Category: BIBLE/SCRIPTURE

Courage

The ability to do something that frightens one.
Strength in the face of pain or grief.

Though out the Old Testament, the Jew, God’s chosen people, were challenged to have COURAGE in their God. He would take care of them if they would only trust and obey Him.

Numbers 13:20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes.
Deuteronomy 31:6-7 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and …
Deuteronomy 31:23 And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
Joshua 1:6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee …
Joshua 1:18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
Joshua 10:25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
2 Samuel 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
1 Chronicles 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good …
1 Chronicles 22:13 Then shalt thou prosper, ..: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, …
2 Chronicles 15:8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.
Ezra 10:4 Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Isaiah 41:6 They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.

Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

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Although the word courage is only found once in the New Testament, there are many synonyms for this word. Rather than looking for all of them, as a believer be encouraged in the Apostle Paul’s words written in Philippians, especially chapter 2.

What I Believe about the New Testament Writers

Books of the New Testament | Kings Bible Society
Matthew, John, and Peter were of the original twelve called by the Lord Jesus to serve with Him during His earthly ministry. All three were Jews, as were all the rest of the N.T. writers.

Matthew was probably the most educated as he was a tax collector. His Gospel was written to his fellow Jews, to present Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God who came to bring the Kingdom of God to them. His gospel is of course Jewish flavored.
Mark was a Jew, a “SON” of Peter. He was greatly influenced by Peter and his conversion from Judaism to Christianity. He was also a nephew of Barnabas. No doubt the teaching of the twelve greatly influenced his becoming a believer and he desire to be a missionary with Barnabas and Paul. His Jewish background probably had a lot to do with his leaving Barnabas and Paul on the first missionary trip. But later we hear from Paul that Mark had come to be “profitable to me for the ministry”. Mark was a disciple of Paul’s and his Gospel, was written to present Jesus the Christ and His ministry to the Romans (Church).
Luke the Jewish Physician was no doubt drawn to the Apostles (and possible to the Lord Himself) because of the miraclous healings that were taken place. He gravitated to Paul and documented his missionary travels. His book, The Acts of the Apostles, is a transitional book from the Birth of the first (Jewish) Church to the true Church (which includes Jew and Gentile with no difference). He covers the ACTS of the twelve and then shifts to the ACTS of Paul and missions. If he were to write a book today, it would no doubt be entitled the ACTS of the CHURCH. His Gospel was written for the intellect, the Greeks, to present the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ. He presents the humanity of the Lord Jesus.
John the youngest of the twelve, his gospel is written to the world, to show Jesus as more than the Messiah, to show Jesus as GOD, in flesh, savior of the world. John also wrote the 3 epistles bearing his name, and he wrote these to the (Jewish) church. And the Doctrine contained is for the Church today. He also was used of God to author the REVELATION. I believe, to be a transitional book to be greatly used by the 144,000 during the GREAT TRIBULATION. And to give the Church a picture of the events to come.
Jude is a brother of James (Jude 1:1) and thus the younger half brother of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:55).
James not one of the twelve, but a pillar of the first church (Galatians 2:9) an Apostle, Elder according to (Acts 15:4,13) and most of all he is a younger half brother of the Lord Jesus according to (Matthew 13:55).
Peter is a very transitional person. A Jew with strong Jewish belief’s. After the birth of the church, God has to drag Peter into dealing with the Gentiles. His epistles are to the Jewish church, including the gentile members, and the words are flavored with old testament wording.
Paul, a Jew among Jews, uniquely called by God, an Apostle to go to the Gentiles to preach the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ.

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Who were the New Testament Authors?

2. Introduction to the New Testament | Bible.org

What about the 27 books that we call the New Testament? These were all written after Jesus died, in fact, after He had risen from the dead and ascended back into Heaven. How do we know these books are the word of God?

Let’s review them book by book, Matthew though Revelation.

MATTHEW ⟶ Here is a disciple (an Apostle) chosen by Jesus Himself. Matthew talked, walked and served with the Lord. He simply recorded what he heard, saw and experienced in his relationship with the Lord. Most all we know about the genealogy, birth, life, ministry, death, burial, resurrection of Christ Jesus was given to us by Matthew. He was an eyewitness to almost everything he wrote. TRULY we can, no, must believe Matthew’s account. AMEN
MARK ⟶ His name was John Mark (Acts 12:12). Mark was a Jew, nephew of Peter, and a member of the believer’s who knew and followed Christ. He traveled with Paul and Barnabas on their Missionary Journey. He wrote of things he had seen, and been taught by the Apostles. Since we can compare his words with those of others, and do not find discrepancies, we can trust his Gospel account as the word of God. AMEN
LUKE ⟶ He was a (Jewish) Physician. He probably knew the Lord Jesus when the Lord was on the earth. Luke traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys. He was a faithful witness recording all he saw and experienced. He knew all the Apostles and interacted with them. Which leaves us with the Book of ACTS (called THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES) which Luke wrote. Yes, Luke wrote more words in the New Testament than any other writer. He was used of God to record His Word at the beginning of the new Church Age. We can trust his Gospel account as the word of God. AMEN
JOHN ⟶ (The Gospel According to) – Here again is a chosen disciple (an Apostle), an eyewitness to all the events in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. A close family friend, when Jesus hung on the Cross, He charged John to care for her. The disciple whom Jesus loved. Yea, here is a witness we can trust, one who could be used of God to write His Holy Word. Believing his book about the Gospel, then allows us to accept his epistles: I John, II John, and III John, as he authored these letters to the Church for doctrine about God. Before we leave John, whom God would use to pen His Word, we need to read Revelation 1:1-2. Yes, this same John authored Revelation, according to the Word of God. Now we see that we can trust John’s Gospel, I, II, and III John, and Revelation as GOD’S WORD, AMEN.
JAMES ⟶ Here was a pillar of the first church (Galatians 2:9) an Apostle, Elder according to Acts 15:4,13 and most of all he is the brother of the Lord Jesus according to Matthew 13:55. Of all the people we should trust to report the Word of God concerning the Lord Jesus, we should trust James. AMEN
PETER ⟶ an Apostle. After reading Matthew’s account of the Lord’s 3 year ministry on earth, who could doubt that Peter would record any thing BUT the Word of GOD. We can trust I,II Peter to only be the true Word of God. AMEN.
JUDE ⟶ Here is the brother of James (Jude 1:1) and thus the younger brother of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:55). Can we agree that Jude would record properly the Word of God? AMEN
Epistles of ROMANS, CORINTHIANS, GALATIONS, EPHESIANS, PHILIPPANS, COLOSSIANS, THESSALONIANS, TIMOTHY, TITUS, and PHILEMONS,
these were all written by Paul. He is the Apostle, born out of due time
(I Corinthians 15:8-9), to the Jew and to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), and Paul believed the Old Testament (Acts 24:14). Peter validates Paul’s writings as the Word of God (2 Peter 3:15) Do we need any other validation that Paul was used of God to record His Word for the Church? AMEN.
Epistle of HEBREWS I believe was written by PAUL. I would further suggest that it is a transitional Book, directed mostly to the Jew, from the Church age to the Tribulation. I would suggest that Revelation is also a transitional book moving swiftly from the Church Age into the TRIBULATION and then ushering in the Millennium Age. The Revelation, along with Hebrews, will be the most referenced books by the 144,000 during the Great Tribulation.

Truly we can trust the New Testament, all 27 books, to be the Word of God.

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Bible Books Timeline (OT)

The Bible (Old Testament) - Kindle edition by Simon Abram ...

The following list arranges the books of the Bible (Old Testament) according to their most probable dates.

⬤                                    ⇛     Job–Unknown (Before Abraham)
⬤ 1445-1405 B.C.      ⇛     Genesis
⬤ 1445-1405 B.C.      ⇛      Exodus
⬤ 1445-1405 B.C.      ⇛      Leviticus
⬤ 1445-1405 B.C.      ⇛      Numbers
⬤ 1445-1405 B.C.      ⇛      Deuteronomy
⬤ 1410-450   B.C.      ⇛      Psalms
⬤ 1405-1385 B.C.      ⇛      Joshua
⬤ 1043 B.C.      ⇛      Judges
⬤ 1030-1010 B.C.      ⇛      Ruth
⬤ 971-965 B.C.      ⇛      Song of Solomon   
⬤ 971-686 B.C.      ⇛      Proverbs
⬤ 940-931 B.C.      ⇛      Ecclesiastes
⬤ 931-722 B.C.      ⇛      1 Samuel
⬤ 931-722 B.C.      ⇛      2 Samuel
⬤ 850-840 B.C.      ⇛      Obadiah
⬤ 835-796 B.C.      ⇛      Joel
⬤ 775 B.C.      ⇛      Jonah
⬤ 750 B.C.      ⇛      Amos
⬤ 750-710 B.C.      ⇛      Hosea
⬤ 735-710 B.C.      ⇛      Micah
⬤ 700-681 B.C.      ⇛      Isaiah
⬤ 650 B.C.      ⇛      Nahum
⬤ 635-625 B.C.      ⇛      Zephaniah
⬤ 615-605 B.C.      ⇛      Habakkuk
⬤ 590-570 B.C.      ⇛      Ezekiel
⬤ 586 B.C.      ⇛      Lamentations
⬤ 586-570 B.C.      ⇛      Jeremiah
⬤ 561-538 B.C.      ⇛      1 Kings
⬤ 561-538 B.C.      ⇛      2 Kings
⬤ 536-530 B.C.      ⇛      Daniel
⬤ 520 B.C.      ⇛      Haggai
⬤ 480-470 B.C.      ⇛      Zechariah
⬤ 457-444 B.C.      ⇛      Ezra
⬤ 450-430 B.C.      ⇛      1 Chronicles
⬤ 450-430 B.C.      ⇛      2 Chronicles
⬤ 450-331 B.C.      ⇛      Esther
⬤ 433-424 B.C.      ⇛      Malachi
⬤ 424-400 B.C.      ⇛      Nehemiah

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Bible Books Timeline (NT)

Was the Sabbath Changed in the New Testament? | United Church of God

The following list arranges the books of the Bible (New Testament) according to their most probable dates.

⬤ A.D. 44-49     ⇛     James
⬤ A.D. 49-50     ⇛     Galatians
⬤ A.D. 50-60     ⇛     Matthew
⬤ A.D. 50-60     ⇛     Mark
⬤ A.D. 51     ⇛     1 Thessalonians
⬤ A.D. 51-52     ⇛     2 Thessalonians
⬤ A.D. 55     ⇛     1 Corinthians
⬤ A.D. 55-56     ⇛     2 Corinthians
⬤ A.D. 56     ⇛     Romans
⬤ A.D. 60-61     ⇛     Luke
⬤ A.D. 60-62     ⇛     Ephesians
⬤ A.D. 60-62     ⇛     Philippians
⬤ A.D. 60-62     ⇛     Philemon
⬤ A.D. 60-62     ⇛     Colossians
⬤ A.D. 62     ⇛     Acts
⬤ A.D. 62-64     ⇛     1 Timothy
⬤ A.D. 62-64     ⇛     Titus
⬤ A.D. 64-65     ⇛     1 Peter
⬤ A.D. 66-67     ⇛     2 Timothy
⬤ A.D. 67-68     ⇛     2 Peter
⬤ A.D. 67-69     ⇛     Hebrews
⬤ A.D. 68-69     ⇛     Jude
⬤ A.D. 80-90*     ⇛     John
⬤ A.D. 90-95*     ⇛     1 John
⬤ A.D. 90-95*     ⇛     2 John
⬤ A.D. 90-95*     ⇛     3 John
⬤ A.D. 94-96*     ⇛     Revelation

*Many believe that these dates are incorrect and should be 20-30 years earlier. The Jewish Temple was destroyed in 70 AD and Jews were scatter, yet no mention of this event is recorded in these books.

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The Shepherd

Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

1 Kings 22:17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return …
2 Chronicles 18:16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; …
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock;…
Jesus in his earthly ministry to the Jew continues with the Shepherd and Sheep references:
Mark 6:34, Matthew 9:36 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Mark 14:27, Matthew 26:31 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
John 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:11-12 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Peter writing to Jews continues with the shepherd, sheep reference:

1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown …
NEVER does Paul refer to believer’s as Sheep. ONLY when writing to Jews (Hebrews) does he mention the Shepherd and Sheep:
Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood …

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Pure

1. a. Having a homogeneous or uniform composition; not mixed: pure oxygen. b. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements: pure water. c. Containing nothing inappropriate or extraneous: pure thoughts.
2. a. Having no moral failing or guilt: “I felt pure and sweet as a new baby” (Sylvia Plath). b. Chaste; virgin.
3. Of unmixed blood or ancestry.


God, through the Blood of Christ, has made us PURE. Now the Apostle Paul instructs how to be PURE in this life:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of pure conscience
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

To summarize: think on these things, whatsoever things are pure, a pure conscience, a pure heart, keep thyself pure. For the believer all things are pure.

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Understood Not

As we read the scripture, sometimes we forget it’s a progressive book. We are looking BACK and wonder why things occurred the way they did. For example, why did the Eleven disciples all scatter when Jesus was arrested? Why did they hide in the upper room after his crucifixion? Didn’t He tell them He was going to die? Didn’t He tell them He would rise again from the dead?  Yes, He did. Look at the following verses. Be sure to read them in their context:

Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Luke 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Luke 9:45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

John 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
John 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

This last reference holds a key: ‘then remembered they’. Ah yes, after He appeared to them in His glorified body it all became clear to them. Then they became bold and preached the kingdom, that Jesus was their messiah.

Now we gentiles can learn through the writings of the Apostle Paul, our calling. To tell others of salvation, the gift of God, that we might live with Him in heaven for eternity.    

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The Greatest Commandment

Two Commandments

Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
(Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.)
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
(Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.)

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

  1. Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
  2. Matthew 19:19 Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
  3. Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
  4. Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
  5. Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
  6. Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
  7. Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
  8. James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

  1. John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
  2. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
  3. John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
  4. Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
  5. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
  6. 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
  7. 1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
  8. 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 commandment.
  9. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
  10. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
  11. 1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
  12. 2 John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.)

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And this is how you love one another➔ as Jesus did!

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Bible Timeline

DATE    EVENT

Undated         God Created the Earth
Undated         Adam & Eve sin
Undated         God sends the flood
Undated         Job suffers
2160 bc         Birth of Abraham
2090 bc         Abraham enters Canaan
2060 bc         Birth of Isaac
1898 bc         Joseph sold into Slavery
1446 bc         Exodus from Egypt
1445 bc         Ten Commandments given to Moses
1400 bc         Israelites enter Canaan
1367 bc         Othniel becomes Israel’s first judge
1105 bc         Samuel’s birth
1075 bc         Samson becomes judge of Israel
1050 bc         Saul becomes Israel’s first King
1010 bc         David becomes King 
 971 bc         Solomon becomes King
 959 bc         First Temple Completed
 930 bc         Rehoboam becomes King
 930 bc         Kingdom splits
 740 bc         Isaiah’s ministry begins
 722 bc         Fall of Israel
 627 bc         Jeremiah’s Ministry Begins
 605 bc         Daniel exiled to Babylon
 586 bc         Fall of Judah
 538 bc         First exiles return to Jerusalem
 536 bc         Rebuilding of Temple begins
 516 bc         Second Temple is completed
 479 bc         Esther becomes Queen of Persia
 458 bc         Ezra returns from exile to Jerusalem
 445 bc         Nehemiah returns from exile to Jerusalem
 433 bc         Malachi begins ministry
   6 bc         John the Baptist birth
   6 bc         Jesus’ Birth
   4 bc         Magi visit Jesus
   6 ad         Jesus (the boy) visits the Temple
  24 ad         Jesus Baptized
  27 ad         Jesus Death
  34 ad         Saul’s (Paul) conversion
  46 ad         Paul’s first missionary journey
  49 ad         Jerusalem Council
  50 ad         Paul’s Second missionary journey
  53 ad         Paul’s third missionary journey
  59 ad         Paul’s journey to Rome 
  70 ad         Temple destroyed
Dates are best guesstimates

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