The Epistles

“Christ’s Message to the

Churches”

The Apostles & Other Inspired Men Led by the

Holy Spirit to Write Inspired Messages to

God’s PeopleApostles promised special guidance- Matthew 10:19 ; Luke 21:15They claimed it in their writings – 1 Corinthians 2:12,13; 2 Peter 3:1,2; 2 Timothy 3:16,17

Purpose of these Letters?

Build up the church & bring to maturity – Ephesians 4:11-17; Colossians 2:6,7; Titus 1:5Deal with Questions- 1 Corinthians 7:1Warn of Apostasy – 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Hebrews 3:12; 2 Peter 3:17; Jude 3

Who Wrote The Epistles?Paul wrote 13 -- 14 if you count

HebrewsPeter wrote 2 General EpistlesJohn wrote Three– First was General Epistle– Next two to Individual Christians– Fourth – Revelation {Next Lesson}

Jude & James– James to Hebrew Christians– Jude- one of the last - General

Categories of EpistlesWritten to individual churches– 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1

Written to a group of churches– Galatians 1:1,2 ; 1 Peter 1:1,2

Written to Christians–General– 2 Peter 1:1; James 1:1

To individual Christians– 1 Timothy 1:1,2; Titus 1:1

Epistles Intended for More Than Their

GenerationEphesians 3:1-5 “read.. Understand”– INTENDED to be READ &

could be UNDERSTOOD!Colossians 4:16 –”read among you ….read also in the church of the Laodiceans… you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”