New Testament Survey. 20s and 30s

Transcription

1 New Testament Survey 20s and 30s

2 Paul: The Man And His Theology

3 Why Paul?! Nor can I think of any other writer, ancient or modern, whose study is so richly rewarding as his. This is due to several aspects of his many faceted character: the attractive warmth of his personality, his intellectual stature, the exhilarating release effected by his gospel redeeming grace, the dynamism with which he propagated that gospel to the world, devoting himself single mindedly to fulfilling the commission entrusted to him on the Damascus road, and laboring more abundantly than all his fellow apostles yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. - F.F. Bruce

4 His Life: Early Life and Training (1-33 AD)! Saul of Tarsus! Tarsus of Cilicia (Modern day Turkey): Roman Province! Family moved to Galilee! Born Probably early in the first decade of the first century! Recorded by church father Jerome ( )! Tribe of Benjamin Jewish Heritage! Named after King Saul (Also a Benjamite)

5 His Life: Early Life and Training! A Roman Citizen Early Christian tradition (preserved by Jerome) states that Paul s family was of Roman citizenship, and so Paul inherited this from birth.! But I, said Paul, was born a citizen. (Acts 22:27)! Paul s Name!Originally Saul: Hebrew name!paul: Latin small

6 His Life: Early Life and Training! Rabbinic Training: Studied as a Pharisee! Understudy of Gamaliel: At the feet of Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) Probably from his teenage years when his family moved to Galilee Gamaliel: Leading Jewish teacher of the day! Describes himself as circumcised on the 8 th day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness that is in the law. Blameless. (Phil 3:5-5)! Persecution of Christians! As a Pharisee he recognized the seriousness of the threat Christianity posed on Jewish Religion.

7 Paul and His Conversion (34)! The Damascus Road! Seeking to arrest and imprison Christians! Roughly days after Jesus resurrection (Apocrypha Writings)! Jesus Intervenes:! Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. (Acts 26:14)! God has already begun to prompt Saul to follow Jesus as Messiah! Like an ox kicking against a sharpened prod in the hand of the ox driver, Paul had been resisting divine guidance and leadership resulting in his own harm and pain. Andreas Kostenberger

8 Paul and His Conversion, Ctd! Blinded by Christ: He seeks out Ananias! Ananias vision: This man is My chosen instrument to carry out My name before Gentiles, Kings, and the sons of Israel. I will certainly show him how much he must suffer for My name. (Acts 9:15)! Possible house of Ananias

9 Paul s Missionary Travels (34-58)! Early Years (34-47)! After his conversion, Paul traveled to Arabia.! Ministered to the Nabatean Arabs for 3 years (Gal. 1:15-18)! Then traveled to Jerusalem and spent 15 days visiting with Peter and James, the Lord s brother.! Jerusalem council (Acts 15)! Returned to Tarsus, evangelizing Syria and Cilicia for several years.! Barnabas and Paul! Barnabas contacts Paul and asks to join in ministering to the Antioch church

10 First Missionary Journey (47-48)! Cities in the Roman Providence of Galatia:! Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe! South Galatian Theory: Galatians epistle is addressed to the churches is south Galatia Jerusalem Council:! Discussed requirements for Gentile Salvation! Affiliates: Barnabas! Writings: Galatians

11 Second Missionary Journey (49-51)! Journeyed through Anatolina, Macedonia, and Achaia! Church plants:! Philippi, Thessalonica, and Bera! Spent 18 months in Corinth! Strengthened a church there! Affiliates! Barnabas, Silas, John Mark (Barnabas nephew who fled)! Writings: Thessalonians

12 Third Missionary Journey (51-54)! Main focus: Ephesus (3 years)! No Affiliates! Writings: Corinthians, Romans

13 Final Years (55-65/66)! Arrested in Jerusalem: Carries collection of relief offering from missionary journeys.! Sent to Caesarea: Stand before Felix the prosecutor! He appeals to the Roman emperor for trial! 2 year house arrest! Paul was responsible For writing 13 epistles, Comprising 1/3 of NT! Writings: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 1+2 timothy, and Titus

14 Final Years, Ctd! Church tradition states:! He was condemned by Nero and beheaded with the sword! Probably 66 or 67AD.

15 The Journey

16 Paul: His Theology! God at the Center: Paul s great interest is in God! Refers to God more than any other NT author! Has more than 40% of all NT references to God! Romans: Uses the word God 153 times! God s glory! Paul was a strict monotheist; there is and can only be one God! Rom 3:30, 1 Cor. 8:4, 6, Gal. 3:20, Eph. 4:6, 1 Tim. 1:17, 2:5! That one God he sees as father of his people! The sovereignty of God! Paul is insistent that God s will is being done! Rom. 1:10, 12:2, 1 Cor. 1:1, Eph. 1:1, 4-5, 11, Col. 1:1, 4:12, 1 Thess. 5:18

17 Paul: His Theology, Ctd! God s Saving Work in Christ! Slaves to Sin! The Flesh! The Law! Death! The Wrath of God! This Present Evil World! The Cross! Justification! Atonement! Love at Work

18 Paul: His Theology, Ctd! Life in the Spirit! The Gifts of the Spirit! The Church! Sacraments! The Way of Faith! The Way of Love! The Way of Hope

19 His Magnum Opus! Justification by grace through faith alone! (Romans 1:16,17, Galatians 2:16, 3:13, Eph. 2:1, 8-9)! Unity in Christ! (Eph. 2:11-12, 4:4-7, Phil. 2:1-11)

20 The Letter To The Romans

21 How To Overview A Biblical Book! Introductory Issues! Authorship! Date! Setting! Genre! Structure/Content! Theological Themes

22 Special Features Of Romans! The letter to the Romans has been influential throughout church history! Provided the basis for the conversion of Augustine, Martin Luther and John Wesley! The Romans Road has been used by many as their guide to understanding God s plan of salvation

23 Introductory Issues (Authorship)! Internal evidence! The language, style and theology of the book seem to encapsulate and summarize much of the theology of the other letters ascribed to Paul

24 Introductory Issues (Authorship)! External evidence! The following affirmed Pauline authorship! Marcion as quoted in Tertuallian ( AD)! The Muratorian Canon (2 nd century)! The canons of the Council of Laodicea ( AD)! Athanasius ( AD)! Amphilochus ( AD)

25 Introductory Issues (Authorship)! Paul s use of an amanuensis (Rom 16:22) 21 Timothy, my coworker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen, greet you. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

26 Introductory Issues (Authorship)! Paul appears to have dictated the letter to Tertius! The continual use of for throughout the letter gives a clue to the oral nature of the letter! The Pauline authorship of Roman has virtual universal acceptance

27 Introductory Issues (Date)! Hints of dating! Romans 15:25 indicates that Paul had just begun his journey back to Jerusalem to deliver the relief offering! Romans 15:19,23 show that Paul viewed his work in the region between Jerusalem and Illyricum

28 Introductory Issues (Date)! Hints of dating! These details are close to Acts 20! The Jews were not allow back into Rome until the death of Claudius (54 AD)! Best guess is mid-to late 50s

29 Introductory Issues (Location)! The same clues that enable us see that Paul wrote Romans during his third missionary journey limit his geographical location! The most likely place of writing is Corinth! Romans 16:1-2 seem to imply that Phoebe was the courier of the letter

30 Introductory Issues (Destination)! Romans 1:7 reveals that the letter was for Christians who were in Rome (a thriving Christian community in a immoral city)! Tactius explains the City, where all degraded and shameful practices collect from all over and become the vogue! The church was likely a mix of Jews and Gentile Christians

31 Introductory Issues (Purpose) 1. Paul wanted to remind the Roman believers of some of the fundamental truths of the gospel in fulfillment of his duty of proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles (Rom 15:14-16) 2. Paul wanted to address several problems faced by the Roman church 3. Paul wanted formally to introduce himself to the Roman churches and solicit support for his Spanish mission (Rom 15:19)

32 Introductory Issues (Genre) Ancient Letters! Opening! Identification of sender/ addressee! Followed by salutation! Prayer/Often a health wish! Body! Similarities are seen less in the body of the letter in Paul s correspondence! Closing! Benediction! Commendation of co-laborers! Final instruction

33 Romans! Theme: The gospel proclaims that God acquits both jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus on the basis of Jesus sacrificial death! Key verse or passage: Romans 1:16-17, 3:21-26! Purpose: To promote Jewish-Gentile unity in the church by setting forth Paul s gospel

34 The Structure Of Romans I. Introduction (1:1-17) II. The Unrighteous Of Man And Righteousness In Christ (1:18-4:25) III. The Benefits Conferred By The Gospel (5:1-8:39) IV. The Righteousness Of God And Israel s Rejection (9:1-11:36) V. The Practical Implication Of The Gospel (12:1-15:13) VI. Conclusion (15:14-16:27)

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38 Introduction (1:1-17)! Jesus Christ the Lord: the focus of the Gospel (1:1-7)! His desire for obedience (1:5)! Paul s love for the Roman Christian (1:8-15)! Key Verses (Romans 1:16-17)

39 The Unrighteous Of Man And Righteousness In Christ (1:18-4:25)! Humanity s need for justification before God (1:18-3:20)! God s gift of justification (3:21-4:25)

40 The Benefits Conferred By The Gospel (5:1-8:39)! The benefit of peace with God (5:1-11)! The benefit of overcoming the consequences of Adam s transgression (5:12-21)! The benefit of liberation from being a slave to sin and bondage to the law (6:1-7:25)! The benefit of the victory through the power of the Spirit (8:1-39)

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42 The Righteousness Of God And Israel s Rejection (9:1-11:36)! Israel s Rejection Apart of God s Plan (9:1-11:10)! Israel s Salvation Apart of His Future Plan (11:11-36)

43 The Practical Implication Of The Gospel (12:1-15:13)! Living a transformed life (12:1-2)! Living in relationship in the church (12:3-21)! Living in godly relationship with political authorities (13:1-14)! Living with mutual acceptance of stronger and weaker Christians (14:1-15:13)

44 Theological Implications! The Gospel! The Gospel is about the victory of Jesus and his current authority over his world through the resurrection! The Gospel is an all embracing category

45 Theological Implications! The Righteousness Of God! Humanity s need for justification before God! Jesus as the means of that justification! What does it mean to be justified or declared righteous

46 Theological Implication! Direction In Christian Living! In personal worship/ transformation! In corporate worship! In regard to the state! In regard to other Christians who struggle