Philemon B DIFFERENT ORDERS OF STUDYING THE NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS There are various orders that may be followed in studying the books of the New Testament A few of these have already been identified The different orders are these: Canonical order This follows the list of books as it appears in our New Testament It is the order of our surveys in this study volume Chronological order See Chart 1, p 20, (entire New Testament) and Chart 61 (Paul’s letters) Here one studies the books in the order of their rst public appearances in the first century General groups This order is shown on Chart 60, page 239 4 Doctrinal content There are various possible orders using this approach Below is one suggestion, which is charted on Chart 62 This chart shows a logical order (Matthew to Revelation, with the epistles built around Acts) combined with a doctrinal progression (salvation; Christ; church; consummation) a basic facts of the gospel — Matthew, Mark, Luke b further reflections of the gospel — John c sequel to the gospel — Acts d salvation (soteriology) — (1a) Romans: The way of salvation (1b) Hebrews: The person of salvation (2a) Galatians: Liberation by the gospel (2b) James: Compulsion of the gospel e Person and work of Christ (christology) — (1a) Ephesians: Christ and the church (1b) Colossians: Christ and the cosmos (2a) Philippians: Joy in Christ (2b) Philemon: Forgiveness in Christ f church (ecclesiology) — (1a) Corinthians: Problems of a church (1b) Timothy: Pastoral care of a church (1c) Titus: Traits of a good church (2a) Corinthians: vindicated (2b) Timothy: accomplished Ministry Ministry g last things (eschatology) — C THE MAIN PURPOSES OF PAUL’S LETTERS The main purposes of Paul’s letters are seen when they are compared with the gospels and Acts The gospels emphasize especially the facts of Christ’s redemptive ministry; the epistles interpret those facts and tell the redeemed ones how to live the Christian life In the gospels Christ ... facts of the gospel — Matthew, Mark, Luke b further reflections of the gospel — John c sequel to the gospel — Acts d salvation (soteriology) — (1a) Romans: The way of salvation (1b) Hebrews: The. .. are seen when they are compared with the gospels and Acts The gospels emphasize especially the facts of Christ’s redemptive ministry; the epistles interpret those facts and tell the redeemed ones... Hebrews: The person of salvation (2a) Galatians: Liberation by the gospel (2b) James: Compulsion of the gospel e Person and work of Christ (christology) — (1a) Ephesians: Christ and the church (1b)