The Epistles & the Practical Christian Life Introduction

Paul’s Epistles & Theology Course Outline Week One Week Two Week Three Week Four Week One Intro to Paul; Epistles as a genre Paul’s Epistles & Theology The General Epistles Life & Death Doctrinal Epistles Pastoral Epistles

Session Objectives To become acquainted with the life and ministry of Paul. To become familiar with the genre of the Epistle. Identify basic hermeneutical principles for interpreting and applying epistles. Summarize the basic content of the Epistle to the Galatians.

Epistle as a Genre What is an Epistle? What is the basic form of an Epistle? What was involved in sending a letter in the First Century?

The Epistles are to the Gospels what the Prophets are to the Torah

Develop & Present a 1st Person Biographical Sketch of the Apostle Paul Group Activity Develop & Present a 1st Person Biographical Sketch of the Apostle Paul Group 1 From the perspective of Paul Group 3 From the perspective of Timothy Group 2 From the perspective of Barnabas Basic Facts Personality Insights

Acts 13:1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 13:2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Antioch in Psidia

Acts 14:26-28 From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. 27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.

Was half-Jewish and half-Greek Titus Timothy Was half-Jewish and half-Greek Was Greek Was not circumcised Was circumcised The issue was over the clarity of the gospel The issue to avoid that which would distract attention from the gospel

Acts 16:9-10 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a certain man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 28:30-31 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.