Matthew
Apostle.
Matthew (Levi), one of the twelve apostles, left his job in Capernaum as a tax collector. Matthew records the birth and life of Jesus, His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. This Gospel sets forth the distinction between law and grace. Jesus is the eternal High Priest and gives Himself as the spotless, perfect blood sacrifice for all sinners, once for all time. Matthew tells us of ….
Mark
Fellow Worker.
The Gospel of Mark is a fast-moving narrative of the life of Jesus as the Servant King and His divine authority over illness, demon activity, and the created world as evidenced by twenty one miracles. Mark gives us an account of God’s Servant, Jesus Christ, atoning for our sins by His crucifixion, and His resurrection. Mark concludes with the great commandment ….
Luke
The physician.
The name Luke is only mentioned three times in the New Testament. From these three occurrences, it is evident that Luke was a physician (Collosians 4:14) and a companion of Paul (2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24). Luke is the only Gospel to have a sequel, the Acts of the Apostles. Luke was a physician and a gentile who recorded the birth, ministry, death, resurrection ….
John
An eyewitness.
John was an eye-witness of Jesus Christ throughout His earthly ministry, and he rejoiced to see the risen Christ the very day of the resurrection. The Gospel of John emphasizes Jesus Christ as God. Its purpose is to bring people to faith in Christ as Savior and Lord so that they will have eternal life. John records nine discourses given by Jesus and eight miracles. John wants ….
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Acts
The Acts of The Apostles.
The Book of Acts is the record by Luke the physician of the power of the Holy Spirit and His work through the apostles of Jesus. Luke was an eye-witness of many of the events and he provides details about the activities of key leaders in the early church and emphasizes the supernatural character of the Christian faith. The Book of Acts provides the historic background for ten of Paul’s letters and documents nine sermons each by Peter and Paul. It reveals God’s leadership of His church through His chosen servants and apostles.
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Romans.
The first man, Adam, sinned by disobeying God and the result is that all men are sinners doomed to eternal death. But God provides salvation by His grace (unmerited favor) through faith alone; it cannot be earned by human effort of any kind. Justification and righteousness (right standing before God) are provided in and through Christ to all who accept Him as Lord ….
1 Corinthians.
The Apostle Paul addresses divisions and dissension in the church, problems of immorality, unethical behavior, and more. The wisdom of God is contrasted with the wisdom of the world. Paul answers several questions about marriage and teaches proper use of Christian liberty. He describes worship that honors the Lord, teaches the proper use of spiritual gifts, and gives ….
2 Corinthians.
The Apostle Paul again deals with the continuing tension, divisions, and strife in the Church of Corinth. False teachers have crept in, and some of the members were refusing to repent of sinful behavior. Also, Paul’s personal integrity and authority as an apostle were being challenged by his opponents. He writes this letter in part to defend his apostleship, while at the same time ….
Galatians.
The Apostle Paul again proclaims the gospel to the church of Galatia. Jewish Christians erroneously insisted that the Gentile converts to Christianity abide by certain Old Testament laws and rituals , especially circumcision. But Paul sternly corrects his readers and explains again that a person is saved solely by the grace of God (God’s unmerited favor) through faith ….
Ephesians.
The Apostle Paul writes this letter to the church in Ephesus while imprisoned in Rome. There is to be unity among believers, made possible by the Holy Spirit. The church is the body of Christ, and Christ is the head of the church. Paul provides a number of admonitions and offers encouragement for setting a good Christian example in a variety of challenging situations.
Philippians.
Paul speaks of unity among Christians and reminds them that God’s abundant grace brings Christians joy even in the midst of adversity and suffering. The ultimate example of Christ’s own humility and exaltation (2:1-11). Paul tells of salvation’s joy for believers, cautions about those who advocate good works as a substitute for righteousness received through faith in Christ ….
Colossians.
Paul warns his readers of heresy and gives the Biblical view of the person and work of Christ as refutation of it. Paul teaches that understanding the grace of God motivates Christians to allow Christ first place in all things. He explains how this principle should be applied at home, work, prayer, and with unbelievers.
1 Thessalonians.
In this book Paul offers his readers encouragement and hope for dealing with the loss of departed loved ones who have died believing in Christ. He also instructs them to practice moral purity, brotherly love, good work ethics, and to comfort those who have deceased loved ones. He assures believers of ….
2 Thessalonians.
Paul reveals some of the signs and events leading to the Day of the Lord, the second coming of Jesus Christ. There will be persecution of believers, increased lawlessness, and apostasy (denunciation of the faith). The man of lawlessness, the Antichrist, will be revealed and worshiped; he will enter the temple of God and proclaim that he himself is God ….
1 Timothy.
Paul extols fighting the good fight (1:18), keeping the faith, and maintaining a good conscience. He urges prayers, petitions to God, and giving thanks in behalf of all men. He gives instructions for public worship and sets forth qualifications for overseers and deacons. Paul warns against heretics and those who see ministry as a source of financial gain.
2 Timothy.
The apostle Paul was awaiting his execution by the Romans when he wrote this letter to Timothy. In the letter, he tells Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and to suffer hardship as a good soldier of Christ. He warns that difficult times will come and orders Timothy to “preach the word.” In closing, Paul states, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the ….
Titus.
God desires that Christians be a credit to their faith in Christ in the church, at home, and in the world. Paul writes to Titus the Greek, who ministers on the island of Crete. Paul instructs him how to appoint the right kind of leaders in the church. He is to teach Christians, regardless of age or status, how to demonstrate their faith in the home and family. Titus is to warn the believers ….
Philemon.
This brief letter is a masterpiece in Christian diplomacy, setting the example in how to deal with a serious conflict between brothers in Christ. During Paul’s house arrest in Rome, Onesimus, a runaway slave, came into contact with Paul and was brought to faith in Christ by him. The two of them agreed that Onesimus should return to his master, Philemon. In the letter ….
Hebrews.
The people to whom Hebrews was written were steeped in Jewish law and tradition, but they had heard the gospel and had witnessed miracles. While they had grasped basic spiritual principles, their deficiencies included an unresponsive attitude to sound teaching and a reluctance to practice what they knew to be right. There were some committed Christians, including ….
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James
Brother.
This letter by the half-brother of our Lord Jesus is a handbook of practical Christianity. It is a lesson in contrasts, like genuine and counterfeit wisdom, and true and false faith. The challenge to all Christians, is “If you possess genuine faith in Christ for salvation, demonstrate it!” Christians are to endure suffering with joy and to render service as a natural result of their faith. The best evidence of genuine faith is found in the way one lives.
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1 Peter
Apostle.
The Apostle Peter describes people as living in spiritual ignorance and darkness until they accept Jesus as the Christ, High Priest, and Lord. God is the source of confidence to every believer who experiences trials and suffering.Spiritual leaders are to edify those in their care, and all believers are to be vigilant in the fight against the devil ….
2 Peter
Warnings.
In this letter the Apostle Peter is admonishing Christians who are being bombarded with false teaching in contrast to the truth. Peter warns them that false teachers promise counterfeit freedom and are motivated by personal gain. The antidote to false teaching is full and true spiritual knowledge. The divine realities of the Christian ….
1 John
Apostle.
The Apostle John speaks to Christians as children in the family of God, so he outlines several confirmations of the new birth. He also warns them that false prophets and opponents of Christ have joined forces to deceive Christians and draw them away from the truth. Love is ….
2 John
Warnings.
In this letter, the Apostle John states the essentials of Christian conduct for the believer in Christ, and gives further warning about false teachers and heresies. As in John’s day, believers always need to be wary of spiritual leaders who attempt to modify sound biblical teaching. ….
3 John
Apostle.
This letter condemns a man named Diotrephes, who had repudiated the Apostle John’s authority by rejecting his letter to the church in which Diotrephes was a leader. The brief letter encourages all believers to show hospitality to their fellow servants of Christ….
Jude
Apostle.
The letter of Jude warns us about false teachers, characterizes ungodly leaders so that they can be identified and confronted. There is need for the renewal of spiritual fervor for the faith, and for rescue of those who are falling prey to ungodliness.
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Revelation
Apostle John.
The Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos in the Mediterranean (Agean) Sea. While there, he received divine visions of things past, things present, and things future. Among other things, the book of Revelation tells us of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (as King and Judge), the great tribulation, the millennium (a thousand years), the battle of Armageddon, the great white throne of judgment, and the New Jerusalem. Revelation was written in response to the direct command of the Lord, and there is a promise and a blessing to all who read or hear its words.
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