The epistles of the bible are all found in the new testament. Romans, 1 and 2 corinthians, galatians, ephesians, philippians, colossians, 1 and 2 thessalonians, 1 and 2 timothy, titus, and philemon. The epistles of the bible are the 21 books in the new testament that constitute formal letters of instruction from elders to leaders and members of the new christian church. Thirteen of the epistles were written by the apostle paul, three by the apostle john, two by the apostle peter, and one each by james and jude. Why are certain books of the bible referred to as epistles. These epistles, with the exceptions of 2 and 3 john, are addressed to a general audience of believers rather than to a specific church.
It should also be noted that the chapters were not added to the bible until. Brief summary of all nt epistles the transformed soul. Its important to know that not every book in the new testament is an epistle but all of pauls letters or epistles were called epistles including the socalled. This is another prison epistle that paul wrote to all the saints in christ jesus who are at philippi, with the overseers. There are more authors than paul who wrote epistles. Unlike the latin rite there are never readings from the old testament. The epistles, letters to the fledgling churches and individual believers in the early. Thirteen of these epistles were written by the apostle paul. Of the 27 books in the new testament, 21 are epistles, or letters, many of. Epistles new testament letters to the early churches.
These include the three books of john 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd john, jude, james, and peter 1 st and 2 nd. The christian bible is divided into two major sections. These are letters or epistles that are messages sent in written form like a letter with the intent of teaching the local churches or the christians that have been dispersed. Epistles in the scriptures are only found in the new testament, which. Here are the epistles letters and their central themes i have included the book of revelation as an epistle because of the letters to the churches making it 22 epistles 1.
An epistle is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people, usually an elegant and. The general epistles, also known as the catholic epistles, are the seven new testament letters written by james, peter, john, and jude. The bestknown and probably the most often used book among the writings is. Romans the book of romans, the apostle paul s inspirational masterpiece, explains gods plan of salvation by grace, through faith in jesus christ. The nt follows this pattern until you come to that tiny little book called philemon.
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