-
We have 21 books in this genre:
-Paul: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2
Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon,
-Others: Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1-3 John,
and Jude
-Letters in the NT were written by Apostles and
leaders of the church to others, such as house
churches (the church in Corinth) in other cities or
to generalized groups (to the Jews scattered)
-They were written to encourage and give advice
to church leaders
-They were written to correct sins and heresy
The letter to the Romans focuses on the
righteousness of God. All people, Jew or
Gentile, are sinful and need God.
The church at Corinth was having a lot of
problems. Paul writes to them to straighten
them out.
The Corinthians were still not listening. It hurt Paul,
but he didn’t give up on them.
Some people are telling the church
members that they need to be
circumcised and continue Jewish
tradition. Paul says no.
This letter is a great summary of Paul’s
theology and the message he has been
teaching about Jesus.
Paul thanks the Philippian church for their
support. He reminds them to have unity,
joy, and to be content in Christ.
There was false teaching and heresy at this
church. Paul had to correct it. Paul talks
about the supremacy of Christ in this
letter.
Paul gives praise to this church for standing
firm. They are struggling against
persecution.
The church were distracted by a false
teaching about the end of the world.
Paul corrects them.
Timothy is running the church at Ephesus.
There are lots of problems, and Paul
gives advice to Timothy and the church.
Paul believes that his life will end soon.
Paul tells Timothy to keep working hard
for God.
Titus was on the island of Crete. Paul writes
instructions and advice to him. There are
problems in Crete that Titus needs help
with.
Philemon owns a slave named Onesimus.
Onesimus runs away to Paul. Paul writes
to Philemon to be kind to Onesimus
This letters (although it reads a lot like a
sermon) tells Jewish Christians to hold on
to Christ and not go back to Judaism.
James writes this book to Jewish Christians
about how to demonstrate their faith in
everyday actions.
Christians were suffering under persecution.
Peter writes a letter to Christians in Asia
Minor (Turkey and Syria) to stay strong.
There are false teachers working in the
church again. Peter attempts to correct
the false teachings and guide Christians
towards truth.
False teachers are at work again. John
speaks sternly to them while trying to
encourage the true believers.
John asks the church to be cautious of
traveling teacher/preachers. He wants
the church to test them first.
Jude warns against false teachers in the
church. Jude was the half-brother of
Jesus.