Purpose Statements

Question 1

Matthew

Answer 1

To demonstrate that Jesus Christ is Israel’s Messiah and king in whom OT prophecies and expectations find their fulfillment. Yet this good news is not just for the Jews; it is also for Gentiles (all nations)

Question 2

Mark

Answer 2

To set forth Jesus as the Son of God who suffers for our salvation and calls us to true discipleship.

Question 3

Luke

Answer 3

To help Theophilus and other Gentile converts to be certain in their hearts and minds about the ultimate significance of Jesus Christ.

Question 4

Acts

Answer 4

To trace the birth and growth of the church from Jerusalem to “the ends of the earth” through Christ’s Spirit-filled witnesses.

Question 5

John

Answer 5

To persuade readers to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that they might have eternal life through Him.

Question 6

Romans

Answer 6

To give a full account of the gospel; to appeal for help for his missionary trip to Spain; To address problems between Christian Jews and Gentiles; To help his readers glorify God

Question 7

1 Corinthians

Answer 7

To confront divisions and disorders in the church.

Question 8

2 Corinthians

Answer 8

To encourage the repentant majority and instruct them about the collection; To confront the rebellious minority following the false apostles.

Question 9

Galatians

Answer 9

To call his readers back to the true gospel; justification by faith in Christ apart from the law.

Question 10

Ephesians

Answer 10

To instruct Christians concerning the privileges and responsibilities for those who are a part of the church.

Question 11

Philippians

Answer 11

To thank the believers for their gift and warn them about dangers from false teachers without and disunity from within.

Question 12

Colossians

Answer 12

To refute and warn believers against the false teaching that was threatening the church by emphasizing the supremacy of Christ.

Question 13

1 Thessalonians

Answer 13

To refute false accusations against Paul and to encourage and instruct persecuted believers- especially in view of the rapture.

Question 14

2 Thessalonians

Answer 14

To correct false teaching regarding the “day of the Lord”; To instruct readers to take disciplinary action against those who refused to work

Question 15

1 Timothy

Answer 15

To instruct Timothy to confront and oppose false teachers in Ephesus; To give instructions regarding church conduct and order.

Question 16

2 Timothy

Answer 16

To exhort Timothy to carry on the ministry of the gospel after Paul’s death.

Question 17

Titus

Answer 17

To instruct Paul’s companion to set in order what was still needed in the Cretan churches and to have him refute false teachers and train new elders to do the same.

Question 18

Philemon

Answer 18

To urge a slave owner to forgive Onesimus and receive him back as a brother in Christ.

Question 19

Hebrews

Answer 19

To help the readers persevere in the Christian faith by showing the superiority and finality of Christ and warning of the terrible consequences of turning away from Him.

Question 20

James

Answer 20

To exhort believers to live out their faith; to have a faith that manifests itself in works.

Question 21

1 Peter

Answer 21

To encourage believers to stand fast while they endure suffering in this present evil age.

Question 22

2 Peter

Answer 22

To warn believers to be on guard against false teachers by growing into spiritual maturity in Christ.

Question 23

1 John

Answer 23

To refute and expose false teachers by explaining the marks of true Christianity, thereby providing grounds for assurance of eternal life.

Question 24

2 John

Answer 24

To warn the local church not to receive false teachers into their fellowship.

Question 25

3 John

Answer 25

To encourage Gaius to continue to support Christian missionaries and to condemn the self-centered troublemaker Diotrephes.

Question 26

Jude

Answer 26

To exhort his readers to contend for the faith and warn them of the dangerous doctrines and sinful lifestyles of the false teachers.

Question 27

Revelation

Answer 27

To encourage believers by revealing the glorified Christ in His ultimate judgement and victory over all His enemies and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.