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New Testament Survey

Presented: By Dean Morgan

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1 CorinthiansThe Book Of Gifts

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1 Corinthians

• Theme: The letter revolves around the theme of problems in Christian conduct in the church. It thus has to do with progressive sanctification, the continuing development of holiness of character.

• When and Where Written: A.D. 55, in Ephesus, at the close of Paul’s three-year ministry.

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1 Corinthians

• Key Chapters:1. 13; Love – the way of Christian

living2. 15; Resurrection – victory over

death• Key Verse: 1:10 (NIV) “I appeal to

you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought”.

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1 Corinthians

• Key Word: Wisdom• Key Phrase: Let all things be done

decently and in order: 14:40• Key Thought: Church order.• Spiritual Thought: Come to Him for

all gifts.• Christ Is Seen As: The firstfruits of

the dead: 15:20.

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2 CorinthiansThe Book Of The Ministers Heart

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2 Corinthians

• It contains more autobiographical material than any of his other writings.

Things About His Life Found Only Here

1. His escape from Damascus in a basket (11:32,33).

2. His experience of being caught up to the third heaven (12:1-4).

3. His thorn in the flesh (12:7).

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2 Corinthians

• When and Where Written: A.D. 56, on Paul’s third missionary journey, probably from Philippi, after the events of Acts 19:23-20:3.

• Key Chapter: 5. Promise of immortality.

• Key Verses: 4:5; 5:17; 5:20• Key Word: Boast, or glory.

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2 Corinthians

• Key Phrase: The signs of an apostle: 12:12.

• Key Thought: Paul’s defense of his ministry.

• Spiritual Thought: My grace is sufficient for you: 12:9.

• Christ Is Seen As: Our Sufficiency: 3:5.

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GalatiansThe Book Of Liberty

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Galatians

• Galatians is the Christian’s “Magna Charta”, or Declaration of Independence.

• Subject: The gospel as the power of the life of the believer.

• Key Chapter: 3. Justification by faith.• Key Verse: 2:16

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Galatians

• Key Word: Liberty.• Key Phrase: Stand fast in the liberty:

5:1.• Key Thought: Redeemed from the

curse of the law: 3:13.• Spiritual Thought: Come to Christ for

liberty and power.• Christ Is Seen As: Our Liberator: 1:4;

5:1.

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EphesiansThe Epistle Of Fullness

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Ephesians

• The Greek work for church is ecclesia, which means an assembly of called-out ones.

• Subject: Calling, conduct, and conflict of the church.

• Key Chapter: 1 – The believer in Christ• Key Verse: l:3 – “Blessed be the God and

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”.

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Ephesians

• Key Word: Fullness• Key Phrase: In Christ – in the

heavenlies: 2:6.• Key Thought: Our blessings in Christ in

the heavenlies: 1:3.• Spiritual Thought: Come to Him for

fullness of life.• Christ Is Seen As: The Head of the

Church: 1:22; 5:23.

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PhilippiansPaul’s Joy Letter

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Philippians

• The theme of joy in Christ is echoed 16 times in the four chapters of this letter.

• Subject: Christ our Life, Example, Goal, and Strength.

• Purpose: Written for the joy and progress of our faith (1:25), and to teach the Christian that his experiences are not shaped by outward circumstances but by the life of Christ within.

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Philippians

• Key Chapter: 2. Christ, the believer’s Pattern

• Key Verse: 2:5 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”.

• Key Phrase: Rejoice in the Lord: 4:4.• Key Thought: Christian experience• Spiritual Thought: The mind of Christ;

esteeming other better than self: 2:3,5.• Christ is seen as: Our strength: 4:13.

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ColossiansChrist Preeminent

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Colossians: The Colossian Heresy

1. Ceremonialism

2. Asceticism

3. Angel Worship

4. Depreciation of Christ

5. Secret Knowledge

6. Reliance on human wisdom and tradition

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Colossians: Christ Is All In All

• In His deity – The image of the invisible God (1:15)

• In creation – Sovereign Creator of the universe (1:15-16)

• In preeminence – Before all things (1:18)

• In redemption – Reconciling the universe through His blood (1:20-22)

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Colossians: Christ Is All In All

• In headship – Over all principalities and powers (1:18; 2:14)

• In His church – The Head of the body (1:18; 2:19)

• In His indwelling presence – The Christian’s hope (1:27).

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Colossians

• Key Chapter: 1. The indwelling Christ.• Key Verses: 2:9, 10 – “For in Him

dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

• Key Word: Fullness.• Key Phrase: With Christ.

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Colossians

• Key Thought: Christ preeminent.

• Spiritual Thought: Crown Him Lord of all.

• Christ Is Seen As: The fullness of the Godhead: 1:19; 2:9.

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Colossians

The rule that governs my life as this one man says, “Anything that

dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps my prayer life, or makes

Christian work difficult is wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian,

turn away from it.”

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First ThessaloniansThe Epistle Of The Rapture

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1 Thessalonians: Purpose

• Paul wrote this letter (1) to vindicate his own character (2:3-9); (2) to encourage them to loyalty in spite of persecution (2:13-16); (3) to confirm these young Christians in truth already taught (3:1-4:2); (4) to exhort them to holiness of life (4:3-8); and (5) to comfort them concerning those already asleep in Jesus (4:13-5:11).

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The Believers At Thessalonica

1. Received the Word: 1:6b; 2:13

2. Were saved from wrath: 1:10

3. Turned from idol: 1:9a

4. Presented their bodies a living sacrifice: 2 Corinthians 8:1, 5

5. Followed God: 1:6a

6. Served the living and true God: 1:9b

7. Suffered persecution; for living godly: 1:6; 3:3,6, 7

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The Believers At Thessalonica

8. Were joyful in the Spirit: 1:6c

9. Had works of faith and love: 3:6, 7

10.Were examples to others: 1:7, 8

11.Supported missions: 2 Corinthians 8:3, 4

12.Prayed for missionaries:2 Corinthians 8:3,4

13.Were looking for the second coming of Christ: 1:10

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1 Thessalonians: Christ Return

1. Wait for His Son from heaven: 1:10

2. In Christ’s presence at His coming: 2:19

3. At the coming of our Lord: 3:13

4. To meet the Lord in the air: 4:17

5. Unto the coming of the Lord: 5:23

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1 Thessalonians

• Subject: The coming of our Lord for His church.

• Key Chapter: 4. The Rapture• Key Verses: 1:9,10 – “For they

themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

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1 Thessalonians

• Key Word: Coming.• Key Phrase: in Christ –hopeful: 4:13-

18.• Key Thought: Waiting for His Son from

heaven: 1:10.• Spiritual Thought: He is surely coming

again.• Christ Is Seen As: Our Coming Lord:

1:10; 4:16,17.

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Second ThessaloniansChrist’s Second Coming

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2 Thessalonians

• Paul wrote this second letter to reassure them of Christ’s coming to vindicate their cause (l:5-12); to explain that certain events must first come to pass before Christ’s return (2:1-12); and to exhort them to lead a quiet, sober, and industrious life (3:6-15).

• Theme: Like 1 Thessalonians, this letter deals extensively with eschatology.

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2 Thessalonians

• Subject: The coming of Christ to judge those who obey not the gospel: 1:7-9.

• Key Verses: 2:13,14 – “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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2 Thessalonians

• Key Word: Waiting.• Key Phrase: In Christ – glorified• Key Thought: The Day of the Lord.• Spiritual Thought: Wait and work

till He comes

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The Pastoral EpistlesFirst And Second Timothy And Titus

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First Timothy Advice To Ministers

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1 Timothy

• Timothy means “God-honoring”. • “St. Paul writes this epistle as a

model for all bishops, what they shall teach, and how they shall rule the Christian Church in all circumstances, so that they need not guide Christian men by their own human darkness.”

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1 Timothy

• Subject: The teaching and conduct which is becoming in the church of God.

• Purpose: To give caution and guidance to every servant of God in this dispensation.

• Date: 1 Timothy was written sometime after the events of Acts 28 (c. 63-65), at least 8 years after Paul’s three year stay in Ephesus (Acts 19:8,10; 20:31).

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1 Timothy

• Key Chapter: 1. Legalism and false teaching rebuked.

• Key Verses: 3:14,15 – “Things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth”.

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1 Timothy

• Key Word: Charge.• Key Phrase: In Christ – faithful.• Key Thought: Order in the house of

God: 3:15• Spiritual Thought: Guard the

gospel.• Christ Is Seen As: The Mystery of

Godliness: 3:16.

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1 Timothy: A Heart For Knowing God

1. Constantly nourish yourself on the Word of God

2. Relentlessly avoid error

3. Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness

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Second Timothy Paul’s Final Message

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2 Timothy

• Subject: The unchangeable authority and power of God’s Word in the last days.

• Purpose: To show why Scripture has been given to man: 3:16, 17.

• Key Chapter: 3. The believer’s resource for apostasy.

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2 Timothy

• Key Verse: 2:15 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.

• Key Word: Charge.• Key Phrase: In Christ –exultant.• Key Thought: Guard the witness.• Spiritual Thought: Guard the witness!!• Christ Is Seen As: Our righteous Judge:

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Titus Advice To Pastors And Churches

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Titus

• Crete: The fourth largest island of the Mediterranean.

• In N.T. times life in Crete had sunk to a deplorable moral level.

• Subject: The good works becoming Christian believers.

• Key Chapter: 2. Direction for doctrine and conduct.

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Titus

• Key Verses: 1:5; 3:5. 1:5 – “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you”.

• 3:5 – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit”.

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Titus

• Key Word: Profitable.• Key Phrase: In Christ – ministering.• Key Thought: Set things in order.• Spiritual Thought: Adorn the doctrine.• Christ Is Seen As: Great God and

Savior: 2:10, 11; 3:4,6.

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Titus: Life With A Capital L

• Leave the old life.

• Live the new life.

• Look for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of Christ.

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Titus: Good Works

• A pattern of good works – 2:7• Zealous of good works – 2:14• Ready to every good work -3:1• Careful to maintain good works -3:8• Maintain good works for necessary

uses – 3:14

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Philemon The Original Emancipation Proclamation

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Philemon

• Philemon, to whom this letter was written (vs. 1-13), was a member of the church at Colosse.

• He was a man of considerable means, a possessor of slaves, and a benevolent believer (vs. 5-7).

• His name means, “affectionate” • Apphia was probably his wife;

Archippus his son.

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Philemon

• Subject: Salvation and restoration of a runaway slave.

• Key Verse: 16 – “No longer as a slave but more than a slave – a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord”.

• Key Word: Receive.

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Philemon

• Key Phrase: In Christ – a Brotherhood.

• Key Thought: Christian servitude.• Spiritual Thought: Be kind to all for

Christ’s sake.• Christ Is Seen As: the Payer of our

sin-debt.

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The General Epistles

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The General Epistles

• The “General Letters” are those writings in which the author designated the recipients in general terms rather than with a specific location.

• They discussed problems the church faced in its later growth and expansion.

• All the writers presented a picture of a Savior whose strength could sustain them (Heb. 4:14-16).

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Hebrews The Book Of

Shadows And Substance

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Hebrews: Occasion

1. To stress superiority of Christ over Judaism: 1:1-5:10

2. To check apostasy: 3:6, 14

3. To encourage and stimulate faith: 6:1-12

4. To show that the O.T. system, in spite of all its pomp and glory, was only a shadow: 8: 1-9:10

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Hebrews: Occasion

5. To show that O.T. sacrifices were already abolished by Christ’s sacrificial death: 9:11-10:39

6. To urge these believers to live up to their privileges – “go on to perfection”: 6:1; 11; 1-13:17

7. To show Hebrew Christians that they had to quit being Hebrews.

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Hebrews

• This book has been called the fifth Gospel. • This book was written to strengthen the

faith of wavering Christians. • Subject: Christ as Someone Better Than,

and His work Something Better Than anything in Judaism.

• Purpose: To draw the Hebrew Christians back from Judaism to Christ and His work, and to draw believers today unto Christ from a life formality and mere profession

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Hebrews

• Key Chapters: 9 and 11. Shadows give way to Reality.

• Key Words:

1. Better, used 13 times

2. Heaven, or heavenly, used 15 times

3. Once, or once for all, used 9 times

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Hebrews

• Spiritual Thought: He is our Intercessor at God’s throne: 1:3; 7:25.

• Christ Is Seen As: The Apostle and High Priest of our profession: 3:1.

• Theology: The Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes the person of Christ.

• Hebrews also emphasizes the finality of Christ’s work.

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James The Book Of Practical Christianity

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James

• Someone has called James the “Proverb” of the N.T.

• When and Where Written: A.D. 45, in Jerusalem.

• Key Chapter: 2. Test of faith.• Key Verses: 2:20 – “But do you want to

know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

• 2:26 – “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also”.

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James

• Key Word: Works.• Key Phrase: Be ye doers of the Word.• Key Thought: The practice of faith.• Spiritual Thought: Prove your faith in

your life (Phil. 2:12, 13)• Christ Is Seen As: The Lord who

draws near: 4:6-8.

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James

• James reminds us in a forthright way that faith involves doing.

• We cannot just say we are believers; we must show it in our lives.

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First PeterThe Book Of Christian Discipline

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1 Peter

• After Pentecost he is seen as the “dean” of the apostles.

• He sought to give them hope as strangers on earth, but with an inheritance in heaven.

• Peter has been called the “apostle of hope”, Paul, the “apostle of faith”, and John, the “apostle of love”.

• Peter also probably wrote to show his support of Paul’s teaching (2Peter 3:15-18).

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1 Peter

• Subject: The pilgrim’s pathway of suffering.

• Purpose: To encourage us when tried in order that we may be perfect, established, strengthened, and settled: 5:9, 10.

• Key Chapter: 1. Assurance and promises for believers.

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1 Peter

• Key Word: Suffer (used 15 times).• Key Phrase: Pilgrims and strangers.• Key Thought: The Christian’s hope• Spiritual Thought: He is precious: 2:7.• Christ Is Seen As: The suffering Lamb:

1:19; 2:21.

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Second PeterThe Book Of Christian Diligence

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2 Peter

• Peter’s letters, to strengthen the believer, are twofold: the first to encourage them to keep their faith in the midst of suffering—perils from without; the second to encourage them to know truth in the face of mounting heresies and apostasy—perils from within.

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2 Peter

• “It is not so much how you start in the faith but how you continue.”

• Subject: Last things—eternal kingdom, second coming, judgment of the wicked, day of the Lord.

• Purpose: To help us grow in grace: 3:18.

• When and Where Written: A.D. 66 or 67, probable in Babylon.

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2 Peter

• Key Chapter: 2. Warning concerning apostate teachers.

• Key Verse: 3:2.• Key Word: Knowledge.• Key Phrase: Full knowledge of God:

1:2.• Key Thought: Be mindful: 3:2.• Spiritual Thought: Never stop

growing.

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First JohnThe Epistle Of Knowledge And

Assurance

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First John

• John wrote to combat false teaching:

1. That they cherish the truth that Jesus did come in the flesh (4:1, 2).

2. That they could not practice sin and at the same time walk in God’s truth and light.

3. That they may know that they have a superior knowledge of God and His truths.

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First John

• The licentious principles and practices John condemned are:

a. That believers had no sin in them (1:8);

b. That they could love the world, the flesh, and the devil, and still be Christians (2:15);

c. Idolatry (5:21).

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First John

• Subject: The family of God at home.• Purpose: To reveal truth concerning

fellowship (1:3), and that we may know that we have eternal life (5:11-13).

• When and Where Written: A.D. 85-90, probably in Ephesus, where he was bishop of the church there after the death of Timothy.

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First John

• Theme: Three criteria for testing the Christian profession of teachers and individual Christians:

1. Professing Christians needed to present righteousness as the right behavior (2:3-4).

2. They must demonstrate love as the correct attitude of Christian living (4:8).

3. They needed to hold to the correct view of Christ as the proper teaching of Christians (4:3).

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First John

• Key Chapter: 5. Faith for overcoming.• Key Verse: 5:13• Key Word: Fellowship.• Key Phrase: “if we say.”• Key Thought: Stand in the truth.• Spiritual Thought: He is the Life.• Christ Is Seen As: The Son of God.

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First John

• Why John Wrote:

a. That we might have salvation: John 20:31

b. That we might have satisfaction: 1:4

c. That we might have sanctification: 2:1

d. That we might have safety: 2:26

e. That we might have security: 5:13

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First John

• Worldliness: 2:15-17

a. Lust of the flesh—to experience something

b. Lust of the eye—to have something

c. Pride of life—a desire to be something

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Second John

The Epistle Of Love And Truth

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Second John

• Occasion of Writing: To warn against the corrupting influences of false teachers denying the reality of Christ’s humanity and to encourage Christians to “love in the truth.”

• Character: Family Epistle• Subject: The Truth as it is in Christ.

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Second John - Theme

• First, he urged his readers to practice love with one another (2 John 5).

• Second, he called them to practice truth in affirming the correct doctrine about Jesus (2 John 7-11).

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Second John

• Key Verse: 6• Key Word: Love.• Key Phrase: Abide in the doctrine.• Key Thought: Walk in the Truth.• Spiritual Thought: Preserve the

Truth.

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Third John

The Epistle Of Christian Hospitality

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Third John

• Subject: Humility—a characteristic becoming an elder or pastor in a church.

• Purpose: To teach us God’s place for us as witnesses of the truth and to warn against self-exaltation and self-assumption in the ministry.

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Third John

• Key Verse: 4, 8• Key Word: Truth• Key Phrase: Fellow• Key Thought: Spread the Truth.• Spiritual Thought: He is the Way.

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Jude

The Epistle To Remedy Apostasy

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Cardinal Doctrines

1. The triune God: vs. 1, 20

2. The historicity of the Old Testament: vs. 5-11

3. Existence of angels: v. 6

4. Satan’s existence and power: v. 9

5. Judgment and retribution: vs. 6, 7, 13, 15

6. Christ’s second coming: vs. 14, 15

7. Christ’s Deity: v. 25

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Jude

• Purpose: To keep us from falling and to present us faultless before His presence: v. 24.

• Key Verse: 24• Key Word: Kept• Key Phrase: Earnestly contend• Key Thought: Present faultless• Spiritual Thought: He is able.

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RevelationThe Book Of Final Consummation

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Apostolic Theology

1. The events accomplished by God, particularly as they pertain to the person of Jesus Christ, have all been done in fulfillment of Scripture.

2. God has powerfully acted for our salvation especially through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

3. This same Jesus is now the exalted Lord.

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Apostolic Theology

4. All who believe and confess the person of Jesus Christ will experience the salvation of God.

5. God’s Spirit has been poured out on all those who name the name of Christ.

6. Commitment to God through Christ means participation in a fellowship of worship and instruction.

7. This same Jesus will come again to rescue those who have confessed Him in faithfulness.

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Revelation

• Key Chapter: 19. Christ’s coming in glory.

• Key Verse: 1:19• Key Word: Overcometh• Key Phrase: He that hath an ear let

him hear: 2:7.• Key Thought: The Revelation of Jesus

Christ: 1:1• Spiritual Thought: Read the Word of

God: 1:3