URE OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM

FIRST GROUP OF EPISTLES

THE FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS

INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLES OF PAUL

+Epistolary Writings.+--The New Testament is
composed of twenty-seven books, twenty-one of which are
Epistles. Of this latter number thirteen are ascribed to
Paul. It is thus seen how largely the New Testament is
made up of Epistles and how many of these are attributed
to the Great Apostle.

In the letters of men of great prominence and power
of any age we get closer to the real condition of the affairs
of that age than by any other means. In this way, we
get information at first hand from the participants in the
events of which they write. It is fortunate for us that
we have this first hand material with which to deal, when
we come to study the early growth and development of
Christianity.

By means of the New Testament Epistles (which are
real letters and written with a definite purpose in view)
we look directly into the faith, the customs, and practices
of the early Christian churches. We see how they were
organized and how they conducted their services. We
see the marvelous changes wrought in the lives and
characters of the converts. We note that the triumphs of faith
were won through a belief in the Divine Son of God and
the power of the Holy Ghost. The struggles and difficulties
of these early Christians in coming out of heathenism
are depicted in a masterly way. Paul, in his endeavor
to guide aright the churches, of which he had been the
spiritual father, shows what he believes and teaches about
God, the Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ, sin, redemption, and the
future state of the soul. In these letters the incidental
and indirect references to the doctrines taught, and the
customs of the early churches, are as valuable as the direct.

+Some Reasons for Paul's Writings.+--The Apostle
was the founder of churches over a large area of territory.
He soon realized, however, that it was impossible to visit
them as often as he desired and as frequently as he
ought. Many of the converts had come out of heathenism
and needed doctrinal and ethical instruction in the
way of Christ. They also needed encouragement,
comfort, and sometimes sharp correction for outbreaking sins.
As means of communication were open and easy along
the well kept Roman roads, what was more natural than
that Paul should begin to write letters which were not
only to be read by the particular c