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6. Early Church Letters

Letters of the early church, including the book of Revelation, comprisethe final one-sixth of a one year read-through of the Bible. While reading, put the background, theme, and outline of these books into your own words and memorize. Historical dates given here are approximate.

ROMANS

Background

Paul writes to the Roman church from Corinth around 57 AD

Theme
The gift of righteousness

Outline
Doctrine and Behavior

FIRST CORINTHIANS

Background

Paul writes to the Corinthian church from Ephesus around 56 AD

Theme
The Gospel is to Transform Lives

Outline
Divisions, Sexual Misconduct, and Questions

SECOND CORINTHIANS

Background

Paul writes to the Corinthian church from Macedonia around 56 AD

Theme
Defense of Paul's Ministry and Authority

Outline
Paul's Character, a Collection for the Saints, and Paul's Credentials

GALATIANS

Background

Paul writes to the Galatian church possibly from Syrian Antioch around 49 AD

Theme
The Gospel of Grace

Outline
Biographical Explanation, Doctrinal Exposition, and Practical Application

EPHESIANS

Background

Paul writes to the Ephesian church while a prisoner in Rome about 60-61 AD

Theme
The Body of Christ (the Church)

Outline
Christian Privileges and Responsibilities

PHILIPPIANS

Background

Paul gives thanks to the Philippian church from a Roman jail around 62 AD

Theme
Joy and encouragement in the midst of difficulty

Outline
Afflictions, humility, knowledge, and peace

COLOSSIANS

Background

Paul writes to t he Colossian church from a Roman jail around 60-61 AD

Theme
Christ is supreme and His salvation is complete

Outline
What Christ did for us and what Christ does through us

FIRST THESSALONIANS

Background

Paul writes to the Thessalonian church from Corinth around 51 AD

Theme
Paul commends the Thessalonians and encourages them to excel

Outline
The Thessalonians' history and looking to the future

SECOND THESSALONIANS

Background

Paul again writes to the Thessalonian church from Corinth around 51 AD

Theme
Paul gives the Thessalonians both comfort and correction

Outline
Persecutions, the Day of the Lord and exhortations

FIRST TIMOTHY

Background

Paul wrote to Timothy (in Ephesus) from Macedonia around 62-63 AD

Theme
A leadership manual for Timothy

Outline
False doctrine, proper worship, false teachers, duties to others and proper motives

SECOND TIMOTHY

Background

Paul wrote to Timothy (in Ephesus) from a Roman jail around 67 AD

Theme
Paul encourages Timothy to endure and fight the spiritual fight

Outline
Persevere in present testings and future testings

TITUS

Background

Paul writes to Titus (on Crete) from Corinth around 63 AD

Theme
Directions on church organization and administration

Outline
Appoint elders and set things in order

PHILEMON

Background

Paul writes to Philemon (in Colossia) from jail in Rome

Theme
Paul sends Onesimus, an escaped slave and new believer, back to his master

Outline
A prayer, petition and promise

HEBREWS

Background

An author (unknown to us) encouraged Jewish believers to grow in Christ around 64-68 AD

Theme
The superiority of Christ

Outline
Superiority of Christ's person and work, and the Christian's walk

JAMES

Background

James, the brother of Jesus, encourages Jewish believers around 46-49 AD

Theme
Putting faith to work

Outline
The development, works and power of faith

FIRST PETER

Background

From Rome (Babylon) the Apostle Peter addresses christians throughout Asia Minor, around 63-64 AD

Theme
The proper response to suffering

Outline
Holiness, harmony and humility

SECOND PETER

Background

From Rome, Peter warns christians in Asia Minor around 64-66 AD

Theme
Problems with false teachers and defectors

Outline
Holiness, heresy and hope

FIRST JOHN

Background

From Ephesus the elderly Apostle John writes to the churches of Asia Minor around 90 AD

Theme
Fellowship between believers and God

Outline
The basis and behavior of fellowship

SECOND JOHN

Background

John, from Ephesus, to a 'Chosen Lady' around 90 AD

Theme
Faithful walking in love

Outline
Practice and protect the truth

THIRD JOHN

Background

John, from Ephesus, to Gaius in Asia Minor around 90 AD

Theme
Hospitality

Outline
Gratitude to Gaius and the dangers of Diotrephes

JUDE

Background

Jude, the brother of Jesus, warns of libertines around 68-80 AD

Theme
Contending for the true faith

Outline
Description of and defense against false teachers

REVELATION

Background

From exile on the island of Patmos, John relays a prophetic word to seven churches in Asia Minor around 95-96 AD

Theme
The culmination of world history

Outline
Jesus, seven churches, seals, trumpets, bowls, the millennium and final state

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Written by BrRon, updated September 1997