Overview of the New Testament
Thessalonian Correspondence
Key thoughts:
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Thessalonians 5:9)
For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…
(I Thessalonians 5:2)
· City of Thessalonica named after the sister of Alexander the Great
· Chief Seaport and capital of Macedonia, and the most populous city
· Acts 17:1-15 describes the establishment and character of the church at Thessalonica along with some of the problems Paul encountered there. For example: jealousy of the Jews (Acts 17:5-9 compare with I Thessalonians 2:13-16)
· Clear proclamation that "Jesus is the Christ" (Acts 17:3 and I Thessalonians 1:7-10)
· Church composed of Jews, Greeks, and prominent women among those who were convered (Acts 17:4)
· Probably wrote I Thessalonians from Corinth about 51 CE.
· Primary teaching of I Thessalonians is the second coming of Christ (eschatology).
· Key practical exhortation is steadfastness in the midst of persecution (I Thessalonians 3:6-13)
· Early letters begin with basic concepts of Christ, and exhortations to holy living
(Galatians, Thessalonians)
· Middle letters progress to a more intimate explanations of faith, the meaning of the gospel, coupled with exhortations to holy living
(Romans, Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon)
· Later letters focus on unfolding of "mysteries" and advanced understanding of who Jesus is in relation to heavenly realms
(Ephesians, Colossians)
· The earlier – middle period seems to be driven more by situation than later letters.
· Thanksgiving and recollections 1:1 – 3:13
· Exhortation to holiness and love 4:1 – 12
· Instruction with regards to the second coming of Christ 4:13 – 5:11
· Final exhortations 5:12-22
· Wish for peace, request for prayers, benediction 5:23-28
Overview of the New Testament
Thessalonian Correspondence
· Faith in Christ consists of
- Believing that Jesus is the son of God (I Thessalonians 1:9)
- God raised him from the dead (I Thessalonians 1:10)
- The risen Jesus will shortly return as judge and redeemer (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
· The Christian life is therefore:
- Preparing oneself for the coming of Jesus (I Thessalonians 5:1-11)
- Living a holy life (I Thessalonians 4:1-12)
- Living peaceably and respectably with others (I Thessalonians 5:12-23)
****
· Thanksgiving and recollections 1:1 – 1:12
· The coming of Christ 2:1-12
· Exhortations: 2:13-3:18
- Stand firm 2:13-17
- Warnings against idleness 3:6-15
· Like I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians deals with the second coming of Christ and practical exhortations to 'be ready'.
· II Thessalonians deals with the reality of what must happen "before" Christ can return (see Chapter 2).
· Issues dealing with the 'delay' of the second coming are discussed. This represents a shift in Paul's language in I Thessalonians and I Corinthians where the second coming seems to be more 'imminent.
· Continual encouragement to 'stand firm' in the faith despite opposition.
Notes on "Christological Hymns"
The following sections of scripture are thought to be hymns or recitations performed by the early Christians during their assemblies, and then later incorporated into scripture. These represent the earliest confessions of the Christian faith.
Philippians 2:6-11
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped (exploited)
But emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself,
and become obedient to the point of death
even death on a cross
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name that is above every name,
So that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under earth,
And every tongue confess,
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the father.
Colossians 1:15-20
(arranged as a possible responsive reading)
He is the image of the invisible God
the firstborn over all creation.
For by him all things were created:
things in heaven and on earth, visible
and invisible, whether thrones or powers
or rulers or authorities;
all things were created by him and for him
all things hold together.
And he is the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so
that in everything he might have the supremacy
For God was pleased to have
all his fullness dwell in him
and through him to reconcile
to himself all things, whether things
on earth, or things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.
Also see: I Peter 3:18-19, I Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:3
Notes on the Canon of Scripture
Definition:
"Canon" is derived from the Greek word for "reed". This word was commonly used to mean a rule, or a standard, by with something was measured. Therefore the "canon" of scripture is the body of writings that is the standard or authority of the Christian faith.
A Brief History of the Development of the Christian Canon:
General comments:
· The collection of books for the NT began in the later part of the first century and continued through the late fourth century.
· During this time period many books were considered, and often accepted, but later either included or rejected.
· The development of the Canon was influenced by the rise of the Christian church in the West, the conflict with Gnostics, and other factions going on within the emerging community.
Early evidence and collection of the writings of Paul
· A letter from the church in Rome to Corinth in about 96CE, entitled I Clement, refers to Paul's Roman letter and I Corinthians
· 2 Peter mentions the writings of Paul (see 2 Peter 3:16)
· Other early Christian writings in the second century refer to "Paul's letters"
Early evidence of the Gospels
· The writing of 2 Clement in the early second century -- gospels as "scripture"
· One of the "Church Fathers" (early Christian writers who shaped Christian thinking) also speaks of the gospels as a kind of memoirs of the apostles.
· Between about 140-150 CE Papias, who was a leader in the church of Hierapolis spoke of the gospels of Mathew and Mark.
· The Diatessaron (about 170 CE) was an attempt to weave the four gospels together. Although it was popular in some parts of the world, it did not gain widespread acceptance among the church with the passing of time.
The Second Century Canon – the Muratorian Canon (named for its discoverer)
· The official list of books (perhaps from Rome) towards the end of the second century
· Contents were:
- Four gospels
- Acts
- 13 Letters of Paul (not including Hebrews)
- Jude
- 1 and 2 John
- Wisdom of Solomon (OT Apocrypha)
- Revelation
- The Apocalypse of Peter