Important Issues in the Non-Pauline Churches
An epistle refers to a literary letter that was meant to be published for reading by the general public. Apparently, the general epistles were letters to individuals as well as churches that the authors wrote with the intention of handling particular topics (Fairchild, 2012). This paper aims to identify the major issue or theme in each of the general epistles, elaborate on that issue and to discuss how the author defined and addressed that issue. The paper also compares/contrasts the issues of the non-Pauline churches with those dealt with in Pauline epistles or Paul’s letters.
The general epistles were seven: James, First Peter, Second Peter, First John, Second John, Third John and Jude. James – This Epistle is traditionally credited to James, who was one of the four-half brothers of Jesus. He emphasizes works in the Christian life, and mainly deals with the proof of relationship with the Lord rather than the means of having that relationship. This teaching is imperative in God’s inspired word (Fremont, 2008). This epistle is designed to encourage and exhort, convict and challenge, revive and rebuke, to illustrate practical holiness and to urge Christian believers to the goal of faith that works. Its main concern is about having a faith that works, and one that is functional, potent and vital. In general, the main purpose of this epistle is to urge believers to holiness of life and Christian maturity (Fremont, 2008).
First Peter – Peter is the author of this epistle. Whilst this epistle touches on the different doctrines and says much about Christian responsibilities and Christian life, the purpose and theme focuses on the problem of suffering – specifically suffering in persecution for an individual’s faith. It shows how Christians ought to live as temporary resident and ambassadors of Christ in a hostile and alien world. This epistle is intended to give direction to believers under persecution (i) through focus on the impending revelation of Jesus (ii) by following him as a good example in suffering, (iii) by living in the world according to their call as special people of the Lord (Hiebert, 2000).
Second Peter – As Paul the Apostle warned about the dangers of apostasy that were approaching in the later years of his ministry and life (2 Timothy), Peter as well warned of the increasing dangers of fake teachers as it had been envisaged by the previous prophets, Jesus Christ and as well as his apostles (New International Version). The theme or main issue of this brief epistle is found solely in this crucial issue, that is, the rise of false teachers. Therefore, the theme is warning against these dangers that face the early church. As a foundation for handling false prophets/teachers, the author described the way mature believers ought to look like, and encouraged them to grow in knowledge and grace of Christ. Moreover, the author reminded them of the nature of God’s word as their certain foundation, and presaged against imminent dangers of bogus teachers whom he also described together with their certain judgment. Lastly, the author encouraged the readers of this letter/epistle with certainty of return of Jesus Christ (Keathly, 2013).
First John – Although the name of the author is not found in this epistle, it has been attributed to Apostle John. The theme of this epistle is fellowship with God through Jesus (1 John: 3 -7). The author wrote to describe the nature of fellowship with the Lord, and he described him as love, life and light. God is life (4:8), God is light (1:5), and God is life (1:1-2) (New International Version). According to John, walking in fellowship with the Lord implies walking in the light that makes one experience God’s life, God’s righteousness and God’s love for others. The epistle then provides several proofs or tests of fellowship, although a number of people view these tests as salvation. By way of keeping with the theme, the nature of his audiences as believers, and the teaching of the false prophets, it is proper to see these as tests of fellowship, as tests of not only abiding, but also of being acquainted with Christ in a personal relationship that experiences the transforming life of Christ in believers (Freemont, 2008).
Second John – The author is not mentioned in this letter/epistle, but is believed to be Apostle John. The theme is John’s concern that his readers keep on walking in accordance with the commandments and in the truth of apostolic doctrine. He wrote to protect his readers from the evil trickery of people who declined to remain in the teaching of Jesus Christ, but ran away from the truth (Keathly, 2013). To keep with this, a few purposes are seen (i) John was writing to prevent believers from losing the things that they had been working for, for instance, a full reward, (ii) to give the believers lucid instruction against welcoming false prophets and teachers into their houses or home churches.
Third John – It is widely believed that Apostle John wrote this epistle. He wrote to Gaius about the essential issue of physical support and hospitality to missionaries, particularly when they were still strangers. In this epistle, the theme focuses on the contrast that exists between Gaius’ ministry and his kind expression of Christian love as one who walks in truth, contrary to the conduct of selfishness of Diotrephes. Instead of walking in the truth, Diotrephes rebuffed what John the Apostle had said, and instead sought personal/individual supremacy. A number of distinct purposes come out in this epistle: (i) to commend Gaius for demonstrating Christian love and walking in the truth, (ii) to rebuke Diotrephes because of his self-centerednes, and (iii) to notify Gaius of Apostle John’s wish to visit and deal with the challenges (Fairchild, 2012).
Jude – The author of this epistle clearly identifies himself as Jude. The author’s initial intention was to write on the common salvation. However, due to the danger threatening the church and the inroads of heresy, Jude was forced to write in order to hearten believers/Christians to contend for faith against any bogus teachings. False/bogus teachings were being introduced into the churches secretly. In the epistle, Jude was condemning the acts and behaviors of the impious libertines who were trying to infest churches and corrupt the believers. He was also counseling believers to endure and continue to grow in faith (Keathly, 2013).
There are several distinct issues of the non-Pauline churches that distinguish them from Pauline Epistles or Paul’s letters. First, the non-Pauline churches focus on wide-ranging concerns of the Christian life, as well as the challenges that Christians faced within the societies in which they reside. In contrast, Letters of Paul focus on particular situations and problems of the people to whom he was writing (Robinson, 2011). Secondly, Paul’s Letters also center on the dogma of salvation, its means, as well as its implications, whereas the non-Pauline churches emphasize more on the proofs of salvation, and if Christians who profess actually possess the salvation of God.
Reference
Fairchild, M. (2012). The Epistles. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Fremont, C. (2008). Studies of the General Epistles. Crescent City, CA: Cengage Learning
Hiebert, E. (2000). The Non-Pauline Epistles and Revelation (An Introduction to the New Testament, Vol. 3). Phoenix, AZ: Moody Press
Keathly, H. (2013). The Non-Pauline Epistles. Retrieved from http://bible.org/seriespage/non-pauline-epistles
New International Version. (2012).Colorado Springs: Biblica
Robinson, B.A. (2011). The 13 “Pauline” Epistles. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_ntb3.htm
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