The General Epistles are so called because most are addressed to the
entire
church.
This is in contrast to the
Pauline
Letters, which are typically addressed to particular people or
congregation. They are sometimes referred to as the Catholic Letters, catholic
in this case referring to universal or for everyone.
These letters were written by different people at different times with
somewhat different intentions. Even so, some common themes can be found in
these books. Some themes that I observed are
-that helping others is a particularly important way to of practically
emulating Christ, and
The Gospel
The Gospel was central to the teaching of the apostles, as it is
central to the church today. The writings of the apostles particularly
emphasized the deity of
Jesus Christ, His
death on the cross for the atonement of our
sins, and His bodily
resurrection
from the grave as proof of who He was and the authority of His teachings. Even
in that first generation, the church was beset with people who tried to alter,
twist, or reimagine
God’s Word,
putting aside the truth to suit themselves and their own agendas. These authors
defend the Gospel against false teachers.
Character
Salvation involves an amazing transformation. It is also just the
beginning of a life walking with
God. God’s Word
works in our minds, and the
Holy Spirit
works in our heart, to change us so we are increasingly more like Christ. The
authors of these letters encourage believers to embrace this process and
actively imitate Christ. If a person belongs to God, their character will show
it, and it will show more as they mature.
Helping Others
One of the most practical ways to show what Christ is like, and to
imitate him, is to help other. The authors of these letters encourage Christians
to help the widowed, orphaned, hungry, imprisoned and oppressed, especially if
there is a fellow Christian in need.
Encouragement
People suffered in the
First Century,
even as they do today. Christians in those days sometimes faced active
persecution. Even where they were tolerated, their new beliefs and behaviors
sometimes brought them into painful conflict with
family
and friends. The writers of these letters encouraged them to stick with the
truth. God is with them and will help them overcome. Often it is the character
of believers, especially the way they behave in suffering, that is the
testimony that touches the heart of a love-one or even a stranger in a way that
eventually brings them to Christ.
The General Epistles are
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