New Testament What city is central to the development of Acts? How so?

Besides Jerusalem, the city most central to the development of Acts is probably Antioch. Acts chapter 11 narrates the founding of the church at Antioch, and in 11:26 the word "Christians" is used for the first time in the New Testament -- this is where the disciples were first called "Christians."

What are the "we passages "u in Acts?

In five separate sections of the book of Acts -- each reporting the missionary journeys of Paul -- the author suddenly shifts into the first person plural, as though to indicate the author of Acts was a traveling companion of Paul in the journey described. The "we passages" are Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; and the openings of chapters 27 and 28. The significance is that the author of the book appears to have had first-hand personal knowledge of Paul and his activities.

Describe the basic structure of an ancient letter.

The basic structure of an ancient letter starts with a somewhat formulaic beginning: it identifies the sender and the recipient, and offers greetings or blessings, often with a formulaic pagan prayer. This is followed by the body of a letter, which is usually rhetorical, making logical points followed by an exhortation, a directive as to how to act upon the points made. An ancient letter generally concludes as formulaically as it begins, but briefly: a wish for the recipient's health, for example.

4. How do Paul's letters deviate from typical ancient letters.

Paul's letters differ from the typical ancient letters insofar as the formulaic opening and formulaic closing are frequently much expanded: Paul will frequently name his co-authors or amanuenses in the opening of the letter, and in place of a formulaic pagan prayer there is usually considerable Christian thanksgiving and praise. Paul's final conclusions generally contain much more than the formulaic end of a pagan ancient letter, offering specific greetings or blessings to individual members of the church. The addressees of Paul's letters are also slightly different, as ancient...

But the body of his letters, with the rhetorical structure and exhortations, is fairly similar to what might be expected of a pagan contemporary.
5. What are the Thessalonian readers worried about?

In 2 Thessalonians, it is reported that apparently the Thessalonian readers of Paul's letter had encountered a false teaching, saying that Christ had already returned. In chapter 2, Paul sets them straight, informing them that Christ's return will be preceded by a great tribulation, which has not happened.

6. Who is Philemon?

Philemon is the addressee of the shortest book in the New Testament, the letter of Paul to Philemon. It is written by Paul while in prison, to Philemon (a leader in the Colossian church). The letter is very brief, and mainly concerns the return of the runaway slave Onesimus to Philemon (whom most commentators have assumed to be his owner) -- Paul is keen to emphasize they are both Christians.

7. Who is Phoebe?

Phoebe is the Corinthian woman mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Romans, at 16:1-2. She is a deacon of the church at Cenchreae (the sea-port of Corinth) and is entrusted to deliver Paul's letter to the church at Rome. Paul recommends her highly in the letter, and it is clear that she was a trusted and high-ranking member of the church in Corinth.

8. In Romans, where does Paul place the section on how people should live? Why is the placement significant?

Paul describes how people should live relatively late in Romans, in Chapters 12-15. The placement, however, is significant because it follows Paul's explication of the doctrine of universal salvation abounding to Jew and Gentile alike. This is significant because his description of how people should live depends on grace rather than Mosaic law -- thus it applies equally to Jewish or Gentile readers of the letter.

9. Describe one of the specific problems Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians and explain how he responds.

Marriage is…