The New Testament Study Guide 2

Where did Paul preach in Thessalonians?

Paul preached in insulas

shops on the ground floor of an apartment building.

Insula

Paul writes 1 Thess mostly because…

Thessalonians are worried whether their deceased loved ones will be saved. He assures them that their loved ones will be raised and meet Jesus as he comes again.

Paul seems to think he will be alive for what event?

The Second Coming of Christ, also known as the Parousia.

the transporting of believers to heaven at the Second Coming of Christ. 

Rapture

views on death, judgement, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind

Eschatology

another term for ‘second coming’. 

Parousia

Some scholars think 2 Thess was not written by Paul, but ….

by someone writing in Paul’s name.

What is the truth about the so-called “dark ages”?

In the 14th century, people began calling the 5th–14th centuries the “dark ages,” but this is erroneous history—there was no such thing as the dark ages;

What does Jason Combs say about the phrase “Restored Church”?

It is unscriptural and should be seen as shorthand for specific restorations mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants;

What does the “Restored Church” include according to Jason Combs?

The bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants

What are some key elements restored in the latter days, according to Jason Combs?

Establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil, and binding all dispensations together;

What is the ultimate purpose of these restorations, according to Combs?

To prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ;

What does Jason Combs warn against when thinking of the restored Church?

He warns against viewing it as just a reinstitution of the early Christian Church, which limits God’s work in this final dispensation;

What does Combs say about the Church being “version 2.0”?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not merely version 2.0—it goes beyond the ancient Church;

Why was it not sufficient for John the Baptist, Peter, James, and John to give Joseph Smith priesthood authority?

Because prophets from all past dispensations also needed to come to Joseph to bestow additional keys and authority;

Who are some of the prophets who appeared to Joseph Smith to bestow authority?

Adam, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elias, and Moroni

What makes the Restoration in this dispensation unique, according to Combs?

It includes revelations and truths that had never been revealed before, as part of the dispensation of the fulness of times

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How does President Nelson apply Paul’s teaching to us today?

He teaches that being a peacemaker means to “bury your weapons of war” and put aside differences;

What was Paul’s solution to division among Corinthian Christians?

Preaching “Christ crucified”—he taught that they should be like Christ, willing to suffer wrongs and be peacemakers;

What did President Nelson say about being a peacemaker?

“Bury your weapons of war” and put aside your differences;

What is realized eschatology?

The belief that the “final things” have already been fulfilled through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, so we now enjoy the status of “Christ glorified”;

What two sins are the Corinthians guilty of in 1 Corinthians 5?

Sexual immorality and pride;

How does Paul connect sexual immorality and pride?

He sees them as deeply interconnected;

What does Paul say about marital authority in 1 Corinthians?

That the wife has authority over the husband’s body and vice versa—a radical egalitarian idea;

Are all scriptural teachings absolute commandments?

No, some are opinions—Paul marks this in 1 Corinthians 7, though it's not always clear in other scriptures;

Did Paul think he was writing scripture?

No, he thought he was writing a letter, not scripture;

What did Paul believe about the timing of the end of the world?

He likely believed it was coming very soon;

Why did pagan temples function as butcher shops and banquet halls?

Because sacrificed animals were eaten there or their meat was sold in marketplaces;

Paul says not to eat in pagan temples, because

a “weak” Christian might see you.

What was the early Christian sacrament like?

It was a meal;

Why were meals dividing the Corinthian Christians?

Some were getting drunk while others weren’t eating at all;

What does Paul say the sacrament proclaims?

Christ’s death, it reminds us to be submissive and self-sacrificing like Christ crucified

What does Paul mean in 1 Cor 14:34–35 about women speaking in church?

Paul is NOT saying women cannot speak in church;

What does Paul tell the Corinthians to strive for and hunt for?

Strive for spiritual gifts, but hunt for love;

Why does Paul delay discussion about resurrection until the end of 1 Corinthians?

To remind the Corinthians that their glory and resurrection are still in the future—they should focus now on imitating Christ crucified;

What kind of body does Paul say we will have after resurrection?

A “pneumatic body”;

What does “pneuma” mean?

The stuff that makes up the stars;

What did ancient people believe about stars?

Stars were seen as angels;

Is Paul teaching about different kingdoms of glory in 1 Cor 15?

No, that is not Paul’s teaching;

What is Joseph Smith doing in 1 Cor 15:40?

He is not restoring the original text, he is receiving new, modern scripture about the kingdoms of glory

What is missing in Galatians compared to other Pauline letters?

It is the only Pauline letter without a thanksgiving at the beginning;

What “different gospel” were Paul’s rivals teaching in Galatia?

That adherence to circumcision and Jewish law is necessary for salvation

Why does Paul emphasize he had no human teacher?

Because he received the gospel through revelation from Christ

What is the difference between “faith in Christ” and “faithfulness of Christ”?

“Faith in Christ” means our trust and belief in Jesus; “faithfulness of Christ” means Christ’s own loyalty and reliability;

What does the Greek word “pistis” mean?

Wholehearted conviction, commitment, or loyalty not just intellectual assent

What hints at a baptismal formula in Galatians 3:26–29?

The shift from WE (second person) to YOU (first person), references to being clothed in Christ, and no longer being Jew or Greek;

What is Paul’s “trial in the flesh”?

Likely blindness;

Who was included in the church in Rome?

Both Jewish and Gentile Christians;

What action did Emperor Claudius take against the Jews?

He expelled them from Rome for 5 years;

What sin does Paul focus on in Romans 1?

Sexual immorality;

What did President Kimball teach about God’s command to the first man and woman?

That becoming “one flesh” is as important as the command to “multiply and multiply”;

How did President Kimball describe sex?

A wonderful servant but a terrible master; a creative force more powerful than any other in fostering love, companionship, and happiness;

What did President Oaks say about growth and freedom?

“Maximum growth requires maximum freedom.”;

What is the Judicial Model of salvation?

Sin is human disobedience that brings a death penalty, Jesus’s death pays that penalty, salvation is accepting this payment through faith apart from works of the law;

What is the Participation Model of salvation?

Sin is a cosmic power that enslaves people, Jesus’s death defeats this cosmic power, salvation is participating in Christ’s victory through baptism;

What is the Reconciliation Model of salvation?

Christ acts as a mediator to restore the broken relationship between humans and God;

What is the Redemption Model of salvation?

A person (like a slave) is purchased by God through the price of Christ’s blood;

What is the Sacrificial Model of salvation?

Christ’s death is like an animal sacrifice that brings atonement with God;

What is the Rescue Model of salvation?

Christ heroically saves people from physical danger at the cost of His own life;

What is the traditional Protestant interpretation of Romans 3:28?

People are justified by trusting what God has done through Christ, not by doing good works, Faith means belief and Works of the law means all good works;

What is the New Perspective interpretation of Romans 3:28?

Works of the law refers to covenant markers (like circumcision) that identify Jews. People are justified by faith as loyalty/commitment including good works, not by being faithful to Jewish covenant laws;

What does “faith” mean in the New Perspective interpretation?

Loyalty and commitment, including good works

What does “works of the law” mean in the New Perspective interpretation?

Only the specific Jewish covenant works such as circumcision, Sabbath observance, and dietary restrictions;

What does the “Already / Not Yet” concept mean for Christians?

Christ has already conquered death, but the world has not yet fully experienced this victory;

What is the Christian understanding of heaven?

Heaven is not a separate place to go; it will be on the earth when it is renewed;

What was a major aspect of the early Christian sacrament?

Celebrating the creation;