THE LETTERS III

PHILEMON

PHILEMON

1. Intro

MEANING: The name “Philemon” refers to a wealthy slave owner who was a prominent member of the church in Colosse

AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (while in a Roman prison)

DATE: AD 61

2. Themes

FORGIVENESS: God forgave us so we should forgive others

BROTHERS: Masters and Slaves

3. Occasion

To convince Philemon to forgive Onesimus as an act of brotherly love

4. Outline

: Paul thanks Philemon

:

: Paul defends Onesimus

: Paul greets Philemon

Philemon 6 ESV

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

p

5. Controversy

Why didn’t Christians abolish slavery?

Ryrie’s Concise Guide to the Bible How Did the Early Church Confront the Slavery Question?

Also had the church preached the abolition of slavery it would have attracted many to that cause, rather than to Christ, obscuring the message of eternal salvation and endangering the purity of the church

PAUL’S MISSIONARY LETTERS

When did Paul write his missionary letters?

Between AD 48-60

Where did Paul write his missionary letters?

Cyprus, Galatia, Macedonia, Greece, Ephesus

What did Paul write in his missionary letters?

Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans

1 THESSALONIANS

1. Intro

MEANING: The term “Thessalonians” refers to the church in Thessalonica made up of new believers facing difficulty

AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (from Corinth on his second missionary journey)

DATE: AD 50

2. Themes

SECOND COMING: Timing, Order, Participants

SANCTIFICATION: Holiness, Purity, Dedication

3. Occasion

To encourage the suffering church to find hope in the return of Christ

4. Outline

: Paul’s Thanksgivings

: Paul’s Encouragements

: Paul’s Explanations (of the Second Coming)

1 Thessalonians 4:17–18 ESV

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

5. Controversy

What is the rapture?

DIY Bible Study Why You Should Care about 1 Thessalonians

This event is described by some as the rapture and is defined as when believers are removed from earth; in other words, the “seiz[ing]” involves going to heaven with Christ forever. Alternatively, it may be that believers join Christ “in the air” and then continue their work with him on earth; they’re not taken away but are forever bonded to Jesus.

2 THESSALONIANS

1. Intro

MEANING: The term “Thessalonians” refers to the church in Thessalonica made up of new believers facing difficulty

AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (from Corinth on his second missionary journey)

DATE: AD 50

2. Themes

ANTICHRIST: Lawless One, Son of Destruction

DAY OF THE LORD: Vengeance, Judgment, Justice

3. Occasion

To admonish the church to stand firm and work hard while they wait for Christ’s return

4. Outline

: Paul comforts the persecuted church

: Paul corrects the confused church

: Paul instructs the idle church

2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

5. Controversy

When is the rapture?

Exploring the New Testament Purpose and Content

Paul said there are certain things which must occur before the full force of God’s eschatological judgment will be manifested. There will be apostasy from true religion (2:3); there will be the appearance of the “man of sin” (2:3); and, finally, there will be the removal of a present restrainer (2:6, 7). These will be definite indications of the approaching day of reckoning.

CONCLUSION