Difference between revisions of "PAUL THE APOSTLE 10"

Latest revision as of 20:38, 15 December 2018

PAUL THE APOSTLE 10

Philemon. The subject of this epistle is Onesimus, a runaway slave owned by Philemon, a Gentile Christian living in Colossae, who had been converted to Christianity under Paul's ministry. Paul was in prison in Rome when he met Onesimus and converted him to Christianity too. Paul is sending Onesimus, accompanied by Tychicus, back to Philemon with this epistle, the dominant theme of which is forgiveness. Paul's instruction to Philemon in the epistle provides the biblical definition of forgiveness, without ever using the word. The epistle also illustrates how Paul dealt with slavery. He set forth Christian principles which undermine the evils of slavery by changing the hearts of both slaves and masters. The epistle also illustrates the message of the gospel. Once a slave to sin, Onesimus is now a beloved brother in the Lord and Philemon is challenged to show Onesimus the same forgiveness, and pardon him, as Christ also forgave and pardoned Philemon. Paul closes with greetings and a benediction.

Hebrews. While it is not known precisely who wrote this epistle, the thoughts and the reasonings throughout are Paul's, and the conclusion is like other epistles Paul wrote. Further, in 2Pe 3:15-16, Peter confirms the fact that Paul wrote a letter to the Jews. As well, He 10:34 (KJV) and 13:24 show that the author had been in prison in Italy, and Paul is the only one who wrote any epistles from prison in Italy. As was noted earlier in this study, Paul was under house-arrest in Rome for two years when he wrote the epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, and he was later in prison in Rome when he wrote his second epistle to Timothy.

The theme of the epistle to the Hebrews is to present the superiority of Christ as God over men and angels; the superiority of the New Covenant in Christ over the Old Covenant under the law of Moses; to prove that the Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ and completely abolished; to confirm Jewish Christians in the faith, and to set forth New Covenant doctrines for all men. The backbone of the epistle is the finality of Christ for salvation. Because of the perfect sacrifice of Himself, He is the only mediator between God and man. The epistle begins by showing that Christ is the Son of God and is therefore superior to angels. Christ is the author of salvation, and angels minister to the needs of those He saves, in light of which Christians are warned against ignoring the salvation He provides. Christ is superior to Moses. Moses was a servant in the house of God, whereas Christ is the Son over God's house, who Christians are. It would be tragic for Christians to cease trusting Him, and they are warned against unbelief. They must labour to enter into God's rest which He has provided for them in Christ. Scripture will determine who enters in. It lays bare any insincerity or lack of diligence on the part of all who profess to be Christians.

Next, the writer contrasts the Old Testament high priest with Jesus, the high priest of the New Testament, who has gone to Heaven. The difference between them is that the Old Testament high priest was a sinner himself, and had to offer up sacrifices for himself and his household as well as for the people, whereas Jesus, although He was tempted on all points, was sinless. Therefore Christians in need of mercy and grace can come confidently to the throne of God knowing that they will obtain mercy and find grace. After another warning to Christians against defecting from the faith, the writer then compares Christ's eternal priesthood under the New Covenant with the temporary Levitical priesthood under the Old Covenant. God has made Christ a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek, an Old Testament type of the eternal priesthood of Christ. Because he lives for ever, Christ is able to save all who come to God through Him, and He continually intercedes on their behalf with God.

The New Covenant in Christ is far superior to the Old Covenant, and as a consequence it was completely abolished. Everything the Old Covenant involved - the law, the gifts and sacrifices for sin were but a shadow of things to come. Even the earthly tabernacle - it too was simply an example of the Heavenly reality. It typified God's dwelling place in Heaven into which Jesus entered bearing His own blood after His death on the cross. The Old Testament priests could not provide direct access to God for his people through the blood of animal sacrifices. It is only through the blood of Jesus that one can have direct access to God. The teaching here is very clear - the Old Covenant had failed, and so it was completely abolished and replaced with the New Covenant in Christ. It was only Christ's sacrifice of Himself that satisfied God's justice and provided permanent sanctification of believers. His sacrifice calls for Christians to live faithfully, even under persecution. The writer urges Christians not to stop fellowshipping with each other - not to stop going to church. As the coming again of Jesus to take all the saints of God back to Heaven with Him draws closer, Christians are to stir each other up in love and exhort each other to fulfil their function in the church.

PAUL THE APOSTLE 11

Advanced Bible Studies 2

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 [[PAUL THE APOSTLE 11]]
-[[Advanced Bible Studies 2]]
-==PAUL THE APOSTLE 11==
-If Christians fall into sin and apostatise they will forfeit their salvation. They must retain their faith to be saved. Faith lays claim to the unseen realities of God and His Person; it presses on even if some of God's promises have not yet manifested; it risks everything for God and His purposes, and endures even in the face of death. The writer urges Christians to walk in the way God has prescribed for them, putting off everything that hinders their walk and any specific sin they have clung to. Jesus is the perfect example of faith to inspire them to persevere. Next, the writer admonishes Christians to keep on loving one another, to welcome strangers into their home - they might be angels, to remember those in prison for their faith as though in prison with them, and those suffering for their faith as though suffering with them. He explains that marriage is honourable - the emotional pleasure of sexual intimacy within marriage is ordained by God. Christians are to be content with such as they have and not covet more, so that they can testify to God, who
-will never leave them nor forsake them, as being their source of supply.
-The writer further admonishes Christians to appreciate those who instruct them in the word of God, and to copy their faith. He exhorts them to reject the corrupt world system and its practices, and be prepared to bear the contempt and abuse and shame that Jesus bore. Christians are to maintain a yielding disposition, and remain open to the persuasion of their leaders to make their work a joy and not a burden. The writer concludes the epistle with prayer and greetings and a benediction. He asks the recipients of the epistle to bear with it (CP 1:1 - 13:25).
-This section of our study on the epistles of Paul is now completed, as too is the overall study. It is interesting to note here in closing the study that Peter includes Paul's epistles as part of the inspired sacred scriptures (CP 2Pe 3:16). Paul's epistles, formulating, interpreting, and applying the essence of Christianity, are vital to Christian theology and practice. Paul was the most influential teacher of Christianity, and his achievements proclaim him as an unexcelled missionary statesman. He was truly a chosen vessel unto God.
-These Studies by Br Val Boyle may be downloaded and freely distributed but not sold for profit.
 [[Advanced Bible Studies 2]]