PAUL'S LETTERS TO GROUPS

The author Saul of Tarsus was a highly educated Jew of the tribe of Benjamin. He was a Pharisee. He was a Roman citizen by birth. This persecutor of the early church was converted after his experience on the road to Damascus. Also known as Paul, from Acts 13:9 on, he became a missionary to the Gentiles and author of 13 books of the New Testament.

Romans - Paul wrote this letter "to all who are beloved of God in Rome".  He wrote to them before he had visited their great city. This letter was written from Corinth, near the end of the third missionary journey in the mid-50's AD. The book of Romans is the most doctrinal and formal of Paul's letters. He wrote detailed foundational truth covering the subjects of sin (chapters 1-3) ... salvation (chapters 3-5) ... sanctification (chapters 6-8) ... sovereignty (chapters 9-11) ... and service (chapters 12-16).

1 Corinthians - This letter is written to "the church of God at Corinth". It was a church founded on Paul's second missionary journey. The church was struggling in the midst of that very immoral port city. Paul wrote this letter to them from Ephesus during the third missionary journey in the mid-50's AD. The worldliness of Corinth had infiltrated their church. Paul wrote about factions, sexual immorality, lawsuits, marriage, food, the Lord's Supper, and the use of spiritual gifts. Chapter 15 provides comprehensive teaching on the importance of the resurrection.

2 Corinthians - Apparently the believers in Corinth had not responded favorably to Paul's first letter. He made a trip to see them. He wrote another strong corrective letter to them. That letter is not included in the Bible. Following the repentance of the majority, Paul wrote another letter, 2 Corinthians, during his third missionary journey in the mid-50's AD from somewhere in Macedonia. Paul wrote of his joy that they had repented ... defended his character and his ministry ... taught on giving ... and defended his authority as an apostle.

Galatians - Paul wrote this letter to "the churches of Galatia". He had visited them on either his first or second missionary journey. However, the date and location of the writing of this letter are unclear. The believers in Galatia had been misled to mix the law (works) into salvation. Paul strongly presented salvation by faith alone. He warned against the dangers of legalism.  He also warned against license ... as he explained Christian liberty.

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THE NEW TESTAMENT 10    PAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
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