The Epistles of Paul

How did Paul utilize the Old Testament without moving into legalism?

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 2:1-2

Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 2:3

Dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1). Children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). Slaves of sin (Romans 6:20). In Adam (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Sin is so much a part of the being of man that it can be described as “flesh.”

How do we get there from here?

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)… (Ephesians 2:4-5).

…and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6-7).

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. tou/to – neuter singular ca,riti, – feminine singular sesw|sme,noi – masculine plural participle pi,stewj – feminine singular

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

1 Corinthians Practical Lessons on Unity

Corinth

Corinth A smelting pot of many peoples. Pagan cults. Immorality. Church plagued by division. Divorce Trend to glorify the scientific and philosophical and to ridicule the spiritual. The role of men and women in the church. Questions of the uses and misuses of the spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 1: Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you.

Chapters 1-6 Unity Divisions Need for Unity Necessary Divisions Chapters 7-10 Questions Single & Married Meat & Idols Chapters Errors Women & Worship Lord’s Supper Gifts Resurrection

What is eschatology?

What did the eschatology of the Old Testament look like?

Old Covenant New Covenant Moses A Prophet like Moses

Old Covenant New Covenant God comes into His Temple God will come suddenly to His Temple

What additions did Jesus make to that Eschatology?

Destroy this Temple and I will raise it up in three days

“Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” (Matthew 24:2)

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14)

“…the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (Matthew 24:15)

Son of Man lifted up Elect gathered World judged Eternal kingdom Gospel to be preached to the nations Son of Man Man

What additions did the book of Acts make to that Eschatology?

Acts 3:19-21 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

Jesus dead buried risen ascended World will be judged Eternal kingdom “…until the period of restoration of all things” Son of Man Man

What additions did Paul make to that Eschatology?

The First Epistle to the Thessalonians An Encouraging Expectancy

God’s choice of you (1:2-5). Your imitation of Christ (1:6-8) Your turning to God (1:9-10) A shared salvation history Chapter 1

A shared salvation history Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters Thessalonians 2:9. For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

A shared salvation history Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters Thessalonians 3:1-2. Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

The principle stated (4:1) Sexual purity (4:3-8) Responsible work (4:9- 12). A Promise of Comfort in the face of Death (4:13- 18). A shared salvation history Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters 2-3 Exhortation to walk in a worthy manner Chapter 4

Matthew 24 They will see the Son of man coming... (24:30). 1 Thessalonians 4 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven... (4:16). He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet (24:31). With the trumpet of God... (4:16). And they will gather together His elect from the four winds... (24:31). We who are alive shall be caught up together... (4:16). …coming on the CLOUDS of the sky... (24:30). We... shall be caught up together with them in CLOUDS (4:17).

A shared salvation history Living in light of the Day of the Lord (5:1-11). Attitudes toward Christians workers (5:12-13). Closing instructions (5:14-28). Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters 2-3 Exhortation to walk in a worthy manner Chapter 4 Living in light of Christ’s return Chapter 5 What God has done in our lives How we are to live as a result of what God has done

What did the New Testament Church look like?

In what ways was the New Testament church similar to the church today?

In what ways was the New Testament church different from the church today?

The First Epistle to Timothy From Father to Son

GREECE ASIA MINOR  Ephesus Macedonia

In the face of false teachings Chapter 1 Instructions… Chapter 2Chapters 3-4Chapter 5Chapter 6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. (1 Timothy 1:6-7 )

In the face of false teachings A call for men to pray (2:1-8). A call for women to adorn themselves modestly and with good works (2:9-15) Chapter 1 Instructions… Chapter 2 About men and women Chapters 3-4Chapter 5Chapter 6

In the face of false teachings Qualifications for leaders (3:1-16) False teachers (4:1-11) Personal instructions to Timothy (4:12-16) Chapter 1 Instructions… Chapter 2 About men and women For leaders Chapters 3-4Chapter 5Chapter 6

In the face of false teachings Honor to the elderly (5:1-2) Care for widows (5:3-16) Honor for elders & leaders (5:17-25) Chapter 1 Instructions… Chapter 2 About men and women For leaders Chapters 3-4 About the elderly Chapter 5Chapter 6

In the face of false teachings Slaves & Masters (6:1-2) Those who seek financial profit (6:3-10) A charge to personal faithfulness (6:11- 16) Instructions to the rich (6:17-19) Conclusion (6:20-21) Chapter 1 Instructions… Chapter 2 About men and women For leaders Chapters 3-4 About the elderly Chapter 5 In the face of false teachings Chapter 6

The Epistle to Titus Adorning the Gospel of God

Crete Nicopolis

True Leaders Opening Salutation (1:1-4). 1:1-9 Leaders 1:10-162:1-102:11-153:1-15 Laity TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, (Titus 1:1).

True Leaders Opening Salutation (1:1-4). 1:1-9 Leaders 1:10-162:1-102:11-153:1-15 Laity TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God …in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; avyeudhj qeoj

True Leaders Opening Salutation (1:1-4). Titus’ Job Description: To appoint elders in every city (1:5). Qualifications for elders/overseers (1:6-9) 1:1-9 Leaders 1:10-162:1-102:11-153:1-15 Laity TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

True Leaders The Problem of Rebellious Men (1:10-11) The Testimony of Rebellious Men (1:12-13). The Solution for Rebellious Men (1:13-16) 1:1-9 Leaders 1:10-162:1-102:11-153:1-15 Laity False Teachers TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

True Leaders Old men Old Women Young Women Young Men Titus as an example Slaves 1:1-9 Leaders 1:10-162:1-102:11-153:1-15 Laity False Teachers Instructions to Various Groups TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

True Leaders The Grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation… Instructing us… –To deny ungodliness –To live… Looking for the appearing of Jesus 1:1-9 Leaders 1:10-162:1-102:11-153:1-15 Laity False Teachers Instructions to Various Groups Living for the appearing of Jesus TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

True Leaders Reminder to do good works Reason for good works A Call to good works Rejection of those who cause divisions A practical exercise in good works 1:1-9 Leaders 1:10-162:1-102:11-153:1-15 Laity False Teachers Instructions to Various Groups Living for the appearing of Jesus Living in the light of Jesus TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

What does Paul tell us about Church Leadership?