Biblical Foundations Test 3 Study Notes

Biblical Foundations Test 3 Study Notes

Apostle Paul's Missionary Journeys

  • Total Missionary Journeys: The Apostle Paul is normally understood to have undertaken three (3) voluntary missionary journeys.

Details of Paul's Missionary Journeys

  1. First Missionary Journey
       - Base of Operations: Paul's base at the beginning was Antioch.
       - Itinerary: Reflected in an image (not provided in transcript).

  2. Second Missionary Journey
       - Base of Operations: Paul established his base in Corinth during this journey.
       - Itinerary: Reflected in an image (not provided in transcript).

  3. Third Missionary Journey
       - Base of Operations: Paul spent more extended time in Ephesus.
       - Itinerary: Reflected in an image (not provided in transcript).

Arrest and Imprisonment

  • Final Arrest Location: Paul was arrested at the end of his third missionary journey in Jerusalem.

  • First Trip to Rome: Paul first went to Rome as a prisoner around AD 59-60 as per the Book of Acts.

Significant Figures in the Book of Acts

  • Focus Figures: The primary human figures in the Book of Acts are Paul and Peter.

Pauline Letters

Overview of Paul's Letters

  • Letter to the Galatians:
       - Summary: "Since my gospel is not of human origin but divine, and since your experience and the Scriptures show that we have become members of God's eschatological people by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law (and since the Spirit is the true remedy for the problem of the flesh and the law is not) remain firm in the gospel message that you received and do not accept the yoke of the Law through circumcision."
       - Marked by numerous dualisms.

  • Romans:
       - The first half might be structured based on two different parts of Habakkuk 2:4.

  • 1 Corinthians:
       - Themes: Around wisdom, sexual (im)morality, worship, and the Resurrection.

Themes and Concepts in Ephesians

  • Main Theme (per Dr. Ciampa): "We should imitate God" is suggested as a main theme of the second half of Ephesians.

Justification

  • Meaning of Justification: To be declared righteous by God (the act of God's grace).

Timeline of Paul's Ministry

  • Chronology of Letters:
       - Letters probably written after the first missionary journey but before the second: Galatians.
       - Letters during the second missionary journey: 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
       - Letters during the third missionary journey: Corinthians and Romans.

Special Epistle Categories

  • Catholic or General Epistles: Includes Hebrews, James, Peter, John, Jude.

  • Prison Epistles: Includes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon.

  • Pastoral Epistles: Includes Timothy, Titus.

New Testament Structure

  • New Testament Divisions:
       1. The Gospels
       2. Acts
       3. The Epistles
       4. Revelation

Apocalyptic Literature

  • Revelation: Reflects the literary genre of a Jewish apocalypse, borne out of persecution or oppression.

  • Common Misconception (T/F): Generally, apocalypses do not intend to provide detailed chronological accounts of the future. True or False?

Approaches to Revelation Interpretation

  1. Preterist: Focuses on first-century crises regarding the Roman Empire and promises of divine intervention.

  2. Historical: Symbolical prophetic history of the Church.

  3. Idealist: Uses timeless symbols for various historical situations faced by believers.

  4. Extreme Futurist: Views Revelation's two peoples of God as Israel and the Church with a focus on end times.

  5. Moderate Futurist: Interprets historical references considering God’s redemptive plan over time.

  6. Amillennialism: The thousand-year reign is a symbolic representation of the current church age.

  7. Postmillennialism: Represents a triumph of Christianity right before Christ’s return.

  8. Premillennialism: Describes the reign of Christ established on earth post-second coming.

Paul's Early Life and Conversion

  • Paul in Arabia: After his encounter with Christ, Dr. Ciampa suggests Paul was engaged in preaching in Arabia.

  • Reason for Journey to Damascus: Paul intended to imprison followers of the Way prior to meeting Christ.

Jewish Influence and Context

  • Maccabean Revolt Leaders: The Macabees led the revolt against King Antiochus Epiphanes who outlawed Jewish faith.

  • Jewish Sects:
       - Pharisees: Popular and believed in the resurrection; sought purity.
       - Sadducees: Aristocratic, influential in the temple, did not believe in resurrection or angels.
       - Samaritans: Accepted only Pentateuch, accused of ethnical impurity.

Inaugurated Eschatology

Key Concepts in Eschatological Diagrams

  • Present Evil Age: Labeled as "a"

  • Age to Come: Labeled as "b"

  • First Coming of Christ: Labeled as "c"

  • Second Coming of Christ: Labeled as "d"

Promises in Ezekiel

  • Ezekiel’s Promise: God promises to give his people a new heart to enable obedience (Ezekiel 36).

  • Concept of CSER: Stands for Creation, Sin, Exile, Restoration.

Scholars' Views on Authorship

  • Earliest Gospel: Majority of scholars believe the Gospel of Matthew is not the earliest, despite common beliefs.

Summary of Key Dates in Paul's Life

  • Paul's Conversion: AD 30-33/34

  • First Missionary Journey: AD 47-48 (Galatians written: AD 48-49)

  • Jerusalem Council: AD 49

  • Second Missionary Journey: AD 49-52

  • Third Missionary Journey: AD 52-57 (Base of Operations in Ephesus: AD 52-55)
       - Letters written during this period: 1 Corinthians (AD 54), 2 Corinthians (AD 56), Romans (AD 57)

Conclusion

This culminative study guide reflects on the complex narratives and teachings of Apostle Paul and the New Testament, providing key insights and timelines for deeper understanding of New Testament foundations.