Galatians purpose
no human works to complete the Gospel of grace in Christ Jesus; where faith in Jesus exists, there salvation is certain
Thessalonians purpose
to rejoice that the church endures, even when persecuted; info on Jesus' return at the end and instruction on holy living in response to the Gospel
Corinthians purpose
using Law and Gospel to redirect the errant and conflicted Corinthian church; Paul calls them
saints
(all by Christ's work)
Romans purpose
Paul lays out his teachings clearly and thoroughly for the Roman believers, preparing for his visit to Rome; justification: Christ saves, inspiring the response of sanctification
Colossians purpose
to reaffirm the all-sufficiency of the saving work of Jesus; there is no hidden knowledge (Gospel for all); to ease the hearts of believers and encourage them to live as one
Ephesians purpose
to comfort and encourage Christians in the strong love and grace of Christ; to teach the church's universal nature; to urge Christians to fight the true enemy
Philippians purpose
to affirm the value of following Christ in every circumstance; to encourage believers to adopt
the attitude of Christ
Timothy/Titus purpose
to give instruction on being faithful ministers of Christ's church; to focus on grace and not get distracted by worldly things
Philemon purpose
to give instruction on receiving Onesimus as a brother, not as a slave that needs to be punished
purpose of Matthew's Gospel
-
show Jesus as fulfillment of OT
(Israel that succeeds, new Moses, New Covenant, 29 OT prophecies)
-
show Jesus as the Savior for all people
(Gentile Magi, Great Commission, outsiders in genealogy)
purpose of Mark's Gospel
- present Jesus as the Gospel, the Good News
1. not a teaching only, but a Person to rely on
2. title, Peter's confession, centurion's confession (beginning, middle, end): focuses on Jesus, Messianic secret
purpose of Luke's Gospel
- show historicity of events
- show Jesus as the Savior
for all people
(from Adam/God in genealogy) and
for all kinds of people
(Good Samaritan, thief on cross, persistent widow, sinful woman forgiven much, etc.)
purpose of John's Gospel
- a theological defense for the Christian church (apologetic)
1. Jesus connected to Yahweh (I am statements: Bread of Life, Way/Truth/Life, etc.)
2. Jesus as the Word made Flesh (prologue)
purpose of Hebrews
- to encourage believers to remain steadfast in faith in Jesus Christ (even though he cannot now be seen and even though the Sabbath rest may be a long time coming)
- to demonstrate how the New Covenant of Jesus is superior to the Old (Old as a model/shad
purpose of James
- to encourage Christians to remain faithful in spite of persecution (long view)
- to encourage Christians to put their genuine faith in to practice in Christ-like fashion
purpose of 1 Peter
- help readers see the value of the Gospel
- prepare the readers to handle worldly struggle in the hope of coming glory
purpose of Revelation
- to encourage believers to remain faithful to Christ regardless of the cost
- to assure believers that Jesus is victorious over Satan
- to give a picture of heavenly paradise to believers
purpose of Acts
- to show Christians the beginning of the Christian church on earth
- to show Christians that there will be much persecution and hardship that awaits them because of their faith
- to encourage Christians that the Gospel cannot be contained and spreads, gi