Questions On The New Testament

Question 1. Could you please send me some of your thoughts, ideas, and answers concerning the Second Letter of John.

Answer The II and III letters of John were written about the same time, around A.D. 90. Although the author never calls himself by name, instead referring to himself as "The Elder," it is widely accepted that the author of II and III John is the same John who wrote the 4th gospel and 1 John.

II John is logically divided into 2 sections. The first, verses 1-6, concerns God's commandments and the writer's exhortation to his audience to walk in truth (4) and love (5-6).

The second section concerns the need for Christians to use a discerning love rather than a blind, unquestioning love (8). Because there are "many deceivers [who] have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh" (7), the "elect lady and her children" (1) must have the same attitude as the Bereans in Acts 17:11-12: they must test those who would be teachers to ensure that their teaching does not transgress the "doctrine of Christ" (9). This is the way to test for false teachers: their teaching must conform to the teaching of Christ. If someone teaches otherwise, "do not receive him into your house or greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds" (10-11). Contact Michael

Question 2. Reading the book of Acts. I know Luke was a physician, but would like to know more about Luke. His Last name?   Why was this book called Acts? What happened to Luke?

Answer Eusebius and others say he was a Grecian and that he was born and raised at Antioch of Syria. Some think he was a proselyte (a Gentile converted to the Jewish religion) perhaps during the time of Christ, but we do not know when.

He joined Paul at Troas on his second missionary journey and went with him as far as Phillippi. After Paul is let out of prison there, Luke stays (Acts 16: 10-17). He does not meet Paul again until Paul returns to Phillippi on his third missionary journey. He goes back with Paul to Jerusalem to carry the money for the needy saints. There Paul is arrested and taken to Casearea for two years and then is taken to Rome (Acts 20-21). Luke goes with him. He was with Paul during both of his Roman imprisonments. (Col. 4: 14; 2 Tim. 4:11). Tradition says he suffered martyrdom in Greece.

Acts would probably be better describes as "Acts of the Apostles" because it is a history of events surrounding some of the apostles, mainly Peter and Paul.

We don’t know what Luke’s "last name" was. The Bible deals mainly in "first names".  Contact Danny

Question 3. Is James the Less the same person who wrote the book of James and why was he called James the Less?

Answer The number of James' in the N.T. is confusing. There are at least 3 different men. Two were apostles and the third is the Lord's brother. Matthew 10:2-4 gives the names of the apostles. Notice that the 1st James is the brother of John, sons of Zebedee. The second James is identified as the son of Alphaeus. In Mark 15:40 he is designated "the Less", probably because he was younger that the son of Zebedee. The entry in my lexicon for the word translated "Less" is:

3398 mikros {mik-ros'} including the comparative mikroteros {mik-rot'-er-os} apparently a primary word; TDNT - 4:648,593; adj

AV - little 14, least 6, small 6, less 2; 30

1) small, little 1a) of size: hence of stature, of length 1b) of space 1c) of age: less by birth, younger 1d) of time: short, brief, a little while, how little! 1e) of quantity: i.e. number, amount 1f) of rank or influence

It is believed by most the James the brother of the Lord wrote the N.T. book of James, not James the Less or James the son of Zebedee.  Contact Larry