Matthew through Jude

Keyword of Jude

Contend

Author & Date of Jude

Jude, one of the half-brothers of Jesus, after 2 Peter but before the destruction of Jerusalem. AD 68-70

Purpose of Jude

Awaken Christians to the threat of false teaching and call them to contend earnestly for theapostolic faith in light of the danger of apostasy.Auth

Keyword of 1 John

Tests

Author & Date of 1-3 John

John, the close disciple of Jesus, AD 90-95, the same time as 2 & 3 John

Purpose of 1 John

To provide spiritual tests in an increasingly confusing ecclesiastical environment to determine and describe true Christianity. Passing these tests provided the basis for fellowship among professing Christians and assurance of eternal life.

Purpose of 2 John

To emphasize to a particular local group or house-church hosted by "the elect lady" the necessity of both truth and love in determining the basis for fellowship.

Key Word of 2 John

Necessities

Key Word of 3 John

Hospitality

Purpose of 3 John

To Encourage Gaius to continue the loving

expression of hospitality to faithful missionaries

of the truth, warning against the prideful

selfishness evidenced by Diotrephes.

1 John 1:8, 10

If we say we have no sin, or have not sinned, we lie

Keyword of 1 Peter

Suffering

Author & Date

The Apostle Peter, around the time of the burning of Rome, which Nero blamed on Christians, AD 64-65

Purpose of 1 Peter

To encourage and instruct Christians to live obediently

Keyword of 2 Peter

Imposters

Author & Date

The Apostle Peter, shortly before his martyrdom by Nero, in AD 67-68

Purpose of 2 Peter

To warn and instruct Christians to counter the growing influence of false teachers who were infiltrating the churches. False doctrines and immoral lifestyles would wreak havoc in the church.

2 Peter 1:5-11

Supplement Your Faith With…

Keyword of Hebrews

Superiority

Author & Background of Hebrews

Anonymous and unknown, written before the temple's destruction in AD 70. Hence, written AD 67-69

Purpose of Hebrews

Display to a Jewish audience of both genuine Christians and Jews interested in the gospel message the superiority of Jesus Christ over the old, Levitical system. It contrasts the incomplete, temporal provisions of the old covenant with the perfect, once-for-all provisions of the new covenant

Hebrews 4:12-13

The Word of God is Living and Active

Hebrews 11:1

Definition of faith: assurance of things hoped for, conviction of things unseen.

Keyword of James

Faith-Works

Author & Background of James

James the half-brother of Jesus and brother of Jude, one of the "pillars" of the Jerusalem church (Gal. 2:9), date 45-49 AD, first canonical book (chronologically) of the NT.

Purpose of James

To emphasize to a Jewish audience in the Diaspora that saving faith is evidenced by tangible works of righteousness. It complements Paul's emphasis on justification by faith alone by adding that such saving faith is never seen alone.

James 2:26

Faith without works is dead

Titus: Keyword

Conduct

Titus: Author & Background

Written by Paul between AD 62-64, after

Paul's release from his first Roman imprisonment

(AD 60-62). After his release, Paul ministered with

Titus on the island of Crete.

Titus: Purpose

Instruct Titus how to develop order, godliness, and doctrinal

understanding in the churches.

Titus: Key Verse: Titus 2:11-14

The grace of God has appeared to save us, sanctify us, and prepare us.

Philemon: Keyword

Forgiveness

Philemon: Author & Background

Written by Paul toward the end of his first Roman imprisonment (AD 60-62).

Philemon: Purpose

Make a personal request to Philemon to forgive

and restore his runaway slave, Onesimus. The letter serves as a beautiful & practical model for Christian intercession, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Key Word of 1 Timothy

Instruction

Author & Date of 1 Timothy

Internal evidence and church history clearly affirm Paul as author. Written shortly after release from his first imprisonment AD 62

Purpose of Timothy

To instruct Timothy, and the church in general, how believes are to conduct themselves in the household of God. Epistle serves as a manual for young pastors about basic church order.

Key Word of 2 Timothy

Finish

Author & Date

Last canonical letter written by Paul. Written during his 2nd Roman imprisonment as he anticipates his martyrdom in AD 67

Purpose of 2 Timothy

To convey Paul's final instructions and exhortations before his death to his son in the faith, exhorting him to persevere as a faithful man of God until the end.

2 Timothy 2:2

Entrust to others who will be able to teach others

Keyword of Thessalonians

Model

Author & Date of 1 Thessalonians

Paul, written in Corinth in AD 51, on his 2nd missionary journey. The first of Paul's canonical letters.

Purpose of 1 Thessalonians

To encourage a young church in their vibrant, influential faith, and to exhort them in the basic church matters. This correspondence with the Thessalonians is the warmest

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

The Summary of True Conversion

Key Word of 2 Thessalonians

Comfort

Author & Date of 2 Thessalonians

Written in AD 51/52, only months after 1st Thessalonians. Paul's first canonical letters and the only two written during his second missionary journey

Purpose of 2 Thessalonians

To comfort a young church in the face of a growing persecution, reminding them that the Lord will bring retribution. Correcting False Understanding and practice concerning the return of the Lord Jesus Christ

Key Word of Colossians

Supremacy

Author & Date

Paul, One of the prison epistles, written during the first roman imprisonment AD 60-62. Close connection to Philemon, expressing anticipation of release.

Purpose of Colossians

To articulate the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ to a church facing the threat of false teaching of syncretism with legalism, asceticism, worship of angels, and other religious philosophies.

Colossians 3:5-17

Put off, put on

Key Word of Philippians

Joy

Author & Compilation

Paul, written nearer to the end of his first Roman imprisonment around AD 60-62

Purpose of Phillipians

To thank the Philippians, Explain his present circumstances, and exhorting them to joyful pursuit of Christ despite threats of persecution, pride and ambition, false teachers, and material need.

Philippians 1:6

He who began the work will bring it to completion

Key Word of Ephesians

Position

Author & Date of Ephesians

Paul's first Roman imprisonment, between AD 60-62

Purpose of Ephesians

To explain the spiritual position and privilege of believers achieved by sovereign grace and the practice that must follow as a result

Ephesians 1:3-14

Predestined, redeemed, adopted, blessed, and sealed.

Ephesians 2:1-7

Depravity and regeneration.

Key Word of Galatians

Justification

Author & Date

Paul, written after 2 Corinthians and before Romans in early AD 56.

Purpose of Galatians

A defense against the efforts of legalists to introduce works into the equations of salvation. God has always justified by faith. True life of faith is a life according to the rule of the Holy Spirit

Galatians 2:19-20

I am Crucified with Christ, Who Lives in Me

Galatians 5:16-18

Sanctification is by the Spirit, Not the Law

Matthew 5:1-11

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:17-20

"I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill it."

Matthew 5:31-32 / 19:4-9

Divorce and Remarriage

Matthew 7:21-23

False Evidences of Salvation

Matthew 16:16-18

Peter's Confession, "You are the Christ"

Matthew 17:1-13

The Transfiguration

Matthew 18:15-20

The process of church discipline

Matthew 28:18-20

The Great Commission

Key Word/Theme of Matthew

King

Purpose of Matthew

To present Jesus of Nazareth as Israel's long-awaited Messiah and royal King

Context of Matthew

Matthew's church is experiencing persecution from Jews who view them as apostates.

Keyword of Mark

Servant

Purpose of Mark

To present Jesus as the Servant of Man. It targets a Gentile/Roman audience and is the "Gospel of action".

Author & Date

Mark, or John Mark, in mid-AD 50

Historical Context

Roman Christians living in a "hotbed" of the imperial cult and need to remember that Jesus was the Servant of man, thus challenging the Imperial myth

Mark 8:29

Peter's confession: "You are the Christ"

Mark 8:34

Deny self and take up the cross to follow Jesus

Mark 10:45

The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Keyword of Luke

Man

Purpose of Luke

To present Jesus as the certain answer to the needs and hopes of the human race.

Audience of Luke

A high-ranking gentile official called Theophilus

Historical Context

Around AD 60, during the reign of Nero

Luke 1:1-4

Luke's Purpose For Writing: "So that you may know the exact truth"

Luke 4:1-13

The Temptation of Jesus

Luke 10:25-37

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 15:1-32

Parables of the lost sheep, coin, and prodigal son