THE LETTERS III
PHILEMON
PHILEMON
1. Intro
MEANING: The name “Philemon” refers to a wealthy slave owner who was a prominent member of the church in Colosse
AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (while in a Roman prison)
DATE: AD 61
2. Themes
FORGIVENESS: God forgave us so we should forgive others
BROTHERS: Masters and Slaves
3. Occasion
To convince Philemon to forgive Onesimus as an act of brotherly love
4. Outline
: Paul thanks Philemon
:
: Paul defends Onesimus
: Paul greets Philemon
5. Controversy
Why didn’t Christians abolish slavery?
Also had the church preached the abolition of slavery it would have attracted many to that cause, rather than to Christ, obscuring the message of eternal salvation and endangering the purity of the church
PAUL’S MISSIONARY LETTERS
When did Paul write his missionary letters?
Between AD 48-60
Where did Paul write his missionary letters?
Cyprus, Galatia, Macedonia, Greece, Ephesus
What did Paul write in his missionary letters?
Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans
1 THESSALONIANS
1. Intro
MEANING: The term “Thessalonians” refers to the church in Thessalonica made up of new believers facing difficulty
AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (from Corinth on his second missionary journey)
DATE: AD 50
2. Themes
SECOND COMING: Timing, Order, Participants
SANCTIFICATION: Holiness, Purity, Dedication
3. Occasion
To encourage the suffering church to find hope in the return of Christ
4. Outline
: Paul’s Thanksgivings
: Paul’s Encouragements
: Paul’s Explanations (of the Second Coming)
5. Controversy
What is the rapture?
This event is described by some as the rapture and is defined as when believers are removed from earth; in other words, the “seiz[ing]” involves going to heaven with Christ forever. Alternatively, it may be that believers join Christ “in the air” and then continue their work with him on earth; they’re not taken away but are forever bonded to Jesus.
2 THESSALONIANS
1. Intro
MEANING: The term “Thessalonians” refers to the church in Thessalonica made up of new believers facing difficulty
AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (from Corinth on his second missionary journey)
DATE: AD 50
2. Themes
ANTICHRIST: Lawless One, Son of Destruction
DAY OF THE LORD: Vengeance, Judgment, Justice
3. Occasion
To admonish the church to stand firm and work hard while they wait for Christ’s return
4. Outline
: Paul comforts the persecuted church
: Paul corrects the confused church
: Paul instructs the idle church
5. Controversy
When is the rapture?
Paul said there are certain things which must occur before the full force of God’s eschatological judgment will be manifested. There will be apostasy from true religion (2:3); there will be the appearance of the “man of sin” (2:3); and, finally, there will be the removal of a present restrainer (2:6, 7). These will be definite indications of the approaching day of reckoning.