LEARN THE BIBLE IN SEVEN HOURS Bob Morrow Sep-Dec 2013
PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God? What is in the Bible? How is Jesus the focus of each book in the Bible?
SCHEDULE 1. Introduction 2. The Torah (Pentateuch) 3. Israel in the promised land 4. Major and minor prophets 5. The four Gospels and life of Christ 6. The Church Age 7. The End Times
HOUR 5: THE GOSPELS AND THE LIFE OF CHRIST
Source: www.khouse.org
THE BIBLE IS THE STORY OF JESUS CHRIST OT NT Law History Poetry Prophecy Gospels Acts Epistles Revelation Foundation for Christ Preparation for Christ Aspiration for Christ Expectation of Christ Manifestation of Christ Propagation of Christ Interpretation and Application of Christ Consummation in Christ Source of much of the material here: Geisler & Nix, From God to Us: How We Got Our Bible, Moody, 2012
NT BOOKS Gospels History Epistles Prophecy Matthew Acts Romans Titus Revelation Mark 1 Corinthians Philemon Luke 2 Corinthians Hebrews John Galatians James Ephesians 1 Peter Philippians 2 Peter Colossians 1 John 1 Thessalonians 2 John 2 Thessalonians 3 John 1 Timothy Jude 2 Timothy
GOSPEL DESIGN Matthew Mark Luke John Cherub face Lion Ox Man Eagle Presents as: Messiah Servant Son of Man Son of God Genealogy Abraham none Adam Eternal What Jesus: Said Did Felt Was Audience Jew Roman Greek Church First Miracle Leper cleansed Demon expelled Ends with: Resurrection Ascension Demon expelled Promise of Spirit Water to wine Promise of return Writing style Groupings Snapshots Narrative Mystical
COMPARISON OF GOSPEL Gospel MATERIAL Common Material Unique Material Matthew 58% 42% Mark 93% 7% Luke 41% 59% John 8% 92% Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called Synoptic Gospels because of their common material
OT PROPHECIES OF CHRIST QUOTED IN THE GOSPELS Of David s family Born of a virgin Sojourn in Egypt Live in Galilee Announced by an Elijah-like herald Massacre of Bethlehem s children Proclaim a Jubilee to the world Mission includes Gentiles Healing ministry Teach by parables Would be disbelieved Rejected by rulers Make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem Smitten shepherd
OT PROPHECIES OF CHRIST QUOTED IN THE GOSPELS Betrayed by a friend Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver Given vinegar and gall Cast lots for his garments Not a bone would be broken Side would be pierced Die among criminals Dying words foretold Buried by a rich man Rise from the dead on the third day Destruction of Jerusalem follows
Luke goes backward to Adam Source: www.khouse.org Matthew goes forward from Abraham
Source: www.khouse.org
JUDEA AND THE ROMANS 63 BC: Pompey conquers Judea Herod Antipater (Edomite) appointed king 40 BC: Parthians (NE Iran) conquer Judea 37 BC: Romans regain Judea Herod the Great succeeds Antipater 31 BC: Battle of Actium Octavian defeats Mark Antony (Cleopatra) Adopts the name Caesar Augustus Image www.richarddy.com
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW Genealogy showed Jesus was Messiah Traced from Abraham through David Emphasized discourses of Jesus Detailed and most complete of the Gospels Matthew was one of the twelve disciples Former tax collector Also known as Levi
HIGHLIGHTS OF MATTHEW Emphasis: The Lion of Judah Introduction Genealogy, baptism, temptations (1-4) Galilean ministry The tenfold message (5-8) The ten miracles (8-10) The ten rejections (11-18) The climax in Judea Presentation as King (19-25) Crucifixion (26-27) Resurrection (28) Image www.jesuspaintings.com
THE MAGI Rome and rival Parthia clashed in Judea Magi sect were priests from Parthia Most likely instructed by Daniel during exile Probably came to Herod with a military entourage They brought three gifts so we sometimes mistakenly think there were three Magi They ask Herod, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? Image www.kellyisola.com This was a put-down of King Herod
GOSPEL OF MARK No genealogy No nativity narrative Emphasizes action rather than words Presentation of an eyewitness Names, times, numbers, places Mark (also called John-Mark) was a companion of Peter May have been Peter s secretary Rejected by Paul, later reconciled
HIGHLIGHTS OF MARK Emphasis: The Suffering Servant Introduction Announcement by John the Baptist (1-4) Mighty works 12 selected and sent (2-8) The coming climax Transfiguration (9) Final week (10-15) Finale Resurrection (16) Image adamoturist.blogspot.com
GOSPEL OF LUKE The most complete narrative 20 miracles (6 unique to Luke) 23 parables (18 unique to Luke) More healings than Matthew and Mark together Followed by Acts of the Apostles Luke Volume II Luke was a Gentile physician Careful historian and writer Writings were sponsored by Theophilus (Greek for loves God )
HIGHLIGHTS OF LUKE Emphasis: The Son of Man Incarnation (1-3) Two annunciations Two elect mothers Two anticipated births Galilean ministry (4-9) Teachings, miracles, 12 sent Journey toward Jerusalem (10-18) Passion week (19-24) Enters Jerusalem on a donkey Passover, Gethsemane, Golgotha
Mercy Mercy Mercy Mercy Mercy PRECISION OF SCRIPTURE Jesus read this in the synagogue: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor. Luke 4:18 Jesus said, Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
OT QUOTATON The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor and the day of vengeance of our God... The wrath of God happens later Isaiah 61:1
GOSPEL OF JOHN Simple genealogy identified Jesus as the Son of God Emphasized ministry in Judea (Jerusalem) Only a small commonality with the Synoptic Gospels John was one of the twelve disciples One of the Sons of Thunder with brother James Often mistakenly thought to be physically small and weak
HIGHLIGHTS OF JOHN Emphasis: The Son of God Prologue: Word became flesh (1) Public ministry to the Jews (2-12) Signs, declarations, conflicts Private ministry to his own (13-17) Departure, coming Spirit Tragedy and triumph (18-20) Arrest and prosecution Crucifixion and burial Resurrection Epilogue: Till I come (21)
THE SEVEN I AM STATEMENTS IN JOHN I AM the Bread of Life I AM the Light of the World I AM the Door I AM the Good Shepherd I AM the Resurrection and the Life I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life I AM the True Vine Image christoftheworld.blogspot.com
MIRACLES OF JESUS Power over human sickness Numerous healings Raising from the dead Power over the natural world Changing water into wine (first miracle) Calming the storm Power over the spiritual world Casting out demons Crushing Satan s head All three categories are demonstrated in Matthew 8
JESUS CALMS THE STORM painting by Stephen Gjertson
THE FINAL WEEK Anointing at Bethany Dinner with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus Triumphal entry into Jerusalem Riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) Conspiracy plot between Judas and priests Last Supper Jewish and Roman trials Crucifixion Resurrection
GOD WANTED JESUS ON THE CROSS Predicted in the OT They pierce my hands and feet (Psalm 22:16) It pleased God to crush him (Isaiah 53:10) Predicted in the NT Son of man must be killed (Mark 8:31) Son of man will be mocked and flogged and crucified (Matthew 20:18-19) The Son of man is delivered up to be crucified (Matthew 26:2)
SATAN WANTED TO KEEP JESUS FROM THE CROSS Temptation of Jesus Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth if he would worship him (Matthew 4:9) Jesus tempted to bypass the cross Peter at Caesarea Philippi Peter told Jesus that he wouldn t die Jesus replied, Get behind me Satan! (Matthew 16:23) Satan himself through Judas I have betrayed innocent blood. (Matthew 27:4)
ANOINTING AT BETHANY Dinner with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume Represented his burial Judas objected: Give value of perfume to the poor instead John s Gospel says Judas was a thief Jewish leadership made plans to kill Lazarus Unbelief ran so deep that they wanted to kill both Jesus and Lazarus
TRIUMPHAL ENTRY Daniel 9 predicted the very day that Jesus would enter Jerusalem as King People tried earlier to make Jesus king by force but he refused (John 6:15) BUT... when Jesus rode the donkey near Jerusalem he wept over it, saying If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace but now it is hidden from your eyes. Image reallifeanswers.org
LAST SUPPER Jesus changes Passover to Communion Gospels don t mention the Passover lamb Bread and wine of Passover become body and blood of Jesus Jesus demonstrates true servant-hood Washes disciples feet Jesus prays for his own Image dicknox25.org
THE ARREST: JESUS IN CHARGE Kept location of the Last Supper a secret Can t be interrupted during Passover Unveiled the plot and sent Judas away The conspirators didn t want to arrest Jesus during a feast day but now they had to Came forward to meet his captors I AM dropped them and showed his power Told them to let the disciples go They did even after Peter tried to kill Malchus Image lavistachurchofchrist.org
SIX TRIALS Jewish trials Before Annas Before Caiaphas Before the Sanhedrin Three guilty verdicts Roman trials Before Pilate Before Herod Before Pilate Three innocent verdicts Image minneapoliscriminallawyer.liberty-lawyer.com
JEWISH TRIAL ILLEGALITIES Jesus was bound before verdict given Judges participated in the arrest Two trials were at night Violence during trial False witnesses for the prosecution No defense witnesses were called No death penalty authority Trials were not allowed on a feast day High priest tore his clothes
TRADING PLACES WITH BARABBAS Jesus received: Bonds Declaration of guilt Disgrace Agony Death Barabbas received: Liberty Declaration of innocence Restoration Comfort Life
TRADING PLACES WITH BARABBAS Jesus received: Barabbas received:
PILATE S EPITAPH Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth The King of the Jews.... and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. John 19:19-22
PILATE S EPITAPH IN LATIN Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Iudaeorvm Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews
In Hebrew YHWH the name of God Source: www.khouse.org
HOLY SPIRIT ANTICIPATED THE RESURRECTION MYTHS Jesus didn t die (swoon theory) Had to survive scourging, cross, pierced side Had to revive, roll stone, overpower soldiers Women went to the wrong tomb Disciples also? Produce the body and Christianity is stopped Disciples stole the body Why die for a known lie?
HOLY SPIRIT ANTICIPATED THE RESURRECTION MYTHS Hallucinations Hallucinations vary by individual Too many appearances to too many people Resurrection was added later to scripture Christianity spread under persecution Wouldn t happen if resurrection were untrue
POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES Who When Where Mary Magdalene Sunday morning Garden Other Women Sunday morning Garden Two disciples Sunday afternoon Emmaus road Peter Sunday - Eleven (w/o Thomas) Sunday night Upper room Eleven (with Thomas) Week later Upper room Seven disciples - Galilee breakfast Eleven disciples - Galilee Five hundred - Galilee James - - Ascension witnesses 40 days later Mount of Olives Paul - Road to Damascus
RESURRECTION AUTHENTICATED By His followers Didn t understand the coming resurrection Believed only after it happened Ran away and hid in terror By His enemies Understood the coming resurrection Sealed and guarded the tomb Bribed the soldiers to lie
FINAL THOUGHTS Analysis by C.S. Lewis: Jesus was either... Liar Lunatic Lord Barabbas (son of the father) represents all of us in our freedom while the true Son of the Father took upon himself what we deserve Next meeting: 7 PM November 23 The Church Age