Hebrews, Etc. Acts the Acts

¶ … Hebrews, Etc. Acts The Acts of the Apostles, traditionally believed to have been penned by St. Luke around 63 AD, is a written in the narrative genre. It relates the events that occurred from the time of Jesus' last instructions to the Apostles before Ascending into Heaven. Then it follows the missions of Sts. Peter and Paul and the founding and spreading of the Church.

One of the key themes of Acts is the emphasis placed upon delivering the Gospel to the Gentiles -- a major factor in the spread of Christianity. Another key theme is the persecution the early Church faced from the very outset. The major characters are Peter and Paul. Some key events include miracles worked by Peter, the arrests of Peter and John, the martyrdom of St. Stephen, Saul's persecution of the Christians, Saul's conversion and baptism; Paul's missions, trials and tribulations, arrests, journeys and escapes.

Hebrews The Epistle to the Hebrews is a composition in the epistolary genre and is traditionally held to be of Pauline authorship (63 AD), despite the fact that the letter has a more literary flair to it the than other epistles written by St. Paul. However, the thoughts and ideas are distinctly Pauline, as seen in the key theme of expressing the superiority of the New Law, which is Jesus Christ, over the Old.

Hebrews identifies the new dispensation as the final revelation of God and the fulfillment of the old covenant established between God and Moses. Written to the Jews, it uses extensive references to the Old Testament, showing the relationship between Jesus as the High Priest, and His sacrifice as truly efficacious. Paul also encourages the Hebrew Christians to bear their sufferings like Christ. Perseverance is the message.

The epistle centers on the character of Jesus as the Son of God, and the major events recorded are the tracing of kings and priests to Christ, the necessity of doctrine, and the faith of the Old Testament ancients like Abel, Noe, Abraham and Sara. Ephesians The letter to the Ephesians, written around 63 AD by St. Paul to the Gentile converts in Ephesus (western Asia Minor), which Paul himself had evangelized is composed in the epistolary narrative.

Its major theme is like that of the epistle to the Colossians, however, it is deeper, fuller, and more systematic in its approach. The Church is defined as the Mystical Body of Christ, through which Christians (members of the body) receive graces as they come from God through the Head of the Body which is Christ. The theme of starting a new and fresh life in the Mystical Body is emphasized as well.

The major characters of Ephesians are the receivers of the letter themselves: the husbands, wives, slaves, and masters, children, and parent: all are called to put on the armor of God, which will serve them will in the battle that will be fought for their souls. No major events are recorded in Ephesians, but the epistle touches on the adoption of Christian morality. Galatians St.

Paul's letter to the Galatians, written some time after their conversion in 52 AD was threatened by the arrival and influence of some Jewish teachers, is composed in the epistolary genre: its major theme is the defense of Paul's person and his doctrine against the false instruction of the Jews. The key events that Paul speaks of are the divine origin of his mission and authority, the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law through Jesus Christ -- who is permanent (unlike the Mosaic Law).

The characters covered by Paul are those referenced in his pronouncement of doctrine, from Abraham, who sets the example of faith, to Ishmael (son of the slave-girl) and Isaac (son of promise). Paul equates Christians with Isaac. A discourse on how.