Today we finish a three part series (Introduction, Application, Observations) on the mindset the apostles adopt when speaking to their church audiences.
The authors and epistles of the New Testament are;
- Paul (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon),
- An unknown author (Hebrews),
- James (James),
- Peter (1 & 2 Peter),
- Jude (Jude), and
- John (1,2 & 3 John and Revelation).
These epistles were all written to existing C3 Saints.
Hopefully you have noticed recurring patterns in the way the apostles relate to existing C3 Saints.
Foundational Assumptions
The apostles ASSUME at some point the C3 Righteous have been C1 Sinners.
The apostles ASSUME C3 Righteous know and believe the key facts about future times, who Jesus is and Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
The apostles ASSUME C3 Righteous have passed through the C2 event of conversion. They assume they are converted and saved.
General outline of apostolic practice with these assumptions.
IF (The apostles are aware of an existing problem or sin the C3 Righteous are committing)
The apostles describe the responsibilities for C3 Righteous in light of the C4 judgement – INSTRUCTIONS & WARNINGS (e.g. Galatians and Corinthians)
ELSE
The apostles ASSUME the C3 Righteous have repented of their sins committed in their former C1 Sinner state
The apostles ASSUME the C3 Righteous now bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
The apostles encourage the C3 Righteous in light of their ongoing faith and obedience – ENCOURAGEMENT (e.g. Philippians and Thessalonians)
ENDIF
The apostles LOOK BACKWARD (from C3) and comment on their previous C1 Sinner state – C1, C3 COMPARISONS
The apostles LOOK BACKWARD (from C3) to the C2 conversion event – SALVATION
The apostles LOOK TO THE PRESENT and describe the C3 benefits of the C2 event – PRESENT BLESSINGS
The apostles LOOK TO THE PRESENT and describe the responsibilities of being one of the C3 Righteous – INSTRUCTIONS
The apostles compare their present state as C3 Righteous with those still in the C1 Sinner state – C1, C3 COMPARISONS
The apostles LOOK FORWARD (from C3) and describe the C4 and C5 benefits of the C2 event – FUTURE ASSURANCE
The apostles LOOK FORWARD (from C3) and describe the responsibilities in light of the C4 judgment – INSTRUCTIONS & WARNINGS
This backward and forward looking perspective dominates much of the apostolic writings to church audiences, which primarily consist of the C3 Righteous.
This ends the series on Mindset of the Apostles. I typically apply this mindset when interpreting the New Testament Epistles.
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