Practicing Christian Leadership, Student Workbook, SW11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

2. Paul authenticated the message of these letters by signing with his own hand.

a. 1 Cor. 16.21

b. 2 Thess. 3.17

3. The Apostle Paul felt it critical to address the specific questions of the issues of each situation with its own specially-crafted letter (which accounts for the differences in his epistles to different churches).

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a. The Corinthians , problems with sexual immorality, 1 Cor. 5.9-11

b. The Galatians , problems with legalism, Gal. 3.1-3

c. The Thessalonians , problems with laziness, 2 Thess. 3.6-8

d. The Romans , problems with pride, Rom. 11.11-14

e. The Colossians , problems with weird philosophies, Col. 2.8-10

4. It is evident that Paul was aware of what each situation required, and answered the particular issues with letters which addressed those specific concerns, cf. 1 Cor. 7.1-2.

5. Paul often wrote the same things to congregations, not to nag them but to “pile-drive” home certain critical truths in the faith, Phil. 3.1-2.