Given its rich supply of Old Testament allusions (the most of all the gospels) and the author’s ability to reveal redemptive truths both Old and New (Mat 13:52 = Matthew was a Levite scribe; Mar 2:14), Matthew should be the lens and launching for anyone wanting to understand their Bibles – or more specifically, it […]
Matthew 5.0 – The Blessings God Promises to His People
CHAPTER (5) SYNOPSIS = Jesus’ Sermon On The Mount Address (Part 1). 1. Leading the Jewish crowds to a mountainside sb viewed as a clear sign that Jesus has become Israel’s new Moses since: 1.1. Like Moses, Jesus chooses elders to carry the ministry burden prior to going up the mountain (Luk 6:12-16 w/Exo 18:18-27) […]
Matthew 4.1 -The Beginning of Jesus’ Public Ministry
CHAPTER (4) SYNOPSIS = Jesus’ Wilderness Temptation (1-11; this event is also recorded in Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13); The Beginning of Jesus’ Public Ministry (12-25; portions of this event is found in Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:2-11 and John 1:40-42). 1. Jesus being led into the wilderness to be tempted immediately following His baptism is […]
Matthew 4.0 – Jesus’ Wilderness Temptation
CHAPTER (4) SYNOPSIS = Jesus’ Wilderness Temptation (1-11; this event is also recorded in Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13); The Beginning of Jesus’ Public Ministry (12-25; portions of this event is found in Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:2-11 and John 1:40-42). 1. Jesus being led into the wilderness to be tempted immediately following His baptism is […]
Matthew 3.1 – John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism
CHAPTER (THREE) SYNOPSIS = John the Baptist (1-12) and the Baptism of Jesus (13-17). Matthew’s account of these events is also recorded in (Luk 3:1-22; Mar 1:1-11 and Joh 1:19-34). There are few events within the gospels that receive coverage by more than one of its authors, much less all of its authors! Such frequency […]
Matthew 3.0 – John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus
CHAPTER (THREE) SYNOPSIS = John the Baptist (1-12) and the Baptism of Jesus (13-17). Matthew’s account of these events is also recorded in (Luk 3:1-22; Mar 1:1-11 and Joh 1:19-34). There are few events within the gospels that receive coverage by more than one of its authors, much less all of its authors! Such frequency […]
Matthew 1.4 – Jesus’ Birth (Matthew 1:18-25)
JESUS’ BIRTH (1:18-25) 1.1. Matthew’s progression from genealogy to how “the birth of Jesus Christ took place” (18) reflects the common practice of his time. Likewise, ancient biographers would also include important details about the person’s mother and father (e.g. Josephus, The Life of Flavius Josephus). This however is more than just Matthew being relevant […]
Matthew 1.1 – Jesus’ Potential (Matthew 1:1-6)
In ancient times, when a family adopted a child, they believed that child to have equally adopted their family tree. Though there would clearly be a physical difference between the adopted child and the one blood-born based on their differing gene pools, their “spiritual genes” would be the same. In other words, the adopted child […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 11: Understanding what it means for Jesus to be the Christ
6.3. Understanding what it means for Jesus to be the Christ. The Old Testament is filled with promises of a coming Christ. And the New Testament – most especially her gospels, are devoted to revealing Jesus as their fulfillment. It is therefore impossible to correctly interpret the Bible’s content without first knowing exactly what this […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 10: Understanding what it means for Jesus to be the Christ.
6.3. Understanding what it means for Jesus to be the Christ. The Old Testament is filled with promises of a coming Christ. And the New Testament – most especially her gospels, are devoted to revealing Jesus as their fulfillment. It is therefore impossible to correctly interpret the Bible’s content without first knowing exactly what this […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 8: Realize that Jesus (not Paul) is the author of the Christian religion
(How?) should we read, study and interpret Matthew’s gospel? There is no reading of Scripture that is not- to some degree, also an attempt at interpreting the Scripture. This becomes obvious once we realize the Bible does not provide its own commentary (or study notes). As such, the question which must be considered before endeavoring […]
Systematic Theology Part 16: Theology Proper – The Trinity Part 3
1.5.2 Introducing destructive heresy to the Church (examples of the two most popular): 1.5.2.1. Modalism This heresy teaches that God is one person (the Father), who appears in different forms/modes (the Son and Holy Spirit). This heresy has existed since at least the third century when it was called Sabellianism after its teacher Sabellius. The […]
The Sound Gospel: Our Firm Foundation – Part 2
The Kingdom Building Strategy of Jesus – Part 2
The Kingdom Building Strategy of Jesus – Part 1
Santa Claus: Getting the Tradition Without Forgetting the Doctrine
Luke 2:8-11
Christ Is Lord Before Savior – Part 5
Matthew 7:24 Justification is to possess a reconciled, righteous, and forgiven state before God. Salvation is to be delivered from God’s eternal wrath (because I have maintained my justification to the end).
Christ Is Lord Before Savior – Part 4
Luke 6:46-49; Matthew 7:21-27 You must make a commitment to Christ as your Supreme Love, Top Priority, and Only Hope of justification and abundant life.
Christ Is Lord Before Savior – Part 3
Luke 6:46-49; Matthew 7:21-27 Only by faith do we GAIN justification; only by faithfulness do we MAINTAIN it.
Christ Is Lord Before Savior – Part 2
Luke 6:46-49; Matthew 7:21-27 Submitting to Jesus means a commitment to Christ of faithful obedience for the rest of your life. Faithful obedience to Christ is always a part of what it means when the Bible talks about faith or belief in Christ.