Key Themes and Insights from the Book of Acts and Epistles

Acts 2

Peter preaches his first sermon at Pentecost; the Holy Spirit arrives; about 3,000 are baptized.

Theophilus

The recipient of Acts; the name means 'Lover of God.'

Paul's mission strategy

Preaches to Jews first, focuses on urban areas, and travels with a group.

Amanuensis

A secretary or scribe who writes for someone else.

Best alternative title for the Book of Acts

Acts of the Holy Spirit.

Books in the New Testament

27 books; 13 are attributed to Paul.

Arrangement of New Testament letters

Generally from longer to shorter.

Geographical moves in Acts 1:8

Jerusalem > Judea-Samaria > Ends of the Earth.

Original New Testament texts

No, only copies exist.

Ancient letter writing

Done by scribes, often on papyrus or leather; most people were illiterate.

Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)

Gentile converts do not need to be circumcised.

Letters attributed to Paul

13 letters; 7 undisputed, 6 disputed (questions over authorship).

First Christian martyr in Acts

Stephen (Acts 7).

Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8)

Eunuchs were seen as unclean outsiders.

Key facts about Paul's life

From Tarsus, converted on road to Damascus, leather-worker.

Temple of Artemis

Located in Ephesus; Paul incited a riot there.

We Passages in Acts

Suggest the author was traveling with Paul.

Luke's storytelling theme

Travel and road stories.

Peter's visit in Acts 10

Visited Cornelius, a Gentile.

Acts 17

Paul preaches to philosophers at Mars Hill in Athens.

Main problem in 1 Thessalonians

Concerns about Jesus' second coming and dying Christians.

Tone and theme of Galatians

Angry tone; central theme is freedom.

Reputation of ancient Corinth

Sexual immorality.

Paul's visit to Rome when writing Romans

No, he had not been there yet.

Thorn in the flesh and treasure in clay jars

Mentioned in 2 Corinthians.

Main theme of 2 Corinthians

Paul defends his apostolic authority.

Paul's fundraising project

For famine relief for Judean Christians.

Paul's ethical principles

Three main principles (not listed in doc); ethics: moral principles that govern behavior.

Origin of the term 'rapture'

Comes from 1 Thessalonians.

Social groups similar to early church

Funeral societies and labor unions.

Worship of Aphrodite

Heavily worshipped in Corinth.

Divisions among Roman Christians

Disputes over food and holidays.

Main problems in Corinthian church

Divisions, immorality, worship issues, marriage, spiritual gifts, eating meat offered to idols.

Message of 1 Corinthians 15

Resurrection brings new bodies.

Letters Paul wrote to Corinth

At least 4.

James called a 'strawy epistle'

Martin Luther.

Early Christians' belief about Jesus' return

That it would occur in their lifetimes.

Paul's mention of 'stigmata'

Found in Galatians.

Jesus' siblings

4 named brothers; at least 2 unnamed sisters.

1 Corinthians 13

About love.

Meaning of 'baptize'

To submerge, plunge, or immerse.

James' counter to Paul's teachings

Emphasizes works over faith alone.

Eschatology

Study of end-times, death, judgment, resurrection, etc.

James

What letter says, 'faith without works is dead'?

James

What letter says, 'the one who endures trials is blessed'?

Hebrews

What does Hebrews teach about the Old Testament system of priests and sacrifices?

Hebrews

How does Hebrews describe Jesus?

the superiority of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant compared to the Old Testament law, sacrifices, and priesthood.

Main message of Hebrews?

Hebrews 11

What chapter in Hebrews praises heroes of faith?

Hebrews

What is the literary style of Hebrews?

Apocalyptic literature

What is apocalyptic literature?

Apocalypse

What is the Greek name for Revelation?

Revelation

What was the likely context for Revelation?

Revelation

What is the main message of Revelation?

Revelation

What does the number 7 often symbolize in Revelation?

the "number of a man" and attributed to the Beast, a powerful figure that opposes God and is linked to the Antichrist.

What does the number 666 likely represent?

Revelation

What are the opening letters to the seven churches in Revelation about?

Revelation

What is the final vision in Revelation?

Revelation

What does the lamb symbolize in Revelation?

John

Who is the author of Revelation?

1 John

Which book says, 'God is love'?

3 John

Which letter emphasizes hospitality?

1 John

Which letter warns against false teachers who deny Jesus came in the flesh?

respond to suffering with joy, recognizing it as a test of faith, a chance to glorify God, and ultimately, a path to greater glory

What does 1 Peter encourage Christians to do in the face of suffering?

2 Peter

What does 2 Peter warn against?

James (works)

Which letter says 'faith, if genuine, will produce works'?

1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus

Which letters are the Pastoral Epistles?

the health and faithfulness of the church, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine, qualifications for godly leadership, and ethical behavior within the Christian community.

What is the main focus of the Pastoral Epistles?

1 Timothy

Which book mentions qualifications for bishops and deacons?

2 Timothy

Which letter says 'preach the word in season and out'?

Titus

Which letter says 'the grace of God teaches us to live godly lives'?

Titus

Which letter tells slaves to obey masters?

Philemon

Which letter includes a plea to a slave owner?

Philemon, Onesimus, and Paul

What is the relationship between Philemon, Onesimus, and Paul?

3 John

What is the shortest letter in the New Testament?

Hebrews

Which book has the strongest warnings against apostasy?

Revelation

Which book ends with a vision of no more death, crying, or pain?

James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude.

Which letters are called the General (Catholic) Epistles?

General Epistles

What do the General Epistles have in common?

Jude

Which epistle mentions angels disputing over Moses' body?

Jude

What does Jude warn against?

no prophecy in Scripture is based on personal interpretation, emphasizing that prophecies are God's word delivered through human prophets who were moved by the Holy Spirit.

What does Peter say about Scripture in 2 Peter 1?

Peter refers to Paul's letters as being "hard to understand" by some, and warns that those who are "unlearned and unstable" may "wrest" or distort them for their own destruction.

What does 2 Peter say about Paul's letters?

1 Peter

Which book mentions being 'born again'?

Jude

Which epistle uses many Old Testament examples of judgment?

James (tongue)

Which letter is concerned with controlling the tongue?

James

Which letter says 'resist the devil and he will flee'?

James

Which letter says to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger?

James

Which letter is addressed to 'the twelve tribes in the Dispersion'?

James (anoint)

Which letter says that elders should pray for and anoint the sick?