RS 20

Form
Gospels

Acts

Letters

Church
Orders

Testament

Key
features
Proclamation
s of the
Good News
about Jesus
A partial
narrative
account
about the
beginnings
and the
growth of
early
Christianity
and focuses
only on the
actions of a
few
missionary
leaders
Addressing
the practical
and
theological
issues
relevant to
particular
communities
A collection
of
instructions
for the
practical
organization
of religious
communities
A document
that gives a
dying
persons last
wishes and
instructions
for his/her

Basis
Luke 21:1-4
Fact

Acts 6:1-7
Fact

Romans
1:10-12 Fact

Timothy 1:19 Fact

2 Peter 3:1418 Fact

Purpose

Audience

Establish
and/ or
strengthen
peoples faith
in Him
Provide a
broad survey
of the
Churchs
development
from the
resurrection
of Jesus to
Pauls Roman
imprisonmen
t, the point
which the
book ends.

People

Provide an
exposition of
Christian
teaching,
provoked by
concrete
circumstance
s
Emphasize
correct
doctrine and
church
organizations

Christian
Communities
(i.e. Romans,
Corinthians,
Galatians,
Philippians,
Colossians,
Ephesians)
Pastors (i.e.
those who
shepherd or
lead
congregation
s)

Give hope
and rely on
the power of
Scriptures
without
being
troubled by

Timothy

Jewish
people,
community

successors.
Homily/
Sermon

An exegetical
sermon that
cites and
interprets
older biblical
texts in
reference to
Jews

Hebrews 1:14 Fact

Wisdom
Collection

A collection
of general
instructions
on how to
live an
ethical
Christian life
well.
More stylized
works in
letter format;
circular
letters
intended for
broader
audiences

James 1:2-8
Fact

A vividly
symbolic
narrative
that
reveals
Gods views
about a
historical
crisis

Rev 1:1-8
Fact

Epistles/
Encyclicals

Apocalypse

Peter 1:3-5
Fact

those who do
not accept
him
Encourage
Christians on
a time of trial
by focusing
on the
absolute
supremacy
and
sufficiency of
Jesus Christ
Reminds
practically
and faithfully
Christians
how to live.

Encourage
Christians to
remain
faithful to
their
standards of
belief despite
of
persecution
Provide
encouragem
ent for a
difficult
present and
hope for a
better future

Jewish
Christians

NonPalestinian
Jews

Christian
community

People of
God,
Churches