The General Epistles © John Stevenson, 2009

What are the General Epistles?

General Epistles HebrewsHebrews JamesJames 1 st & 2 nd Peter1 st & 2 nd Peter 1 st, 2 nd, & 3 rd John1 st, 2 nd, & 3 rd John JudeJude

The Epistle to the Hebrews Jesus is Better

GOD, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days HAS SPOKEN TO US IN HIS SON, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

GOD… HAS SPOKEN TO US IN HIS SON, WHO He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He SAT DOWN at the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Than the angels Hebrews Than Moses or Joshua As a High Priest Offering a better sacrifice Jesus is Better… 5-7 Providing a better Covenant As a way of Living Hold to Jesus… How to live as a result of holding to Jesus

Than the angels Hebrews Than Moses or Joshua As a High Priest Offering a better sacrifice Jesus is Better… 5-7 Providing a better Covenant As a way of Living Beware of… Neglecting so great a Salvation Falling away from the Living God Not entering into his Rest

Than the angels Hebrews Than Moses or Joshua As a High Priest Offering a better sacrifice Jesus is Better… 5-7 Providing a better Covenant As a way of Living Beware of… Neglecting so great a Salvation Falling away from the Living God Not entering into his Rest Not going on to Maturity Those who fall away from Jesus cannot renew to repentance

Than the angels Hebrews Than Moses or Joshua As a High Priest Offering a better sacrifice Jesus is Better… 5-7 Providing a better Covenant As a way of Living Beware of… Neglecting so great a Salvation Falling away from the Living God Not entering into his Rest Not going on to Maturity Those who fall away from Jesus cannot renew to repentance There remains no more sacrifice for sins Coming short of the grace of God ─ that no root of bitterness cause trouble

The Epistle of James Faith Leading to Works

Characteristics of the Epistle A Lack of Personal NotesA Lack of Personal Notes Little Mention is made of ChristLittle Mention is made of Christ Absence of a mention of Gentiles in the ChurchAbsence of a mention of Gentiles in the Church Christianity is not presented in contrast with JudaismChristianity is not presented in contrast with Judaism

What did Martin Luther think of the Epistle of James?

Epistle of James Problem with Partiality (2:1-13) Hearing & doing the Word (1:19-27) Asking God for Wisdom (1:1-18) Faith & Works (2:14-21) Wisdom from above (3:13-18) Taming the Tongue (3:1-12) Warnings… Over Quarrels & Conflicts (4:1-16) Against Arrogant Boasts (4:11-17) Against the Rich (5:1-11) About the need for Prayer (5:12-20)

Does James contradict the Apostle Paul and his teaching about salvation by grace through faith?

The First Epistle of Peter Submissive Suffering

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen (1 Peter 1:1) Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia Bithynia

Call to Holy Living 1 Peter 1:1 - 2:12 Call to Submissive Living Call to Suffering 1 Peter 2:13 - 3:13 1 Peter 3:14 - 5:14

What kinds of persecutions do Christians around the world face today?

What kinds of persecutions do Christians in this country face today?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has caused us to be born again …a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead …obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you… To… Who… 1 Peter 1:3-4

In this you greatly rejoice though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials Your faith may be proved genuine It may result in praise, glory and honor these come so that… And… 1 Peter 1:6-9 You rejoice… obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls

1 Peter 1:10-15 As to this salvation… The prophets searched… Angels long to look… Therefore… Gird your minds for action Keep sober Fix your hope on grace Be holy

You were not redeemed with perishable things 1 Peter 1:17-19 And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work Conduct yourselves in fear Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth; Knowing that… You were redeemed with the blood of Christ But

…of seed which is perishable 1 Peter 1:22-25 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren… fervently love one another from the heart For you have been born again imperishable But Not through the living and abiding word of God. Flesh is like grass But The Word abides

1 Peter 2:1-2 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander… That by it you may grow in respect to salvation Long for the pure milk of the word

spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood as living stones 1 Peter 2:4-5 but rejected by men choice and precious in the sight of God And coming to Him as to a living stone You also… are being built up To offer up…

For you who believe Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone For those who disbelieve You will not be disappointed The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To this doom they were also appointed. 1 Peter 2:6-8

1 Peter 2:9-10 a chosen race But you are… a royal priesthood a holy nation a people for God's own possession that… you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light For you once were not a people you had not received mercy but now you are the people of God but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:13 – 3:13 You wives, be submissive to your own husbands (3:1) Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect (2:18) Husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way (3:7) Let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit (3:8) Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution…

1 Peter 3:14-16 And you are blessed. But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness… do not fear their intimidation And do not be troubled But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 1 Peter 3:18-20 In which also… He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, Who… once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

The end of all things is at hand; 1 Peter 4:7-9 therefore… be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 1 Peter 4:12-14 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; 1 Peter 4:17-19 and if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. Therefore

Therefore… 1 Peter 5:1-3 I exhort the elders among you… as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

You younger men, likewise 1 Peter 5:5-7 and all of you, be subject to your elders clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. He may exalt you at the proper time, that

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. 1 Peter 5:8-10 Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

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Excel Instructor & Course Evaluation Course: Understanding the New Testament  BI 120E Instructor: Dr. John Stevenson