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Hamilton Reformed Church 2010. New Testament Survey Session 4 – Paul’s Letters. New Testament Survey. Background The Synoptic Gospels and Acts The Writings of John Paul’s Letters The Other New Testament Letters. Paul’s ministry. Had both Hebrew (Saul) and Roman / Greek (Paul) names
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Hamilton Reformed Church 2010 New Testament Survey Session 4 – Paul’s Letters
New Testament Survey • Background • The Synoptic Gospels and Acts • The Writings of John • Paul’s Letters • The Other New Testament Letters
Paul’s ministry • Had both Hebrew (Saul) and Roman / Greek (Paul) names • Trained as Pharisee under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) • Originally persecuted the church (Acts 8:1,3) • Converted on the Damascus Road approx 34AD (Acts 9:1-19) • Spent some time in Tarsus (Acts 9:30) before going to Antioch with Barnabas (Acts 11:25,26) • Commissioned for mission work (Acts 13:1-3) • Undertook 3 missionary journeys between 46 and 57AD • May have undertaken a fourth • Imprisoned in Rome twice before being executed
Romans 1 & 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews? Paul’s letters Letters to Churches Letters to Individuals
Early (49-51AD) Galatians (after 1st journey) 1 Thes (during 2nd x Corinth) 2 Thes (during 2nd x Corinth) Major (54-55AD) 1 Cor (during 3rd x Ephesus) 2 Cor (during 3rd x Macedonia) Romans (during 3rd x Corinth) Prison Epistles (60-61AD) Philemon (1st imp to indv) Colossians (1st imp to ch) Ephesians (1st imp circular) Philippians (1st imp to ch) Pastoral Epistles (62-65 AD) 1 Timothy (x Macedonia?) Titus (x Nicopolis?) 2 Timothy (2nd Imp) Paul’s letters
Paul’s letters • Not systematic theology (precept on precept) • Addressed to real churches with real issues • Written with great pastoral warmth • Mostly very personal with a great many co-workers (and some who have deserted) mentioned by name • Some written to churches not established by Paul (Romans, Colossians (1:7-8)) • Galatians written to a collection of churches
How to read a letter 101 • Greeting • Doxology (sometimes) • Thanksgiving and prayer • Doctrinal section • Practical section • Concluding salutations and benediction • Look for variations in pattern!
Practical exercises • How does Paul present himself in each of his letters? • Identify various elements in Romans / Ephesians • Identify elements in Philippians / Colossians • What differences can you note? • What is Paul praying for in each case? • What is missing in Galatians? • What about Corinthians?