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3. Letters: Instruction

In the city of Corinth, a group of people responded to Paul’s preaching, became Christians, and formed a church. But they were involved in immorality, division, and strife. In Philippi, a discouraged group of believers needed lifting up. In Rome, a loyal band of Christ’s followers needed to clarify their beliefs about righteousness, the Law, and sanctification. They had questions about the Christian’s everyday life. The believers at Thessalonica needed to know about Christ’s return and the last days. In Ephesus, the leaders needed instruction about their position in Christ. Elsewhere, Christians were suffering and didn’t understand why. False teachers were infiltrating churches and threatening to undermine the work. A pastor at Crete needed encouragement.

What was the best way to meet the needs of the growing church? The apostles couldn’t be everywhere at once. So they sent letters (also known as epistles) to explain Christian teaching, to inspire God’s people to holiness, and to tell them how to live.

The churches or individuals who received these letters were no doubt overjoyed when they arrived. They were read aloud to the congregation and passed around from church to church. Copies were made with meticulous care for other churches. Believers began to collect them. All in all, 21 such letters were judged to be inspired, and they became a major portion of the New Testament.

Although there is some history and some biography in these letters, they were primarily written to amplify the teaching of Jesus Christ. Most of them were written either to local bodies of believers (such as those at Corinth or Rome) or to pastors (Timothy and Titus). The age that began at Pentecost is known as the church age, and these letters talk about church life. Among other things, they give instruction regarding:

The unity of the church (Ephesians 2:11-22). 

The worship of the church (1 Corinthians 14:26-40). 

The leaders of the church (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). 

The discipline of the church (1 Timothy 6:3-5). 

The ordinances of the church (1 Corinthians 11:23-30). 

The preaching of the church (2 Timothy 4:2). 

Although the epistles were church-centered, they were also useful for individuals. A person with the opportunity to read them would learn the principles to govern his conduct with his fellow believers and before the world. Here’s a sample:

We are to love one another (Romans 12:10). 

We are to submit to government (Romans 13:1). 

We are to imitate Christ (Ephesians 5:1). 

We are to care for one another (l Corinthians 16:1).

We are not to speak evil of anyone (Titus 3:2). 

We are to confess our sins (1 John 1:9). 

These 21 letters were also written to define and clarify the basic beliefs of Christianity. For example:

Jesus Christ is God (Colossians 1:13-19). 

The Holy Spirit indwells every believer (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). 

All are sinners (Romans 3:23). 

Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

Believers are to forsake sin (Romans 6:1-14). 

Righteousness comes through Christ (Romans 3:21-22). 

The Bible is inspired (2 Timothy 3:16). 

All will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15). 

Seeing God. The epistles help us to know God in the following representative ways. As you read these letters, you will see many other elements of God’s character. 

In the autobiographical writings of Paul, we see how able God is to supply the deepest needs of those who are willing to serve Him (2 Corinthians 4). 

In the doctrinal portions, we see how careful God has been to provide a rescue that is as right as it is needed (Romans 3:21-26).

In the comforting passages, we see a God who is able to enter into our pain and care about our struggles (2 Corinthians 1:3-6).

In the corrective sections, we see a God who not only loves us enough to accept us just the way we are, but loves us so much that He is not willing to leave us the way He found us (Hebrews 12:7-13).

In the prophetic passages, we see a God who has promised to prepare for us an eternal kingdom where all evil and sin have been removed (2 Peter 3:10-13).