Life Study Of James And The Epistles Of Peter

In Life-study of James, Witness Lee emphasizes two key points related to the Epistle of James—first, that the believers must progress in practical Christian perfection, and second, that the believers must be careful not to cultivate such perfection without a clear vision concerning the law and grace of God in God's New Testament economy. In Life-study of First Peter, he describes the Christian life under the government of God with its high demand, and in Life-study of Second Peter, he details the divine provision that supplies the believers with all that they need to meet that high demand.

The General Epistles are a collection of seven letters that were intended to be circulated among all the early churches. They were not sent to any one specific church and, with the exception of 2 and 3 John, do not address individuals by name. Their subject matter is important enough that the authors wanted all the churches to be informed on these matters. JAMES: One of the earliest books of the New Testament was written by James, the half-brother of Jesus, who was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. James deals with the problems faced by Christians everywhere in their daily walk. For example, he discusses the religion that pleases God, faith which saves because it works, the power of the tongue, coping with suffering and warning against favoritism to the rich and famous. His advice is practical and written in a style that is reminiscent of the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. 1 JOHN: Written by the disciple who was dearly beloved by Jesus, this epistle confronts the gnostic errors that were pummeling the early church. John wrote to clarify the heart of the Gospel which reflects the heart of Jesus. He exalted Jesus, promoted love to one another and urged believers to avoid sin and entanglement with the world. 2 JOHN: This epistle was written to encourage the churches in a time when deception was rampant and many believers were straying from the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He uses two key words in this letter to instruct them how to walk: truth and love. 3 JOHN: John urges the churches to support the itinerant workers who, in turn, support the house church network of that day. He provides us with a study in contrast as he condemns the domineering demands of Diotrephes and endorses the demonstrated diligence of Demetrius. 1 PETER: In this epistle, Peter writes to churches struggling with persecution and suffering. He urges them to depend upon the enduring Word of God, to live holy lives and not to be entangled in the affairs of this life. Their attitudes and actions should all be defined and delivered in the light of eternity. 2 PETER: This epistle was written very near to the end of Peter's life and he writes to warn his readers about the false teachers infecting the churches. He provides the basic steps to increase the fruitfulness of their lives and encourages them to pay attention to God's sure Word of prophecy, to be true to Christ, and to be ready for His expected return. JUDE: Like Peter's second epistle, Jude wrote to warn the churches of the influx of false prophets and teachers. These two epistles have several passages that are remarkably similar, a situation which indicates the seriousness of their words. Their letters had an immediate application to the destruction of Jerusalem, but the situation he describes and the advice he gives are directly applicable to the anticipated return of Christ in our lifetimes. As you use these Study Guides for LIFE, you will be helped by three specific tools: 1) Explanatory notes which offer insight into difficult or controversial passages; 2) Searching questions which direct you back to the text for answers, and 3) Probing questions that expand the context and challenge you to apply the truths in each book to your own culture. Our goal is that you will know what the text says, what it means and how to apply it appropriately. By these means you will be helped to experience the closeness and intimacy of the Lord Jesus Christ, structure your life around Him and prepare for His anticipated return. The Study Guides for LIFE are appropriate for the study efforts of individuals, small groups or teachers preparing to explain each book. Whether you are a curious seeker or a professional minister, these Study Guides will direct your studies into the advice of Jesus' apostles and followers, which are designed to produce disciples after God's own heart.

In the Lord’s recovery during the past five hundred years the church’s knowledge of the Lord and His truth has been continually progressing. This monumental and classical work by Brother Witness Lee builds upon and is a further development of all that the Lord has revealed to His church in the past centuries. It is filled with the revelation concerning the processed Triune God, the living Christ, the life-giving Spirit, the experience of life, and the definition and practice of the church. In this set Brother Lee has kept three basic principles that should rule and govern every believer in their interpretation, development, and expounding of the truths contained in the Scriptures. The first principle is that of the Triune God dispensing Himself into His chosen and redeemed people; the second principle is that we should interpret, develop, and expound the truths contained in the Bible with Christ for the church; and the third governing principle is Christ, the Spirit, life, and the church. No other study or exposition of the New Testament conveys the life nourishment or ushers the reader into the divine revelation of God’s holy Word according to His New Testament economy as this one does.

Are you ready? It's coming! Persecution, deception and religious intolerance. Peter's handbook for sufferers in the early church captured critical advice for the same issues that the church faces today. Our culture is deteriorating into lawlessness, dark perversions and the loss of moral decency, but we are to pursue a life of holiness focused on our Savior. We may be distressed by fiery trials, slander, intimidation and rejection. How then do we respond? Since Christ suffered for us, we are to follow in His steps by doing right and, thereby, silence the ignorance of foolish men. Furthermore, we rejoice and look forward to the living hope of our resurrection. God will be bringing judgment and punishment on the wicked, but we look forward to the rewards He promises those who follow Him. Every Study Guide for LIFE helps the student with a three-pronged approach: 1) explanatory notes offer insight into difficult or controversial passages; 2) searching questions about the text direct readers back to the text for answers, and 3) probing questions expand the context and challenge readers to apply the truths in this book to their own cultures. By these means, the reader will discover, understand and be able to apply the teachings of Peter as he shows them how to stand brave and strong against the enemy and to be unashamed before a faithful and righteous Creator. This Study Guide for LIFE directs readers through the complexities of these epistles by a three-pronged approach to explain what the text says, what it means and how to apply it to their lives. This is done by: 1) offering explanations of our current understanding of the more difficult passages; 2) asking readers questions that can be answered directly from the text to focus attention on specific aspects of the prophecy; and 3) asking probing questions that encourage readers to examine their own lives with the truths that Peter discusses. The Study Guide is appropriate for the study efforts of individuals, small groups or teachers preparing to explain this book. Whether you are a curious seeker or a professional minister, this Study Guide for LIFE will direct your studies into the heart of these letters, but also to the very heart of Jesus Christ Himself.

An aim to make available to the non-technical reader a form that does not require a theological education to understand.

The Teach Yourself the Bible Series is one of the best New Testament studies you will find anywhere. Each book in the series is packed full of valuable questions on individual chapters of the Bible, check-ups to test your grasp of scriptural truths, and usable suggestions for group study. Grow in your knowledge of God through each New Testament book, then go on to study six aspects of Christianity essential for all believers: doctrine, prayer, eternal life, prophecy, Christian character, and Bible study. The apostle Peter had received word of the persecution of the churches and the assault of false teachers upon them. In his old age, he wrote words of comfort and counsel to discouraged believers everywhere. No letters of the New Testament hit more directly home to those in trial and persecution than do the epistles of Peter. Strengthen your relationship with the living God with all twenty-five books of the Teach Yourself the Bible Series. Each volume is a timeless, yet practical, study of the Word of God.