This paper discusses various books in the New Testament, with a specific emphasis on the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline epistles. It addresses how these different books helped define the early doctrines and history of Christianity, with a specific focus of how Paul defined his ministry to the gentiles and Christianity's relationship to Judaism.
¶ … Apostles chronicles the events that transpired after Jesus' death and resurrection. It describes the creation of the ministry of the apostles to spread the word of Jesus to the gentiles as well as the Jews and introduces the 'character' of the Apostle Paul in the history of Christianity.
and 2 Thessalonians
Paul, raised Jewish and a former persecutor of Christians, sets out the mission of his ministry to the gentiles and defines the word of God to the new Christian community.
Corinthians
Paul is concerned about the reversion to pagan ways in Corinth and the immorality of its residents. He sets forth the doctrine of Christian love, as opposed to physical love.
Romans
Paul describes Jesus as a vehicle of salvation in this letter to the mixed community of Jews and gentiles of Rome. Jesus' sacrifice has enabled the redemption of sinful humanity, as distinct from Mosaic Law in the past.
Galatians
One of the most notable controversies in early Christianity was if gentile Christians had to adopt Jewish practices such as circumcision and the laws of kashrut. Paul says this is not necessary as Christians no longer need the law to keep them moral now that Jesus has sacrificed himself to save humanity.
Philippians
Paul wrote this letter after being jailed and imprisoned. He was likely contemplating his own death and thus devotes the letter (which is retrospective in tone) to defining the nature of his ministry.
Ephesians
Ephesians transmits practical advice to the early Christian church. It outlines how worship should transpire, including the role of women.
Pastoral Epistles: 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus
These epistles are called 'pastoral' because they specifically address issues relating to church governance and how bishops and deacons specifically should minister to their congregations and show them the way of truth. It stresses the need for church leaders to set a good example in terms of how they live.
Answer on each essay question:
Q1. Explain the occasion (circumstances under which) Paul wrote the following letters and how the specific circumstances impact the message of the letter: 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians, Romans, Galatians, and Philippians.
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians during the early days of the Church and his ministry to the gentiles when the teachings of Jesus were just beginning to be established. 1 Corinthians and Romans were addressed to specific communities which he felt were falling from the path of Christ and adopting sinful ways. Galatians was used to define the relationship of Christianity to the Judaism that spawned it and to define the specific duties of gentile Christians. Philippians was written towards the end of Paul's life, when he was contemplating his legacy and the end of his ministry in light of his likely future martyrdom.
Q2. Why does Paul have such a harsh tone in his letter to the Galatians? What evidence does the letter give that he is upset?
Paul had extremely specific ideas about the nature and meaning of Jesus' crucifixion. In his mind, Jesus' sacrifice was so important because it created a new way of justifying all humanity through the spirit, versus Mosaic Law. Paul sees the attempt of gentiles to keep Mosaic Law as a reversion to an inferior relationship of humanity to the divine: "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?" (Galatians 3: 1-4). Jesus has created another covenant with all of humanity, not just Jews, and it is the heart that is spiritually circumcised, not the inferior, physical body.
Q3. Using specific examples, describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts.
Although Jesus is no longer physically on the earth, the Holy Spirit, another component of the trinity, exemplifies the force of God continuing to act on earth. In Acts, Saul is struck blind by God and is converted as a result. Paul is said to be filled with the Holy Spirit after his conversion. The Holy Spirit exemplifies how the apostles are continuing to do the work of Jesus: they are not working to serve their own egos; rather the Holy Spirit moves within them to do good and to serve the mission of Christ. The Holy Spirit is not a physical presence, but a spiritual force invested in all of the apostles. "They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:1-3).
Q4. Explain how 1 Corinthians 13 (the chapter about love) relates to 1 Corinthians 11-14.
Paul's famous passage about the need for love underlines the need for unity in the Church: Christians must honor one another and show love equally to one another: "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (Galatians 12:21). All are one in the body of Christ.
Q5. Explain the central argument of Romans.
Addressing the community of Christians in Rome which was made up of Christians and Jews, Paul stresses that faith in Jesus alone is enough, versus a stress upon laws. Jesus transfigures the mind and spirit. Following the law is seen as more worldly while following Jesus is a superior act of the spirit and mind: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:22).
Paul stresses that redemption is possible for all humanity, regardless of their status as Jew or gentile. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism" (Romans 2: 8-11). This establishes Christianity's universal, all-encompassing program of salvation. Gentiles can be good without the law as "They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness" (Romans 2:14).
Q6. Using specific examples, discuss something Paul says about suffering.
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