Exploring God s Word A Survey of the Old and New Testaments Prepared by Polly Strong B.R.E., B.A., M.A. For Rogma International, Inc. (All Scripture quotations from the KJV of the Bible) Copyright by Rogma International, Inc. All rights reserved. Theme: Goal: A proper understanding of the expansion and unity in the Church is essential to understanding the advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth. Learn to preserve the unity of the Church and be involved in world evangelization. Summary: This section deals with the development of the Gentile Church. It relates the experiences of Paul and his companions on their missionary journeys into Asia Minor and Europe (Macedonia and Greece). They preached the message of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who died and rose again, as the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. They went to the Jews and the Gentiles. Those who believed were baptized and churches were organized. They taught the doctrine of the Holy Spirit promised by Christ. Though opposed and persecuted both by unbelieving, idolatrous Gentiles and unbelieving, jealous Jews, they knew joy and strength through the Holy Spirit. They wrote letters to the new churches, which became the epistles of the New Testament. Outline: Acts 13-20 1. Acts 13,14 First missionary journey (Asia Minor) 2. Acts 15 Council of Jerusalem 3. Acts 16-18 Second missionary journey (Europe: Macedonia, Greece) 4. Acts 19-21 Third missionary journey (Asia Minor, Europe) Epistles 1. James 1-5 2. Galatians 1-6 3. I Thessalonians 1-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3 4. 1 Corinthians 1-16; 2 Corinthians 1-13 5. Romans 1-16 People to know in Acts 13-20: missionaries: Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, John Mark believers: Lydia, jailer, Jason, Aquila and Priscilla, Justus, Crispus, Apollo, Erastus, Eutychus, Gaius, others: Gallio, sons of Sceva and Demetrius Places to know: Antioch of Syria; Paphos of Cyprus; Jerusalem of Judea; Caesarea of Samaria; Asia Minor; Galatia (Perga, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Derbe); Troas, Ephesus, Miletus; Europe; Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea); Greece (Athens, Corinth), Achaia (southern part of Greece). Words to know: (Know these for the exam) Areopagus (Mars Hill in Latin): a high, flat rock, near the Acropolis where the court met 1
day of the Lord: when God s kingdom triumphs over His foes and delivers His people. It begins with the second coming and is completed with the final judgment. Epicureans: looked for happiness in philosophies of: pleasure, not truth; experience, not reason evangelize: proclaim salvation through grace, in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again eschatology: doctrine of last things, particularly events surrounding the second coming of Christ missionary: person sent with a message; one who takes the message of salvation to others rapture: transport with joy; first stage of Christ s return when He comes in the clouds to take up His Church from the earth to be with Him in heaven Introduction The Church belongs to the universal kingdom of God, but is not a part, or extension, of the nation of Israel. The Church, the mystery of the Old Testament, is God s representative on earth between Israel s rejection of their King (Jesus Christ) and His coming again to set up His kingdom. Evangelization of the world is the mission of the Church Age or the Age of the Spirit. Believers are the temple of the Spirit, because He lives and works in their hearts. Members of the Body of Christ meet in local congregations to carry out the work of the Church to strengthen believers and take the message of salvation to the unsaved. Baptism is the public sign of identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection and is a prerequisite to church membership. This is the message and method the apostles took to the world. THE LESSON I. THE BEGINNING OF THE GENTILE CHURCH AND THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM (Acts 13-15) A. First missionary journey (Acts 13;14). The church at Antioch of Syria sent Barnabas and Saul to Asia Minor (Acts 13;14). 1. The commissioning (Acts 13:1-3). Barnabas and Saul ministered with other prophets and teachers at Antioch of Syria. The Holy Spirit designated them for the work of evangelization in Asia Minor. The others prayed with them and sent them on their way. 2. The Spirit led them to Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12), where Saul (from now on called Paul), Barnabas and John Mark (who had joined them) witnessed to a deputy, Sergius Paulus, at Paphos. Bar-jesus (Elymas), a sorcerer, false prophet of the Jews, tried to turn Sergius Paulus from the truth of God s word. Paul condemned this enemy of all righteousness, in the power of the Spirit, and Sergius Paulus believed. 3. Paul and his companions went to Galatia in Asia Minor (Acts 13:13-14:5). (John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.) At Antioch of Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas met with the Jews in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. After the reading of the law, Paul was asked to address the assembly. His message (Acts 13:16-41) reviewed the history of Israel and explained about Jesus, the Messiah who had come to forgive sins. He warned them not to despise what Christ had done. The Gentiles asked him to preach to them the next week and almost the whole city came to hear. The Jews were envious and opposed Paul who said that this is why God had chosen him to be a light of the Gentiles, so that salvation would go to the ends of the earth. The Gentiles who believed rejoiced and glorified the Lord. But the envious Jews stirred the people up against Paul and Barnabas until they left, shaking the dust from their feet but rejoicing in God (Acts 13:42-52). They went to Iconium and again preached in the synagogue. Many Jews and Greeks believed, but again the unbelieving Jews stirred up the people against them (Acts 14:1-5). 4. They fled to Lystra where they preached the gospel. A crippled man came in faith and was healed. The people fell down before the apostles saying they were gods (Mercury and Jupiter). Paul and Barnabas refused their homage and told them to worship God alone. The angry Jews of Antioch came and stirred up the people to stone Paul and leave him outside the city supposedly dead. But Paul rose up and went on to Derbe where he preached the gospel (Acts 14:6-21). They then returned 2
to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, exhorting and encouraging the disciples, and appointing elders among them (Acts 14:22-26). 5. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch of Syria, retracing their steps through Perga. They reported to their sending church, of all that had taken place (Acts 14:25-26). B. The council at Jerusalem (Acts 15). Some men of Judea had come to Antioch and told the believers they needed to be circumcised and observe the law of Moses. When Paul and Barnabas heard this, they were disturbed, and went to Jerusalem to talk with the other apostles (Acts 15:1-3). At Jerusalem they declared before the apostles and elders all that God had done among the Gentiles and about the sect of Pharisees who were commanding the Gentiles to keep the law of Moses (Acts 15:4-5). The apostles and elders discussed this together. Peter reminded them of how God had given His Spirit to the Gentiles through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The wall between Jews and Gentiles had been removed (Acts 15:6-11). Barnabas and Paul told of how God was working among the Gentiles (Acts 15:12). James suggested that they write to the Gentiles asking them to observe the commands of purity: in spiritual matters (no idols); in sexual relations (no fornication); and in eating habits (refrain from eating meat offered to idols, blood and things strangled) (Acts 15:13-29). Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Judas delivered the letter to Antioch where it was well received. Some time later, Paul asked Barnabas to go with him to revisit the churches of Asia Minor. Barnabas wanted to include John Mark but Paul did not agree. They separated and Paul chose Silas to accompany him (Acts 15:30-41). II. GROWTH OF THE CHURCH AND EXPANSION TO MACEDONIA AND GREECE (Acts 16-20) A. Paul, Silas and Timothy on the second missionary journey (Acts 16-18). 1. Timothy joined them at Derbe (Acts 16:1-10). Timothy s mother and grandmother were devoted Jewesses. His father was Greek. He was well taught in the Word. Paul circumcised him (because of their ministry to the Jews) and Timothy joined them in the ministry. Paul wanted to go into Bithynia in northern Asia Minor, but when they got to Troas, the Spirit of God sent him a vision. A man of Macedonia cried out, Come over into Macedonia and help us. So they changed their course and went to Macedonia. 2. At Philippi Paul met Lydia, a cloth seller of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God. She and those of her house were baptized and cared for Paul in their home. Paul preached Christ and healed a girl with a demonic spirit. Her masters were angry because they had used the girl to gain much money. They accused the apostles before the magistrates, who beat them and threw them into prison (Acts 16:11-23). Even though bound in stocks, Paul and Silas trusted God, praying and singing. God miraculously freed them but they did not flee. They witnessed to the jailer, who was saved along with his household. The magistrates heard that Paul and Silas were Romans and asked them to leave. The apostles returned to the home of Lydia, ministered to the saints and left, going south to Thessalonica (Acts 16:24-40). 3. At Thessalonica Paul preached in the synagogue stating that Jesus was the Christ. Some believed. But the unbelieving Jews, motivated by envy, stirred up the city until they assaulted the house of Jason, where Paul and Silas were staying. When they didn t find the apostles they seized Jason and others. The believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea by night (Acts 17:1-10). 4. At the synagogue of Berea the apostles found believers nobler than those in Thessalonica because they searched the scriptures daily to evaluate what was being said. Again the angry Jews arrived and stirred up the people so that Paul was forced to leave. Silas and Timothy stayed for awhile (Acts 17:11-14). 5. Paul waited for Silas and Timothy at Athens. He was moved by the idolatry of the city and disputed in the synagogues and market places. Some Epicureans took him to the Areopagus, where men spent their time judging and listening to people s philosophies (Acts 17:15-21). Paul remarked about their 3
altar with the inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. He told them about the one true God, who created the heavens and the earth, and judges in righteousness through the One raised from the dead (Acts 17:22-31). Some mocked the idea of one rising from the dead, others wanted to hear more. Paul left and some followed him and believed (Acts 17:32-34). 6. From Athens, Paul went to Corinth, where he met Aquila and Priscilla, believing Jews who had fled from Rome. They were tentmakers like Paul, so he stayed with them (Acts 18:1-3). He went to the synagogue every Sabbath and reasoned with Jews and Greeks. Silas and Timothy had rejoined him. Paul testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ and they opposed him until he left the synagogue and met in the home of a believer named Justus. Many Corinthians believed and were baptized, including Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue and his house. Paul preached and taught among them a year and a half (Acts 18:1-11). The Jews accused him before Gallio, the deputy of Achaia. He dismissed their case as a strictly Jewish problem, but later paid no attention when Sosthenes, ruler of the synagogue, was beaten (Acts 18:12-17). 7. Paul returned to Antioch by way of Ephesus and Caesarea. Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him as far as Ephesus, where Paul preached in the synagogue. He told the people farewell as he was determined to go to the feast in Jerusalem (Acts 18:18-22). B. Paul s third missionary journey (Acts 18:23-20:38). The third journey took him again through Asia Minor to the country of Galatia and Phrygia where he strengthened believers. An influential believer of Alexandria, Apollos, had come to Ephesus where he learned, then taught the Scriptures. Aquila and Priscilla taught him of Christ and he went through Achaia showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ (Acts 18:23-28). While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul came to Ephesus and found about a dozen men, baptized with John s baptism of repentance, but without the Holy Spirit. He taught them of Christ. They believed and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul laid his hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7). Paul taught of the kingdom of God for about three months in the synagogue. Those who did not believe spoke evil of Paul, so that he and the believers moved their studies to the school of Tyrannus for about two years. God did great things among them and worked special miracles by Paul. When some wayward Jews (sons of Sceva, chief of the priests) tried to chase out evil spirits in the name of Jesus, the evil spirit answered, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? He leaped on them and they fled (Acts 19:8-16). All the Jews in Ephesus heard of this and many believed, confessed their sins and came with their evil books and burned them (Acts 19:17-20). On his way to Jerusalem, Paul passed through Macedonia and Achaia. Timothy and Erastus (a believer from Corinth) stayed in Ephesus. Demetrius, a silversmith, provoked a great stir because people were leaving the worship of the goddess Diana, and he was losing business. The crowd, in confused excitement, seized Paul s companions and threw them into the theater. One believer, Alexander, tried to make his defense, but the people, knowing that he was a Jew, shouted for two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. The town clerk told the people to do things in a lawful way. If Demetrius or the craftsmen had a case, let them bring it to the law. If they had a complaint, bring it forth lawfully. And he dismissed the assembly (Acts 19:21-41). Paul embraced the believers and went to Macedonia, then on to Greece where he stayed three months. When he was ready to sail to Syria the Jews laid wait for him, so he returned to Macedonia. Believers of Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe and Asia, accompanied him (Acts 20:1-5). At Troas he preached until midnight. A young man named Eutychus went to sleep and fell from the window of the upper chamber, and was killed. Paul restored him to life (Acts 20:6-12). They talked until daybreak. Then Luke and some others went for the ship to bring it to Paul at Assos where they met Paul, who had gone by foot. 4
They sailed to Miletus, as Paul did not want to stop at Ephesus. He was determined to go quickly to Asia and be in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. The elders of the church of Ephesus came to him at Miletus. He told them how he was bound in spirit to go to Jerusalem. He knew the dangers but was not moved by them. He did not count his own life that important and wanted to finish the course with joy in the ministry he had received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. He had faithfully preached to them the kingdom of God, now he admonished them to take heed of their own walk and of those to whom they ministered, feeding the church of God. He told them that after he left, error would creep in like ravenous wolves. He told them to watch and recall what he had taught them. He commended them to God and the word of His grace, which is able to build and give an inheritance to the sanctified. They knelt and prayed, weeping. The elders were filled with sorrow that they would not see Paul again (Acts 20:13-38). III. LETTERS TO THE BELIEVERS AND CHURCHES THE EPISTLES (James, Galatians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans) (Know theme, recipients and reason of each book for the exam) A. The book of James Faith evidenced by works. 1. The writer: Several men with the name James are mentioned in the New Testament. Many scholars believe the writer of this book is James, the Lord s brother (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:19), a pillar in the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; 15:13-21; 21:18; Galatians 2:9,12). The book of James is included in the General or Universal Epistles. 2. Date and place: It was probably the first of the epistles, written between 45 and 50 A.D. It is assumed that James wrote before the development of the Gentile church as there is no reference to: idolatry or slavery; Gentile Christians or their relationship to Jewish Christians; the synoptic Gospels (thus probably not yet written); or issues of the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, and it talks of the synagogue more than the church. 3. Recipients: The twelve tribes scattered abroad, Jewish Christians outside of Palestine. 4. Reason: The book was written to teach the believers that the correct response to testing and temptation is joy, as everything (even suffering) comes from God. It is a practical manual for everyday Christian conduct, the Proverbs of the New Testament. 5. Theme: True faith will evidence itself in works. Faith endures trials, understands temptation, does not show favoritism, obeys, responds to the promises of God, controls the tongue, acts wisely, chooses heavenly wisdom and shuns earthly wisdom, separates from the world and submits to God, waits patiently for the coming of the Lord and does not complain in trouble and trials. There is little formal structure of systematic theology in the book of James. 6. Outline of James: a. James 1:1-18 Test of faith b. James 1:19-5:6 Characteristics of faith c. James 5:7-20 Triumph of faith 7. Key verses and phrases: But be ye doers of the Word and not just hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22; 2:14-20). Faith without works is dead. B. The book of Galatians Justification is by faith, apart from the law. 1. Writer: Paul the apostle 5
2. Date and place: It was probably written 46 A.D. from Ephesus or Macedonia (or even from Antioch of Syria) after Paul s first missionary journey and before the council meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15). It could have been written on the third journey. 3. Recipients: the churches in Galatia where Paul had evangelized on his first missionary journey with Barnabas. The Galatians were Celtic people in central Asia Minor. 4. Reason: Paul wrote this epistle in response to a report that the Galatian churches were being taken over by the false teaching of Judaizers, who professed Jesus as Savior but said Jewish converts needed to observe the law. This influence of Jewish legalists was drawing some Galatians back into slavery to the Law. This letter is an attack against the gospel of works, and a defense for the gospel of faith. 5. Theme: Justification by faith without the works of the law, liberty is not license. The book of Galatians is sometimes called the charter of Christian liberty. 6. Outline of Galatians: a. chapters 1,2 Defense of Paul s apostolic authority the gospel of grace defended b. chapters 3,4 Theological defense of justification by faith, not by law the gospel of grace explained c. chapters 5,6 Liberty from the law is not lawlessness or license to do whatever one wants the gospel of grace applied 7. Key verses and phrases: a. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain (Galatians 2:20-2l). b. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1). C. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. 1. 1 Thessalonians Salvation and sanctification in anticipation of the second coming of Christ. a. Writer: Paul the apostle b. Date and place: Written from Corinth about 51 A.D. c. Recipients: The church at Thessalonica, established on Paul s second missionary journey (Acts 17). Located on the main road from Rome to the East, Thessalonica, an important seaport and the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, had a large Jewish population. Many Greeks, disenchanted with their pantheon of Greek gods, were drawn to the teachings of the Scriptures. These God-fearing Gentiles quickly responded to Paul s message of Christ, but jealous Jews stirred up disturbances until Paul was forced to leave. Silas and Timothy remained for awhile. Timothy brought a report to Paul, which precipitated these letters. d. Reason: Paul wrote to express thanks for the Thessalonians growth in faith and love, to defend his position against the slanderers, to encourage the Christians to live righteous lives, and to give them hope in the resurrection. e. Theme: Christ, the believer s hope of salvation and sanctification, both now and at His second coming. He will return to deliver (1:10; 5:4-11), recompense (2:19), perfect (3:13), resurrect (4:13-18) and sanctify (5:23) all who trust in Him. 6
f. Outline of 1 Thessalonians: 1.) Paul and the Thessalonians, chapters 1-3 greeting and commendation, conduct and concern 2.) Paul s instruction concerning the Lord s coming, chapters 4-5 rapture of the Church, day of the Lord g. Key verses and phrases: 1.) Sanctification:... that he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints (1 Thessalonians 3:12,13). 2.) Second coming: For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven... the dead in Christ shall rise... we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). 2. 2 Thessalonians Comfort and correction concerning the second coming of Christ. a. Writer, date, place, recipients: (see I Thessalonians) b. Reason: A few months after Paul had written I Thessalonians, he received further word of persecution and misunderstandings. Misinterpretations of his teachings about the day of the Lord had caused some believers to quit their jobs and sit idle, waiting for the Lord s return. Paul wrote to encourage them in the good things they were doing and to correct the false teachings and practices concerning the Lord s second coming. c. Theme: Comfort and correction in persecutions and misunderstanding of teachings d. Outline of 2 Thessalonians: 1.) Thanksgiving and encouragement (1:1-12) a.) Thanksgiving for growth in faith and love (1:1-4) b.) Encouragement to stand true in persecution (1:5-10) c.) Prayer for God s blessing (1:11-12) 2.) Correction concerning the day of the Lord (2:1-17) a.) A falling away must come first (2:1-12) The Man of Sin will be revealed (2:1-3) The Restrainer will be taken away (2:4-5) The Wicked One will be revealed (2:8-12) b.) Comfort for the believer in Christ (2:13-17) 3.) Exhortations given to the Church (3:1-16) a.) Wait patiently, the Lord is faithful (3:1-5) b.) Separate from the disorderly (3:6-15) c.) Blessing of the grace and peace of God (3:16-18) e. Key verses and phrases: 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3; 3:5-6 D. 1 and 2 Corinthians Instructions for the church. 1. 1 Corinthians Correction of church problems a. Writer: Paul came to Corinth from Athens and taught about Christ. He was followed by Apollos, who came from Ephesus (Acts 18:1,24-28; 19:1). 7
b. Date and place: From Ephesus where Paul was ministering in about 56 A.D. c. Recipients: The church at Corinth, a leading commercial center of southern Greece, was known for its immorality and paganism. Corinth was filled with idols, debauchery and prostitution. Paul had planted a church there on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-17). The church was plagued with problems: moral and ethical, doctrinal and practical, corporate and private. d. Reason: A delegation came with a letter concerning problems in the church: of lawsuits, immorality, disunity, questionable practices, abuse of the Lord s Supper and spiritual gifts. Paul responded. (He had written a previous letter 1 Corinthians 5:9.) He wanted to address the situation knowing it was a church called out in a pagan society. Pagan life styles kept creeping into the church. There was need for change in individuals and the church as a body. e. Theme: Doctrine of the church as an organization, spiritual gifts, resurrection of the dead, correction, words of discipline and counsel in answer to questions they had asked. f. Outline of 1 Corinthians: 1.) Divisions of immaturity chapters 1-4 a.) Human or divine wisdom b.) Pride or humility c.) Pride in human leaders 2.) Discipline for immorality chapters 5;6 a.) Sexual irregularities b.) Going to law 3.) Answers to questions chapters 7-16 a.) Marriage, celibacy, divorce, remarriage (chapter 7) b.) Meat offered to idols (chapters 8-11) c.) Public worship, Lord s Supper, spiritual gifts (chapters 11-14) d.) Resurrection (chapter 15) e.) Collection for the saints in Jerusalem, exhortations, greetings (chapter 16) g. Key verses and phrases: 1.) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost... therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God s (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). 2.) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall... God... will with the temptation also make a way to escape... (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). 3.) Love chapter 1 Corinthians 13 4.) Resurrection chapter 1 Corinthians 15 2. 2 Corinthians Defense of Paul s apostleship a. Writer, date, and place: Paul wrote from Ephesus and Titus took the letter. Paul went to Troas and to Macedonia to meet Titus on his return trip (2 Corinthians 2:12-13; 7:5-16). Paul was in Ephesus. He expected Timothy to visit Corinth and return to him. Timothy probably brought a report of the opposition to Paul. Paul probably visited and returned and wrote the second epistle in the same year as 1 Corinthians. b. Recipients: The church at Corinth c. Reason: Paul wrote this letter to express thankfulness for the repentant spirit of most after his first letter and to appeal to the rebellious few to accept his authority. He defends his conduct, character and calling, and urges them to discipline the leader of the opposition. 8
d. Theme: Defense of Paul s apostolic credentials and the authority of his message (2 Corinthians 1:1,12, 18-24; 2:14-17; 3:1-6; 5:19; 10:1-12:13). e. Outline of 2 Corinthians: 1.) To the repentant chapters 1-9 a.) Paul s ministry (chapters 1-7) b.) The collection for the saints (chapters 8-9) 2.) To the rebellious chapters 10-13 Paul s apostleship f. Key verses and phrases: 1.) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:5,6). 2.) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). 9