Topic > Paul and the Epistles - 831

The Pauline Epistles consist of thirteen documents written by Paul who is an apostle. These thirteen documents formulate for us the necessary principles of Christianity. These communications in the form of letters were distributed for many reasons ranging from dealing with gossip, concern about churches, teaching, requesting information, religious positions, and many other difficult situations and requests. Paul's interest and care for the church is what made him a prime candidate to preach to the Gentiles, which happened after a life-altering event that changed his lifestyle and way of thinking of Paul. Paul includes proper ways to worship, how believers should conduct themselves in the church, how the church should be organized, prayer and meditation, how to elect bishops and deacons, widows, elders, youth along with many other discussions and topics regarding what Jesus desires for the church. Three important themes in the Pauline Epistle that I would like to reflect on are the Lordship of Christ Jesus, the resurrection and justification. The Lordship of Christ Jesus is emphasized several times in the epistles by the apostle Paul. Paul emphasizes the obedience of Christ in the book of Philippians. Paul wants us to recognize who and what the Lordship of Christ represents. Paul makes it clear that we must recognize Jesus for who He is, and that we should obey Jesus and honor Jesus because He is worthy of praise. Paul lays out the path we should take to achieve salvation. Paul teaches that salvation begins when we recognize and confess that Jesus is Lord, and believers should also believe in their hearts that Jesus is resurrected and salvation will be given to those who do this. And being found in human form, he... middle of paper... was delivered to death for our sins, and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Paul reveals this because it is the truth that guarantees that God recognizes sinners through His son, Jesus Christ. God recognizes that Jesus paid it all on the cross for a sinful world. Jesus was resurrected and ascended into heaven so that we might be cleansed from sin and become guiltless before the throne of God's grace. Works Cited The Resurrection of Jesus in Pauline Thought: Dr. Peter Head, originally published in Proclaming the Resurrection, (Papers from the First Oak Hill College Annual School of Theology; ed. PM Carlisle: Paternoster, 1998), pp. 58-80.Life Application Study Bible: New International Version Tyndale House Publishers. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House; Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Pub. House, 1991. Summer, Ray Review Expositor 62 n. 4, 1965 p 473