Letters of the Apostles II To First-Century Christians & Congregations

This is a continuation of Book 5. Jesus left his apostles behind to begin his work of spreading the kingdom — the church. They did so in person and also by letter. Setting up new congregations was wonderful but sometimes confusing. The members and leaders wanted to do right, but the New Testament had not been written yet. These letters by the apostles re what became the New Testament.  These two books present them in the order they were written.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • PHILIPPIANS. To a congregation in Philippi, a city in northern Greece. Theme – Persistence.
  • COLOSSIANS. To a congregation in Colossae, a city near the west coast of today’s Turkey. Theme – Creeds.
  • PHILEMON. To the master of the run-away slave of Philemon who Paul converted and was sending back, now a brother in Christ to his owner. Theme – Freedom.
  • TITUS. To one of Paul’s assistants in his travels, explaining the qualifications of elders/bishops and deacons. Theme – Titles.
  • 1st TIMOTHY. To one of Paul’s assistants in his travels explaining the qualifications and duties of elders/bishops, deacons, and young and old in congregations he visits. Theme – Total Church.
  • 2nd TIMOTHY. Warning him of people bringing in new creeds. His final goodbye before being executed by Nero. Theme – Tearing the Church.
  • JUDE. Written by Jude, a half-brother of Jesus warning of God’s punishment on false Christians introducing new creeds. Theme – Jeopardy..
  • 1st PETER. Written by the apostle Peter to Christians in today’s Turkey and elsewhere who were being imprisoned and tortured to death, encouraging them. Theme – Persecution.
  • 2nd PETER.  Written by the apostle Peter to warn against false teachers and God’s punishment on them. Theme – Purity.
  • HEBREWS written by unknown Christian when the temple was destroyed by Rome. It explains to Hebrew/Jewish Christians that they do not need a material temple, a separate priesthood, fancy worship. Theme – Hang in There.
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd JOHN written by apostle John warning against false teachers who love to be important and ruin the souls of their followers. Theme – Genuine Christians.