1. THE END OF THE APOSTOLIC AGE

2. THE GENERAL LETTERS Also called “catholic” meaning universal
Not written to just to one church
Include James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews, and Jude
Written later in the apostolic period and show changing emphasis:
Christianity had grown
Needs changed
Dealt with false teachings

3. 1ST PETER Written from Rome (?) or Babylon around 60-62 AD
Addressed the issue of persecution
Persecution serves to refine (1.3-12)
The importance of holy living ( )
Live as chosen people (2.1-25)
Personal relationships (3.1-7)
Christian suffering ( )
Responsible leadership and living ( )

4. 2ND PETER Authorship questioned by scholars
Deals mainly with false teachings
Gnosticism (from gnosis – knowledge)
Began to emerge in the 1st century
True knowledge was hidden
Sharp distinction between spirit and matter, God and creation
Christ was called a demiurge, an intermediate being
Fostered both licentious and ascetic beliefs
Peter condemned false teachers (1.4; 2.10)
Second coming (3.1-18)

5. MESSAGE False teachers
Introduce heresies, such as denying Jesus Christ (2:1).
Apparently, they were once part of the church, (2:20 – 21), but turned their backs to this knowledge, and invited destruction upon themselves (2:1).
Those that will be judged (2:4ff)
“God did not spare the angels who sinned” (2:4) but put some of them in “pits of darkness”.  This event occurred “long ago” (1 Pet. 3:19 – 20).
God judged the wicked during the time of Noah (2 Peter.  2:5).
God judged Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24 – 29) and makes clear that God judges the ungodly and protects His people.
Encourages Christians in the midst of suffering and persecution to live with an eschatological perspective.
Christ is coming and will judge the false teachers (3:9, 14).
Christ’s desire to see all people come to salvation accounts for His not having already returned (3:8, 9).

6. PAUL’S FOURTH JOURNEY Released from prison in 62 AD
Traveled to Spain (?)
Based on his expressed desire in Rm.15.24,28
Returned to Greece and Asia Minor
Wrote letters to Timothy and Titus; called the “Pastoral letters”
Arrested and returned to Rome
Executed in 68 AD

7. 1ST TIMOTHY Joined Paul on his 2nd journey
Left in charge of some churches in Asia
(1.3)
Wrote to encourage and instruct
The problem of false teachers (1.3-11)
Instructions for a young pastor ( )
Prayer
Women
Church leadership
False asceticism (4.1-5)
Pastoral duties ( )

8. TITUS Pastor of the church in Crete (1.5)
Paul requested a meeting in Nicopolis (3.12)
Deals with practical ministry
False teachers:  warns Titus to strongly rebuke them. (Ti.1:10-16)
Guidelines for various groups (2:1-10):
older men – self controlled
older women – reverent, not slanderers; teach younger women
young men – sensible
slaves – submissive.

9. 2ND TIMOTHY Paul’s last letter (4:6-8)
Wrote to ask that Timothy visit (4:9).
Principle issues
Thanksgiving and encouragement (1.3-18)
The good soldier approved by God ( )
Godlessness in the last days (3.1-9)
Paul’s charge ( )
Final instructions (4.9-22)

10. HEBREWS Author unknown; probably not Paul
Written while sacrifices were still practiced
Principle argument: Jesus is superior
To prophets, angels, Moses and priests
Brought a better covenant
Warned against apostasy (6.1-2; )
Implications for life
Hold fast to faith ( )
Run with perseverance (12.1-3)
Service pleasing to God ( )

11. JUDE Written by the brother of James and half-brother of Jesus (1)
Controversial letter because it cites non-biblical books (9, 14-15)
Content:
Judgment of false teachers (3-16)
Exhortation to be built up in the faith (17-23)
Benediction (24, 25)