Hebrews
(19) Hebrews Date Written: Sometime before 70 AD, possibly 60 AD Theme: Christ is superior to the Old Covenant in every way, and even more, is the fulfillment of that covenant. The righteous shall live by faith, for it is by faith that we are justified and made holy. Key People: Men and Women of faith from the Old Testament Interesting Facts: This is the only book of the New Testament whose author is uncertain, although the majority of the evidence points to Paul. If this was written by Paul, and was originally included at the end of Galatians (as it is in some old manuscripts), it was written from Rome. General Letters
(20) James heme: James takes on the hypocrisy of those who claim they believe, but feel no obligation to actually live a Christian lifestyle. James emphasizes that real faith is being a doer of the word, and not a hearer only. He finishes with encouragement to refrain from sin, and to trust God. Key People: No particular people mentioned Interesting Facts: Mostly likely written from Jerusalem. This James was a younger brother of Jesus, and grew up in the same house at the same time as Jesus. He came to believe his older brother was the Messiah, God in the flesh. A tomb was recently found in Israel with the inscription, "James, the son of Joseph, the brother of Jesus." If the inscription is authentic, the "James" who wrote this letter is buried there.
(21) 1 Peter Theme: Letter of encouragement for all Christians who were suffering under persecution. Emphasizes that believers should imitate Christ in all aspect of their lives (the original WWJD). Expect persecution, be thankful for the privilege of suffering for Christ, and trust God at all times. Key People: Peter, Silas, Mark Interesting Facts: Peter, Silas, and Mark were all in Rome together at the time Peter wrote this letter. Paul had recently been set free from prison, and was on another missionary journey at this time.
(22) 2 Peter Theme: While 1 Peter warns about external threats, 2 Peter warns about internal ones. In particular, he warns about complacency and gives very strong warnings about false teachers. He finishes by encouraging us to study the scriptures. Key People: Peter, Paul Interesting Facts: Written from Rome. It is noteworthy that in this letter Peter includes Paul's letters when speaking about scripture (3:15-16), and admits they are sometimes hard to understand. Peter says that his time is very short, and he was correct. This letter was written shortly before he was executed by crucifixion. Saying he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord, Peter requested to be crucified upside down. His request was granted.
(23) 1 John Theme: Encouragement to love others, live holy lives, follow the instructions of Jesus, and avoid false teaching. Key People: John, Jesus Interesting Facts: Written from Ephesus. John firmly believed that morality was black and white, good and evil, God and Satan. He saw no middle ground, no gray area, and it comes across clearly in both his gospel and this letter.
(24) 2 John Theme: A strong warning about false teachers and deceivers. Key People: John, the chosen lady, her children Interesting Facts: Written from Ephesus shortly after 1 John, this is a personal letter to "the chosen lady."
(25) 3 John Theme: Strong encouragement for those who live lives of hospitality, generosity, and kindness to others, as well as a rebuke for those who place themselves and their own ambition above others. Key People: John, Gaius, Diotrephus, Demetrius Interesting Facts: This is a personal letter to Gaius, who had gained a reputation for his hospitality and generosity toward traveling evangelists and teachers. We discover here that John had written another letter to the church that no longer exists.
(26) Jude Theme: To warn believers to be ever vigilant against sin and false teaching, and to continue to build up their own faith through prayer and loving others. Key People: Jude, James, Jesus Interesting Facts: The location from which this was written is unknown. Like James, Jude was a younger brother of Jesus. Two of Jesus' four brothers (James, Joses, Simon, and Judas [Jude]; Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3), and his mother are recorded believing in, and becoming followers of Jesus. We know He also had sisters (Matthew 13:56; Mark 6:3; we don't know how many, other than that he had more than one), but none of them are ever recorded as believing in their big brother. Revelation (End times)
(27) Revelation Theme: An extended prophetic vision of the future of Israel, humanity and the earth, culminating in the defeat of Satan, eradication of sin, and establishment of the kingdom of God on earth for all eternity. The visions in this book are intentionally built upon the visions in the Old Testament book of Daniel, without a clear understanding of that, grasping the meaning of Revelation is impossible. Key People: John, Jesus, false prophet, antichrist (illustrated symbolically) Interesting Facts: The Greek title for this book literally means, "to reveal," or "to take the cover off." John wrote this book from Patmos, where he was being held as a prisoner because Caesar's attempt to kill him by boiling him in oil failed, and the emperor, fearing John was protected by "the gods," exiled him to Patmos where it was ordered that no harm could come to him. John was given every comfort (including a personal scribe), and had daily visits from Christians seeking the wisdom, fellowship and teaching of one of the last living eye-witness to Jesus' ministry, and only living member of the original twelve disciples. ========================= Some Evidence that Paul wrote Hebrews In the oldest manuscripts, Hebrews is connected as a post-script to Galatians (included at the end of Galatians) with the sub-title, "to the Hebrews." This would explain why Paul says that his letter to the Galatians is a "large letter" (Galatians 6:11), when many of his letters were much larger. Both Galatians and Hebrews mentions that the author will be coming soon. Paul's authorship was not disputed for the first 500 years of Christianity. From 70 - 700 AD, over 100 early church writers (in both Greek and Latin) claim that Hebrews was written by Paul. Paul's letters are the only ones to mention Timothy (Hebrews 13:23), and Paul always calls him a brother when speaking to others about Timothy. Eusebius says that Paul wrote the letter in Aramaic and left his name off of it so that it would be more likely to be received by Jews who hated him, and did not want to hear anything he had to say. He says that Luke translated it into Greek. This would explain why the Greek so closely resembles Luke's, while the arguments so closely resemble Paul's. Paul is the only letter writer in the New Testament who requested prayer for himself (Hebrews 13:18) Paul is the only letter writer who wrote from prison and expected to be released soon (Hebrews 13:19) Many of the arguments and phrases are similar to Paul's. A quick Sampling (there are many more than this): Hebrews 5:12 - 1 Corinthians 3:2 Hebrews 8:1 - Ephesians 1:20 Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24 - Galatians 3:19-20; 1 Timothy 2:5 Hebrews 10:1 - Colossians 2:17 Hebrews 12:3 - Galatians 6:9 Hebrews 12:14 - Romans 12:18 Hebrews 13:1-5 - Ephesians 5:2-5 Hebrews 13:9 - Ephesians 4:14 Hebrews 13:16 - Philippians 4:18 Hebrews 13:20-21 - Romans 15:33; 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9
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