Rose Guide to the Epistles: Charts and Overviews from Romans to Revelation
()
About this ebook
- Concise overviews for each epistle: who, what, where, when, and why
- Who’s who in the epistles: an A-to-Z guide
- Historical background about the cities of the epistles
- Theology of the epistles: salvation church, the Spirit, end times, and more
- Four views of the book of Revelation
- And more!
- Who wrote them?
- Why were they written?
- Why did they become part of the Bible?
Paperback, 152 pages, 6 x 9 inches, ISBN 9781649380227.
4 Key Features of the Rose Guide to the Epistles
- Quick-Reference: Find what you need fast using clear headers, charts, and simple summaries to answer the questions you have at the flip of a page!
- Illustrated: Packed with dozens of graphics, photos, and illustrations, don't just imagine what life was like in the New Testament church—SEE key ancient artifacts, locations, and more!
- Simple Overview: Covers everything you need to know about the Early Church: over 150 key events and people, and historical background on Jewish and Greco-Roman life.
- Solid and Reliable: Enjoy having well-researched knowledge in one compact handbook! You'll have all the solid and scriptural overviews and information you need at your fingertips.
- Individual study
- Small groups
- Young adult and youth groups
- Church libraries
- Homeschool
- And more!
Rose Guides are easy-to-read reference handbooks that explore the people, places, and stories of the Bible. With the colorful maps, charts, and time lines that Rose Publishing is known for, Rose Guides provide readers with key historical and practical insights for understanding the books of the Bible and biblical topics that are important for our lives today.
Read more from Rose Publishing
Christianity Cults & Religions Participant Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus: Messianic Prophecies Made before the Birth of Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Tabernacle: Symbolism in the Tabernacle Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristianity, Cults and Religions Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Feasts of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFour Views of the End Times: Christian Views on Jesus' Second Coming Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Armor of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Names of God: 21 Names of God and Their Meanings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Understanding the Book of Revelation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Life of the Apostle Paul: 200 Key Facts at a Glance Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Study the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fruit of the Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProverbs Bible Study Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Temple: The Temple throughout Bible History Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNames of Jesus Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Twelve Tribes of Israel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Islam and Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Names of the Holy Spirit: 32 Names of the Holy Spirit and Their Meanings Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Trinity: What Is the Trinity, and What Do Christians Believe? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChrist in the Passover Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristianity, Cults & the Occult Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Free Will vs. Predestination: Calvinism and Arminianism Explained Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/510 Questions and Answers on Jehovah's Witnesses: Key Beliefs, Practics, and History Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bible Translations Comparison: Compare 20 Popular Versions of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Christ in the Old Testament: Types and Illustrations of Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Armor of God Bible Study Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bible Study Made Easy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBible Overview Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Twelve Disciples: The Life and Ministry of Jesus' 12 Disciples Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Who I Am in Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Rose Guide to the Epistles
Related ebooks
Rose Guide to the Gospels: Side-by-Side Charts and Overviews Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Romans Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mark- Everyman's Bible Commentary Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/51 & 2 Thessalonians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Illustrated Guide to the Apostle Paul: His Life, Ministry, and Missionary Journeys Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Christ in the Old Testament: Types and Illustrations of Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBible Overview Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSelf-Guided Tour of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGospels Side By Side: A Harmony of the Gospels by Chronology and Topics Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible at a Glance Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Spiritual Disciplines: Exploring the Classic Disciplines of the Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBooks of the Bible Made Easy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBasics of the Christian Faith Made Easy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThen and Now Bible Maps Insert Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bible Chronology Made Easy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Study the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of James Bible Study Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCSB Pastor's Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bible Time Line Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5CSB Day-by-Day Chronological Bible: With Daily Readings Guided by Dr. George Guthrie Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBible Study Made Easy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAttributes of God: Basic Beliefs about Who God Is Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Journey to the Resurrection Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Book of James: Test of a Living Faith Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Holman Book of Biblical Charts, Maps, and Reconstructions Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Guide: A Concise Overview of All 66 Books Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLife of Jesus: Know the Key Teachings about Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Walk Thru Faith (Walk Thru the Bible Discussion Guides): The Power of Believing Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I AM Bible Study: Seven Powerful Claims of Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Armor of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christianity For You
Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (updated with two new chapters) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Complete Book of Enoch: Standard English Version Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Doing Life with Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Rose Guide to the Epistles
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Rose Guide to the Epistles - Rose Publishing
Chapter 1
The Epistles:
An Overview
Christians began writing letters to churches from the earliest days of Christianity. The newly planted congregations needed to know more about who Jesus was, especially since the four gospels about the life of Jesus were not written until the latter half of the first century. These letters were essential for instruction about what it meant to live out the Christian faith. Collected and grouped together in our Bible today, these letters are what we call the New Testament Epistles.
The word epistle comes from the Greek word epistole, which simply means message, commission, or letter.
The New Testament Epistles were sent to diverse and growing churches in the Mediterranean world and were written to address specific issues the churches faced. So when we read these epistles today, it is very literally reading someone else’s mail.
Though penned two thousand years ago, these letters tackle topics that are still pressing issues for believers today: church diversity, holy living, false doctrines, ministry leadership, persecution, and how to find hope in the future return of Christ Jesus.
The Epistle Genre
The Bible has many different types of writings within its pages. Some of it is poetry, like the musical lyrics in the Psalms. Some writings are historical, like the epic narratives of Moses and the exodus, and others are wisdom literature, like the proverbs of wise King Solomon. Categories such as these are called genre. Much like we would sort music into categories of pop, rock, jazz, classical, or country, the books of the Bible can be sorted according to their genres.
Twenty-one of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament fit the ancient genre of epistle. This epistle genre is not a one-size-fits-all. In fact, some ancient sources list anywhere from twenty-one to forty-one different types of epistles. Although the New Testament Epistles do not follow any of these types exactly, the genre can take on various forms and does so in the New Testament.
Who Wrote the Epistles?
Paul
Of all the epistle authors, the apostle Paul stands out. His writings make up nearly half of the New Testament, which has led some historians to regard Paul not merely as a great writer of Scripture but also as one of the great letter writers in history. Thirteen of the twenty-one epistles were written by Paul.
Peter and Paul by Guido Reni
The various roles Paul takes on in the book of Acts and in his epistles is quite staggering. We see him as a pastor, church planter, missionary, teacher, and in some cases, like a mother or father (see for example, 1 Cor. 4:17; Gal. 4:19–20; 1 Thess. 2:7–8; 2 Thess. 2:15–16). Paul’s ministry was rich in character and broad in its reach, which makes sense if we consider his ministry philosophy of becoming all things to all people so that by all possible means [he] might save some
(1 Cor. 9:22).
What we know of Paul’s life comes from Luke’s writings in the book of Acts, where we find Paul’s conversion story on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) and the extensive narratives of his missionary journeys (Acts 13–28). We also have a window into Paul’s life when he mentions things about himself in his epistles, specifically Galatians 1:11–24 (he explains his prior status as a zealous persecutor of Christians) and Philippians 3:3–6 (his travels immediately after his conversion to Christianity).
Peter
Peter was one of Jesus’ original twelve disciples, an eyewitness to the ministry of Christ. He became the most prominent leader of the early and rapidly growing church (see Acts 2). Information about Peter’s life comes mostly from the first five books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts.
His two back-to-back epistles (1 and 2 Peter) were written late in his life, about thirty years after Christ. It is believed that not long after writing these letters, he was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians.
John
Like Peter, John was one of the original twelve disciples and an eyewitness of Christ. John was a prolific writer, penning the gospel that bears his name, the apocalyptic book of Revelation, and three epistles. While the gospel of John and Revelation are lengthy, the epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John are among the shortest books of the Bible.
John the Evangelist
Though John is not featured in the book of Acts as much as Peter or Paul, he nonetheless emerged as an important leader of the early church (see Acts 3–4). We learn about John’s life from the Gospels, Acts, his letters, and the writings of other early church leaders such as Irenaeus and Polycarp. John is believed to have lived the longest of any of the twelve apostles, and he wrote his books late in his life. According to tradition, John died of natural causes in Ephesus near the end of the first century.
Other Writers
Two of the epistles are believed to have been written by Jesus’ brothers James and Jude.
In four of Paul’s epistles, he identifies Timothy, his fellow missionary traveler, as also sending the letter and possibly co-authoring them since Paul sometimes uses we
instead of I
in these letters (Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1).
Hebrews stands out as the only entirely anonymous letter. Various theories of its authorship have been proposed—Paul, Apollos, or Priscilla—but there are not enough clues in the letter to determine with any certainty who authored it.
Secretaries
Following a known Greco-Roman practice of using a secretary for writing, called an amanuensis, the New Testament authors often utilized individuals to compose their epistles. Paul is most known for using a secretary. At the end of the epistle to the Romans, Tertius identifies himself as the secretary of the letter: I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord
(Rom. 16:22). Sometimes Paul would add his autograph: I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand
(1 Cor. 16:21; Col. 4:18; 2 Thess. 3:17; Philem. 1:19). The freedom that Paul gave his secretary is debated, but the common way a secretary operated involved a degree of creative freedom. Secretaries would take notes of dictation and at times edit them; in other circumstances the secretaries were simply instructed to write about certain themes. Such freedom may be a reason why Paul appears to express himself in diverse ways throughout his letter-writing career.
Peter is also known to have used a secretary (1 Peter 5:12), and in some ways Mark was Peter’s secretary when writing the gospel of Mark. The early church father Papias was told by the apostle John that Mark received anecdotes of the life of Jesus from Peter and edited them into a coherent order.
John dictates the book of Revelation to his secretary (Cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos)
How Are the Epistles Arranged?
Most church traditions have arranged the New Testament Epistles into three basic groups. Open your Bible and right after the book of Acts you will find the epistles written by Paul to various churches, followed by Paul’s epistles to individuals, and then comes what are called the General Epistles, which are all the epistles not written by Paul. The epistles in these categories are arranged, more or less, by size, with the longer letters first and shorter ones near the end.
The Prison Epistles
The epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are collectively called the Prison Epistles. Paul wrote these four letters around
ad
60–62 from prison—or, more precisely, while guarded under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial (Acts 28:16, 30).
Paul’s Epistles to Churches
This first category includes the first nine epistles in the New Testament. These letters were written to churches for specific reasons. The letters are named after the congregations who received them, and they include Paul’s letter to the Romans, his first and second letter to the Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and the two letters to the Thessalonians. Romans and 1 Corinthians are Paul’s longest epistles.
Paul’s Epistles to Individuals
The second category includes Paul’s four letters written to particular people. These include Paul’s first and second letter to Timothy, his disciple and a young pastor; his letter to Titus, also a pastor; and his letter to a church leader named Philemon. Much like the epistles addressed to whole church congregations, even Paul’s letters to individuals seem to have public appeal because they were