Where do we find them? Where do we find them? Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often called the “synoptic” Gospels because of their similarities. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often called the “synoptic” Gospels because of their similarities. Where do we find them? Where do we find them? Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often called the “synoptic” Gospels because of their similarities. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often called the “synoptic” Gospels because of their similarities.

What are they? What are they? Gospel = the “good news” of the forgiveness of sins by repentance and trust in the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Gospel = the “good news” of the forgiveness of sins by repentance and trust in the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Portraits of the life and sayings of Christ. Portraits of the life and sayings of Christ. Uniquely composed for their intended audience Uniquely composed for their intended audience What are they? What are they? Gospel = the “good news” of the forgiveness of sins by repentance and trust in the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Gospel = the “good news” of the forgiveness of sins by repentance and trust in the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Portraits of the life and sayings of Christ. Portraits of the life and sayings of Christ. Uniquely composed for their intended audience Uniquely composed for their intended audience

What are they? What are they? Gospel = the “good news” of the forgiveness of sins by repentance and trust in the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Gospel = the “good news” of the forgiveness of sins by repentance and trust in the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Portraits of the life and sayings of Christ. Portraits of the life and sayings of Christ. Uniquely composed for their intended audience Uniquely composed for their intended audience What are they? What are they? Gospel = the “good news” of the forgiveness of sins by repentance and trust in the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Gospel = the “good news” of the forgiveness of sins by repentance and trust in the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Portraits of the life and sayings of Christ. Portraits of the life and sayings of Christ. Uniquely composed for their intended audience Uniquely composed for their intended audience

The Gospel writers (Evangelists) were authors, not just compilers of information. The Gospel writers (Evangelists) were authors, not just compilers of information. However, this does not mean that they created material anew. However, this does not mean that they created material anew. The Gospel writers (Evangelists) were authors, not just compilers of information. The Gospel writers (Evangelists) were authors, not just compilers of information. However, this does not mean that they created material anew. However, this does not mean that they created material anew.

Three principles were at work in the Evangelists’ writings: Three principles were at work in the Evangelists’ writings: – Selectivity, arrangement, and adaptation Three principles were at work in the Evangelists’ writings: Three principles were at work in the Evangelists’ writings: – Selectivity, arrangement, and adaptation

The Gospels complement, not contradict one another The Gospels complement, not contradict one another John 21:24-25 states the obvious- the Gospels are selective and written with purpose. John 21:24-25 states the obvious- the Gospels are selective and written with purpose. The Gospels complement, not contradict one another The Gospels complement, not contradict one another John 21:24-25 states the obvious- the Gospels are selective and written with purpose. John 21:24-25 states the obvious- the Gospels are selective and written with purpose.

MatthewMarkLukeJohn 24: :1421:20-21N/A The Abomination of Desolation

MatthewMarkLukeJohn JewsRomansGreeksAll MessiahKingGod-ManSon of God Audience Purpose

“The book of Acts gives us 28 chapters packed with trials, riots, persecutions, escapes, martyrdoms, voyages, shipwrecks, and rescues…. “The book of Acts gives us 28 chapters packed with trials, riots, persecutions, escapes, martyrdoms, voyages, shipwrecks, and rescues….

“And all of this action takes place in the major cities of the ancient world….There is an equal variety in the settings: temples, prisons courts, deserts, ships, seas, barracks, and theaters.” Leland Ryken “Words of Delight” “And all of this action takes place in the major cities of the ancient world….There is an equal variety in the settings: temples, prisons courts, deserts, ships, seas, barracks, and theaters.” Leland Ryken “Words of Delight”

What is it? What is it? Luke’s second volume Luke’s second volume Record of the acts of the Holy Spirit through the early church Record of the acts of the Holy Spirit through the early church Interpretive history Interpretive history What is it? What is it? Luke’s second volume Luke’s second volume Record of the acts of the Holy Spirit through the early church Record of the acts of the Holy Spirit through the early church Interpretive history Interpretive history

Records the spread of the early church from Jerusalem (ch. 1-6), Judea, Samaria (ch. 6-9), and to the ends of the earth (ch. 9-28) by the power of the Spirit. Records the spread of the early church from Jerusalem (ch. 1-6), Judea, Samaria (ch. 6-9), and to the ends of the earth (ch. 9-28) by the power of the Spirit.

Peter is the prominent figure in chapters 1-12, while Paul is the prominent figure in chapters Peter is the prominent figure in chapters 1-12, while Paul is the prominent figure in chapters

Distinguish between normative and descriptive: Distinguish between normative and descriptive: – Not based on a single event or passage alone – Reflects the intent of the writer Distinguish between normative and descriptive: Distinguish between normative and descriptive: – Not based on a single event or passage alone – Reflects the intent of the writer

Distinguish between normative and descriptive: Distinguish between normative and descriptive: Should we: Should we: – Select leaders by casting lots? Be baptized in the spirit? Use the shadow of a preacher to heal the sick? Select deacons to assist in the ministry? Distinguish between normative and descriptive: Distinguish between normative and descriptive: Should we: Should we: – Select leaders by casting lots? Be baptized in the spirit? Use the shadow of a preacher to heal the sick? Select deacons to assist in the ministry?

What is an epistle? What is an epistle? – An occasional letter – Not necessarily theological treatises What is an epistle? What is an epistle? – An occasional letter – Not necessarily theological treatises

Where do we find the Epistles? Where do we find the Epistles? – 1Corinthians-Jude Pauline epistles, Johannine epistles, Petrine epistles, and general epistles Pauline epistles, Johannine epistles, Petrine epistles, and general epistles Where do we find the Epistles? Where do we find the Epistles? – 1Corinthians-Jude Pauline epistles, Johannine epistles, Petrine epistles, and general epistles Pauline epistles, Johannine epistles, Petrine epistles, and general epistles

– – 1. name of the writer (ex. Paul) – – 2. name of recipients (ex. church of God in Corinth) – – 3. greeting (ex. Grace and peace to you... ) – – 4. prayer, wish, or thanksgiving (ex. I always thank God for you... ) – – 5. body of letter – – 6. final greetings and farewell – – 1. name of the writer (ex. Paul) – – 2. name of recipients (ex. church of God in Corinth) – – 3. greeting (ex. Grace and peace to you... ) – – 4. prayer, wish, or thanksgiving (ex. I always thank God for you... ) – – 5. body of letter – – 6. final greetings and farewell

“Almost all of the New Testament letters were occasioned from the reader’s side (Philemon and perhaps James and Romans are exceptions). Usually the occasion was some kind of behavior that needed correcting, or a doctrinal error that needed setting right, or a misunderstanding that needed further light” (Fee and Stuart, 48).

1. 1.Remember that most of the problems in interpreting epistles are due to the fact that they address specific situations, issues, and problems of specific first-century audiences. Often we have to read between the lines to understand what the issues are.

2. 2. As much as possible try to reconstruct the historical situation facing the writer and readers(s) of the epistle. A good commentary or Bible survey book can help in this regard.

3. 3.Read the whole letter straight through before beginning specific studies of individual passages. Remember, that epistles are letters and letters are meant to be read through in their entirety. Try to catch the big idea or purpose of the letter.

1. 1.Who is writing the letter? 2. 2.Who is the audience of the letter? 3. 3.Why is the author writing the letter? 4. 4.What situation does the author face while writing his letter? 5. 5.What problems does the author address in the letter? 6. 6.What are the geographical issues related to this letter? 7. 7.Does the writer state his purpose for writing the letter? 8. 8.What are the major themes, concepts, and words in the letter? 1. 1.Who is writing the letter? 2. 2.Who is the audience of the letter? 3. 3.Why is the author writing the letter? 4. 4.What situation does the author face while writing his letter? 5. 5.What problems does the author address in the letter? 6. 6.What are the geographical issues related to this letter? 7. 7.Does the writer state his purpose for writing the letter? 8. 8.What are the major themes, concepts, and words in the letter?