1. The Epistles & the Practical Christian Life
Class 3
The Doctrinal Epistles
© John Stevenson, 2008

2. Paul’s Epistles & Theology
Course Outline
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Intro to Paul;
Epistles as a genre
Paul’s Epistles & Theology
The General Epistles
Life & Death
Doctrinal Epistles
Pastoral Epistles

3. Session Objectives
Use basic hermeneutical principles for interpreting and applying epistles.
See the Big Idea of Romans, Colossians, Philemon, & Ephesians.
Continue developing skills to assess aspects of current worldview, ethical practice, and church life in light of theological principles taught in the epistles.

4. The Righteousness of God
Romans
The Righteousness of God

5. The Epistle to the Romans
The most doctrinal and the most systematic of all of Paul’s writings.
The first seven chapters are characterized by an argumentative style as seen by the repeated expression: “What shall we say then?”
Romans 4:1
Romans 6:1
Romans 7:7
Romans 8:31
Romans 9:14
Romans 9:30

6. The Epistle to the Romans
The most doctrinal and the most systematic of all of Paul’s writings.
The first seven chapters are characterized by an argumentative style as seen by the repeated expression: “What shall we say then?”
This is the only one of Paul’s epistles written to an audience with whom he had not previously met.

7. Righteousness of God Revealed
Romans
Prologue
DOCTRINAL
PRACTICAL
Epilogue
1:1
1:17
12:1
15:14
Life By Faith
Service By Faith
Obedience of Faith (1:5)
Obedience of Faith (16:26)
Righteousness of God Revealed

8. I am not ashamed of the gospel…
It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes
In it the righteousness of God is revealed
How is the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel?
In the wrath of God toward those who sin (Romans 1-3)
In the grace of God toward those who believe (Romans 4-8)

9. The Righteousness of God is revealed…
In judging the pagans who rejected Him (Chapter 1)
In judging the Jews who disobeyed Him (Chapter 2)
In judging all men who have sinned against Him (Chapter 3)

10. The Righteousness of God is revealed…
In reckoning men as righteous by crediting them with the righteousness of Christ (Chapter 4)
In declaring men to be righteous on the basis of the reckoning described in the previous chapter (Chapter 5)
What about sin?
Can we continue to live in sin? (6)
What about the sin that is still in our lives? (7)
In adopting us as His children (Chapter 8)

11. What about Israel?
How can we see God as righteous when His own chosen people do not believe and receive His promises?
Not all Israel is Israel.
God is sovereign and able to chose whom He wills.
Salvation is offered to all who believe.
Israel’s unbelief has resulted in blessings to the Gentiles.
All Israel will be saved.

12. I Urge you… Chapters 1-11 Doctrinal Chapters 12-16 Practical
So What?
I Urge you…
To present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice
Do not be conformed to this world
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

14. Based on the Epistle to the Romans….
Group Activity
Break into Groups of 3-4
Based on the Epistle to the Romans….
Group 1: Who are we apart from Christ?
Group 2: Who are we in Christ?

16. Colossians
Joy in the Journey

17. The Supremacy of Christ
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Doctrinal
Practical
The Supremacy of Christ
The Fulness of Christ
The Image of Christ
The Servants of Christ

18. The Supremacy of Christ
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Doctrinal
Practical
The Supremacy of Christ
Thanks to God
Paul’s Prayer
The Person and Work of Christ
Paul’s ministry of the mystery

19. The Supremacy of Christ
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Doctrinal
Practical
The Supremacy of Christ
The Fulness of Christ
The Danger of Delusion
Fulness and faith in Christ
The Danger of False Teachers

20. The Supremacy of Christ
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Doctrinal
Practical
The Supremacy of Christ
The Fulness of Christ
The Image of Christ
The Servants of Christ
New Life in Christ
New Self in Christ
New Love
New Peace
Instructions to various groups

21. Instructions to Various Groups
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord (3:18).
Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them (3:19).
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things (3:20).
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart (3:21).
Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth (3:22).

22. Instructions to Various Groups
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven (4:1).

23. General Instructions Devote yourselves to prayer (4:2).
Alert in it
An attitude of thanksgiving
Praying for us as well
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity (4:5).
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person (4:6).

24. Servants of the Gospel Tychicus Onesimus (one of your number)
He will bring you information about me
Onesimus (one of your number)
Aristarchus
Sends his greetings
Mark (Barnabas' cousin)
Jesus who is called Justus
Epaphras (one of your number)
Luke, the beloved physician
Demas