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. 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. The pauline epistles are romans, 1 corinthians, 2 corinthians, galatians, ephesians, philippians, colossians, 1 thessalonians, 2 thessalonians, 1 timothy, 2 timothy, titus, and philemon.
The bestknown and probably the most often used book among the writings is. Brief summary of all nt epistles the transformed soul. The general epistles, also known as the catholic epistles, are the seven new testament letters written by james, peter, john, and jude. Of the 27 books in the new testament, 21 are epistles, or letters, many of. They include 21 of the new testaments 27 books, extending from romans to jude. 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 nt follows this pattern until you come to that tiny little book called philemon. The christian bible is divided into two major sections. The epistles of the bible are all found in the new testament. Why are certain books of the bible referred to as epistles.
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. There are more authors than paul who wrote epistles. The pauline epistles are the letters written by the apostle paul that are included in the canon of scripture. 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. These epistles, with the exceptions of 2 and 3 john, are addressed to a general audience of believers rather than to a specific 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. The epistles are generally divided into the pauline epistles and the nonpauline general epistles. Epistles new testament letters to the early churches. The epistles, letters to the fledgling churches and individual believers in the early.
It should also be noted that the chapters were not added to the bible until. This is another prison epistle that paul wrote to all the saints in christ jesus who are at philippi, with the overseers. Romans the book of romans, the apostle paul s inspirational masterpiece, explains gods plan of salvation by grace, through faith in jesus christ. The epistles were written by apostles, who were key christian teachers infused with the power of the holy spirit and inspired to tell people how they, too, can live, think, and behave as a christian. Unlike the latin rite there are never readings from the old testament. Thirteen of these epistles were written by the apostle paul. An epistle is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people, usually an elegant and. Epistles make up the majority of the bibles new testament.