Epistles in the Bible

From the congregation at Jerusalem to the Gentiles

• Acts 15:23-29 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ...

⇒Bible Encyclopedia for EPISTLE.

Of Luke to Theophilus

• Luke 1:1-4 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
• Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

⇒Definition of epistle

Of Paul, see the Biblical books of ROMANS, FIRST CORINTHIANS, SECOND CORINTHIANS, GALATIANS, EPHESIANS, PHILIPPIANS, COLOSSIANS, THESSALONIANS, TIMOTHY, TITUS, and PHILEMON. Of JAMES, PETER, and JOHN, see books of the N. T. which bear their names See LETTERS

⇒See also McClintock and Strong Cyclopedia for Epistle.