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Section 1: Opening Prayer
Let us pray. To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are on the internet, with the bishops and deacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Amen.
From the Epistle to the Philippians. Edited by Pastor Jerry.
Section 2: Story
A Relative Chronology of Paul’s Life and Ministry
Where is the first place we see Paul in the Bible?
Acts
Matthew
John
1 Corinthians
1 Thessalonians
Philippians
Actually the first place we see Paul is here.
Read the whole story here
And read here how Paul became Paul
Section 3: Message
- Between the Book of Acts (in which Paul appears in 19 of 28 chapters) and the letters ascribed to Paul (13 in all), after Jesus the Apostle Paul appears more in the New Testament than any other person
- Jesus aside, Paul is clearly the most significant first century Christian
- And probably the most significant Christian theologian ever
- So one must deal with Paul one way or another
- There are 13 letters ascribed to Paul in the New Testament Canon
- They are arranged in terms of length and recipient but not in terms of composition date–Romans the longest; Philemon the shortest
–Those sent to congregations come before those supposedly sent to individuals
–Colossians comes before 1 Timothy - At times in antiquity Hebrews had been included in the Pauline letters
–No serious consideration of the Pauline authorship of Hebrews in current scholarship - The Pauline letters comprise some of the oldest extant parts of the New Testament
- Paul has more material in the New Testament canon than any other 1st century author/theologian
- Of the 13 letters ascribed to Paul, there is serious dispute regarding Pauline authorship of 6 letters
- These disputes have gone on for at least two centuries
| Undisputed Epistles | Disputed Epistles |
| Romans | Ephesians |
| 1 Corinthians | Colossians |
| 2 Corinthians | 2 Thessalonians |
| Galatians | 1 Timothy |
| Philippians | 2 Timothy |
| 1 Thessalonians | Titus |
| Philemon |
Here is a table with New Testament Books in order they were written according to scholars. The information is taken from earlychristianwritings
| Date | BOOK | Date | BOOK |
| 50-60 | 1 Thessalonians | 80-110 | 1 Peter |
| 50-60 | Philippians | 80-130 | Gospel of Luke |
| 50-60 | Galatians | 80-130 | Acts of the Apostles |
| 50-60 | 1 Corinthians | 90-95 | Revelation |
| 50-60 | 2 Corinthians | 90-120 | Gospel of John |
| 50-60 | Romans | 90-120 | 1 John |
| 50-60 | Philemon | 90-120 | 2 John |
| 50-80 | Colossians | 90-120 | 3 John |
| 50-95 | Book of Hebrews | 90-120 | Epistle of Jude |
| 65-80 | Gospel of Mark | 100-150 | 1 Timothy |
| 70-100 | Epistle of James | 100-150 | 2 Timothy |
| 80-100 | 2 Thessalonians | 100-150 | Titus |
| 80-100 | Ephesians | 100-160 | 2 Peter |
| 80-100 | Gospel of Matthew |
The light blue line shows the travels of Barnabas.
The dark blue line shows the travels of Barnabas and Saul.
Here is a link to see this area today.
The light blue line shows the boat to Tarsus.
The dark blue line shows the travels Saul.
Here is a link to see this area today.
The dark blue line shows the path of Paul’s Journey.
The black line shows the departure of Mark.
Here is a link to see this area today.
The dark blue line shows the path of Barnabas and Mark.
The white line shows the path of Paul and Silas.
Here is a link to see this area today.
The dark blue line shows the path of Paul.
The white line shows the path of Timothy and Erastus.
Here is a link to see this area today.
Here is a link to see this area today.
Section 4: Learn and Engage
– What are 3 things you learned?
– What is 1 question you still have?
– What part of the lesson did you most identify with?
– What part of the lesson was hardest for you?
– Where have you seen God this week?
Section 5: Closing Prayer
Let us pray. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Amen.
From the Epistle to the Philippians.