Jesus, Salvation, and the Early Church: Key Teachings
The Purpose of the Gospels
The Gospels were written for distinct purposes:
- Matthew: To demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah.
- Mark: To portray Jesus as the Servant of the Lord.
- Luke: To show Jesus as the Son of Man.
- John: To reveal Jesus as the Son of God.
Miracles of Jesus
Jesus’ miracles were performed to demonstrate that He was the Messiah.
Three Signs in John’s Gospel
- Healing the officer’s son shows Jesus’ power over distance.
- Healing the man at the pool shows Jesus’ power over time.
- Healing the blind man shows Jesus’ power over physical handicaps.
The Upper Room Discourse
In the Upper Room, Jesus told His disciples that He was leaving soon and that they could not go with Him. He promised to return later to take them to His Father’s house. He also assured them that He would not leave them alone but would send another Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to be with them.
Luke’s Two Books: Acts and the Gospel of Luke
Luke’s two books are related historically as they both describe the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples as witnesses, and the ascension of the Lord Jesus into Heaven.
Main Theme of Luke’s Teaching in Acts
The main theme of Luke’s teaching in Acts is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Paul took three missionary journeys.
Paul’s Preaching Strategy
- To the Jews: He used the Old Testament as the basis for his message.
- To the Gentiles: He usually began his message by describing something around them.
Paul’s strategy can be applied in ministry today by contextualizing the Gospel message to the audience.
The Book of Romans: Main Topic
The main topic in the book of Romans is Salvation and Redemption.
God’s Justice and Forgiveness
God can be just yet forgive guilty sinners because of the redeeming work of Christ.
Believers Expressing Redemption
Believers express their redemption through dedicating themselves to the Lord, humbly serving others, and by having good relationships with others.
Paul’s Reasons for Believing the Gospel (Galatians)
Paul gave the Galatians three reasons for believing the Gospel:
- His Gospel was from Christ.
- The Gospel was not a new thing.
- The Gospel works in personal experience.
Redemption in 1 Corinthians
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasized that redemption must be applied in everyday situations.
Important Teachings in 2 Corinthians
- The Character and work of God.
- Life after death.
- The difference between the Old and New Covenants.
- Christian Stewardship.
Themes of Ephesians and Philippians
- Ephesians: The Church as the body of Christ.
- Philippians: Unity.
False Teachings in Colossae
The text does not specify the false teachings, but it is implied that there were some.
Paul’s Teaching in Philemon
In the book of Philemon, Paul taught about forgiveness and restoration by substitution.
Reason for Writing 2 Thessalonians
Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians because someone was teaching that the Day of the Lord had already come.
Purposes for Writing 1 Timothy
- To encourage Timothy as a person.
- To explain Timothy’s leadership responsibilities.
Three Things Needed by a Good Church (1 Timothy)
- Good prayer life: Paul explained for whom and for what a church should pray.
- Organization: He explained the requirements for church elders, deacons, and their wives, and also the work church leaders should do.
- Administration: He said that a church should care for its members in a good way, especially widows who are old and unable to care for themselves.
Illustrations of a Christian Leader (2 Timothy)
Paul used several illustrations of a Christian leader in 2 Timothy, including:
- As a son, he should be strong and active.
- As an instrument, he is to be holy and useful for the master.
- As a servant, he is to be gentle and helpful.
Comparisons Showing Jesus is Greater (Hebrews)
- He is greater than the angels because He is their Creator.
- He is greater than Moses and Joshua because He is the Master over the servants.
- He is greater than Aaron and the other priests because He is the High Priest.
- He is greater because He brings the New Covenant, which is greater than the Old Covenant.
- His sacrifice is greater than the offerings of bulls and goats.
Important Word in 1 Peter
The word “suffer” is used 11 times in 1 Peter when talking about Christian life.
God’s Will and Suffering
Yes, it is God’s will for believers to suffer at times because sometimes we suffer so that we learn to trust our souls to the faithful Creator.
Problems Addressed in 2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude
These books address the basic problem of false teachings in the Church.
Relationship Between God and His Children (1 John)
The word often used in 1 John to describe the relationship between God and His children is “fellowship.”
Conditions for Cleansing (1 John)
According to 1 John, two conditions believers must meet to be cleansed by the blood of Christ are:
- Believers must confess their sins.
- Believers must walk in the light.
Pictures of Christ in Revelation
- Jesus standing among the lampstands (Revelation 1:9-3:20).
- The worthy Lamb who judges the world (Revelation 4-11).
- Jesus, the Bridegroom and King of kings, returning to the world (Revelation 19:11-21).
Methods of Interpreting Revelation
- Futurist view: This method focuses on the future and predicts events that will take place at the end of the age.
- Historicist view: Focuses on the entire history of the church and that Revelation is being fulfilled century by century.
- Idealist view: Focuses only on spiritual realities and says the events in Revelation will never really take place.
- Preterist view: Focuses on the early church and says that everything in the book was fulfilled at that time.
Purposes of the Book of Revelation
- To show the condition of the churches.
- To encourage believers in a time of persecution.
- To let all believers know that victory was theirs through Jesus Christ.
- To reveal Christ.