband or wife … but they also have the responsibility of controlling
their sexual desires. The Word of God is clear – no sex before marriage.
(And no one should marry out of pressure from others.)
b) Food – Chapters 8-10.
Food that had been sacrificed to idols was later put out for sale. In Paul's opinion,
they are free to eat any food … however, if others would stumble if they saw this
freedom, then it is better not to eat it.
Note: Sometimes in the church there are people who think it is more "spiritual"
not to eat certain food. Paul shows us here that all food is acceptable.
But it is interesting to note that those who forbid certain foods believe they are the
stronger, and more spiritually mature. Paul says in fact they are the weaker,
immature ones. (However, even in cases like this, it is better not to cause the
weaker one to stumble – we need to respond in love.)
6. Worship – Chapters 11-14.
a) Women – Chapter 11:1-16.
This is a passage that demands an understanding of the customs of Corinth at the
time of writing.
i) The place of the veil in Corinth.
It would be quite wrong to accept this passage as instruction for today, but it
was intensely relevant to the church of Corinth.
In Corinth, taking off her head covering and showing her hair in public was a
sign of loose morals and sexual immorality.
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A shaved head was a disgrace – Paul is saying to not cover her head was just
as disgraceful as shaving it.
ii) Verse 10 seems to refer to Genesis 6:1-2 when angels took human wives,
something that did not please God.
iii) The "man is the head of a woman". “Head” is the Greek word “kephale”,
the same word as Christ, “head of the church”.
Note: This word “head” is not the same word used for “to rule” or to
dominate, and this passage of Scripture does not give any man the
right to subject women in the same way that the church of the last
century used the Scriptures to defend slavery.
iv) The essential partnership of man and woman.
Read verses 11-12. Neither can live without the other.
b) The Lord's Supper.
It was the custom of the Corinthian church to eat a meal in connection with
Communion. However, this led to a situation where the rich ate well while the
poor ate nothing. Some even arrived drunk.
1 Corinthians 11:23-32 – The correct way to celebrate Communion.
c) Gifts of the Spirit – Chapter 12.
Many of the people were using the gifts to get attention, but God gave these gifts to
edify and build up and to encourage – and always with love.
d) What is "Love"? – Read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8.
e) Spiritual Gifts – Chapter 14.
The Church was disorderly; people used spiritual gifts to get attention.
Note: Read 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
This is not a passage against women participating in church since Paul had just
given instruction in chapter 11 about covering their heads when praying and
prophesying in public worship.
"Just as the law says", cannot mean the Law of the Old Testament since nowhere in
the Old Testament does it say women cannot speak. It might, however, mean the
Jewish traditional law; none of which applies to Christians.
Paul is saying women with questions should not interrupt the service, but should
wait and ask them later when they are at home.
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7. The Resurrection – Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 and verses 16-17.
The concept of the resurrection of the body was totally new to the Corinthians, and
obviously there was some confusion as well as some false teaching.
Verse 29 – Paul is not agreeing that one can be baptized for people who have died but,
instead, he is showing the contradiction of those who were being baptized for the same
dead people whose future resurrection they denied.
Verses 54-57 – The law makes sin powerful because obedience to the law is what God
requires and disobedience means death.
But Jesus fulfilled the law – nailing it to the Cross (Colossians 2:14). Therefore death is
overcome by His victory.
Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 13:13, "But now we have faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest
of these is love".
Teacher's Notes
1. 1 Corinthians 4:3-4. Everyone can be likened to four men – the one the world
knows, the one our friends know, the one we know ourselves, and the one God
knows! Many times we try to make others believe we are such a wonderful, strong,
loving person … but God knows the truth about us.
When it comes to judging, no one, not even we ourselves, are capable of judging
honestly and fairly, because we always judge another person by his or her
weaknesses, and then compare them to our strengths. We do not see the
weaknesses we have.
Paul says there is only One Judge to which he submits – and that One is always
right (4:4). We must beware when our own conscience says, "It's all right – you
can go ahead and do that", because it is hard to be fair with ourselves. It is a better
idea to go to Jesus and say, "May I do that"?
2. Just another note regarding 1 Corinthians 15:29 – baptism for the dead – The use of
"they" in verse 29 indicates a group of people not associated with Paul. He uses
"they" and not "we". Then, in the next verse, he returns to using "we", to point out
that if there is no life after death, then why bother trying to live as God wants us to
now?
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2 Corinthians and Romans
Lesson 5
2 Corinthians – The Book of God's Grace and Paul's Apostleship
AUTHOR Paul
DATE 55 or 56 AD
TIME After writing to the church at Corinth Paul made a short visit to the church
there. He was opposed and his visit was not successful.
On returning, Paul went to Troas to wait for Titus …when Titus was delayed,
Paul went on to Macedonia, finally meeting Titus there and hearing the good
news that the church in Corinth had repented from their attitude towards Paul
and had disciplined the leaders that were troublemakers.
WRITTEN TO The church at Corinth. It is written in Macedonia and taken to Corinth by
Titus.
KEY VERSES Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
PURPOSE 1. To defend Paul's Apostolic ministry – his credentials and authority.
2. To give further instruction about the collection for those at Jerusalem.
3. To point out the need for restoration of the individual who was put out
of fellowship – which we read about in 1 Corinthians.
MESSAGE In this letter Paul shows his inner feelings about himself, his Apostolic
ministry and his relationship with the churches he had started.
He describes the superiority of the Gospel of Jesus over the Mosaic Law,
which we are now free of.
It is the hope this Gospel offers that keeps us going even in hardships and
dangers.
1. The character of Paul and explanation of his ministry – Chapters 1-7.
a) The answer to suffering is endurance – like an athlete endures, his muscles
strong from pushing against difficulties, we must strengthen our spiritual muscles
of faith by overcoming hardships.
Paul writes as a man who knows trouble and suffering, and knows we do not face
these difficulties alone – God comforts us, bringing courage.
That is how we gain the ability and power to comfort others who are going through
similar hardships.
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Read 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 and then read 2:14
Read 2 Corinthians 3:5-6
Now read 4:16-18, then go back and read verses 8-9
Read 6:3-10
And then go back and read 5:20-21
Finally, read 7:1
b) Godly sorrow brings repentance – Read 7:9-10.
2. How should we give? – Read 8:1-2.
The Macedonian churches were poor themselves, yet they begged for an opportunity to
give.
How we should give:
Give generously out of your poverty 8:2-3
Give what you can 8:12-14
Read 8:9
Give generously 9:6
Give willingly, and cheerfully 9:7-11
3. Paul's apostolic ministry – Chapters 10-13.
a) The attack on Paul's character.
His accusers said:
that he had no credentials 3:1
that he had embezzled (stolen) money 8:20-23
that he was bold in his writings, but weak in person 10:1
that he walked according to the flesh 10:2
that he was boastful 10:8, 15
that he was a coward 10:10
that he was of low status because he worked, and 11:5-7;
that he was not qualified to teach 12:11-12
that he was deceitful 12:16
Who were his accusers? Read 11:22-23
b) Paul's defence.
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His knowledge and commission was from God. The proof of this was what God
had done in the churches – 3:2 – "You are our letter of commendation …"
Christ lived in him and worked through him; miracles had occurred.
He had the right to receive pay, but refused it because it might encourage others to
make ministry their "business".
He reviewed his background – his education but, even more importantly, what he
had endured to the glory of God.
His revelation from God showed God's approval and anointing.
Acts 19:23.
1. The Silversmiths caused trouble. (Christianity is called "The Way" verse 24.)
Remember, the image of Artemis in the Ephesian temple drew many visitors to the
city, and meant good business for those who made little silver idols of this goddess
to sell.
There was a story that this image had "fallen from heaven" (verse 35).
The city clerk calmed the crowd by warning them that a riot might cause them to
lose the liberty Rome allowed them to enjoy.
Acts 20.
2. Paul travelled to Greece.
Read Acts 20:1-2
Paul remained in Greece, in the city of Corinth, for three months and, during this
time, he wrote to the church at Rome.
Romans – The Gift of God's Righteousness that comes from Faith
in Jesus Christ
AUTHOR Paul
DATE 56 AD
TIME Paul wrote this letter to Rome just prior to sailing for a short visit to
Jerusalem to deliver a collection for the poor. Afterwards he hoped to sail to
Spain, stopping in Rome on the way there.
WRITTEN TO The church in Rome – who started this church, is unknown. People from
Rome were in Jerusalem at Pentecost, (Acts 2:10); Aquila and Priscilla had
also come from Rome and had returned there (Romans 16:3).
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Despite Roman Catholic belief, there is no actual evidence to suggest that
Peter was ever in Rome.
Why Rome? It was an important city, right in the centre of the Roman
Empire that reached to, and ruled over, the known world.
KEY VERSES Read Romans 1:5-11 and verses 16-17
Read Romans 3:21-25
Read Romans 16:25-26
PURPOSE 1. To prepare the church for Paul's visit in person.
2. To strengthen their faith by:
a) Answering the question:
"How can a man be made righteous with God"?
b) Defining the doctrine of "Justification by Faith".
c) Showing that salvation for Jew and Gentile is the same, through
the New Covenant.
MESSAGE
Using a "question and answer" style, Paul explores the meaning of Christ's sacrificial death.
He shows that:
1. Those with an acceptable relationship with God ("the just") live by their faith in Him.
Even when circumstances may not make sense, the person who is in a right relationship
with God, follows what He says.
2. All men have sinned and cannot be justified by works of the Law.
3. The only righteousness, which is acceptable to God, is Christ's righteousness, given as a
free gift through Jesus' atoning death, to all who believe in Him. Therefore, we cannot
earn God's love or make ourselves righteous.
OUTLINE
1. Introduction – Chapter 1:1 to 1:15.
a) Greetings – verses 1-7.
Note verse 5 "The obedience that is a result of faith". Not the obedience that is a
result of rules, but a result of faith.
b) The central theme (or subject) of Romans – verses 16-17.
The good news – God delivers us from sin and death by giving us His righteousness
as soon as we believe in Jesus Christ.
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2. The need of every person – Chapter 1:16 – 3:20.
Paul shows the condemnation of all people because of their sin.
a) The Gentiles are guilty – because God is clearly known in their own conscience
and clearly seen in nature, but they have suppressed this truth (suppressed means
held back, or silenced).
Read Romans 1:18-23 and now Read Psalm 19:1-3
b) The Jews are guilty because they have the truth.
(Paul is speaking not only to Jews here, but also self-righteous "religious people".)
Read Romans 2:3-6 and verses 11-13
It is not enough just to know what you should do, you have to do it!
Read verses 28-29
So what is the advantage of being a Jew? God entrusted His word to them. They
have the rich history of the Old Covenant.
c) Conclusion: All Are Guilty! 3:9-20.
Read verses 9-12 and then read 19-20
Note: No one will be justified by keeping the Law – the purpose
of the law is that we would see our need of God.
3. God's provision for man's need – Chapter 3:21 – 5:21.
a) God's remedy – 3:21-31.
These 10 verses are the main point of the entire book.
Read Romans 3:21-23. Now read Isaiah 64:6
Read Romans 3:24. Now read Isaiah 61:10
Read Romans 3:24-31
b) Abraham, the "father of faith" – Chapter 4.
Read Romans 4:1-5
Read verse 10 … Abraham was circumcised thirteen years after being reckoned
righteous.
Read verses 11 and 12, verse 16, then Galatians 3:10-14
c) Peace with God – Chapter 5:1-11.
No one, none,
not one!
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Read Romans 5:1-8
d) Death through Adam, but life through Christ – verses 12-21.
Read verse 12 … and verses 18-19
Now read verses 15-21 and verse 13 and 14
4. Applying God's remedy – Chapters 6-8.
a) The dead cannot sin! – Chapter 6:1-23.
Read Romans 6:6-8 – "our old self was crucified with Him …"
Baptism illustrates our death (to sin and our old nature) and our coming alive (to
righteousness).
Do you see what Paul says in verse 14? Are you still trying to keep the Law? Then
you are not under grace … and if you are not under grace, sin is still your master.
Read verse 23 and now read Chapter 6:1-2 again.
b) Death cancels all contracts – Chapter 7.
Thinking that you can live by the law and not need God is deception.
How many times does Paul say "I" in this chapter? Count them. (38!)
c) The Spirit does what the Law cannot do – Chapter 8.
Take the "I" out of s-I-n and put in an "o" = SON … It is Jesus who gives life and
victory; I cannot do it! Paul uses the word "Spirit" 21 times in chapter 8!
Read Romans 8:1 – no condemnation
Read verses 31-39 – no separation
5. The rejection of Israel – Chapters 9-11.
a) The problem – their unbelief.
Paul, a Jew, felt deeply sorry that Israel had rejected their Messiah.
Read Romans 9:6-8
God did not reject Israel; they rejected God because they sought self-righteousness
rather than His righteousness.
Read Romans 9:30 – 10:4
b) But there is hope for everyone, including the Jews.
The secret of a
life of victory!
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Read Romans 10:12-13 and then verse 9 and 10
c) Salvation is the same for everyone – Chapter 11.
A remnant of Jews do believe, and any Jew may gain salvation just as easily as a
Gentile – by believing in Jesus.
6. How to apply God's righteousness to our daily lives – Chapters 12-16.
As a result of changed heart attitudes, Christians live changed lives.
a) The key to this change – Read Romans 12:1-2.
b) The results of this change:
i) Various ministries – verses 3-8.
ii) Harmony in Christian relationships – verses 9-13.
iii) Good relations with non-Christians – verses 14-21.
iv) Respect for authority and others – Chapter 13:1-14.
c) Freedom to differ.
Read Romans 14:1-3 and verses 22-23
"Everything that does not come from ___________ is _______".
d) Concluding remarks, greetings and benediction.
Read Romans 16:25-27
Acts 20.
Paul stayed in Greece for three months. During this time, Luke met him with a gift from the
Philippians for the church at Jerusalem.
However, the Judaizers were trying to kill him, so he sent his companions by sea and went with
Luke by land to Philippi, then sailed for Troas and Jerusalem.
Acts 20:7-12
In Troas, we have the earliest description there is of Christian worship.
They met together on the first day of the week, in the evening. Paul preached and they broke
bread.
Acts 20:23
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Paul stopped at Miletus, where he sent for the elders of the Ephesian church, and told them he
knew "imprisonment and afflictions await him".
Read Acts 20:24-25
Paul planned for this visit to Jerusalem to be short as already he had his eyes set on Rome, the
biggest challenge of his career.
With this journey to Jerusalem, the most active part of Paul's ministry ends. In less than 10
years, he had succeeded in establishing the Gentile church from Antioch in Syria to Asia
Minor, Macedonia and into Achaia and Illyricum. He had laid the groundwork for Christian
theology and established the Church of Jesus Christ on a firm foundation.
Acts 21 – Paul in Jerusalem.
Read Acts 21:17-29
Note: Paul is not opposed to the Law on a voluntary basis, but not for righteousness.
James convinced Paul to take four Jews to the temple. The Jews from Asia who were visiting
Jerusalem accused him of defiling the temple by bringing Gentiles into it and tried to kill him.
Read Acts 21:30-40
Paul gained permission to speak to the crowd, who listened respectfully as he told of his
experience with Jesus on the road to Damascus and explained the need for repentance and
baptism.
But, when Paul told of his call to the Gentiles, the hatred of the mob exploded and he had to be
rescued by the Romans again.
The Romans were ready to flog (whip) Paul until he informed them that he was a Roman
citizen. Imagine the guards' shock!
Read Acts 22:29
The next day he was brought before the Sanhedrin.
Acts 23.
Read Acts 23:6
Do you remember one of the big differences between what the Pharisees believed and what the
Sadduccees believed? What was it?
Read Acts 23:10 and 11
Read Acts 23:12-24
Paul was taken under guard to FELIX, the Roman Procurator (like an ambassador).
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Felix was sure Paul was innocent, but put off his decision because he was hopeful of receiving
a bribe from Paul (24:26).
Acts 24 – Felix.
Interestingly enough, Felix was originally a slave. As a reward for some unknown service done
for Rome, he was freed and rewarded with the appointment to Judea, where he indulged in all
kinds of cruelty and lust.
He became attracted to Drusilla, a daughter of King Herod Agrippa, who was married to the
king of Emesa at the time.
Drusilla left her husband and moved in with Felix. This is the Drusilla in Acts 24:24. Is it any
surprise then that Felix "trembled", as Paul spoke of righteousness, self-control and judgment
to come?
Paul remained a prisoner in Caesarea for 2 years.
Events in Rome – The Reign of Nero
Nero was only 17 when he became Emperor of Rome, in 54 AD. At the beginning, his reforms
from Claudius' abuses of power seemed promising, and the first 8 years of his reign were
stable.
But within Nero's court there was bitter strife. Nero resented his mother's attempts to dominate
him and his mother retaliated by supporting the cause of Britannicus, one of Nero's cousins, in
his attempts to gain the throne.
Nero responded by poisoning Britannicus and forcing his mother into exile. Later he had her
murdered.
Nero sunk into depravity (corruption, wickedness) and cruelty.
Felix was recalled to Rome and FESTUS took his place as Procurator.
Acts 25.
On his arrival, Festus went to Jerusalem where he heard of Paul's case and suggested a new
trial – to be held in Jerusalem.
But Paul knew this would be a disaster for him because, if a Jewish court tried him, they would
convict him without evidence.
Using his Roman citizenship, Paul appealed to the Roman Emperor.
Read Acts 25:13
King Agrippa II and Bernice.
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The first king Agrippa (Agrippa I), appeared in Acts 12:19-23. He had one son and three
daughters – Bernice, Mariamne, and Drusilla. (As we saw, it is this Drusilla who was with
Felix.)
The son of Herod Agrippa I, Agrippa II, ruled about one-third of Palestine, the northern region,
after his father's death.
Bernice, Herod Agrippa I’s oldest daughter, was married to her uncle the king of Chalcis. On
his death she lived with her brother, Agrippa II.
There was a great deal of suspicion regarding their relationship, which seemed to have been
incestuous (sex between immediate family members).
Later she had a sexual relationship with the Emperor Vespasian as well as with his son, Titus.
Read Acts 26:32
Acts 27.
Paul was sent to Rome with Luke and another friend, Aristarchus, travelling on a prison ship.
He was treated well. The ship stopped at Lycia where they transferred to another ship and
sailed on slowly.
Off Crete a violent storm arose and continued for two weeks until the vessel ran aground at
Malta.
Acts 28.
Read Acts 28:2-6
They remained on Malta for three months (verse 11), during which time God worked miracles
and Paul was treated with kindness.
They arrived at Puteoli in southern Italy, where they were greeted by some Christians and
stayed for a week (verse14).
And so Paul arrived in Rome.
Three days after arriving in Rome, Paul called together the Jewish leaders.
Read Acts 28:17-28
Read Acts 28:30-31
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PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME
PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT IN ROME
Paul spent another two years waiting for his legal case to be heard in court. He made it plain to
the Jews of Rome that he was there purely in self-defence.
He did not intend to accuse the Jews of wrongful arrest, but the Jews denied any knowledge of
either Christianity in general or his legal case in particular. (Certainly the former of these – i.e.
not having heard of Christianity, is doubtful as there was already a strong church in Rome.)
Paul enjoyed considerable freedom as he awaited trial. He was a Roman citizen and had not
been found guilty of any charge. Although he was chained to a Roman soldier, and confined to
the house that he rented, he could have visitors.
It was during this time that Paul wrote the "Prison Epistles" (an "epistle" is a letter). These
letters were necessary because it was the beginning of a new generation of Christians – and this
generation suffered from complacency.
Therefore Paul's letters dealt with general teaching rather than addressing particular problems
like his earlier letters did.
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Memory Verse
Romans 8:1-2, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin
and of death".
Teacher's Notes
1. Paul wanted to go to Rome for several reasons. Remember, Paul had Roman
citizenship, which would give him access to the entire Roman Empire.
From Rome the Gospel could be carried to countries far away. (The extent of the
Roman Empire was summed up in this saying, "All roads lead to Rome".)
2. When Paul was taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea, (Acts 23:23), it is interesting to
note how large the guard was that escorted him – 470 guards in total! 200 soldiers,
70 horsemen, 200 spearmen.
All that for one man whose only "crime" was the hope and resurrection of the
dead"! (Acts 23:6)
3. Fill in the blanks, page 39 – "Everything that does not come from faith is sin".
Fill in the blank, page 40 – The Sadduccees did not believe in the resurrection from
the dead. They also did not believe in the prophets – all they accepted as Scripture
were the books Moses wrote – the first five books of the Bible, the "Pentateuch".
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The Prison Epistles: Philemon,
Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians
Lesson 6
Tychicus, travelling with Onesimus, takes the letters to the churches
Philemon – The Book of Reconciliation
AUTHOR Paul
DATE 61 AD
WRITTEN TO
Philemon was a wealthy Christian who lived in Colossae and owned a slave, Onesimus, who
had in some way wronged him and then run away to Rome.
Onesimus had come into contact with Paul, who led him to Christ. Even though he had become
a great help to Paul, both of them knew that as a Christian, Onesimus had a responsibility to
return to Philemon.
When Paul wrote a letter to the church at Colossae (the letter of Colossians), he sent it with
Tychicus and, knowing that it would be safer for a runaway slave to be in the company of a free
man, he sent Onesimus back at the same time.
According to Roman law, runaway slaves could be severely punished or condemned to a
terrible death. Therefore it is very doubtful that Onesimus would ever have returned to
Philemon if he had not become a believer in Jesus Christ.
Philemon was also a convert of Paul’s and his house was large enough to be the meeting place
for the church in Colossae.
He may have had other slaves besides Onesimus and he was not the only Christian who had
slaves, so this letter and his response to it, would provide guidelines for other master/slave
relationships.
KEY VERSES Read verses 9, 15-16
PURPOSE 1. To persuade Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ.
2. To inform Philemon Paul would visit him on his release from prison.
MESSAGE 1. Wrongs have to be put right.
2. We are to receive one another as Jesus received us.
3. We are all brothers in Christ regardless of social standing.
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SUMMARY This book is one of four personal letters Paul wrote to individuals, apart from
his letters to churches. This letter is a beautiful picture of the grace of God
and His forgiveness towards each of us.
Colossians –Christ, the Head of His Body – The Church
AUTHOR Paul
DATE 61 AD, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome.
WRITTEN TO The city of Colossae was located in Asia, not far from Laodicea, and about
one hundred miles east of Ephesus on the trade route to the Far East. It had
been a very wealthy city at one time, but was now on the decline.
The Christians in Colossae were mostly Gentiles, and a man named Epaphras
began the church there.
Paul had led Epaphras to Christ, and so we can understand why Paul would
have a keen interest in the church even though he had never been there.
Epaphras probably came to Rome to get advice from Paul concerning a
dangerous heresy (serious error) that threatened the church.
KEY VERSES Read Colossians 1:18 and Colossians 2:8-10
KEY CHAPTER Chapter 3 – Because a believer is risen with Christ (3:1-4), he is to put
off the old self and put on the new (3:5-17), which results in holiness in
all relationships (3:18-20).
THE PROBLEM
The church at Colossae was in crisis. Heresy (serious error) had crept in. This heresy was the
belief that lasting salvation was not found just by faith in Jesus Christ. They believed secret,
mystical knowledge was also needed.
The Colossian heresy:
1. "Ceremonialism" – Strict rules about the kinds of food and drink, and the observance of
religious festivals (2:16-17).
2. Circumcision – Keeping certain Jewish traditions (2:11; 3:11).
3. Asceticism – This is an attempt to secure salvation through self-discipline by refusing all
“pleasures of the flesh”.
4. Angel worship – Colossians 2:18.
5. Lowering of the importance of Christ – Which is the reason Paul stresses the
supremacy of Christ (1:15-20; 2:2-3, 9).
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6. Secret knowledge – This is called "gnosticism" – which emphasizes salvation through
mystical, secret knowledge, including sorcery.
Gnostics believed that the human body was totally separate from the spirit – therefore
what a person did could never affect their eternal destiny – which obviously seriously
affected their view of sin. Paul addresses this heresy in Colossians 2:2-3.
7. "Syncretism" – A mixture of Christianity and other non-Christian beliefs.
PURPOSE 1. To warn the Colossian believers of the uselessness of attempting to gain
eternal life through any means other than faith in Jesus.
2. To present Jesus Christ as Head and Lord of the church.
3. To encourage believers to put off the old man and to put on the new.
MESSAGE Colossians is probably the most "Christ centred" book in the Bible.
In it, Paul emphasizes Christ's pre-eminence (foremost, superiority,
supremacy), and the completeness of the salvation He provides.
Paul states clearly that Jesus Christ, the Lord of creation and Head of the
church, is completely sufficient for every spiritual and practical need of every
Christian.
And then Paul applies these truths to daily life because truth must bear fruit in
practical conduct – that is, the things we do in our daily lives.
OUTLINE
1. The Supremacy of Christ – Chapter 1 and 2.
Paul's Prayer – Read Colossians 1:9-14.
a) Christ, supreme in creation – Read Colossians 1:15-18.
And in redemption – Read verses 19-23.
b) Christ, the hope of our future – Read Colossians 1:27.
c) Christ, the Head of the church – Read Colossians 1:24 – 2:3.
d) Statements against false teaching:
i) Using human understanding and reasoning.
Read Colossians 2:4 and 6-7 "Just as you received Christ ..."
How did you receive Christ? By faith! Not by what you did or by what you
understood, but by faith.
ii) Intellectualism and human tradition – Read Colossians 2:8-10.
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iii) Legalistic rituals – Read Colossians 2:11-17.
iv) Secret knowledge – Read Colossians 2:18 and 19.
v) False humility – Read Colossians 2:20-23.
2. Our Submission to Christ – Chapters 3-4.
a) Our union with Christ is the foundation for our lives – Chapter 3:1-4.
b) What to put off – Read Colossians 3:5-11.
c) What to put on – Read Colossians 3:12-17.
d) Relationships in marriage.
i) The wife is to submit to her husband.
To submit means to voluntarily yield one's own rights.
Note: The word "obey" does not appear in Scripture with respect to wives,
although it does with children and slaves.
"As is fitting in the Lord".
This does not put a husband in place of the Lord Jesus, but a woman responds
to her husband as an act of submission to the Lord.
ii) Husbands are to love their wives.
Christ has forever changed our understanding of "love" and has opened a new
life of love for each of us.
(Remember 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 defined love for us … love is patient, love
is kind … is not self-seeking … always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
and always perseveres.)
The word used here is "agape", a word used to convey the overwhelming
depth of God's love demonstrated in our love for each other.
Christ loved us so much He no longer lived for Himself … in the same way a
husband must be seen to love his wife and is not to be harsh, or sharp with
her.
e) Final instructions, greetings and a farewell note – Chapter 4.
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Ephesians – The Book of the Church
AUTHOR Paul
DATE 61 AD, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome.
WRITTEN The believers at Ephesus.
TO (If they had done as Paul instructed them to do in this letter, they would not
have been rebuked in Revelation 2:1-7.)
It is thought that Paul intended this letter to be circulated amongst the other
churches of Asia. It is not written to correct a particular error in a local
church, but to encourage the Body of Christ into maturity by making
Christians aware of their position in Christ, which is the basis of their
conduct in daily life.
KEY VERSES Read Ephesians 1:20 and 23
Read Ephesians 2:4-6
Read Ephesians 4:1-3
PURPOSE 1. To strengthen and encourage the believers in their privileged position
and their inheritance in Christ.
2. To encourage them to walk in unity and love.
3. To show the unity of Jew and Gentile in the church.
4. To show the responsibilities of every Christian.
MESSAGE and OUTLINE
1. The Position of Christians – Chapters 1-3.
The believer's union with Christ means a share in His heavenly position as well as His
earthly death, burial and resurrection.
a) Paul's first prayer – Read Ephesians 1:1 all the way to 2:10.
Paul's prayer is that you, as a reader, would become aware of your true position in
Christ. No matter what your circumstances, or your former way of life, you were
saved by His grace, and are seated with Him in heavenly places.
b) Paul's second prayer – Read Ephesians 3:14-21.
Paul desires that each reader would be strengthened with the power of the Holy
Spirit, anchored firmly in His love, and be able to fully appreciate and understand
the amazing love of Christ.
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2. The Responsibilities of Christians – Chapters 4-6.
Because of the blessings we enjoy, we have responsibilities:
a) Walk in a manner worthy of your calling.
i) In unity – Read Ephesians 4:1-3.
ii) Using our gifts to build up the church – Read Ephesians 4:7-13.
b) Living moral lives – Ephesians 4:17 – 5:14.
c) Filled with the Spirit – Read Ephesians 5:15-20.
d) Submitting to one another – Ephesians 5:21 – 6:9.
i) Wives submitting to husbands, as the church submits to Christ.
ii) Husbands loving wives, the same way Christ loves the church.
iii) Children obeying parents.
iv) Parents' authority softened with patience.
v) Masters treating slaves fairly.
e) Spiritual warfare using the whole armour of God.
Read Ephesians 6:10-17
"Not against flesh and blood", verse 12.
Therefore, be careful about reacting to those who oppose you as if they were the
real enemy and realize the battle cannot be fought using your own ability.
Human effort is not adequate, only God's power is invincible.
i) The belt of truth – To eliminate all lying, all deception, all double talk from
my life and, instead, speak the truth in love. I will only think good thoughts
and speak well about myself and about God's people (verse 14).
ii) Breastplate of righteousness – By faith I am the righteousness of God
because Jesus became a sin offering for me and now God accepts me. No
weapon formed against that righteousness will prosper (verse 14).
iii) Shoes of the Gospel of peace – I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and
will be His witness today. I will do all things through Jesus' strength and
carry peace wherever I go and leave peace with all I meet today. I throw off
all anxiety, worry, distress and fear, and I thank God that He is the Prince of
Peace who rules and reigns in my heart (verse 15).
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iv) Shield of faith – I withstand all the attacks of the enemy because I have a
covenant with God where He has committed all He has for me, to stop the
devil and everything he brings against me (verse 16).
v) Helmet of salvation – Jesus is my Lord. His blood has cleansed me, I am
delivered out of the power of darkness and I am in the Kingdom of God. By
faith I take this stand and the devil has no right to my mind. I have the mind
of Christ (verse 17).
vi) Sword of the Spirit – Which is God's Word in my mouth, giving me
authority and power to destroy every lying tactic of the enemy. I am the head
and not the tail and I make a way even where there is no way, by the power of
the Word of God. I choose to set my heart and my mouth in agreement with
God's Word, so that I will speak words of life and be a winner over every
negative storm that comes against me (verse 17).
Philippians – The Book of Joy and Rejoicing
AUTHOR Paul
DATE 61 AD, while Paul was in prison in Rome, awaiting the decision of the
Imperial Court.
WRITTEN TO The church at Philippi
KEY VERSES Read Philippians 2:2
Read Philippians 4:6-8 and verse 12
PURPOSE 1. To thank the church.
When the Christians at Philippi heard that Paul was in prison,
they sent Epaphroditus with financial help.
Paul sent this letter back with Epaphroditus to thank them and to
instruct them about Christian unity.
2. To encourage them to maintain unity.
3. To encourage them to rejoice in all circumstances.
MESSAGE Only in Christ is real unity and joy possible.
OUTLINE
1. Paul's present circumstances – Chapter 1.
a) Prayer – Read Philippians 1:9-11.
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b) His amazing statement.
Read Philippians 1:12
Now read 2 Timothy 2:8-10
Now read Philippians 1:13-14
Truly the Word of God is not restricted by our circumstances! Note the words, "the
whole praetorian guard", "everyone else", "most of the brethren".
2. That we have the "attitude of Christ" – Chapter 2.
Read Philippians 2:2-8
3. That we have the "knowledge of Christ" – Chapter 3.
Read Philippians 3:2-14
4. That we have the "peace of Christ" – Chapter 4.
Read Philippians 4:4-9
The secret? Read verse 13!
Teacher's Notes
1. The key chapter in Colossians is chapter 3 – Because a believer is risen with Christ
(3:1-4), he is to put off the old self and put on the new (3:5-17), which results in
holiness in all relationships (3:18-20).
2. And the key chapter in Ephesians is 6 – although every Christian is "blessed"
(Ephesians 1:3), each of us must still wage spiritual warfare daily.