Ephesians

If a picture paints a thousand words, then Paul's 3,000-word letter to the Ephesian believers depicts three lovely aspects of the Church—the bride of Christ—in all her pristine glory and beauty.

First, Paul described the glorious characteristics of the Church, the sum total of the mystery of the gospel and all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: predestination, election, adoption, redemption, sanctification, inheritance in glory, and sealed by the Spirit of promise. Paul followed up with a prayer for all saints to know the hope of our calling and the extent of the glory of God's inheritance in us.

Next, Paul stated the privileged position of the Church from the individual to the corporate standpoint, emphasizing how God had made possible for Jews and Gentiles to share a common access to God through Christ. He then uttered a second prayer for the realization of this heavenly vision.

Last but not least, Paul foresaw how this identity in Christ will not only unify and equip the believers for life as a community and an individual through obedience and godly living, but also permeate and transform every human relationship. This new entity, however, will experience enmity from the godless world and hostility from dark spiritual forces. Paul therefore urged all believers to put on the armor of God to wage this spiritual warfare in the power of the Lord.

Christ loves His bride—the Church, and sacrificed Himself to cleanse and sanctify her, so that He might present her as a glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish. Paul understood it well by echoing Adam's words to Eve in the garden of Eden:

5:30 For we are members of Christ's body, of his flesh and of his bones.

OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS

1. Greetings (1:1-2)

2. God's Purpose for the Church (1:3-23)

        a. Chosen by the Father (1:3-6)

        b. Redeemed by the Son (1:7-12)

        c. Sealed by the Spirit (1:13-14)

        d. Heavenly Blessings in Christ (1:15-23)

3. Position of the Church (2:1-22)

        a. Individually (2:1-10)

        Alienation to Adoption

        b. Corporately (2:11-22)

        Foreigners to Fellow Citizens

4. Privilege of the Church (3:1-21)

        a. Mystery of Reconciliation (3:1-13)

        Jews and Gentile are Finally One

        b. Prayer for Realization (3:14-21)

        Fully and Abundantly in Christ

5. Performance of the Church (4:1-6:17)

        a. Corporate Lifestyle (4:1-16)

        Unity and Gifts

        b. Individual Lifestyle (4:17-5:21)

        Holiness and Obedience

        c. Family Lifestyle (5:22-6:9)

        Husband-Wife Relationship

        Parents-Children Relationship

        Master-Servant Relationship

        d. Warfare Lifestyle (6:10-17)

        Putting on the Armor of God

6. Personal Request (6:18-20)

7. Parting Words (6:21-24)

Galatians

Paul's first missionary journey covered the island of Cyprus and the southern region of Galatia, which included Antioch (not to be confused with the Antioch in Syria, the home base of the early missionaries), Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. This letter therefore addressed believers living in these cities which Paul preached and planted churches.

Following closely behind the heels of the apostle were the Jewish legalists, hijacking and undoing what Paul was trying to accomplish, by replacing the gospel of justification by faith with a gospel of works through observance of the law. As a former Pharisee of the strictest sect, Paul knew the futility of keeping the law to earn salvation. When he heard what happened in these churches, he wasted no time in writing this letter to correct the Gentile believers who were misled and deceived by these proselyting Judaizers.

Though Christianity has its basis in the Old Testament, Judaism was never meant to be the bedrock of the Christian faith, but only a type that points to the Rock of Salvation—Christ. Being well-versed in the law, Paul aptly used his knowledge of the law to build his argument in defense of faith in the finished work of Christ.

While believers are no longer under the law, this newfound liberty is no license for lawlessness, as the legalists wrongly inferred. The solution is not to give up that freedom and come under the bondage of the law; rather, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Christian can enjoy this freedom by obeying Christ's commandment of love.

5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works through love.

OUTLINE OF GALATIANS

1. Introduction (1:1-9)
        a. Greetings  (1:1-5)
        b. Reason for Writing (1:6-9)
2. Proof of the Apostle's Authority (1:7-2:21)
        a. His Calling in the Gospel  (1:10-12)
        b. His Conversion Experience (1:13-24)
        c. His Commissioning (2:1-10)
        d. His Confrontation with Peter (2:11-14)
        e. His Personal Conviction (2:15-21)
3. Proof of the Gospel's Superiority (3:1-4:31)
        a. Natures of the Gospel and the Law  (3:1-29)
        The Spirit vs the Flesh
        Abraham's Example – Faith not Works
        Basis of Justification – Faith not the Law
        b. Comparisons of the Gospel and the Law  (4:1-31)
        Not under the Law but under Grace
        Heirs by Grace not by the Law
        Law and Grace Mutually Exclusive
4. Proof of the Believer's Liberty (5:1-6:10)
        a. The Law of Christian Liberty  (5:1-26)
        Stand Fast in this Privilege
        Love One Another through Practical Ways
        Walk in the Power of the Spirit
        b. The Practice of Christian Liberty (6:1-10)
        Bear Each Other's Burdens
        Persevere in Charity
5. Conclusion (6:11-18)
        a. Jews' Boasting in Circumcision  (6:11-13)
        b. Paul's Boasting in Christ (6:14-18)

2 Corinthians

Paul wrote this second epistle to defend his apostleship and authority against the attacks of Jewish false teachers who infiltrated and stirred up the Corinthian believers to cast doubt on his character and credentials.

Prior to this letter, Paul had sent them a letter of grief written with tears (2:3-4) to express his deep pain and sorrow at their stubbornness in refusing corrections from his first epistle. Instead, they had become critical of his authority and right to discipline them. After reading and realizing Paul's good intentions, there was a change of hearts in the Corinthian believers towards the apostle, leading them to repentance and reproving the errand ones in their midst.

It was in this context that Paul wrote this epistle, which was his third letter to the Corinthian church, with three things in mind: firstly, to clarify his apostleship to those who had opposed his authority; secondly, to bring reconciliation and forgiveness to the disciplined offenders who had repented; lastly, to exhort them to follow the example of Christ and ready them for the collection of relief fund for the poor in Jerusalem.

Faced with the possibility of being denied and disowned by the very people he risked his life to reach with the gospel, Paul had no alternative but to bare himself fully to reveal what kind of man he was. In this very personal letter, we see a father's heart that not only had no reservation in giving the very best (6:11) but was prepared to embrace them in life and death (7:3). Even then, words would not adequately convey the extent Paul was willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel (11:23-33). 

Indeed, if there was ever a man who was so consumed by the love of Christ as to give his utmost, there is no question that it would have to be this apostle to the Gentiles. 

OUTLINE OF 2 CORINTHIANS

1. Introductory Address (1:1-2)
2. Words of Consolation (1:3-6:10)
        a. Clarity of Paul's Conscience (1:3-11)
        b. Clarity of Paul's Conduct (1:12-2:17)
        c. Clarity of Paul's Commission (3:1-6:10)
                His Ministry in the Gospel
                His Manner of Work
                His Manner of Life
3. Words of Exhortation (6:11-9:15)
        a. Paul's Desire for the Church (6:11-7:16)
                Their Purity in Faith and Life
                Their Joy and Consolation
        b. Examples to the Church (8:1-15)
                The Churches in Macedonia
                The Lord's Example
        c. Paul's Representatives to the Church (8:16-9:5)
                Introduction | Mission and Work
        d. Paul's Principles for the Church (9:6-15)
                Man-ward | God-ward
4. Words of Authentication (10:1-13:14)
        a. The Apostle's Authority (10:1-18)
                Purpose of Authority
                Limits and Boundaries of Authority
        b. Paul's Self-Appraisal (11:1-12:13)
                Reason for Boasting—Sufferings and Revelation
                Limits of Boasting—Thorn in the Flesh
        c. Paul's Plan to Visit (12:14-13:10)
                Reasons for the Delay
                Reaffirmation of His Visit
        d. Concluding Words (13:11-14)
                Consolation | Benediction

 

1 Corinthians

The Corinthian church, despite its rich gifting and growth, was plagued with many problems ranging from moral to ethical, doctrinal to practical, and communal to personal. The city of Corinth, a strategic commerce center in southern Greece, was notoriously immoral and largely Gentile in its demographic make-up. This might have led to abuses and excesses within the church as the believers struggled to make sense of their new-found faith that was contrary to their former lifestyles and belief system.

Paul planted the church on his second missionary journey, in the face of fierce opposition from proselyting Jews and strong pagan religious presence there. After receiving a mandate from the Lord through a vision at night, he stayed in Corinth for one and a half years, teaching and guiding the local believers while tent-making with Aquila and Priscilla, a couple who became his companions and co-workers (Acts 18:1-11).

The first epistle to the Corinthians can be divided into two parts, the first half of which Paul dealt with church-related problems using a reprove-correct approach (chapters 1-6), while the second half concerns with doctrine-related problems in which Paul adopted a question-answer approach (chapters 7-16). Correction is the theme of this letter and here we see Paul's firm but patient love in reproving and disciplining as a spiritual father.

4:15 For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

Pastors and church leaders can learn from Paul's wisdom and approach in handling problems within their congregations; church members too can play an important role by giving support to this difficult but necessary task.

OUTLINE OF 1 CORINTHIANS

1. Introductory Address (1:1-9)
2. Contentions within the Church (1:10-4:21)
        a. Reproving Schisms and Divisions (1:10-17)
        b. Contrasting Earthly-Heavenly Wisdoms (1:18-3:4)
        c. Co-Labouring with a Right Perspective (3:5-17)
        d. Defining Stewardship (3:18-4:5)
        e. Defending Apostleship (4:6-21)
3. Confusions within the Church (5:1-10:33)
        a. On Incest and Excommunication  (5:1-13)
        b. On Litigation between Members (6:1-8)
        c. On Immorality and Fornication (6:9-20)
        d. On Marriage and Celibacy (7:1-40)
        e. On Things Offered to Idols (8:1-10:33)
4. Questions concerning Gathering (11:1-34)
        a. Distinction between Men and Women  (11:1-16)
        b. Observation of the Lord's Supper (11:17-34)
5. Questions concerning Gifting (12:1-14:40)
        a. Nature and Purpose of Spiritual Gifts  (12:1-31)
        b. Love the Governing Principle (13:1-13) 
        c. Right Use and Practices of the Gifts (14:1-40)
6. Questions concerning the Resurrection (15:1-58)
        a. Christ's Resurrection  (15:1-34)
        b. The Christian's Resurrection (15:35-58)
7. Concluding Matters (16:1-24)
        a. Collection of Gift for the Poor  (16:1-4)
        b. Paul's Personal Plans (16:5-12)
        c. Final Exhortation (16:13-24)

Romans

The epistle to the Romans is Paul's magnum opus or master-piece exposition on the righteousness of God. The Romans Road to salvation has been used by many Christians as an effective tool for evangelism. For those who do not have any resources other than the Bible, this is one way to share the good news, so take a good look at the key verses and memorize them.

Unlike his other letters, this epistle was written to a church he had never founded and for a group of believers he had hardly met. However, at the end of this letter, Paul listed twenty-six names of people, possibly from that church which he came into contact in his missionary journeys. It was his means to touch base with the Roman believers through their friendships.

Romans is written in a Q&A style, an example of systematic approach to the study of doctrines covering essential topics such as justification by faith, sanctification in holy living, and glorification through hope. Key words like sin, righteousness, faith and law are frequently mentioned and emphasized in the context of Christ's redemptive work. The result is an eloquent presentation of the gospel that not only appeals to the learned mind but also the listening heart of the willing seeker.

But, like Paul's other letters, Romans is more than just solid theology to stir and satisfy the scholarly minded; it also contains practical exhortations for every believer on how to live out the redeemed life. Our position in Christ should be the basis for practical daily Christian living.

1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

OUTLINE OF ROMANS

1. Revelation of God's Righteousness (1:1-8:39)
        a. Prologue (1:1-17)
        b. Condemnation (1:18-3:20)
         Gentiles are judged by their Conscience
         Jews are judged by the Law of God
        c. Justification (3:21-5:21)
         Apart from Works, Circumcision and the Law
         Only through Faith in Christ
        d. Sanctification (6:1-8:39)
         Dying to Sin, Living for God
         Adoption to Sonship and Glory
2. Vindication of God's Righteousness (9:1-11:36)
        a. God's Sovereignty through Election (9:1-29)
         Jews as God's Chosen People
        b. God's Mercy through Judgment (9:30-10:21)
         Gentiles become Beneficiaries
        c. God's Mercy through Restoration (11:1-36)
         Israel to be Revived in the Appointed Time
3. Application of God's Righteousness (12:1-15:13)
        a. The Christian's Duties (12:1-13:14)
         To God—Living Sacrifice
         To Church and Community—Serve and Love
         To Authority—Submit and Honor
         To the World—Walk as Children of Light 
        b. The Christian's Liberty (14:1-15:13)
         Principles and Practices
4. Ending Note (15:14-16:27)
        a. Paul's Mission (15:14-21)
        b. Paul's Desire (15:22-33)
        c. Personal Greetings (16:1-24)
        d. Benediction (16:25-27)
 

The Pauline Epistles

All his life, the apostle Paul had been either busy traveling and preaching the gospel of Christ, or he would be imprisoned for his faith and testimony. Wherever he went, he not only ministered to the people and built churches, he also left behind a collection of epistles containing doctrines, exhortations and instructions for Christian living.

Of these thirteen letters, nine were written to churches and four to individuals. Some were penned on the move while some were scripted in chains. There were other epistles which did not survive, as can be gathered from those which did due to wider circulation and conservation. The New Testament canon thus identified the following as belonging to this apostle to the Gentiles:

1. Romans

2. 1 and 2 Corinthians

3. Galatians

4. Ephesians

5. Philippians

6. Colossians

7. 1 and 2 Thessalonians

8. 1 and 2 Timothy

9. Titus

10. Philemon

The Pauline epistles formed a third of the NT and exert a great influence on the believers' understanding of major doctrines concerning God, man, sin, salvation, Christ, church, and the end times. There is no doubt that Paul had good knowledge of the Septuagint and understood the Greek culture of his days. Careful study of his works will certainly be beneficial so far as spiritual growth is concerned, but not without exercising due caution in handling the difficult and controversial texts found therein (2 Peter 3:15-16).

 

Acts of the Apostles

From the dawn of His resurrection to the day of His ascension, Jesus appeared to the disciples and taught them the kingdom of God for forty days. The number forty speaks of probation and a time of preparation, just like Moses, David and Elijah before they were commissioned by God to do His work.

During these forty days, the disciples saw and knew Jesus, no more in the flesh and appearance (2 Corinthians 5:16), but as One who is alive forevermore, all-present and imbued with the authority of heaven and earth by the Father. What He imparted to them became the thrust of their message from henceforth (8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). It's not an earthly or materialistic kingdom which can be seen and touched, yet one that is both spiritual and glorious which can be known and experienced.

The Church is the representation of this heavenly kingdom here on earth, to manifest its reality within the confines of a fallen and sinful world, and to point to the certainty of that day when God shall establish His everlasting rule in the Person of His Son. Just as John the baptist proclaimed:

I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I is coming... he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Luke 3:16)

The baptism of the Holy Spirit requires full immersion into a life that is totally surrendered to the will of God and dying to self, so that Christ can rule in our hearts and manifest Himself in our lives daily as we bear witness of Him. 

This is the essence and message of the book of Acts.

 

OUTLINE OF ACTS

1. Beginning from Jerusalem (1:1-8:4)
        a. Birth and Beginning of the Church  (1:1-2:47)
         Christ's Last Words | Pentecost
         Peter's First Sermon
        b. Progression and Persecution (3:1-8:4)
         Peter-John | The Sanhedrin Council
         Ananias-Sapphira | Apostles vs Jewish Council
         Deacons Appointed | Stephen Martyred
         Church Persecuted
2. Extending to Judea and Samaria (8:5-12:25)
        a. Philip the Evangelist  (8:5-40)
         Samaritans | Ethiopian Eunuch
        b. Saul the Persecutor (9:1-31)
         Conversion | Confrontation
        c. Peter the Bridge-Builder (9:32-11:18)
         Lydda | Joppa | Caesarea-Cornelius
        d. Herod the Blasphemer (11:19-12:25)
         Christians | James | Peter
3. Reaching to the Ends of the Earth (13:1-28:31)
        a. First Missionary Journey  (13:1-14:28)
         Cyprus | Antioch | Iconium | Lystra
        b. The Jerusalem Council (15:1-35)
         Debate | Defense | Decision
        c. Second Missionary Journey  (15:36-18:22)
         Derbe-Lystra | Troas | Philippi | Thessalonica
         Berea | Athens | Corinth
        d. Third Missionary Journey  (18:23-21:16)
         Galatia | Ephesus | Macedonia | Troas
         Miletus | Tyre | Caesarea
        e. Trip to Rome (21:17-28:31)
         Jerusalem | Caesarea | Rome

The Early Church

Among the New Testament writings, the book of Acts is the only one to chronicle the beginning and expansion of the early church, though eye witnesses' accounts and happenings are recorded selectively.

In contrast to the four gospels which individually focused on a specific aspect of the life of Christ, Acts traced three main transitions of the church since its birth on Pentecost, starting with Peter the chief of the apostles in Jerusalem and Judea, on to Philip the evangelist as the church began to disperse to neighboring Samaria due to persecution, and lastly for the greater half of the book, to Paul and his companions in their three missionary journeys from Antioch to Asia Minor and beyond. Thus, the Great Commission is fulfilled just as Jesus Himself declared to the disciples prior to His ascension:

1:8 But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts is an amazing book, not just because it comes from the pen of Luke, now recognized by Bible scholars as a first-class historian, but also for its rich content and accurate accounts of people and places supported by archeological findings.

The Acts of the Apostles, as the book is formally named, can be rightly called the Acts of the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Christ who indwells every believers. Under the inspiration of God, Luke intentionally left off writing it in an unfinished state. And so the story of the church continues to this day, and will only end when the real Author of the book determines so.

2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily…