The Truthfulness of the
Eyewitness Accounts as
Presented in the Bible
By W. R. Miller
A
religion that claims to be true must be based upon truth.
Christianity
not only claims to be true, it claims to be based upon actual
historical
events. For Christianity to be true, it must be based
upon actual
historical events.
These
events are chronicled in the Bible, a collection of over 60 documents
spanning
over 1,500 years, written by over 40 authors including shepherds and
kings,
fishermen and doctors, soldiers and lawyers. They all testified
of their
experiences with the supreme Creator of the universe, and how, even
today, one
can have a relationship with the Creator.
For
those willing to investigate their testimonies, the following questions
arise: Did the Prophets and the Apostles report their experiences
accurately, or were they mistaken, or did they want to mislead their
readers? How can we accept their testimony as true? Why
should we
trust them?
Skeptics
contend, "You can't quote the Bible to prove the Bible. That's
circular
reasoning!"
Which is like saying, "You can't quote an encyclopedia to prove an encyclopedia. That's circular reasoning!"
Webster's
College Dictionary defines "encyclopedia" as "n. a book or set of
books
containing articles on various topics, usually in alphabetical
arrangement,
covering all branches of knowledge or all aspects of one
subject."
Encyclopedias contain articles written by multiple authors, purporting
information that can be verified.
Webster's
College Dictionary defines "Bible" as "n. 1. The collection of
sacred
writings of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and New
Testaments."
That's
right. Just like an encyclopedia, the Bible is a set of books, of
accounts written by multiple authors, purporting information that could
be
verified. How so? That is what this essay will demonstrate.
The
books of the Bible were written by over 40 independent sources, which
could be
verified, or disqualified, by contemporaries with the means, motive,
and
opportunity to do so. When we study the books of the Bible,
we
should apply the same standards as we would any historical document.
"All Christianity asks of men on this subject, is that they would be consistent with themselves; that they would treat the evidence of other things; and that they would try and judge its actors and witnesses, as they deal with their fellow men, when testifying to human affairs and actions, in human tribunals," writes Simon Greenleaf, one of the founders of Harvard Law School. "Let the witnesses be compared with themselves, with each other, and with surrounding facts and circumstances; and let their testimony be sifted, as if were given in a court of justice, on the side of the adverse party, the witness being subjected to a rigorous cross-examination." [1]
The
writers of the Biblical accounts invited critical analysis, as revealed
in 1
Thessalonians
This
essay isn't a philosophical discussion. This is an examination of
the
historical record and whether or not it's valid. Keep in mind
that, while
the evangelists professed the truth, they also reported historical
facts.
So while the Bible addresses philosophical issues, it also reports
facts which,
by definition, are synonymous with truth.
Webster's
College Dictionary:
True: "adj. 1. Being in accordance with the actual state or conditions; conforming to reality or fact: a true story. 2. Real; genuine; authentic: true gold. 3. Sincere: not deceitful: a true interest in others. 4. Loyal; faithful; steadfast: a true friend. 5. Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character: the true meaning of his statement. 6. Conforming to or consistent with a standard, pattern, etc.: a true copy. 7. Exact; precise; accurate, correct: a true balance. 8. Such as it should be; proper: to arrange things in their true order. 9. Properly so called; rightly answering to a description: true statesmanship. 10. Legitimate or rightful: the true heir. 11. Reliable, unfailing, or sure: a true sign. 12. Exactly or accurately shaped, formed, fitted, or placed, as a surface or instrument. 13. Honest; honorable; upright. 14. Conforming to the type, structural standards, or norm of a particular group: The lion is a true cat."
Truth: "n. 1. The true or actual state of a matter: to tell the truth. 2. Conformity with fact or reality; verity: to check the truth of a statement. 3. A verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths. 4. The state or character of being true. 5. Actuality or actual existence. 6. An obvious or accepted fact; truism; platitude. 7. Honesty; integrity; truthfulness. 8. (often cap.) ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience. 9. Agreement with a standard or original. 10. Accuracy, as of position or adjustment."
Fact: "n. 1. Something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact. 2. Something known to exist or to have happened. 3. A truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: scientific facts about plant growth. 4. Something said to be true or supposed to have happened. 5. An actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence." (Bold emphasis mine.)
This
essay assumes the Scriptures we have are reliable copies of the
originals. For those who wish to explore why the copies
we have
are reliable, check out the articles at the following links:
Are the Biblical Documents Reliable? by Jimmy Williams
http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/bib-docu.html
The Historical Reliability of the New Testament Text--Part One
The Historical Reliability of the New Testament Text--Part Two
The Historical Reliability of the New Testament Text--Part Three
The Historical Reliability of the New Testament Text--Part Four
Textual Trysts: The Textual Reliability of the New Testament
https://www.tektonics.org/lp/nttextcrit.php
Professor Greenleaf
states, "In examining the evidence of the Christian religion, it is essential to the discovery of truth that we bring to the investigation a mind freed, as far as possible, from existing prejudice, and open to conviction. There should be a readiness, on our part, to investigate with candor to follow the truth wherever it may lead us, and to submit, without reserve or objection, to all the teachings of this religion, if it be found to be of divine origin." [2]
So, what proof is there that the writers of the Bible were trustworthy, and what they reported is accurate and true? Following the outline, each
heading
will be demonstrated by a list of Scriptures. In this manner we
let the
eyewitnesses of the events speak for themselves.
Outline
Introduction: The
Prophets and the Apostles.
A. The
prophets and the apostles knew the law
regarding false witness.
B. The
prophets and the apostles knew the
consequences for disobeying the law.
C. The
prophets and the apostles knew the
rewards for obeying the law.
D. The
prophets and the apostles knew God
Himself was a witness to their actions.
E. The
prophets and the apostles appealed to
reason.
F. The
prophets and the apostles appealed to the
truth.
G. The
prophets and the apostles appealed to the
truthfulness of their testimony as eyewitness accounts.
H. The
prophets and the apostles risked their
lives proclaiming the truth.
II. Divine
Confirmation.
A. God
ordained the authority of the prophets and the apostles.
B. Jesus
confirmed authority to the prophets and the apostles.
C. The
Holy Spirit confirmed authority to the prophets and the apostles.
III. Confirmation
by Miracles.
A. The
truthfulness of the prophets and the
apostles were confirmed by supernatural miracles.
B. The
prophets and apostles warned of
counterfeits, and encouraged testing.
IV. Legal
Confirmation.
A. The
testimony of the prophets and the
apostles was confirmed by other prophets and apostles.
B. Prophets
confirmed Mosaic authorship of the
Law.
C. Apostles
confirmed Law and the Prophets.
D. The
Rulers of the People and the Synagogue
confirmed the Law and the Prophets.
E. The
People confirmed the Law and the Prophets.
F. Jesus
confirmed the Law and the Prophets.
1. Jesus believed all the Hebrew
Scriptures to be authoritative.
2. Jesus denounced those who
were unfamiliar with the Hebrew Scriptures.
3. Jesus believed the Scriptures
were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
4. Jesus believed the Hebrew
Scriptures were prophetic.
5. Jesus referred to the Hebrew
Scriptures as the Word of God.
6. Jesus quoted from each of the
divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures.
a. The Law.
b. The Prophets.
c. The Writings.
7. Jesus acknowledged the
Passover seder, and the covenant God made with
G. Jude
confirmed 2 Peter as authoritative.
H. Peter
denounced false prophets and equated
Paul's epistles with Scripture.
I.
Paul confirmed Luke's testimony as Scripture.
J. Paul
acknowledged Luke as an Eyewitness.
K. Paul
acknowledged other apostles and
prophets.
L. Paul
acknowledged as an apostle.
1. Acknowledgement by the other apostles.
2. Acknowledgement by God in the use of miracles.
M. As an Apostle, Paul had authority.
N. Paul
claimed all Scripture is God-breathed.
O. The
prophets and the apostles regarded Scripture as the Word of God.
P. What
God says, the Bible says. What the
Bible says, God says.
A. Prophets
confirmed specific historical events
and persons in the Hebrew Scriptures.
1. The
Creation of
2.
3.
Adam's sin acknowledged.
4.
Noah.
5. God
grants the
6.
Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness.
7. The sin and destruction of
8. Jacob wrestles with God.
9. Hosea refers to Jacob and
Rachel and Moses.
10. Jacob buys land for 100
pieces of silver.
11. The bones of Joseph.
12. Dividing the
13. Daniel refers to Moses.
14. Micah refers to Moses,
Aaron, Miriam.
15. Micah refers to Balaam,
Balak.
16. Observance of the Passover.
17. Mosaic legislation on
carrying the Ark of the Covenant with poles.
18. Independent references to manna.
19. Samuel recalls the Amakite
treachery.
20. Amos refers to the
Israelites wandering in the wilderness and the Amorites.
21. The Bronze Serpent.
22. Jephthah, a Hebrew judge,
recalls the Exodus and the conflict of Ammon.
23. Rahab the harlot.
24. Joshua refers to the Torah /
Pentateuch.
25. Nehemiah quotes from
Deuteronomy.
26.
27. Fulfillment of 1 Kings
13:31.
28. Jeroboam's Golden Calves.
29. Elijah is acknowledged.
30. Prophecy of the Exile from
the books of Moses.
31. Jonah the Prophet.
32. Historical records from Adam
to David acknowledged.
33. The genealogy of Ruth
acknowledged.
34. God's judgment upon
35. Independent references to
the Canaanite god Baal.
36. Daniel refers to Jeremiah
the Prophet.
37. Daniel endorses Scripture.
38. Ezekiel refers to Noah,
Daniel and Job.
39. The prophecy of Micah.
B. Jesus
confirmed specific historical events
and persons in the Hebrew Scriptures.
1. The
creation of Adam and Eve.
2.
Jesus acknowledged the concept of marriage.
3.
Noah and the Genesis Flood.
4. The
Patriarchs.
5.
6.
Moses and the burning bush.
7.
David eating the showbread.
8. The
Queen of
9. The
Exodus.
10.
11.
Elijah, Elisha, the widow of
12.
Jonah the Prophet, The great fish,
13.
The murders of Abel and Zechariah.
14.
Daniel the Prophet.
15.
Jesus accepted prophecy from the Hebrew Scriptures.
C. Matthew
confirmed historical events and
people from the Hebrew Scriptures.
D. Luke
confirmed historical events and people
from the Hebrew Scriptures.
E. John
confirmed historical events and people
from the Hebrew Scriptures.
F. Stephen
confirmed historical events and
people from the Hebrew Scriptures.
G. Peter
confirmed historical events and people
from the Hebrew Scriptures.
H. Paul
confirmed historical events and people
from the Hebrew Scriptures.
I. The
writer of Hebrews confirmed historical
events and people from the Hebrew Scriptures.
J. James
confirmed historical events and people
from the Hebrew Scriptures.
K. Jude
confirmed historical events and people
from the Hebrew Scriptures.
L. Jesus,
Matthew, Mark, Luke, Peter,
James, John confirmed afterlife appearances of Moses and Elijah.
M. Paul
confirmed the life and ministry of Jesus
Christ.
1.
Paul confirmed the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2.
Paul confirmed the Lord's Supper.
3.
Paul referred to Jesus' prohibition of divorce and remarriage.
4.
Paul proclaimed the resurrected Jesus Christ.
5.
Paul acknowledged the power of Jesus Christ.
6.
Paul confirmed Jesus' prophecy regarding His return.
7.
Paul acknowledged the gospel of Jesus Christ.
8.
Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.
9.
Paul preached the same doctrine of salvation as Jesus and the
other Apostles.
a.
Jesus.
b.
Other Apostles.
c.
Paul.
d. Results.
10.
Paul urged his readers to follow the example of Christ.
a.
Paul affirmed the beatitudes.
b.
Service to others.
c.
Other examples.
B. Jesus
confirmed prophecies concerning Himself.
C. Matthew
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
D. Mark
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
E. Luke
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
F. John
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
G. Philip
confirmed prophecies about Jesus.
H. Apollos
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
I. Paul
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
J. Paul
confirmed prophecies of the Holy Spirit.
K. Writer
of Hebrews confirmed prophecies of
Jesus.
L. Peter
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
M. James
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
N. Other
eyewitness accounts concerning Jesus
and prophecy.
VII. Confirmation
by Nonbelievers and Hostile Eyewitnesses.
A. Satan
cited Scripture as authoritative.
1. The
population of the children of
2.
Miraculous feeding of over 100 people.
3.
Miraculous feeding of over 5,000 people, plus healings.
4.
Followed by the miraculous feeding of over 4000 people, plus
healings.
5.
Regional healings involving great multitudes.
6.
Jesus exorcises a man with an unclean demon, spreading fame.
7. A
great multitude witnesses the healing of the epileptic.
8.
Acknowledgement of Lazarus' resurrection; a great multitude
praises Jesus when He enters
9.
Approximately 120 disciples, post-Resurrection.
10.
Approximately 3000 people become Christians,
post-Resurrection.
11.
Over 5000 people become Christians, post-Resurrection.
12.
The ministry of Paul and Barnabas adds multitudes of
believers.
13.
Over 500 witnesses to the resurrected Christ.
1. Pharoah
Siamon (Unnamed in 1 Kings) and Queen
Tahpenes. Contemporary of King Solomon.
2. Pharoah
Shesonk I/Shishak. Contemporary of
King Rehoboam.
3.
Pharoah Shabaka (Unnamed in 2 Kings). Contemporary
of King Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, king of
4.
Tirhakah, King of
5.
Pharoah So. Contemporary of Ahaz king of Judah and
Hoshea, son of Elah and king of
6.
Pharoah Necho II. Contemporary of Josiah, king of
Judah, Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of
Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and the prophet Jeremiah.
7.
Pharoah Apries/Hophra. Contemporary of Zedekiah,
king of
8.
Naaman, Syrian commander.
9.
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Neo-Babylonian Empire (605 – 562
B.C.) Contemporary of King Zedekiah, Pharaoh Necho,
Jehoiachin, and
the prophets Jeremiah and Daniel.
10. Herod
Antipas the tetrarch, ruler of
11.
The Jewish Authorities.
12.
Nicodemus.
13.
Annas, the High Priest.
14.
Gamaliel I.
15.
Caiaphas, the High Priest.
16.
Pontius Pilate, Governor of
17.
Saul/Paul of
18.
Proconsul Sergius Paulus.
19.
Porcius Festus.
20.
King Herod Agrippa II.
VIII. Confirmation
of Objective Testimony.
A. The
prophets and the apostles included
testimony that indicated their own sinfulness and skepticism.
1. Adam.
2. Abram.
3. Moses.
4. Samson.
5. David,
King of
6. Solomon,
King of
7. Disobedient
prophets.
8. Elisha,
the prophet.
9. Jeremiah,
the prophet.
10. John the
baptizer.
11. The
disciples of Jesus Christ.
a. The
disciples testify of their own lack of
knowledge and understanding.
b. Fear,
lack of faith.
c. Lack
of faith.
d. Pettiness.
e. Judgmental.
f. Fallible.
g. Weak.
h. Disloyal.
(I.
Judas betrayed Jesus Christ.
(II.
The disciples abandoned Jesus Christ.
(III.
Peter denied Jesus Christ.
i. The
disciples were skeptical of Christ's
resurrection.
B. The
prophets and the apostles testified of
those who disbelieved in spite of the miracles.
C. The
prophets and the apostles testified of
those who disbelieved in spite of the message.
Conclusion:
Therefore, the testimony of the prophets and
the apostles is true.
Acceptable in a Court
of Law: The Eyewitness Testimony of the Evangelists
A. Are the testimonies biased evidence?
B. Were the Scriptures deliberately altered to fit prophecies?
Objections to Truth
A.
Was there intent to deceive?
B.
Was the Gospel incomplete or not fully revealed?
Affirmation of the
Apostles
A. Jesus gave them understanding in matters of doctrine and
fulfillment
of prophecy.
B.
The Holy Spirit gave them understanding in matters of doctrine
and
prophecy.
The Eyewitness
Accounts as Presented in the Bible
Introduction:
The Prophets and the Apostles
Who wrote the
Bible? The authors were known by various
names, most commonly as "Prophets." Other titles: "Man of God" (1
Kings
The following is a
list of the Biblical authors [4] who
composed
their works under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Details are
provided for five of the gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and
Peter,
as presented by Simon Greenleaf in Testimony of the Evangelists.
1.
The Writer of Job.
Book of Job, regarded as the earliest written book of the Bible.
2. Moses. Shepherd. Leader.
Writer of The Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), plus Psalm 90.
3. Joshua. Military general.
Joshua 1-24:27.
4. Eleazar, son of Aaron. High priest.
Joshua 24:28-33.
5. Samuel. Prophet.
Judges. Possibly Ruth.
6. Nathan. Prophet.
Judges.
7. Gad. Prophet.
Judges.
8.
Ezra.
Ezra, Chronicles, Nehemiah.
9. Nehemiah. Cupbearer.
Book of Nehemiah.
10. Writer of Esther. Prophet.
Book of Esther.
11. David. Shepherd. Soldier. Musician. King.
Psalms 2-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 95, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145.
12. Solomon. King.
Proverbs, Song of Solomon (Canticles), Psalms 72 and 127, Ecclesiastes.
13. Zabud, son of Nathan the prophet.
1 Samuel, 2 Samuel.
14. Sons of Korah.
Psalms 42-49, 84-85, 87; Numbers 26:9-11.
15. Asaph. Priest.
Psalms 50, 73-83; Ezra 2:41.
16. Heman. Wise Man.
Psalm 88; 1 Kings
17. Ethan the Ezrahite.
Psalm 89.
18. Agur ben Jakeh. Oracle.
Proverbs 30.
19. Lemuel. King. Oracle.
Proverbs 31.
20. Isaiah. Prophet. Poet.
Book of Isaiah.
21. Jeremiah. Prophet. Son of Hilkiah the priest.
Book of Jeremiah. Possibly Lamentations. Possibly I and II Kings.
22. Ezekiel. Priest. Prophet. Son of Buzi.
Book of Ezekiel.
23. Daniel. Prime minister.
Book of Daniel.
24. Hosea. Prophet. Son of Beeri.
Book of Hosea.
25. Joel. Prophet. Son of Pethuel.
Book of Joel.
26. Amos. Herdsman.
Book of Amos.
27. Obadiah. Prophet.
Book of Obadiah.
28. Jonah. Prophet. Son of Amittai.
Book of Jonah.
29. Micah. Prophet.
Book of Micah.
30. Nahum. Prophet.
Book of Nahum.
31. Habakkuk. Prophet.
Book of Habakkuk.
32. Zephaniah. Prophet of royal descent.
Book of Zephaniah.
33. Haggai. Prophet.
Book of Haggai.
34. Zechariah. Priest. Son of Berechiah. Grandson of Iddo.
Book of Zechariah.
35. Malachi. Prophet.
Book of Malachi.
36.
Matthew. Tax collector. Son
of Alphaeus.
Simon
Greenleaf, Testimony of the Evangelists:
Matthew,
called Levi, was a Jew of Galilee, but of what city is uncertain. He
held the
place of publican, or tax-gatherer, under the Roman government, and his
office
seems to have consisted in collecting the taxes within his district, as
well as
the duties and customs levied on goods and persons, passing in and out
of his
district and province, across the
He
is generally allowed to have written first, of all the evangelists; but
whether
in the Hebrew or the Greek language, or in both, the learned are not
agreed,
nor is it material to our purpose to inquire; the genuineness of our
present
Greek gospel being sustained by satisfactory evidence. The precise time
when he
wrote is also uncertain, the several dates given to it among learned
men,
varying from A.D. 37 to A.D. 64. The earlier date, however, is argued
with
greater force, from the improbability that the Christians would be left
for
several years without a general and authentic history of our Savior's
ministry;
from the evident allusions which it contains to a state of persecution
in the
church at the time it was written; from the titles of sanctity ascribed
to
Jerusalem, and a higher veneration testified for the temple than the
comparative gentleness with which Herod's character and conduct are
dealt with,
that bad prince probably being still in power; and from the frequent
mention of
Pilate, as still governor of Judea.
That
Matthew was himself a native Jew, familiar with the opinions,
ceremonies, and
customs of his countrymen; that he was conversant with the Sacred
Writings, and
habituated to their idiom; a man of plain sense, but of little
learning, except
what he derived from the Scriptures of the Old Testament; that he wrote
seriously and from conviction, and had, on most occasions, been
present, and
attended closely, to the transactions which he relates, and relates,
too,
without any view of applause to himself; are facts which we may
consider
established by internal evidence, as strong as the nature of the case
will admit.
It is deemed equally well proved, both by internal evidence and the aid
of
history, that he wrote for the use of
his countrymen the Jews. Every circumstance is noticed which might
conciliate
their belief, and every unnecessary expression is avoided which might
obstruct
it. They looked for the Messiah, of the lineage of David, and born in
Bethlehem, in the circumstances of whose life the prophecies should
find
fulfillment, a matter, in their estimation, of peculiar value: and to
all these
this evangelist has directed their especial attention.
Allusion
has been already made to his employment as a collector of taxes and
customs:
but the subject is too important to be passed over without further
notice. The
tribute imposed by the Romans upon countries conquered by their arms
was
enormous. In the time of Pompey, the sums annually exacted by their
Asiatic
provinces, of which Judea was one, amounted to about four millions and
a a half
of sterling, or about twenty-two millions of dollars. These exactions
were made
in the usual forms of direct and indirect taxation; the rate of the
customs on
merchandise varying from an eight to a fortieth part of the value of
the
commodity; and the tariff including all the principal articles of the
commerce
of the East, much of which, as is well known, still found its way to
Italy
through Palestine, as well as by the way of Damascus and of Egypt. The
direct
taxes consisted of a capitation-tax, and a land-tax, assessed upon a
valuation
or census, periodically taken under the oath of the individual, with
heavy
penal sanctions. It is natural to suppose that these taxes were not
voluntarily
paid, especially since they were imposed by the conqueror upon a
conquered
people, and by a heathen too, upon the people of the house of
37.
Mark. (John-Mark.)
Book of Mark.
Simon
Greenleaf, Testimony of the Evangelists:
Mark
was the son of a pious sister of Barnabas, named Mary, who dwelt at
It
is agreed that Mark wrote his Gospel for the use of Gentile converts;
and
opinion deriving great force from the explanations introduced into it,
which
would have been useless to a Jew, and that it was composed for those at
Rome,
is believed, not only from the numerous Latinisms it contains, but from
the
unanimous testimony of ancient writer, and from the internal evidence
afforded
by the Gospel itself.
Some
have entertained the opinion that Mark compiled his account from that
of
Matthew, of this notion has been refuted by Knoppe, and others, and is
now
generally regarded as untenable. For Mark frequently deviates from
Matthew in
the order of time, in his arrangement of facts; and he adds many things
not
related by the other evangelists; neither of which a mere epitomizer
would
probably have done. He also omits several things related by Matthew,
and
imperfectly describes others, especially the transactions of Christ
with the
apostles after the resurrection; giving no account whatever of his
appearance
in
38.
Luke. Doctor.
Luke, Acts.
Simon
Greenleaf, Testimony of the Evangelists:
Luke,
according to Eusebius, was a native of
That
he wrote his Gospel for the benefit of the Gentile converts is affirmed
by the
unanimous voice of Christian antiquity; and it may also be inferred
from its
dedication to a Gentile. He is particularly careful to specify various
circumstances conducive to the information of strangers, but not so to
the
Jews; he gives the lineage of Jesus upwards, after the manner of the
Gentiles,
instead of downwards, as Matthew had done; tracing it up to Adam, and
thus
showing that Jesus was the promised seed of the woman; and he marks the
eras of
his birth, and of the ministry of John, by the reigns of the Roman
emperors. He
also has introduced several things, not mentioned by the other
evangelists, but
highly encouraging to the gentiles to turn to God in the hope of pardon
and
acceptance; of which description are the parables of the publican and
Pharisee,
in the temple; the lost piece of silver; and the prodigal son; and the
fact of
Christ's visit to Zaccheus the publican, and the pardon of the penitent
thief.
That
Luke was a physician, appears not only from the testimony of Paul, but
from the
internal marks in his Gospel, showing that he was both an acute
observer, and
had given particular and even professional attention to all our
Savior's
miracles of healing. Thus, the man whom Matthew and Mark describe
simply as a
leper, Luke describes as full of leprosy; he, whom they mention as had
having a
withered hand, Luke says had his right hand withered; and of the maid,
of whom
the others say that Jesus took her spirit came to her again. He alone,
with
professional accuracy of observation, says that virtue went out of
Jesus, and
healed the sick; he alone states the fact that the sleep of the
disciples in
Gethsemane was induced by extreme sorrow; and mentions the blood- like
sweat of
Jesus, as occasioned by the intensity of his agony; and he alone
relates the
miraculous healing of Malchus's ear. That he was also a man of a
liberal
education, the comparative elegance of his writings sufficiently shows.
The design of Luke's Gospel was to supersede the defective and inaccurate narratives then in circulation, and to deliver to Theophilus, to whom it is addressed, a full and authentic account of the life, doctrines, miracles, death and resurrection of our Saviour. Who Theophilus was, the learned are not perfectly agreed; but the most probable opinion is that of Dr. Lardner, now generally adopted, that, as Luke wrote his Gospel in Greece, Theophilus was a man of rank in that country [See Lardner, Works 6.138-139; 3.203-204; and other authors, cited in Horne, Introduction to the Study of the Holy Scriptures 1.267]. Either the relations subsisting between him and Luke, or the dignity and power of his rank, or both, induced the evangelist, who himself also "had perfect understanding of all things from the first," to devote the utmost care to the drawing up of a complete and authentic narrative of these great events. He does not affirm himself to have been an eye-witness; though his personal knowledge of some of the transactions may well be inferred from the "perfect understanding" which he says he possessed. Some of the learned seem to have drawn this inference as to them all, and to have placed him in the class of original witnesses; but this opinion, though maintained on strong and plausible grounds, is not generally adopted. If, then, he did not write from his own personal knowledge, the question is, what is the legal character of his testimony?
If
it were "the result of inquiries, made under competent public
authority,
concerning matters in which the public are concerned," it would possess
every
legal attribute of an inquisition, and, as such, would be legally
admissible in
evidence, in a court of justice. To entitle such results, however, to
our full
confidence, it is not necessary that they should be obtained under a
legal
commission; it is sufficient if the inquiry is gravely undertaken and
pursued,
by a person of competent intelligence, sagacity and integrity. The
request of a
person in authority, or a desire to serve the public, are, to all moral
intents, as sufficient a motive as a legal commission. Thus, we know
that when
complaint is made to the head of a department, of official misconduct
or abuse,
existing in some remote quarter, nothing is more common than to send
some
confidential person to the spot, to ascertain the facts and report them
to the
department; and this report is confidently adopted as the basis of its
discretionary
action, in the correction of that abuse, or the removal of the
offender.
Indeed, the result of any grave inquiry is equally certain to receive
our
confidence, though it may have been voluntarily undertaken, if the
party making
it had access to the means of complete and satisfactory information
upon the
subject. If, therefore, Luke's Gospel were to be regarded only as the
work of a
contemporary historian, it would be entitled to our confidence. But it
is more
than this. It is the result of careful science, intelligence and
education,
concerning subjects which he was perfectly competent to peculiarly
skilled,
they being cases of the cure of maladies; subjects, too, of which he
already
had the perfect knowledge of a contemporary, and perhaps an
eye-witness, but
beyond doubt, familiar with the parties concerned in the transactions,
and
belonging to the community in which the events transpired, which were
in the
mouths of all; and the narrative, moreover, drawn up for the especial
use, and
probably at the request, of a man of distinction, whom it would not be
for the
interest nor safety of the writer to deceive or mislead. Such a
document
certainly possesses all the moral attributes of an inquest of office,
or of any
other official investigation of facts; and as such is entitled, in
foro
conscientiae, to be adduced of the matters it contains.
39.
John. Fisherman. Son of Zebedee.
John, 1 John,
2 John, 3 John, Revelation.
Simon
Greenleaf, Testimony of the Evangelists:
John,
the last of the evangelists, was the son of Zebedee, a fisherman of the
town of
The learned are not agreed as to the time when the Gospel of John was written; some dating it as early as the year 68, others as late as the year 98; but it is generally conceded to have been written after all the others. That is could not have been the work of Some Platonic Christian of a subsequent age, as some have without evidence asserted, is manifest from references to it by some of the early fathers, and from the concurring testimony of many other writers of the ancient Christian church.
That
is was written either with especial reference to the Gentiles, or at a
period
when very many of them had become converts to Christianity, is inferred
from
the various explanations it contains, beyond the other Gospels, which
could
have been necessary only to persons unacquainted with Jewish names and
customs.
And that it was written after all the others, and to supply their
omissions, is
concluded, not only from the uniform tradition and belief in the
church, but
from his studied omission of most of the transactions noticed by the
others,
and from his care to mention several incidents which were known to him,
is too
evident to admit of doubt; while his omission to repeat what they had
already
stated, or, where he does mention the same things, his relating them in
a brief
and cursory manner, affords incidental but strong testimony that he
regarded
their accounts as faithful and true."
Further discussion on Gospel authorship, dating
and
authenticity can be found here:
https://www.tektonics.org/lp/nttextcrit.php
40. Paul.
Rabbi. Tent-maker.
Romans, 1
Corinthians,
2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1
Thessalonians,
2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.
Paul,
in his own words, before the witness of King Herod Agrippa II, his wife
Bernice, Governor Festus, and Luke:
Acts
26:4-26
4"My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the
beginning among my own nation at
9"Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to
the
name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10This I also did in
12 "While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with
authority
and commission from the chief priests, 13at midday, O king,
along
the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining
around me
and those who journeyed with me. 14And when we all had
fallen to the
ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew
language, "Saul,
Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against
the goads.'
15So I said, "Who are You, Lord?' And He said, "I am Jesus, whom
you are
persecuting. 16But rise and stand on your feet; for I have
appeared
to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of
the
things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to
you.
17I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the
Gentiles, to whom I now [NU-Text and
M-Text omit
now] send you,
18to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to
light, and
from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins and
an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
19 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the
heavenly
vision, 20but declared first to those in Damascus and in
Jerusalem,
and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that
they
should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21For
these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22Therefore,
having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to
small
and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and
Moses said
would come-- 23that the Christ would suffer, that He would
be the
first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish
people and
to the Gentiles."
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud
voice, "Paul,
you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!"
25But he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak
the words
of truth and reason. 26For the king, before whom I also
speak
freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these
things
escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
See
also Acts 9:1-19; 22:6-16.
41.
Peter. Fisherman.
1 Peter, 2 Peter.
Simon
Greenleaf, Testimony of the Evangelists::
There
is also a striking naturalness in the characters exhibited in the
sacred
historians, rarely if ever found in works of fiction, and probably
nowhere else
to be collected in a similar manner from fragmentary and incidental
allusions
and expressions, in the writings of different persons. Take for
example,
that of Peter, as it may be gathered from the evangelists, and it will
be
hardly possible to conceive that four persons, writing at different
times, could
have concurred in the delineation of such a character, if it were not
real; a
character too, we must observe, which is nowhere expressly drawn, but
is shown
only here and there, casually, in the subordinate parts of the main
narrative. Thus and zealous man; sudden and impulsive, yet humble
and
ready to retract; honest and direct in his purposes; ardently loving
his
master, yet deficient in fortitude and firmness in his cause. When
Jesus put
any question to the apostles, it was Peter who was foremost to reply,
and if
they would inquire of Jesus, it was Peter who was readiest to
speak. He
had the impetuous courage to cut off the ear of the High Priest's
servant, who
came to arrest his master; and the weakness to dissemble before the
Jews, in
the matter of eating with Gentile converts. It was he who ran
with John
to the sepulchre, on the first intelligence of the resurrection of
Jesus, and
with characteristic zeal rushed in, while John paused without the
door.
He had the ardor to desire and the faith to attempt to walk on the
water, at
the command of his Lord; but as soon as he saw the wind boisterous, he
was
afraid. He was the first to propose the election of another
apostle
in the place of Judas, and he it was who courageously defended them
all, on the
day of Pentecost, when the multitude charged them with being filled
with new
wine. He was forward to acknowledge Jesus to be the Messiah; yet
having
afterwards endangered his own life by wounding the servant of the Most
High
Priest, he suddenly consulted his own safety by denying the same
Master, for
whom, but a few hours before, he had declared himself ready to
die. We
may safely affirm that the annals of fiction afford no example of a
similar but
no uncommon character, thus incidentally delineated.
42.
James. Brother of Jesus.
Book of James.
43. Jude.
Brother of James and Judas.
Book of Jude.
44. Writer of
Hebrews (Paul or Apollos).
Book of Hebrews.
Simon
Greenleaf, Testimony of the Evangelists:
"Such are the brief histories
of men, whose narratives we are to examine and compare; conducting the
examination and weighing the testimony by the same rules and principles
which
govern our tribunals of justice in similar cases. These tribunals are
in such
cases governed by the following fundamental rule;--
In
trials of fact, by oral testimony, the proper inquiry is not whether is
it
possible that the testimony may be false, but whether there is
sufficient
probability that it is true.
It
should be observed that the subject of inquiry is a matter of fact, and
not of
abstract mathematical truth. the latter alone is susceptible of that
high
degree of proof, usually termed demonstration, which excludes the
possibility
of error, and which therefore may reasonably be required in support of
every
mathematical deduction. But the proof of matters of fact rests upon
moral
evidence alone; by which is meant not merely that species of evidence
which we
do not obtain either from our own senses, from intuition, or from
demonstration. In the ordinary affairs of life we do not require nor
expect
demonstrative evidence, because it is inconsistent with the nature of
matters
of fact, and to insist on its production would be unreasonable and
absurd. And
it makes no difference, whether the facts to be proved related to this
life or
to the next, the nature of the evidence required being in both cases
the same.
The error of the skeptic consists in pretending or supposing that there
is a
difference in the nature of the things to be proved; and in demanding
demonstrative evidence concerning things which are not susceptible of
any other
than moral evidence alone, and of which the utmost that can be said is,
that
there is no reasonable doubt about their truth."
Simon Greenleaf, Testimony of the Evangelists:
"The credit due to the testimony of witnesses
depends upon, firstly, their honesty;
secondly, their ability; thirdly, their
number and the consistency of their testimony;
fourthly, the conformity of their testimony with
experience; and fifthly, the
coincidence of their testimony with collateral circumstances.
Let
the evangelists be tried by these tests.
And first, as to their honesty. Here they are entitled
to the benefit of the general
course of human experience, that men ordinarily speak the truth, when
they have
no prevailing motive or inducement to the contrary. This presumption,
to which
we have before alluded, is applied in courts of justice, even to
witnesses
whose integrity is not wholly free from suspicion; much more is it
applicable
to the evangelists, whose testimony went against all their worldly
interests.
The great truths which the apostles declared, were that Christ had
risen from
the dead, and that only through repentance from sin, and faith in him,
could
men hope for salvation. This doctrine they asserted with one voice,
everywhere,
not only under the greatest discouragements, but in the face of the
most
appalling terrors that can be presented to the mind of man. Their
master had
recently perished as a malefactor, by the sentence of a public
tribunal. His
religion sought to overthrow the religions of the whole world. The laws
of
every country were against the teaching of his disciples. The interests
and
passions of all the rulers and great men in the world were against
them. The
fashion of the world was against them. Propagating this new faith, even
in the
most inoffensive and peaceful manner, they could expect nothing but
contempt,
opposition, revilings, bitter persecutions, stripes imprisonments,
torments and
cruel deaths. Yet this faith they zealously did propagate; and all
these
miseries they endured undismayed, nay, rejoicing. As one after another
was put
to a miserable death, the survivors only prosecuted their work with
increased
vigor and resolution. The annals of military warfare afford scarcely an
example
of the like heroic constancy, patience and unblenching courage. They
had every
possible motive to review carefully the grounds of their faith, and the
evidences of the great facts and truths which they asserted; and these
motives
were pressed upon their attention with the most melancholy and terrific
frequency. It was therefore impossible that they could have persisted
in
affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually rose
from the
dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any
other
fact. If it were morally possible for them to have been deceived in
this
matter, every human motive operated to lead them to discover and avow
their
error. To have persisted in so gross a falsehood, after it was known to
them,
was not only to encounter, for life, all the evils which man could
inflict,
from without, but to endure also the pangs of inward and conscious
guilt; with
no hope of future peace, no testimony of a good conscience, no
expectation of
honor or esteem among men, no hope of happiness in this life, or in the
world
to come. Such conduct in the apostles would moreover have been utterly
irreconcilable with the fact, that they possessed the ordinary
constitution of
our common nature. Yet their lives do show them to have been men like
all
others of our race; swayed by the same motives, animated by the same
hopes,
affected by the same joys, subdued by the same sorrows, agitated by the
same
fears, and subject to the same passions, temptations and infirmities,
as
ourselves. And their writings show them to have been men of vigorous
understandings. If then their testimony was not true, there was no
possible
motive for this fabrication."
A. The prophets and
the apostles knew the law regarding false
witness.
"You shall not bear false witness
against your neighbor.
"You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the
wicked
to be an unrighteous witness.
Deuteronomy
5:20
"You shall not bear false witness
against your neighbor.
"Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep
His
charge, His statutes, His
judgments, and His commandments
always.
1 "If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of
dreams, and
he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2and the sign or the wonder
comes
to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, "Let us go after other
gods'--which
you have not known--"and let us serve them,' 3you
shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of
dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you
love the
LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the
thing does not
happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not
spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall
not
be afraid of him.
"One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any
iniquity or any
sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the
matter
shall be established.
Proverbs
6:19
A false witness who speaks
lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false
witness, deceit.
Proverbs
14:5
A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness
will utter lies.
Proverbs
14:25
A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful
witness speaks lies.
A disreputable witness scorns
justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
Do not be a witness against your
neighbor without cause, For would you deceive [Septuagint and
Vulgate read Do
not deceive] with your lips?
A man who bears false witness
against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
These are the things you
shall do: Speak each man
the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for
truth,
justice, and peace;
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's
clothing,
but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications,
thefts, false witness,
blasphemies.
17So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? [NU-Text reads Why do you ask Me
about what is
good?] No one is good
but One, that is, God. [NU-Text reads There is One who is good] But if you want to enter into life,
keep the commandments."
18He said to Him, "Which ones?"
Jesus said, ""You shall not murder,' "You shall not commit adultery,'
"You
shall not steal,' "You shall not bear
false witness,' [Exodus
You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery,' "Do not murder,'
"Do not
steal,' "Do not bear false witness,'
"Do not defraud,' "Honor your father and your mother."‘[Exodus
20:12-16;
Deuteronomy 5:16-20]
You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery,' "Do not murder,'
"Do not
steal,' "Do not bear false witness,' "Honor your father and
your mother."‘[Exodus
20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20]
They also set up false witnesses
who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous [NU-Text omits blasphemous]
words against this holy place and the law;
For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not
murder," "You
shall not steal," "You shall not bear false
witness," [NU-Text omits "You shall
not bear false witness."]
"You shall not covet," [Exodus
2
Corinthians 13:1
This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word
shall be established." [Deuteronomy
19:15]
B.
The prophets and the apostles knew the consequences for disobeying the
law.
Leviticus
5:1
"If a person sins in hearing the utterance of an oath, and is a witness,
whether he has seen or known of the matter--if he does not tell it, he
bears
guilt.
Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak
were to
give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond
the word
of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of
two or
three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony
of one witness.
The hands of the witnesses shall be the first against him to
put him to
death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall put away
the evil
from among you.
20But the prophet who presumes to speak
a word in
My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the
name of
other gods, that prophet shall die.' 21And if you say in
your heart,
"How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?'-- 22when a prophet speaks in the name of the
LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing
which the
LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you
shall not be
afraid of him.
Deuteronomy
19
16If a false witness rises against any man to testify
against him of
wrongdoing, 17then both men in the controversy shall stand
before
the LORD, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days.
18And
the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified
falsely against his brother, 19then you shall do to him as
he
thought to have done to his brother; so you shall put away the evil
from among
you.
"But it shall come to
pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His
commandments and His statutes
which I command you today, that all these curses
will
come upon you and overtake
you:
A false witness will not go
unpunished, And he who speaks lies will
not escape.
A false witness will not go
unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.
A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
The look on their countenance witnesses against them, And they
declare
their sin as
"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter
the sheep of
My pasture!" says the LORD.
But there were also false prophets among the people,
even as
there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring
in
destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring
on
themselves swift destruction.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether
they are of
God; because many false prophets have gone out into the
world.
Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet
who
worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received
the mark
of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast
alive into
the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone
where [NU-Text and M-Text add also]
the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be
tormented
day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 22
12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with
Me, to
give to every one according to his work. 13I am the Alpha
and the
Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." [NU-Text and M-Text read the First
and the
Last, the Beginning and the End]
14Blessed are those who do His commandments, [NU-Text reads wash their robes]
that
they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the
gates into
the city. 15But [NU-Text and
M-Text
omit But] outside
are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and
idolaters, and
whoever loves and practices a lie.
16"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these
things in
the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and
Morning
Star."
C. The prophets and
the apostles knew the rewards for obeying the law.
You may eat it in any place, you and your households, for it is your reward
for your work in the tabernacle of meeting.
The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the
LORD God
of
Therefore the LORD God of
For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely?
Therefore may
the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this
day.
"The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According
to the
cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work
shall be rewarded!"
here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your
possession
which You have given us to inherit.
1 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy
hill?
2He who walks
uprightly,
And works
righteousness,
And speaks
the
truth in his heart;
3He who does not
backbite
with his tongue,
Nor does
evil to
his neighbor,
Nor does
he take
up a reproach against his friend;
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According
to the
cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is
great reward.
So that men will say, "Surely there is a reward for the
righteous;
Surely He is God who judges in the earth."
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the
commandment
will be rewarded.
Then I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for
nothing and
in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the LORD, And my
work with my
God."‘
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in
heaven, for
so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do
not even
the tax collectors do the same?
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your
door,
pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who
sees in
secret will reward you openly. [NU-Text omits openly]
40 "He who receives you receives Me,
and he who
receives Me receives Him who sent
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His
angels, and
then He will reward each according to his works.
For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you
belong to
Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is
great in
heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return;
and
your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most
High. For He
is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive
his own reward
according to his own labor.
If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my
will, I
have been entrusted with a stewardship.
23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for [NU-Text omits for] you serve the Lord Christ. 25But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to
God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently
seek Him.
Hebrews
11
24By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be
called the
son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to suffer
affliction
with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26esteeming
the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in [NU-Text
and M-Text
read of ] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and
someone
turns him back, 20let him
know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a
soul [NU-Text
reads his soul]
from death and cover a multitude of sins.
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will
cover a multitude
of sins."[Proverbs 10:12]
Look to yourselves, that we [NU-Text reads you]
do not lose those things we worked for, but that we[NU-Text reads you] may receive a full reward.
The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the
dead, that
they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants
the
prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And
should destroy those who destroy the earth."
Revelation
22
12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with
Me, to give to every one according to his work.
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the
First and
the Last." [NU-Text and M-Text read the First and the Last, the
Beginning
and the End]
14Blessed are those who do His commandments, [NU-Text reads wash
their robes] that they may
have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates
into the
city. 15But [NU-Text and M-Text omit But] outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually
immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a
lie.
16"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these
things in
the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David,
the Bright and Morning Star."
D. The prophets and the apostles knew God Himself was a witness to their actions.
Simon
Greenleaf, Testimony of the Evangelists:
"They had every possible motive to review carefully the grounds of their faith, and the evidences of the great facts and truths which they asserted; and these motives were pressed upon their attention with the most melancholy and terrific frequency. It was therefore impossible that they could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually rose from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact. If it were morally possible for them to have been deceived in this matter, every human motive operated to lead them to discover and avow their error. To have persisted in so gross a falsehood, after it was known to them, was not only to encounter, for life, all the evils which man could inflict, from without, but to endure also the pangs of inward and conscious guilt; with no hope of future peace, no testimony of a good conscience, no expectation of honor or esteem amom men, no hope of happiness in this life, or in the world to come.
"Such conduct in the apostles would moreover have been utterly irreconcilable with the fact, that they possessed the ordinary constitution of our common nature. Yet their lives do show them to have been men like all others of our race; swayed by the same motives, animated by the same hopes, affected by the same joys, subdued by the same sorrows, agitated by the same fears, and subject to the same passions, temptations and infirmities, as ourselves. And their writings show them to have been men of vigorous understandings. If then their testimony was not true, there was no possible motive for this fabrication.
"It
would also have been irreconcilable with the fact that they were good
men. But
it is impossible to read their writings, and not feel that we are
conversing
with men eminently holy, and of tender consciences, with men acting
under an
abiding sense of the presence and omniscience of God, and of their
accountability to him, living in his fear, and walking in his ways.
Now,
though, in a single instance, a good man may fall, when under strong
temptations, yet he is not found persisting, for years, in deliberated
falsehood, asserted with the most solemn appeals to God, without the
slightest
temptation or motive, and against all the opposing interests which
reign in the
human breast. If, on the contrary, they are supposed to have been bad
men, it
is incredible that such men should have chosen this form of imposture;
enjoining, as it does, unfeigned repentance, the utter forsaking and
abhorrence
of all falsehood and of every other sin, the practice of daily
self-denial,
self-abasement and self-sacrifice, the crucifixion of the flesh with
all its
earthly appetites and desires, indifference to the honors, and hearty
contempt
of the vanities of the world; and inculcating perfect purity of heart
and life,
and intercourse of the soul with heaven. It is incredible, that bad men
should
invent falsehoods, to promote the religion of the God of truth. The
supposition
is suicidal. If they did believe in a future state of retribution, a
heaven and
a hell hereafter, they took the most certain course, if false
witnesses, to
secure the latter for their portion. And if, still being bad men, they
did not
believe in future punishment, how came they to invent which was to
destroy all their
prospects of worldly honor and happiness, and to insure their misery in
this
life? From these absurdities there is no escape, but in the perfect
conviction
and admission that they were good men, testifying to that which they
had
carefully observed and considered, and well knew to be true."
If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my
daughters,
although no man is with us--see, God is witness between you and
me!"
6So Moses spoke to the children of
8Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into
the
tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of
Levi, had
sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe
almonds.
Also bring with you your brethren of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of
your
father, that they may be joined with you and serve you while you and
your sons
are with you before the tabernacle of witness.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that
you will
soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to
possess;
you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed.
Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go
well with
you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and
right in the sight of the
LORD your God.
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I
have set
before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life,
that both
you and your descendants may live;
Deuteronomy
31:28
Gather to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I
may speak
these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness
against them.
Judges
3:7
So the children of
Judges
10:6
Then the children of Israel again
did evil in the sight of the
LORD, and served the
Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods
of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the
gods of Moab, the gods of
the people of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines; and they forsook the LORD and
did not serve Him.
And the elders of
Here I am. Witness against me before the LORD and before His
anointed:
Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I
cheated?
Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe
with which
to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you."
Then he said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and His
anointed
is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my
hand." And they
answered, "He is witness."
Then Jonathan said to David: "The LORD God of
and seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness
against him,
saying, You have blasphemed God and the king. Then take him out, and
stone him,
that he may die.
2
Chronicles 36:5
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king,
and he reigned eleven years in
2
Chronicles 36:12
He did evil in the sight of
the LORD his God, and did not humble himself
before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.
Job
10:17
You renew Your witnesses against me, And increase Your
indignation
toward me; Changes and war are ever with me.
Job
16:8
You have shriveled me up, And it is a witness against me; My
leanness
rises up against me And bears witness to my face.
Job
16:19
Surely even now my witness is in heaven, And my evidence is on
high.
Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything
hastily before
God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore
let your words
be few.
"You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I
have
chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He.
Before
Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.
I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign
god
among you; Therefore you are My witnesses," Says the LORD,
"that I am
God.
Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and
declared
it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed
there is no
other Rock; I know not one."‘
And the LORD said to me, "The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have
not
sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false
vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their
heart.
because they have done disgraceful things in
And You have said to me, O Lord GOD, "Buy the field for money, and take
witnesses"!--yet
the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans."‘
Men will buy fields for money, sign deeds and seal them, and take witnesses,
in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, in the cities
of
Judah, in the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland,
and in the
cities of the South; for I will cause their captives to return,' says
the LORD."
So they said to Jeremiah, "Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness
between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your
God
sends us by you.
Micah
1:2
Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! Let the
Lord GOD
be a witness against you, The Lord from His holy temple.
"Therefore wait for Me," says the LORD, "Until the day I rise up for
plunder; [Septuagint
and Syriac read for witness;
Targum reads for the day of My revelation
for judgment; Vulgate reads for the
day of My resurrection that is to come] My determination is to
gather the
nations To My assembly of kingdoms, To pour on them My indignation, All
My
fierce anger; All the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My
jealousy.
Malachi
2:14
Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness
Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt
treacherously;
Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.
And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness
Against
sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who
exploit
wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an
alien--
Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts.
And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men,
but God
knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight
of God.
But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which
the Father
has given Me to finish--the very works that I do--bear witness
of Me,
that the Father has sent Me.
I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent
Me bears witness
of Me."
to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible
proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the
things
pertaining to the
And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the
Holy Spirit
whom God has given to those who obey Him."
and said, "Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are
remembered in the sight of God.
not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God,
even to us
who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord,
who was
bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and
wonders to
be done by their hands.
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good
cheer,
Paul; for as you have testified for Me in
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the
gospel of His
Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers
of the law will
be justified;
Romans
8:16
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are
children of
God,
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing
me witness
in the Holy Spirit,
Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have
testified
of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact
the dead
do not rise.
2
Corinthians 1:23
Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare
you I came
no more to
For we are not, as so many, [M-Text reads the
rest] peddling the word of God;
but as of sincerity, but as from
God, we speak in the sight
of God in Christ.
But we have renounced the hidden things
of shame, not walking in
craftiness nor handling
the word of God deceitfully, but
by manifestation of the truth commending
ourselves to every man's conscience in
the sight of God.
But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident,
for "the just
shall live by faith."[Habakkuk 2:4]
(Now
concerning the things which I write to you,
indeed, before God, I do not
lie.)
For God is my witness, how
greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
1
Thessalonians 1:3
remembering without ceasing
your work of faith, labor of love,
and patience of hope in our Lord
Jesus Christ in the sight of
our God and Father,
For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a
cloak
for covetousness--God is witness.
You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and
blamelessly
we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
1
Timothy 2:3
For this is good and acceptable in
the sight of God our
Savior,
1
Timothy 6:13
I urge you in the sight of God who
gives life to all things, and before
Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before
Pontius
Pilate,
I charge you therefore before God and the
Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead
at His appearing and His kingdom:
God also bearing witness both
with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy
Spirit,
according to His own will?
But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said
before,
rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and
quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
6 This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not
only by
water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who
bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7For
there are three that bear witness in
heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three
are one.
8And there are three that bear witness on earth [NU-Text and M-Text omit the words from in
heaven (verse 7) through on earth (verse 8). Only four or
five very
late manuscripts contain these words in Greek] the Spirit, the
water, and
the blood; and these three agree as one.
9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which [NU-Text reads God, that] He has testified of His Son. 10He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
E. The prophets
and the apostles appealed to reason.
Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before
the LORD
concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD which He did to you and
your
fathers:
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though
your sins
are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red
like
crimson, They shall be as wool.
Isaiah
41:21
"Present your case," says the LORD. "Bring forth your strong reasons,"
says the King of Jacob.
|
Matthew
19:5 |
|
Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to
him, "You
are not far from the
Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned
with them from the Scriptures,
Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with
the
Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who
happened to be
there.
And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded
both Jews
and Greeks.
And he came to
8And he went into the synagogue and
spoke boldly
for three months, reasoning and
persuading concerning the things of the
1
Thessalonians 5:21
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
8For God
is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of
Jesus
Christ.
9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and
more in
knowledge and all discernment,
10that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you
may be
sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
But sanctify the Lord God [NU-Text reads Christ
as Lord] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to
everyone
who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with
meekness and
fear;
F. The
prophets and the apostles appealed to the truth.
And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God,
merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A
God of truth
and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.
"And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and
You have
promised this goodness to Your servant.
And now I pray, O God of Israel, let Your word come true, which
You have
spoken to Your servant David my father.
And now, O LORD God of
He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth
in
his heart;
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, To such as keep
His
covenant and His testimonies.
Psalm
31:5
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Psalm
33:4
For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.
Psalm
40:11
Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; Let Your
lovingkindness
and Your truth continually preserve me.
Psalm
43:3
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let
them bring
me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.
Psalm
86:15
But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and
abundant in mercy and truth.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth
go before Your face.
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall
take
refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth
endures to
all generations.
For Your mercy is great above the heavens, And Your truth
reaches to the
clouds.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because
of Your
mercy, Because of Your truth.
For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of
the LORD
endures forever. Praise the LORD!
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.
You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.
The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your
righteous
judgments endures forever.
I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your
lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word
above
all Your name.
Psalm
145:18
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.
Psalm
146:6
Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth
forever,
Proverbs
12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully
are His delight.
And you shall swear, "The LORD lives,' In truth, in judgment,
and in
righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, And in Him
they shall
glory."
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the
everlasting
King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will not be
able to
endure His indignation.
So they said to Jeremiah, "Let the LORD be a true and faithful
witness
between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your
God
sends us by you.
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth,
and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put
down.
"As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon
us; yet
we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn
from
our iniquities and understand Your truth.
Daniel
10:21
But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth.
(No one
upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
I will bring them back, And they shall dwell in the midst of
The law of truth [Or true
instruction ] was in his mouth, And injustice was not found on his
lips. He
walked with Me in peace and equity, And turned many away from iniquity.
And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying,
"Teacher, we
know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor
do You
care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.
When they had come, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do
not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.
Is it
lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth,
for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
Luke
20:21
Then they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You say and teach
rightly,
and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth:
That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming
into the
world. [Or That was the true Light which, coming into the
world,
gives light to every man. ]
John
1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came
through
Jesus Christ.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds
may be
clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
He who has received His testimony has certified that God is
true.
23But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true
worshipers will
worship the Father in spirit and truth;
for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24God is
Spirit, and
those who worship Him must worship in
spirit and truth."
25The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming"
(who is
called Christ). "When He comes, He will
tell us all things."
32There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. 33You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved.
Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not
give you
the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread
from
heaven.
John
7:18
He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the
glory of
the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, "You both
know Me,
and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who
sent Me
is true, whom you do not know.
13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him,
"You bear
witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true."
14Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness
of
Myself, My witness is true, for I
know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where
I come
from and where I am going. 15You judge according to the
flesh; I
judge no one.
16And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."
I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent
Me is true;
and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him."
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in
My
word, you are My disciples
indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free."
But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth
which I
heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
44You are of your father the devil, and
the
desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the
beginning,
and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When
he
speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and
the father
of it. 45But because I tell
the truth, you do not believe
John
10:41
Then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign, but all the
things
that John spoke about this Man were true."
John
14:1
"Let not your heart be troubled; you
believe in God, believe also in Me.
John
14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No
one comes
to the Father except through Me.
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it
neither
sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and
will be in
you.
John
15:1
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the
Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify
of Me.
John
16:13
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide
you into
all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but
whatever He
hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true
God, and
Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified
by the truth.
36Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My
kingdom
were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be
delivered
to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
37Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?"
Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was
born,
and for this cause I have come into the world, that I
should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of
the truth hears My voice."
38Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said
this, he
went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him
at all.
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he
knows that
he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.
This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these
things; and
we know that his testimony is true.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that
God
shows no partiality.
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud
voice, "Paul,
you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!"
25But he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak
the words
of truth and reason. 26For
the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am
convinced that none of these things
escapes his attention, since this
thing was not done in a corner.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and
unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness,
who show the work of the law written in their hearts,
their
conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts
accusing
or else excusing them)
|
|
Psalm 51 |
Romans
4:5
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who
justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for
righteousness,
I tell the truth in Christ, I am
not lying, my conscience also
bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision
for the truth
of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the
leaven of
malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
For we are not, as so many, [M-Text reads the
rest] peddling the word of God; but as of
sincerity,
but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
But we have renounced the hidden things
of shame, not walking in craftiness
nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of
the truth
commending ourselves to every man's
conscience in the sight of God.
by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of
righteousness
on the right hand and on the left,
For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed.
But as we
spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus
was
found true.
As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this
boasting
in the regions of Achaia.
For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will
speak the truth.
But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to
be or
hears from me.
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth
of
the gospel might continue with you.
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the
truth,
[NU-Text omits that you should not obey
the truth] before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed
among you [ NU-Text omits among you]
as crucified?
Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the
gospel
of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with
the Holy
Spirit of promise,
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into
Him who
is the head--Christ—
if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth
is in Jesus:
|
Commentary by J.P. Holding: http://www.tektonics.org/beangry.html |
Zechariah 8:16 16These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor;
Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; Psalm 4 |
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of the Spirit [NU-Text reads light] is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having
put on the
breastplate of righteousness,
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things
are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely,
whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there
is
anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, [NU-Text and M-Text add and growing] as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had
to you,
and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true
God,
For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a
cloak
for covetousness--God is
witness.
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you
received
the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the
word of
men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also
effectively
works in you who believe.
and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they
did not
receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved
by the
Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through
sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior,
4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
the
truth. 5For there is one God and one Mediator between God
and men,
the Man Christ Jesus,
for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth
in Christ [NU-Text omits in Christ]
and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to
conduct
yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar
and ground of the truth.
in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will
grant
them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
2
Timothy 3:8
Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the
truth:
men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be
turned aside
to fables.
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to
the
faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which
accords
with godliness,
13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that
we might
be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
|
14as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." |
Leviticus 11 Leviticus 19 Leviticus 20 |
By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to
you
briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace
of God in
which you stand.
|
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 18And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
|
Matthew 17 Mark 9 Luke 9 |
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
7But if we walk in the light as He is
in the
light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ His
Son cleanses us from all sin.
8If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If
we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a
liar, and
the truth is not in him.
Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in
Him and
in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true
light is
already shining.
I have not written to you because you do not know the truth,
but because
you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If
what you
heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son
and in
the Father.
17But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother
in need,
and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue,
but in
deed and in truth. 19And by this we know [NU-Text reads we shall know] that we are of the truth, and
shall assure our hearts before Him.
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by
this we
know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1
John 4:6
We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not
hear
us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of
error.
This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by
water, but by
water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the
Spirit is truth.
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an
understanding, that
we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true,
in
His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
1 The Elder,
To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only
I, but
also all those who have known the truth, 2because of the
truth which
abides in us and will be with us forever:
3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you [NU-Text and M-Text read us] from God the Father and from the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. [NU-Text and M-Text read our]
3
John 1:8
We therefore ought to receive [NU-Text reads you]
such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth
itself. And
we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans [NU-Text and M-Text
read in
Revelation
6:10
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true,
until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
Revelation
15:3
They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the
Lamb,
saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just
and true
are Your ways, O King of the saints! [NU-Text and M-Text read nations]
And I heard another from [NU-Text and M-Text omit another
from ] the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true
and righteous are Your judgments."
For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged
the
great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has
avenged
on her the blood of His servants shed by her."
Then he said to me, "Write: "Blessed are those who are called to the
marriage
supper of the Lamb!"‘ And he said to me, "These are the true
sayings of
God."
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on
him was
called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and
makes war.
Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And
the Lord
God of the holy [NU-Text and M-Text read spirits
of the prophets] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the
things
which must shortly take place.
The topic of "truth"
is further discussed at the
following:
Dr. Norman L. Geisler. "The Nature of Truth – Part One," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/_PDFArchives/theological-dictionary/TD1W1099.pdf
Dr. Norman L. Geisler. "The Nature of Truth – Part Two,"
http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/_PDFArchives/theological-dictionary/TD2W1099.pdf
Dr. Norman L. Geisler. "The Absolute Nature of Truth – Relative Truth,"
http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/_PDFArchives/theological-dictionary/TD3W1099.pdf
Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon. "The Christian Faith--Why It's True," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP1201W4.htm
Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon. "The Christian Faith--Why It's True, Part Two,"
http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP0102W4.htm
Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon. "Is Christianity Alone Fully True and is Jesus Christ Really the Only Way to God?-- Part One," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP0402W4.htm
Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon. "Is Christianity Alone Fully True and Is Jesus Christ Really the Only Way to God? -- Part Two," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP0502W4.htm
Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon. "Is Christianity Alone Fully True and is Jesus Christ Really the Only Way to God? -- Part Three," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP0602W4.htm
Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon. "Is Christianity Alone Fully True and is Jesus Christ Really the Only Way to God? -- Part Four," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP0702W4.htm
Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon. "Is Christianity Alone Fully True and is Jesus Christ Really the Only Way to God? -- Part Five," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP0802W4.htm
Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon. "Is Christianity Alone Fully True and Is Jesus Christ Really the Only Way to God? -- Part Six," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP0902W4.htm
Dr. John Ankerberg and
Dr. John
Weldon. "Is Christianity Alone Fully
True and Is Jesus Christ Really the Only Way to God? -- Part Seven," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP1002W4.htm
G. The prophets and the apostles appealed to the truthfulness of their testimony as eyewitness accounts.
Webster's
defines the following:
Eyewitness: "n. 1. A person who
actually sees some act. Occurrence, or the like, and can give a
first-hand
account of it."
Witness: "n. 6. A person who is present
at an occurrence, esp. one who is able to attest as to what took
place.
7. A person who gives testimony, as in a court of law. 8. A
person or
thing serving as evidence. 9. A person who signs a document
attesting the
genuineness of its execution. 10. Testimony or evidence: to
bear
witness to her suffering."
Testimony: "n. 1. The statement or
declaration of a witness under oath, usu. in court. 2.
Evidence in
support of a fact or statement; proof. 3. Open declaration
or
profession, as of faith."
F.
F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?: [6]
"The evidence indicates
that the written
sources of our Synoptic Gospels are not later than c. A.D. 60; some of
them may
even be traced back to notes taken of our Lord's teaching while His
words were
actually being uttered. The oral sources go back to the very beginning
of
Christian history. We are, in fact, practically all the way through in
touch
with the evidence of eyewitnesses. The earliest preachers of the gospel
knew
the value of this firsthand testimony, and appealed to it time and
again. ‘We are witnesses of these things,' was
their constant and confident assertion. And it can have been by no
means so
easy as some writers seem to think to invent words and deeds of Jesus
in those
early years, when so many of His disciples were about, who could
remember what
had and had not happened. Indeed, the evidence is that the early
Christians
were careful to distinguish between sayings of Jesus and their own
inferences
or judgments. Paul, for example, when discussing the vexed questions of
marriage and divorce in I Corinthians 7, is careful to make this
distinction
between his own advice on the subject and the Lord's decisive ruling: ‘I, not the Lord,' and again, ‘Not I, but the
Lord.' And it was not
only friendly eyewitnesses that the early preachers had to reckon with;
there
were others less well disposed who were also conversant with the main
facts of
the ministry and death of Jesus. The disciples could not afford to risk
inaccuracies (not to speak of willful manipulation of the facts), which
would
at once be exposed by those who would be only too glad to do so. On the
contrary, one of the strong points in the original apostolic preaching
is the
confident appeal to the knowledge of the hearers; they not only said, ‘We are witnesses of these things,' but also,
‘As you yourselves also know' (Acts
2:22). Had there been any tendency to depart from the facts in any
material
respect, the possible presence of hostile witnesses in the audience
would have served
as a further corrective."
And he said, "You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that
they may
be my witness that I have dug this well."
Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a
witness
between you and me."
Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, [Literally, in Aramaic, Heap
of Witness] but Jacob called it Galeed. [Literally, in
Hebrew, Heap of Witness]
And Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me this
day."
Therefore its name was called Galeed,
This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness,
that I will
not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this
heap and
this pillar to me, for harm.
Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning
flashes, the
sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw
it,
they trembled and stood afar off.
and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her
husband, and it is concealed that she has defiled herself, and there
was no witness
against her, nor was she caught—
Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the
testimony of witnesses;
but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person
for the
death penalty.
5then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman
who has
committed that wicked thing, and shall stone to death that man or woman
with
stones. 6Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death
on the testimony of two or three witnesses;
he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness. 7The
hands of the witnesses shall be the first against him to put him to
death, and
afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall put away the evil
from
among you.
15 "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. 16If a false witness rises against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, 17then both men in the controversy shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days.
17then both men in the controversy shall stand before the
LORD,
before the priests and the judges who serve in those days. 18And
the
judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness
is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his
brother, 19then you shall do to him as he thought to have
done to
his brother; so you shall put away the evil from among you.
Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them,
that this
song will testify against them as a witness; for it will not be
forgotten in the mouths of their descendants, for I know the
inclination of
their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of
which I
swore to give them."
"Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant
of the
LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;
26Therefore we said, "Let us now prepare to build ourselves an altar, not for burnt offering nor for sacrifice, 27but that it may be a witness between you and us and our generations after us, that we may perform the service of the LORD before Him with our burnt offerings, with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your descendants may not say to our descendants in time to come, "You have no part in the LORD."‘ 28Therefore we said that it will be, when they say this to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say, "Here is the replica of the altar of the LORD which our fathers made, though not for burnt offerings nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between you and us.'
The children of Reuben and the children of Gad [Septuagint adds and half the tribe of Manasseh] called
the altar, Witness, "For it is a witness between us
that the LORD
is God."
So Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against
yourselves that
you have chosen the LORD for yourselves, to serve Him." And they said,
"We are witnesses!"
And Joshua said to all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness
to us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us.
It
shall therefore be a witness to you, lest you deny your God."
9And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are
witnesses
this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was
Chilion's
and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi. 10Moreover, Ruth the
Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to
perpetuate the
name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may
not be
cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. [Probably his civic office] You are witnesses
this day."
11And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders,
said, "We are witnesses. The LORD make the
woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who
built the
house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in
Bethlehem.
So the king called Jehoiada the chief priest, and said to him, "Why
have you
not required the Levites to bring in from
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony
of
the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in
This He established in Joseph as a testimony, When He went
throughout
the
Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony
of Your mouth.
Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony
of
If your sons will keep My covenant And My testimony which I
shall teach
them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore."
And I will take for Myself faithful witnesses to record, Uriah
the
priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah."
Isaiah
8:16
Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples.
To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according
to this
word, it is because there is no light in them.
Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be
assembled. Who
among them can declare this, And show us former things? Let them bring
out
their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let them hear
and say, "It
is truth."
Those who make an image, all of them are useless, And their precious
things
shall not profit; They are their own witnesses; They neither
see nor
know, that they may be ashamed.
Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader
and
commander for the people.
And I signed the deed and sealed it, took witnesses, and
weighed the
money on the scales.
and I gave the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, son of
Mahseiah, in
the presence of Hanamel my uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses
who signed the purchase deed, before all the Jews who sat in the court
of the
prison.
And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go your way, show
yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony
to them."
You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony
to them and to the Gentiles.
|
Hebrews
10:28 |
Deuteronomy 19:15 15 "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.. |
Matthew
23:31
"Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are
sons of
those who murdered the prophets.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness
to all the nations, and then the end will come.
and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way,
show
yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which
Moses
commanded, as a testimony to them."
"But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to
councils, and
you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought [NU-Text and
M-Text
read will stand] before rulers and
kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony
against Jesus
to put Him to death, but found none.
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled [Or are most surely believed] among us, 2just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,
So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words
which
proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"
And He charged him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the
priest, and
make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them,
just as
Moses commanded."
In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your
fathers;
for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs.
And they said, "What further testimony do we need? For we have
heard it
ourselves from His own mouth."
And you are witnesses of these things.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of
whom I
said, "He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before
me."‘
John
1:19
Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests
and Levites
from
And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending
from heaven
like a dove, and He remained upon Him.
Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We
have
seen, and you do not receive Our witness.
You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the
Christ,' but,
"I have been sent before Him.'
There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness
which He witnesses of Me is true.
John 5:31-36
31 "If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. 33You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. 35He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. 36But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish--the very works that I do--bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.
John 8:13-18
13
The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You
bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true."
14Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness
of
Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am
going;
but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15You
judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16And yet if I do
judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the
Father who
sent Me. 17It is also written in your law that the
testimony of two
men is true. 18I am
One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father
who sent Me bears witness of Me."
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works
that I do
in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
John
12:17
Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of
his tomb
and raised him from the dead, bore witness.
And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me
from the
beginning.
John
18:23
Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the
evil;
but if well, why do you strike Me?"
Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered,
"You say
rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause
I have
come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.
Everyone
who is of the truth hears My voice."
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true;
and he
knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.
29Jesus said to him, "Thomas [NU-Text and M-Text omit Thomas] because you have seen Me, you
have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
believed."
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of
His
disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these
are
written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that
believing you may have life in His name.
This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these
things; and
we know that his testimony is true.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and
you
shall be witnesses to Me [NU-Text reads My witnesses]
in
21"Therefore, of these men who have
accompanied
us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning
from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one
of these
must become a witness with us of His resurrection."
23And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was
surnamed
Justus, and Matthias.
This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which
we are witnesses.
Acts
4:33
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the
resurrection of
the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the
Holy Spirit
whom God has given to those who obey Him."
"Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness,
as He
appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that
he had
seen,
and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses
laid
down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
and with
power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by
the
devil, for God was with Him. 39And we are witnesses
of all
things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in
not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God,
even to us
who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever
believes
in Him will receive remission of sins."
He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord,
who was
bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and
wonders to
be done by their hands.
Acts
14:17
Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that
He did
good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts
with
food and gladness."
Acts
22:5
as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council
of the
elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to
Acts
22:12-18
12"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the
law, having
a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13came
to me;
and he stood and said to me, "Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at
that
same hour I looked up at him. 14Then he said, "The God of
our
fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just
One, and
hear the voice of His mouth. 15For you will be His witness
to all
men of what you have seen and heard. 16And now why are you
waiting?
Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of
the
Lord.'
17"Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was
praying in
the temple, that I was in a trance 18and saw Him saying to
me, "Make
haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your
testimony concerning Me.'
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good
cheer,
Paul; for as you have testified for Me in
Acts
26:16
But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this
purpose,
to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which
you have
seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing
both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the
prophets
and Moses said would come—
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the
gospel of His
Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
Romans
2:13-15
13(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of
God, but
the doers of the law will be justified; 14for when Gentiles,
who do
not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although
not
having the law, are a law to themselves, 15who show the work
of the
law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and
between
themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed
by the Law and the Prophets,
Romans
8:16
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are
children of
God,
Romans
9:1
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing
me witness
in the Holy Spirit,
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not
according
to knowledge.
even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of
speech or
of wisdom declaring to you the testimony [NU-Text reads mystery] of God.
For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that
we
conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not
with
fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have
testified
of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact
the dead
do not rise.
2
Corinthians 8:3
For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and
beyond
their ability, they were freely willing,
What [NU-Text reads Where] then was
the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if
possible, you
would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.
For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal [NU-Text reads concern] for you, and those who are in
1
Thessalonians 2:10
You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and
blamelessly
we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be
admired
among all those who believe, [NU-Text and M-Text read have
believed] because our testimony among you was believed.
Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are
outside, lest
he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor
of me His
prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according
to the
power of God,
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses,
commit
these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
through
which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying
of his
gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that
they may be
sound in the faith,
Hebrews
3:5
And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony
of those things which would be spoken afterward,
1 Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders
obtained a good testimony.
3By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the
word of
God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which
are
visible.
And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith,
did not
receive the promise,
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let
us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness
against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up
treasure in
the last days.
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness
of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will
be
revealed:
For we did not follow cunningly devised
fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord
Jesus
Christ, but were eyewitnesses of
His majesty.
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- 2the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- 3that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 4:1-6
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit,
but test the spirits, whether they are of
God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By
this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus
Christ
has come in the flesh is of God, 3and every spirit that does
not
confess that [NU-Text omits that and
Christ
has come in the flesh] Jesus
Christ has come in the flesh is not of
God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was
coming,
and is now already in the world.
4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them,
because He
who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5They
are of
the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears
them.
6We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God
does not
hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 5:5-11
5Who is he who overcomes the world, but
he who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not
only by
water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness,
because
the Spirit is truth. 7For there are three that bear witness
in
heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are
one.
8And there are three that bear witness on earth: [NU-Text
and M-Text omit the words from in
heaven (verse 7) through on earth (verse 8). Only four or
five very
late manuscripts contain these words in Greek] the Spirit, the
water, and
the blood; and these three agree as one.
9If we receive the witness of
men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness
of God which [NU-Text reads God,
that] He has testified
of His Son. 10He who believes in the Son of God has the
witness in
himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he
has not
believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11And
this is
the testimony: that God has given us
eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you
send them
forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,
Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And
we also
bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show
His
servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and
signified it by
His angel to His servant John, 2who
bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony
of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3Blessed
is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep
those
things which are written in it; for the time is near.
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from
the
dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us
and washed
[NU-Text reads loves us and freed;
M-Text reads loves us and washed] us
from our sins in His own blood,
I, John, both [NU-Text and M-Text omit both]
your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience
of Jesus
Christ, was on the island that is called
"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans [NU-Text and M-Text
read in
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those
who had
been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they
held.
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will
prophesy one
thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to
them.
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness
to
Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his
image,
and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And
they
lived and reigned with Christ for a [M-Text reads the]
thousand years.
"Had
the evangelists been false historians," writes Dr. Thomas Chalmers,
"they would
not have committed themselves upon so many particulars.
They would
not have furnished the vigilant inquirers of that period with such an
effectual
instrument for bringing them into discredit with the people; nor
foolishly
supplied, in every page of their narrative, so many materials for a
cross-examination, which would infallibly have disgraced them.
Now, we of
this age can institute the same cross-examination. We can compare
the
evangelical writers with contemporary authors, and verify a number of
circumstances in the history, and government, and peculiar economy of
the
Jewish people. We therefore have it in our power to institute a
cross-examination upon the writers of the New Testament; and the
freedom and
frequency of their allusions to these circumstances supply us with
ample
materials for it. The fact, that they are borne out in their
minute and
incidental allusions by the testimony of other historians, gives a
strong
weight of what has been called circumstantial evidence in their
favor. (Evidences
of the Christian Revelation, Chapter 3, pp. 76-78.)
See also
Dr. John Ankerberg. "Do We Have Accurate Information About Jesus?"
http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP0401W3.htm
H.
The prophets and the apostles risked their lives proclaiming the truth.
"Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, So that no
one went
through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, A joy of many
generations.
For then the king of
Now Jeremiah was coming and going
among the people, for they had not
yet put him in prison.
Therefore the princes were angry
with Jeremiah, and they struck him
and put him in prison in the
house of
Jonathan the scribe. For they had made that the prison.
Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the
LORD
had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the
prophets
and all the people seized him, saying, "You will surely
die!
22Then Jehoiakim the king sent men to
24Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was
with
Jeremiah, so that they should not give him into the hand of the people
to put
him to death.
So the decree went out, and they began killing
the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill
them.
Daniel
3:8-23
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and
accused
the Jews. 9They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O
king, live
forever! 10You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who
hears
the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony
with all
kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11and
whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of
a
burning fiery furnace. 12There are certain Jews whom you
have set
over the affairs of the
13Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to
bring
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the
king.
14Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, "Is it true, Shadrach,
Meshach,
and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image
which I
have set up? 15Now if you are ready at the time you hear the
sound
of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all
kinds of
music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good!
But if
you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a
burning
fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?"
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the
king, "O
Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If
that
is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the
burning fiery
furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18But
if
not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods,
nor will
we worship the gold image which you have set up."
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression
on his
face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and
commanded
that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
20And
he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind
Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21Then
these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and
their
other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery
furnace.
22Therefore, because the king's command was urgent, and the
furnace
exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up
Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23And these three men, Shadrach,
Meshach, and
Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Daniel
6:3-17
3Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors
and
satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave
thought to
setting him over the whole realm. 4So the governors and
satraps
sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but
they
could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there
any error
or fault found in him. 5Then these men said, "We shall not
find any
charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the
law of
his God."
6So these governors and satraps thronged before the king,
and said
thus to him: "King Darius, live forever! 7All the governors
of the
kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors,
have
consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm
decree, that
whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king,
shall be
cast into the den of lions. 8Now, O king, establish the
decree and
sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of
the
Medes and Persians, which does not alter." 9Therefore King
Darius
signed the written decree.
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went
home. And
in his upper room, with his windows open toward
11Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and
making supplication
before his God. 12And they went before the king, and spoke
concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every
man who
petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall
be cast
into the den of lions?"
The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of
the
Medes and Persians, which does not alter."
13So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel,
who is
one of the captives [Literally of
the sons of
the captivity] from
Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that
you
have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."
14And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly
displeased
with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he
labored till
the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15Then these men
approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is
the law of
the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king
establishes may
be changed."
16So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and
cast him
into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God,
whom
you serve continually, He will deliver you." 17Then a stone
was
brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with
his own
signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose
concerning
Daniel might not be changed.
|
|
|
Mark
13:13 |
|
Luke
21:17 |
34Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and
scribes:
some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will
scourge in
your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35that on
you may
come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of
righteous
Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered
between the
temple and the altar. 36Assuredly, I say to you, all these
things
will come upon this generation.
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you
will be hated
by all nations for My name's
sake.
"But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to
councils, and
you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought
[NU-Text and
M-Text read will stand ] before
rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
Blessed are you when men hate you, And
when they
exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your
name as
evil, For the Son of Man's sake.
In fact, you bear witness that you
approve the
deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you
build
their tombs.
However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the
Jews.
John
9:22
His parents said these things because they
feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone
confessed
that He was Christ, he would be put out of
the synagogue.
John
12:42
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of
the
Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out
of the synagogue;
John
16:2
They will put you out of the
synagogues; yes,
the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God
service.
After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but
secretly, for fear of the Jews,
asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus;
and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when
the doors
were shut where the disciples were assembled, [NU-Text omits assembled] for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said
to them, "Peace
be with you."
13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and
beaten
them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of
Jesus,
and let them go.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and
all those
who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were
filled
with indignation, 18and laid their hands on the apostles and
put them in the common prison.
When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to
kill them.
And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and
beaten
them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of
Jesus,
and let them go.
and they cast him out of the
city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their
clothes at
the feet of a young man named Saul.
1 Now Saul was consenting to his death.
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at
3As for Saul, he made havoc
of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women,
committing
them to prison.
And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the
Jews
and in
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Then Jews from
Then the multitude rose up together against them;
and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them
to be beaten with rods.
But Paul said to them, "They
have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us
into
prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us
out."
11 But the following night the Lord
stood by him
and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in
Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome."
12And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and
bound
themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink
till
they had killed Paul. 13Now
there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, "We have bound
ourselves
under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed
Paul.
Acts 28:17-20
17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the
leaders
of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them:
"Men and
brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs
of our
fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the
hands of the
Romans, 18who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me
go,
because there was no cause for putting me to death. 19But
when the
Jews [That
is, the ruling authorities] spoke against it, I was compelled
to appeal
to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 20For
this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with
you,
because for the hope of
Hebrews
11
32And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to
tell of
Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and
the
prophets: 33who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched
the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness
were made
strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the
aliens.
35Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain
a
better resurrection. 36Still others had trial of mockings
and
scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37They were
stoned,
they were sawn in two, were tempted,
[NU-Text
omits were tempted]
were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins,
being destitute, afflicted, tormented-- 38of whom the world
was not
worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of
the earth.
Do not fear any of those things which you
are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to
throw some of you into prison, that you may
be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until
death, and
I will give you the crown of life.
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those
who had
been slain for the word of God and for the
testimony which
they held.
When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the
bottomless
pit will make war against them, overcome
them, and kill
them.
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to
them.
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their
witness
to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or
his image,
and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their
hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a [M-Text reads the] thousand years.
Martyrs:
Stephen: stoned to death
James, the brother of Jesus: stoned to death
Peter: crucified
Andrew: crucified
Philip: crucified
Simon: crucified
Matthew: death by the sword
Thaddaeus: killed by arrows
Thomas: death by a spear thrust
Bartholomew: crucified
James, the son of Zebedee: death by the sword
James,
the son of Alphaeus: crucified
Refer to the definitive reference of Christian martyrdom in FOX's BOOK of MARTYRS, Edited by William Byron Forbush, posted online at http://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/home.html, http://bible.christiansunite.com/foxindex.shtml,
http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/martyrs/,
http://bible.crosswalk.com/History/AD/FoxsBookofMartyrs/,
http://www.biblebelievers.com/foxes/findex.htm,
http://www.biblenet.net/library/foxesMartyrs/?s=,
http://www.born-again-christian.info/foxes.book.of.martyrs/foxes.contents.htm
And on many other
websites on the
Internet.
A. God
ordained the authority of the prophets and the apostles.
And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. Then
he did
the signs in the sight
of the people.
So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him.
You shall
anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may
minister
to Me as priests.
And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint
him.
And you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar, and some of
the anointing
oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments, on his sons and on
the
garments of his sons with him; and he and his garments shall be
hallowed, and
his sons and his sons' garments with him.
"And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed
in them and to be consecrated in them.
And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them,
that they
may minister to Me as priests.
Exodus
40:13
You shall put the holy garments on Aaron, and anoint him and
consecrate
him, that he may minister to Me as priest.
You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father,
that they
may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing shall surely
be an
everlasting priesthood throughout their generations."
You shall not add to the word which I command you,
nor take
from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD
your
God which I command you.
I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their
brethren,
and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that
I command
Him.
Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed
him and
said: "Is it not because the LORD has anointed you commander
over His
inheritance? [Following Masoretic Text, Targum, and Vulgate; Septuagint
reads [His
people
Samuel also said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you king
over His
people, over
So Samuel said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not
head of
the tribes of
1 Samuel 16:1-13
1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How
long will you
mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over
2And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will
kill me."
But the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, "I have come to
sacrifice
to the LORD.' 3Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I
will show
you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you."
4So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to
5And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the
LORD.
Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he
consecrated
Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.
6So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and
said, "Surely
the LORD's anointed is before Him!"
7But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance
or at
his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not
see as
man sees; [Septuagint reads For God
does not
see as man sees; Targum reads It is not by the appearance of a
man;
Vulgate reads Nor do I judge according to the looks of a man]
for
man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
8So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel.
And he
said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." 9Then Jesse
made
Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one."
10Thus
Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to
Jesse, "The
LORD has not chosen these." 11And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are
all the
young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and
there he
is, keeping the sheep."
And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down [Following Septuagint and Vulgate;
Masoretic Text
reads turn around; Targum and Syriac read turn away]
till he
comes here." 12So he sent and brought him in. Now he was
ruddy, with
bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, "Arise,
anoint him; for this is the one!" 13Then Samuel
took the horn of oil and anointed
him in the midst of his brothers; and the
Spirit of the LORD came upon David from
that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group
of prophets
prophesying, and Samuel standing
as leader over them, the Spirit of
God came upon the messengers
of Saul, and they also
prophesied.
Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today
into my
hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared
you, and
I said, "I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the
LORD's anointed.'
But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out
his
hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?"
The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed.
But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his
head, and
let us go."
Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of
14And he said, "I have been very
zealous for the
LORD God of hosts; because the children of
15Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the
Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over
Then he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his
head, and
said to him, "Thus says the LORD God of
Yet the LORD testified against
Now the acts of King David,
first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer,
in the
book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the
poor; He
has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to
the
captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
"Before I formed you in the womb
I knew you; Before you
were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet
to the nations."
Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until
this day, I
have even sent to you all My servants the prophets,
daily
rising up early and sending them.
1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD, saying, 2"Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD's house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word.
to heed the words of My servants the prophets
whom I sent
to you, both rising up early and sending them (but you have not heeded),
I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets,
rising up early and sending them, saying, "Turn now everyone from his
evil way,
amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then
you will
dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.' But you
have not
inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.
Jeremiah
44:4
However I have sent to you all My servants the prophets,
rising early and sending them, saying, "Oh, do not do this abominable
thing
that I hate!"
Thus says the Lord GOD: "Are you he of whom I have spoken in former
days by My
servants the prophets of
I have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied
visions; I have
given symbols through the witness of the prophets."
Yet surely My words and My statutes, Which I commanded My
servants
the prophets, Did they not overtake your fathers? "So they
returned and
said: "Just as the LORD of hosts determined to do to us, According to
our ways
and according to our deeds, So He has dealt with us."
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
|
Acts 2:29-39 |
Psalm 110:1 1 The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." Matthew 22 Commentary by J.P. Holding: http://www.tektonics.org/antianti.html#ten |
how God anointed Jesus of
Acts 13:1-4
1 Now in the church that was at
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good
cheer,
Paul; for as you have testified for Me in
Acts
26:16
But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this
purpose,
to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which
you have
seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing
both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the
prophets
and Moses said would come—
Now He who establishes us with
you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted
with the
gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who
tests our
hearts.
Hebrews
2:4
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with
various
miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
If anyone speaks, let him speak
as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do
it as with the ability which God
supplies, that in all things God may be
glorified through Jesus
Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
Amen.
but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about
to
sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to
His servants
the prophets.
See also:
Glenn Miller. "The
Transmission of OT Information and Revelation," http://www.christian-thinktank.com/aecx.html
B.
Jesus confirmed authority to the prophets and the apostles.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send
in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all
things that I said to you.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He
will guide
you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority,
but
whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses
to Me [NU-Text reads My witnesses]
in
To them it was revealed that,
not to themselves, but to us
[NU-Text and M-Text read you] they
were ministering the things which now have been
reported
to you through those who have
preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things
which angels desire to look into.
See
also Appendix
4: Affirmation of the Apostles.
C.
The Holy Spirit confirmed authority to the prophets and the apostles.
Then the LORD came down
in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit
that was
upon him, and placed the same
upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit
rested upon
them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again. [Targum
and
Vulgate read did not cease]
1 Now these are the last words of
David.
Thus says David the son of
Jesse;
Thus says the man raised up
on high,
The anointed of the God of
Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of
2"The
Spirit of the LORD spoke by me,
And His word was on my
tongue.
3The God of
The
Rock of
"He who rules over men must
be just,
Ruling in the fear of God.
"Come near to Me, hear
this: I have not spoken
in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was
there.
And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have [The Hebrew verb is
singular]
sent Me."
I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will
place you in
your own land. Then you shall know that I,
the LORD, have spoken it
and performed it," says the LORD."‘
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,
because it
neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with
you and
will be in you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send
in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all
things that I said to you.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He
will guide
you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority,
but
whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you; and you shall
be witnesses to Me [NU-Text reads My witnesses]
in
These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches
but
which the Holy [NU-Text omits Holy] Spirit
teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
God also bearing witness both with
signs and
wonders, with various
miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His
own will?
for prophecy never came by the will of
man, but holy men of God
[NU-Text reads but
men spoke from God] spoke as they
were moved by the Holy Spirit.
See also Appendix
4: Affirmation of the Apostles.
III.
Confirmation by miracles.
A. The truthfulness of the prophets and the apostles were confirmed by supernatural miracles.
Greenleaf,
Testimony of the Evangelists:
"In the fourth place, as to
the conformity of
their testimony with experience. The title of the evangelists to full
credit
for veracity would be readily conceded by the objector, if the facts
they
relate were such as ordinarily occur in human experience, and on this
circumstance an argument is founded against their credibility.
Miracles, say
the objectors, are impossible; and therefore the evangelists were
either
deceivers or deceived; and in either case their narratives against the
possibility of miracles, was founded on the broad and bold assumption
that all
things are governed by immutable laws, or fixed modes of motion and
relation,
termed the laws of nature, by which God himself is of necessity bound.
This
erroneous assumption is the tortoise, on which stands the elephant
which
upholds his system of atheism. He does not inform us who made these
immutable
laws, nor whence they derive their binding force and irresistible
operation.
The argument supposes that the creator of all things first made a code
of laws,
and then put it out of his own power to change them. The scheme of Mr.
Hume is
but another form of the same error. He deduces the existence of such
immutable
laws from the uniform course of human experience.
This, he affirms, is our only guide in
reasoning concerning matters of fact; and whatever is contrary to human
experience, he pronounces incredible. Without stopping to examine the
correctness of this doctrine, as a fundamental principle in the law of
evidence, it is sufficient in this place to remark, that it contains
this
fallacy: it excludes all knowledge derived by inference or deduction
from facts,
confining us to what we derive from experience alone, and thus
depriving us of
any knowledge, or even rational belief, or the existence or character
of God.
Nay more, it goes to prove that successive generations of men can make
no
advancement in knowledge, but each must begin de novo, and be limited
to the
results of his own experience. But if we may infer, from what we see
and know,
that there is a Supreme Being, by whom this world was created, we may
certainly, and with equal reason, believe him capable of works which we
have
never yet known him to perform. We may fairly conclude that the power
which was
originally put forth to create the world is still constantly and
without
ceasing exerted to sustain it; and that the experienced connection
between
cause and effect is but the uniform and constantly active operation of
the
finger of God. Whether this uniformity of operation extends to things
beyond
the limits of our observation, is a point we cannot certainly know. Its
existence in all things that ordinarily concern us may be supposed to
be
ordained as conducive to our happiness; and if the belief in a
revelation of
peace and mercy from god is conducive to the happiness of man, it is
not
irrational to suppose that he would depart from his ordinary course of
action,
in order to give it such attestations as should tend to secure that
belief. "A
miracle is improbable, when we can perceive no sufficient cause, in
reference
to his creatures, why the Deity should not vary his modes of operation;
it
ceases to be so, when such cause is assigned."
But the full discussion of the subject of
miracles forms no part of the present design. Their credibility has
been fully
established, and the objections of skeptics most satisfactorily met and
overthrown, by the ablest writers of our own day, whose works are
easily
accessible. Thus much, however, may here be remarked; that in almost
every
miracle related by the evangelists, the facts, separately taken, were
plain,
intelligible, transpiring in public, and about which no person of
ordinary
observation would be like to mistake. Persons blind or cripple, who
applied to
Jesus for relief, were known to have been crippled or blind for many
years;
they came to be cured; he spoke to them; they went away whole. Lazarus
had been
dead and buried four days; Jesus called him to come forth from the
grave; he
immediately came forth, and was seen alive for a long time afterwards.
In every
case of healing, the previous condition of the sufferer was known to
all
witnessed the act of Jesus in touching him, and heard his words. All
these,
separately considered, were facts, plain and simple in their nature,
easily
seen and fully comprehended by persons of common capacity and
observation. If
they were separately testified to, by different witnesses of ordinary
intelligence and integrity, in any court of justice, the jury would be
bound to
believe them; and a verdict, rendered contrary to the uncontradicted
testimony
of credible witnesses to any of these plain facts, separately taken,
would be liable
to be set aside, as a verdict against evidence. If one credible witness
testified to the fact, that Bartimeus was blind, according to the
uniform
course of administering justice, this fact would be taken as
satisfactorily
proved. So also, if his subsequent restoration to sight were the sole
fact in
question, this also would be deemed established, by the like evidence.
Nor
would the rule of evidence be at all different, if the fact to be
proved were
the declaration of Jesus, immediately preceding his restoration to
sight, that
his faith had made him whole. In each of these cases, each isolated
fact was
capable of being accurately observed, and certainly known; and the
evidence
demands our assent, precisely as the like evidence upon any other
indifferent subject.
The connection of the word or the act of Jesus with the restoration of
the
blind, lame and dead, to sight, and health, and life, as cause and
effect, is a
conclusion which our reason is compelled to admit, from the uniformity
of their
concurrence, in such a multitude of instances, as well as from the
universal
conviction of all, whether friends or foes, who beheld the miracles
which he
wrought. Indeed, if the truth of one of the miracles is satisfactorily
established, our belief cannot reasonably be withheld from them all.
This is
the issue proposed by Dr. Paley, in regard to the evidence of the death
of
Jesus upon the cross, and his subsequent resurrection, the truth of
which he
has established in an argument incapable of refutation."
Exodus 4:1-9
1 Then Moses answered and said, "But
suppose they
will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, "The LORD
has not
appeared to you."‘
2So the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?"
He said, "A rod."
3And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the
ground,
and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4Then the
LORD said
to Moses, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached
out his
hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), 5"that
they
may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the
God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."
6Furthermore the LORD said to him, "Now put your hand in
your bosom."
And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his
hand was
leprous, like snow. 7And He said, "Put your hand in your
bosom
again." So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his
bosom,
and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. 8"Then it
will be,
if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign,
that they
may believe the message of the latter sign. 9And it shall
be, if
they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that
you
shall take water from the river [That is, the
|
1 Now the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, 2and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son's son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD." |
Joel 1:2-4 2 Hear this, you elders, |
"Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in
holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning
flashes, the
sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw
it,
they trembled and stood afar off.
Then the LORD said to Moses: "How long will these people reject Me? And
how
long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have
performed
among them?
because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs
which I did
in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these
ten
times, and have not heeded My voice,
Or did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst
of
another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a
mighty
hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all
that the
LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
and the LORD showed signs and
wonders before our eyes, great and severe, against
Deuteronomy
26:8
So the LORD brought us out of
the great trials which your eyes have seen, the signs, and those great wonders.
in all the signs and wonders
which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh,
before all
his servants, and in all his land,
And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the
LORD will
do wonders among you."
for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the
land of
Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in
our
sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the
people
through whom we passed.
And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the
occasion
demands; for God is with you.
1
Samuel 10:9
So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave
him
another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.
1 Kings 18:1-46
1 And it came to pass after many days
that the
word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, "Go,
present
yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth."
2So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a
severe
famine in
7Now as Obadiah was on his way, suddenly Elijah met him; and
he
recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, "Is that you, my lord
Elijah?"
8And he answered him, "It is I. Go, tell your master,
"Elijah is here."‘
9So he said, "How have I sinned, that you are delivering
your
servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10As the LORD
your God
lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent
someone to
hunt for you; and when they said, "He is not here,' he took an oath
from the
kingdom or nation that they could not find you. 11And now
you say, "Go,
tell your master, "Elijah is here"‘! 12And it shall come to
pass, as
soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the LORD will carry you
to a
place I do not know; so when I go and tell Ahab, and he cannot find
you, he
will kill me. But I your servant have feared the LORD from my youth.
13Was
it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets
of the
LORD, how I hid one hundred men of the LORD's prophets, fifty to a
cave, and
fed them with bread and water? 14And now you say, "Go, tell
your
master, "Elijah is here."‘ He will kill me!"
15Then Elijah said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom
I
stand, I will surely present myself to him today."
16So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went
to meet
Elijah.
17Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to
him, "Is
that you, O troubler of Israel?"
18And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and
your
father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the
LORD and
have followed the Baals. 19Now therefore, send and gather
all Israel
to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and
the
four hundred prophets of Asherah, [A Canaanite goddess] who eat at
Jezebel's
table."
20 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered
the
prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21And Elijah came to all
the
people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If
the LORD
is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered
him not a
word. 22Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a
prophet
of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23Therefore
let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for
themselves, cut it
in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will
prepare
the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it.
24Then
you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the
LORD; and
the God who answers by fire, He is God."
So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken."
25Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull
for
yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name
of your
god, but put no fire under it."
26So they took the bull which was given them, and they
prepared it,
and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, "O
Baal,
hear us!" But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped
about the
altar which they had made.
27And so it was, at
30Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So
all the
people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was
broken
down. 31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the
number of
the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come,
saying,
"
36And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the
evening
sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of
Abraham,
Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel
and I am
Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.
37Hear
me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD
God, and
that You have turned their hearts back to You again."
38Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt
sacrifice,
and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water
that was
in the trench. 39Now when all the people saw it, they fell
on their
faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!"
40And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do
not let
one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down
to the
Brook Kishon and executed them there.
41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for
there is the
sound of abundance of rain." 42So Ahab went up to eat and
drink. And
Elijah went up to the top of
So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times
he
said, "Go again."
44Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said,
"There is a
cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said,
"Go up,
say to Ahab, "Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops
you."‘
45Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black
with
clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went
to
Jezreel. 46Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and
he girded
up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Remember His marvelous works which
He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all
peoples.
You showed signs and wonders
against Pharaoh, Against all his servants, And against all the people
of his
land. For You knew that they acted proudly against them. So You made a
name for
Yourself, as it is this day.
They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders
That You
did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion
[Following
Masoretic Text and Vulgate; Septuagint reads in
He does great things past finding out, Yes, wonders without
number.
They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs;
You
make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice.
I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders
of old.
You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your
strength among
the peoples.
And forgot His works And His wonders that He had shown them.
When He worked His signs in
Psalm
89:5
And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your
faithfulness also
in the assembly of the saints.
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all
peoples.
Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders,
and the
judgments of His mouth,
They performed His signs among them, And wonders in the
Our fathers in
They see the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep.
He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, Upon
Pharaoh
and all his servants.
To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures
forever;
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the
virgin
shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
[Literally God-With-Us]
And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of
hosts in the
land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of the oppressors,
and He
will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.
And this is the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will
do this
thing which He has spoken:
Jeremiah
32:20
You have set signs and wonders
in the
You have brought Your people
And this shall be a sign to you,' says the LORD, "that I will
punish you
in this place, that you may know that My words will surely stand
against you
for adversity.'
I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders
that the Most High God has worked for me.
How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His
kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.
He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and
wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from
the power of the lions.
4Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
|
38 Then some of the scribes and
Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." |
Luke 11:29-32 29 And while the crowds were
thickly gathered together, He began to say, "This is an evil
generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to
it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. [NU-Text omits the prophet] 30For as Jonah became a sign to
the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation.
31The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the
men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of
the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than
Solomon is here. 32The men of |
The miraculous
feeding of over 5000.
|
Matthew 14:13-21 13 When Jesus heard it, He
departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when
the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
14And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was
moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15When
it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted
place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that
they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." |
|
Mark 6:30-44 30 Then the apostles gathered to
Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they
had taught. 31And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves
to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and
going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32So they
departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. |
|
Luke 9:10-17 10 And the apostles, when they
had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and
went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called
|
|
1 After these things Jesus went
over the John 6:4-15 |
But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle
in My
name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them
and
confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
[Verses 9-20
are bracketed in NU-Text as not original. They are lacking in Codex
Sinaiticus
and Codex Vaticanus, although nearly all other manuscripts of Mark
contain them]
Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired
for a
long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and
he hoped to
see some miracle done by Him.
And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending
from heaven
like a dove, and He remained upon Him.
John 2:1-11
1 On the third day there was a wedding
in Cana of
Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Now both Jesus
and His
disciples were invited to the wedding. 3And when they ran
out of
wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."
4Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to
do with
Me? My hour has not yet come."
5His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you,
do it."
6Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according
to the
manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons
apiece.
7Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they
filled
them up to the brim. 8And He said to them, "Draw some out
now, and
take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. 9When
the
master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did
not know
where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the
master
of the feast called the bridegroom. 10And he said to him,
"Every man
at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well
drunk,
then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"
11This beginning of signs
Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His
disciples
believed in Him.
John
2:23
Now when He was in
This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that
You are a
teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You
do unless
God is with him."
Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and
wonders, you
will by no means believe."
John 5:1-15
1 After this there was a feast of the
Jews, and
Jesus went up to
7The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me
into the
pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps
down before
me."
8Jesus said to him, "Rise,
take up your bed and walk." 9And immediately the man was
made well,
took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath. 10The Jews therefore said to
him who
was cured, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your
bed."
11He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, "Take
up your
bed and walk."‘
12Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you,
"Take up
your bed and walk'?" 13But the one who was healed did not
know who
it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.
14Afterward
Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been
made well.
Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."
15The man departed and told
the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek
Me, not
because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves
and were
filled.
Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will You perform then,
that we
may see it and believe You? What work will You do?
And many of the people believed in Him, and said, "When the Christ
comes, will
He do more signs than these which this Man has done?"
Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God,
because He
does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner
do such
signs?" And there was a division among them.
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works
that I do
in My Father's name, they bear witness of
John 11:38-44
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in
Himself, came to
the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39Jesus
said, "Take
away the stone."
Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this
time there
is a stench, for he has been dead four days."
40Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would
believe
you would see the glory of God?" 41Then they took away the
stone
from the place where the dead man was lying. [NU-Text omits from
the place
where the dead man was lying]
And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You
have heard
Me. 42And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the
people
who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent
Me."
43Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice,
"Lazarus,
come forth!" 44And he who had
died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was
wrapped
with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said,
"What
shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of
his tomb
and raised him from the dead, bore witness.
|
36While you have the light,
believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things
Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. |
Isaiah 53:1 1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? |
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His
disciples,
which are not written in this book;
"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by
God to
you by miracles, wonders, and signs
which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders
and signs were done through the apostles.
15But when they had commanded them to
go aside
out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16saying,
"What
shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle
has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in
29Now, Lord, look on their threats, and
grant to
Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30by
stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs
and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant
Jesus."
31And when they had prayed, the place where they were
assembled
together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and
they
spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 5:12-16
12 And through the hands of the
apostles many signs and wonders were done among
the people. And they were all with one
accord in Solomon's Porch. 13Yet none of the rest dared
join
them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14And believers
were
increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
15so
that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds
and
couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on
some of
them. 16Also a multitude
gathered from the surrounding cities to
And Stephen, full of faith [NU-Text reads grace]
and power, did great wonders and signs
among the people.
He brought them out, after he had shown wonders
and signs in the
And the multitudes with one accord
heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles
which he did.
Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued
with
Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles
and signs which were done.
Acts 13:1-12
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain
prophets
and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen
who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As
they
ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate
to Me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3Then,
having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went
down to
6Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they
found a
certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,
7who
was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man
called for
Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8But
Elymas
the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to
turn
the proconsul away from the faith. 9Then Saul, who also is
called
Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10and
said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you
enemy of
all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of
the Lord?
11And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you
shall be
blind, not seeing the sun for a time."
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking
someone to
lead him by the hand. 12Then the proconsul believed, when he
saw
what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord,
who was
bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul
declaring
how many miracles and wonders
God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient-- 19in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation,
Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but
to
unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who
believe.
10Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in
reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's
sake. For
when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become a fool in boasting; [NU-Text omits in
boasting] you have compelled me. For I ought
to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most
eminent
apostles, though I am nothing. 12Truly the signs of an
apostle were
accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and
wonders and mighty deeds.
Hebrews 2:1-4
1 Therefore we must give the more
earnest heed to
the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2For if the
word
spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just reward, 3how shall we escape if
we
neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by
the
Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4God also bearing witness both with signs
and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit,
according
to His own will?
The
significance of miracles is discussed at the following links:
Dr. Norman Geisler. "Miracles,"
http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/theological-dictionary/TD1002W3.htm
Dr. Norman Geisler. "Miracles: Providing Validation for the Christian Faith—Part One,"
http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/theological-dictionary/TD0103W1.htm
Dr. Norman Geisler. "Miracles: Providing Validation for the Christian Faith—Part Two,"
http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/theological-dictionary/TD0103W3.htm
Glenn Miller. "Good question--Did the NT authors invent the miracle stories in the gospels?"
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/mqx.html
"Were the Miracles of Jesus invented by the Disciples/Evangelists?"
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/mq9.html
B. The prophets and apostles
warned of
counterfeits, and encouraged testing.
1 "If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, "Let us go after other gods'--which you have not known--"and let us serve them,' 3you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not
happen
or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not
spoken; the
prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not
be
afraid of him.
A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among
brethren.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses
have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
Fierce witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not
know.
He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness,
deceit.
A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness
will utter
lies.
A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness
speaks
lies.
A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the
wicked
devours iniquity.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's
clothing,
but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
|
Matthew 7:16-19 |
|
Matthew 12 |
|
Luke 6 |
Matthew
24:11
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
For false christs and false prophets will rise
and show
great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
For false christs and false prophets will rise
and show
signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Mark
14:56
For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies
did not
agree.
Mark
14:57
Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying,
Woe to you [NU-Text and M-Text omit to
you] when all [M-Text omits all]
men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.
10 Then the brethren immediately sent
Paul and
Silas away by night to
Galatians 1:6-9
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
1
John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit,
but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false
prophets
have gone out into the world.
"I know your works, your
labor, your patience, and that you
cannot bear those who are evil.
And you have tested those who say they
are apostles
and are not, and have found them
liars;
More
links for further edification:
Glenn Miller. "Critically Examine Everything?" http://www.christian-thinktank.com/everythg.html
Dr. Norman Geisler. "False miracles—Part One," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/theological-dictionary/TD1102W3.htm
Dr. Norman Geisler. "False miracles—Part Two," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/theological-dictionary/TD1202W1.htm
Dr. Norman Geisler. "False miracles—Part Three," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/theological-dictionary/TD1202W3.htm
Dr. Norman Geisler. "Magic and miracles," http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/theological-dictionary/TD1102W1.htm
IV. Legal
Confirmation.
A.
The truthfulness of the testimony of the prophets and the
apostles were
confirmed by other prophets and apostles.
We have not obeyed the voice of
the LORD our God, to walk in His
laws, which He
set before us
by His servants the prophets.
Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law
and the
words which the LORD of hosts had sent
by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came
from the
LORD of hosts.
10 Then the brethren immediately sent
Paul and
Silas away by night to
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward
to these
things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and
blameless;
15and consider that the
longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother
Paul,
according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16as
also
in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are
some
things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to
their
own destruction, as they do also the
rest of the Scriptures.
B.
Prophets confirmed Mosaic authorship of the Law.
Throughout
the Bible the prophets attest to Moses' authorship of the Law.
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write
this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua,
that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under
heaven."
1 These are the journeys of the children of
These are the words which Moses spoke to all
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses
My servant commanded you; do
not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper
wherever you go.
Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is
written in the Book of the Law of Moses,
lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the
left,
And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep
His
statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it
is
written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that
you do and
wherever you turn;
Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with
all his
heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did
any arise like him.
And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals,
with
stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David,
of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by His
prophets.
Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of
the
LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book
of the Law of the LORD given by Moses.
They assigned the priests to their divisions and the Levites to their
divisions, over the service of God in
Nehemiah
9:14
You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, And commanded them precepts,
statutes
and laws, By the hand of Moses Your servant.
On that day they read from the Book of
Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written
that no
Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God,
10We have not obeyed the voice of the
LORD our
God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the
prophets.
11Yes, all
"As it is written in the Law of Moses,
all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer
before the
LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand
Your truth.
"Remember the Law of Moses,
My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came
through
Jesus Christ.
C. Apostles confirmed
the Law and
the Prophets
See also Section V. Historical Confirmation.
|
Matthew
18:16 John
8:17 2
Corinthians 13:1 |
Deuteronomy 19 |
|
55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you
come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat
daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
Mark 14:43-50 43 And immediately, while He was
still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with
swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the
elders. 44Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying,
"Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely." |
Psalm 22 Psalm 69 |
|
22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"), [Exodus 13:2, 12-15] 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." [Leviticus 12:8] |
Exodus 13 Exodus 13 Leviticus 12 |
Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I
was
still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in
the Law
of Moses and the Prophets and the
Psalms concerning Me."
"Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed,
instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen,
Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them,
and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them
from the Scriptures,
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a
sect, so
I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written
in the Law
and in the Prophets.
So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging,
to whom
he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading
them
concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets,
from morning till evening.
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
|
Romans
3:4 |
|
|
Romans 3:10-12 10as it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." [Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20] Commentary by J.P. Holding: http://www.tektonics.org/allsinners.html Romans 3:13-18 13"Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; [Psalm 5:9] "The poison of asps is under their lips"; [Psalm 5:9] 14"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." [Psalm 10:7]
16Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17And the way of peace they have not known." [ Isaiah 59:7, 8]
18"There is no fear of God before their eyes." [Psalm 36:1] |
Isaiah 59
|
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is
revealed, being
witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
| For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." [Genesis 15:6] |
Genesis 15 |
|
|
|
|
Romans
9:17 |
Exodus 9 |
|
1 I say then, has God cast away
His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of
Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not cast away
His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the
Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against |
1 Kings 19 1 Kings 19 |
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning,
that we
through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have
hope.
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith-- 27to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. [M-Text puts Romans 16:25-27 after Romans 14:23].
|
1
Corinthians 3:19 |
Job 5 |
3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
For we are not, as so many, [M-Text
reads the rest] peddling the word
of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God,
we speak in the sight
of God in Christ.
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame,
not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but
by
manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's
conscience in
the sight of God.
|
2
Corinthians 4:13 |
Psalm 116 |
But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise
by faith
in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
|
Commentary by J.P. Holding: http://www.tektonics.org/abekids.html |
Genesis 16 |
|
Galatians
4:30 |
Genesis 21 |
14But you must continue in the things which you have learned
and
been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and
that
from childhood you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through
faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
16All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for
correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Commentary by J.P. Holding: http://www.tektonics.org/JPH_SMSWSG.html#heb718
|
Hebrews
10:7 |
Psalm 40 |
Hebrews
11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
through
which he obtained witness that he was righteous,
God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
|
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself," [Leviticus |
Leviticus 19 |
|
|
Genesis 6 |
|
15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." |
Leviticus 11 Leviticus 19 Leviticus 20 |
2
Peter 1:20
knowing this first, that no prophecy of
Scripture is of any private
interpretation, [Or origin]
Commentary by J.P. Holding:
http://www.tektonics.org/demoniactale.html
15and consider that
the
longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our
beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has
written to you, 16as also in all his epistles, speaking
in them
of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which
untaught
and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
17You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand,
beware
lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the
error
of the wicked;
D. The Rulers of the People and the Synagogue confirmed the Law and the Prophets
Deuteronomy 31:9-13
9 So Moses wrote
this law and
delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the
covenant
of the LORD, and to all the elders of
33Then all Israel, with their elders and officers and
judges, stood
on either side of the ark before the priests, the Levites, who bore the
ark of
the covenant of the LORD, the stranger as well as he who was born among
them.
Half of them were in front of
Nehemiah 8:1-7
1 Now all the people gathered together
as one man
in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the
Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel. 2So
Ezra the
priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who
could
hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3Then
he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate
from
morning until
4So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they
had made
for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah,
Shema,
Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah,
Mishael,
Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5And
Ezra
opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing
above all
the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6And
Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God.
Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their
hands. And
they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the
ground.
7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai,
Hodijah,
Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites,
helped the
people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place.
8So they read distinctly from the book, in
the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to
understand the
reading.
17So the whole assembly of those who
had returned
from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the
days of
Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of
And after the reading of the Law and
the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them,
saying, "Men
and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say
on."
E.
The People confirmed the Law and the Prophets
Nehemiah
8:1
Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that
was in
front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses,
which the LORD had commanded Israel.
"As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we
have not
made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our
iniquities
and understand Your truth.
Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is
calling
for Elijah!"
Matthew
27:49
The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come
to save
Him."
Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is the
Prophet, or [NU-Text
and M-Text omit or] like one of the
prophets."
So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and
others,
one of the prophets."
Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses
were completed, they brought Him to
And He charged him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the
priest, and
make an offering for your cleansing, as
a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded."
and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of
the old
prophets had risen again.
Luke
9:19
So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah;
and
others say that one of the old prophets has risen again."
And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do
You want
us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah
did?" [NU-Text omits just as Elijah
did]
And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am
not." "Are
you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."
And they asked him, saying, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the
Christ,
nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps
the law?
Why do you seek to kill Me?"
|
Commentary by J.P. Holding: On the
"Bethlehem" prophecy [Off Site] -- also an on-site reply to Fiddler Zvi |
Commentary by Glenn Miller: http://www.christian-thinktank.com/micah5.html |
For Moses has had throughout many
generations those who preach him in every
city, being read in the synagogues
every Sabbath."
Hebrews
9:19
For when Moses had spoken every precept
to all
the people according to the law,
he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and
hyssop, and sprinkled both
the book itself and all the people,
The
following verses indicate that Jesus referred to the Law and the
Prophets as
authoritative, as well as indestructible, unbreakable and inerrant.
1. Jesus
believed all the Hebrew Scriptures to
be authoritative.
17 "Do not think that I came
to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to
fulfill.
18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass
from the law till all is fulfilled. 19Whoever therefore
breaks
one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be
called
least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he
shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven."
25Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart
to
believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26Ought not
the Christ
to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" 27And beginning at Moses and all the
Prophets, He expounded to them
in all the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself.
Luke
24:32
And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while
He talked
with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"
Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I
was
still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in
the Law
of Moses and the Prophets and the
Psalms concerning Me."
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have
eternal life;
and these are they which testify of Me.
45Do not think that I shall accuse you
to the
Father; there is one who accuses you--Moses, in whom you trust. 46For
if you believed Moses, you would believe
Me; for he wrote about
|
Commentary by J.P. Holding: http://www.tektonics.org/tyellow03.html |
Isaiah 12 Sirach 24:30-32 (See
J.P. Holding's commentary) |
|
John
10:35 |
Psalm 82 |
|
John
8:17
|
Deuteronomy 19:15 15 "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.. |
|
|
Deuteronomy 6 |
16Let your light so shine before men,
that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law
or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass
from the law till all is fulfilled.
11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew
11:13
For all the prophets and the law
prophesied until John.
|
Matthew 15:3-6 3He answered and said to them,
"Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your
tradition? 4For God commanded, saying, "Honor your father
and your mother'; [Exodus Commentary by J.P. Holding: http://www.tektonics.org/jesusignorelaw.html |
Exodus 20 Deuteronomy 5 Exodus 21 |
|
Mark
10:19 Luke
18:20 |
Exodus 20:12-16 Deuteronomy 5:16-20 |
|
Mark
12:30 Luke
10:27 |
Deuteronomy
6:5 Deuteronomy
10:12 Deuteronomy
11:13 Deuteronomy
13:3 Deuteronomy
30:6 Joshua
22:5 |
And He charged him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the
priest, and
make an offering for your cleansing, as
a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded."
Luke
16:16
"The law and the prophets
were until John. Since that time the
2.
Jesus denounced those who were unfamiliar with the Hebrew
Scriptures.
Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures
nor the power of God.
3. Jesus believed the Scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
|
Matthew 22 Mark 12 |
Psalm 110 |
The Apostle Paul was also in
agreement:
|
Acts 2 |
Psalm 110 |
|
16 So He came to |
1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is
upon Me, |
4. Jesus
believed the Hebrew Scriptures were
prophetic.
53Or do you think that I cannot now
pray to My
Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54How
then could the Scriptures be
fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"
55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes,
"Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords
and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and
you did
not seize Me.
But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might
be
fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
|
Luke 4:16-21 16 So He came to |
Isaiah 61:1-2 |
44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke
to you
while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which
were written in the Law of Moses and the
Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." 45And He opened
their
understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46Then He said to them, "Thus it
is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and
to rise [NU-Text reads written, that
the Christ should
suffer and rise] from
the dead the third day,
John 5:39-45
39You search the Scriptures,
for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which
testify
of
41"I do not receive honor from men. 42But I know
you,
that you do not have the love of God in you. 43I have come
in My
Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own
name, him
you will receive. 44How can you believe, who receive honor
from one
another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 45Do
not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who
accuses
you--Moses, in whom you trust.
5.
Jesus referred to the Hebrew Scriptures as the Word of God.
Mark 7:11-13
11But you say, "If a man says to his father or mother,
"Whatever
profit you might have received from me is Corban"--' (that is, a gift
to God),
12then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his
mother,
13making the word of God of no
effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such
things
you do."
|
Mark 12:24-26 24 Jesus answered
and said to them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you
do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? [Exodus 3:6, 15] 27He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken." |
Exodus 3:6 Exodus 3:15 |
|
John
17:17 |
|
6. Jesus
quoted from each of the divisions of
the Hebrew Scriptures.
a. The
Law.
b. The Prophets.
|
16Yet He warned them not to make
Him known, 17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
Isaiah the prophet, saying: 19He will not
quarrel nor cry out, |
Isaiah 42:1-4 |
c.
The Writings.
|
35 Then Jesus answered and said,
while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the
Christ is the Son of David? 36For David himself
said by the Holy Spirit: 42Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: |
Psalm
110:1
|
7. Jesus acknowledged the
Passover seder, and the covenant God made with
|
Matthew
26:26-29 26 And as they were eating, Jesus
took bread, blessed [M-Text reads gave thanks for]
and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this
is My body." Mark 14:22-25 Luke 22:14-20 1 Corinthians 11 |
Exodus 24 Jeremiah 31 |
See also V. Historic
Confirmation. B. Jesus
confirmed specific historical events and persons in the Hebrew
Scriptures.
G.
Jude confirmed 2 Peter as authoritative.
Jude records fulfillment of Peter's words, citing from 2 Peter:
|
Jude 1 |
2 Peter 2 |
|
Jude 1 |
2 Peter 2 |
|
Jude 1 |
2 Peter 2 |
|
Jude 1 |
2 Peter 2 |
|
Jude 1 |
2 Peter 2 |
Jude quotes 2 Peter 3:2-3 and acknowledges it as quote from
apostles.
|
Jude 1 |
2 Peter 3 |
H. Peter
denounced
false prophets and equated Paul's epistles with Scripture.
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does [M-Text reads will not] not slumber.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward
to these
things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and
blameless;
15and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according
to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16as also in all his epistles, speaking in
them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand,
which
untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
I. Paul
confirmed
Luke's testimony as Scripture.
See
also V. Historical
Confirmation
-- M. Paul
confirmed the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
J.
Paul acknowledged Luke as an eyewitness.
Luke the beloved physician
and Demas greet you.
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with
you, for he is useful to me for
ministry.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in
Christ Jesus,
greets you, 24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke,
my fellow laborers.
25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen.
K.
Paul acknowledged other apostles and prophets.
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos,
born at
2he said to them, "Did you receive the
Holy
Spirit when you believed?"
So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a
Holy
Spirit."
3And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?"
So they said, "Into John's baptism."
4Then Paul said, "John indeed
baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that
they
should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ
Jesus."
Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos,"
or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of
Christ."
4For when one says, "I am of Paul," and
another, "I
am of Apollos," are you not
carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos,
but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?
6I
planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas,
or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come--all
are
yours.
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself
and Apollos
for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is
written,
that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the
Lord, and Cephas?
and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
1
Corinthians 15:7
After that He was seen by James,
then by all the apostles.
Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to
come to you
with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time;
however, he
will come when he has a convenient time.
Then after three years I went up to
Galatians
1:19
But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's
brother.
(for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to
the
circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles),
and when James, Cephas, and John, who
seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that
had been given to me, they gave me
and Barnabas the right hand of
fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the
circumcised.
for before certain men came from James, he
would eat with
the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself,
fearing those who were of the circumcision.
L. Paul acknowledged as an Apostle.
1. Acknowledgement
by the other Apostles.
Now when Paul and his party set sail
from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John,
departing from
them, returned to
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore
their
clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute
with
them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them
should
go up to
Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church,
to send
chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas,
namely,
Judas who was also named Barsabas, [NU-Text and M-Text read Barsabbas]
and Silas, leading men among
the brethren.
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ,
called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Paul, called to be an apostle of
Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God
which is
at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.
Paul, an apostle (not from men
nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised
Him
from the dead),
Ephesians
1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
by the will of God, To the saints who are in
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our
hope,
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ [NU-Text and M-Text read Christ Jesus] by the will of God,
according to the promise of life which is in
Christ Jesus,
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus
Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the
acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,
and when James, Cephas, and John, who
seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been
given to me, they gave
me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to
the
Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
2. Acknowledgement
by God in the use of
miracles.
8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet
was
sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked. 9This
man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing
him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10said
with
a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked.
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain
slave girl
possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters
much
profit by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and us,
and
cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God,
who
proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18And this she did for
many
days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said
to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out
of her."
And he came out that very hour.
11 Now God worked unusual
miracles by the hands of Paul, 12so that even
handkerchiefs or
aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left
them and
the evil spirits went out of them.
Acts
20:9-12
9And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who
was
sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul
continued
speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
10But Paul went down, fell on him,
and embracing him said, "Do not
trouble yourselves, for his life is in him." 11Now when he
had come
up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till
daybreak, he departed. 12And they brought the young man in
alive,
and they were not a little comforted.
4So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand,
they
said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he
has
escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." 5But he shook off the creature into the fire
and suffered no harm. 6However, they were expecting that
he
would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked
for a long
time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said
that he was
a god.
7In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen
of the
island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us
courteously
for three days. 8And it happened that the father of Publius
lay sick
of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in
to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9So
when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases
also came
and were healed.
M.
As an Apostle, Paul had authority.
And if anyone does not
obey our
word in this epistle, note that
person and do not keep company with
him,
that he may be ashamed.
|
1 Corinthians 2:10-16 10But God has revealed them to us
through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep
things of God. 11For what man knows the things of a man
except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the
things of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have
received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God,
that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
|
Isaiah 40 |
But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each
one, so let him walk. And so
I ordain in all the churches.
36Or did the word of God come
originally from
you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37If anyone thinks
himself
to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the
things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
38But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. [NU-Text reads if anyone does not
recognize
this, he is not recognized]
N. Paul claimed all Scripture is God-breathed.
15and that from childhood you have
known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man
of God
may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
having been built on the foundation
of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being
the chief cornerstone,
3how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have
briefly
written already, 4by which, when you read, you may
understand my
knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5which in other ages
was not
made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed
by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
O. The prophets and the apostles regarded Scripture as the Word of God.
Because
they regarded the Scriptures as the Word of God, the Scriptures were authoritative as the Word of God.
So the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of
Manasseh
returned, and departed from the children of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land
of Canaan, to go to the country of
Gilead, to the land of their
possession, which they had obtained
according to the word of
the LORD by the hand of Moses.
"Behold, this day I am going the way of all
the earth. And you know in all
your hearts and in all your
souls that not one thing has failed
of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke
concerning you. All have
come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.
Then Joshua wrote these words in the Book
of the Law of God.
And he took a large stone,
and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the
LORD.
Every word of God is
pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, [NU-Text and M-Text read in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas]
the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in
the
wilderness.
So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the
"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of
God.
But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these
who hear
the word of God and do
it."
But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word
of God
and keep it!"
"This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the
Angel who
spoke to him on
who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This
man called
for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of
God.
"Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and
those among you who
fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word
of God.
Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word
of God should be spoken to
you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of
everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
And when there had been much dispute, Peter
rose up and said
to them: "Men and brethren, you know that
a good while ago God chose among us,
that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and
believe.
But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at
And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word
of God among them.
"So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word
of His
grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among
all
those who are sanctified.
Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles
of God.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
For we are not, as so many, [M-Text reads the
rest] peddling the word of God;
but as of sincerity, but as
from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in
craftiness nor
handling the word of God
deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to
every
man's conscience in the sight of God.
Hebrews
4:12
For the word of God is
living and powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and
marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to
teach you
again the first principles of the oracles of God;
and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which
are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Hebrews
13:7
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith
follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of
God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the
ability which God supplies, that in all things God may
be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever
and
ever. Amen.
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible,
through the word
of God which lives and abides
forever, [NU-Text omits forever]
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of
God the heavens
were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you
are strong, and the word of God
abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.
Revelation
1:2
who bore witness to the word of God,
and to the testimony of Jesus
Christ, to all things that he saw.
I, John, both [NU-Text and M-Text omit both]
your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience
of Jesus
Christ, was on the island that is called
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those
who had
been slain for the word of God
and for the testimony which they held.
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to
them.
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness
to Jesus
and for the word of God,
who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his
mark on
their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with
Christ for a
[M-Text reads the] thousand years.
Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new."
And He
said to me, [NU-Text and M-Text omit to
me] "Write, for these words are true
and faithful."
Then he said to me, "These words are faithful
and true." And the Lord God of
the holy [NU-Text and M-Text read [spirits
of the prophets] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the
things
which must shortly take place.
P. What God says,
the Bible says. What the Bible says,
God says.
This
section is adapted from Norman L. Geisler's article, "Bible, Evidence
for,"
from The Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker
Books, 1999,
page 92, with corrections to the verses given and new verses
added. Note
that what God says is equated with Scripture, and vice versa.
|
What God says ... |
...The Bible says |
|
Genesis
18:18 Genesis
22:18 Genesis
22:18
|
|
|
What the Bible says... |
...God says |
|
Acts 4:24-25 24So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25who by the mouth of Your servant David [NU-Text reads who through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father, Your servant David] have said: "Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? |
|
What the Bible says... |
...God says |
|
Psalm 95:7-8 7For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: 8"Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,[ Or Meribah] As in the day of trial[Or Massah] in the wilderness, |
Hebrews 3:7-15 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, 8Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, 9Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. 10Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, "They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.' 11So I swore in My wrath, "They shall not enter My rest."‘ 12Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." Hebrews 4:7 7again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." |
|
What the Bible says ... |
...God says |
|
4Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. |
7And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire." |
|
What the Bible says ... |
... God says |
|
3Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you-- The sure mercies of David. |
34And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: "I will give you the sure mercies of David.' |
V. Historical
confirmation.
A. Prophets
confirmed specific historical events and
persons in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Each book in the Old and
New Testaments
refers to previous historical events and persons as reported in earlier
books
by independent sources. There are
hundreds of examples. Here are just a
few:
1. The Creation of
That man was created, not evolved, is the testimony of the following:
|
Moses |
|
22Then the rib which the LORD God
had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
Genesis
5:1 |
|
Job |
|
Job 10 |
|
Jesus Christ |
|
|
Matthew
19:4 |
Genesis
1:27 Genesis
5:2 |
|
Paul |
|
|
Romans
5:13
13For Adam was formed first, then
Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being
deceived, fell into transgression. 15Nevertheless she will
be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness,
with self-control. |
Genesis
2:7
|
|
God |
|
Genesis
3:19 |
2.
|
Ezekiel
31:9
Ezekiel
36:35
|
9And out of the ground the LORD
God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for
food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil. |
3. Adam's
sin acknowledged.
|
Romans
5:12 Romans
5:14
|
5For God knows that in the day
you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil."
|
4. Noah.
|
1 Chronicles 1 8With a little wrath I hid My
face from you for a moment; Ezekiel
14:14 37But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Hebrews
11:7 4 For if God did not spare the
angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into
chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5and did
not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a
preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the
ungodly; 6and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into
ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those
who afterward would live ungodly; |
8But Noah found grace in the eyes
of the LORD. Genesis
7:11
16The rainbow shall be in the
cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant
between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the
earth." 17And God said to Noah, "This is
the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all
flesh that is on the earth." Genesis
9:19
1 Now this is the genealogy of
the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them
after the flood. |
5. God grants the
|
2And Joshua said to all the
people, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Your fathers, including
Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the
other side of the River [Hebrew Nahar,
the Euphrates, and so in verses 3, 14, and 15] in old
times; and they served other gods. 3Then I took your father
Abraham from the other side of the River, led him throughout all the 5Then Jehoshaphat stood in the
assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the
new court, 6and said: "O LORD God of our fathers, are You
not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the
nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one
is able to withstand You? 7Are You not our God, who drove
out the inhabitants of this land before Your people
|
8Also I give to you and your
descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the
12Then he dreamed, and behold, a
ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and
there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 11Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. 12The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land." 13Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him.
Exodus
33:1
|
6. Abraham
believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7. The
sin and destruction of
8. Jacob wrestles with God.
|
2"The
LORD also brings a charge against |
|
9. Hosea
refers to Jacob and Rachel and Moses.
Jacob fled to the country of
10. Joshua
refers to Jacob buying land for 100 pieces of silver.
11. The bones of Joseph.
12. Dividing the
|
6"Then I brought your fathers out
of
10But they rebelled and grieved
His Holy Spirit;
|
Exodus 14:13-31 13And Moses said to the people,
"Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD,
which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see
today, you shall see again no more forever. 14The LORD will
fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
|
13. Daniel
refers to Moses.
Daniel
9:11
Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so
as not to
obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law
of Moses
the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned
against
Him.
Daniel
9:13
"As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this
disaster has come
upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that
we might
turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.
14. Micah
refers to Moses, Aaron, Miriam.
|
|
1
Chronicles 6:3 |
15. Micah refers to Balaam, Balak.
|
|
Joshua
24:9 |
16.
Observance of the Passover.
|
1 And Hezekiah sent to all
18They assigned the priests to
their divisions and the Levites to their divisions, over the service of
God in
17 Now on the first day of the
Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to
Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"
13And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. 14Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, "The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"‘ 15Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us."
|
Exodus 12:1-20 1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses and
Aaron in the 1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses in
the Wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after
they had come out of the 4So Moses told the children of
Leviticus 23 |
17. Mosaic legislation on carrying the Ark
of the Covenant with poles.
|
1
Chronicles 15:15 |
|
18. Independent references to manna.
|
Joshua
5:12
Nehemiah
9:20 Psalm
78:24 John
6:31 John
6:49 John
6:58 Hebrews
9:4 Revelation
2:17 |
Exodus 16:4-16 4Then the LORD said to Moses,
"Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go
out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether
they will walk in My law or not. 5And it shall be on the
sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be
twice as much as they gather daily."
Exodus
16:35 Numbers
11:6 Numbers
11:7 Numbers
11:9 Deuteronomy
8:3
|
19.
Samuel recalls the Amakite treachery.
20. Amos
refers to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness and the Amorites.
|
8They lie down by every altar on
clothes taken in pledge, |
Deuteronomy 3:8-11 8"And at that time we took the
land from the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were on this
side of the Jordan, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon 9(the
Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir), 10all
the cities of the plain, all Gilead, and all Bashan, as far as Salcah
and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. |
21. The
Bronze Serpent.
|
|
Numbers
21:9 |
22.
Jephthah, a Hebrew judge, recalls the Exodus and the conflict of
Ammon.
Judges 11:13-27
13And the king of the people of Ammon
answered
the messengers of Jephthah, "Because Israel took away my land when they
came up
out of
14So Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the
people of
Ammon, 15and said to him, "Thus says Jephthah: "Israel did
not take
away the land of Moab, nor the land of the people of Ammon; 16for
when Israel came up from Egypt, they walked through the wilderness as
far as
the Red Sea and came to Kadesh. 17Then
23"And now the LORD God of
23. Rahab
the harlot.
|
James
2:25 |
1 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent
out two men from Acacia Grove [Hebrew Shittim] to spy secretly,
saying, "Go, view the land, especially Joshua
2:3
|
24.
Joshua refers to the Torah / Pentateuch.
And afterward he read all the words of
the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all
that is written in
the Book of the Law.
So the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of
Manasseh
returned, and departed from the children of Israel at Shiloh, which is
in the
land of Canaan, to go to the country of Gilead, to the land of their
possession,
which they had obtained according to
the word of the LORD by
the hand of Moses.
Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is
written
in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,
25.
Nehemiah quotes from Deuteronomy.
26.
27.
Fulfillment of 1 Kings 13:31.
28. Jeroboam's
Golden Calves.
|
|
1 Kings 25 Then Jeroboam
built Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he
went out from there and built Penuel. 26And Jeroboam said in
his heart, "Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: 27If
these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at
Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord,
Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam
king of Judah." |
29. Elijah
is acknowledged.
|
25But I tell you truly, many
widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut
up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout
all the land; 26but to none of them was Elijah sent except
to Zarephath, [Greek Sarepta] in the region of Sidon,
to a woman who was a widow. 27And many lepers were in
1 I say then, has God cast away
His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of
Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not cast away
His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says
of Elijah, how he pleads with God against James
5:17-18 |
12and after the earthquake a
fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still
small voice.
2 Kings 1:1-17 1 |
30. Prophecy of the Exile
from the books of
Moses.
|
|
Leviticus
26:33
Ezekiel
22:15 |
31. Jonah
the Prophet.
32.
Historical records from Adam to
David acknowledged.
1 Chronicles 1-29
1 Chronicles 2
Nehemiah
summarizes most of Biblical history.
|
Nehemiah 9:5-31 |
26Then the LORD said to Moses,
"Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon
the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen." 27And
Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning
appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were
fleeing into it. So the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of
the sea. 28Then the waters returned and covered the
chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the
sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained.
3Why has the LORD brought us to
this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should
become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to 3So all the people broke off the
golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.
4And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it
with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf.
1
Kings 19:10
|
33.
The genealogy of Ruth acknowledged.
|
Ruth
4:13-21 13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her,
the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14Then the
women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this
day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Matthew 1:2-6 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: 2Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot
Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3Judah begot
Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4Ram begot Amminadab,
Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5Salmon
begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6and
Jesse begot David the king. |
4And Tamar, his daughter-in-law,
bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of |
34. God's judgment upon
|
Isaiah 15 |
Jeremiah 48:1-47 1 Against |
35. Independent references to the Canaanite
god Baal.
|
Jeremiah
32:35
|
Judges
8:33
17Then it happened, when Ahab saw
Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" 1 Kings 20 So Ahab sent for all the
children of 1
Kings 19:18
|
36. Daniel refers to Jeremiah the Prophet.
37. Daniel
endorses Scripture.
Daniel
10:21
But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth.
(No one
upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
38. Ezekiel refers to Noah, Daniel and Job.
12 The word of
the LORD came again to me, saying:
13"Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent
unfaithfulness,
I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of
bread, send
famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. 14Even if
these
three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only
themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD.
19"Or if I send a pestilence into that
land and
pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast,
20even
though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD,
"they
would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only
themselves by
their righteousness."
21For thus says the Lord GOD: "How much more it shall be
when I send
My four severe judgments on Jerusalem--the sword and famine and wild
beasts and
pestilence--to cut off man and beast from it?
39. The prophecy of Micah.
B. Jesus
confirmed
specific historical events and persons in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Jesus accepted the Hebrew Scriptures as
historically true.
1. The
creation of Adam and Eve.
|
3The Pharisees also came to Him,
testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his
wife for just any reason?"
|
|
See
also
Dr. Norman Geisler. "Was Adam a Real, Historical Person?"
http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/theological-dictionary/TD0401W3.htm
(from Baker
Enyclopedia of
Christian Apologetics, Baker, 1999)
2.
Jesus acknowledged the concept of marriage.
|
Matthew
19:5 Mark
10:8 |
|
3.
Noah and the Genesis Flood.
|
37But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 26And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
27They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and
the flood came and destroyed them all. 28Likewise as it was
also in the days of |
8But Noah found grace in the eyes
of the LORD. Genesis
7:11
16The rainbow shall be in the
cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant
between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the
earth." 17And God said to Noah, "This is
the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all
flesh that is on the earth." Genesis
9:19
1 Now this is the genealogy of
the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them
after the flood. |
4.
The Patriarchs.
|
Luke
13:28
John 8:31-59 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews
who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free."
|
Genesis
31:53
Exodus
2:24
Exodus
33:1
Deuteronomy
9:5 Deuteronomy
29:13 Deuteronomy
30:20 |
5.
|
Luke 17:28-32 |
Genesis 19:23-26 23The sun had risen upon the
earth when |
6. Moses at the burning bush.
7.
David eating the showbread.
8. The Queen of
9. The
Exodus.
|
31Our fathers ate the manna in
the desert; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat."‘
[Exodus 16:4; Nehemiah 9:15;
Psalm 78:24] John
6:58 |
Psalm
78:24
|
10.
|
Luke
10:13 |
Ezekiel 28:1-24 1 The word of the LORD came to me
again, saying, 2"Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre,
"Thus says the Lord GOD: |
11.
Elijah, Elisha, the widow of
|
Luke 4:24-27 24Then He said, "Assuredly, I say
to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. 25But I
tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when
the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a
great famine throughout all the land; 26but to none of them
was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, [Greek Sarepta] in the
region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27And many
lepers were in |
8 Then the word of the LORD came
to him, saying, 9"Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to |
12. Jonah
the Prophet, The great fish,
|
Luke 11:29-32 29 And while the crowds were
thickly gathered together, He began to say, "This is an evil
generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the
sign of Jonah the prophet. [NU-Text omits the prophet] 30For as Jonah became a sign to the
Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31The
queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this
generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to
hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
32The men of |
2
Kings 14:25 1 Now the word of the LORD came
to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2"Arise, go to
|
13. The murders of Abel and Zechariah.
Matthew
23:35
35that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the
earth,
from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of
Berechiah,
whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
|
Matthew
24:15
|
|
15. Jesus
accepted prophecy from the Hebrew
Scriptures.
|
Mark
1:2 Luke
7:27 |
|
See also VI. Prophetic
Confirmation. B. Jesus
confirmed prophecies concerning Himself.
C. Matthew confirmed historical events and people
from the
Hebrew Scriptures.
Matthew 1:1-17
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of
David, the
Son of Abraham:
2Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot
Judah and
his brothers. 3Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez
begot
Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4Ram begot Amminadab,
Amminadab begot
Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5Salmon begot Boaz by
Rahab, Boaz
begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6and Jesse begot David
the
king.
David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife [Words in
italic type
have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Greek]
of
Uriah. 7Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and
Abijah
begot Asa. [NU-Text reads Asaph ] 8Asa begot
Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9Uzziah
begot
Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10Hezekiah
begot
Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, [NU-Text
reads Amos] and Amon begot Josiah.
11Josiah
begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away
to
12And after they were brought to
17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen
generations, from David until the captivity in
See also Ruth
4:18-22; 1 Chronicles 2:1-5; Luke
3:23-38.
See also V. Historical
Confirmation.
B. Jesus confirmed specific historical events
and persons in the Hebrew Scriptures.
D. Luke confirmed historical events and people from
the Hebrew
Scriptures.
The genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Luke 3:23-28
23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24the son of Matthat, [This and several other names in the genealogy are spelled somewhat differently in the NU-Text. Since the New King James Version uses the Old Testament spelling for persons mentioned in the New Testament, these variations, which come from the Greek, have not been footnoted] the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, 25the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, 27the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,
See also Genesis 5:1-32;
Elijah the Prophet.
18 And it happened, as He was alone
praying, that
His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds
say
that I am?"
19So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say
Elijah;
and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again."
20He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God."
Elisha the Prophet.
|
Luke
4:27 |
2
Kings 2:15
|
See also V. Historical
Confirmation.
B. Jesus confirmed specific historical events
and persons in the Hebrew Scriptures.
E. John confirmed historical events and people from the Hebrew Scriptures
Cain and Abel.
not as Cain who was of the wicked one
and murdered
his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works
were
evil and his brother's righteous.
See also V. Historical
Confirmation.
B. Jesus confirmed specific historical events
and persons in the Hebrew Scriptures.
F. Stephen confirmed
historical
events and people from the Hebrew Scriptures.
|
Acts 7:1-60 8Then He gave him the
covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised
him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the
twelve patriarchs. 38"This
is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who
spoke to him on |
Genesis 12:1-3 1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:
Genesis 15 Exodus 3 Exodus 1 Exodus 2 Exodus 3:6-15
Exodus 32 Amos 5
|
G. Peter
confirmed historical events and people from the Hebrew Scriptures
Noah and the Genesis Flood.
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us [NU-Text and M-Text read you] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited [NU-Text and M-Text read when the longsuffering of God waited patiently] in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
5For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.
6and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—
H. Paul confirmed historical events and people from the Hebrew Scriptures
Adam.
Romans
5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death
through
sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam
to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the
likeness of
the transgression of Adam, who
is a type of Him who was to come.
1
Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made
alive.
1
Corinthians 15:45
And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living
being." [Genesis
2:7] The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
1
Timothy 2:13
For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
1
Timothy 2:14
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell
into
transgression.
Abraham, Elijah.
|
1 I say then, has God cast away
His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of
Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not cast away
His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says
of Elijah, how he pleads with God against 14For you, brethren, became
imitators of the churches of God which are in |
1 Kings 10So he said, "I have been very
zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of |
I. The writer of Hebrews confirmed historical events and people from the Hebrew Scriptures.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
The Creation.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which
are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Abel, Cain.
Hebrews 11:4
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
Enoch.
Noah.
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet
seen,
moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household,
by
which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which
is
according to faith.
Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, Sarah.
Hebrews
11:8-9
8 By faith Abraham obeyed
when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an
inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By
faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling
in
tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs
with him of the same
promise; 10for he waited for the city which has foundations,
whose
builder and maker is God.
11By
faith Sarah herself also received
strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child [NU-Text omits she bore a child] when she was past the age, because
she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from
one man,
and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in
multitude--innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the
promises, but
having seen them afar off were assured of them, [NU-Text and M-Text
omit were
assured of them] embraced
them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For
those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
15And
truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come
out,
they would have had opportunity to return. 16But now they
desire a
better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be
called
their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
The Patriarchs: Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob,
Esau, Joseph.
Hebrews 11:17-22
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up
Isaac, and
he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18of
whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," [Genesis 21:12]
19concluding
that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he
also received
him in a figurative sense.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to
come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the
sons of
Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the
departure
of the children of
Moses and the Exodus.
Hebrews 11:23-29
23 By faith Moses, when he was born,
was hidden
three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child;
and
they were not afraid of the king's command.
24By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be
called the
son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to suffer
affliction
with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26esteeming
the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in [NU-Text
and M-Text
read of] Egypt; for he
looked to the reward.
27By faith he forsook
29By faith they passed through the
Hebrews 11:30-31
30 By
faith the
walls of
Gideon,
Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,
miracles.
Hebrews 11:32-40
32And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to
tell of
Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and
the
prophets: 33who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched
the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness
were made
strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the
aliens.
35Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain
a
better resurrection. 36Still others had trial of mockings
and
scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37They were
stoned,
they were sawn in two, were tempted, [NU-Text omits were tempted] were slain with the sword. They
wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted,
tormented-- 38of whom the world was not worthy. They
wandered in
deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39And all these, having obtained a good testimony through
faith, did
not receive the promise, 40God having provided something
better for
us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
J.
James confirmed historical events and people from the Hebrew Scriptures.
Job.
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance
of Job and seen the end intended
by the Lord--that the Lord is
very compassionate and merciful.
Elijah.
16Confess your trespasses [NU-Text reads Therefore confess your sins] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
K.
Jude confirmed historical events and people from the Hebrew Scriptures.
Adam, Enoch.
Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam,
prophesied about
these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of
His
saints,
L. Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Peter, James, John confirmed afterlife appearances of Moses and Elijah.
Matthew 17:1-4
1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us [NU-Text reads I will] make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
10And His disciples asked Him, saying,
"Why then
do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
11Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming
first [NU-Text
omits first] and will
restore all things. 12But I say to you that Elijah has come
already,
and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise
the Son
of Man is also about to suffer at their hands."
Mark 1:1-9
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus
Christ,
the Son of God. 2As it is written in the Prophets:
"Behold, I send My messenger
before
Your face,
Who will prepare Your way
before
You."
3"The voice of
one crying
in the wilderness:
"Prepare the way of the
LORD;
Make His paths straight."‘ [Isaiah 40:3]
4John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a
baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins. 5Then all the
6Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather
belt
around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he
preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I,
whose
sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8I
indeed
baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from
Nazareth of
Galilee, and was baptized by John in the
See also Matthew 16:28;
Luke 9
29As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and
His robe
became white and glistening. 30And behold, two men talked
with Him,
who were Moses and Elijah, 31who appeared in glory and spoke
of His
decease which He was about to accomplish at
M.
Paul Confirmed the Life
and Ministry of Jesus Christ.
F.F. Bruce, author of The
New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?, discusses "The
Importance of
Paul's Evidence" in Chapter 6.
"Here, however, we are chiefly concerned with the information we can derive from his Epistles. These were not written to record the facts of the life and ministry of Jesus; they were addressed to Christians, who already knew the gospel story. Yet in them we can find sufficient material to construct an outline of the early apostolic preaching about Jesus. While Paul insists on the divine preexistence of Jesus, yet he knows that He was nonetheless a real human being, a descendant of Abraham and David, who lived under the Jewish law; who was betrayed, and on the night of His betrayal instituted a memorial meal of bread and wine; who endured the Roman penalty of crucifixion, although the responsibility for His death is laid at the door of the representatives of the Jewish nation; who was ‘buried, rose the third day, and was thereafter seen alive by many eyewitnesses on various occasions, including one occasion on which He was so seen by over five hundred at once, of whom the majority were alive nearly twenty-five years later.' In this summary of the evidence for the reality of Christ's resurrection, Paul shows a sound instinct for the necessity of marshaling personal testimony in support of what might well appear an incredible assertion." [7]
1.
Paul confirmed the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-28
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you
the gospel
which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
2by
which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached
to
you--unless you believed in vain.
3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also
received:
that Christ died for our sins according
to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to
the Scriptures, 5and that He
was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6After that He was
seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part
remain to
the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7After that He was seen by James, then by all the
apostles. 8Then last of all He was seen by me also, as
by one
born out of due time.
9For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be
called
an apostle, because I persecuted the
12 Now if Christ is preached
that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that
there is
no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there is no
resurrection of
the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14And if Christ is not
risen,
then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15Yes,
and
we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God
that He
raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not
rise.
16For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17And
if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your
sins!
18Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19If
in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most
pitiable.
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the
firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since by
man came
death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22For
as in
Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23But
each
one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are
Christ's
at His coming. 24Then comes the end, when He delivers the
kingdom to
God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and
power.
25For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
26The
last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27For "He has
put all
things under His feet." [Psalm 8:6] But when He says "all things are
put under
Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
28Now
when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also
be
subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in
all.
See also
Dr. Phil Fernandes. "The Creed of 1 Corinthians 15:3-8:
Ancient Evidence for Christ's Resurrection," http://www.biblicaldefense.org/Research_Center/Journals/Vol1No8/vol1no8-1.htm
2.
Paul confirmed the Lord's Supper.
Paul quotes Jesus
from the earlier Gospel accounts.
|
1 Corinthians 11 |
Matthew
26:26-29 26 And as they were eating, Jesus
took bread, blessed [M-Text reads gave thanks for]
and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this
is My body." Mark 14:22-25 Luke 22:14-20 |
And Moses took the blood,
sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This
is the blood of the covenant
which the LORD has made with you according
to all these words."
Jeremiah
31:31
"Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will
make
a new covenant with the house of
Because finding fault with them,
He says: "Behold, the days are coming,
says the LORD, when I will make
a new covenant with the
house of
3.
Paul referred to Jesus' prohibition of divorce and remarriage.
|
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. Commentary by J.P. Holding: http://www.tektonics.org/divorce2.html |
10In the house His disciples also
asked Him again about the same matter. 11So He said to them,
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against
her. 12And if a woman divorces her husband and marries
another, she commits adultery."
|
4.
Paul proclaimed the resurrected Jesus Christ.
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."
When Silas and Timothy had come from
10And this continued for two years, so
that all
who dwelt in
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
12so
that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the
sick, and
the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and
breaking my heart? For I am ready not only
to be bound, but also to die at
And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was
Jewish, he
sent for Paul and heard him concerning
the faith
in Christ.
but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a
certain
Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to
be alive.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost
persuade me to become a Christian."
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus
Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to
the gospel of God
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through
the will of God,
and Sosthenes our brother,
11For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. 12Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants
for Jesus' sake.
Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness
of Christ--who in presence am lowly among you, but being
absent am
bold toward you.
Do you look at things according
to the outward appearance? If
anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again
consider
this in himself, that just as he is Christ's,
even so we
are Christ's. [NU-Text reads even as we
are]
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus
Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles-- 2if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
Paul and Timothy, bondservants of
Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus
who
are in
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of
God, and
Timothy our brother,
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians
in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace
from God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [NU-Text omits from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ]
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians
in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus
Christ,
our hope,
Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ [NU-Text and
M-Text read Christ Jesus]
by the will of God,
according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus
Christ, according to the faith of God's
elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,
Paul, a prisoner of Christ
Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend
and
fellow laborer,
8 Therefore, though I might be very
bold in
Christ to command you what is fitting, 9yet for love's sake
I rather
appeal to you--being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a
prisoner of
Jesus Christ-- 10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I
have
begotten while in my chains,
5. Paul acknowledged the power of Jesus Christ.
And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit,
"I command you in the name of Jesus
Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour.
13Then some of the itinerant Jewish
exorcists
took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those
who had
evil spirits, saying, "We [NU-Text reads I]
exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14Also
there
were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and
Paul I
know; but who are you?"
6.
Paul confirmed Jesus's prophecy regarding His return.
|
Acts
|
3"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: |
|
|
Matthew
24:43
|
7.
Paul acknowledged the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1Brethren,
my heart's desire and prayer to God
for
14How
then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how
shall they
believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear
without a
preacher?
15And
how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How
beautiful
are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, [NU-Text
omits
preach the gospel of peace, Who] Who
bring glad tidings of good things!" [NU-Text omits preach
the gospel of peace, Who]
1
Corinthians 9:12
12If
others are
partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we
have
not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel
of
Christ.
14Even
so the
Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live
from the
gospel.
2
Corinthians 8:18
18And we
have
sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel
throughout all
the churches,
13while,
through
the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your
confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal
sharing with
them and all men,
Galatians
1:6
6I
marvel that
you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of
Christ, to
a different gospel,
6which
is not
another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel
of Christ.
|
Galatians
3:8 |
|
13You
know that
because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at
the first.
Ephesians
1:13
13In Him
you
also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your
salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy
Spirit
of promise,
5for
your
fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
Philippians
1:7
7just as
it is
right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart,
inasmuch
as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel,
you all are partakers with me of grace.
12But I
want you
to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually
turned
out for the furtherance of the gospel,
Philippians
1:27
27Only
let your
conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I
come and
see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast
in one
spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
15Now
you
Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when
I
departed from
Colossians
1:5
5because
of the
hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in
the word
of the truth of the gospel,
8. Paul preached the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
Acts
16:10
10Now
after he
had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to
Acts
20:24
24But
none of
these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, [NU-Text
readsBut
I do not count my life of any value or dear to myself] so that I
may finish
my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord
Jesus, to
testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
1Paul, a
bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel
of God
Romans
1:9
9For
God is
my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of
His Son,
that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
15So, as
much as
is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in
Romans
1:16
16For I
am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ, [NU-Text omits of Christ]
for it
is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew
first
and also for the Greek.
16in the
day
when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my
gospel.
Romans
15:16
16that I
might
be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel
of
God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified
by the
Holy Spirit.
19in
mighty
signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from
Romans
15:20
20And so
I have
made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was
named, lest I
should build on another man's foundation,
29But I
know
that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing
of the gospel
[NU-Text omits of the gospel]
of Christ.
Romans
16:25
25Now to
Him who
is able to establish you according to my gospel and the
preaching of
Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret
since the
world began
17For
Christ did
not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with
wisdom of
words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
1
Corinthians 4:15
15For
though you
might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many
fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16For if
I
preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is
laid
upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
1
Corinthians 9:18
18What
is my
reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel
of Christ [NU-Text omits of Christ] without charge, that I may
not abuse
my authority in the gospel.
1
Corinthians 9:23
23 Now
this I do
for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
1
Corinthians 15:1-2
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which
I
preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2by
which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached
to you--unless
you believed in vain.
2
Corinthians 2:12
12 Furthermore,
when I came to
2
Corinthians 4
1
Therefore,
since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose
heart.
2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in
craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by
manifestation of
the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight
of God.
3But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those
who are
perishing, 4whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who
do not
believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,
who is the
image of God, should shine on them. 5For we do not preach
ourselves,
but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus'
sake.
6For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
who has
shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of
God in
the face of Jesus Christ.
14For we
are not
overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to
you), for it
was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;
2
Corinthians 10:16
16to
preach the gospel
in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of
accomplishment.
4For if
he who
comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you
receive a
different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel
which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!
2
Corinthians 11:7
7Did I
commit
sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached
the gospel
of God to you free of charge?
1Paul,
an apostle (not from men nor through
man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him
from the
dead),
Galatians
1:8
8But
even if we,
or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than
what we
have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9As we
have said
before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel
to you
than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians
1:11
11But I
make
known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by
me is not
according to man.
1Then
after
fourteen years I went up again to
Galatians
2:2
2And I
went up
by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I
preach among
the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by
any means
I might run, or had run, in vain.
5to whom
we did
not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel
might continue with you.
Galatians
2:7
7But on
the
contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised
had been
committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter
14But
when I saw
that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel,
I said
to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of
Gentiles
and not as the Jews, why do you[NU-Text readshow can you] compel Gentiles to live as Jews? [ Some
interpreters stop the quotation here]
3that
the
Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His
promise
in Christ through the gospel,
15and
having
shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
19and
for me,
that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to
make
known the mystery of the gospel,
17but
the latter
out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
22But
you know
his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me
in the gospel.
3And
[NU-Text
and M-Text read Yes] I urge you also, true companion, help
these women
who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the
rest of my
fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
23if
indeed you
continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away
from the
hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every
creature
under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
1
Thessalonians 2:2
2But
even [NU-Text
and M-Text omit even] after we had suffered before and were
spitefully
treated at
4But as
we have
been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so
we speak,
not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
1
Thessalonians 2:8
8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to
you not
only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you
had become
dear to us.
9For you
remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day,
that we
might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of
God.
2and
sent
Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the
gospel
of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
8in
flaming fire
taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not
obey the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
14to
which He
called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our
Lord
Jesus Christ.
1Paul,
an
apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the
Lord
Jesus Christ, our hope,
1according
to
the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to
my trust
8Therefore
do
not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner,
but share
with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power
of God,
5For our
gospel
did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy
Spirit and
in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for
your
sake.
10but
has now
been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has
abolished
death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
8Remember
that
Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according
to my gospel,
13whom I
wished
to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my
chains for
the gospel.
See also
IV. Legal
Confirmation. A. The testimony
of the
prophets and the apostles was confirmed by other prophets and apostles.
As well as the essays located here:
Glenn Miller. "An on-going argument: How "non-Jesus" was Paul, really?"
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/muslix.html
9.
Paul preached the same doctrine of salvation as Jesus and the
other Apostles.
a. Jesus Christ.
Matthew 18:6
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to
sin, it
would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and
he were
drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 27:42
"He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel,
[NU-Text
reads He is the King of
Mark 1:15
and saying, "The time is fulfilled,
and the
And He said to them, "Go into all the world
and preach
the gospel to every creature.
Luke 8:12
Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and
takes away
the word out of their hearts, lest they
should believe and be saved.
Luke 8:13
But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the
word with
joy; and these have no root, who believe for a
while and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 22:67
"If You are the Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe.
Luke 24:25
Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow
of heart to believe in all that
the prophets have spoken!
John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them He
gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe
in His name:
John 2:23
Now when He was in
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:18
"He who believes in Him is not
condemned; but he who does not believe
is condemned already, because he has
not believed in the name of
the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has
everlasting life; and he
who does not believe the Son
shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
John 4:42
Then they said to the woman, "Now we
believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have
heard Him
and we know that this is indeed the
Christ, [NU-Text omits the Christ]
the Savior of the world."
John 5:46
For if you believed Moses, you
would believe Me; for he
wrote about Me.
John 5:47
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe
My
words?"
John 6:29
Jesus answered and said to them, "This
is the work of God, that you believe
in Him whom He sent."
John 6:35
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me
shall never
hunger, and he who believes in Me
shall never thirst.
John 6:36
But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.
John 6:40
And this is the will of Him who sent Me,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes
in Him may have everlasting
life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
John 6:47
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me[NU-Text
omits in Me] has everlasting life.
John 6:69
Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ,
the Son
of the living God."[NU-Text reads You are
the Holy One of God]
John 7:31
And many of the people believed in
Him, and said, "When
the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has
done?"
John 7:38
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his
heart will
flow rivers of living water."
John 7:48
Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?
John 8:24
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for
if you do not believe
that I am He, you will die in your sins."
John 9:35-38
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had
found
him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" [NU-Text reads
Son
of Man]
36He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe
in Him?"
37And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is
He who is
talking with you."
38Then he said, "Lord, I
believe!" And he worshiped Him.
John 10:42
And many believed in Him there.
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He
who believes in Me,
though he may die, he shall live.
John 11:45
Then many of the Jews who had come
to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
John 12:46
I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me
should not abide in darkness.
John 14:1
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in
God, believe also in
Me.
John 16:9
of sin, because they do not believe
in Me;
John 16:27
for the Father Himself loves you,
because you have loved Me, and have believed that
I came forth from God.
John 17:8
For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they
have
received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and
they have believed
that You sent Me.
John 17:20
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will [NU-Text
and M-Text
omit will] believe in Me through
their word;
John 17:21
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that
they
also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent
Me.
John
20:31
but these are written that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
b. Other Apostles.
Peter:
|
Acts 4 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11This is the "stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' [Psalm 118:22] 12Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
|
Psalm
118:22
|
John:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is
born of God,
and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of
Him.
c. Paul.
So they [Paul and Silas] said, "Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you
and your household."
|
15So, as much as is in me, I am
ready to preach the gospel to you who are in |
Habakkuk 2 |
Romans 3
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
|
|
Leviticus
18:26
|
Romans 15:5-6
5Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be
like-minded
toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6that you may
with
one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
d. Results
Acts
2:44
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in
common,
Acts
4:4
However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the
number of
the men came to be about five thousand.
Acts
4:32
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and
one soul;
neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own,
but
they had all things in common.
Acts
5:14
And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes
of both
men and women,
Acts
8:12
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things
concerning the
kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were
baptized.
Acts
8:13
Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he
continued
with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were
done.
Acts
8:37
Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you
may." And he
answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God."[NU-Text
and M-Text omit this verse. It is found in Western texts, including the
Latin
tradition]
Acts
9:42
And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on
the Lord.
Acts
10:43
To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes
in Him will receive remission of sins."
Acts
10:45
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as
many as
came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured
out on the
Gentiles also.
Acts
11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed
and
turned to the Lord.
Acts
13:12
Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done,
being
astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Acts
13:39
and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things
from which
you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts
13:48
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word
of the
Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts
14:1
Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of
the
Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the
Greeks believed.
Acts
14:23
So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with
fasting,
they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Acts
15:5
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up,
saying, "It
is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of
Moses."
Acts
15:7
And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them:
"Men and
brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my
mouth
the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
Acts
15:11
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
[NU-Text
and M-Text omit Christ] we shall be
saved in the same manner as they."
Acts
16:1
Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was
there,
named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed,
but his
father was Greek.
Acts
16:31
So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be
saved,
you and your household."
Acts
16:34
Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them;
and he
rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
Acts
17:12
Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the
Greeks,
prominent women as well as men.
Acts
17:34
However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius
the
Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts
18:8
Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord
with all
his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed
and were
baptized.
Acts
18:27
And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting
the
disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those
who had believed
through grace;
Acts
19:2
he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
So
they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy
Spirit."
Acts
19:4
Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance,
saying to
the people that they should believe on Him who would come after
him,
that is, on Christ Jesus."
Acts
19:18
And many who had believed came confessing and telling their
deeds.
Acts
21:20
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him,
"You
see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed,
and
they are all zealous for the law;
Acts
21:25
But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and
decided
that they should observe no such thing, [NU-Text omits that
they should observe no such thing, except. ] except that they
should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from
things
strangled, and from sexual immorality."
Romans
1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, [NU-Text omits of Christ] for it is the power of God to
salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also
for the
Greek.
Romans
3:22
even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all
and on all
[NU-Text omits and on all] who believe.
For there is no difference;
Romans
4:5
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies
the
ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
Romans
4:11
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness
of the
faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the
father of
all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that
righteousness
might be imputed to them also,
|
|
|
Romans
4:24
but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him
who raised
up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
Romans
6:8
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live
with Him,
Romans
10:4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Romans
10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe
in your
heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans
10:10
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with
the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
Romans
10:11
For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes
on Him will not be put to shame." [Isaiah 28:16]
Romans
10:14
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
And how
shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how
shall
they hear without a preacher?
1
Corinthians 3:5
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed,
as the Lord gave to each one?
Galatians
2:16
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by
faith in
Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we
might be
justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by
the works
of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Galatians
3:22
But the Scripture has confined all
under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to
those
who believe.
Ephesians
1:13
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel
of your
salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with
the Holy
Spirit of promise,
Ephesians
1:19
and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power
Philippians
1:29
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe
in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
1
Thessalonians 1:7
so that you became examples to all in
1
Thessalonians 2:10
You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and
blamelessly we
behaved ourselves among you who believe;
1
Thessalonians 2:13
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you
received
the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the
word of men,
but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in
you who
believe.
1
Thessalonians 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God
will bring
with Him those who sleep in Jesus.[ Or those
who through Jesus sleep]
2
Thessalonians 1:10
when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be
admired
among all those who believe, [NU-Text and M-Text read [have believed] because our
testimony among you was believed.
1
Timothy 1:16
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus
Christ might
show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe
on Him for everlasting life.
1
Timothy 4:10
For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, [NU-Text reads we labor and strive] because we trust in
the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
1
Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers
in
word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, [NU-Text omits in
spirit] in faith, in purity.
2
Timothy 1:12
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not
ashamed, for
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to
keep
what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Titus
3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm
constantly,
that those who have believed in God should be careful to
maintain good
works. These things are good and profitable to men.
|
Hebrews
4:3 |
Hebrews
10:39
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe
to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews
11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to
God must believe
that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
|
James
2:23 1
Peter 1:21 |
|
|
1
Peter 2:6 1
Peter 2:7 |
|
1
John 3:23
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His
Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us [M-Text omits us ] commandment.
1
John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.
God is
love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1
John 5:1
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and
everyone
who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
1
John 5:5
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that
Jesus is the
Son of God?
1
John 5:10
He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself;
he who
does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed
the testimony that God has given of His Son.
1
John 5:13
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of
the Son of
God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [NU-Text omits the
rest of
this verse] and that you may continue to believe in the name of
the Son
of God.
10.
Paul urged his readers to follow the example of Christ.
Glenn Miller points out at http://www.christian-thinktank.com/musly1.html#nogospel, "But not only did Paul know (and repeat) Jesus' teaching--often almost verbatim!--he constantly pointed his readers to the life of Christ as an example to follow."
Let this mind be in you which was also
in Christ Jesus,
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Ephesians
5:1
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
a. Paul affirmed the beatitudes.
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
2 Corinthians 6 4But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
|
Matthew
5:3 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
|
Matthew
5:5 29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Philippians
2:1 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
3 As I urged you when I went into
Romans
12:1 Ephesians
1:4
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Romans
12:18 Galatians
5:22 |
Matthew
5:9 |
b. Service to others.
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Romans
12:13 2
Corinthians 6:4
|
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Philippians
2:7 |
John 13:1-17 |
c. Other examples.
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Romans
12:14 |
Matthew
5:44 Luke 6 |
|
Paul, with Peter |
Jesus |
|
Romans
12:17 Romans
12:21 1
Thessalonians 5:15 1
Peter 3:9 |
Matthew
5:44 Luke 6:27-28 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Romans
13:7 |
Matthew
22:21 Mark
12:17 Luke
20:25 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Romans
14:14 |
Mark
7:15 |
|
Paul, with Peter |
Jesus, reported by Luke |
|
2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 2
Peter 3:10 |
Luke
12:38-40 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
|
20So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; [NU-Text reads little faith] for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, [NU-Text reads so I may boast] but have not love, it profits me nothing. |
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
|
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
|
Mark
14:36
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
10But God has
revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all
things, yes, the deep things of God.
|
Luke
10:21, 22
|
|
Paul acknowledges the Lord's
supper |
|
|
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 |
Mark 14:22-23 Matthew 26:26-29 Luke 22:14-23 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
|
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
1 Corinthians 9 |
Matthew 10 Mark 6 Luke 9:1-6 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
1 Corinthians 9:14-18 14Even so the Lord has commanded
that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. |
Mark 3:13-19
Luke 6:12-16 Luke 9 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
|
Luke 9:1-6
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
|
Matthew
10:8 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
|
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Galatians 1 |
Matthew 16:16-20 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 |
Mark 10:9-12 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Romans
15:7 |
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
1
Corinthians 10:33 |
|
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
2 Corinthians 1:17-18 |
Matthew 5:33-37 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
Acts 2:34-35 |
Matthew 22 Mark 12 Psalm 110 |
On
Marriage
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
1
Corinthians 6:16 Ephesians
5:31 |
Genesis
2:24 Matthew
19:5 Mark
10:8 |
|
Paul |
Jesus |
|
|
Deuteronomy
19:15 Matthew
18:16 |
VI.
Prophetic Confirmation.
A.
The Jewish
Authorities, and the people, anticipated the Messiah from prophecies in
the
Hebrew Scriptures.
Responding
to the prophecy given in Micah 5:2, Wise Men from the East came to
|
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:3-6 |
Commentary by Glenn Miller: http://www.christian-thinktank.com/micah5.html |
Luke
2:25-26
25 And behold, there was a man in
36 Now there was one, Anna, a
prophetess, the
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and
had
lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37and
this
woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, [NU-Text
reads a widow until she was eighty-four]
who did not depart from the temple, but served God with
fastings and prayers night and day. 38And coming in that
instant she
gave thanks to the Lord, [NU-Text reads to
God] and spoke of Him
to all those who looked for redemption in
Now as the people were
in expectation, and all reasoned
in their hearts about John,
whether he was the Christ or
not,
|
19 Now this is the testimony of
John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from
|
Matthew
3:1-12 1 In those days John the Baptist
came preaching in the wilderness of |
See
also Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-20.
John
7:40-43
40 Therefore many [NU-Text
reads some] from the crowd, when they
heard
this saying, said, "Truly this is the Prophet." 41Others
said, "This
is the Christ."
But some said, "Will the Christ come out of
Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him,
"How long do You keep us in
doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."
B.
Jesus confirmed prophecies concerning Himself.
|
Matthew
11:10
|
|
|
Matthew 22:42-45
|
Psalm
110:1 2
Samuel 7:14 1
Chronicles 22:10
Psalm
68:6 |
Mark 14:43-49
43 And immediately, while He was still
speaking,
Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs,
came
from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44Now
His
betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the
One;
seize Him and lead Him away safely."
45As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and
said to
Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
46Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 47And
one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the
high
priest, and cut off his ear.
48Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out,
as
against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49I
was daily
with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."
|
16And he will turn many of the
children of |
4"Remember the Law of Moses, My
servant, |
|
Luke 4:16-21 16 So He came to |
Isaiah 61:1,2 1 "The Spirit of the
Lord GOD is upon Me, |
And beginning at Moses and all the
Prophets, He expounded to them in
all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Luke
24:32
And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while
He talked
with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"
Luke
24:44
Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I
was
still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in
the Law
of Moses and the Prophets and
the Psalms concerning Me."
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
20Then the Jews said, "It has taken
forty-six
years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"
21But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22Therefore,
when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had
said this
to them; [NU-Text and M-Text omit to them]
and they believed the Scripture
and the word which Jesus had said.
45Do not think that I shall accuse you
to the
Father; there is one who accuses you--Moses, in whom you trust. 46For
if you believed Moses, you would
believe Me; for he wrote about
|
|
Exodus
16:4
|
|
|
Psalm
41:9 |
|
John
19:24 |
|
|
|
Psalm
69:21 |
|
Hebrews 10:5-8 5 Therefore, when He came into
the world, He said: But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?" Jesus Christ fulfilled Isaiah 53 in that He Was despised and rejected (v. 3, also Psalm 118:22) Was a man of sorrows (v. 3)
Was bruised (v.5)
Suffered as a lamb (v. 7)
Prayed for his transgressors (v. 12) |
1 Who has believed our
report? |
See also
"Messiah Revealed: Index of all Prophecies by Category,"
http://www.messiahrevealed.org/category-index.html
C. Matthew
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
From
|
1
Chronicles 2:3-15 3 The sons of |
Genesis
35:23-26 23 the sons of Leah were Reuben,
Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Genesis 46:8-25 |
See
Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:2-6; Luke 3:31-33
The Genealogy of Christ through Mary
Luke 3:23-38
23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry
at about
thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son
of
Heli, 24the son of Matthat, This and several
other names in
the genealogy are spelled somewhat differently in the NU-Text. Since
the New
King James Version uses the Old Testament spelling for persons
mentioned in the
New Testament, these variations, which come from the Greek, have not
been
footnoted.
the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, 25the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, 27the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, 29the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, 31the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, 38the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Cf. Luke 2:1-7
1 And it came to pass in those days
that a decree
went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2This
census first took place while Quirinius was governing
4Joseph also went up from
Genealogy of Christ through Joseph.
Matthew
1:1-17
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus
Christ, the
Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
2Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot
Judah and
his brothers. 3Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez
begot
Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4Ram begot Amminadab,
Amminadab begot
Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5Salmon begot Boaz by
Rahab, Boaz
begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6and Jesse begot David
the
king.
David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.
7Solomon
begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. [NU-Text
reads Asaph]. 8Asa
begot
Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9Uzziah
begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10Hezekiah
begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, [NU-Text reads Amos] and Amon begot Josiah.
11Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were
carried
away to
12And after they were brought to
17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen
generations, from David until the captivity in
Cf. Matthew 1:18-23
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as
follows:
After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came
together, she
was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19Then Joseph her
husband,
being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was
minded to
put her away secretly. 20But while he thought about these
things,
behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,
"Joseph, son
of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that
which is
conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21And she will bring
forth a
Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people
from their
sins."
22So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken
by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23"Behold, the
virgin
shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel," [Literally
God-With-Us] which is translated, "God with us."
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin
shall
conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
[Literally God-With-Us]
I will be his Father, and he shall
be My son.
If he commits iniquity, I will
chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
|
Matthew 2:1-6 1 Now after Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from
the East came to Jerusalem, 2saying, "Where is He who has
been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and
have come to worship Him." |
Commentary by J.P. Holding: On the
"Bethlehem" prophecy [Off Site] – also an on-site reply to Fiddler Zvi. Commentary by Glenn Miller: http://www.christian-thinktank.com/micah5.html |
|
1 In those days John the Baptist
came preaching in the wilderness of
Luke
3:4
|
|
See
also Mark 1:2-8; Luke 3:1-20.
|
Luke
7:27 |
|
|
Matthew
17:5 2
Peter 1:17 |
1 There shall come forth a Rod
from the stem of Jesse, |
|
12 Then Jesus went into the Mark
11:17
|
Isaiah
56:7 Jeremiah
7:11
|
See
also Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48; John 2:13-22.
|
Mark
12:10 Luke
20:17 Acts
4:11 1
Peter 2:7 |
|
D. Mark confirmed
prophecies concerning Jesus.
|
Mark
12:10 |
|
|
|
|
Mark
15:28 |
|
|
Matthew
27:46 Mark
15:34 |
|
E. Luke
confirmed
prophecies concerning Jesus.
Luke
2:1-7
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out
from
Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This
census first took place while Quirinius was governing
4Joseph also went up from
See
also Matthew 1:18-25.
|
Luke
2:21 |
Matthew 1:18-25 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ
was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before
they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19Then
Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a
public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20But
while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be
afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in
her is of the Holy Spirit. 21And she will bring forth a Son,
and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from
their sins."
|
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ.
|
Luke 4:17-20 17And He was handed the book of
the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place
where it was written: |
Isaiah 61:1-2 1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is
upon Me, |
|
Luke 22-23 The Lord's Supper Arrest of Jesus Trial of Jesus Crucifixion of Jesus |
Isaiah 53 |
|
|
Psalm
22:16 |
|
Acts
4:11 |
21I will praise You, |
F. John
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose
name was
John. 7This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the
Light,
that all through him might believe. 8He was not that Light,
but was
sent to bear witness of that Light.
Then His disciples remembered that it
was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten
[NU-Text and M-Text read
will eat] Me up." [Psalm 69:9]
Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered
that He had
said this to them; [NU-Text and M-Text omit to
them] and they believed the Scripture and the word which
Jesus had
said.
The
Crucifixion, with details, in fulfillment of prophecy.
|
|
Exodus
12:46
|
|
John
19:37 |
|
For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise
again from
the dead.
G. Philip confirmed
prophecies about
Jesus.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him,
"We have found Him of whom
Moses in the law, and also the prophets,
wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
|
Acts 8:26-35 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke
to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which
goes down from 34So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. |
Isaiah 53:7-8 |
H. Apollos
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
Acts
18:24
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at
Acts
18:28
for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures
that Jesus is the Christ.
I. Paul confirmed
prophecies
concerning Jesus.
2Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." 4And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
|
|
|
|
Romans
11:8 |
|
|
Romans
14:11 |
|
|
8Now I say that Jesus Christ has
become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm
the promises made to the fathers, 9and that the Gentiles
might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: |
Deuteronomy
32:43 |
|
1
Corinthians 1:19 |
|
|
|
Isaiah 53 |
|
2by which also you are saved, if
you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in
vain. |
Psalm 16:8-10 Hosea 6:2 |
|
Galatians
3:16 Acts 7:2-5 |
1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:
16and said: "By Myself I have
sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not
withheld your son, your only son-- 17blessing I will bless
you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of
the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your
descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18In
your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you
have obeyed My voice."
Genesis
28:4
Genesis
28:14 Genesis
32:12 Genesis
35:12 Genesis
48:4 |
21Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
|
34"For David did not ascend into
the heavens, but he says himself:
|
Psalm
68:18 Psalm
110:1
Psalm
68:6 |
J. Paul
confirmed
prophecies of the Holy Spirit.
|
1
Corinthians 14:21 |
|
K. Writer
of
Hebrews confirmed prophecies of Jesus.
|
Hebrews
1:5
|
|
|
Hebrews
7:14 |
|
L. Peter confirmed
prophecies concerning Jesus.
|
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples [NU-Text reads brethren] (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16"Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." |
|
|
Psalm
69:25 |
|
Acts 2:30-31 30Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, [ NU-Text omits according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ and completes the verse with He would seat one on his throne] 31he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. Acts
13:35 |
Psalm
16:10 |
|
Acts 2:34-45 34"For David did not ascend into
the heavens, but he says himself: |
Psalm
110:1
|
M. James
confirmed prophecies concerning Jesus.
|
15And with this the words of the
prophets agree, just as it is written: |
|
N. Other
eyewitness accounts concerning Jesus and prophecy.
|
Commentary by J.P. Holding: On the
"Bethlehem" prophecy [Off Site] -- also have an on-site reply to Fiddler Zvi |
|
See also the following:
"Messiah Revealed: Index of all Prophecies by Category,"
http://www.messiahrevealed.org/category-index.html
"Deuteronomy 18:
A Prophet Like Unto Moses,"
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/library/issues/11-04/prophet.htm
"Isaiah 7:14:
Does Almah Mean Young Woman or Virgin?"
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/answers/qa/almah.htm
"Almah: Virgin or Young Maiden?"
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/library/issues/09-01/almah.htm
"The Promised Child,"
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/library/issues/09-01/promisedchild.htm
Response to "The Fabulous Prophecies of the Messiah," Part II, The Isaiah
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/fabprof2.html
"Isaiah 52:13-53:12
The Rabbis' Dilemma: A Look at Isaiah 53,"
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/library/issues/02-05/Isaiah53.htm
Jewish Messianic Interpretations of Isaiah 53 (chart)
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/answers/qa/Isaiah53.htm
VII. Confirmation
by Nonbelievers and Hostile Eyewitnesses.
A. Satan cited
Scripture as authoritative.
B. Many people
witnessed the miracles and acts of God, Jesus
Christ, the Holy Spirit, the prophets and apostles.
The
apostle Paul, before Governor Festus and King Herod Agrippa II:
25But he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak
the words
of truth and reason. 26For the king, before whom I also
speak
freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these
things
escapes his attention, since this thing
was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe
the
prophets? I know that you do believe."
1. The population of the children of
And Moses said, "The people whom I am among are
six hundred thousand men on foot; yet
You have
said, "I will give them meat,
that they may eat for a whole month.'
2. Miraculous
feeding of over 100 people.
42 Then a man came from Baal Shalisha,
and
brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of
barley bread,
and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, "Give it to the
people,
that they may eat."
43But his servant said, "What? Shall
I set this before one hundred men?"
He said again, "Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says
the
LORD: "They shall eat and have some left over."‘ 44So he set
it
before them; and they ate and had some left over, according to the word
of the
LORD.
3. Miraculous feeding of over
5,000 people, plus healings.
Matthew
14:13-21
13 When Jesus heard it, He departed
from there by
boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes
heard it, they followed Him on foot from the
cities. 14And when Jesus went out He saw a great
multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15When it
was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted
place, and
the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go
into the
villages and buy themselves food."
16But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You
give
them something to eat."
17And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and
two fish."
18He said, "Bring them here to Me." 19Then He
commanded
the multitudes to sit down on the
grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to
heaven,
He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the
disciples
gave to the multitudes. 20So
they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of
the
fragments that remained. 21Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and
children.
Mark 6:30-44
30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus
and told
Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.
31And
He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest
a
while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even
have time
to eat. 32So they departed to a deserted place in the boat
by
themselves.
33But the multitudes [NU-Text and M-Text read they] saw them departing, and many knew
Him and ran there on foot from all the
cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34And
Jesus, when He came out, saw a great
multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were
like
sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
35When
the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is
a
deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36Send them
away, that
they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy
themselves bread;
[NU-Text reads something to eat and omits the rest of this
verse] for
they have nothing to eat."
37But He answered and said to them, "You give them something
to eat."
And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of
bread
and give them something to eat?"
38But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and
see."
And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."
39Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups
on the
green grass. 40So they sat down in ranks, in
hundreds and in fifties. 41And when He had taken the
five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke
the
loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two
fish He
divided among them all. 42So they all ate and were filled.
43And
they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44Now
those who had eaten the loaves were about [NU-Text and M-Text omit about] five thousand men.
Luke
9:10-17
10 And the apostles, when they had
returned, told
Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately
into a
deserted place belonging to the city called
13But He said to them, "You give them something to eat."
And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless
we go and
buy food for all these people." 14For there were about
five thousand men.
Then He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of fifty."
15And
they did so, and made them all sit down.
16Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking
up to
heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to
set before
the multitude. 17So they all ate and were filled, and twelve
baskets
of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.
John 6:1-14
1 After these things Jesus went over the
4Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. 5Then
Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great
multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy
bread,
that these may eat?" 6But this He said to test him, for He
Himself
knew what He would do.
7Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is
not
sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little."
8One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said
to Him,
9"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small
fish, but
what are they among so many?"
10Then Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was
much
grass in the place. So the men sat down,
in number about five thousand. 11And Jesus took the
loaves, and
when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the
disciples [NU-Text omits to the disciples, and the disciples] to those sitting down; and likewise
of the fish, as much as they wanted. 12So when they were
filled, He
said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that
nothing is
lost." 13Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve
baskets
with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by
those who
had eaten. 14Then those men,
when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the
Prophet
who is to come into the world."
4. Followed
by the miraculous feeding of over
4000 people, plus healings.
Matthew 15:29-39
29 Jesus departed from there, skirted
the
33Then His disciples said to Him, "Where could we get enough
bread
in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?"
34Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?"
And they said, "Seven, and a few little fish."
35So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36And
He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and
gave them
to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. 37So
they
all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of
the
fragments that were left. 38Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and
children. 39And He sent away the multitude,
got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala. [NU-Text reads Magadan]
Mark 8:1-10
1 In those days, the
multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus
called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2"I have
compassion on
the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and
have
nothing to eat. 3And if I send them away hungry to their own
houses,
they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar."
4Then His disciples answered Him, "How can one satisfy these
people
with bread here in the wilderness?"
5He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?"
And they said, "Seven."
6So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
And He
took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His
disciples
to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7They
also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them
also
before them. 8So they ate and were filled, and they took up
seven
large baskets of leftover fragments. 9Now those who had
eaten were
about four thousand. And He sent
them away, 10immediately got into the boat with His
disciples, and
came to the region of Dalmanutha.
9Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?--but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
5. Regional
healings involving great multitudes.
|
23 And Jesus went about all |
|
Mark 1:35-39 35 Now in the morning, having
risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a
solitary place; and there He prayed. 36And Simon and those
who were with Him searched for Him. 37When they found Him,
they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." |
|
Luke 4:42-44 42 Now when it was day, He
departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and
came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; 43but
He said to them, "I must preach the |
17 And He came down with them and stood
on a
level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great
multitude of people from
all
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when
He was
seated His disciples came to Him.
|
1 When He had come down from the
mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2And
behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are
willing, You can make me clean." |
|
Mark 1:40-45 |
|
Luke 5:12-16 12 And it happened when He was in
a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus;
and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are
willing, You can make me clean." |
And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a
command to
depart to the other side.
Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled [NU-Text reads were afraid] and glorified God, who had
given such power to men.
24He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. 25But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26And the report of this went out into all that land.
And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes
marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion
for them,
because they were weary [NU-Text and M-Text read harassed]
and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes
concerning John: "What
did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes
[NU-Text
brackets multitudes as
disputed] followed Him, and He healed them all.
And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the
Son of
David?"
While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His
mother and
brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.
Matthew
13:2
And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He
got into
a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
Matthew
13:34
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and
without a
parable He did not speak to them,
Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And
His
disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares
of the
field."
And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude,
because they counted him as a prophet.
|
34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of [NU-Text reads came to land at] Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 36and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. |
Mark
6:53-56 53 When they had crossed over,
they came to the |
And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.
Now as they went out of
Matthew
20:31
Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but
they cried
out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
|
8And a very great multitude
spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the
trees and spread them on the road. 9Then the multitudes who
went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
Luke
13:35
|
|
So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from
Nazareth of
Galilee."
Matthew
21:26
But if we say, "From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count
John as
a prophet."
But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes,
because they took Him for a prophet.
And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His
teaching.
Matthew
23:1
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples,
3Then they came to Him, bringing a
paralytic who
was carried by four men. 4And when they could not come near
Him
because of the crowd, they uncovered
the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down
the bed
on which the paralytic was lying.
5When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son,
your
sins are forgiven you."
Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came
to Him,
and He taught them.
7 But Jesus withdrew with His disciples
to the
sea. And a great multitude from
Then the multitude came together again,
so that
they could not so much as eat bread.
And a multitude was sitting around Him;
and
they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers [NU-Text
and
M-Text add and Your sisters] are
outside seeking You."
And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude
was
gathered to Him,
so that He got into a boat and sat in
it on the
sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the
sea.
Now when they had left the multitude, they
took
Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with
Him.
Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great
multitude gathered to
Him; and He was by
the sea.
So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed
Him and thronged Him.
Mark 5:25-26
25Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."
29Immediately the fountain of her blood
was dried
up, and she felt in her body that she
was healed of the affliction. 30And Jesus, immediately
knowing
in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My
clothes?"
31But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude
thronging You, and You say, "Who touched Me?"‘
32Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. 34Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."
Then He arose from there and came to the region of
Now they came to
Mark
12:12
And they sought to lay hands on
Him, but feared the multitude, for they
knew He had
spoken the parable against them. So they
left Him and went away.
Luke
5:1
So it was, as the multitude pressed
about Him to hear the word of God,
that He stood by the
Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to
put out
a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes
from
the boat.
However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes
came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.
18Then behold, men brought on a bed a
man who was
paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19And
when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and
let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before
Jesus.
20When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins
are
forgiven you."
17 And He came down with them and stood
on a
level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great
multitude of people from all
8For I also am a man placed under
authority,
having soldiers under me. And I say to one, "Go,' and he goes; and to
another, "Come,'
and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this,' and he does it."
9When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and
turned
around and said to the crowd that
followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not
even in
Israel!" 10And those who were sent, returning to the house,
found
the servant well who had been sick. [NU-Text omits who had been sick]
When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes
concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A
reed shaken
by the wind?
And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to
Him from
every city, He spoke by a parable:
Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the
Gadarenes [Spelled Rephaiah
in
So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed
Him, for
they were all waiting for Him.
for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was
dying. But
as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those
with him [NU-Text
omits and those with him] said,
"Master, the multitudes
throng and press You, and You say, "Who touched Me?"‘ [NU-Text omits and You say, "Who touched Me?" ]
And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the
demon had
gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.
In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had
gathered
together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His
disciples
first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is
hypocrisy.
Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud
rising
out of the west, immediately you say, "A shower is coming'; and so it
is.
And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame;
and all
the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were
done by
Him.
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to
them,
And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.
Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude
of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for
all the
mighty works they had seen,
And a great multitude of the people followed Him,
and women who also mourned and lamented Him.
In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame,
paralyzed,
waiting for the moving of the water.
But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had
withdrawn, a multitude
being in that place.
Then a great multitude followed Him,
because they
saw His signs which He
performed on those who were
diseased.
Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude
coming
toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these
may eat?"
The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when
they
heard that Jesus was coming to
6.
Jesus exorcises a man with an unclean demon, spreading fame.
|
Mark 1:21-28 |
Luke 4:31-37 31 Then He went down to |
7. A
great multitude witnesses the healing of the epileptic.
|
Matthew
17:14-21 14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and
saying, 15"Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an
epileptic [Literally moonstruck] and
suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the
water. 16So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could
not cure him." |
|
Mark 9:14-29 14 And when He came to the
disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and
scribes disputing with them. 15Immediately, when they saw
Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted
Him. 16And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing
with them?" |
|
Luke 9:37-42 37 Now it happened on the next
day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great
multitude met Him. 38Suddenly a man from the multitude
cried out, saying, "Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is
my only child. 39And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he
suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and
it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. 40So
I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." |
8.
Acknowledgement of Lazarus' resurrection; a great multitude
praises
Jesus when He enters
|
John 12:1-19 1 Then, six days before the
Passover, Jesus came to
Matthew
21:9 Luke
13:35
Matthew
21:5 |
|
9. Approximately
120 disciples, post-Resurrection.
And in those days Peter stood up in
the midst of the disciples [NU-Text
reads brethren] (altogether the number of
names was about a hundred and
twenty), and said,
10.
Approximately 3000 people become Christians, post-Resurrection.
And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and
were
confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
Acts
2:41
Then those who gladly [NU-Text omits
gladly] received his word
were baptized; and that day about
three thousand souls were added
to them.
However, many of those who heard the word
believed; and the number of the men came to
be about five thousand.
14And believers were increasingly added
to the
Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
15so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid
them on
beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might
fall on
some of them. 16Also a multitude
gathered from the surrounding cities to
Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied
greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were
obedient to
the faith.
And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by
Philip,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Then the churches [NU-Text reads church ... was edified]
throughout
all
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with
envy; and
contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.
12. The
ministry of Paul and Barnabas adds multitudes of believers.
Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of
the
Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude
both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.
Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and
Paul
declaring how many miracles and wonders
God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
Also, many of those who
had practiced magic brought their books together and
burned them in the sight of all.
And they counted up the value of them,
and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
13.
Over 500 witnesses to the resurrected Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-28
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you
the gospel
which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
2by
which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached
to
you--unless you believed in vain.
3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also
received:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and
that
He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures, 5and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the
twelve.
6After that He was seen by over
five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to
the
present, but some have fallen asleep. 7After that He was
seen by
James, then by all the apostles. 8Then last of all He was
seen by me
also, as by one born out of due time.
9For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be
called
an apostle, because I persecuted the
12 Now if Christ is preached
that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that
there is
no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there is no
resurrection of
the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14And if Christ is not
risen,
then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15Yes,
and
we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God
that He
raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not
rise.
16For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17And
if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your
sins!
18Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19If
in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most
pitiable.
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the
firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since by
man came
death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22For
as in
Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23But
each
one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are
Christ's
at His coming. 24Then comes the end, when He delivers the
kingdom to
God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and
power.
25For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
26The
last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27For "He has
put all
things under His feet." [Psalm 8:6] But when He says "all things are
put under
Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
28Now
when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also
be
subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
See also
Dr. Phil Fernandes. "The Creed of 1 Corinthians 15:3-8: Ancient Evidence for Christ's Resurrection,"
http://www.biblicaldefense.org/Research_Center/Journals/Vol1No8/vol1no8-1.htm
Webster's College Dictionary:
Mean(3), "n. 1. Usu. Means, an
agency, instrument, or method used to attain an end. 2.
Means, a.
available resources, esp. money. B. considerable financial resources: a
person
of means."
Motive: "n. 1. Something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive. 2. The goal or object of a person's actions: Her motive was revenge."
The
Bible provides examples of individuals, and groups of individuals, with
the
means, motive and opportunity to refute oral and written testimony of
the
historical records. These records circulated throughout the
|
|
|
Mark
16:14-18 14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18they [NU-Text reads and in their hands they will] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." |
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Luke
24:36-49 36 Now as they said these things,
Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to
you." 37But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed
they had seen a spirit. 38And He said to them, "Why are you
troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Behold
My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a
spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." |
|
John
20:19-23 19 Then, the same day at evening,
being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the
disciples were assembled, [NU-Text omits assembled]
for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to
them, "Peace be with you." 20When He had said this, He
showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when
they saw the Lord. |
|
Acts 1:6-8 6Therefore, when they had come
together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore
the kingdom to |
And the gospel must first be preached
to all the nations.
but now made manifest, and by
the prophetic Scriptures made
known to all nations,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to
the
faith--
Now when this epistle is read
among you, see that it is read also
in the church of
the Laodiceans, and that
you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
I charge you by the Lord that this
epistle be read
to all the holy [NU-Text
omits holy] brethren.
Blessed is he who reads and those
who hear the words of this prophecy,
and
keep those things which are
written in it; for the time is near.
These eyewitness accounts, circulating throughout the region--and ultimately, the world--gave opponents the opportunity to refute those accounts. The following is a list of kings, rulers and other authorities with the means, motive and opportunity to correct what was said about them, their nation, or any historical account with which they were involved. As it turns out, no correction was necessary. The authors of the Biblical accounts told the truth.
1. Pharoah Siamon (Unnamed in 1 Kings) and Queen Tahpenes. Contemporary of King Solomon.
Under
the article titled "
Now Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh king
of
1
Kings 11:17-20
17that Hadad fled to go to
2.
Pharoah
Sheshonk I/Shishak. Contemporary of King Rehoboam. Also spelled Shoshenq, or Shishak,
first king (reigned 945–924 BC) of the 22nd dynasty of
Encyclopedia
Britannica notes "Sheshonk came from a line of princes or sheikhs
of Libyan
tribal descent whose title was "great chief of the Meshwesh" and who
appear to
have settled in Heracleopolis in Middle Egypt, although another
tradition
placed the line in Bubastis in the eastern Nile River delta. Sheshonk
probably
ascended the throne without a struggle, making
"According
to the Old Testament, "Shishak king of
1
Kings 14:25-26
25It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that
Shishak king
of
3.
Pharoah Shabaka (Unnamed in 2 Kings). Contemporary of the
prophet
Isaish, King Hezekiah flourished , late 8th and early 7th
centuries BC. Hebrew Hizqiyya, Greek Ezekias
son of Ahaz,
and the 13th successor of David as king of
In
the article titled "
4.
Tirhakah, King of
The
article at http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/tirhakah.html
reports that Tirhakah was "the last king of
5.
Pharoah So. Contemporary of Ahaz king of Judah and
Hoshea,
son of Elah and king of
The
article at http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/so.html
discusses So (Nubian, Sabako) as "an Ethiopian king who brought
"He
was bribed by Hoshea to help him against the Assyrian monarch
Shalmaneser (2
Kings 17:4). This was a return to the policy that had been successful
in the
reign of Jeroboam I."
And the king of Assyria uncovered a conspiracy
by Hoshea;
for he had sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, and brought no tribute
to the
king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the
king of
6. Pharoah Necho II. Contemporary of Josiah, king of Judah, Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and the prophet Jeremiah. Flourished 7th century BC
Encyclopedia
Britannica reports that Necho II was "king of
"According
to the Greek historian Herodotus, Necho began the construction of a
canal from
the
"Herodotus
also reports that Necho sent an expedition to circumnavigate
In his days Pharaoh Necho king of
2 Chronicles 35:20-27
20 After all this, when Josiah had
prepared the
temple, Necho king of
23And the archers shot King Josiah; and the king said to his
servants, "Take me away, for I am severely wounded." 24His
servants
therefore took him out of that chariot and put him in the second
chariot that
he had, and they brought him to
25Jeremiah also lamented for Josiah. And to this day all the
singing
men and the singing women speak of Josiah in their lamentations. They
made it a
custom in
26Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his goodness,
according to
what was written in the Law of the LORD, 27and his deeds
from first
to last, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of
Jeremiah 46:1-27
The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the
prophet
against the nations. 2Against
Concerning the army of Pharaoh Necho, king of
3"Order the
buckler and
shield,
And draw near to battle!
4Harness the
horses,
And mount up, you horsemen!
Stand forth with your
helmets,
Polish the spears,
Put on the armor!
5Why have I seen
them
dismayed and turned back?
Their mighty ones are beaten
down;
They have speedily fled,
And did not look back,
For fear was all around,"
says the
LORD.
6"Do not let the
swift
flee away,
Nor the mighty man escape;
They will stumble and fall
Toward the north, by the
River
Euphrates.
7"Who is this
coming up
like a flood,
Whose waters move like the
rivers?
8Egypt rises up
like a
flood,
And its waters move like the
rivers;
And he says, "I will go up
and cover
the earth,
I will destroy the city and
its
inhabitants.'
9Come up, O
horses, and
rage, O chariots!
And let the mighty men come
forth:
The Ethiopians and the
Libyans who
handle the shield,
And the Lydians who handle
and bend
the bow.
10For this is the
day of
the Lord GOD of hosts,
A day of vengeance,
That He may avenge Himself
on His
adversaries.
The sword shall devour;
It shall be satiated and
made drunk
with their blood;
For the Lord GOD of hosts
has a
sacrifice
In the north country by the
River
Euphrates.
11"Go up to
O virgin, the daughter of
In vain you will use many
medicines;
You shall not be cured.
12The nations
have heard
of your shame,
And your cry has filled the
land;
For the mighty man has
stumbled
against the mighty;
They both have fallen
together."
13 The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon would come and strike the land of Egypt.
14"Declare in
Proclaim in Noph [That is,
ancient
Say, "Stand fast and prepare
yourselves,
For the sword devours all
around
you.'
15Why are your
valiant
men swept away?
They did not stand
Because the LORD drove them
away.
16He made many
fall;
Yes, one fell upon another.
And they said, "Arise!
Let us go back to our own
people
And to the land of our
nativity
From the oppressing sword.'
17They cried
there,
"Pharaoh, king of
He has passed by the
appointed time!'
18"As I live,"
says the
King,
Whose name is the LORD of
hosts,
"Surely as Tabor is among
the
mountains
And as
19O you daughter
dwelling
in
Prepare yourself to go into
captivity!
For Noph [That is, ancient
20"
But destruction comes, it
comes from
the north.
21Also her
mercenaries
are in her midst like fat bulls,
For they also are turned
back,
They have fled away
together.
They did not stand,
For the day of their
calamity had
come upon them,
The time of their
punishment.
22Her noise shall
go like
a serpent,
For they shall march with an
army
And come against her with
axes,
Like those who chop wood.
23"They shall cut
down
her forest," says the LORD,
"Though it cannot be
searched,
Because they are
innumerable,
And more numerous than
grasshoppers.
24The daughter of
Egypt
shall be ashamed;
She shall be delivered into
the hand
Of the people of the north."
25The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: "Behold, I
will bring
punishment on Amon [A sun god] of No [That is, ancient Thebes and Pharaoh
and
Egypt], with their gods and their kings--Pharaoh and those who trust in
him.
26And I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their
lives,
into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of
27 "But do not
fear,
O My servant Jacob,
And do not be dismayed, O
Israel!
For behold, I will save you
from
afar,
And your offspring from the
land of
their captivity;
Jacob shall return, have
rest and be
at ease;
No one shall make him
afraid.
Jeremiah
30:10-11
10"Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,' says the
LORD,
"Nor be dismayed, O Israel;
For behold, I will save you
from
afar,
And your seed from the land
of their
captivity.
Jacob shall return, have
rest and be
quiet,
And no one shall make him
afraid.
11For I am with
you,'
says the LORD, "to save you;
Though I make a full end of
all
nations where I have scattered you,
Yet I will not make a
complete end
of you.
But I will correct you in
justice,
And will not let you go
altogether
unpunished.'
7.
Pharoah Apries/Hophra. Contemporary of Zedekiah,
king of
Encyclopedia
Britannica reports "Apries failed to help his ally King Zedekiah of
Jeremiah 37:5-12
5Then Pharaoh's army came up from
6Then the word of the LORD came to the prophet Jeremiah,
saying,
7"Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, "Thus you shall say to
the king
of Judah, who sent you to Me to inquire of Me: "Behold, Pharaoh's army
which
has come up to help you will return to Egypt, to their own land. 8And
the Chaldeans shall come back and fight against this city, and take it
and burn
it with fire."‘ 9Thus says the LORD: "Do not deceive
yourselves,
saying, "The Chaldeans will surely depart from us," for they will not
depart.
10For though you had defeated the whole army of the Chaldeans who
fight
against you, and there remained only wounded men among them, they would
rise
up, every man in his tent, and burn the city with fire."‘
11 And it happened, when the army of the Chaldeans left the
siege of
Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army, 12that Jeremiah went
out of
Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin to claim his property there
among the
people.
"Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra
king
of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of
those who
seek his life, as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand
of
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who sought his life."
8. Naaman, Syrian commander. Meaning: pleasantness.
At
http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/naaman.html,
the article notes Naaman was "a Syrian, the commander of the armies of
Benhadad
II in the time of Joram, king of
"He
was afflicted with leprosy; and when the little Hebrew slave-girl that
waited
on his wife told her of a prophet in
2 Kings 5:1-19
1 Now Naaman, commander of the army of
the king
of
5Then the king of
So he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand
shekels of
gold, and ten changes of clothing. 6Then he brought the
letter to
the king of
Now be advised, when this letter comes to you, that I have sent Naaman
my
servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.
7And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter,
that he
tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this
man
sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please
consider, and
see how he seeks a quarrel with me."
8So it was, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king
of Israel
had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, "Why have you
torn your
clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a
prophet
in Israel."
9Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood
at the
door of Elisha's house. 10And Elisha sent a messenger to
him,
saying, "Go and wash in the
15And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides,
and came
and stood before him; and he said, "Indeed, now I know that there is no
God in
all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from
your
servant."
16But he said, "As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I
will
receive nothing." And he urged him to take it, but he refused.
17So Naaman said, "Then, if not, please let your servant be
given
two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either
burnt
offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD. 18Yet
in this
thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the
temple of
Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the
temple
of Rimmon--when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD please
pardon
your servant in this thing."
19Then he said to him, "Go in peace." So he departed from
him a
short distance.
And many lepers were in
9.
Nebuchadnezzar/Nebuchadrezzar
II, King of Neo-Babylonian Empire (605 – 562 B.C.) Contemporary
of King
Zedekiah, Pharaoh Necho, Jehoiachin, and the prophets Jeremiah and
Daniel.
The
biography in Encyclopedia Britannica, written by Henry W.F.
Saggs,
reports that Nebuchadrezzar II was "the second and greatest king of the
Chaldean dynasty of
"Nebuchadrezzar
II was the oldest son and successor of Nabopolassar, founder of the
Chaldean
empire. He is known from cuneiform inscriptions, the Bible and later
Jewish
sources, and classical authors. His name, from the Akkadian
Nabu-kudurri-usur,
means "O Nabu, watch over my heir."
"While
his father disclaimed royal descent, Nebuchadrezzar claimed the
third-millennium Akkadian ruler Naram-Sin as ancestor. The year of his
birth is
uncertain, but it is not likely to have been before 630 BC, for
according to
tradition Nebuchadrezzar began his military career as a young man,
appearing as
a military administrator by 610. He is first mentioned by his father as
working
as a labourer in the restoration of the
"In
607/606, as crown prince, Nebuchadrezzar commanded an army with his
father in
the mountains north of
"On
expeditions in
"Nebuchadrezzar's
further military activities are known not from extant chronicles but
from other
sources, particularly the Bible, which records another attack on
Jerusalem and
a siege of Tyre (lasting 13 years, according to the Jewish historian
Flavius
Josephus) and hints at an invasion of Egypt. The siege of
"Much
influenced by the Assyrian imperial tradition, Nebuchadrezzar
consciously
pursued a policy of expansion, claiming the grant of universal kingship
by
Marduk and praying to have "no opponent from horizon to sky." From
cuneiform
fragments he is known to have attempted the invasion of
"In
addition to being a brilliant tactician and strategist, Nebuchadrezzar
was also
prominent in international diplomacy, as shown in his sending an
ambassador
(probably Nabonidus, a successor) to mediate between the Medes and
Lydians in
"Nebuchadrezzar's
main activity, other than as military commander, was the rebuilding of
"Little
is known of his family life beyond the tradition that he married a
Median
princess, whose yearning for her native terrain he sought to ease by
creating
gardens simulating hills. A structure representing these hanging
gardens cannot
be positively identified in either the cuneiform texts or the
archaeological
remains.
"Despite
the fateful part he played in
"There
is no independent support for the tradition in Daniel of
Nebuchadrezzar's seven
years' madness, and the story probably arose from a fanciful later
interpretation of texts concerned with events under Nabonidus, who
showed
apparent eccentricity in deserting
"In
modern times Nebuchadrezzar has been treated as the type of godless
conqueror;
Napoleon was compared to him. The story of Nebuchadrezzar is the basis
of
Giuseppe Verdi's opera Nabucco, while his supposed madness is the theme
of
William Blake's picture Nebuchadnezzar."
Though
expressing doubt in the account of Nebuchadrezzar's madness, Saggs
fails to
consider Nebuchadrezzar, his contemporaries and his successors had the
means,
motive, and opportunity to correct Daniel's account had it been in
error.
|
5But the Chaldean army pursued
them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of |
9So they took the king and
brought him up to the king of |
1 The word of the LORD which came to
Jeremiah the
prophet against the nations. 2Against
Concerning the army of Pharaoh Necho, king of
3"Order the
buckler and
shield,
And draw near to battle!
11And Nebuchadnezzar king of
13 And he carried out from there all the treasures of the
house of
the LORD and the treasures of the king's house, and he cut in pieces
all the
articles of gold which Solomon king of
1 In the third year of the reign of
Jehoiakim
king of
3Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his
eunuchs, to
bring some of the children of
Daniel's prophecy of the four
great
empires, of which Nebuchadnezzar is the first.
Daniel 2:26-48
26The king answered and said to Daniel,
whose
name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to make known to me the dream
which I have
seen, and its interpretation?"
27Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said,
"The secret
which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the
magicians, and
the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. 28But there is a
God in
heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King
Nebuchadnezzar what
will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head
upon your
bed, were these: 29As for you, O king, thoughts came to your
mind
while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who
reveals
secrets has made known to you what will be. 30But as for me,
this
secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than
anyone
living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the
king, and
that you may know the thoughts of your heart.
31"You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image!
This great
image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was
awesome. 32This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and
arms of
silver, its belly and thighs [Or sides]
of bronze, 33its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and
partly of
clay. [Or baked clay, and so in
verses
34, 35, and 42] 34You watched while a stone was cut out
without
hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke
them in
pieces. 35Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver,
and the
gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer
threshing
floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found.
And the
stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the
whole earth.
36"This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of
it
before the king. 37You, O king, are a king of kings. For the
God of
heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; 38and
wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the
birds of
the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler
over them
all--you are this head of gold. 39But after you shall arise
another
kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze,
which shall
rule over all the earth. 40And the fourth kingdom shall be
as strong
as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and
like
iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the
others.
41Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and
partly
of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron
shall be in
it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42And
as the
toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom
shall
be partly strong and partly fragile. 43As you saw iron mixed
with
ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not
adhere
to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44And
in the
days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall
never
be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it
shall break
in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
45Inasmuch
as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands,
and that
it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the
gold--the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass
after
this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure."
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate
before
Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense
to him.
47The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God
of gods,
the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal
this
secret." 48Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many
great
gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole
The madness of Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 4:28-37
28 All this came upon King
Nebuchadnezzar.
29At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal
31While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell
from
heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has
departed
from you! 32And they shall drive you from men, and your
dwelling
shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass
like oxen;
and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High
rules in
the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."
33That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning
Nebuchadnezzar;
he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with
the dew
of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails
like
birds' claws.
34 And at the end of the time [Literally days] I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes
to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most
High and
praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an
everlasting
dominion,
And His kingdom is from
generation
to generation.
35All the
inhabitants of
the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His
will in the
army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of
the
earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, "What have
You done?"
36At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the
glory of my
kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles
resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was
added
to me. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor
the King
of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And
those who
walk in pride He is able to put down.
"For thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold,
I will bring against
10.
Herod Antipas the
tetrarch, ruler of
The
Encyclopedia Britannica notes that Herod Antipas was "the son of
Herod I
the Great who became tetrarch of
"Around
4 BC Herod Antipas inherited part of his father's kingdom after the
Roman
emperor Augustus had adjusted his father's will. He restored the damage
caused
in the period between his father's death and the approval of the will,
restoring two towns, one of which he renamed in honour of the Roman
imperial
family.
He
divorced his Nabataean wife, daughter of the king of the desert kingdom
adjoining his own, to marry Herodias , formerly the wife of his half
brother.
The marriage offended his former father-in-law and alienated his Jewish
subjects. When John the Baptist , one of his subjects, reproached Herod
for
this marriage, Herodias goaded her husband into imprisoning him. Still
unmollified, she inveigled her daughter, Salome, to ask for the
Baptist's head
in return for dancing at her stepfather's birthday feast. Antipas
reluctantly
beheaded John, and later, when Jesus' miracles were reported to him, he
believed that John the Baptist had been resurrected. When Jesus was
arrested in
Some
time earlier, Antipas had built the city of
Herod's
closeness to the imperial family resulted in his choice as a mediator
in the
Roman–Parthian talks of 36. To his credit the conference was a success,
but
Antipas' haste to report the news to
1 Now in the fifteenth year of the
reign of
Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being
tetrarch
of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of
Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2while Annas
and
Caiaphas were high priests, [NU-Text and M-Text read in the high
priesthood
of Annas and Caiaphas] the
word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3And
he went into all the region around the
18And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. 19But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, [NU-Text reads his brother's wife] and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.
|
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus 2and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." 3For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. |
|
Mark 6:14-29 14 Now King Herod heard of Him,
for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is
risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." |
|
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9Herod said, "John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?" So he sought to see Him. |
Luke 23:7-12
7And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's
jurisdiction, he
sent Him to Herod, who was also in
Now in the church that was at
11. The Jewish Authorities.
The
New Testament accounts name them as "chief priests," "scribes," "elders
of the
people," "the council," "rulers of the synagogue," "leaders of the
people,"
among other titles.
See
also Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-20.
|
Matthew 9:18-26 18 While He spoke these things to
them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying,
"My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she
will live." 19So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did
His disciples. |
|
Mark 5:21-43 21 Now when Jesus had crossed
over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to
Him; and He was by the sea. 22And behold, one
of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he
saw Him, he fell at His feet 23and begged Him earnestly,
saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay
Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." 24So
Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged
Him. |
|
Luke
8:40-56 40 So it was, when Jesus
returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting
for Him. 41And behold, there came a man named Jairus,
and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus'
feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42for he had an
only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. |
Matthew
21:23
Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the
elders of
the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what
authority
are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?"
Matthew
21:45
Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables,
they perceived
that He was speaking of them.
Matthew
26:3
Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders
of the
people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called
Caiaphas,
Matthew
26:14
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief
priests
Matthew
26:47
And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with
a great
multitude with swords and clubs, came from the
chief priests and elders of the people.
Matthew
26:59
Now the chief priests, the elders, and
all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to
death,
|
Matthew 27:3-10 3 Then Judas, His betrayer,
seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." |
Jeremiah
32:6-9 6And Jeremiah said, "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 7"Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, "Buy my field which is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it."‘ 8Then Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said to me, "Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.' Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. 9So I bought the field from Hanamel, the son of my uncle who was in Anathoth, and weighed out to him the money--seventeen shekels of silver. Acts
1:18-19 18(Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. 19And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) |
And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders,
He answered nothing.
Matthew
27:20
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the
multitudes that
they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
Matthew
27:41
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes
and elders,
said,
Matthew
27:62
On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief
priests
and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
Matthew
28:11
Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city
and
reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.
|
Mark
1:21-28 21 Then they went into |
|
31 Then He went down to |
|
Matthew
9:18-26 18 While He spoke these things to
them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has
just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live." 19So
Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. |
|
Mark 5:21-43 21 Now when Jesus had crossed
over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to
Him; and He was by the sea. 22And behold, one
of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he
saw Him, he fell at His feet 23and begged Him earnestly,
saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay
Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." 24So
Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged
Him. |
|
Luke
8:40-56 40 So it was, when Jesus
returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting
for Him. 41And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he
was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and
begged Him to come to his house, 42for he had an only
daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. |
Mark
8:31
And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things,
and be
rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and
be killed, and after three days rise again.
"Behold, we are going up to
And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought
how they
might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people
were
astonished at His teaching.
Then they came again to
After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
And the chief
priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by
trickery and put Him to death.
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests
to betray Him to them.
And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the
twelve,
with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief
priests
and the scribes and the elders.
And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were
assembled
all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.
Now the chief priests and all the council sought
testimony
against Jesus to put Him to
death, but found none.
Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a
consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and
they bound
Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.
And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but
He answered
nothing.
For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over
because of
envy.
But the chief priests stirred up
the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among
themselves with
the scribes, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the
elders
and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be
raised the
third day."
And He was teaching daily in the temple.
But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of
the people
sought to destroy Him,
Now it happened on one of those
days, as He taught the people in
the temple and preached
the gospel, that the chief priests
and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him
And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour
sought to
lay hands on Him, but they feared the people [M-Text reads but they were afraid] --for they knew He
had spoken this parable
against them.
And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour
sought to
lay hands on Him, but they feared the people [M-Text reads but they were afraid] --for they knew He
had spoken this parable
against them.
So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests
and captains,
how he might betray Him to them.
Then Jesus said to the chief priests,
captains of the temple,
and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a
robber,
with swords and clubs?
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and
the elders who had come
to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, "I
find no
fault in this
And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently
accused
Him.
Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests,
the rulers, and the people,
But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be
crucified. And
the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.
[NU-Text omits and of the chief priests]
But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be
crucified. And
the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.
[NU-Text omits and of the chief priests]
11Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, "Where is He?" 12And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"; others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people." 13However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
18He who speaks from himself seeks his
own glory;
but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no
unrighteousness is in Him. 19Did not Moses give you the law,
yet
none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?"
20The people answered and said, "You have a demon. Who is
seeking to
kill You?"
The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him,
and the
Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take
Him.
John
7:45
Then the officers came to the chief priests and
Pharisees, who
said to them, "Why have you not brought Him?"
46The officers answered, "No man ever
spoke like
this Man!"
47Then the Pharisees
answered them, "Are you also deceived? 48Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in
Him?
John 8:39-40
39They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father."
Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the
works of
Abraham. 40But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told
you the
truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
46Which of you convicts Me of sin? And
if I tell
the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47He who is of God
hears God's
words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say
rightly
that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?"
Then the Jews said to Him, "Now we
know that You
have a demon!
Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You
say, "If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.'
Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus
hid Himself and went out of the temple,
[NU-Text omits the rest of
this verse] going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
19Therefore there was a division again among the Jews
because of
these sayings. 20And many of them said, "He has a demon and
is mad.
Why do you listen to Him?"
21Others said, "These are not the words of one who has a
demon. Can
a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
John 10:32-33
32Jesus answered them, "Many good works
I have
shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?"
33The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not
stone
You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself
God."
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a
council and
said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
John
11:57
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a
command, that
if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize
Him.
John
12:10
But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
41These things Isaiah said when
[NU-Text reads because] he saw His glory
and spoke of
Him.
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him,
but because of the Pharisees they did not
confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43for
they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Then Judas, having received a detachment
of troops, and officers from
the chief priests and
Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests
have delivered You to me. What have You done?"
Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him,
they
cried out, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Pilate said to them,
"You take
Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him."
But they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate
said to
them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests
answered, "We
have no king but Caesar!"
Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate,
"Do not
write, "The King of the Jews,' but, "He said, "I am the King of the
Jews."
15But when they had commanded them to
go aside
out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16saying,
"What
shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been
done
through them is evident to all who dwell in
And being let go, they went to their own companions
and reported
all that the chief priests and
elders had said to them.
Now when the high priest, [NU-Text
omits the high priest] the captain of the temple,
and the chief priests
heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.
And here he has authority from the chief priests to
bind all who
call on Your name."
Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed
those
who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose,
so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?"
The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused
by the
Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests
and all their council to appear,
and brought Paul down and
set him before them.
They came to the chief priests and elders, and said,
"We have
bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we
have
killed Paul.
about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
informed
me, when I was in
This I also did in
12. Nicodemus. Meaning: the people is victor.
The
account at http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/nicodemus.html
notes that Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin.
"He
is first noticed as visiting Jesus by night (John 3:1-21) for the
purpose of
learning more of his doctrines, which our Lord then unfolded to him,
giving
prominence to the necessity of being "born again." He is next met with
in the
Sanhedrin (
John 3:1-21
1 There was a
man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2This
man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You
are a
teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless
God is
with him."
3Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to
you,
unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is
old? Can
he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
5Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one
is born
of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the
9Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things
be?"
10Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of
18"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does
not
believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name
of the
only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation,
that the
light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than
light,
because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing
evil hates
the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be
exposed.
21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds
may be
clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
John 7:45-52
45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why
have you
not brought Him?"
46The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man!"
47Then the Pharisees answered them, "Are you also deceived?
48Have
any of the rulers or the Pharisees
believed in Him? 49But this crowd that does not know the law
is
accursed."
50Nicodemus (he who came
to Jesus by night, [NU-Text reads before]
being one of them) said to them, 51"Does our law
judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?"
52They answered and said to him, "Are you also from Galilee?
Search
and look, for no prophet has arisen
[NU-Text
reads is to rise] out of
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
13. Annas / Ananias, the High Priest.
The
WebBible Online from ChristianAnswers.Net, http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/annas.html,
notes that Annas "was high priest A.D. 7-14. In A.D. 25, Caiaphas, who
had
married the daughter of Annas (John 18:13), was promoted to that
office, and
probably Annas was now made president of the Sanhedrin, or deputy or
coadjutor
of the high priest, and thus was also called high priest along with
Caiaphas
(Luke 3:2).
"Under
Mosaic law, the high-priesthood was held for life (Numbers
From
http://www.bible-history.com/HighPriests/NTHIGHPRIESTSAnnas.htm:
"Annas,
whose name means "The grace of Jehovah" was the son of Seth and
appointed high
priest of the Jews in 6 A.D in his 37th year. He was high
priest
from 6 to 15 A.D. but as long as he lived he was the virtual head of
the
priestly party in
"In
the time of Christ high priests were appointed and removed at the
command of
the Roman governors. Although removed from office, Annas' power and
influence
was so great that five of his sons, as well as his son-in-law Caiaphas
and his
grandson Matthias, also became high priests. Years afterward he lost
the high
priesthood, but even then he was popularly considered as still in
office and
was called "high priest"; even after Pentecost his name appears first
in the
list of priestly leaders" from Acts 4:5-7.
Also
see Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews; XX. ix. 2 [8]
1 Now in the fifteenth year of the
reign of
Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being
tetrarch
of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of
Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, [NU-Text
and M-Text read in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas] the word of God came to John the
son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3And he went into all
the region
around the
See
also Matthew 3:1-6; Mark 1:2-6; John 1:19-23.
12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Jesus questioned by Annas.
John 18:19-22
19 The high
priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.
20Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always
taught
in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, [NU-Text
reads where
all the Jews meet] and in secret I have said nothing. 21Why
do
you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed
they know
what I said."
22And when He had said these things, one of the officers who
stood
by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, "Do You answer the high priest like that?"
23Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken
evil,
bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?"
24Then Annas sent Him
bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
5 And it came to pass, on the next day,
that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6as
well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as
many as
were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at
Acts 5:17-41
17 Then
the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the
sect of
the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18and
laid
their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19But
at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them
out, and
said, 20"Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all
the
words of this life."
21And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in
the
morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and
called the
council together, with all the elders of the children of
22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the
prison,
they returned and reported, 23saying, "Indeed we found the
prison
shut securely, and the guards standing outside [NU-Text and M-Text omit
outside] before the doors; but when we
opened them, we found no one inside!" 24Now when the high priest, [NU-Text
omits the high priest] the
captain of the temple, and the chief
priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.
25So one came and told them, saying,
[NU-Text
and M-Text omit saying]
"Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and
teaching
the people!"
26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them
without
violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
27And
when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the
high
priest asked them, 28saying, "Did we not strictly command
you not to
teach in this name? And look, you have filled
29But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We
ought to
obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up
Jesus
whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31Him God has
exalted to His
right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to
33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to
kill them.
34Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a
teacher
of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put
the
apostles outside for a little while. 35And he said to them:
"Men of
Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these
men.
36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A
number of
men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed
him were
scattered and came to nothing. 37After this man, Judas of
Galilee
rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him.
He also
perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38And now I say to
you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or
this work
is of men, it will come to nothing; 39but if it is of God,
you
cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God."
40And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the
apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in
the name
of Jesus, and let them go. 41So they departed from the
presence of
the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame
for His [NU-Text reads the name; M-Text
reads the
name of Jesus] name.
The trial continues as the
focus shifts to:
14. Gamaliel I. Flourished 1st century AD.
According
to Encyclopedia Britannica, Gamaliel I was "also called Rabban
Gamaliel
(rabban, meaning "teacher") a
tanna, one of a select group of Palestinian masters of the Jewish Oral
Law, and
a teacher twice mentioned in the New Testament.
"According to tradition—but not historic fact—Gamaliel succeeded his father, Simon, and his grandfather, the renowned sage Hillel (to whose school of thought he belonged), as nasi (president) of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish court. It is certain, though, that Gamaliel held a leading position in the Sanhedrin and that he enjoyed the highest repute as teacher of the Law; he was the first to be given the title rabban. Like his grandfather, Gamaliel also was given the title ha-Zaqen (the Elder).
"The
New Testament (Acts 5:34–39) relates that Gamaliel intervened on behalf
of the
Apostles of Jesus when they had been seized and brought to the
Sanhedrin, and
another passage (Acts 22:3) tells how St. Paul, in a speech to the
Jews, tried
to influence them by stating that he had been a student of Gamaliel ("I
am a
Jew, . . . brought up . . . at the feet of Gamaliel").
"Gamaliel
established a number of lenient ordinances, in particular, laws
affecting women
and non-Jews. Of his teaching, only one saying is preserved in the
Talmud; it
enjoins the duties of study and scrupulous observance of religious
ordinances.
Gamaliel's renown is summed up in the words recorded in the Talmud:
‘When
Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, regard for the Torah [Jewish Law]
ceased, and
purity and piety died.'"
Acts 5:33-41
33 When they heard this, they were
furious and
plotted to kill them. 34Then one in the council stood up, a
Pharisee
named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law
held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the
apostles
outside for a little while. 35And he said to them: "Men of
40And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the
apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in
the name
of Jesus, and let them go. 41So they departed from the
presence of
the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame
for His [NU-Text
reads the name; M-Text reads the name of Jesus] name.
Paul's testimony
"I am indeed a Jew, born in
Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up
in this city
at the feet of Gamaliel,
taught
according to the strictness of
our fathers' law, and was
zealous toward God as you all are today.
15. Joseph Caiaphas, the High Priest. Son in
law of
Annas.
The
article in Encyclopedia Britannica notes that "On a day-to-day
basis
"Thus,
at the time of Jesus' public career,
2"You know that after two days is the
Passover,
and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
3Then the chief priests, the scribes, [NU-Text omits the
scribes] and the elders of the people
assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
4and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and
kill Him.
57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.
Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy!
What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His
blasphemy!
1 Now in the fifteenth year of the
reign of
Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being
tetrarch
of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of
Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2while Annas
and Caiaphas were high priests, [NU-Text
and M-Text read in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas] the word of God came to John the
son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3And he went into all
the region
around the
48If we let Him alone like this,
everyone will
believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place
and
nation."
49And one of them, Caiaphas,
being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all,
50nor do you consider that it is expedient for us [NU-Text reads you] that one man should die for the
people, and not that the whole nation should perish."
12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
John 18:23-24
23Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken
evil,
bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?"
24Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas
the high priest.
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was
early
morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they
should
be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.
Acts 4:1-22
1 Now as they spoke to the people, the
priests,
the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2being
greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the
resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them,
and put
them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4However,
many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men
came to be
about five thousand.
5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers,
elders,
and scribes, 6as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas,
John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of
the high priest, were gathered together at
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them,
"Rulers of
the people and elders of Israel: 9If we this day are judged
for a
good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
10let
it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the
name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the
dead, by
Him this man stands here before you whole. 11This is the
"stone
which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief
cornerstone.' [Psalm
118:22] 12Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is
no other
name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
perceived
that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they
realized
that they had been with Jesus. 14And seeing the man who had
been
healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But
when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they
conferred
among themselves, 16saying, "What shall we do to these men?
For,
indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to
all who
dwell in
18So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all
nor
teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered
and said
to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more
than to
God, you judge. 20For we cannot but speak the things which
we have
seen and heard." 21So when they had further threatened them,
they
let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people,
since
they all glorified God for what had been done. 22For the man
was
over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
16.
Pontius Pilate, Governor of
Encyclopedia
Britannica notes that Pilate was "Roman prefect (governor) of
"According
to the traditional account of his life, Pilate was a Roman equestrian
(knight)
of the Samnite clan of the Pontii (hence his name Pontius). He was
appointed
prefect of
"Judgments
of the man himself must be made inferentially, almost entirely on the
basis of
later Jewish and Christian writings, chiefly Josephus and the New
Testament.
Josephus' references appear to be consistent. They seem to picture a
strong-willed, strict, authoritarian Roman leader who was,
nevertheless, both
rational and practical and who knew how far he should go in a given
case. For
example, Josephus tells us that "in order to abolish Jewish laws," and
with the
intent of diminishing privileges Jews had hitherto enjoyed, Pilate
ordered his
troops to encamp in Jerusalem and sent them into the city with images
of the
emperor attached to their ensigns. When the Jews demonstrated in
"The
New Testament, however, suggests a weak, vacillating personality. Would
the mob
be just as happy if he released Jesus instead of Barabbas on the feast
day
(Mark 15:6 ff.)? Pilate weakly capitulates. His wife sends him word of
her
dream (Matthew 27:19), and Pilate abdicates his responsibility to the
emperor.
In the Fourth Gospel, Pilate is depicted as having accepted the
Christian
interpretation of the meaning of Jesus (John 19:7–11), and he rejects
the Jews'
reminder that Jesus has merely said that he is "the king of the Jews"
(John
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius
Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch
of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of
Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans
whose
blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
|
1 When morning came, all the
chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him
to death. 2And when they had bound Him, they led Him away
and delivered Him to Pontius [NU-Text omits Pontius] Pilate the governor.
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Mark
15:1 |
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|
|
|
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Matthew 27:11-14 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him,
saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" |
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Mark 15:1-5 1Immediately, in
the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the
elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him
away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 2Then Pilate
asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" |
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Luke 23:1-5 1Then the whole
multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2And they
began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow perverting the
[NU-Text reads our] nation, and
forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a
King." |
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John 18:29-38 29Pilate then
went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this
Man?" |
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Matthew
27:15-26 15 Now at the feast the governor
was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they
wished. 16And at that time they had a notorious prisoner
called Barabbas. [NU-Text reads Jesus Barabbas]
17Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to
you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18For he knew
that they had handed Him over because of envy. |
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Mark 15:6-15 6 Now at the feast he was
accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.
7And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his
fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8Then
the multitude, crying aloud, [NU-Text
reads going up] began to ask him to
do just as he had always done for them. 9But Pilate
answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of
the Jews?" 10For he knew that the chief priests had handed
Him over because of envy. |
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Luke 23:13-25 13 Then Pilate,
when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the
people, 14said to them, "You have brought this Man to me, as
one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your
presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of
which you accuse Him; 15no, neither did Herod, for I sent
you back to him; [NU-Text reads for he sent Him back to us] and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done
by Him. 16I will therefore chastise Him and release Him"
17(for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the
feast). [NU-Text omits verse 17] |
|
38Pilate said to Him, "What is
truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and
said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all. |
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Matthew
27:27-31 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. 28And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. |
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Mark 15:16-20 16 Then the soldiers led Him away
into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole
garrison. 17And they clothed Him with purple; and they
twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, 18and began
to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19Then they struck
Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they
worshiped Him. 20And when they had mocked Him, they took the
purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify
Him. |
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John
19:1-16 1 So then Pilate
took Jesus and scourged Him. 2And the soldiers twisted a
crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple
robe. 3Then they said, [NU-Text reads And they came up
to Him and said] "Hail, King of the Jews!"
And they struck Him with their hands. |
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Matthew 27:32-44 32 Now as they came out, they
found a man of |
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Mark 15:21-31 21 Then they compelled a certain
man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was
coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22And
they brought Him to the place |
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Luke 23:26-43 26 Now as they led Him away, they
laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the
country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after
Jesus. |
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John
19:17-22 17 And He, bearing His cross,
went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in
Hebrew, |
Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should
not
remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day),
the Jews
asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they
might be
taken away.
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57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, |
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Mark 15:42-47 42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. |
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Luke 23:50-56 50 Now behold, there was a man
named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51He
had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a
city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting [NU-Text reads who
was waiting] for the |
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John 19:38-42 38 After this, Joseph of
Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the
Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of
Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and
took the body of Jesus. 39And Nicodemus, who at first came
to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes,
about a hundred pounds. 40Then they took the body of Jesus,
and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the
Jews is to bury. 41Now in the place where He was crucified
there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had
yet been laid. 42So there they laid Jesus, because of the
Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby. |
Matthew 27:62-65
62 On the next day, which followed the
Day of
Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63saying, "Sir, we
remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, "After
three days I
will rise.' 64Therefore command that the tomb be made secure
until
the third day, lest His disciples come by night [NU-Text
omits by night] and
steal Him away, and say to the people, "He has risen from the dead.' So
the
last deception will be worse than the first."
65Pilate said to them, "You
have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified
His
Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate,
when he was determined to let Him go.
"For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both
Herod and
Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of
And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate
that
He should be put to death.
I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before
Christ
Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
17. Saul/Paul
of
born A.D. 10? ,
died 67? ,
In
the Britannica article "Paul,
the Apostle, Saint", Barnabas Lindars notes that the
original name was Saul of Tarsus, "a 1st-century Jew who,
after
first being a bitter enemy of Christianity, later became an important
figure in
its history.
"Converted
only a few years after the death of Jesus, he became the leading
Apostle
(missionary) of the new movement and played a decisive part in
extending it
beyond the limits of Judaism to become a worldwide religion. His
surviving
letters are the earliest extant Christian writings. They reveal both
theological skill and pastoral understanding and have had lasting
importance
for Christian life and thought.
"In
the time of Paul,
"Serious
persecution of Christians first arose in connection with converts among
the
Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) in
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
See
also Acts 22:6-16; 26:12-18
Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from
many about
this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in
Acts 9:19-23
19So when he had received food, he was
strengthened. Then Saul spent some
days with the disciples at
20 Immediately he preached the Christ [NU-Text reads Jesus] in
the synagogues, that He is the
Son of God.
21Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he
who
destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here
for
that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?"
22But Saul increased all the more in strength, and
confounded the
Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill
him.
Acts
22:3-21
3"I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought
up in
this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness
of our
fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4I
persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons
both men
and women, 5as also the high priest bears me witness, and
all the
council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the
brethren, and
went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to
Jerusalem to
be punished.
6"Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near
9"And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were
afraid, [NU-Text omits and were
afraid] but they did not hear the voice
of
Him who spoke to me. 10So I said, "What shall I do, Lord?'
And the
Lord said to me, "Arise and go into
12"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the
law, having
a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13came
to me; and
he stood and said to me, "Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at
that same
hour I looked up at him. 14Then he said, "The God of our
fathers has
chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and
hear the
voice of His mouth. 15For you will be His witness to all men
of what
you have seen and heard. 16And now why are you waiting?
Arise and be
baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'
17"Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was
praying in
the temple, that I was in a trance 18and saw Him saying to
me, "Make
haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your
testimony concerning Me.' 19So I said, "Lord, they know that
in
every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20And
when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by
consenting to his death, [NU-Text omits to
his death] and guarding the clothes of those who were killing
him.'
21Then He said to me, "Depart, for I will send you far from here
to the
Gentiles."‘
9"Indeed, I myself thought
I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of
Galatians 1:11-24
11 But I make known to you, brethren,
that the
gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12For
I
neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through
the
revelation of Jesus Christ.
13For you have heard of my
former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the
15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's
womb
and called me through His grace, 16to reveal His Son in me,
that I
might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with
flesh
and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were
apostles
before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I
went up to
and remained with him fifteen days. 19But
I saw
none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. 20(Now concerning the things which I write to
you, indeed, before God, I do not
lie.)
21Afterward I went into the regions of
See also Acts 9:1-31
Am I not an apostle? Am I not
free? Have I not seen
Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
For I am the least of the apostles,
who am not
worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the
although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent
man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in
unbelief.
|
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare
to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and
in which you stand, 2by which also you are saved, if you
hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in
vain. |
Mark 16:9-20 9 Now when He rose early on the
first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom
He had cast seven demons. 10She went and told those who had
been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11And when they
heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
[See also Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:6-8] |
|
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise. 16For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. |
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But I do not want you to be
ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you
sorrow as others who have no hope. 14For if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who
sleep in Jesus. [Or those who
through Jesus sleep] |
18.
Sergius Paulus, Proconsul of
"In
1877, an inscription was found near Paphos, bearing Sergius Paulus's
name and
title of proconsul. Ten years later, his name was also found on a
memorial stone in
From http://www.facingthechallenge.org/paulus.htm:
This inscription is displayed in the courtyard of the Yalvac museum. Clearly visible is the whole of "Paulli" and portions of "Sergii." Online, this can be seen at http://holylandphotos.org/browse.asp?s=1,3,8,21,96&img=TCSCPA28
Acts 13:1-12
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain
prophets
and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen
who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As
they
ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate
to Me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3Then,
having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to
6Now when they had gone through the island [NU-Text reads the
whole island] to Paphos,
they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was
Bar-Jesus,
7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man.
This man
called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8But
Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them,
seeking to
turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9Then Saul, who also
is
called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10and
said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you
enemy of
all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of
the Lord?
11And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you
shall be
blind, not seeing the sun for a time."
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking
someone to
lead him by the hand. 12Then the proconsul believed, when he
saw
what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
19. Porcius Festus.
The
Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition notes that Porcius Festus was
the
successor of Felix (A.D. 60-A.D. 62) as procurator of Judea (Acts
24:27).
"A few weeks after he had entered on his office the case of Paul, then
a
prisoner at
Copyright © 2002 Columbia University Press
But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix;
and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
Acts 25:1-27
1 Now when Festus
had come to the province, after three days he went up from
6And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he
went
down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he
commanded
Paul to be brought. 7When he had come, the Jews who had come
down
from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against
Paul, which
they could not prove, 8while he answered for himself,
"Neither
against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar
have I
offended in anything at all."
9But Festus, wanting to
do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up
to
Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?"
10So Paul said, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I
ought to
be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.
11For
if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I
do not
object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these
men
accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar."
12Then Festus, when he
had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar?
To
Caesar you shall go!"
13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to
22Then Agrippa said to Festus,
"I also would like to hear the man myself."
"Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him."
23So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with
great
pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the
prominent men
of the city, at Festus' command Paul
was brought in. 24And Festus
said: "King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you
see this
man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at
Jerusalem
and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer. 25But
when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that
he
himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. 26I
have
nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have
brought
him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that
after the
examination has taken place I may have something to write. 27For
it
seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the
charges
against him."
Acts 26:24-25
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul,
you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!"
25But he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak
the words
of truth and reason.
20. King Herod Agrippa II
Of
Herod Agrippa II, Encyclopedia Britannica notes that he was
born A.D.
27, and died A.D. 93, meaning he was alive during the time the New
Testament
documents were written and circulated throughout the region.
The
Britannica notes that Agrippa II was "king
of
"Agrippa
II was raised and educated at the imperial court in
"Between
52 and 60, he appointed several high priests and earned the enmity of
the
conflicting parties. Though he supported the rights of the Jews
at
According
to Luke's account in Acts 26, Paul tells Agrippa, "you are well
acquainted with
all the Jewish customs and controversies" (verse 3), recalls Christ's
resurrection from the dead as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies
(verses
21-22) and tells Agrippa, "The king is familiar with these things, and
I can
speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his
notice,
because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the
prophets?
I know you do." (verses 26-27)
Wow.
Pretty heavy statements to use in addressing a king. Had Paul spoken
falsely,
the book of Acts would have had a different ending (and
beginning, for
that matter). Instead of refuting Paul, Agrippa says, "Do you think
that in
such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" (verse 28).
Paul's
reply (verse 28): "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but
all who
are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these
chains."
Agrippa
later tells Governor Festus (verse 32): "This man could have been set
free if
he had not appealed to Caesar." Would Agrippa had said that if
Paul was
lying in his testimony?
This
was an eyewitness account from the physician Luke, who recorded these
events in
the book of Acts. In Acts 12:23, Luke even records that Agrippa's
father was consumed
by worms because he had blasphemed against God (in A.D. 44, when
Agrippa II was
17 years old).
There
is a separate, independent account of the death of Agrippa I.
F.F. Bruce writes: "The sudden death of Herod Agrippa
I, narrated by
Luke in Acts
"‘When
Agrippa had reigned three full years over all
"‘The
king did not rebuke them, nor did he repudiate their impious flattery.
But
looking up soon afterwards he saw the owl sitting on a rope above his
head, and
immediately recognized it as a messenger of evil as it had formerly
been a
messenger of good,' and a pang of grief pierced his heart. There came
also a
severe pain in his belly, beginning with a violent attack.... So he was
carried
quickly into the palace, and the news sped abroad among all that he
would
certainly die before long.... And when he had suffered continuously for
five
days from the pain in his belly, he departed this life in the fifty
fourth year
of his age and the seventh of his reign.'
"The
parallels between the two accounts are obvious, as is also the absence
of
collusion between them. Luke describes the king's sudden stroke by
saying, in
biblical language, that ‘the angel of the Lord smote him'; it is
unnecessary to
think that there is any significance in the fact that the Greek word
for ‘angel'
in Luke's account (angelos) is the same as the word for
‘messenger'
applied to the owl by Josephus, though some early Christian Fathers
seem to
have thought so. The Tyrians may well have taken advantage of
this
festival to be publicly reconciled to the king.
"In general, we may sum up the comparison of the two accounts in the words of an unbiased historian, Eduard Meyer: ‘In outline, in data, and in the general conception, both accounts are in full agreement. By its very interesting details, which are by no means to be explained as due to a "tendency" or a popular tradition, Luke's account affords a guarantee that it is at least just as reliable as that of Josephus." [10]
Had
Luke or Josephus been in error, King Agrippa had the means, motive, and
opportunity
to squelch these documents as copies circulated throughout the
region, or
to imprison Luke, Paul and Josephus for false testimony. Indeed,
Agrippa had
the means, motive and opportunity to stop the entire New Testament,
written and
circulating within his kingdom, within his lifetime. But he did
not/could not
refute the eyewitness accounts.
A.
The prophets and the apostles included testimony that indicated their
own
sinfulness or doubts.
1.
Adam.
11And not only that, but we also
rejoice in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the
reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world,
and
death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all
sinned--
13(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed
when
there is no law.
See also Genesis 3:1-19.
2.
Abram.
Genesis 12:10-20
10 Now there was a famine in the land,
and Abram
went down to
14So it was, when Abram came into
17But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great
plagues
because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18And Pharaoh called Abram
and said,
"What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was
your
wife? 19Why did you say, "She is my sister'? I might have
taken her
as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way."
20So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him
away,
with his wife and all that he had.
3.
Moses.
Exodus 2:11-16
11 Now it came to pass in those days,
when Moses
was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their
burdens. And he
saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12So
he
looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the
Egyptian
and hid him in the sand. 13And when he went out the second
day,
behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did
the wrong,
"Why are you striking your companion?"
14Then he said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us?
Do you
intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?"
So Moses feared and said, "Surely this thing is known!" 15When
Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled
from the
face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the
16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they
came and
drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
See also Hebrews 11:24, 25.
4.
Samson.
Judges 14:12-20
12Then Samson said to them, "Let me
pose a riddle
to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the
seven days
of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty
changes of
clothing. 13But if you cannot explain it to me, then you
shall give
me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing."
And they said to him, "Pose your riddle, that we may hear it."
14So he said to them:
"Out of the eater came
something to
eat,
And out of the strong came
something
sweet."
Now for three days they could not explain the riddle.
15But it came to pass on the seventh [Following Masoretic
Text, Targum,
and Vulgate; Septuagint and Syriac read fourth]
day that they said to Samson's wife, "Entice your husband,
that he may explain the riddle to us, or else we will burn you and your
father's
house with fire. Have you invited us in order to take what is ours? Is
that not
so?"
16Then Samson's wife wept on him, and said, "You only hate
me! You
do not love me! You have posed a riddle to the sons of my people, but
you have
not explained it to me."
And he said to her, "Look, I have not explained it to my father or my
mother;
so should I explain it to you?" 17Now she had wept on him
the seven
days while their feast lasted. And it happened on the seventh day that
he told
her, because she pressed him so much. Then she explained the riddle to
the sons
of her people. 18So the men of the city said to him on the
seventh
day before the sun went down:
"What is sweeter than honey?
And what is stronger than a
lion?"
And he said to them:
"If you had not plowed with
my
heifer,
You would not have solved my
riddle!"
19Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily, and he
went
down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men, took their apparel,
and gave
the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle. So his
anger was
aroused, and he went back up to his father's house. 20And
Samson's
wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man.
Judges 16:1
1 Now Samson went to
5.
David, King
of
2 Samuel 11:1-27
1 It happened in the spring of the
year, at the
time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants
with
him, and all
2Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed
and
walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a
woman
bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3So
David sent
and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba,
the
daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" 4Then
David sent
messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for
she was
cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. 5And
the
woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, "I am with
child."
6Then David sent to Joab, saying, "Send me Uriah the
Hittite." And
Joab sent Uriah to David. 7When Uriah had come to him, David
asked
how Joab was doing, and how the people were doing, and how the war
prospered.
8And David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your
feet." So
Uriah departed from the king's house, and a gift of food from the king
followed
him. 9But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with
all the
servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. 10So
when
they told David, saying, "Uriah did not go down to his house," David
said to
Uriah, "Did you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to
your house?"
11And Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are
dwelling in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are
encamped in
the open fields. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink, and to
lie with
my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this
thing."
12Then David said to Uriah, "Wait here today also, and
tomorrow I
will let you depart." So Uriah remained in
14In the morning it happened that David wrote a letter to
Joab and
sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15And he wrote in the letter,
saying, "Set
Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him,
that he may
be struck down and die." 16So it was, while Joab besieged
the city,
that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew there were valiant men.
17Then
the men of the city came out and fought with Joab. And some of the
people of
the servants of David fell; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
18Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning
the war,
19and charged the messenger, saying, "When you have finished
telling the
matters of the war to the king, 20if it happens that the
king's
wrath rises, and he says to you: "Why did you approach so near to the
city when
you fought? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall?
21Who
struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth?
[Same
as Jerubbaal (Gideon), Judges 6:32ff] Was it not a woman
who cast a
piece of a millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez?
Why did
you go near the wall?'--then you shall say, "Your servant Uriah the
Hittite is
dead also."‘
22So the messenger went, and came and told David all that
Joab had
sent by him. 23And the messenger said to David, "Surely the
men
prevailed against us and came out to us in the field; then we drove
them back
as far as the entrance of the gate. 24The archers shot from
the wall
at your servants; and some of the king's servants are dead, and your
servant
Uriah the Hittite is dead also."
25Then David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall say to
Joab: "Do
not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as
another.
Strengthen your attack against the city, and overthrow it.' So
encourage him."
26When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was
dead, she
mourned for her husband. 27And when her mourning was over,
David
sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him
a son.
But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
1 Chronicles 21:1-7
1 Now Satan stood up against
3And Joab answered, "May the LORD make His people a hundred
times
more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's
servants?
Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of
guilt in
4Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab.
Therefore Joab
departed and went throughout all
7And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck
1 Kings 2:8-9
8"And see, you have with you Shimei the son of
6.
Solomon,
King of
1 Kings 11
9So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart
had turned
from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, 10and
had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after
other
gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded.
7.
Disobedient
prophets.
1 Kings
11 Now an old prophet dwelt in
And he said, "I am."
15Then he said to him, "Come home with me and eat bread."
16And he said, "I cannot return with you nor go in with you;
neither
can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place. 17For
I have
been told by the word of the LORD, "You shall not eat bread nor drink
water
there, nor return by going the way you came."‘
18He said to him, "I too am a prophet as you are, and an
angel spoke
to me by the word of the LORD, saying, "Bring him back with you to your
house,
that he may eat bread and drink water."‘ (He was lying to him.)
19So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and
drank
water.
20Now it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word
of the
LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back; 21and he
cried
out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, "Thus says the LORD:
"Because
you have disobeyed the word of the LORD, and have not kept the
commandment
which the LORD your God commanded you, 22but you came back,
ate
bread, and drank water in the place of which the LORD said to you, "Eat
no
bread and drink no water," your corpse shall not come to the tomb of
your
fathers."‘
23So it was, after he had eaten bread and after he had
drunk, that
he saddled the donkey for him, the prophet whom he had brought back.
24When
he was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his corpse
was
thrown on the road, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by
the
corpse. 25And there, men passed by and saw the corpse thrown
on the
road, and the lion standing by the corpse. Then they went and told it
in the
city where the old prophet dwelt.
26Now when the prophet who had brought him back from the way
heard
it, he said, "It is the man of God who was disobedient to the word of
the LORD.
Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him
and killed
him, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke to him." 27And
he spoke to his sons, saying, "Saddle the donkey for me." So they
saddled it.
28Then he went and found his corpse thrown on the road, and the
donkey
and the lion standing by the corpse. The lion had not eaten the corpse
nor torn
the donkey. 29And the prophet took up the corpse of the man
of God,
laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. So the old prophet came to
the city
to mourn, and to bury him. 30Then he laid the corpse in his
own
tomb; and they mourned over him, saying, "Alas, my brother!" 31So
it
was, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, "When
I am
dead, then bury me in the tomb where the man of God is buried; lay my
bones
beside his bones. 32For the saying which he cried out by the
word of
the LORD against the altar in
1 Kings 13:20-22
20Now it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word
of the
LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back; 21and he
cried
out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, "Thus says the LORD:
"Because
you have disobeyed the word of the LORD, and have not kept the
commandment
which the LORD your God commanded you, 22but you came back,
ate
bread, and drank water in the place of which the LORD said to you, "Eat
no
bread and drink no water," your corpse shall not come to the tomb of
your
fathers."‘
8.
Elisha, the
prophet.
And Elisha said to him, "Go, say to him, "You shall certainly recover.'
However the LORD has shown me that he will really die."
9.
Jeremiah,
the prophet.
Jeremiah 38:24-28
24Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Let no one know of these
words,
and you shall not die. 25But if the princes hear that I have
talked
with you, and they come to you and say to you, "Declare to us now what
you have
said to the king, and also what the king said to you; do not hide it
from us,
and we will not put you to death,' 26then you shall say to
them, "I
presented my request before the king, that he would not make me return
to
Jonathan's house to die there."‘
27Then all the princes came to Jeremiah and asked him. And
he told
them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they
stopped
speaking with him, for the conversation had not been heard. 28Now
Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison until the day that
10. John the Baptist. Son of Zacharias.
Matthew 11:1-6
1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His
twelve
disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their
cities.
2And when John had heard in prison about the works of
Christ, he
sent two of [NU-Text reads by
for two of] his
disciples 3and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do
we look
for another?"
4Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the
things which
you hear and see: 5The blind see and the lame walk; the
lepers are
cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have
the gospel
preached to them. 6And blessed is he who is not offended
because of
Me."
See
also Luke 7:18-35.
11. The disciples of Jesus Christ.
a.
The disciples testified of their own lack of knowledge and
understanding.
Mark 7:14-23
14When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" [NU-Text omits this verse. ]
17When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" [NU-Text ends quotation with eliminated, setting off the final clause as Mark's comment that Jesus has declared all foods clean] 20And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23All these evil things come from within and defile a man."
Mark 8:31-33
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
See also Matthew 16:21-23; Luke 9:21-22.
Matthew 16:5-12
5 Now when His disciples had come to
the other
side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6Then Jesus said to
them, "Take
heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees."
7And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because
we have
taken no bread."
8But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O
you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because
you have brought no bread? [NU-Text
reads you
have no bread] 9Do
you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five
thousand and
how many baskets you took up? 10Nor the seven loaves of the
four
thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11How is it
you do
not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?--but to
beware of
the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 12Then they
understood
that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the
doctrine
of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
See
also Mark 8:14-21.
Luke 9:43-45
43 And they were all amazed at the
majesty of
God.
But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said
to His
disciples, 44"Let these words sink down into your ears, for
the Son
of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men." 45But they did not understand this saying, and
it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were
afraid
to ask Him about this saying.
See also Matthew 17:22, 23;
Mark 9:30-32.
Luke 18:31-34
31 Then He took the twelve aside and
said to
them, "Behold, we are going up to
34But they understood none of these things; this saying
was
hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.
See
also Matthew 20:17-19;
Mark 10:32-34.
John 10:1-6
1 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who
does not
enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same
is a
thief and a robber. 2But he who enters by the door is the
shepherd
of the sheep. 3To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep
hear his
voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4And
when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep
follow
him, for they know his voice. 5Yet they will by no means
follow a
stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of
strangers."
6Jesus used this illustration,
but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
John 12:12-16
12 The next day a great multitude that
had come
to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13took
branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
"Hosanna!
"Blessed is He who comes in
the name
of the LORD!' [Psalm 118:26]
The King of Israel!"
14Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it;
as it is
written:
15"Fear not,
daughter of
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey's colt."
[Zechariah
9:9]
16His disciples did not understand these things at first;
but
when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were
written
about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
John 14:5-11
5Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do
not know
where You are going, and how can we know the way?"
6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one
comes to the Father except through Me.
7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also;
and
from now on you know Him and have seen Him."
8Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is
sufficient
for us."
9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and
yet you
have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so
how can
you say, "Show us the Father'? 10Do you not believe that I
am in the
Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do
not speak
on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11Believe
Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for
the
sake of the works themselves.
John 14:25-26
25 "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 16:12-20
12"I still have many things to say
to you, but
you cannot bear them now. 13However, when He, the Spirit
of
truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not
speak on His
own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell
you things
to come. 14He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is
Mine and
declare it to you. 15All things that the Father has are
Mine.
Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. [NU-Text and M-Text read He takes of
Mine and
will declare it to you]
16 "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a
little
while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father."
17Then some of His disciples said among themselves, "What is
this
that He says to us, "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again
a
little while, and you will see Me'; and, "because I go to the Father'?"
18They
said therefore, "What is this that He says, "A little while'? We do
not know
what He is saying."
19Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said
to them, "Are
you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, "A little while, and
you will
not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'? 20Most
assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world
will
rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into
joy.
See Section II. Divine Confirmation and Appendix 4: Affirmation of the Apostles.
b.
Fear, Lack of faith.
Mark 4:35-40
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them,
"Let us
cross over to the other side." 36Now when they had left the
multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little
boats
were also with Him. 37And a great windstorm arose, and the
waves
beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38But He
was in
the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him,
"Teacher, do
You not care that we are perishing?"
39Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,
"Peace,
be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40But
He
said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no
faith?" [NU-Text reads Have
you still no
faith?] 41And they feared exceedingly, and said to
one
another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"
See
also Matthew 8:23-27;
Luke 8:22-25.
Luke 8:22-25
22 Now it happened, on a certain day,
that He got
into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, "Let us cross over
to the
other side of the lake." And they launched out. 23But as
they sailed
He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were
filling
with water, and were in jeopardy. 24And they came to Him and
awoke
Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!"
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And
they
ceased, and there was a calm. 25But He said to them, "Where
is your
faith?"
And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, "Who can
this be?
For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!"
See also Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41.
Matthew 14:22-23
22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples
get into
the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the
multitudes
away. 23And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up
on the
mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
24But
the boat was now in the middle of the sea, [NU-Text reads many
furlongs away
from the land. ] tossed by the waves, for the wind was
contrary.
25Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them,
walking
on the sea. 26And when the disciples saw Him walking on the
sea,
they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for
fear.
27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good
cheer! It
is I; do not be afraid."
28And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You,
command me
to come to You on the water."
29So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of
the boat,
he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw
that the
wind was boisterous, [NU-Text brackets that and boisterous
as disputed] he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying,
"Lord,
save me!"
31And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught
him, and
said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32And
when
they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33Then those who were in the boat came and [NU-Text omits came
and. ] worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
See
also Mark 6:45-52; John
6:15-21.
Mark 6:45-52
45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and
go before
Him to the other side, to
See
also Matthew 14:22-33;
John 6:15-21.
Mark 9:30-32
30 Then they departed from there and passed
through
See
also Matthew 17:22, 23;
Luke 9:43-45.
Matthew 17:14-21
14 And when they had come to the
multitude, a man
came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15"Lord, have
mercy on
my son, for he is an epileptic [Literally
moonstruck
] and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and
often
into the water. 16So I brought him to Your disciples, but
they could
not cure him."
17Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse
generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with
you? Bring
him here to Me." 18And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came
out of
him; and the child was cured from that very hour.
19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why
could we
not cast it out?"
20So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; [NU-Text reads little faith ]
for
assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will
say to
this mountain, "Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing
will be
impossible for you. 21However, this kind does not go out
except by prayer
and fasting." [NU-Text omits this verse]
See
also Mark 9:14-29; Luke
9:37-42.
d. Pettiness.
Mark 9:33-34
33 Then He came to
See
also Matthew 18:1-5; Luke
9:46-48.
Mark 10:35-45
35 Then James and John, the sons of
Zebedee, came
to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."
36And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
37They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your
right
hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."
38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are
you
able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism
that I am
baptized with?"
39They said to Him, "We are able."
So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and
with
the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40but
to sit on
My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those
for whom
it is prepared."
41And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly
displeased
with James and John. 42But Jesus called them to Himself and
said to
them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles
lord it
over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43Yet
it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among
you
shall be your servant. 44And whoever of you desires to be
first
shall be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not
come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
See
also Matthew 20:20-28.
Luke 9:46-48
46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would
be
greatest. 47And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their
heart, took a
little child and set him by Him, 48and said to them,
"Whoever
receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives
Me
receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be
great."
See also Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37.
Luke 18:15-17
15 Then they also brought infants to
Him that He
might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16But
Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me,
and do
not forbid them; for of such is the
See also Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16.
Luke 22:24-30
24 Now there was also a dispute among
them, as to
which of them should be considered the greatest. 25And He
said to
them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those
who
exercise authority over them are called "benefactors.' 26But
not so
among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as
the
younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27For who is
greater,
he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at
the table?
Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
28"But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
29And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one
upon
Me, 30that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom,
and sit
on thrones judging the twelve tribes of
e. Judgmental.
Luke 9:51-56
51 Now it came to pass, when the time
had come
for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to
55But He turned and rebuked them, [NU-Text
omits the rest of this verse]
and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56For
the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." [NU-Text omits the first sentence
of this
verse]
f. Fallible.
Mark 9:14-29
See
also Matthew 17:14-21;
Luke 9:37-42.
g.
Weak.
Matthew 26:40-46
40Then He came to the disciples and
found them
sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one
hour?
41Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit
indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak."
42Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O
My
Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless [NU-Text reads if this may not pass
away unless] I drink it, Your will be
done."
43And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were
heavy.
44So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third
time,
saying the same words. 45Then He came to His disciples and
said to
them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand,
and the
Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise,
let
us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."
h.
Disloyal.
John 6:41-70
41 The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, "I
am the
bread which came down from heaven." 42And they said, "Is not
this
Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it
then that
He says, "I have come down from heaven'?"
43Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur
among
yourselves. 44No one can come to Me unless the Father who
sent Me
draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is
written
in the prophets, "And they shall all be taught by God.' [Isaiah 54:13]
Therefore everyone who has heard and learned[M-Text
reads hears and has learned. ] from the Father
comes to
52The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying,
"How can
this Man give us His flesh to eat?"
53Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless you
eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life
in you.
54Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and
I will
raise him up at the last day. 55For My flesh is food indeed,
[NU-Text reads true food and true drink. ] and My blood is
drink indeed.
56He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in
him.
57As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father,
so he
who feeds on Me will live because of
59These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in
60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard
this, said, "This
is a hard saying; who can understand it?"
61When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained
about
this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What then if
you should
see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63It is the
Spirit
who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to
you are
spirit, and they are life. 64But there are some of you
who do not
believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did
not
believe, and who would betray Him. 65And He said, "Therefore
I have
said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to
him by My
Father."
66From that time many of His disciples went back and
walked with
Him no more. 67Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you
also want
to go away?"
68But
Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the
words of
eternal life. 69Also we have come to believe and know that
You are
the Christ, the Son of the living God." [NU-Text reads You are the
Holy One
of God. ]
70Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve,
and one
of you is a devil?" 71He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of
Simon,
for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.
(I.
Judas betrayed Jesus Christ.
Luke 22:1-6
1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread
drew near,
which is called Passover. 2And the chief priests and the
scribes
sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.
3Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was
numbered among
the twelve. 4So he went his way and conferred with the chief
priests
and captains, how he might betray Him to them. 5And they
were glad,
and agreed to give him money. 6So he promised and sought
opportunity
to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
Mark 14:10-11
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
See
also Matthew 26:14-16;
Luke 22:3-6.
Matthew 26:14-16
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to
the chief
priests 15and said, "What are you willing to give me if I
deliver
Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.
16So
from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
John 13:18-22
18 "I do not speak concerning all of
you. I know
whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, "He who
eats bread
with Me [NU-Text reads My bread] has lifted up his heel against
21When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in
spirit, and
testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will
betray Me."
22Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom
He
spoke.
See
also Matthew 26:21-25;
Mark 14:18, 19; Luke 22:21-23.
Matthew 26:47-49
47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of
the
twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the
chief
priests and elders of the people.
48Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever
I kiss,
He is the One; seize Him." 49Immediately he went up to Jesus
and
said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
|
Matthew 27:3-10 3 Then Judas, His betrayer,
seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4saying,
"I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." |
Jeremiah 32:6-9 6And Jeremiah said, "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 7"Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, "Buy my field which is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it."‘ 8Then Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said to me, "Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.' Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. 9So I bought the field from Hanamel, the son of my uncle who was in Anathoth, and weighed out to him the money--seventeen shekels of silver. |
See
also Acts 1:18, 19.
(II.
The disciples abandoned Jesus Christ.
Matthew 26:31-35
31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you
will be
made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:
"I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock
will be
scattered.' [Zechariah 13:7]
32But after I have been raised, I will go before you to
Galilee."
33Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to
stumble
because of You, I will never be made to stumble."
34Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this
night,
before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
35Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will
not
deny You!"
And so said all the disciples.
See
also Mark 14:27-31;
Luke 22:31-34; John 13:36-38.
See
also Matthew 26:31-35;
Luke 22:31-34; John 13:36-38.
Matthew 26:47-56
47 And while He was still speaking,
behold,
Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs,
came
from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever
I kiss,
He is the One; seize Him." 49Immediately he went up to Jesus
and
said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
50But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?"
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51And
suddenly,
one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his
sword,
struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
52But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for
all who
take the sword will perish [M-Text reads die. ] by
the sword.
53Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He
will
provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54How
then could
the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"
55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come
out, as
against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with
you,
teaching in the temple, and you did not seize
Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
See
also Mark 14:43-52;
Luke 22:47-53; John 18:1-11.
Mark
50Then they
all forsook Him and fled.
(III.
Peter denied Jesus Christ.
Luke 22:31-34
31 And the Lord said, [NU-Text omits And the Lord said]
"Simon,
Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32But
I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you
have
returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
33But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both
to
prison and to death."
34Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not
crow this
day before you will deny three times that you know Me."
See also Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; John 13:36-38.
Matthew 26:69-75
69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant
girl came
to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
70But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know
what you
are saying."
71And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw
him and
said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of
Nazareth."
72But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!"
73And a little later those who stood by came up and said to
Peter, "Surely
you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you."
74Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know
the Man!"
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75And Peter remembered the
word of
Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me
three
times." So he went out and wept bitterly.
See
also Mark 14:66-72;
Luke 22:54-62;John 18:15-18, 25-27.
Mark 14:66-72
66 Now as Peter was below in the
courtyard, one
of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67And when she
saw
Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with
Jesus of
Nazareth."
68But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand
what you
are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.
69And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to
those who
stood by, "This is one of them." 70But he denied it again.
And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you
are one
of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it." [NU-Text
omits and
your speech shows it]
71Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man
of whom
you speak!"
72A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to
mind the
word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you
will deny
Me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.
See
also Matthew 26:69-75;
Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27.
Luke 22:54-62
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him
and brought
Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance.
55Now
when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down
together,
Peter sat among them. 56And a certain servant girl, seeing
him as he
sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also
with Him."
57But he denied Him, [NU-Text reads denied it]
saying, "Woman,
I do not know Him."
58And after a little while another saw him and said, "You
also are
of them."
But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"
59Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently
affirmed,
saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."
60But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"
Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster [NU-Text
and
M-Text read a rooster] crowed. 61And the Lord turned
and
looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had
said to
him, "Before the rooster crows, [NU-Text adds today] you will
deny Me
three times." 62So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
See
also Matthew 26:69-75;
Mark 14:66-72; John 18:13-18, 25-27.
John 18:15-26
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and
so did
another [M-Text reads the other] disciple.
Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus
into the courtyard
of the high priest. 16But Peter stood at the door outside.
Then the
other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to
her who
kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17Then the servant girl
who
kept the door said to Peter, "You are not also one of this Man's
disciples, are
you?"
He said, "I am not."
18Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals
stood
there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood
with them
and warmed himself.
19
The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.
20Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always
taught
in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, [NU-Text reads where all the Jews meet]
and in secret I have said nothing. 21Why do you ask Me? Ask
those
who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said."
22And when He had said these things, one of the officers who
stood
by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, "Do You answer the
high priest
like that?"
23Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness
of the
evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?"
24Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they
said to
him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?"
He denied it and said, "I am not!"
26One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him
whose
ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?"
27Peter
then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.
See
also Matthew 26:69-75;
Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62.
The
testimonies of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John indicate that the followers
(and
enemies) of Jesus Christ were convinced of his death. Their
initial
reaction to his resurrection was one of skepticism. Because Jesus
demonstrated
He had conquered death, He proved He was who He claimed to be, and the
disciples – who had previously abandoned their Lord--became willing to
lay down
their lives in His name.
Matthew 27:55-65
55And many women who followed Jesus
from Galilee,
ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56among
whom
were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, [NU-Text
reads Joseph] and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from
Arimathea,
named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58This
man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate
commanded the
body to be given to him. 59When Joseph had taken the
body, he
wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and laid it in his new
tomb
which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against
the door
of the tomb, and departed. 61And Mary Magdalene was there,
and the
other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the
chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63saying,
"Sir,
we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said,
"After three
days I will rise.' 64Therefore command that the tomb be
made
secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night [NU-Text
omits by night. ] and steal Him away, and say to the people,
"He has
risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the
first."
65Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way,
make it as
secure as you know how." 66So they went and made the tomb
secure,
sealing the stone and setting the guard.
See
also Mark 15:42-47;
Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42.
Mark 15:42-47
42 Now when evening had come, because
it was the
Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43Joseph
of
Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the
kingdom
of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the
body of
Jesus. 44Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and
summoning the
centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45So
when
he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46Then
he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And
he laid
Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone
against
the door of the tomb. 47And Mary Magdalene and Mary the
mother of
Joses observed where He was laid.
See
also Matthew 27:57-61;
Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42.
Mark 16:1-8
1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary
the mother
of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
2Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they
came to
the tomb when the sun had risen. 3And they said among
themselves, "Who
will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4But
when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away--for
it was
very large. 5And entering the tomb, they saw a young man
clothed in
a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek
Jesus of
Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place
where
they laid Him. 7But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that
He is
going before you into
8So they went out quickly [NU-Text and M-Text omit quickly]
and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they
said
nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
See
also Matthew 28:1-8;
Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10.
Mark 16:9-11
9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He
appeared
first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10She
went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
11And
when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did
not
believe.
See also Matthew 28:9, 10; John 20:11-18.
Mark
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as
they
walked and went into the country. 13And they went and told
it to the
rest, but they did not believe them either.
See also Luke 24:13-35.
Mark
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table;
and He
rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not
believe
those who had seen Him after He had risen.
See
also Matthew 28:16-20;
Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:6-8.
Luke 24:1-12
1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the
morning, they,
and certain other women with them, [NU-Text omits and certain other
women with
them. ] came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had
prepared.
2But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3Then
they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4And
it
happened, as they were greatly [NU-Text omits greatly]
perplexed about
this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5Then,
as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to
them, "Why
do you seek the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but
is risen!
Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in
8And they remembered His words. 9Then they
returned from
the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10It
was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other
women with
them, who told these things to the apostles. 11And their
words
seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12But
Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen
cloths
lying [NU-Text omits lying] by themselves; and he departed,
marveling to
himself at what had happened.
See
also Matthew 28:1-10;
Mark 16:1-8; John 20:1-10.
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a
village
called Emmaus, which was seven miles [Literally sixty stadia ]
from
17And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this
that you
have with one another as you walk and are sad?" [NU-Text reads as
you walk?
And they stood still, looking sad]
18Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to
Him, "Are
You the only stranger in
19And He said to them, "What things?"
So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was
a
Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and
how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to
death,
and crucified Him. 21But we were hoping that it was He who
was going
to redeem
25Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart
to
believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26Ought not
the Christ
to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" 27And
beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all
the
Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going,
and He
indicated that He would have gone farther. 29But they
constrained
Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is
far
spent." And He went in to stay with them.
30Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them,
that He
took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then
their
eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
32And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn
within us
while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures
to us?"
33So they rose up that very hour and returned to
See
also Mark 16:12, 13.
Luke 24:36-49
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the
midst
of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." 37But they were
terrified
and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38And
He said
to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39Behold
My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a
spirit does
not have flesh and bones as you see I have."
40When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His
feet.
[Some printed New Testaments omit this verse. It is found in nearly all
Greek
manuscripts]
41But
while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to
them, "Have
you any food here?" 42So they gave Him a piece of a broiled
fish and
some honeycomb. [NU-Text omits and some honeycomb] 43And
He
took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke
to you
while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which
were
written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning
Me."
45And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend
the
Scriptures.
46Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was
necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise [NU-Text reads written,
that
the Christ should suffer and rise] from the dead the third day,
47and
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to
all
nations, beginning at
See
also John 20:19-23;
Acts 1:3-5; 1 Corinthians 15:5.
John 19:38-40
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea,
being a
disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate
that he
might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So
he came
and took the body of Jesus. 39And Nicodemus, who at first
came to
Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about
a
hundred pounds. 40Then they took the body of Jesus, and
bound it in
strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
See
also Matthew 27:57-61;
Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56.
John 20:1-10
1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the
tomb
early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken
away from
the tomb. 2Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the
other
disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the
Lord
out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."
3Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were
going to
the tomb. 4So they both ran together, and the other disciple
outran
Peter and came to the tomb first. 5And he, stooping down and
looking
in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6Then
Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the
linen
cloths lying there, 7and the handkerchief that had been
around His
head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place
by
itself. 8Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb
first, went
in also; and he saw and believed. 9For as yet they did not
know the
Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10Then the
disciples went away again to their own homes.
John 20:19-29
19 Then, the same day at evening, being
the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were
assembled,
[NU-Text omits assembled] for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and
stood in
the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20When He
had said
this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were
glad when
they saw the Lord.
21So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father
has sent
Me, I also send you." 22And when He had said this, He
breathed on
them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you
forgive
the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any,
they
are retained."
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not
with them
when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said to
him, "We
have seen the Lord."
So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails,
and put
my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I
will
not believe."
26And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and
Thomas
with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst,
and said, "Peace
to you!" 27Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here,
and look
at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not
be
unbelieving, but believing."
28And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
29Jesus said to him, "Thomas, [NU-Text and M-Text omit Thomas]
because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have
not
seen and yet have believed."
See
also Luke 24:36-43; 1
Corinthians 15:5.
Acts 26:12-18
12 "While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15So I said, "Who are You, Lord?' And He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now [NU-Text and M-Text omit now] send you, 18to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
See
also Acts 9:1-19;
22:6-16.
Yes, these men of God did sin, as every human sins, and in every case they suffered the consequences of their actions. Those who wrote the Bible reported people as they really were. They were dedicated to the truth. This is yet another reason why these historical records are objective, reliable, and trustworthy.
B. The prophets and the apostles testified of those who disbelieved in spite of the miracles.
Despite the proof of the miracles, people still had the free will to reject God. Some did.
Then the LORD said to Moses: "How long will these
people
reject Me? And how long will
they not
believe Me, with all the signs
which I have performed among
them?
They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders
That You did among them. But they hardened their
necks, And in their rebellion [Following
Masoretic
Text and Vulgate; Septuagint reads in
And forgot His works And His wonders that He had shown them.
Our fathers in
|
14And in them the prophecy of
Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 39Therefore they could not
believe, because Isaiah said again: 26saying, |
Isaiah 6:9-10 |
Luke 16:19-31
19 "There was a certain rich man who
was clothed
in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20But
there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid
at his
gate, 21desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell
[NU-Text reads
with what fell] from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs
came and
licked his sores. 22So it was that the beggar died, and was
carried
by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw
Abraham
afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24"Then he cried and said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on
me, and
send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my
tongue;
for I am tormented in this flame.' 25But Abraham said, "Son,
remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and
likewise
Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
26And
besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so
that those
who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass
to us.'
27"Then he said, "I beg you therefore, father, that you
would send
him to my father's house, 28for I have five brothers, that
he may
testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 29Abraham
said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'
30And
he said, "No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead,
they will
repent.' 31But he said to him, "If they do not hear Moses
and the
prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the
dead."‘
Acts 2 :1-13
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all
with one
accord [NU-Text reads together] in one place. 2And
suddenly
there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it
filled the
whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to
them
divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And
they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men,
from every
nation under heaven. 6And when this sound occurred, the
multitude
came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in
his own
language. 7Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to
one
another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8And
how is
it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9Parthians
and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and
Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the
parts of
Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11Cretans
and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works
of God."
12So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another,
"Whatever
could this mean?"
13Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine."
C. The
prophets and the apostles testified of those
who disbelieved in spite of the message.
|
Acts
28:17-28 17 And it came to pass after
three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when
they had come together, he said to them: "Men and brethren, though I
have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet
I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the
Romans, 18who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me
go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 19But
when the Jews [That is, the ruling authorities] spoke against it, I was
compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to
accuse my nation. 20For this reason therefore I have called
for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel
I am bound with this chain." |
Isaiah 6:9-10 |
Therefore, the
testimony of the prophets and the apostles is true.
The Bible is a reliable and trustworthy account of historical events, of God's interaction with mankind, of mankind's depravity apart from God, and how God's love can reconcile the individual through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Because we can trust The Bible, we can trust what The Bible says about God. Through its collective accounts, The Bible declares itself to be the Word of God. As the Word of God, it is authoritative.
Because we can trust The Bible, we can trust what The Bible says about Jesus Christ. From the testimony of the eyewitnesses, Jesus Christ declared Himself to be the Son of God. As the Son of God, He is authoritative.
Because we can trust The Bible, we can trust what The Bible says about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. From the testimony of the eyewitnesses, Jesus conquered death and proved he was the Son of God. As the Son of God, we can trust Him.
Because we can trust Jesus Christ, we can trust the gift of salvation the Jesus offers.
For whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16.)
You can trust Jesus Christ, and you can trust that He loves you very much.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. (John 15:13.)
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
All Have Sinned
Romans 3:9-26
9 What then? Are we better than they?
Not at all.
For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all
under
sin.
10As it is written:
"There is none righteous,
no, not
one;
11There is none
who
understands;
There is none who seeks
after God.
12They have all
turned
aside;
They have together become
unprofitable;
There is none who does good,
no, not
one." [Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes
13"Their throat
is an
open tomb;
With their tongues they have
practiced deceit"; [Psalm 5:9]
"The poison of asps is under
their
lips"; [Psalm 5:9]
14"Whose mouth is
full of
cursing and bitterness." [Psalm 10:7]
15"Their feet are
swift
to shed blood;
16Destruction and
misery
are in their ways;
17And the way of
peace
they have not known." [Isaiah 59:7, 8]
18"There is no
fear of
God before their eyes." [Psalm 36:1]
19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those
who are
under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may
become
guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law no
flesh will
be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is
revealed,
being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the
righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all [NU-Text omits and on all] who believe. For there is no
difference; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of
God, 24being justified freely by His grace through the
redemption
that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God set forth as a
propitiation by
His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in
His
forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
26to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He
might be
just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 5:1-21
1 Therefore, having been justified by
faith, we
have [Another ancient reading is, let
us have
peace] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through
whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand,
and
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only that, but
we also
glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4and
perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5Now hope does
not
disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts
by the
Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time
Christ died
for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one
die; yet
perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8But
God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still
sinners,
Christ died for us. 9Much more then, having now been
justified by
His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10For
if when
we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,
much
more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And
not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ,
through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world,
and
death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all
sinned--
13(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed
when
there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to
Moses,
even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the
transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15But
the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense
many
died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one
Man,
Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16And the gift is not like
that
which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from
one
offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from
many
offenses resulted in justification. 17For if by the one
man's
offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive
abundance of
grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the
One,
Jesus Christ.)
18Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to
all men,
resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the
free
gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19For
as
by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's
obedience many will be made righteous.
20Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound.
But where
sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21so that as sin
reigned in
death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life
through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Cf. Genesis 3:1-19.
For as in Adam
all die, even so
in Christ all shall be made
alive.
Acceptable
in a Court of Law: The Eyewitness Testimony of the Evangelists
Are
the New Testament documents acceptable as evidence in a modern court of
law? This was a question examined by Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853),
one of the greatest authorities on common-law evidence in Western
history.
Greenleaf authored the three-volume text, A
Treatise on the Law of Evidence (1842), which, according to Dr.
Wilbur
Smith "is still considered the greatest single authority on evidence in
the
entire literature on legal procedure." (In Wilbur M. Smith, Therefore
Stand:
Christian Apologetics (
The London Law Journal wrote of Greenleaf
in 1874, "It
is no mean honor to
Further, "Dr. Simon Greenleaf was one of the
greatest legal
minds we have had in this country. He was the famous Royal Professor of
Law at
As a skeptic, Greenleaf was challenged to apply the same standards of legal evidence to the Gospel writers as he would any other case.
As a result, Greenleaf wrote The Testimony of the Evangelists Examined by the Rules of Evidence Administered in Courts of Justice, a volume in which he examined the legal value of the apostles' testimony to the resurrection of Christ. He observed that it was impossible that the apostles "could have persisted in affirming the truths they had narrated, had not Jesus actually risen from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact."
Greenleaf concluded that the resurrection of Christ was one of the best supported events in history, according to the laws of legal evidence administered in courts of justice.
His treatise is available online – though without
the
footnotes – at http://www.bibleteacher.org/sgtestimony.htm,
http://www.myfortress.org/simongreenleaf.html,
or http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/jesus/greenleaf.html
The Testimony of the Evangelists Examined by the
Rules of Evidence Administered in Courts of Justice was recently
published
in its entirety by Kregel Classics,
What do other legal
authorities think of the
Resurrection? Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon discovered the
following:
Lord Darling, a former Lord Chief Justice in
John Singleton Copley (Lord Lyndhurst, 1772-1863)
is
recognized as one of the greatest legal minds in British history. He
was Solicitor General of the British
government,
Attorney General of Great Britain, three times the High Chancellor of
England and elected High
Steward of the
Hugo Grotius was a noted "jurist and scholar whose
works are
of fundamental importance in international law," according to the Encyclopedia
Britannica.
He wrote
Latin elegies at the age of eight and entered
J. N. D. Anderson, in the words of Armand Nicholi
of the
Sir Edward Clark, K.C., observes: "As
a lawyer, I have made a
prolonged study of the evidences for the events of the first Easter
day. To me the evidence is
conclusive,
and over and over again in the High Court I have secured the verdict on
evidence not nearly so
compelling.
Inference follows on evidence, and a truthful witness is always artless
and disdains effect. The
gospel
evidence
for the resurrection is of this class, and as a lawyer I accept it
unreservedly as a testimony of
truthful men to
facts they were able to substantiate." (In John Stott, Basic
Christianity (London: InterVarsity
Fellowship,
1969), p. 47.)
Irwin H. Linton was a
Examines the Bible,
he challenges his fellow lawyers "by every acid test known to the
law...to
examine the case for the Bible just as they would any important matter
submitted to their professional attention by a client...." (Irwin H.
Linton, A
Lawyer Examines the Bible: A Defense of the Christian Faith (
He believes that the evidence for Christianity is "overwhelming" and that at least "three independent and converging lines of proof," each of which "is conclusive in itself," establish the truth of the Christian faith. (ibid., p. 192.)
Linton observed that "the logical, historical...proofs of...Christianity are so indisputable that I have found them to arrest the surprised attention of just about every man to whom I have presented them...." (ibid., p. 120.) He further argues the Resurrection "is not only so established that the greatest lawyers have declared it to be the best proved fact of all history, but it is so supported that it is difficult to conceive of any method or line of proof that it lacks which would make [it] more certain." (ibid., p. 50.)
And that, even among lawyers, "he who does not accept wholeheartedly the evangelical, conservative belief in
Christ and the Scriptures has never read, has forgotten, or never been able to weigh--and certainly is utterly
unable to refute--the irresistible force of the cumulative evidence upon which such faith rests...." (ibid., p.
45, cf., pp. 16-17.)
He concluded the claims of Christian faith are so well established by such a variety of independent and converging proofs that "it has been said again and again by great lawyers that they cannot but be regarded as proved under the strictest rules of evidence used in the highest American and English courts." (ibid., p. 16.)
From "The Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Part 2: Could the Evidence Stand Cross-Examination in a Modern Court of Law?" by Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon, available online at:
http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/apologetics/AP0302W3.htm
See also
Chuck D. "Holy Hearsay! A Pushback to Skeptics Who Use the ‘Hearsay' Argument"
http://www.tektonics.org/hearsay.html
Glenn Miller. "Question...How does the memory research of Elizabeth Loftus on eyewitness testimony affect the credibility of NT documents?"
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/loftus.html
The Historical Resurrection of Jesus Christ,
http://hometown.aol.com/Summersmr/Resurrection.html
Donald L Hudgel. "The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Is it a Fact?"
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/resurct1.html
A. Are the
testimonies biased evidence?
Glenn Miller. "New Testament Bias,"
http://www.Christian-thinktank.com/nuhbias.html
Glenn Miller. "On Alleged ‘Creativity' in the Early Church,"
http://www.Christian-thinktank.com/stil21.html
Glenn Miller. "Did the NT Writers Just "Rip Off" OT Stories?"
http://www.Christian-thinktank.com/qotripoff.html
Glenn Miller. "Did the Christians just OUTLIVE those who ‘knew better and were silent'?"
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/qconspr.html
B. Were
the Scriptures deliberately altered to
fit prophecies?
Glenn Miller. Micah 5.2: The
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/fabprof3.html
Glenn Miller. Does Micah 5 speak about the birth-place of the Messiah, or only His birth-family? http://www.christian-thinktank.com/micah5.html
The
http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/ds/q1208/point1.html
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/bethlehem.htm
Was Matthew wrong when
he thought
that Micah meant the town of
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/q35.htm
The Messiah Pages: Everything you wanted to know about the Messiah but felt too embarrassed to ask.
http://www.shalom.org.uk/Messiah/Messiah_pages.htm
"Did the Messianic Jewish Believers use the OT deceitfully or ignorantly in the New Testament?"
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/baduseot.html
"Tis the Season to be Grouchy,"
http://www.tektonics.org/singert01.html
Appendix 3: Objections to Truth
A.
Was there intent to deceive?
Skeptics point to the following verses in an attempt to indicate the Apostle Paul's lack of integrity. The questions then arise: Why would he knowingly violate the law (The Ninth Commandment), knowing the punishment for disobedience, and the judgement of God and his fellow apostles? The answer, of course, is that when presenting the gospel message, Paul told the truth.
Responses
by J. P. Holding follow each verse cited in contention:
20and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, [NU-Text adds though not being myself under the law] that I might win those who are under the law; 21to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, [NU-Text reads God's law] but under law toward Christ [NU-Text reads Christ's law]), that I might win those who are without law; 22to the weak I became as [NU-Text omits as] weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
J.
P. Holding: "Is Paul being a chameleon and a charlatan? No
more so
than the teacher who learns the dialect of a student in order to be
more
effective teachers to them. Is it being a "chameleon" and being
"opportunistic"
to absorb local customs and behaviors for the sake of viable
communication? Not
at all. This was especially so in the ancient world. As Malina and
Neyrey note
in Portraits of Paul, it was natural and expected for persons
to submit
themselves to and for the good of the group by meeting their
expectations for
behavior . The "chameleon" insult is a product of anachronism by
a
Western mindset and in no way reflects any idea that Paul would lie or
make up
stories.
2. Romans
3:7
7For if the
truth of God has increased through my
lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?
J.
P. Holding: "Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances
God's
truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a
sinner?""
This is a verse I have seen skeptics quote time and time again and
argue as
Smith has, that it means that "Paul's contempt for reason is
further
illustrated by his willingness to deceive if it will hasten the spread
of
Christianity." Okay, Skeptics, I give up. How do you folks get this out
of this
verse? Paul is in the middle of an extended "diatribe" with an imagined
opponent, and is here presenting an argument he supposes might be made
in light
of his previous ones. I don't see any contempt for reason, or
willingness
to deceive. One of you fellows out there want to provide a detailed
exegesis,
please? (No takers yet, and it's been years.)"
3. Philippians 1:18
18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
J.
P. Holding: "A Jewish anti-missionary site saw some alleged
significance
here thinking that they could prove Paul a liar, but the word
"pretence" here
is prophasis, which means an outward showing. It does not
reflect lies
in content, but lies in motive, and that is what Paul accuses opponents
of his
of doing, not himself--just as you may get a true Gospel message
unwittingly from a charlatan. Is eternal life not more of a concern
than the
bad habits of the preacher?"
4.
Jeremiah 8:8
8 "How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us'? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood.
J.
P. Holding: "This verse is often abused
by Muslims (and others) to suggest that the OT text was tampered with.
See
answers off-site here,
here,
and here."
5. Jeremiah 14:14
14And the LORD said to me, "The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.
W. R. Miller: How do we know when a
prophet is telling a
lie? When the lie is exposed by other
prophets or apostles, or by the Scriptures, or by God Himself. See
6. Jeremiah
23:31
31"Behold, I am against the prophets," says the LORD, "who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.'
and
7. Jeremiah
23:36
36And the oracle of the LORD you shall mention no more. For every man's word will be his oracle, for you have perverted the words of the living God, the LORD of hosts, our God.
W.
R. Miller: Here the Lord is speaking of false prophets, as one can see from
reading the whole of Jeremiah 23, in the context of the entire chapter:
http://www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?passage=JER+23&language=english&version=NKJV&showfn=on&showxref=on
Did
the prophets and the apostles distort the Hebrew Scriptures to create a
semblance of fulfillment? Did they wantonly violate the Ninth
Commandment? The following online essays address the specific
charges:
"The New Testament twists and mistranslates the Hebrew Bible."
Did the Messianic Jewish Believers Use the Old Testament Deceitfully or Ignorantly in the New Testament?
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/baduseot.html
Three "Weird" Fulfillments in Matthew
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/fabrach.html
The Infancy Events of Matthew 2
http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/ds/q1208/point4.html
"The so-called messianic prophecies are in the past tense; they are not about the future Messiah at all."
Are the Messianic Prophecies in the Past Tense?
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/answers/qa/HebrewTenses.htm
"The genealogies of Jesus show that he can't be the Messiah"
The Genealogy of the Messiah
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/library/issues/05-06/genealogy.htm
The Problem of the Curse on Jeconiah
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/answers/qa/jeconiah.htm
Problems in the Genealogies of Jesus
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/fabprof4.html
B.
Was the Gospel incomplete or not fully revealed?
1. John
16:12
12"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now."
W. R. Miller:
A critic claims this verse indicates "Jesus states that
his
message is incomplete," presumptuously assuming the "many things" is
the
Gospel. The critic ignores the fact that,
later, Jesus and the Holy Spirit would fully reveal the Gospel to the
apostles. All the critic had to do was
continue reading
the verses that followed:
John
16:13-15
13However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He
will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own
authority,
but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to
come.
14He will glorify Me, for He will
take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15All things
that
the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and
declare
it to you. [NU-Text and M-Text read He takes of Mine and will
declare it to
you]
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You,
Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the
wise and
prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it
seemed
good in Your sight.
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the
Spirit
searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for
the faith
which would afterward be revealed
.
Ephesians
1:9
having made known to us the mystery of His will,
according to His
good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
Ephesians 3:1-7
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles-- 2if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us
[NU-Text and
M-Text read you] they were
ministering the things which now have been reported to you through
those who
have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven--things
which angels desire to look into.
See also Appendix 4.
2. Ephesians
6:19
19and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
W. R. Miller: A
Muslin apologist believes this verse demonstrates "Paul even states the
Gospel
is unclear and incomplete." The gospel
is no mystery to Paul, as stated in the verses listed above. Paul is asking for the saints to pray for him
regarding the delivery of the Gospel
message, not in the message itself. Read
the surrounding verses in context:
18praying
always with
all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end
with all
perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- 19and for
me, that utterance may be given to me, that
I may open my mouth boldly to make
known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an
ambassador in
chains; that in it I may speak boldly,
as I ought to speak.
3. I
Corinthians 13:10
10But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
W. R. Miller: A Muslim
apologist believes this verse demonstrates "Paul even states the Gospel
is
unclear and incomplete." Again, this
belief is out of context with the surrounding verses of I Corinthians
13: http://www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?passage=1COR+13&language=english&version=NKJV&showfn=on&showxref=on
Appendix 4: Affirmation of the
Apostles
A.
Jesus gave the apostles understanding in matters of doctrine and
fulfillment of
prophecy.
Despite the disciples' shortcomings, Jesus corrected them during His ministry, and gave them full understanding of doctrine and fulfillment of prophecy after His Resurrection.
Matthew 13:10-17
10 And the disciples came and said to
Him, "Why
do You speak to them in parables?"
11He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given
to you to
know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not
been given.
12For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have
abundance;
but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
13Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do
not see,
and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14And
in them
the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
"Hearing you will hear and
shall not
understand,
And seeing you will see and
not
perceive;
15For the hearts
of this
people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of
hearing,
And their eyes they have
closed,
Lest they should see with
their eyes
and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand
with
their hearts and turn,
So that I should [NU-Text
and M-Text
read would] heal them.' [Isaiah 6:9, 10]
16But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for
they
hear; 17for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and
righteous
men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what
you hear,
and did not hear it.
Matthew 13:34-35
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the
multitude
in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
"I will open My mouth in
parables;
I will utter things kept
secret from
the foundation of the world." [Psalm 78:2]
|
Mark 4:10-12 10 But when He was alone, those
around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11And
He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the
mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things
come in parables, 12so that |
Isaiah 6:8-10 8Also I heard the voice of the
Lord, saying: |
See also Matthew 13:10-17; Luke 8:9, 10.
Mark 4:33-34
33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as
they
were able to hear it. 34But without a parable He did not
speak to
them. And when they were alone, He
explained all things to His disciples.
John 2:13-22
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at
hand, and
Jesus went up to
18So
the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since
You do
these things?"
19Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and
in
three days I will raise it up."
20Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build
this
temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"
21But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22Therefore,
when He had risen from the dead, His
disciples remembered that He had said this to them; [NU-Text and
M-Text
omit to them] and they believed
the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
See
also Matthew 21:12-17;
Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48.
See also II. Divine Confirmation. B.
Jesus
confirmed authority to the prophets and
the apostles.
B.
The Holy Spirit gave the apostles understanding in matters of doctrine
and
prophecy.
After Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit provided guidance to the disciples.
John 14:25-27
25 "These things I have spoken to you while being present
with you.
26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send
in My
name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all
things
that I said to you. 27Peace I leave with you, My peace I
give to
you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
1 Peter 1:3-12
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus
Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a
living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to
an
inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away,
reserved
in heaven for you, 5who are kept by the power of God through
faith
for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while,
if need
be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7that the
genuineness
of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though
it is
tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the
revelation of
Jesus Christ, 8whom having not seen [M-Text reads known]
you
love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with
joy
inexpressible and full of glory, 9receiving the end of your
faith--the
salvation of your souls.
10Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched
carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11searching
what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was
indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and
the
glories that would follow. 12To them it was revealed that,
not to
themselves, but to us [NU-Text and M-Text read you] they were
ministering the things which now have been reported to you through
those who
have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven--things
which angels desire to look into.
Acts 1:4-8
4 And being assembled together with
them, He
commanded them not to depart from
Acts 1:15-17
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples [NU-Text reads brethren] (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16"Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry."
See also Mark 16:19, 20; Luke 24:50-53.
Acts 2:1-4
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
31And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts
9:17
17And
Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him
he
said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, [M-Text omits Jesus] who
appeared
to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your
sight and
be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 10:44-47
44 While Peter was still speaking these
words,
the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45And
those
of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with
Peter,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles
also.
46For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47"Can anyone forbid water, that these
should
not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
4But Peter explained it to them in
order from the
beginning, saying: 5"I was in the city of Joppa praying; and
in a
trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let
down from
heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6When I observed
it
intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild
beasts,
creeping things, and birds of the air. 7And I heard a voice
saying
to me, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' 8But I said, "Not so,
Lord! For
nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.' 9But
the voice answered me again from heaven, "What God has cleansed you
must not
call common.' 10Now this was done three times, and all were
drawn up
again into heaven. 11At that very moment, three men stood
before the
house where I was, having been sent to me from
18When they heard these things they became silent; and they
glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles
repentance to
life."
Acts 15:6-11
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ [NU-Text and M-Text omit Christ] we shall be saved in the same manner as they."
Acts 19:1-7
1 And it happened, while Apollos was at
So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a
Holy
Spirit."
3And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?"
So they said, "Into John's baptism."
4Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of
repentance,
saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come
after him,
that is, on Christ Jesus."
5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the
Lord
Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy
Spirit
came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7Now
the men were about twelve in all.
Romans 9:1-4
1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen [Or relatives] according to the flesh, 4who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Colossians 1:24-27
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which [M-Text reads who] is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Ephesians 3:1-13
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for
you
Gentiles-- 2if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of
the grace
of God which was given to me for you, 3how that by
revelation He
made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4by
which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of
Christ), 5which in other ages was not made known to the sons
of men,
as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and
prophets:
6that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and
partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7of
which I
became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me
by the
effective working of His power.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this
grace
was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of
Christ, 9and to make all see what is the fellowship [NU-Text
and M-Text read stewardship (dispensation)] of the mystery,
which from
the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things
through
Jesus Christ; [NU-Text omits through
Jesus
Christ. ] 10to the intent that now the
manifold
wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities
and
powers in the heavenly places, 11according to the eternal
purpose
which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we
have
boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13Therefore
I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is
your
glory.
1
Thessalonians 1:5
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power,
and in
the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men
we were
among you for your sake.
Titus 3:4-7
4But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
2 Peter 1:16-21
16 For we
did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the
power and
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
17For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a
voice
came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom
I am
well pleased." 18And we heard this voice which came from
heaven when
we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, [Or
We
also have the more sure prophetic word. ] which you do well to
heed as a
light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning
star
rises in your hearts; 20knowing this first, that no
prophecy of
Scripture is of any private interpretation, [Or origin]
21for prophecy never came by the
will of man, but holy men of God [NU-Text reads but
men spoke
from God. ] spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
See
also Matthew 17:5; Mark
9:7; Luke 9:35.
1 Corinthians 2:1-16
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with
excellence
of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony [NU-Text reads mystery]
of God. 2For I determined not to know anything among you
except
Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3I was with you in weakness,
in
fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my
preaching were
not with persuasive words of human [NU-Text
omits human] wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and
of power,
5that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the
power of
God.
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet
not the
wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to
nothing.
7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom
which God
ordained before the ages for our glory, 8which none of the
rulers of
this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the
Lord of
glory.
9But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear
heard,
Nor have entered into the
heart of
man
The things which God has
prepared
for those who love Him." [Isaiah 64:4]
10But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For
the
Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11For
what
man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in
him?
Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now
we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is
from God,
that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13These things we also speak, not in words which man's
wisdom
teaches but which the Holy [NU-Text
omits Holy] Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with
spiritual. 14But the natural man does not receive
the
things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can
he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15But he who
is
spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
16For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct
Him?"
[Isaiah 40:13] But we have the mind of Christ.
Cf.
For since the beginning of the world Men have not
heard
nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God
besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
Cf.
Who has directed
the Spirit of the LORD,
Or as His counselor has taught Him?
See also Section II. Divine
Confirmation.
1.
Simon Greenleaf. The Testimony of the Evangelists: The
Gospels
Examined by the Rules of Evidence.
2.
Greenleaf, ibid. Back
to text.
3.
Dr. Norman L. Geisler. "Bible: Evidence for," Baker
Encyclopedia of
Christian Apologetics, Baker Books, 1999, p. 91. Back to text.
4.
Sources: NIV Study Bible and New King James Version. Back to text.
5. Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics,
p. 610. Even the unbelieving Jewish scribes identified this as a
prediction of the Messiah and directed the inquiring magi to
6. F. F. Bruce, M.A., D.D., F.B.A. The New Testament Documents: Are they Reliable?, Fifth edition, (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1960), Available online at http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/ffbruce/ntdocrli/ntdocont.htm or http://www.bible.ca/b-new-testament-documents-f-f-bruce.htm
Chapter 4: "The Gospels," pp. 45-46, online at http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/ffbruce/ntdocrli/ntdocc04.htm
or http://www.bible.ca/b-new-testament-documents-f-f-bruce-ch4.htm. Back to text.
7. Bruce, ibid. Chapter 6: "The Importance of Paul's Evidence," online at http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/ffbruce/ntdocrli/ntdocc06.htm or http://www.bible.ca/b-new-testament-documents-f-f-bruce-ch6.htm. Back to text.
8. Flavius
Josephus. Antiquities of the
Jews, Book XX, ix.2, translated by William
Whiston, available online at http://www.ccel.org/j/josephus/works/ant-20.htm. Back to text.
9. Bruce, ibid. Chapter 9: "The Evidence of Early Jewish Writings,"online at http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/ffbruce/ntdocrli/ntdocc09.htm or http://www.bible.ca/b-new-testament-documents-f-f-bruce-ch9.htm. Back to text.
10. Flavius Josephus. Antiquities of the Jews, Book XIX, 8. 2, translated by William Whiston, available online at http://www.ccel.org/j/josephus/works/ant-19.htm or http://exodus2006.com/jos-ant19.htm or http://www.doig.net/JA19.html. Back to text.
Special thanks to James Patrick Holding, Tekton Ministries, and Glenn Miller, Christian Thinktank.