Why the New Testament Epistles Matter More than You Think!

timothyjmccollum
Nov 24
4 min read

What if I told you that Jesus never intended for everyone to learn about Him just through parables?

What if His plan was to one day tell us everything plainly?

A cartoonish image of Jesus teaching on a hillside. — Jesus teaching on a hillside.

At the Last Supper (John 14–17), Jesus delivered His ultimate encouragement to His disciples: Believe in Me, and you’ll be okay.

Few things are more comforting than hearing Jesus say:

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage;

I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33 NASB)

Jesus knew the suffering His disciples would face.

But He also knew the souls they would reach—not only in their lifetime, but for generations to come.

They had seen too much to deny Him.

They had to share what they had witnessed; one reason why the epistles matter!

The Purpose of Parables

Jesus often taught enormous crowds—thousands of people, ranging from enamored to hostile. He shared deep truth, but wrapped it in parables to protect the Kingdom’s secrets.

“With many such parables He was speaking the word to them…

and He did not speak to them without a parable;

but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.”

(Mark 4:33–34 NASB)

Why teach in such a hidden way?

“While seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear…

For the heart of this people has become dull…”

(Matthew 13:13–15 NASB)

Jesus wasn’t hiding truth from believers.

He was protecting it from people who would twist it.

A Historical Example

From the 11th to the 16th century, the Catholic Church sold indulgences: slips of paper claiming to forgive sin. Many treated them like spiritual permission slips—“I can do what I want since I paid for it.” These indulgences simply earned money for the church, they didn't absolve nor atone for sin - a clear example of how the Gospel can be used for sordid gain.

The Gospel softens hearts.

A softened heart is vulnerable.

And evil men can manipulate that vulnerability for personal gain.

This is why Jesus used parables:

to protect the truth until the time came to reveal it plainly.

The Time Came

After His resurrection, Jesus left His disciples with a promise:

“…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:20 NASB)

No longer physically with them, He would now speak through the Holy Spirit.

And with the Holy Spirit came a shift:

“An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language,

but will tell you plainly of the Father.”

(John 16:25 NASB)

The first time I realized what this meant, I sat on my couch in awe.

Jesus told us everything we needed to know.

A crowd praising the Lord. — The Spirit of God moving mightily.

After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit flowed through the early church with power:

“At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place…”

(Acts 5:12 NASB)

But miracles weren’t the only thing being poured out.

Jesus was teaching them directly—clearly and fully.

Why the Epistles Matter

This is exactly why the epistles (Romans–Revelation) matter:

God is no longer speaking in parables.

He is speaking plainly through Spirit-inspired letters that teach us everything necessary for life and godliness.

If we want to know God personally and truthfully,

we must know the letters.

I’ve read the New Testament many times, and the Gospels over twenty times.

But the epistles are the meat and potatoes of theology.

God's character, personal wishes for us humans, and future prophecies are all layed out in plain language in the epistles!

Conclusion

Many people will take the time to read a Gospel.

Less will read all the Gospels.

Even less will read the epistles.

But, as important as the Gospels are, the epistles are where we learn plainly about God and all He wants!

Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

Galatians 6:13 – “For those who are circumcised (those telling you to keep the Law) do not even keep the Law themselves…”

Hebrews 8:13 – “When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete…”

James 2:17 – “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

These are just a small number of life-changing truths found in the epistles.

Sure, the Gospels are super important, but, if you want to know God plainly, you MUST step into the epistles.

You will not regret learning more about the Creator!

I implore you to read Hebrews chapters 8-10 and Romans chapter 6-8 this week. Those six chapters expound upon the simplicity of the Gospel in a way that no human's authority ever could.