Category: BIBLE TRUTH

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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Wisdom

(wisdom is knowledge wisely applied)

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222 times in the KJV Bible
172 times in Old Testament
8-Exodus 2-Deuteronomy 14- 1 Kings 1- 1 Chronicles
9- 2 Chronicles 1- Ezra
23- Job 8- Psalm 53-Proverbs 25- Ecclesiastes 5- Isaiah
5-Ezekiel 10- Daniel 1- Micah 50 times in New Testament
3- Matthew 1- Mark 7- Luke
1- Romans 15- 1 Corinthians
1-2 Corinthains 3-Ephesians 6- Colossians 4-James
1-2 Peter 4-Revelation

Many of the references tell us that WISDOM comes from God and probably one of the best references is found in James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES
Exodus 28:3, 31:3,6, 35:26,31,35, 36:1 (…whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom)
Deuteronomy 4:6, 34:9 (…full of the spirit of wisdom)
2 Samuel 14:20, 20:22 (…according to the wisdom of an angel of God)
1 Kings 2:6, 3:28, 4:29,30,34, 5:12, 7:14, 10:4,6,7,8,23,24, 11:14
(…And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding)
1 Chronicles 22:12 (…Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding)
2 Chronicles 1:10,11,12, 9:3,5,6,7,22,23 (…Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon)
Ezra 7:25 (…after the wisdom of thy God,)
Job 4:21, 6:13, 11:6, 12:2,12,13,16, 13:5, 15:8, 26:3, 28:12,18,20, 28:28, 32:7,13, 33:33, 34:35, 36:5, 38:36,37, 39:17,26 (…Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom)
Psalm 37:30, 49:3, 51:6, 90:12, 104:24, 105:22, 111:10, 136:5
(…The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom)
Proverbs 1:2,3,7,20, 2:2,6,7,10, 3:13,19,21, 4:5,7,11, 5:1, 7:4, 8:1,5,11,12,14, 9:1,10,13,21,23,31,11:2,12, 12:8, 13:10, 14:6,8,33, 15:21,33, 16:16, 17:16,24, 18:1,4, 19:8, 21:30, 23:4;9; 23:23; 24:3,7,14, 29:3,15, 30:3, 31:26 (…For the LORD giveth wisdom)
Ecclesiastes 1:13,16,17,18, 2:3,9,12,13, 2:21,26, 7:11,12,19,23,25, 8:1,16,9:10,13,15,16,18, 10:1,3,10
(… Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly)
Isaiah 10:13, 11:2, 29:14, 33:6, 47:10 (…the spirit of wisdom and understanding)
Jeremiah 8:9, 9:23, 10:12, 49:7, 51:15 (…He hath established the world by his wisdom)
Ezekiel 28:4,5,7,12,17 (…With thy wisdom and with thine understanding)
Daniel 1:4,17,20, 2:14,20,21,23,30, 5:11,14 (…he giveth wisdom unto the wise,)
Micah 6:9 (…and the man of wisdom shall see thy name)

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES
Matthew 11:19, 12:42, 13:54 (…Whence hath this man this wisdom)
Mark 6:2 (…From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this )
Luke 1:17, 2:40,52, 7:35, 11:31,49, 21:15
(…And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature)
Acts 6:3, 7:10,22 (…full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom)
Romans 11:33 (…both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!)
1 Corinthians 1:17,19,20,21,22,24,30, 2:1,4,5,6,7,13, 3:19, 12:8
(…I will destroy the wisdom of the wise)
2 Corinthians 1:12 (…not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God)
Ephesians 1:8,17, 3:10 (…may give unto you the spirit of wisdom)
Colossians 1:9,28, 2:3,23, 3:16, 4:5 (…Walk in wisdom)
James 1:5, 3:13,15,17 (…lack wisdom, let him ask of God)
2 Peter 3:15 (…according to the wisdom given unto him)
Revelation 5:12, 7:12, 13:18, 17:9 (…Here is wisdom)

A complete study of the scripture (Listed above) will show that true wisdom is given from God and that man’s wisdom is utter foolishness.

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Time to Study God’s Word

Read the story of Josiah, 2 Chronicles 34.

The story is very plain but let’s bring it down to a child’s level. God wants everyone to know His word but there was a time when His word was lost to His people.

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An eight year old boy became King of His people. Some wicked men had killed his father and he became King of Israel. His name was Josiah. When he became King, his whole country was wicked and evil. They worshiped false gods of Baalim. God’s house, the Temple, was not used and nobody knew where God’s word (the Penatude, the Bible) was.

Josiah was different from his people. He believed in God. As he grew older he ordered his pe0ple to quit worshiping the false gods. He even ordered them to clean up and fix up God’s house, the Temple. The people were to bring in their offerings and the priests were to collect it and pay the men who fixed up the temple. As this was going on, HIL-KI-AH, a priest, found a book (the scrolls).
It was God’s word. Hilkiah was very excited and took it to the king. The King became excited, now he could find out more about God. The King ordered the book to be read for all the people. The book told about God’s love, it told about God’s promise to his people, it told about the Law God had given them. It told about the punishments that would come if the people did not obey God’s word.

Image result for king david and Hilkiah

The King became very sad. He discovered just how evil the people had become and that for their sinfulness they would have to be punished. He became so sad he even tore his clothes.

King Josiah decided then to obey God’s word. Because of King Josiah’s decision, God sent a message to the King through a prophetess who said that ALL THE DAYS OF JOSIAH’S LIFE, God would withhold the punishments.

What a story. And you know when we obey God’s word He withholds the punishments that come with Sin. But to Obey God’s word we need to know it and the way we can know it is the same way Josiah came to know it.

READ IT. STUDY IT.

2 Timothy 2:15-17 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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Great Commission for the Body of Christ (The Church)

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Just what is the commission for the church? And what is the Gospel we are to preach? Is there a commission for the church?

The one found in the Gospels, given by the Lord Jesus was given to His Jewish disciples:

(Matthew 10:5) These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

And again, the resurrected Lord Jesus said to his Jewish, commanding them:(Acts 1:4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
(Acts 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

But there is a commission given to the Apostle Paul to pass on to believers:
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Ambassadors, to share with unbelievers the home we have in heaven.
Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Make all see the mysteries that Paul revealed.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Present salvation to all so they will come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Make know the true Gospel for the Grace period.
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Teach them how to call upon the Lord Jesus for salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Teach that Salvation is by Grace alone.
Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Stress that it, salvation, is only by HIS mercy.

That’s the commission given to Grace Age Believers.
The Commission given by the resurrected Lord will be fulfilled during the 7 year tribulation.

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Great Commission

Read Matthew 10, Mark 3:14-15

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This is the Lord Jesus calling his disciples (apostles) and commissioning to go forth and preach the Kingdom of God and giving them signs and wonders to prove who they were. Then after his resurrection he repeats the commission.

Matthew 28:18-20 (Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-49) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Above is the scripture (Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-49, John 20:23, Acts 1:8) pertaining to the “Great Commission” as claimed by Christendom today. But not Matthew 10 or Mark 3:14-15. Of course, it is pointed out that these were given to the disciples, while the Lord walked on the earth. Were not ALL of these given to the apostles?
Let’s put them together into one command to better understand the whole commission.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe;
In my name shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.“

The first from Matthew, Go(ing) into the world, baptizing and teaching all looks like something we should do. But what about the rest of the Commission?
And from Mark, Go(ing) into the world, preach the gospel is good. But baptizing for salvation? And then, what are the signs that are to follow? Cast out devils! Speak new Tongues! Take up (deadly) serpents! Drink deadly thing! Heal the sick! Is all of this part of your ministry? Some claim to do one or more BUT all were commissioned to all IF we are to believe this was the GREAT COMMISSION to the church. And from John. DO you have to power to forgive SIN?

Just what is the commission for the church? And what is the Gospel we are to preach?
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Study further: 2 Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4

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