I JAMES.

1. Author. James the first, called the Lord's brother. He was elder of the church in Jerusalem and took a prominent part in the council.

2. Date. The date is quite uncertain, but from its Jewish character is probably the earliest of the epistles, being written about 45 A. D.

3. For Whom Written It is addressed "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad." It is written for Hebrew Christians who seemed to have suffered reverses and to have failed in attaining the true Christian character.

4. Purpose. To exhort to a manifestation of faith in outward conduct. The doer of the Word, rather than the hearer, is commended.

II. FIRST PETER.

1. Author. Peter, the apostle to the Jews. His other name was Simon. He was one of the earliest followers of Jesus, and became one of the twelve apostles. Impetuous by nature, he often made mistakes, but was quick to repent, and after Pentecost became one of the most powerful preachers of the Gospel. He was the apostle to the Jews as Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.

2. Date. It is uncertain, but probably about 66 A. D.

3. For Whom Written. For all Christians in Asia Minor, including both Jews and Gentiles.

4. Purpose. To give assurance to the Christians who were threatened with extreme persecution and to encourage them to glorify God even during severe trial, for the church constitutes the true people of God.

III. SECOND PETER.

1. Author. Peter the apostle.

2. Date. The date of writing is not fixed; probably shortly before the author's death, about 67 A. D.

3. For Whom Written. It is a catholic letter, addressed to all believers in Christ.

4. Purpose. To warn them against the false teachers who had entered the church and endangered their faith, and to emphasize the necessity of Christian growth.

IV. FIRST JOHN.

1. Author. The apostle John.

2. Date. Probably soon after he had written his Gospel, about 91 A. D.

3. For Whom Written. For all Christians; but John probably had especially in mind the Christians in Asia Minor, among whom he had labored.

4. Purpose. To fit his readers to meet the false doctrine that seemed to be springing up in the church at that time. He shows them clearly that those who are in Christ will grow like Christ in character, sinless and holy.

V. SECOND JOHN.

1. Author. The apostle John.

2. Date. Probably soon after the first epistle.

3. For Whom Written. It is addressed to the elect lady, probably a Christian widow with children, but the letter is evidently intended for all Christians.

4. Purpose. To keep the sons of this woman, who were walking in the truth, from yielding to the false doctrine of heretical teachers. John aims to condemn heresy and to exhort individual Christians to avoid encouraging false doctrine.

VI. THIRD JOHN.

1. Author. The apostle John.

2. Date. About the same time as the preceding.

3. For Whom Written. It is addressed to Gaius, but is of a general character.

4. Purpose. The apostle had sent a letter to this church commending certain brethren who came among them to preach for the Gentiles, but his letter had not been heeded and the authority of the apostle had been disregarded, especially by Diotrephes, a proud leader among them. The apostle writes this letter to commend Gaius for his former kindness to the brethren and urges him to show further hospitality, while he bitterly condemns Diotrephes. John impresses the duty of individual Christians to manifest love and hospitality towards those laboring for Christ.

VII. JUDE.

1. Author. Jude, not the apostle, but the brother of James.

2. Date. There is no fixed date, but internal evidences indicate that it was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A. D.

3. For Whom Written. For Jewish Christians in Palestine.

4. Purpose. It was written in a time when gross immoralities and false doctrines had come into the church, and Jude encourages the saints to contend earnestly for the faith delivered by the apostles, assuring them that those who oppose Christ must suffer severe punishment.

VIII. REVELATION.

1. Author. John the apostle.

2. Date. during John's banishment on the isle of Patmos, about 95 A. D.

3. For Whom Written It is addressed to the seven churches of Asia, but its application is general.

4. Purpose. To encourage the saints who were undergoing severe persecutions to look beyond the present conflicts between wickedness and righteousness.

QUESTIONS.

• What James wrote the Epistle?

• Give the date and for whom it was written.

• What special aim for writing this book?

• What is said of Peter as the author of these two books?

• When were they written?

• To whom and for what purpose?

• How many books did John write?

• When was each Epistle written?

• For whom was the first, the second and the third written?

• Give the purpose of each Epistle.

• Who was Gaius?

• Who was Jude?

• When and for whom did he write?

• For what purpose?

• Where was John when he wrote Revelation?

• For whom is this book written?

• What is the purpose of it?

REVIEW.

I. James.

1. Author James.

2. Date 45 A. D.

3. For whom written twelve tribes.

4. Purpose to exhort to faithfulness.

II. First Peter.

1. Author Peter, apostle.

2. Date 66 A. D.

3. For whom written all Christians.

4. Purpose to trust in God through trial.

III. Second Peter.

1. Author Peter.

2. Date 66 A. D.

3. For whom written all believers.

4. Purpose show necessity of Christian growth.

IV. First John.

1. Author John, apostle.

2. Date 75 1085 A. D.

3. For whom written all Christians.

4. Purpose To defend against false teaching.

V. Second John.

1. Author John.

2. Date 75 to 85 A. D.

3. For whom written all Christians.

4. Purpose Christians not to tolerate false doctrine.

VI. Third John.

1. Author John, apostle.

2. Date 75 1085 A. D.

3. For whom written Gaius, of general character.

4. Purpose to condemn Gaius and show hospitality.

VII. Jude.

1. Author Jude.

2. Date 70 A. D.

3. For whom written Jewish Christians.

4. Purpose exhorts Christians to be earnest in the true doctrine of Christ.

VIII. Revelation.

1. Author John the apostle.

2. Date 95 A. D.

3. For whom written Seven churches of Asia.

4. Purpose to look to the future for the reward promised.