Introduction to 2 Thessalonians by Stephen Ricker
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INTRODUCTION TO 2 THESSALONIANS

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New Testament Writings

Before analyzing the test of any book of the Bible, it is well to learn the historical background.

Also, it is best to make a "skyscraper" view of its general contents.

  1. PAUL'S TIMELINE FROM CONVERSION TO ARREST
    1. Paul meet Christ on the road to Damascus, and thus became a Christian (35 A.D.), five years after Pentecost. (Acts 9:1-22, 26:4-23)
    2. Paul in approx. 41 A.D., fourteen years before the writing of 2 Corinthians in 55 A.D., was caught up to the third heaven where he heard revelations and also inexpressible things. (Galatians 1:11-12; 2 Corinthians 12:1-7)
    3. Paul sneaks out of Damascus and goes to Jerusalem and with the help of Barnabas he meets the apostles for the first time. After preaching in Jerusalem his life was threatened. So he was taken to the port city Caesarea and sent to Tarsus, his hometown. (Acts 9:23-30)
    4. Something passed and Paul returned to Antioch. (Acts 13:1) Paul and Barnabas were sent on their first missionary journey which was from 46 to 48 A.D. (Acts 13-14)
    5. The Jerusalem counsel held initiated and attended by Paul and Barnabas in either 49 or 50 A.D. (Acts 15)
    6. Some believe that Paul wrote Galatians while at Antioch between the first and second mission trips in 48 A.D.
    7. Paul and Silas left Antioch to go on Paul's second missionary trip in early 50 A.D. He went through Tarsus on the way to the churches in Galatia where young Timothy joins them. (Acts 15:36-16:10)
    8. The same year crossing the Aegean Sea arriving at Philippi. (Acts 16:11-40)
    9. They flee Philippi after considerable time there and went to Thessalonica were they spend considerable time. (Acts 17:1-9)
    10. Paul and Silas flee from Thessalonica to Berea. Since Timothy is not mentioned, it is possible that he stayed in Thessalonica or Philippi and then rejoined Paul in Silas in Berea.
    11. Paul fled to Athens from Berean persecution, leaving Silas and Timothy in Berea. (14) Paul asked Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens. (Acts 15, and 1 Thess. 3:1-2)
    12. Timothy rejoined Paul at Athens and was sent back to Thessalonica. (1 Thess. 3:1-5) Since Silas is not mentioned, it has been conjectured that he went back to Philippi when Timothy went to Thessalonica.
    13. Paul moved on the Corinth. (Acts 18:1) Silas and Timothy came to Paul in Corinth. (Acts 18:5, and 1 Thess. 3:6)
    14. Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians and sent it to the church. About six months later in late 51 or early 52 A.D. Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians.
    15. Most believe that Paul wrote Galatians while in Corinth or perhaps when he arrived back at Antioch at the end of his second mission trip (late 52 A.D.)
    16. Paul returned to Ephesus during the early part of his third missionary journey. (53 A.D.) He stayed there for two years. (Acts 19:1-20)
    17. Paul left Ephesus to visit the congregations he had went to on his second missionary trip. (Acts 19:21-20:1)
    18. Paul stopped at Corinth on the looped journey where he penned the letter to the believers in Rome. He made a short stop in Ephesus and then went to Jerusalem. (56 A.D., Acts 20:2-38)
    19. Paul ended the third missionary trip in Jerusalem. He presented a gift that was collected for the poor and needy in Jerusalem. (57 A.D., Acts 20:39-21:16)
    20. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem when the Jews tried to kill him. (57 A.D., Acts 21:17-40)
  2. BACKGROUND
    1. Author. Apostle Paul according to most scholars.
    2. Date Written. between 50 and 54 A.D.
    3. Period Covered. Beginning of the spread of the gospel, during Paul's second missionary journey.
    4. Geographical Centers. Paul was in Corinth when he wrote both letters to the congregation in Thessalonica.
    5. Main Theme. The day of the Lord had not yet come and how we are to live until then.
    6. Audience. A new congregation full of believers who were committed and yet young in faith and understanding.
  3. SURVEY
    1. the greatness of God
    2. the wonders of salvation in Christ
    3. the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
    4. daily living

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