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I Thessalonians. Resurrection of the Dead. Stan Crowley Church of Christ at Buda/Kyle Buda, Texas December 1999-February 2000. I Thessalonians. Resurrection of the Dead Lesson 1: Introduction & Overview Lesson 2: Resounding of the Gospel (1:1-3:13)
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I Thessalonians Resurrection of the Dead Stan Crowley Church of Christ at Buda/Kyle Buda, Texas December 1999-February 2000
I Thessalonians Resurrection of the Dead • Lesson 1: Introduction & Overview • Lesson 2: Resounding of the Gospel (1:1-3:13) • Lesson 3: Response to the Gospel (4:1-12) • Lesson 4: Resurrection of the Dead (4:13-5:11) • Lesson 5: Religious Duties (5:12-28)
Lesson 1 Key Questions for Introduction & Overview • Who was the author of I Thessalonians? • Who was the audience for I Thessalonians? • What was the occasion for writing I Thess.? • Where does I Thessalonians fit in Paul’s writings? • Outline of I Thessalonians. • What to remember from Lesson 1.
Who was the author of I Thessalonians? • Paul wrote I Thessalonians. (1 Th 1:1 NKJV) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians … (1 Th 2:18 NKJV) Therefore we wanted to come to you; even I, Paul, time and again; … • An Apostle (1 Th 2:6 NKJV) … when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. (2 Cor 11:5 NKJV) For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. (2 Cor 12:11-12 NKJV) ... for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you …
Who was the author of I Thessalonians?—Cont’d • A Jew (Pharisee taught by Gamaliel) (Acts 22:3 NKJV) "I am indeed a Jew, ... but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, …. (Phil 3:5 NKJV) ... concerning the law, a Pharisee; • A Persecutor of Christians (Acts 26:10-11 NKJV) … many of the saints I shut up in prison, ... and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme … • A Convert to Christianity (Acts 9:15 NKJV) ... he is a chosen vessel ... to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. (Acts 26:19 NKJV) ... I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
Major Milestones in Paul’s Life • 33-36 Persecuted the church • 36 Converted • 36-38 In Damascus & Arabia • 38-44 In Tarsus, Syria, & Cilicia • 44-48 In Antioch • 48-49 On 1st Missionary Journey • 50 At Jerusalem Conference • 51-54On 2nd Missionary Journey • 54-58 On 3rd Missionary Journey • 59-63 In prison • 63-67 Later travels • 68 In prison • 68 Death
Who was the audience for I Thessalonians? • The “church of the Thessalonians” (1 Th 1:1 NKJV) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: … • Thessalonica during the time of Paul: • Was a “free city” of Greek character. • Had a large settlement of Jews. • Was the largest city and “capital” of Macedonia (N. Greece). • Remained a stronghold of Christianity for centuries. • Modern Salonika has maintained importance.
What was the occasion for writingI Thessalonians? • On his 2nd Missionary Journey, Paul had been “directed” to Macedonia. • He was not allowed to go to Asia or Bithynia. (Acts 16:6 NKJV) … they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. (Acts 16:7 NKJV) … they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. • He progressed to Troas, where he was called by the Lord to go to Macedonia. (Acts 16:9 NKJV) And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
What was the occasion for writingI Thessalonians?—Cont’d • In Macedonia (N. Greece), Paul visited: • Philippi • Converted Lydia and a prisonkeeper • Was shamefully treated (Acts 16:22-37) • Thessalonica • Converted some Jews and many Greeks • Was supported by Philippians (Phil. 4:15-16) • Was threatened by uproar by envious Jews • Left abruptly at night (with Silas) for Berea • Berea • Converted Jews and Greeks (noble students) • Was harassed by Jews from Thessalonica • Went to Athens (Silas and Timothy stayed)
What was the occasion for writingI Thessalonians?—Cont’d • In Achaia (S. Greece), Paul visited: • Athens • Disputed with Jews in synagogue • Spoke to Areopagus about the “unknown God” • Sent Timothy to Thessalonica (when he arrived from Berea) • Moved on to Corinth • Corinth • Worked as tentmaker (with Aquila and Priscilla) • Wrote 1 Thessalonians (when Timothy arrived from Thessalonica in Macedonia; Silas also returned from Macedonia)
What was the occasion for writingI Thessalonians?—Cont’d • Timothy’s report: • Brought good new about the faithfulness of the Thessalonians • Implied some were discrediting Paul and his ministry • Caused concerns about their emphasis on moral purity • Revealed misunderstanding about the resurrection of the dead and the return of Christ • Prompted the writing of I Thessalonians from Corinth about 52 AD (about the time Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, Acts 18:5)
60 50 70 The Period of Paul’s Writings (52-68) I Thess. I & II Cor., Gal. I Tim. & Titus 57 52 62 67 Eph., Phil., Col., Phm. 58 53 68 II Thess. Rom. II Tim. Death 67-- 61----- 63 ----------- 48-49 51------- 54 ------------- 58 68 First Journey Second Journey Third Journey In Prison Later Travels In Prison Where does I Thessalonians fit in Paul’s writings? Dates are primarily from Life and Epistles of St. Paul, Conybeare and Howson.
Outline of I Thessalonians: Resurrection of the Dead I. Resounding of the Gospel(1:1-3:13) A. Receipt of Gospel (1:1-2:16) B. Report of Timothy (2:17-3:13) II. Response to the Gospel(4:1-12) III. Resurrection of the Dead(4:13-5:11) A. Return of Jesus Christ (4:13-5:5) B. Remaining Watchful (5:6-11) IV. Religious Duties(5:12-28) A. Respect for Others (5:12-15) B. Remaining Faithful (5:16-28)
What to Remember From Introduction & Overview • I Thessalonians was likely the first written of Paul’s letter we have in the Bible (about AD 52). • Thessalonica was in Macedonia, where Paul was directed to go preach the gospel. • I Thessalonians was prompted by Paul receiving a report about them from Timothy indicating that they: • were remaining faithful in spite of opposition, • could use some instruction about the resurrection of the dead and return of Christ, • needed some admonitions to purity.