Bible Studies in the Life of Paul Part 7

+Testifying to the Jews+ (Acts 28:17-27).--After an interval of only three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together, and explained to them why he had been sent to Rome. He declared that he had no accusation to make against his nation to the Roman authorities, but that he was a prisoner on account of his advocacy of the hope of Israel fulfilled in Jesus Christ. But the Jews replied that they had had no word about Paul from Jerusalem. Desiring to hear more of what Paul had to say about the Christians they appointed a day in which they would hear Paul at his lodgings. This hearing was evidently very thorough, and the usual division was made of believing and unbelieving Jews.

+Testifying to the Gentiles+ (Acts 28:28).--Paul receiving no sufficient response to his words from the Jews now turns his attention to the Gentiles.

+The Two Years' Imprisonment+ (Acts 28:30, 31) was spent in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, in his own hired house, and receiving all who came to him. Although Paul was a prisoner he was allowed complete freedom of speech.

+Incidental Notices of this Imprisonment+ are found in the four Epistles which were written from Rome during its continuance. Prof. J. R. Lumby, D.D. (Acts, Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) says: "We know from first to last the prisoner's chain hurt Paul (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; Phil. 1:13, 16; Col. 4:18; Philem. 1, 9, 10), and that his cause was at times an object of much anxiety (Phil. 2:23, 24). We also learn from the same letters that besides Luke and Aristarchus (Acts 27:2; 28:15) he had also the fellowship, for some time at least, of Tychicus, who (Eph. 6:21) was the bearer of his letter to Ephesus; of Timothy, whom (Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Philem. 1) he joins with himself in the greeting to the churches of Philippi and Colossae and also in that to Philemon. In the former of these churches Timothy had been a fellow laborer with the Apostle. Epaphroditus came with the Philippian contributions to the aid of the imprisoned Apostle (Phil. 4:18). Onesimus found out Paul when in flight from his master he made his way to Rome (Col. 4:9; Philem. 10). Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, was also there and another Jewish convert, Jesus, called Justus, of whom we only know that the Apostle considered him worthy to be called a fellow worker unto the kingdom of G.o.d (Col. 4:11). Epaphras from the churches of Laodicea and Hieropolis, had come to visit Paul, and to bring him greetings doubtless of the Christians there, and carry back some words of earnest council and advice from the Roman prisoner (Col. 4:12, 13). Last of all Demas was there to be mentioned as having forsaken the good way through love of this present world (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:10). More than this and the few words in verses thirty and thirty-one, of Acts 28, we do not know of this first imprisonment." His spirit however was unsubdued through all his hardships and he was ever exhorting the disciples of Christ to rejoice in Him (Phil. 2:1, 2; 4:4).

+The Further Travels of Paul+ are considered in Study 10.

QUESTIONS

How much s.p.a.ce does the account of this journey occupy in the Acts, and why is so much given to it? What do the seven speeches of Paul signify? What Epistles did Paul write while at Rome? Give the time and extent of this journey. Give the historical connections. Why did Paul return to Jerusalem? Give an account of his meeting with James and the elders; the temple riot; his speech to the rioters; and his speech before the Jewish Council. How was Paul comforted by G.o.d? What was the conspiracy of the Jewish fanatics? How long did Paul remain a prisoner at Caesarea? Give an account of his first defense before his Jewish accusers, and the Roman governor Felix; his second defense before Felix; his third defense before Festus; and his fourth defense before Festus and King Agrippa II. Give an account of the voyage to Rome; Caesarea to Myra; Myra to Melita; and Melita to Rome. What did Paul testify to the Jews and Gentiles in Rome? Where do we find incidental notices of this imprisonment?

III. PAUL'S WRITINGS

STUDY VII

THE FUTURE OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM

FIRST GROUP OF EPISTLES

FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS

a.n.a.lYSIS

+Introduction to the Epistles of Paul+--Epistolary Writings. Some Reasons for Paul's Writings. Qualifications of Paul. How the Epistles are Best Understood. t.i.tles and Groups.

Common Plan. Supreme Purpose.

+The Future of Christ's Kingdom+--The First Group of Epistles.

The Chief Doctrinal Point.

+The First Epistle to the Thessalonians+--The Founding of the Church. Occasion, Time, and Place of Writing. Contents.

a.n.a.lysis.

+The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians+--Occasion, Time, and Place of Writing. Princ.i.p.al Divisions and Chief Points.

III. PAUL'S WRITINGS

STUDY VII

THE FUTURE OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM

FIRST GROUP OF EPISTLES

THE FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS

INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLES OF PAUL

+Epistolary Writings.+--The New Testament is composed of twenty-seven books, twenty-one of which are Epistles. Of this latter number thirteen are ascribed to Paul. It is thus seen how largely the New Testament is made up of Epistles and how many of these are attributed to the Great Apostle.

In the letters of men of great prominence and power of any age we get closer to the real condition of the affairs of that age than by any other means. In this way, we get information at first hand from the partic.i.p.ants in the events of which they write. It is fortunate for us that we have this first hand material with which to deal, when we come to study the early growth and development of Christianity.

By means of the New Testament Epistles (which are real letters and written with a definite purpose in view) we look directly into the faith, the customs, and practices of the early Christian churches. We see how they were organized and how they conducted their services. We see the marvelous changes wrought in the lives and characters of the converts. We note that the triumphs of faith were won through a belief in the Divine Son of G.o.d and the power of the Holy Ghost. The struggles and difficulties of these early Christians in coming out of heathenism are depicted in a masterly way. Paul, in his endeavor to guide aright the churches, of which he had been the spiritual father, shows what he believes and teaches about G.o.d, the Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ, sin, redemption, and the future state of the soul. In these letters the incidental and indirect references to the doctrines taught, and the customs of the early churches, are as valuable as the direct.

+Some Reasons for Paul's Writings.+--The Apostle was the founder of churches over a large area of territory.

He soon realized, however, that it was impossible to visit them as often as he desired and as frequently as he ought. Many of the converts had come out of heathenism and needed doctrinal and ethical instruction in the way of Christ. They also needed encouragement, comfort, and sometimes sharp correction for outbreaking sins.

As means of communication were open and easy along the well kept Roman roads, what was more natural than that Paul should begin to write letters which were not only to be read by the particular churches to which they were addressed, but pa.s.sed on to the other churches.

+Qualifications of Paul.+

1. Intellectual. He was not only pre-eminent as a missionary, but even more remarkable as a writer. "He was the greatest thinker of his age, if not of any age, who in the midst of his outward labors was producing writings which have ever since been among the mightiest intellectual forces of the world and are still growing."

2. Spiritual. He had been converted in a wonderful way and had received a special revelation from Christ (Acts 9:3-15; 1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:11, 12). He had been called to his great work among the Gentiles by Christ and the Holy Ghost (Acts 9:15; 13:2). He was absolutely absorbed in the work of Christ and in making known His gospel.

+How the Epistles are Best Understood.+--Each one should be studied in the light of the occasion which called it forth and in connection with the church, group of churches, or the individual to which it is addressed.

+t.i.tles and Groups.+--The thirteen Epistles fall naturally into four groups; in each of which is set forth some great doctrinal and ethical truth.

First Group, First and Second Thessalonians. "These Epistles are short, simple, and practical. They may be regarded as ill.u.s.trating Paul's earlier missionary instruction to his converts--hence the name 'Missionary Epistles,'

sometimes applied to them. They treat of but one doctrinal subject--the second coming of Christ." It should be borne in mind, however, that Paul speaks of Jesus Christ as "The Lord," "Our Lord," about twenty-five times in First Thessalonians; this shows how thoroughly he believed in the Deity of Christ.

Second Group, Galatians, First and Second Corinthians and Romans. "This group is the great repertory of Paul's doctrinal and ethical teaching. Galatians and Romans deal chiefly with his doctrine of justification by faith. They are designed to disprove the current Jewish teaching (which was invading the churches) that men might be saved by obedience to the Mosaic law. On the contrary Paul maintained that the sole basis of salvation is the grace of G.o.d to be appropriated by faith on man's part."

Third Group, Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians. "This group is predominantly Christological.

Errors had invaded the churches addressed, which tended to degrade the person and work of Christ, and the Apostle writes with a view to showing his pre-eminence and saving power, so that the readers may be induced to keep their allegiance to Christ and His gospel."

Fourth Group, First Timothy, t.i.tus and Second Timothy.

"These are called 'The Pastoral Epistles,' and were designed to instruct Timothy and t.i.tus as superintendents of the churches in Ephesus and Crete, and were thus semi-official in character. But they have also a strong personal element and a tone of warm sympathy and affection." The above characterization of the four groups of these Epistles by Prof. G. B. Stevens is brief and to the point.

+Common Plan.+--The plan in all of Paul's Epistles, with slight variations, is much the same. The outlines of these letters fall uniformly into six divisions. "First, a greeting sometimes very brief, sometimes extending over several verses, in which he generally manages with consummate skill to strike the keynote of the whole letter.

Secondly, a thanksgiving to G.o.d for the Christian gifts and graces of his converts. Thirdly, a doctrinal part, in which he argues out or explains some great topic of Christian truth, specially required by the condition of the church to which he is writing. Fourthly, a practical section, in which he applies to daily moral duties the great doctrines which he has developed. Fifthly, personal messages, salutations, and details. Sixthly, a brief autograph conclusion to ratify the genuineness of the entire letter."

+The Supreme Purpose+ was to make known the Divine Christ as the Savior of all men, both Jew and Gentile (1 Cor. 2:1-16; Col. 1:9-29; Phil. 2:9-11; Acts 26:22, 23; Rom. 3:9-31).

THE FUTURE OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM

FIRST GROUP OF EPISTLES

THE FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS