THIS ARTICLE THE WORK OF:
Forrest L. Keener
Bethel Baptist Church
WATCHMAN PRESS
902 NW Columbia
Lawton OK 73507-5609
Phone 1-580-353-8014
MAJOR EVENTS NEW TESTAMENT
By: Forrrst L. Keener
LESSON 1
THE SILENT YEARS AND THEIR ENDING
Mat 3:1-17; Mar 1:1-9; Luk 1:5-25, 3:1-18; Joh 1:6-8, 15-18
Memory Verse: Joh 10:41
The book of Malachi was written about 400 years before the birth of Christ. During that time God kept silent. No prophets were given words to write down, and few were raised up to exhort and rebuke Israel. The Gentile power over them at the close of Malachi was Persia which fell to Greece which fell to Rome which was the great power during the time of Christ and the writing of the New Testament.
This silence was to be shattered by the thunder and lightning ministry of a man named John, and called John the Baptist. John was borne by an old, barren woman named Elisabeth to an old priest named Zechariah. Elisabeth was a cousin to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her son, John, was born about 6 months before Jesus.
John was about 30 years old when his public ministry began. We know nothing about his preparation for this ministry except that he was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb (Luk 1:15) and was in the deserts til the days of his public ministry (Luk 1:80).
It was in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Ceasar that John appeared on the scene in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (Isa 40:1-5). He was a rough man who dressed in leather and camel's hair and lived on a diet of locusts (grasshoppers) and wild honey. His message was simple and blunt: Repent of your sins and get ready for the King of kings from heaven. He referred to the multitudes as a generation of vipers and refused them the ordinance of baptism until they had evidenced a repentant heart. Multitudes received John and were baptized of him, but many rejected him and claimed that he was possessed by demons.
The purpose of John's ministry, indeed of his very existence, was to be a herald for Jesus Christ (Luk 1:76-79; Joh 1:6-8, 19-23). John did not present Jesus Christ as a prophet or a teacher or a model for our lives. He said Jesus was the Lord (Luk 3:4). He said that Jesus was the Lamb of God (Joh 1:29). He warned the people that this Jesus who would follow him would separate the wheat from the chaff, baptizing the wheat with the Holy Ghost and burning the chaff with fire unquenchable.
You might think that such a prophet would be greatly appreciated, but the fact is that he was greatly hated and in probably less than 2 years after his ministry started, he was beheaded.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 1
1. About how long was it from Malachi's writing to John's birth?
2. About how long from Malachi to Christ's ministry?
3. Who were John's parents?
4. Why was his birth so extraordinary?
5. What additional name was he given?
6. Did Zacharias understand God's purpose for John?
7. When was John empowered by God?
8. Where was his youth spent?
9. About how old was he when he started preaching?
10. Who was king at that time?
11. Who was the governor of Judah?
12. What did John eat?
13. What did John wear?
14. What prophet foretold John's ministry?
15. What was John's basic message?
16. Was John's ministry harsh or mild?
17. Was John eager to gather followers?
18. Give at least two names by which John identified Jesus.
19. About how long did John live?
20. Were the religious leaders responsive to John?
LESSON 2
GOD'S REVELATION TO MARY AND JOSEPH
Luk 1:26-38; Mat 1:18-25 Memory Verse: Mat 1:21
There is much vain, unnecessary and even profane philosophy as to the person, purpose and ministry of Jesus Christ. Many questions can be easily and conclusively answered by simply studying what God says about it in His revelations to Mary and Joseph.
Let us first see that the woman in question is an espoused virgin (Luk I :27). This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. The Hebrew word almah translated virgin in Isaiah 7:14 is a word that means a private or veiled lass, or a veiled virgin. Custom of that time demands that this be not only a virgin, but one who was espoused and thus kept veiled.
To her Gabriel appeared, and from his declaration we learn many specifics about Jesus Christ. Her conception was to be of the Holy Ghost, thus the child was to be the Son of God, as no one else ever was or ever shall be the Son of God. (Luk 1:35) To suppose the possibility of Jesus Christ having a human father is to reject all the prophecy and the whole purpose of His coming.
His name was to be called Jesus. This name means Jehovah saves. His name was to be called Jesus because, and exclusively because, He would save His people from their sins (Mat 1:21). To say that less than this will be done by His incarnation, death and resurrection ministry is to credit God with failure and to slander the whole effort of Christ. Who ever "His people" are, they "shall" be saved from their sins. If He does less, He is not, indeed, the Savior.
Let us learn more about His identity from Matthew 1:23. The prophet said His name would be called Immanuel, which means "God with us." To claim that He is the son of God and yet to deny that He is God the Son is to discount the whole theme of the Bible. John's Gospel makes this very plain. He was the Word. He was with God in the beginning and He was God (Joh 1:1-2). He was the creator of all things (Joh 1:3). This Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (Joh 1:14). This passage definitely and exclusively speaks of this One who is to be born of Mary. He is to be God manifest in the flesh.
Knowing all this Joseph accepted his appointed responsibility of taking an expectant wife to abstain from, and yet care for until her first Son was born after which they became husband and wife after the normal order. By accepting this stepfather position Joseph legally made Jesus the heir to the throne of David.
QUESTIONS - LESSON #2
1. Which prophet foretold the virgin birth?
2. By what name did he say the child would be called?
3. What does Matthew say this name means?
4. Which angel appeared to this maiden?
5. Where did she live at this time?
6. What was her relationship to Joseph?
7. Which of them did God inform first?
8. What does the name Jesus mean?
9. Why was He to be called Jesus?
10. What was Mary's first response to the angel?
11. What was her final response to him?
12. How did God appear to Joseph?
13. Who did God say Jesus' father was?
14. Was Jesus alive before this time?
15. When did the Son of God come into being?
16. To whom does John credit creation?
17. Does John describe Him as God, the Son of God, or both?
18. Of what tribe and household was Joseph?
19. What was Joseph's proper relationship to Jesus?
20. What is the significance of Joseph's lineage?
LESSON 3
THE WORLD AND THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
Luk 2:1-7; Mat 2:1-23 Memory Verse: Luk l:7
In this lesson let's think of the world's conduct toward the birth of the Lord. If we follow tradition we will think that, with a few exceptional inconveniences, the world was standing at adoring attention awaiting Jesus' birth. If, on the other hand, we study Scripture we will find that with few exceptions the world's attitude is accurately describes in Acts 4:24-28.
The taxation decree of Augustus Caesar must be seen from two sides. A young woman in the remote city of Nazareth of Galilee is with child. I' was a time when most doctors of today would tell the expectant mother not to take a major trip even in an air-conditioned automobile. But this virgin mother must take a very difficult trip, at best riding upon a donkey and more likely on foot. It would seem to me, ,hat what was an attempt of Satan to kill the Holy Seed before or at birth was rather ordained of God, to have Him born at Bethlehem, in precise fulfillment of Scripture. (Mic 5:2)
Let's turn to look at the conditions of His birth. Luke 2:7 says He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger because there was no room for Him in the inn. Don't consider this a mere circumstantial result of a crowded city. Though Bethlehem may well have been crowded, this situation clearly sets forth the condition of every natural human heart. There is no room for God or His Son unless that room is made by the Holy Spirit. Again, let us realize that this fulfills the Word of God. (Isa 53:1-3)
Thirdly let's consider Herod and the wise men from the east. (Mat 2:1) Contemporary tradition place them at the manger at the scene of nativity. More sophisticated tradition has them arriving twelve days later, thus accommodating the heathen yuletide custom. I am quite sure both are wrong. It is to be noted that Herod learned of Christ's birth from them, and tried to use them in the murder of Christ. God overruled his plan, causing the wise men to depart in another direction. When Herod discovered this, notice his reaction, and the Scripture will show us the like1y time of the wise men's appearance. (Notice Mat 2:7.) Herod inquired diligently as to when the star appeared, and in Matthew 2:16, we find him killing all the male children two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
This fulfilled two prophecies. Compare Matthew 2:17-18 to Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:14-15 to Hosea 11:1.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 3
1. Where did Jesus' mother live?
2. What prevented her from giving birth there?
3. Unto what city did she journey?
4. Why was this city selected?
5. Had God foreordained this trip?
6. What prophet informs us of Christ's birthplace?
7. How did Mary make this trip?
8. How was Jesus clothed at birth?
9. Where was he laid and why?
10. Was this due to just an overfilled inn, or did it have greater implications?
11. Was Bethlehem happy about Jesus' birth?
12. Who in that locality did show joy?
13. How did they learn of Jesus' birth?
14. What foreign people celebrated his birth?
15. How did they learn about it?
16. Of whom did they inquire upon reaching Jerusalem?
17. What caused Herod to be angry at them?
18. What was his response?
19. What time relationship between their arrival and Christ's birth does this establish?
20. Name at least three prophets who deal with these events?
LESSON 4
THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH
Luk 2:1-52 Memory Verse: Luk 1:14
The birth of Christ, when seen as a total advent, including His life, death, resurrection, and post-resurrection ministry, is the greatest event the world has ever known. It is no strange thing that providence has directed men to center all historical dating upon this event.
This was the event all Old Testament Scripture looked forward to. It was the fulfillment of the covenant promises to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. Read carefully Galatians 3:15-18. It was the basic content of all previous relations (Heb 10:1-7). You may observe that Jesus Christ is either stated or implied to be the theme or authority of every New Testament book. He is either named or implied to be so within the first few verses of every book in the New Testament.
He was born King of the Jews (Mat 2:2), but they hated Him. They crucified Him, but even on the cross He was King of the Jews (Mat 27:37). He was born in a manger and generally set at naught by the world, but this was God's plan (Isa 53:1-3). Even as a child He was whisked away to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod, but this too was the plan of God (Mat 2:13-15). He lived in poverty, though He owned and sustained the world. He said of Himself in Luke 9:58, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." This too is proclaimed to be by His own decree (Phi 2:5-8).
All this is easily reconciled by considering the purpose for which He was born. It was to please God concerning a covering for man's sin (Heb 10:1-10). In Matthew 20:20-28, He explains this: He did not come into the world to be exalted, honored by man, and served by them, but to minister life to a dying world, and to give Himself a ransom for many. Consider His description of His purpose in coming into the world in John 6:33-45. He came not to do His own will, as the heir of all things. This will come at His second advent. He came to do the will of God the Father. That is described in these words, "That of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
Thus when Simeon prophesied of Him in the temple, it was far from the traditional concept. "...a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, and a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,)" Luke 2:30-35.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 4
1. Was the fact that Jesus was born in a manger tragic?
2. Explain why God so ordained it.
3. Why was Christ born?
4. Is Jesus Christ the theme of the Old Testament?
5. In which books of the New Testament is He the central figure?
6. Is His birth and life the basic Bible theme?
7. Which ministries of Christ does the first advent include?
8. Was Noah aware of the coming birth of Christ?
9. Were Adam and Eve told of Christ's birth?
10. How did Christ relate to God's promise to Abraham?
11. Was Christ recognized as God by anyone at birth?
12. Was Christ recognized as King by anyone at birth?
13. Was His first advent to bring peace on earth?
14. What was Jesus' main objective in life?
15. Simeon said, "Lord ... mine eyes have seen thy
16. How did Christ's birth effect our dating?
17. What time of the year was Jesus born?
18. Name some people who were happy about Christ's birth.
19. Name one who was unhappy about it.
20. Was Christ's death a necessity on His part, or a choice?
LESSON 5
THE YOUNG LIFE OF CHRIST
Mat 2:11-23; Luk 2:41-52Memory Verse: Luk 2:52
These two passages of Scripture are in essence the entire account which we have of the young life of Jesus Christ. Yet it is safe to say that God has revealed to us in the Scripture precisely what He wants us to know.
At about two years of age, Jesus was taken from His homeland into Egypt. This came about as the result of Herod's intent to kill all the male children of Bethlehem and the surrounding regions. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and instructed him to take Mary and the child and go to Egypt, to preserve His life. We do not know how long they remained there, except that it was until Joseph learned that Herod was dead. This period was of necessity less than ten years, for when Jesus was twelve they had been back in Nazareth long enough to establish or re-establish the annual journey to Jerusalem for the passover (Luke 2:41).
This opens the next episode in the life of Jesus, of which we have an account. On this particular trip to Jerusalem, when Jesus was twelve years old, He was not found among the children on the return trip home. When, after a day's journey, Joseph and Mary discovered this, they were naturally disturbed. Upon their return to Jerusalem, they found Him in the temple, sitting among the doctors of the Mosaic law, who were astonished by His understanding of that law.
This is the last account we have of any actual event in the life of Jesus, until the time of His baptism. We see, however, in Luke 2:51-52 some conclusive and interesting information. Even though at this point Jesus knew something of "His Father's business" He returned with Mary and Joseph and "was subject unto them."
In these verses we find a most profound mystery, "God manifested in the flesh". Jesus was God, John 1:1-2, yet as man, He had imposed upon Himself certain limitations. Since He increased in wisdom and stature we know that He, up to and beyond that point, lived in physical immaturity and in less than total wisdom. Be aware that wisdom and knowledge are not the same thing. We are thus left in ignorance of how much of His life's mission on earth He knew at this point. I rather think that the inability of our minds to conceive of such mysteries is the reason they are not explained in Scripture.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 5
1. How old was Jesus when He left Bethlehem?
2. From whom was He being protected?
3. Who was in charge of His removal from Bethlehem?
4. How did this one know to take Him away?
5. Where did they go?
6. Did the Bible foretell these events and if so where?
7. How long did they remain in Egypt?
8. Who reigned in Judah when they returned?
9. Was Joseph afraid to return to Judah?
10. To which city and province did he return?
11. How did he get all this information?
12. How old was Jesus at the next Scriptural account?
13. What annual journey was taken at this time?
14. What was the occasion of this journey?
15. What special thing happened on this trip?
16. When did Joseph and Mary miss Jesus?
17. How long was it before they found Him?
18. Where did they find Him and what was He doing?
19. Did Jesus assert His divine authority?
20. Was He all-wise at the age of twelve?
LESSON 6
JOHN'S BAPTISM
Luk 3:1-18, Mat 3:1-12Memory Verse: Mat 3:8
John's baptism is of very great significance, because we can learn much about New Testament church baptism from it. If we first understand that whatever else baptism is, it is immersion, by the very meaning of the word, we are ready to start learning.
John baptized them in Jordan. (Mat 3:6) John baptized in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. (Joh 3:23) And Jesus when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water. (Mat 3:16) Nowhere in all of Scripture will you find so much as a hint or a contextual implication that baptism took place in any other manner.
John preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Luk 3:3) Let this verse say what it says. It doesn't say baptism for the remission of sins, but repentance for remission of sins. That is to say, that the repentance toward God must be present wherever remissions of sins is to be realized. The baptism was for the purpose of openly professing repentance toward God, and a looking forward to the coming of Christ. It was not to bring about either repentance, or remission of sins. The accuracy of this is established by Luke 3:7-8 and Matthew 3:7-8. Some Pharisees and Sadducees came to his baptism, but instead of baptizing them, he told them to first bring forth fruits meet for repentance. That is to say that the baptism is to be only a confession of their sin and the repentance of it, in view of the one who is to come. If baptism could have brought about their salvation, repentance or remission of sins, John would no doubt have administered it.
When Jesus came to John's baptism, John was astonished. The reason for this is simple, John knew that this one, whose shoes he was not worthy to bear, had no sins to confess or to repent of. Jesus' baptism pointed to the object of the other evidence of grace's work, which is "faith toward Jesus Christ." His baptism foreshadowed His death, burial and resurrection. In fact, Jesus even referred to His death, burial and resurrection as a baptism. (Mat 20:22-23, Mar 10:38-39, Luk 12:50)
John baptized all the apostles except Paul, as well as the early leaders of the New Testament church. (Act 1:21-22) The first disciples of Jesus Christ were at first disciples of John the Baptist. (Joh 1:35-42)
We may understand that the function of John's baptism was the same as ours today, except that his looked forward to the same cross that ours looks back to.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 6
1. About how old was John when he began to preach?
2. What was the content of his message?
3. What physical act professed acceptance?
4. Was John received by many?
5. Did all the people believe John?
6. Did he receive all who came to him?
7. If not, on what ground did he reject them?
8. What did he call the Pharisees and Sadducees?
9. What did he tell them to do before baptism?
10. Can we safely conclude he baptized by immersion?
11. Give some reasons for your answer?
12. Name a body of water in which John baptized.
13. Where did Jesus come to be baptized?
14. Was John pleased by this and why?
15. What explanation caused him to baptize Jesus?
16. Which of John's disciples became an apostle?
17. Were any other apostles baptized by John?
18. Were there any who weren't, and if not, why not?
19. Were all John's disciples enthused about Jesus' ministry?
20. What ended the ministry of John?
LESSON 7
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIST
Mat 3:11-17; Mar 1:9-11; Luk 3:21-23; Joh 1:29-34
Memory Verse: Matt. 3:17
Jesus' baptism casts much light on the modern heresy of baptismal regeneration, that is, the doctrine that we are saved by, partially by, or at the moment of baptism. Variations of this heresy are held by a wide cross-section of Christendom today. The compelling question is this: If we are baptized for the various reasons that tradition holds today, such as regeneration, washing away sins, entering the family of God, etc., why was Jesus baptized? Certainly He needed none of these things.
Jesus gave only one reason for His coming to John's baptism. It is stated this way: "Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." We immediately realize, if we have any perception of Scripture, that this is in some way symbolic, for Jesus certainly had no lack of righteousness. In other words, He needed nothing to make Him completely righteous, nor did any law of God demand or recommend this action, as part of the Jewish religion. Thus we conclude that this act was for New Testament purposes of identifying Jesus (Mat 3:17) and identifying His ministry on the cross and through the grave, which imputes the righteousness of God to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Remember that Jesus referred to His death as baptism. (Mat 20:22-23, Mar 10:38-39, Luk 12:50)
How does Christ's baptism symbolize His work (in death) for us? It is summarized in Romans 8:33-34. "It is God that justifieth" (declares us righteous). By what process or act? Christ died, is risen, (the approved priest of sacrifice and intercession) and is seated at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. Now let us see how this fulfills righteousness.
Romans 4:6 speaks of the man unto whom God imputeth (credits) righteousness without works. Why can such a thing be done? Because God will not impute sin unto the believer, (Rom 4:8). The explanation is this: When Jesus Christ went by way of the cross into the grave (symbolized by His burial in baptism), He took the believer's sins, which God had imputed to Him, and which He accepted, upon Himself and paid for them, by the death penalty. When He was resurrected (symbolized by His resurrection from baptism), He came forth victorious over our sins, giving to us His righteousness, which God imputed to the believer (Rom 4:4-8, 22-25).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 7
1. Who baptized Jesus?
2. Was he eager to do so?
3. What was his first reply to the request?
4. What explanation did Jesus give him?
5. About how long had John been baptizing?
6. Was the reason for Jesus' baptism real or symbolic?
7. What does baptism symbolize?
8. Does baptism place us in the Kingdom of God?
9. Did baptism wash away Christ's sins?
10. Does baptism wash away our sins?
11. Did baptism make Jesus more righteous?
12. Does baptism make us righteous?
13. Would baptism's symbolism necessitate immersion?
14. Explain your answer to question 13.
15. What does burial in baptism symbolize?
16. What does resurrection in baptism symbolize?
17. Was God pleased by Jesus' baptism?
18. Which members of the Trinity were present at Jesus' baptism?
19. How did each one present, show His presence?
20. Where did Jesus go following baptism?
LESSON 8
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS
Mat 4:1-11; Mar 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13 Memory Verse: Matt. 4:1
The temptation of Jesus Christ is a treasure of information, both as to the powers involved in temptation and the proper conduct for us to maintain when we are tested.
Matthew and Luke say the Spirit led Him while Mark says the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. This is not contradiction but rather shows us the determination of the Spirit in carrying out His purposes in us. He was led or driven there to be tempted of the devil. Satan was the tempter, as always, but to permit that temptation was and is definitely the plan of God. Satan's design in temptation is to accentuate dross and chaff. God's design in permitting it is to let the grain be separated from the chaff, and in Jesus' case let the purity of the gold shine, manifesting no dross at all.
After forty days of fasting He was hungry. It might seem, if reading is careless, that hunger and Satan's temptation only came at the end of forty days. If, however, we study carefully, we will see that He endured hunger and temptation throughout the forty days. At the end of this time, beyond which no human had gone, Satan fell upon Him with all his fury.
The first temptation was basically directed to the physical needs of Jesus. "Command these stones to be made bread." We might hear human reasoning say, "How can God's purpose be fulfilled if I perish of hunger? The depth of answer is this: Bread (or food) is not the basic determination of whether one lives or dies, but the decree and thus the command, (not the revelation) of God. The purpose of God determines this, human limitations are irrelevant. To reason otherwise is to commit the error of Esau. (Gen 25:32-34, Heb 12:16)
The second temptation strikes at the soul of man, and over-all self-gratification, as opposed to submission to the will of God for our life. It pits the natural longing of the flesh (1Jo 2:14-17) for riches and kingdoms, against the purpose of God for Jesus (Isa 53:1-3) and for us (Rom 8:29).
The third temptation strikes at the spirit of man (his God-consciousness). "Cast yourself off this pinnacle," says Satan, and see if God is really there doing what He said He would. Satan challenged Jesus to do the very thing that every sign seeker and snake handler is doing today. Such conduct supposes doubt, not faith. "It is written" was the basis of every answer the Lord gave Satan. Likewise Scripture contains the answers that are necessary for us when Satan comes to divert us from God's purpose to our own.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 8
1. What immediately preceded Jesus' temptation?
2. Where did He go for this temptation?
3. Did God purpose Jesus' temptation?
4. Who actually did the tempting?
5. Explain the relationship between God's purpose and Satan's.
6. How long was Jesus tempted?
7. What physical need was used?
8. Which temptation related to this?
9. What did Satan challenge Jesus to prove by that temptation?
10. What was Jesus' answer to the first temptation?
11. What did Satan offer Jesus if He would worship him?
12. Does Satan have the sovereign power over the things he claimed?
13. What was Jesus' answer to this temptation?
14. What criteria did Jesus use for each answer?
15. Which temptation was designed to put God on trial?
16. Did Satan show a knowledge of Scripture?
17. What prophecy did Satan use to tempt Jesus?
18. Explain how these temptations relate to every part of man.
19. What did Satan do after the third temptation?
20. What help did Jesus receive after this?
LESSON 9
THE BEGINNING OF JESUS' MINISTRY
Matt. 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-22,
Luk 4:14-22, Joh 1:19 - 2:1 Memory Verse: Joh 3:30
In my opinion setting the first days of the Lord's ministry in a perspective of chronological order is one of the most difficult tasks in Bible exposition. If we had only Matthew 4:12-17 and Mark 1:14, we would conclude that His public ministry did not begin until John was imprisoned, but John 3:22-24 will not permit this conclusion. If we had only John 1:33 we would conclude that Jesus was a stranger to John until the Spirit descended when He was raised from the waters of baptism, but Matthew 3:13-17 forbids this conclusion. We are thus forced to see that the Gospels are not dedicated to chronological order, and therefore, if we are to have it, diligent and humble study is mandatory.
Two false assumptions will blind us. One is that John's cognition of Jesus was instantaneous and unwavering. The other is that the revealed call of the disciples which were to become apostles preceded all service to and contact with the Lord. Once we see that both of these were progressive, and, at least, questionable in their continuity, we are ready to start serious study.
It seems that John's understanding of Jesus is as follows: He had some revelation of His identity when He came for baptism (Mat 3:13-14). This was confirmed when He was baptized. Compare Matthew 3:16-17 to John 1:33. This apparent difficulty may not lay so much in John's knowledge of Jesus' identity as the Messiah, as in his understanding of Jesus' ministry, in its fullest scope. This is indicated by John's inquiry after he was cast into prison (Mat 11:2-6).
It appears that the Lord's public ministry began in this order. His baptism was followed by forty days of temptation in the wilderness (Mat 3:16-4:1). After this, He returned to Jordan where John the Baptist began to show his disciples that Jesus was the promised Messiah (Joh 1:29-36) and they began to be in some sense gathered to Him (Joh 1:35-51). The beginning of His fame was at the wedding at Cana, where He turned the water into wine (Joh 2:1-11). He then began a teaching and baptizing ministry in Judea (Joh 3:22-24). Note John 4:1-2. It was after this that John was shut up in prison for preaching against Herod's sins (Luk 3:19-20). It seems to have been at this point, following John's imprisonment, that Jesus called His disciples to finally forsake their occupations and follow Him continually until the day that He would go to the cross (Mat 4:12 22).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 9
1. How old was Jesus when He began His public ministry?
2. What event marked this beginning?
3. Did John know Jesus before he baptized Him?
4. What confirmed this conviction about Jesus?
5. What event in Jesus' life followed His baptism?
6. Who is the first man we know of that John introduced to Jesus?
7. Were John and Jesus ministering at the same time?
8. Did Jesus actually baptize anyone?
9. What baptisms did John say Jesus would perform?
10. Did anyone try to raise competition between Jesus and John?
11. If so, what was John's answer to them?
12. Name at least three offices John attributed to Jesus.
13. Did John ever question Jesus' identity?
14. If so, what answer was he given?
15. What was Jesus' first miracle?
16. Were His apostles present at this time?
17. Were other members of His family present?
18. Where was this miracle performed?
19. Did Jesus' disciples follow Him before they quit their occupations?
20. Name the occupation of four of them.
LESSON 10
THE CALL OF THE APOSTLES
Joh 1:35-51, Mat 4:18-22,
Luk 5:27-28, Mar 10:28-31 Memory Verse: Mar 1:17
This action of our Lord may be hard to understand, and many wrong conclusions can be drawn if we fail to understand a few facts. First, know that this particular call was not unto salvation. These men who became disciples and later apostles were baptized by John the Baptist before they ever met Jesus personally, and with the single exception of Judas Iscariot, were already saved. You then should know that we do not have the account of all their callings, then that these accounts we have are not necessarily in order, and that some of the recorded calls were not the first account of their meeting with and following of Christ. Compare John 1:40-43, John 2:2 and Matthew 4:18-19. I think the explanation to this is that John gives an account of their first meeting with and service to Christ, and that Matthew relates a call away from worldly occupation into full-time Christian service.
The important thing, however, is the kind of men which He called, and the type of service into which He called them. We would expect that He would call men with the best of education and cultural background. The fact is that He mostly called just common men, fishermen (Mat 4:18), unlearned and ignorant men (Act 4:13). Whereas the wise and educated like Nicodemus were blind to truth (Joh 3:10). Those who were spiritual "babes" received this great call (Luk 10:19-21).
To what kind of service were these men called? Even though they healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons and took up serpents, none of these things was the reason for their call, nor were all of them together the reason. These things were only divine evidences temporarily given to establish their real ministry which was to be fishers of men (Mar 1:17). The Lord called them and chose them to bring forth much fruit, not perishing fruit like healing of the body and feeding of the poor, but abiding fruit that never passes away (Joh 15:16).
These men were called to self-sacrifice and denial (Luk 9:23). They were called to be ridiculed (Mat 26:69). They were called to persecution (Mat 10:23). They were called to death (Joh 21:18-19).
This is a far cry from the easy carefree "life of blessing" that so many represent God's work as being today. Let the Lord speak to us as He did to them. The servant is not above his master. If they have persecuted me they will persecute you (Joh 15:18-21). In the midst of all this though, let's never forget that the Lord never cheats His own. Every servant will be rightly rewarded. Read Mark 10:28-31.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 10
1. How many disciples did Jesus have?
2. By what name were a definite number of them later known?
3. Does the Bible record the call of all of them?
4. How many can you name whose call is recorded?
5. Who was the first one of them to follow Jesus?
6. Were these men essentially volunteers or draftees?
7. Was there any sense in which they volunteered?
8. What common occupation did several of them follow?
9. How many and which ones followed it?
10. Name the occupation of another one.
11. Who was the father of James and John?
12. Who was Matthew's father?
13. Which one of them brought his brother to meet the Lord?
14. Does this mean he won him to Christ?
15. Name another disciple who found and brought another man to Christ?
16. What was these men's relationship to each other?
17. What persuaded Nathanael that Jesus was the Christ?
18. Of what were these men required to deny themselves?
19. Were they promised persecution and/or death?
20. Was their reward to be here or hereafter?
LESSON 11
THE WEDDING AT CANA
Joh 2:1-11 Memory Verse: Joh 2:11
The changing of the water into wine at Cana of Galilee was the first public miracle performed by Jesus. It is not completely clear how many of the people at the wedding knew of it. The servants did, but not the governor of the feast (Joh 2:9). The disciples who were present at the marriage knew (Joh 2:11) and it seems obvious that Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew.
The purpose of the Lord in changing the water into wine seems to be revealed in verse 11. He "manifested forth His glory and His disciples believed on Him."
This passage seems to be the classic for those who wish to prove the merits of alcoholic beverages, ranging all the way from "temperate use" to constant drunkenness. Of course, they all must assume and assert that this wine was intoxicating wine. I can't emphatically affirm or deny it, though the weight of Bible principle impresses me to think it was not.
It is to be understood that the Greek word oinos translated wine in the New Testament is a generic term which refers to anything squeezed from the grape. It would include the pure fresh squeezed juice and all its derivatives. Neither Scripture nor a knowledge of the usages of grape juice in the Lord's time will support a theory that wine in Scripture always refers to fermented wine with an alcoholic content. It should also be known that where it does, the alcoholic level would be far, far below that of today's distilled wines. It is thought by many students of Scripture and of practices of Bible times that the "good wine" of John 2 refers to a pure grape juice boiled down to reduce water content and laced with spices. This is certainly not proved or disproved by Scripture.
It is claimed by some that this had to be intoxicating wine because the governor, they say, spoke of the worse being given when men had begun to be intoxicated. The Scripture, however, does not say this, nor would the governor's tasting inform him of alcoholic content in the wine, nor if such a custom were established, would it be binding upon or indicative of the Lord's actions.
In the light of Habbakuk 2:15 it seems unlikely to me that Jesus would make 110 to 160 gallons of intoxicating wine for this marriage party in the little village of Cana. I think it is wise that we let the miracle serve its purpose (Joh 2:11), and not use it to justify the use of alcoholic beverage.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 11
1. Where did Jesus perform His first miracle?
2. What was the province and nation?
3. What was the first miracle?
4. What was the occasion of the gathering?
5. Was Jesus invited or did He just come?
6. What other member of His family was there?
7. Who else was specifically invited?
8. What problem occasioned the miracle?
9. What vessels were used?
10. What was the original purpose of them?
11. What was their capacity?
12. What instruction was given concerning them?
13. About how much wine did this total?
14. Who first tasted this wine?
15. What was his comment?
16. Does the Bible tell us if the wine had alcoholic content?
17. Does the use of the word wine state it?
18. Is all wine in our day alcoholic?
19. What was the obvious purpose of this miracle?
20. Did Jesus and His disciples drink this wine?
LESSON 12
THE ORDINATION OF THE APOSTLES
Mat 10:1-15; Mar 3:13-19; Luk 9:1-11 Memory Verse Mk. 3:14
These three passages of Scripture reveal to us the action of the Lord in calling 12 men and endowing them with special power. They were disciples (followers) and He ordained them also apostles (specially sent ones).
These were not special men, but plain men. He did not seek or choose special men, for whatever good they would become or produce was to be by the grace of God.
Their identities were as follow: Peter and Andrew were brothers and fishermen. James and John (sons of Zebedee) were brothers and fishermen. There were Philip and Bartholomew (Nathanael), Matthew (Levi the publican) and Thomas. James the son of Alpheus (known as James the less) was a brother to Thaddeus (known also as Lebbeus) and Judas (probably the writer of the book of Jude, and probably a brother also to Simon the Zealot, and all three of these brothers were probably cousins to the Lord Jesus Christ). Finally there was the hypocritical reprobate, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Lord for thirty pieces of silver.
Mark says He ordained them that they might be with Him and that He might send them forth to preach, to have power to heal sicknesses, cast out devils, etc. Matthew adds that they were to preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, etc. We learn also from Luke's gospel that they were not to go at their own expense, but were to make themselves dependent upon the people to whom they ministered. They were to go without money, food for their journey, or even two coats. The idea seemed to be that they were to travel light and fast. As they entered either house or city they were to salute the inhabitants in the name of Jesus. To receive the apostles was to receive their Lord. To reject the apostles was to reject the Lord. Wherever they were rejected they were to shake the dust of the city from their garments as a testimony against them.
These men were leaving all to follow Jesus Christ. He made it very clear to them that it meant complete self-denial. With the exception of Judas Iscariot, who would betray the Lord and commit suicide, all of these men would suffer extreme persecution for the Lord, and at least ten of them would seal their testimony with their own blood.
At the point of their calling these men all misunderstood the purpose of their appointment. They expected that the kingdom they preached would be an earthly one, with Jesus as the King, and themselves His authorities. Never did they expect that His throne was to be the cross, and their lot martyrdom.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 12
1. How many men were ordained apostles?
2. Were they the only ones the Lord could trust?
3. How many of these volunteered to be apostles?
4. Had they been involved in the ministry before this?
5. If so, what had they been doing?
6. What formal training did these men have?
7. Were they all saved when Christ called them?
8. Did they all love Jesus at this time?
9. How many of them were fishermen?
10. Which of them had a very unpopular occupation?
11. How many sets of brothers were there?
12. Name all their fathers you can.
13. Which of them is referred to as the brother of our Lord?
14. How would we identify this relationship?
15. Name some special powers they were given?
16. Were they able to pass these powers on to others?
17. Were others besides these twelve given such powers?
18. How many of them would be martyred?
19. Which ones would not? Explain.
20. Did they understand their ministry when they were called?
LESSON 13
THE SENDING OF THE SEVENTY
Luk 10:1-24 Memory Verse: Luk 10:20
These seventy unidentified men, their ministries and what happened to them, present to the serious Bible student several questions which have obscure answers if they are, indeed, answerable at all. Yet in the commission given to them by the Lord, there is a great deal of information.
The seventy were given many if not all apostolic powers. They could heal the sick (Luk 10:9). They had power to tread upon serpents and scorpions (not to play with them for vile, religious exhibition). They had all power over the enemy (vss 17-19). Whereas the apostles were given power to raise the dead, (Mat 10:8) neither Mark nor Luke in relating their commission state it, so it is quite possible that the commission to the seventy was identical to the twelve and that Luke, who is the only writer who tells us of the seventy, simply didn't reveal that particular part of the commission. We can't be sure.
These men were sent as lambs among wolves. This does not state helplessness or defenselessness (Luk 10:19). It simply put them in a position of complete dependency upon the Lord.
Their ministry was to the specific cities into which the Lord Himself would later go. There are cities into which He did not choose to go, such as Tyre and Sidon (Luk 10:13), and it certainly was not because He foresaw that they would not respond for He says in this same verse that they would have. What shall we say to these things? Let's say what the Lord said. Read and consider very carefully verse 21.
These men were to go in haste, not carrying any of the normal provisions of life (Luk 10:4). They were to depend totally upon the people to whom they ministered for their physical livelihood (Luk 10:7). They were to preach peace by the authority of Jesus Christ and wherever He was received their peace was to abide. Where these messengers were refused, they shook off the dust of the city as a testimony against them.
It is impossible to say what happened to these seventy men. Some of them may have turned away. It may well have been one of them who the apostles said was casting out devils in Jesus' name and they forbade him (Luk 9:49). This, of course, must suppose the absence of complete chronological order in this Gospel. I think because of the gifts exercised and the implied longevity of reputation, that some of these men were Stephen, Philip, Barnabas, Silas, Matthias and all whatever others exercised apostolic gifts.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 13
1. Were these seventy men apostles?
2. Does the introduction of their call in verse 1 imply a parallel?
3. Could they heal, or just pray for the sick?
4. Were they given power over devils?
5. Over what two animate creatures were they given power? ...............
6. Did any of them exercise this power?
7. What particular power did they rejoice over?
8. Could they raise the dead?
9. What did Jesus tell them to rejoice over?
10. Was this standing by their design?
11. Did they volunteer for these jobs?
12. Did all who desired their enlightenment receive it?
13. Did any of these men know the apostles?
14. Do we surely know any of their names?
15. Did all of them follow Jesus till death?
16. What provision were they to make for their ministry?
17. Were they witnesses to all people?
18. How were they to be physically sustained?
19. How did they respond to rejecters?
20. What was their basic message?
LESSON 14
THE INSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH
Act 1:1- 2:47 Memory Verse: Mat 16:18
One of the most controversial subjects of our day is the time of the institution of the New Testament Church. In chronological order many men place it in Acts chapter two on the day of Pentecost. In my opinion Scripture simply will not allow this. I think it is much more accurately placed near the beginning of our Lord's public ministry.
It must be acknowledged that we can't give a chapter and verse that says here the church began. We can, however, see it functioning long before Pentecost. Men were baptized and baptizing to be identified with Jesus Christ in John 3:23-26. He set in the church, or ordained apostles before Acts 2. Compare Matthew 10:1-2 to 1 Corinthians 12:28. Jesus gave instruction for church discipline long before Acts 2 (Mat 18:17). The church was commissioned before Acts 2. Notice Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16. The church carried on organized business before Acts 2. Read Acts 1:14-26. There seems to have been a membership roll of disciples before Acts 1. Notice Acts 1:13-15.
The Lord said He would build His church (Mat 16:18). Some men grasp the word will in Matthew 16:18 and insist that since this is a word of future tense, that the church could not have existed at that time. This is unreasonable reasoning. The Lord is still building His church. It is correct to say He has built His church (past tense), He is building His church (present tense) and He will build His church (future tense). All of these are equally true. This truth certainly does not deny that the church has been instituted as of today. It seems to me that the institution of His church was in fact the very thrust of His pre-crucifixion ministry.
What then is this church Jesus instituted? First, it can't be anything less than an assembly. That is what the Greek word translated church means. Moreover, an assembly must be local, there is no other kind. Wherever the word is used in Scripture to include more than a local church, it is used in an institutional sense, as we would say the family or the home. We are not speaking of them collectively as part of one, but we refer to them as the institution of the family or the home. Thus when we say church we mean a local assembly called out by God, covenanted in Bible principles carrying out the great commission. I sincerely believe this to be an Independent Baptist Church.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 14
1. To whom does the church belong?
2. Who is its builder?
3. Who were its chief officers?
4. Who were its first officers?
5. Does it have those officers today?
6. What are some changes the church has undergone?
7. Was it established before or after the resurrection?
8. What was its first ordinance?
9. How many ordinances does it have?
10. Upon what foundation (rock) is it built?
11. Is the church (institutionally) in danger of falling?
12. Can a local church fall?
13. Are all churches part of one church?
14. Are all believers in the church?
15. Why must a church be an assembly?
16. Are all religious assemblies God's churches?
17. Does the Bible teach church discipline?
18. What distinguishes a false church from a true one?
19. Did the first church have hypocrites?
20. Does error disqualify a church?
LESSON 15
THE MIRACLES OF JESUS
Mar 2:1-12; Joh 2:11, 21:25 Memory Verse: Mar 2:10
If I should try to explain the reason for the miracles of Jesus, it would be this. He unquestionably proved Himself to be God with us, sovereign over all forces in creation, both physical and spiritual. It is clear from John 21:25 that all His miracles are not recorded, but at least thirty-five are. Some of them are nearly identical, yet are definitely different acts.
Of the thirty-five miracles it seems to me that three were acts of indirect creation. Six were acts of control over what is usually called nature. At least twenty miracles showed sovereign control over all sickness. This ranged all the way from fever to impairments of the body at birth. Five miracles showed absolute power over angelic creation (demons), and three were acts of raising the dead. Some of the miracles cover more than one of these categories, yet His eternal power and Godhead can be clearly seen by these.
Only one miracle (the feeding of the five thousand) is recorded by all four gospel writers. Twelve are recorded by three writers and nine by two. Thirteen of the thirty-five are recorded by only one of the writers. Matthew and Mark each record twenty-one miracles, though not the same twenty-one. Luke records twenty and John only eight. This is an area where shallow critics have claimed contradiction, but careful and objective study will clearly show that the miracles are so many, so varied and yet so alike in many senses, that only a shallow mind would suppose itself capable of a critique. What any saved Bible student will learn from them is the omnipotence of Christ.
There are two basic philosophies with which men approach these miracles. One is the humble non-presumptuous faith of the leper in Mark 1:40. "If thou wilt, thou canst". The other is the pitiful blasphemous idea that God is unconditionally willing, but that His ability is limited by our action or faith, or lack of them. The former sees God as the glorious sovereign power who has the right and ability to administrate within His creation as He pleases. Read Luke 4:23-29. The latter sees God as a limitless, but subjective power source, and man as the sovereign engineer who turns the switches of God's power according to his own will. This pitiful error may credit God with all power, but it acclaims man to be the final authority over that power. To say the least this shows the vileness of the heart of man.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 15
1. How many miracles did Jesus perform?
2. How many do the combined Gospels record?
3. How many do all four writers record?
4. Which writer recorded most of them?
5. Which writer recorded the fewest?
6. Name all the categories of miracles you can.
7. What was the nature of the largest portion of them?
8. Was there any kind of miracle He couldn't perform?
9. Did He ever try and fail, because of weak human faith?
10. Does Scripture indicate that unbelief limited Jesus' actions?
11. If so, were they limited by His ability or His will?
12. Did He act where faith was not required of the recipient?
13. Did He ever indicate that faith brought healing?
14. How can we reconcile these apparent contradictions?
15. Did He perform miracles before His baptism?
16. Did He perform any miracle after His resurrection?
17. Did total sovereignty operate in Jesus' miracles?
18. Did Jesus heal and feed everyone He could?
19. Does Scripture teach that God's benevolence to man is limited?
20. If so, is it by God's will or His ability?
LESSON 16
APOSTOLIC MIRACLES
Mat 10:1-8; Mar 16:14-20 Memory Verse: Mar 16:20
Just as the miracles of Jesus Christ bore witness to His sheep and against the scoffers and unbelievers, leaving them without excuse, the miracles of His apostles bore witness that they were His ministers (Act 4:13-14). This also left the enemies of the cross without answer (Act 4:14), but built up the believers in the faith (Act 4:32-33).
Perhaps no Bible truth is more perverted, and surely none is used and abused by so many charlatans for self-gain. How can we separate between the true and the false? How can we accept the apostolic miracles, and reject what is "in Jesus' Name" acclaimed to be the same thing today? It seems to me that a careful study of Matthew 10, Luke 9 and 10, and Mark 16:14-20 along with an honest comparison of New Testament record of the apostolic miracles will surely show us how discernment can be made.
We are shown in Scripture 83 men who were given by Jesus these specific powers. There were the twelve of Matthew 10 and Luke 9 and the seventy of Luke 10, then there was the Apostle Paul. These all served in that interim time of New Testament revelation. You can't find a single New Testament servant of God doing these works where there is not reason to expect that they were of this group. On the other hand, the opinion that these gifts were passed on through apostolic succession, or that they were given to any volunteers by the Lord, seems to be absolutely denied by such passages as Acts 8:13-25 and 1 Corinthians 13:8-9.
The modern show-offs justify their actions basically by two passages. One is Mark 16:17-18, and the other is John 14:12. Both of these passages considered in their context will support the opinion that these gifts were confined to those men directly endowed by the Lord much better than the contrary argument.
Mark 16:14-20 was specifically spoken to "the eleven." The rebuke of vs. 14 is for unbelief. The challenge and promise in vs. 17 is to faith. They were to abandon the fear of vs. 14, and go into all the world. The promise was that those who heard this challenge, believed, and complied would have these signs evidencing God's presence. Verse 20 says they went and God gave those signs, confirming their message.
John 14:12 says "greater works than these shall ye do." The Greek word for greater just as in the English often means no more than a large number. I think it deals specifically with variety. Jesus didn't take up serpents, tread on scorpions, etc., and they did. To press these passages beyond this application is totally inconsistent with Scripture and presumptuous before God. Let the sorcerers, as in Acts 8:19 beware.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 16
1. How many men did Christ definitely endow with supernatural powers?
2. Can we identify all them by name?
3. Which of them didn't live during Christ's earthly ministry?
4. Can you name a post-resurrection miracle worker who could not have been of this number?
5. Explain what apostolic succession means.
6. Does the Bible give any example of it?
7. Did anyone request apostolic power?
8. Were they commended for their desire?
9. Were the apostles promised ability to do the miracles Jesus did?
10. Does it appear that they did them all?
11. Did they perform miracles of greater importance or power?
12. Did they perform miracles Jesus didn't perform?
13. Did they ever announce or advertise them?
14. Did they ever exalt themselves because of them?
15. Did they raise the dead?
16. Did they seek opportunities to work miracles?
17. Did they actually heal, or just pray for the sick?
18. Were their miracles prevented by unbelief of those they ministered to?
19. Did Jesus teach them to value these gifts above what we have today?
20. Why would God use those gifts then and not today?
LESSON 17
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
Mat 21:1-11; Mar 11:1-10;
Luk 19:28-48; Zec 9:9 Memory Verse: Luk 19:40
The preceding lessons have dealt with the early part of our Lord's earthly ministry. We learned of His baptism, the calling of His disciples, naming them apostles, setting them in His church, and establishing His identity by His earthly miracles. Up to the point of this lesson, the public opinion of His identity was left at a relatively low key. When He was born, sufficient proclamation of His identity was made, yet essentially He was made of no reputation (Isa 53:1-2). Even in the beginning of His miracles He often instructed His disciples and the recipients of His miracles not to tell what they had seen.
As He approaches what He knows to be the end of His earthly life and ministry He lays the question of His identity squarely before His apostles. Read Matthew16:13-20 and take careful notice of verses 15 and 20. As we come to the time of Matthew 21, people are coming to Jerusalem for the annual passover feast. On this trip the Lord will give Himself a ransom for souls. He will be crucified, buried and resurrected the third day. Therefore, He chooses to lay His identity openly and obviously before all the people. They shall have the opportunity and responsibility of accepting or rejecting Him as the King of Glory, the Son of David, and the King of the Jews.
His manner of entry is such that none who were aware of the Messianic prophecies could be ignorant of His claim concerning His identity. Nor could they be neutral as to their own professed acceptance or rejection of Him. He deliberately and in perfect detail fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. As He approached Jerusalem multitudes praised Him and cast palm branches and their garments in the way. They sang Hosanna to the King. May we then conclude that His burden for Jerusalem (Luk 19:41-44) was premature or conditional? No, His triumphal entry was a deliberate laying of responsibility before the people, and Jesus knew they would certainly reject Him, to their national and spiritual destruction.
Even while the children sang Hosanna, the religious leaders rejected Him, by saying, "Rebuke thy disciples". They were simply saying, We will not have you to be our King (Luk 19:39-40). Only four days later the hearts of the people as a whole will be knit together in this rejection. All of Jerusalem, certainly including some who shouted Hosanna, will be crying "Crucify Him, Crucify Him, we have no king but Caesar." Well did Jesus say they knew not the time of their visitation (Luk 19:42-44).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 17
1. Into what city was the triumphal entry?
2. What occasions brought the multitudes here?
3. What animal was used for this occasion?
4. What was miraculous about the use of it?
5. Were men supernaturally moved at this point?
6. Which prophet foretold this event?
7. What attribute of Christ was shown by riding an ass?
8. What identity of Christ was shown by the entry?
9. From what town was the colt secured?
10. What answer was to be given if the disciples were challenged for taking him?
11. Were they challenged in the matter?
12. W hat was cast in the path of the Lord?
13. Did many or few shout Hosanna to Him?
14. What group objected to this?
15. W hat did they ask Jesus to do?
16. What was Jesus' answer?
17. Did Jesus hope they would accept Him as King?
18. Did Jesus pronounce judgment for their rejection?
19. Was Jesus burdened over their rejection?
20. Whom did the multitudes ultimately follow?
LESSON 18
THE PASSOVER AND THE LORD'S TABLE
Luk 22:1-20; Mat 26:17-30;
Mar 14:12-25; Joh 13:20-30 Memory Verse: Mar 14:24
The Passover was an annual feast held by the Jews from the time they came out of Egyptian bondage. It involved the ceremonial consumption of basically two items: unleavened bread and a roast lamb. Just as the bread was to be unleavened, the lamb had to be without spot and without blemish. Both of these were symbols designed to typify the body of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The entire schedule of Jesus' ministry had pointed very directly and precisely to this very day. It was "the day when the passover must be killed" (Luk 22:7). Let's not be in doubt as to this dual meaning. It referred to the passover lamb, but in 1 Corinthians 5:7 Paul directly refers to Christ as our passover. If you understand that the Jewish day ran from sunset to sunset then you will understand that Jesus was crucified on the day of the Passover, and the institution of the Lord's Table.
Through the years Israel had observed the Passover feast, but their hearts had been so darkened by sin that when the Lamb of God came, they did not even identify Him. While His disciples were unwilling for Him to be the Lamb according to God's plan (Mat 16:21-23), the religious people of the day so hated Him that they became His murderers (Act 2:22-24). This annual foreshadowing of the Lamb must now stop for the hour was come for Him to be slain, but whereas one ordinance must cease, another must begin. What the Passover was to anticipate, the Lord's Table is to commemorate.
It seems obvious that the Lord took from the Passover table that same unleavened bread and cup which was used in the Passover, and used it to institute the Lord's Table. There is little argument about the bread, but much controversy has prevailed about the contents of the cup. Some stoutly hold that it had to be fermented wine, but Scripture identifies it only as the cup. It seems likely to me that fermented wine was forbidden in the Passover. Many claim tradition, time of year, etc., in defense of hard wine, but I have seen pages of writing in this effort without one bonafide historical bibliography, or a single Scripture to prove it. I hold that it was the pure, unaltered blood of the grape.
The most important thing, however, is that it is observed with the right attitude of heart and purpose of mind. Read carefully 1 Corinthians 11:23-32. If the elements are right and the attitude is wrong, we are still repeating the sin of Israel when they slew the Prince of Glory.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 18
1. What was the day of our lesson called?
2. What time of the day was it observed?
3. Was this the beginning or ending of their day?
4. Which two disciples were charged to prepare?
5. How were they instructed to find the place?
6. What sort of place was it to be?
7. What were the basic elements of the Passover?
8. What were two things Jesus did after supper?
9. What elements of food were used in one of these?
10. Were the disciples offered this or commanded to take it?
11. What is this ordinance called?
12. How long was this observance to prevail?
13. Can you give Scripture to prove that hard wine was used?
14. What was the bread to symbolize?
15. What was the cup to symbolize?
16. Is our participation in this ordinance optional?
17. Is this observance a sacrament?
18. What Old Testament ordinance does the Lord's Table parallel?
19. Explain why one ended and the other was instituted?
20. What does Paul tell us we are to do in taking it?
LESSON 19
THE NIGHT IN GETHSEMANE
Mat 26:30-46; Mar 14:26-42;
Luk 22:39-46; Joh 18:1-2. Memory Verse: Luk 22:44
After the Passover supper and the institution of the Lord's Table, the Lord and His disciples sang a hymn and went out. They not only went out of the upper room, but out toward the mount of Olives, over the brook Cedron, into the garden of Gethsemane. This was a place with which all the disciples, including Judas, were familiar. He did not do this with either desire or expectation of escaping the cross, it was the place foreordained of God for His arrest. As we study the purpose and conduct of Christ in the garden, we will learn more of the nature of His work on the cross.
It is obvious from many passages of Scripture that Jesus had no plan or desire, as the lamb of God, to avoid the cross. He says in John 10:17-18 that He will of Himself lay His life down, and in John 12:27 He plainly states that for this cause He came to this hour. What then is the meaning of such statements as, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me" (Mat 26:39). Some answer, "The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak". These err by failing to see that these words were spoken of Peter and the disciples, in response to their pledge, in such passages as Matthew 26:33-35. (Compare to Mat 26:41) Then why the prayer in the garden, and this description of His suffering before the cross?
Among other reasons which I may not understand, there is the open manifestation of Jesus' humanity. We must never think of Jesus as merely using a human body. He was God, and all the fullness of the Godhead was in Him.(Col 2:9) He was none-the-less man. With the exception of our inherited depravity and the resulting lusts and infirmities, He was as we are. He looked to the cross with all the dread of physical suffering and of the shame of such an ignominious death that any man would. Let us see that while this was His purpose, it was also something He submitted Himself to. He anticipated and submitted to untold physical and emotional suffering. Let us think of Gethsemane as the outer part of the tabernacle where He came as a lamb presenting Himself before the altar (the cross) to be our suffering sacrifice. Read Isaiah 53:6-8.
Read carefully Heb. 10:7-10 and John 6:38-41. Stop and let them penetrate your heart. This is why Jesus came to Gethsemane! Heretofore He had walked in meekness yet in towering strength as in Luke 4:28-30 and Luke 13:31-32, but here in the garden He assumes the position of Philippians 2:8.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 19
1. What time of the day did Jesus enter Gethsemane?
2. What kind of place was it?
3. Was this the night of, preceding, or following the Passover?
4. What was the feast of this night?
5. What brook was near here?
6. Did Jesus go there so the enemy could not find Him?
7. How many men accompanied Him?
8. Was the place familiar to them?
9. Were any of them armed, and if so, how?
10. What did Jesus tell most of His disciples to do?
11. Which of them did Jesus take with Him?
12. How far from these men did Jesus later go?
13. What did Jesus do there?
14. What did His disciples do meanwhile?
15. For whom did Jesus instruct His disciples to pray?
16. What was the basic content of Jesus' prayer?
17. Was Jesus' prayer unanswered or unanswerable?
18. Was Jesus trying to avoid the cross?
19. What physical phenomenon took place here?
20. How would you co-ordinate Matthew 26:39, John 18:11 and Acts 4:12?
LESSON 20
THE ARREST OF JESUS
Mat 26:47-58; Mar 14:43-54;
Luk 22:47-54; Joh 18:1-14 Memory Verse: Joh 18:6
The arrest of Jesus most graphically displays the blackness and blindness of the human heart in the clutches of sin. We can also see the weakness of God's people, when left to their own character and resources.
Notice the conduct of Judas Iscariot. He sold the sinless Son of God for thirty pieces of silver, the price of a common slave. He then, not having the nerve to confront Him honestly, betrayed Him with a kiss.
Those who came for Him did not have to surround and apprehend, but were met willingly (Mat 26:45-46). Yet they were in all reality a wild mob (Mar 14:43). Consider that the respected "chief priests, scribes and elders," did not use respectable law enforcement, or due process. The mob was sent by them bearing swords and staves. Had this mob sought to act honestly, they would have abandoned their mission even in the garden, and joined themselves to Jesus Christ. When He spoke, "I am He." they were knocked to the earth by a supernatural power, yet they persisted in their sorry task. When Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the Lord restored it, yet not even Malchus repented of his evil. In Matthew 26:53 Jesus says He could summon more than twelve legions of angels, and it seems to be obviously proven when He restored Malchus' ear and when the multitude fell down backward, yet they persisted in their evil and underhanded assignment.
Perhaps the conduct of the disciples is most difficult to understand, and yet it seems obvious that none of us would have acted differently. The Lord had explained their weakness, "All shall be offended because of me this night" (Mat 26:31). They have been warned and the prophecy of their actions quoted. They have all said they would stand with Him till death, even if they had to stand alone (Mat 26:33-35). They have been urged to pray for such strength in the garden (Mat 26:41). They beheld the miracles of that night when the mob came to arrest the Lord, and surely with better understanding than the multitude, yet when the mob bound Jesus and led Him away, He walked alone. They all forsook Him and fled (Mar 14:50). Notice that Mark 14:51-52 teaches us that other disciples of some degree were present. Most Bible students feel the young man described in Mark 14:51-52 was Mark.
Peter, and apparently John, did follow Jesus to the high priest's house (Joh 18:15-18), yet we see that Peter, who so insistently said he would follow until death, denied Him.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 20
1. On what night was Jesus arrested?
2. Where was Jesus arrested?
3. Did Jesus know when and how this would happen?
4. How many disciples were present?
5. What authority did Jesus' assailants have?
6. What weapon or weapons did they carry?
7. How much armament did Jesus' apostles have?
8. How was armament used?
9. What was Jesus' instruction about the use of weapons?
10. Name two points of logic used to forbid resistance here.
11. Who was the only person wounded?
12. What was done for him?
13. Name another supernatural event in the garden.
14. By what sign was Jesus betrayed?
15. What did Jesus call Judas at this time?
16. Did all the disciples forsake Jesus and run?
17. How many returned?
18. Were any followers except apostles present?
19. Where was Jesus taken after His arrest?
20. What prophecies did Peter fulfill that night?
LESSON 21
THE TRIAL OF JESUS
Mat 26:57-68; Mar 14:53-65; Luk 22:63-23:25;
Joh 18:12-14,19-24; Joh 18:28-19:6 Memory Verse: Joh 19:6a
Of all the kangaroo courts and miscarriages of justice recorded, and all of those so mean and infamous they never reached record, the trial of Jesus Christ was paramount. It involved more dishonesty, co-ordination of conspiracy and continuity of injustice by a series of people than could be explained if we did not have Acts 2:22-24.
He was first taken to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest. No evidence of crime was obtained or obtainable for Jesus was sinless (Heb 4:15). Nevertheless, Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest. Here they "sought false witnesses." It is strange that such an issue should be made by them of their law, when all the time they planned to knowingly break it. While they sought false witnesses they insisted upon two whose testimonies agreed. Finally two said the same thing (Mat 26:60- 61), but even though they testified of the same thing they could not agree sufficiently in their testimony (Mar 14:55-59). It is divine providence that even their accusation was a perversion of an allegory of the Gospel. That, of course, being that He would die for the remission of sins according to the Scripture, that He would be buried and would rise again the third day.
It was in frustration that the questioning elders finally asked, "Are you the Christ?" He answered yes and stated that He would sit on the right hand of God. It is typical of their blindness that such a grand truth should be called blasphemy and should become the charge on which they falsely condemned Him.
They then took Him to Pilate, though these lily white hypocrites would not enter the Gentile hall, lest they be defiled and forbidden to eat the Passover. While they held so tightly to the symbol, they cast away the true bread of life and hated the true Lamb without spot or blemish. And so He was, for Pilate found no fault in Him and sent Him on to Herod for trial (Luk 23:1-11). Herod found no fault and returned Him to Pilate.
It seems inconceivable that in all this no one said, "He is innocent, turn Him loose and detain Him no more." But remember He was not here because of His guilt, but because of His innocence. He was the Lamb without spot or blemish, slain from the foundation of the world. Pilate repeatedly pronounced Him faultless, yet he delivered Him up to be crucified.
In all this we see what man is. Though God had ordained Jesus' death, God did nothing to incite His murderers. He only allowed them.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 21
1. Why was Jesus arrested at night?
2. Was Jesus' arrest normal for that day?
3. Were Jesus' apprehenders duly authorized men?
4. To whom was Jesus first taken?
5. What relationship had this man to the high priest?
6. Where was Jesus taken secondly?
7. Who was the evil high priest?
8. Was he a prophet?
9. If so, was he sensitive to his prophecy?
10. Did the investigators seek true evidence?
11. Did they ever find corresponding accusations?
12. With what did these accusations deal?
13. Were they legally acceptable?
14. What was the last and condemning accusation?
15. Where did Jesus go from the house of Caiaphas?
16. Why did the Pharisees not enter this place?
17. What was Pilate's first verdict?
18. Did anyone influence Pilate?
19. Before which other person did Jesus appear?
20. Was Pilate finally persuaded of Jesus' guilt?
LESSON 22
THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST
Mat 27:29-37; Mar 15:16-26;
Luk 23:24-33; Joh 19:16-22 Memory Verse: Act 2:23
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the focal point and central message of the Bible. While it is true that it is dependent upon the resurrection for its efficacy, it is nevertheless true that the cross is where the lamb was slain and where the blest of the Lord were redeemed (Rev 5:9). The work of the cross must be seen from at least three angles: The purpose of God, the conduct of Jesus Christ, and the conduct of the people.
In Exodus 12:5-6 we find these words concerning the Passover lamb. "The whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening." This was not a lamb taken at random, but one having been tried and found without spot or without blemish. The lamb was not slain for his spots and blemishes, but for the sins of Israel, that they might be passed over and delivered from the death angel. God thus "made a difference" between Israel and Egypt (Exo 11:7), even as He sanctifies, "sets us apart," by the blood of the true Lamb (Heb 10:9-10). Let's not think of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Passover type. He was the fulfillment of God's will. He was the essence of the whole action, and the reason for the Passover lamb. Thus as the congregation of Israel on the day of the Passover, shout "Crucify Him," they are killing the true Passover (1Co 5:7). The people were acting out of vicious jealousy, hatred, self-righteousness, and in rebellion to God's commands, yet His eternal purpose was being fulfilled. Read Psalm 76:10.
Let's consider the purpose of God in all this. Was it merely to show love, to manifest the mean potential that dwells in man's heart, or had He no purpose at all? Acts 2:23 clearly says He did have a purpose and that the crucifixion carried it out. Hebrews 10:9-10 explains that the shedding of Jesus' blood was the will of God the Father. 2 Corinthians 5: 18-19 states that God was reconciling us to Himself (making an atonement) by Jesus Christ.
What then was the posture and attitude of Christ in this matter? Was He merely the instrument of God, involuntarily obedient to God and subject to the wicked hands of men? No, the Bible teaches that He was as purposeful in all this as God the Father. Hebrews 10:7-9 and John 6:38-40 clearly state that He came to do the will of the Father. Romans 5:8 says that He was motivated by His love for us. Hebrews 12:2 says He was motivated by the joy set before Him. Perhaps Isaiah 53:11 best explains His motivation, "He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied."
QUESTIONS - LESSON 22
1. Under whose authority was Jesus crucified?
2. How many men pronounced Jesus innocent?
3. On what Jewish feast day was Jesus crucified?
4. Did Pilate desire Jesus' crucifixion?
5. What man did Pilate try to trade for Jesus?
6. Why was this effort a failure?
7. Name some physical abuses Jesus suffered before the cross.
8. Who volunteered responsibility for Jesus' crucifixion?
9. Did they volunteer to extend this beyond themselves?
10. Did God grant them their request?
11. What words of Jesus, that day, so affirmed or denied?
12. Was God pleased with Jesus' death?
13. Does this mean that those who crucified Jesus were doing good?
14. Was Jesus pleased to be crucified?
15. What Old Testament ordinance symbolized Jesus' death?
16. Name at least three things that motivated Jesus.
17. Was it possible for Jesus to escape the cross?
18. Did Jesus have power to escape the cross?
19. What was done with Jesus' clothing?
20. Did Pilate believe Jesus was a king?
LESSON 23
THE SUFFERING OF JESUS
Mat 27:34-50; Mar 15:22-38;
Luk 23:33-46; Joh 19:17-30 Memory Verse: Mat 27:46
There is great danger today of our having wrong views of the cross. Mere compassion for a crucified man, even for Jesus Christ, is of little value. This fact is stated by the Lord Himself (Luk 23:28). He is to be praised for His work on the cross, not pitied. That work is the occasion for Christian joy, not sorrow. On the other hand, we must never become objective enough to, for one moment, be insensitive to the incomparable suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross. He suffered every pain and sorrow the human senses are capable of feeling and in my opinion much that no man will feel in this life.
He suffered the emotional pain of being betrayed by Judas, forsaken by the rest of His disciples, being called guilty when He was innocent, and being mocked by filthy crude soldiers. He suffered the physical and emotional pain of being slapped, spat upon, having His beard plucked out, having a crown of thorns shoved into His head, and the scourging by the Roman cat-of-nine-tails, from which many men died. His body was so marred, mangled, exhausted, and abused that He was physically unable to carry His cross all the way to Calvary, and Simon the Cyrenian was compelled to complete the job. Before He was nailed to the cross and apparently before death they offered Him the stupefying sedative, wine (or vinegar) mingled with myrrh (or gall), and He refused it. He was there to suffer for our sins and He refused to neglect or escape the grave penalty.
His hands and feet were spiked, probably by huge wooden nails or pegs to a crude wooden cross and He was hung naked, or very nearly so, in the noonday sun. Then He was mocked and reviled by dirty-mouthed Roman soldiers and by blasphemous Jews. Scripture says they sat down and watched Him there. They were rejoicing in His coming death and enjoying His suffering.
To add to this physical suffering, men mocked His mission and His identity by saying, "If thou be the Son of God come down from the cross, and save yourself". This He easily could have done, for He said He could have called more than twelve legions of angels to deliver Him, but He deliberately remained on the cross, drinking the very dregs from the cup which was given Him on our behalf.
At last we hear Him cry in anguish, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" The answer was that God is of purer eyes than to look upon sin, and Jesus had become sin for us.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 23
1. Who bore the Lord's cross?
2. Why did he do so, instead of Jesus?
3. Why was the Lord's physical condition so deteriorated?
4. How many causes of blood loss preceded the cross?
5. What was the most extreme physical suffering before the cross?
6. What group of people had shown sorrow for Jesus?
7. What was Jesus' counsel to this group?
8. About what time of the day was Jesus crucified?
9. What drink was Jesus offered before crucifixion?
10. Why did Jesus refuse to drink it?
11. How was Jesus fastened to the cross?
12. Who was crucified with Jesus?
13. Did His fellow-suffers reverence Jesus?
14. What was done with Jesus' clothing?
15. What happened about three o'clock?
16. What was done to expedite the death of the two thieves?
17. Give two reasons this was not done to Jesus.
18. How did the soldiers assure Jesus' death?
19. Was Jesus forsaken by the Father, and if so, why?
20. What took place in the temple when Jesus died?
LESSON 24
THE SAYINGS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS
Mat 27:46-50; Mar 15:33-37;
Luk 23:32-46; Joh 19:23-30 Memory Verse: Luk 23:43
It is understandable that a man in the excruciating pain and agony of crucifixion would not say very much, yet we should expect that those few words he does speak would be some of his most serious ones. How much more would we expect the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross to be of profound value, and worthy of our most careful consideration.
It seems the first words are an intercessory prayer, (Luk 23:34) "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do". I do not doubt for a moment that this prayer was answered. Yet, can we assume that all who stood there were to be forgiven by God? I think the answer is rather seen in a comparison of this verse to John 17:9 and John 17:20-21, and these to Acts 2:22-24, 36-37; 3:14-21. These verses read in order and careful comparison will easily show His prayer for His sheep, whom He would call.
I would place secondly the words spoken to Mary (behold thy son) and John (behold thy mother) (Joh 19:26-27). This indicates Mary's widowhood. It also shows the Lord's regard for human need and the pattern of placing those things in their proper order. Christian practice does not neglect such responsibilities, but orders them after right priority.
The third saying was Luke 23:43. These are words of forgiveness and promise to a dying man. This man at first was antagonistic to the Lord (Mat 27:44). We see though, that wherever a repentant heart looks to Jesus, there is forgiveness, no matter how far one has gone in sin.
The fourth saying was, "I thirst" (Joh 19:28). In this we see the progressive suffering of the Savior, yet the determination not to be sedated by drink. He would suffer to the uttermost for His own.
The fifth saying was, "Eli, Eli, La-ma-sa-bach-tha-ni? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mat 27:46). This was not discouragement or loss of faith as fools have stated. His soul was made an offering for sin (Isa 53:10). He was in this hour afflicted of God (Isa 53:4). No doubt these words only lightly express His desolation, as the offering consumed without the gate.
The sixth saying was, "It is finished" (Joh 19:30). He doesn't speak here of the work of calling or preservation, but of the work of redemption or atonement (Heb 10:10, 14-18; 12:2).
Last is the statement in Luke 23:46: "Into thy hands I commend my spirit". This shows us the validity of His statement (Joh 10:14-18). The work of atonement the Father had given Him to do, was finished.
QUESTION - LESSON 24
1. How many sayings were uttered by Jesus from the cross?
2. Which of these was the first?
3. Which utterance was a prayer?
4. Did God answer that prayer?
5. Which of these answered to another's physical need?
6. Which of these answered to another's spiritual need?
7. Which of these spoke of Jesus' physical need?
8. Which of these spoke of Jesus' spiritual torment?
9. Which of these proclaimed victory?
10. Which of these showed Jesus was in control?
11. Where did Jesus go when He died?
12. What repentance took place on the cross?
13. Were the thieves aware of Jesus' character?
14. Can we learn something of "deathbed repentance" here?
15. Unto whom did Jesus commit His mother?
16. Would this tell us something about Joseph?
17. What was Jesus given when He spoke of thirst?
18. Why did Jesus not receive it?
19. Were any soldiers impressed by Jesus' death?
20. About how long was Jesus on the cross?
LESSON 25
THE RENDING OF THE VEIL
Mat 27:50-54; Mar 15:33-39;
Luk 23:44-46; Heb 10:10-20 Memory Verse: Heb 10:20
The Old Testament tabernacle was established by God as the place for Jewish worship. It was not merely a gathering place, but the very order of construction and arrangement was all a figure of the ministry of Christ. Between the Holy place and and the Holy of Holies or the most Holy place, was a huge veil. Read Hebrews 9:1-9. The Holy of Holies where the ark was, represented the presence of God, and the veil represented the separation between man and God, and in my opinion may well be what Paul spoke of in Ephesians 2:13-16, when he referred to the middle wall of partition.
The people were forbidden access to the Holiest place. Only the high priest went in once each year and made an offering of blood. This offering did not remit sin at all. It merely foreshadowed the coming work of Christ, whereby the enmity between man and God would be blotted out. All the laws contained in ordinances pointed to this. Read carefully Hebrews 10:1-7.
At the moment Jesus died, the veil was rent from the top to the bottom. Even though the ark was never recovered after Babylonian captivity, God provided that the veil should be remade and preserved for this very event. I understand that this curtain was so massive and so woven that six yoke of oxen could not have torn it. But God parted it at the moment of Christ's death. Why?
It is to show that our High Priest has made an offering for us that does take away sin, thus giving us access to God. He did not merely enter in alone, but He opened the way for all who are in Him. Not only so, but the veil does not close behind Him, as after other priests, to be opened again, for a moment, the next year. It was rent in twain, forever open to them who will come to God by Him.
Paul explains it thus in Hebrews 10:10: By the will of God fulfilled in the person of Christ, we are sanctified through the offering of His body, once and finally. And whereas those priests offered daily and annually those ineffective offerings oftentimes, or over and over, Jesus Christ offered Himself once and His offering took away our sins. Hebrews 10:12 says, after this He sat down. The work of sacrifice was finished.
Therefore, where before death awaited all who approached the Holy God, we have boldness to enter by Him (Heb 10:19-20). This is not just initial approach for us either, compare Hebrews 10:21-22 to Hebrews 4:15-16.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 25
1. What time of day was Jesus crucified?
2. What time did darkness occur?
3. What time did Jesus die?
4. What happened to the physical earth?
5. How did this affect graves and sepulchers?
6. What happened in the temple?
7. What was the veil in the temple?
8. How long had the temple had a veil?
9. Where did a veil exist before that?
10. What did the veil symbolize?
11. Who was allowed inside it?
12. What was the penalty for unauthorized entrance?
13. How often did someone enter the Holy of Holies?
14. What was the one thing they must have with them?
15. What was the message of the rent veil?
16. Did this make a change in divine law?
17. How often does the priest do this work now?
18. Why is Jesus Christ now depicted as seated?
19. Why will Jesus never do this work again?
20. How does this affect our security?
LESSON 26
THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF JESUS CHRIST
Mat 27:57-61; Mar 15:42-47; Luk 23:50-56;
Joh 19:31-42; Lev 23:1-8 Memory Verse: 1Co 15:3-4
The death and burial of the Lord Jesus Christ is at the very heart of the Christian faith. The order in which all this was done is the apex of the identity of our Lord, and its time sequence is no mere circumstance but was precisely ordained by God. The foreshadowing (Heb 10:1) of Christ's death and burial was in the two goats so carefully ordained in Leviticus 16:1-28. On the cross Jesus was the sin offering (Lev 16:8-9) and in the grave He was the scapegoat who carried our sins far away (Lev 16:21). Compare Leviticus 16:22- 23 to Luke 24:12.
The day of the crucifixion and burial has long been a matter of controversy, and I neither expect to settle that, or claim to have the perfect answer, but following is what I believe to be the sequence of events. I think the key to the misunderstanding lies in failing to see the broad and general usage of the terms Passover, Passover feast, feast of unleavened bread, Sabbath and Sabbaths, in the New Testament. Tradition (of some) holds that Jesus was crucified and buried on Friday, because of the statement in Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54 and Jn. 19:31. It is certain that He died on the day preceding the Sabbath, but which Sabbath? If it was the seventh day and He rose on the first day of the week, we have great difficulty with Him being buried three days and three nights.
The Passover was the fourteenth day of the first month. On that day they ate unleavened bread in the evening. The fifteenth through the twenty-first of the month was the feast of unleavened bread. This is a total of eight days often referred to by either the Passover feast, or the feast of unleavened bread. Read carefully Leviticus 23:1-8. The fifteenth day of the month, the first day of unleavened bread, and the day after the Passover lamb was killed, was always a Sabbath, but not a seventh day Sabbath. This is the Sabbath of John 19:31, and could fall on any day of the week.
In my opinion the period of time He was in the grave (by our days) is as follows: Wednesday night, Thursday, Thursday night, Friday, Friday night, and Saturday, exactly 3 days and 3 nights. The first day of the Jewish week began not on Sunday morning but on our Saturday night at sunset. This is when Jesus arose. His resurrection was discovered in the morning of the fourth day.
I think the perfect figure of this could be seen in the first Passover lamb, and the exodus of Israel out of Egypt. The Lord held back the waters of death all night (the fourth night I think) (Exo 14:21, 22) but it was morning when they beheld captivity spoiled (Exo 14:23-31).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 26
1. Who buried the Lord?
2. In whose tomb was Jesus buried?
3. What was this man's financial status?
4. What Old Testament Scripture refers to this?
5. On what feast day was Jesus buried?
6. What feast days followed these?
7. How many days did these two feasts total?
8. Were they spoken of together, and why?
9. Which of these days were Sabbaths?
10. What Sabbath of necessity followed the Lord's burial?
11. Which Sabbath preceded Jesus' crucifixion?
12. How many days and nights was Jesus in the grave?
13. In what kind of grave clothes was Jesus buried?
14. Can you see this in the Levitical priesthood?
15. What two animals symbolized Jesus' death and burial?
16. What time of the day did Jesus die?
17. Within what span of time was Jesus buried?
18. Was Jesus anointed for burial?
19. What man helped Joseph bury Jesus?
20. Did they have legal permission to do so?
LESSON 27
JESUS' RESURRECTION AND THE WORLD
Mat 28:1-15; Luk 24:1-12;
Joh 20:1-18; Act 17:31-32 Memory Verse: Mat 27:66
Nowhere could the difference in value placed by two groups upon a single event, be more clear than in the case of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whereas it is the greatest of good news to the believer, it is a horror story to the lost world. This is especially true when He is presented to them as an indestructable judge (Act 17:31-32). It is the lost world's view of His resurrection that we shall consider in this lesson.
The Chief Priests and the Pharisees, after Jesus' burial, feared above all things His resurrection. Thus they went to Pilate and asked for a governmental seal upon and Roman guards for the sepulcher. They claimed fear of deceit on the disciple's part, but I think they really feared His resurrection, for the Pharisees did believe in the resurrection, even though the Saducees denied it.
I become much more sure of this as I see their conduct after His resurrection. Instead of repenting and seeking truth, they bribe the guards to tell what they know to be a lie. Sincerity seeks light, whereas deceit not only prefers, but promotes darkness.
The denial of the bodily resurrection is the opposite and the enemy of the Gospel. The Lord sent forth His apostles to be witnesses of His resurrection (Act 1:22). But these men hired false witnesses to say Hisbody had been stolen. The issue of Jesus' resurrection is very definitely a question of bodily resurrection. When the women discovered the resurrection in the Gospels, it was the body which they sought. It was invariably the absence. of the body which testified of the resurrection and it was the body about which the Pharisees hired the soldiers to lie. Not only so, but when the Lord appeared to His apostles, He denied that He was "a spirit" and clearly stated that He had a body of flesh and bone. He then proved it to them by taking fish and honeycomb and eating in their presence (Luk 24:36-44).
This doctrine is clearly hated by all opponents of Christ and loved by all them who are His. This is seen in God's approval of Jesus Christ over His adversaries by His resurrection from the dead. Note Acts 2:23-24 and Acts 17:31-32. See the clear difference in the Gospel message and the world's opinion (Act 25:18-20). Just as this was the apex of disagreement then, so it is today, and be sure the issues are no different. When you see one who gives any explanation of the disappearance of Jesus' body from the sepulcher other than the bodily resurrection, they are His enemies and they are unquestionably children of Satan.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 27
1. In what kind of structure was Jesus buried?
2. What covered its opening?
3. What was the fear of the Pharisees?
4. What claim of fear did they express?
5. To whom did they go with this claim?
6. What two preventative measures did they request?
7. Did the governor honor both requests?
8. Did he seem to expect that their efforts would succeed?
9. On what day of the week was the body discovered missing?
10. Who were the first to learn of this?
11. What was their purpose in being at the sepulcher?
12. What concern did they express as they went?
13. What strange thing did they find upon arrival?
14. How had the guards functioned during this?
15. To whom did the guards report the missing body?
16. What agreement did this group make with them?
17. Was the lie which they told believed by many?
18. Did the news of this ever come to Pilate?
19. How do we know the resurrection questioned here was bodily?
20. Why does the lost world fear Jesus' resurrection?
LESSON 28
WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION
Luk 24:1-53; 1Co 15:1-9 Memory Verse: 1Co 15:15
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, humanly speaking, is one of the most incredible claims ever made. Men of Jesus' day as well as modern scoffers have gone to great lengths to disprove it and as this fails they are always glad to give "large money" to obtain false witness against it. However, a denial of it denies the credibility and veracity of all New Testament writers, without whose witness we have no New Testament and thus no Christianity. It shall be the purpose of this lesson to call attention to the great host of Bible witnesses to His resurrection.
First, let's consider that the resurrection is a basic Bible prophecy. Compare Job 19:25-26 and Psalm 16:10 to Acts 2:25-32. These are only two of many Old Testament passages that teach the resurrection of Christ.
There were at least four categories of witnesses at the tomb. There were the women who went to anoint His body. There were the different angels who attested to the reason for the missing body. Both of these are seen in Luke 24:1-10 and the corresponding gospel accounts. Then there were the apostles who went to the tomb and beheld for themselves (Luk 24:11-12, Joh 20:3-10). There were also the soldiers who were set to guard the tomb. The very fact that they had to give some account was a witness to what happened and the giving and taking of a bribe corroborated it (Mat 28:11-15).
Let's now consider the apostolic witness. Actually, witnessing for Jesus Christ scripturally, is witnessing of His resurrection (Luk 24:45-48, Act 1:22, 4:2,33, 17:18). The Lord took the greatest of care to show to each apostle the fact of His bodily resurrection, and all their preaching centered around this. To deny it is to dispute the ministry and message of all the Christian apostles (1Co 15:15).
The apostle Paul gives what is perhaps the most extensive exposition of the absolute necessity of a clear witness to the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. He points out that we have the witness of Peter, then of the apostles, then of more than five hundred at one time, then of James, then again of the apostles, and last of all of Paul himself. He then shows in 1 Corinthians 15:15 that to deny this is to call all these witnesses liars.
Finally consider the Lord's own witness of His resurrection. He promised it (Mat 16:21), He described the bodily nature of it (Joh 2:18-22) and affirmed the fulfillment of it (Luke24:36-43 Notice particularly verse 39.). In conclusion I state unapologetically that denial of the bodily resurrection of Christ is the apex of the spirit of antichrist.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 28
1. Is the resurrection an Old Testament doctrine?
2. If so, do those prophecies teach a bodily resurrection?
3. Give two words used there to affirm or deny this.
4. Did Jesus definitely teach His resurrection?
5. To what Old Testament miracle did Jesus equate it?
6. Did Jesus teach whether it would be bodily or spiritual?
7. Explain how John 2:21 assures us of this.
8. Did Jesus teach afterward that His resurrection was bodily?
9. Explain how Luke 24:39-43 establishes this.
10. Who was the first post-crucifixion witness of Jesus' resurrection?
11. What evidences were left in the tomb that the body was not stolen?
12. How would this deny a.spiritual.resurrection?
13. Were the apostles particularly to preach this doctrine?
14. Was Jesus seen of a multitude after His resurrection?
15. Which of the apostles saw Jesus alone?
16. How is the veracity of the apostles related to Jesus' resurrection?
17. Which Pauline epistle deals with this most?
18. Does Paul say this doctrine is essential to the Christian faith?
19. How many people or groups can you name who saw Jesus?
20. Can any part of Scripture be trusted if not this?
LESSON 29
THE RESURRECTION AND THE BELIEVER
Joh 20:19-20; Luk 24:13-43;
1Co 15:1-20 Memory Verse: 1Co 15:17
We have, in previous lessons, dealt with the dread with which the antichrist and the scorn with which the sceptic looks at the resurrection. I have also laid before you the vast army of witnesses to that resurrection. In this lesson it shall be my purpose to show the value of it to the believer and the relationship he has with God by it.
Paul has clearly set forth the fact that if Christ was not raised from the dead, our faith is vain and we are yet in our sins (1Co 15:17). This is a strong statement. Were we not redeemed by His blood? Was the blood of His cross not the means of propitiation? How then can Paul say that if He did not rise from the dead all this was meaningless?
The death of Christ was not an isolated event. This ministry did not stand alone. Jesus Christ was not only the Lamb of God, He is the Priest that offered the Lamb and the Judge of the world (Act 17:31). The believer is secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ because it is the proof that He was God's approved mediator (Act 2:22-24). Notice Peter said God freed Him from death because it was not possible that He should be holden of it. He was not only approved of God by miracles, but also by His resurrection from the dead.
The great importance of His resurrection to the believer, though, is His resurrection ministry as our great High Priest, by whom we have access to God. When Mary Magdalene met Him in the garden she was instructed not to touch Him. Why? Because He was the High Priest, purified and in the process of His priestly work of offering His blood upon the mercy seat in heaven. The glorious evidence of this office is seen by comparing Leviticus 16:4, 23 to John 19:40 and John 20:6-7.
How does all this effect us? It is by this priestly work that we have access to God (Heb 4:14-16). This is true in both the sense of our original access and also our position of perpetual righteousness before Him. We are saved by Christ's resurrection life as truly as we are saved by His death. Notice Romans 5:10. You will see that here the cause (His death) and the effect (our reconciliation), precede the salvation that is by His life. How can this be? The life of Christ referred to here is His post-resurrection life, not His pre-Calvary life and the work of salvation He does here is that of the interceding High Priest. This order is seen in Romans 8:31-34. It is further explained in Hebrews 7:25-26 and is most thoroughly applied in 1 John 2:1-2. He is seen here as both our propitiation and our advocate.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 29
1. How long was Jesus in the tomb? . . . . .
2. On which day of the week did Jesus rise?
3. Who were the first people to discover it?
4. Who was the first person to see Jesus after His resurrection?
5. What negative instruction was she given?
6. What was the reason for it?
7. Name another person who went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body.
8. Is the resurrection vital to the Christian faith?
9. Is it vital to the believer's security?
10. In what material was Jesus buried?
11. To what Old Testament ordinance does this relate?
12. Were the apostles quick to accept it?
13. Should saints of their day have understood it?
14. Which of the apostles believed it last?
15. Were they all finally in agreement on it?
16. Could we be saved without it?
17. Explain and justify your answer to question 16.
18. What is the ministry of Jesus today?
19. How are we saved by Christ's life?
20. Is denial of the resurrection a new heresy?
LESSON 30
THE POST-RESURRECTION MINISTRY
Joh 20:11-21,25Memory Verse: Joh 20:21
We tend to put such emphasis upon the resurrection of Christ that we may easily overlook the post-resurrection ministry. Certainly the great portion of this is the intercessory work of the Priesthood mentioned in the previous lesson but never forget that there were forty days of work among His disciples just preceding His ascension. In this lesson I shall try to lay before you the problems that were solved, the directions that were given, and the commission that was left to His church.
In spite of all the prophecy, the personal teaching and the direct statements of it, it seems that not one follower of the Lord expected His resurrection. It seems that the first task to be accomplished after Jesus rose was to show His disciples what had been done. He told Mary Magdalene who told the apostles. They doubted and He showed Himself to them. He also, preceding His appearance to His apostles, had shown Himself to two disciples who were en route to Emmaus. This was Cleopas and probably Mary his wife, the kinswoman and perhaps the half-sister of Mary the mother of Jesus. He rebuked them for not expecting His resurrection and expounded the Scriptures to them. He later appeared to Thomas, called doubting Thomas, and established him. It is strange that tradition (not Scripture) refers to Thomas as doubting Thomas, for all the apostles apparently doubted until they had seen Him.
In John 21 we have the account of Jesus appearing to His apostles and feeding them with bread and fish. It was at this time that He provoked Peter to re-affirm his love and told him to feed His sheep. Should we wonder if Peter was given papal authority over the rest of the disciples, all question should be dispelled by John 21:20-22.
Finally and above all we have as part of the post-resurrection ministry what is referred to as the Great Commission. I will deal with it in the next lesson, but let me say here that it was a major part of the post-resurrection ministry. In John 20:21 it is stated like this "as My Father hath sent Me, so send I you", Jesus was sent to give Himself for others, so are we. He was sent to be persecuted, so are we. He was sent to work the work of God, so are we. He was sent to be obedient unto death, so are we. Let us not claim to be obedient disciples until we are surrendered to do His will by His grace at whatever cost is necessary.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 30
1. What village did Jesus enter after His resurrection?
2. What was the occasion of this visit?
3. Why were these disciples going there?
4. Whose of their names do we know?
5. Who could we assume was the other?
6. Why could we make this assumption?
7. How did they explain their sadness?
8. Did Jesus rebuke them for their doubt?
9. What did Jesus do after enlightening them?
10. What did they do after this?
11. When they reached Jerusalem, why were the apostles gathered?
12. Which one of the apostles had seen Jesus at this time?
13. What happened as they discussed this good news?
14. What was the apostles' first feeling when Jesus appeared to them?
15. What did they think they had seen?
16. At what body of water did Jesus later appear?
17. What were the apostles doing there?
18. Which apostle was singled out by giving him responsibility?
19. Relate how Jesus fed them there.
20. Did Jesus give Peter authority over the others?
LESSON 31
CHRIST'S ASCENSION AND THE CHURCHES' COMMISSION
Mat 28:16-20; Mar 16:14-20; Luk 24:45-53;
Joh 20:19-23; Act 1:1-11 Memory Verse: Mar 16:15
As we consider the ascension of Jesus Christ, there are three things upon which we must focus. The work He was going to do, His imminent return and the work He left us to do, known as the Great Commission. I have already dealt with His work of intercession at the right hand of God in a previous lesson. I will deal at length with His return in future lessons. Therefore, it is my purpose in this lesson to address myself to the Great Commission which the Lord gave to the Church.
I have given you a rendering of this commission from each of the Gospels and from Acts. Perhaps the most concise and clear wording of this command is Mark 16:15, so I will use it for the body of this lesson.
"Go." The first thing we are to see is that the command to Christians is to go. We don't merely speak to those who come to us, we are to go to them.
"Ye." To whom was this commission given? Certainly it was to the Apostles and disciples of that day but because they were the Church. If the command was given to individuals, it apparently would have died when they did. No, it was given to an institution, the church. By this I mean the local, visible, worshiping, doctrinally-conforming bodies of baptized believers in every age and locality.
"Into all the world." The extent of our commission is clear. It is "in Jerusalem," our immediate location. It is "in Judaea," the surrounding area. It is "In Samaria," the repulsive areas with undesirable people. It is "the uttermost part of the earth." There is simply no mountain or valley, no city or village, no palace or grass hut that is excluded from this commission. Moreover, we are to go to all these places simultaneously. To imagine that we are to finish the work at home before expansion, or to see foreign work as more glamorous and important than local work, is self-defeating.
"Preach the Gospel." No social endeavor or moral effort is within itself even the remotest obedience to the Great Commission. These things may result, but the commission is absolutely no less than "Preach the Gospel." What is that? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 says it is how that Christ died a substitutionary death for us according to the Old Testament promises, types and revelations; how that He was buried and how that He rose again the third day, our great High Priest and advocate in heaven, according to the Scriptures. Many churches today have turned from or minimized the task of this clear, precise and holy message. When they do so, they walk in disodedience to Jesus Christ.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 31
1. How long after the crucifixtion was the ascension?
2. From where did the Lord ascend?
3. What promise followed the ascension?
4. Who gave this promise?
5. What command did Jesus give upon leaving?
6. In how many books of the Bible does some form of the Great Commission appear?
7. To whom is this commission given?
8. What are three basic phases of this work?
9. Was the commission to individuals or to an institution?
10. Does this institution have medical, social and moral responsibilities?
11. Are these contained in the commission?
12. If so, under what phase of it?
13. May we, as a church, choose these instead of preaching the Gospel?
14. Which of these, if any, is of minor importance?
15. How far are we to spread the message?
16. Is one area more important than another?
17. Do we have authority to enter foreign countries?
18. Who, besides the Church, has this commission?
19. Why can we expect success?
20. Is doctrinal position important in this work?
LESSON 32
THE YOUNG CHURCH IN OPERATION
Luk 24:49-53; Act 1:1-26 Memory Verse: Luk 24:49
Luke is the writer of both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, properly named the Acts of the Apostles. The Gospel dealt with the things "Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which He was taken up..." The book of the Acts then is the account of what Jesus continued to do through His apostles and this, after He was taken up. This lesson will deal with what the young church, led by the apostles, did after Christ's ascension.
They were straightly commanded to tarry at Jerusalem until they were endued with power (Luk 24:49). This involved a period of 10 days, between the ascension and Pentecost, when the church was to be baptized with or in, (not by) the Holy Ghost (Luk 3:16-17). As we study the conduct of the Christians, it will become obvious that they were a church before the day of Pentecost.
First they returned to Jerusalem in obedience to the Lord (Luk 24:52-53) and entered an upper room of the temple and abode there for these 10 days. This gathering included the 11 remaining apostles listed in Acts 1:13, as well as disciples who had companied with them throughout the earthly ministry of the Lord (Act 1:21-22). It seems they had record of these names and they numbered about 120 (Act 1:15). According to Scripture, they continued there praising and blessing God, (Luk 24:53) and in prayer and supplication (Act 1:14). It is claimed by some today that they were praying for the "baptism of the Holy Ghost," but Scripture doesn't give the slightest hint of it. Though this may have been in their prayers, it seems to me that they were dealing with their own weakness and unbelief.
In those days, Peter stood up and declared that the immutable decree of God concerning Judas had been fulfilled (Act 1:16-20), but be sure that Judas did this by his own free and willful transgression (Act 1:25). 'Therefore,' said Peter, 'we must, by God's direction, select an apostolic replacement to witness of Jesus Christ's resurrection. He must be one who has companied with us all the time that Jesus did beginning with John's baptism.' The necessary longevity of this accompaniment seems to necessitate that he was baptized by John.
The following seems to me to be a proper church business meeting. They chose a man with proper credentials for the job. This could be done by human understanding. Then, however, they affirmed that God had chosen and had the right of choice among persons. Their vote then was not to effect their choice, but to seek God's choice. So should ours always be.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 32
I . How far was the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem?
2. Why did the apostles return to Jerusalem?
3. Did they immediately start preaching?
4. If they did not, why not?
5. Where did they go upon reaching Jerusalem?
6. How many apostles were there?
7. How many people were there?
8. How long was it until Pentecost?
9. Which apostle spoke before them?
10. From which prophet did he quote?
11. Did he indicate that Judas' transgression had to come to pass?
12. What did Judas purchase with his reward?
13. According to Peter how did Judas die?
14. What was the business Peter proposed?
15. What basic qualification did he specify?
16. What particular message was this man to bear?
17. Name the men suggested for candidates.
18. Did the disciples believe God chose among men?
19. Did these people seek to elect the one they trusted most?
20. What manner of selection was used?
LESSON 33
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
Act 2:1-47 Memory Verse: Act 2:8
The day of Pentecost was 50 days after the Lord's death. It an-swered to the Old Testament feast of the Passover, which was 50 days after the killing of the Passover or 7 Sabbaths (weeks) after the first day of unleavened bread. Just as the annual Passover feast, the feast of Pentecost was held every year. It was one of the 3 annual Jewish feasts. The feast of Pentecost was in celebration of the first fruits of the harvest (Exo 23:16).
As the annual feast of Pentecost or feast of first fruits celebrated the first of the grain, so this day of Pentecost celebrated the first fruits of those whom God will call out of the graves (1Co 15:20).
When God had given the law in the Old Testament, He came down to the Tabernacle in the form of the Shekinah Glory, signifying His blessing upon the place. In the same fashion, when it pleased Him to baptize His young church in the Holy Spirit, He appeared unto them in a very special way.
What took place here was the baptism of an existing, commissioned church in the Holy Spirit. It was the "Promise of the Father" (Luk 24:49). It was the "baptism of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 1:5). It was a partial fulfillment of Luke 3:16-17: "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." The baptism of fire did not take place here on the day of Pentecost. Cloven tongues upon heads is not baptism and "like as of fire" is not fire. The baptism of fire is the horrible judgment of Luke 3:17, "The chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable."
This was the empowering of His church, called the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Nothing else is the same thing, and no other baptism should ever be confused with it. Nor will there ever be, nor should there ever be another Pentecost. To desire one is as wrong as desiring that Christ would die on the cross again.
What was the purpose of this? Was it to give this group of Christians something to glory in or a reason to, by comparison, elevate themselves above others? God forbid! It was precisely and exclusively to empower them to do exactly what they did. "We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." The modern movement which exalts the Holy Spirit is, in fact, a perversion of His purpose. The true ministry of the Holy Spirit is never self promotion, nor the exaltation of receiving the Holy Spirit. Read John 15:26 and John 16:13.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 33
1. How long after Calvary was Pentecost?
2. What was the Old Testament observance?
3. How was the day determined? . . . . . . . .
4. How long had the apostles been at Jerusalem before Pentecost?
5. Why had they not gone out to preach?
6. What strange event took place here on this day?
7. What time of day did these events start?
8. What two phenomena took place?
9. Was there actually wind in the house?
10. Was there actually fire in the house?
11. Can you explain why God chose to use the sound of wind?
12. What shape did the apparent fire take?
13. What happened when they were filled with the Holy Ghost?
14. Was this the common New Testament result of being filled with the Spirit?
15. What language or languages did they speak?
16. Did they speak in any "heavenly" or unestablished languages?
17. What did the sceptics say about them?
18. What prophet did Peter say foretold this?
19. What was the main event of this service?
20. What was the issue of Peter's message?
LESSON 34
THE BIBLE PURPOSE AND USE OF TONGUES
Acts2:4-12; 10:44-48;
19:1-7; 1Co 14:1-40 Memory Verse: 1Co 14:19
How frequently do you hear the question: "Do you believe in tongues?" What a foolish question! Everyone who believes Scripture believes in tongues. The question is really, "What is the gift of tongues?" To whom was it given? For what purpose was the gift given? Was it temporary or is the gift still in effect today? The answers to some of these questions are so contradictory and varied that reason demands we go to and rely totally upon the Scripture.
First, the gift of tongues always involves an established language. It was so on the day of Pentecost, (Act 2:8) and Paul says this is always the case (1Co 14:7-11). So when you hear some chatter that is not in an established language, be sure it is nothing like the gift given on the day of Pentecost and it doesn't come from God.
Secondly, there must be people present who hear and understand the language. Interpretation in the context of 1 Corinthians 14 was not mere translation, but translation into the natural language of the hearer that they might be edified (1Co 14:11-19). 1 have personally heard several usages of what is called "the gift of tongues" today and none of them even came close to this Bible criteria.
Thirdly, there must be skeptical Jews present. The Old Testament prophecies of this gift specifically stated that it was to provoke Israel, "this people" (Isa 28:11). Isaiah clearly says the sign was to the nation of Israel, and Paul emphatically stated in 1 Corinthians 14:21 that this is proper application. In 1 Corinthians 14:22 he shows us that tongues are for a sign to skeptical Jews. You should know that Scripture reveals 3, and only 3, specific cases of the use of tongues (Act 2, 10, 19). In Acts 2 it was a sign to "Jews, devout men out of every nation" (Act 2:5). In Acts 10, it was a sign to "they of the circumcision" (Act 10:45). In Acts 19, at Ephesus, the gift was the immediate cause of Paul's admission into the synagogue (Act 19:6-8), and again to Jews. No Bible account fails in this test, and any exercise of it that does, is not according to Scripture.
Fourthly, Paul, in giving instruction concerning this gift, tells the women to maintain silence in the churches (1Co 14:34). I challenge you to find a long term and widespread practice of this modern "gift" where women are not a significant, if not a major element in it.
In 1 Corinthians 13:8, Paul clearly says the gift of tongues shall cease. When? It seems clear to me that both Scripture and continual evidence state that it ceased with the completion of God's revelation, the Bible.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 34
1. On what day was the gift of tongues first used? . . .
2. What was the empowering force for this?
3. Were tongues ever used to prophesy?
4. How many specific usages are revealed?
5. Did Gentiles ever speak with tongues?
6. Were tongues used for a sign to Gentiles? . . .
7. What were the locations of the exercise of this gift? .
8. Did any of these speak in non-established languages?
9. Is there Bible commendation or rebuke for usage of a "non--language"?
10. What does Paul say is the effect of such an exercise?
11. Was a translator used on the day of Pentecost?
12. Do we have an account of a translator ever being used to interpret tongues?
13. Did Paul speak with tongues?
14. Did Paul give preference to tongues over teaching?
15. Which did he prefer, tongues or natural languages in church?
16. Did he comment on prayer and singing in tongues?
17. Were tongues to be a lasting gift?
18. Were people in the Bible ever told to seek the gift of tongues?
19. Were women permitted to speak in tongues in the church?
20. What criteria commends or condemns today's exercise?
LESSON 35
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST
Act 2:1-21; Joe1 2:28-32 Memory Verse: Act 1:5
In the lesson on Pentecost I dealt briefly with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Since the subject is so widely proclaimed and often distorted, I will try to deal with it more particularly in this lesson.
John the Baptist said Jesus would baptize some of the multitude to whom John spoke in Luke 3 in the Holy Ghost and some in fire. Part of this has now been done and part of it Jesus will do yet. Men of proud hearts have always assumed the right to participate in the mighty movements of God and often in the attempt to volunteer for them, have made some great mistakes. Read Acts 8:18-24 concerning Simon the sorcerer and Acts 19:13-16 concerning the sons of Sceva. In this same fashion, men today have tried to defraud God of His glory in claiming the Baptism of the Holy Ghost contrary to the revealed plan of God.
John said Christ would baptize men with the Holy Ghost (Luk 3:16). Peter said in Acts 2:16, "THIS IS THAT spoken of by the prophet Joel." By this we can know that what took place on the day of Pentecost definitely came within the scope of Joel's prophecy, so let's study that prophecy.
When will it take place? In the last days (Act 2:17; Joel 2:28). Even a shallow study of the New Testament will reveal that the term "the last days" in the New Testament refers to that time beginning with the first advent of Christ and closing with the second. Thus all the things mentioned in Acts 2:16-21 and Joel 2:28-32 will transpire somewhere during this time. It is not consistent, however, with Bible revelation nor with basic Bible patterns to expect that any of these wonders are to prevail throughout this era. Do we expect or experience pillars of fire, vapors of smoke, the sun turned to darkness and the moon to blood on a common and recurring basis? Of course not! If we did, they would not be significant signs at all. So it is with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. As the end of this age (the last days) is to be marked with the signs in heaven and in the earth, so the beginning of it was marked with that of the Holy Spirit Baptism. The Lord said in Acts 1:5 that it was to take place not many days hence. We do not have the implication in Scripture that it was to be nor the indication that it was a constantly recurring event. It took place for Jews in Acts 2 and for Gentiles in Acts 10. In all the rest of the Apostolic ministries, it is seen no more than possibly in Acts 8 and 19.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 35
1. When did the Baptism of the Holy Ghost first take place?
2. Which apostle explained the event?
3. Which Old Testament prophet foretold it?
4. When was this to take place?
5. Were all these signs to take place all the time?
6. How many definite cases of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost are in the New Testament?
7. How did New Testament saints seek this baptism?
8. Where is Bible instruction as to how to receive it?
9. Which apostles taught courses on it?
10. Are New Testament saints instructed to seek it?
11. Are we of today so instructed anywhere in the Bible?
12. What is meant by God pouring out of His Spirit upon all flesh?
13. Were there voluntary recipients of this baptism in the Bible?
14. Did any apostle state that he individually had received it?
15. Is Baptism of the Holy Spirit and filling of the Holy Spirit the same thing?
16. Were men baptized by the Holy Ghost or in the Holy Ghost?
17. Did Paul claim this baptism?
18. Were men in Scripture taught to seek the gift of tongues?
19. Was Holy Spirit Baptism directly related to the gift of tongues?
20. Did either ever come as a direct result of prayer?
LESSON 36
THE BAPTISM OF FIRE
Mat 3:11-12; Act 1:5;
Luk 3:1-18; Act 2:1-5 Memory Verse: Luk 3:17
The statement of John the Baptist, "He shall baptize you ... with fire," is one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted passages in all of the Bible. Many assume that the cloven tongues like as of fire that sat upon those present on the day of Pentecost fulfilled this prophecy of John. There are some even today who claim to be receiving the baptism of fire. A simple study of Scripture should clarify this misunderstanding.
Let me first point out several shortcomings of the idea that this experience of Pentecost was, in any sense at all, the Baptism of Fire. First, the Bible didn't say there was any fire on the day of Pentecost, but "tongues like as of fire." Secondly, if it had been fire, cloven tongues sitting on them certainly doesn't qualify as baptism. Thirdly, when the Lord promised the Baptism of the Holy Ghost "not many clays hence" in Acts 1:5, He didn't mention the Baptism of Fire. Fourthly, when Peter explained the event of Pentecost in Acts 2:14-21, he said, "this is that spoken of by the prophet Joel," and even though Joel's prophecy included fire, there was no hint of it being upon any of them nor any of them in it. The fire here in Acts 2 just won't fit the basic qualifications for baptism.
I am covering the subject of the Baptism of Fire at this point because of the broad misunderstanding, but it, in fact, didn't take place here at all.
It is to be noted that in Luke 3 and Matthew 3, John the Baptist was speaking to a mixed multitude of righteous and wicked. Some of them would become apostles and some of them would be the betrayers and murderers of the Lord. He referred to them as a generation of vipers in Luke 3:7. It was to this mixed multitude that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and the Baptism of Fire were promised. The key verse to understanding of this is Luke 3:17. It is the completion of the sentence which is begun in Luke 3:16. The passage can't be interpreted without it and can hardly be misinterpreted when it comes into focus. Let's consider the verse. "Whose fan (winnowing fan) is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge (cleanse by separating the wheat from the chaff)his floor (threshing floor) and the wheat (the saved) he will gather into his garner (which shall be baptized on the day of Pentecost in the Holy Ghost) but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable." This burning with fire of verse 17, is eternal punishment and is the Baptism of Fire of verse 16.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 36
1. Who prophesied the Baptism of Fire?
2. Who was to administer it?
3. Was it prophesied by name in the Old Testament?
4. Was it prophesied by name elsewhere in the New Testament?
5. To whom did John deliver this prophecy?
6. Did he indicate that all his audience would receive these baptisms?
7. Did he indicate a difference in God's administration to them?
8. What was the illustration he used to illustrate it?
9. Did people on the day of Pentecost all have tongues of fire upon them?
10. If so, why would it not be baptism?
11. Did wind fill the house on the day of Pentecost?
12. Of what kind of fan did John speak?
13. Of what kind of floor did he speak?
14. To whom was the wheat likened?
15. To whom was the chaff likened?
16. What was to be done with the wheat?
17. What was to be done with the chaff?
18. What did John call the "chaff" of this congregation?
19. Did the religious people of John's day appreciate this message?
20. Who will receive the Baptism of Fire?
LESSON 37
THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM
Act 2:22-47, 4:1-4, 5:12-16 Memory Verse: Act 5:13
Perhaps no other area of New Testament church history is viewed with less objectivity than the growth of the church at Jerusalem. Often, groups claiming growth that rivals that of this church, cite methods, evidences and goals that are in no way kin to the revealed nnes of the church at Jerusalem. In fact, it seems to me that, humanly speaking, the goals of many churches today and the obvious motives behind those goals were the very reasons for the dispersion of the church at Jerusalem.
In a very short time this church grew to a huge number. They began with about 120 names (Act 1:15). On the day of Pentecost, about 3,000 were added (Acts 2:41). In Acts 2:46-47 we find that the Lord added to the church daily. In Acts 4:4 we read that about 5,000 were added. In Acts 5:14 we learn that multitudes both of men and of women were added.
It is to be noted that no contests were held, no prizes awarded and no entertainment was offered. If any celebrities were converted, they were treated like any other sinner saved by grace. Their names were not cast into the lime-light nor their talents promoted in the church. The method was rather and exclusively this: "and daily in the temple and from house to house they ceased not to TEACH and PREACH JESUS CHRIST." It should also be noted that this growth is never cited as evidence of the spirituality, power or wisdom of these people, but was constantly a testimony of the supernatural work that God was doing, both in working miracles by their hands, and by calling men into the most Holy Faith by the power of His Word and His Spirit.
It is sadly apparent that in the midst of all this blessing and growth, there is no positive move made toward evangelizing the uttermost part of the earth, Samaria or even Judea. The entire thrust seemed to be for Jerusalem. It seemed to be at the very apex of this growth and fervor that God permitted persecution to arise, the martyrdom of Stephen to occur, and the dispersion of this huge church to result.
Whatever other lessons there may be in this, it seems to me that we should learn that God's plan for our motivation is outreach not just ingathering. It seems to me that most churches today put far more emphasis on counting noses and nickels, than they do on going into all the world and preaching the Gospel to every creature. Let us pray that we may disperse rather than having to be dispersed.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 37
1. In what city did the first church abide?
2. What was the original number of it there?
3. On what day were the first post-resurrection additions realized?
4. Why had all this time passed without Gospel preaching?
5. Who preached the message of that day?
6. Was the message calculated to befriend the hearers?
7. How many were added to the church that day?
8. By what act did they declare their affiliation?
9. In what name did Peter tell them to be baptized?
10. Why not in the name of the Trinity?
11. Did the church have conversions and additions regularly?
12. Did they promote or advertise to gather the crowds?
13. What was their pattern of action?
14. Did Peter's message contain accusations of its hearers?
15. Were their lives endangered by their discipleship?
16. What was the largest number of additions recorded at one time?
17. Did they set attendance goals?
18. Did they publish attendance records?
19. Were they obedient to the great commission?
20. If not, in what way did they fail?
LESSON 38
THE MINISTRY OF MIRACLES
Act 3:1-26; 4:5-12; 5:12-16; Mar 16:14-20 Memory Verse: Act 3:12
The apostolic miracles were a major mark of God upon His chosen vessels of that day, to give credibility to His young church. Mark 16:17 stated that these apostles who entrusted their lives to the risen Christ, believing Him in every promise and for every need, would be accompanied in their ministry by such signs. Mark's summary of their ministries in Mark 16:20, was that the Lord worked with them confirming the Word with signs following. The book of Acts gives the details of what the Holy Ghost signified by Mark. The Lord Himself had promised them that the miracles He did, they would do and "greater;" not greater in power but in number and variety. Certainly, they did none of greater power or importance and what they did was by His power (Act 3:16).
Acts 3:1-8 records the first apostolic miracle following the Lord's ascension. It, however, precedes a very long list of them, both detailed and generalized. Peter healed (by God's power) the lame man at the gate called Beautiful. In Acts 5:12 we read that "By the hands of the apostles (plural) were many signs and wonders wrought." The effect of this was at least twofold. Great fear touched unbelievers insomuch that they dared not join them and multitudes of true believers were added unto them (Act 5:13-14). At this point the healing ministry of the apostles was very pre-eminent (Act 5:15-16), yet they neither promoted it nor promoted themselves by it.
This ministry of miracles would extend to include the raising of Tabitha, or Dorcas, from the the dead at Joppa by Peter (Act 9:36-42) and Pauls raising of Eutychus from the dead at Troas. Paul also accidentally picked up a viper by which he was bitten without harm on the island of Melita (Act 28:1-6). These events perfectly fulfilled the promise of the Lord in Mark 16:17, but they always became the occasion for preaching Christ. Not one time do you see either the miracle or the apostle who worked it magnified.
Something else you should note is that as new men are added to the ministry, such as Timothy and Luke, you never read of them performing a miracle. Stephen did in Acts 6:8 and Philip the evangelist did in Acts 8:6. It seems conclusive that both Barnabas and Silas did. I personally am convinced that all the men who did were of the twelve in Luke 9:1, of the seventy in Luke 10:1 and Paul (Act 9:6-16). All scriptural account seems to indicate that when these men died the ministry of miracles was completed.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 38
1. Were miracles a significant apostolic ministry?
2. Did Jesus promise this ministry to them?
3. Did Jesus promise it to everybody?
4. Do we have Bible evidence that believers in general performed them?
5. Did any woman perform miracles?
6. Which apostles were most pre-eminent in this function?
7. Which man, who was not an apostle, worked miracles at Jerusalem?
8. Who worked miracles at Samaria?
9. Did any apostle pass this power to another?
10. Which apostles, if any, raised the dead?
11. Who was the first apostle to do so?
12. Where did he do this?
13. Who was the dead person he raised?
14. Where did Paul raise a dead person?
15. What was this person's name?
16. What were the details of his death?
17. Which apostle handled a viper?
18. Did he do it deliberately?
19. How many men did Christ personally charge to heal, etc.?
20. Is there real evidence that others did it?
LESSON 39
MEN FOR THE DAILY MINISTRATION
Act 6:1-15; 1Ti 3:8-13; Phi 1:1 Memory Verse: Act 6:2
It is commonly held that the 7 men chosen and ordained in Acts 6:3-6 are the first deacons. While it is true that these men were chosen here to do the work of a deacon, it is not true that this office is something of a ruling class within the church or that they have the responsibilities of making administrative decisions for the church. They were chosen by the congregation and approved by the apostles by the laying on of hands to do a particular job. To see what this job was and what this office was in the Scripture will help us greatly in discerning divine order from tradition.
The word deacon appears twice in all of Scripture and the word deacons appears 3 times. Neither of these words ever appears with the wordordination nor is the specific job they are to do connected with either of these English words. The 3 Greek words which lend themselves to the English word deacon appear a total of 101 times in Scripture. They are the words diakonia, diakoneo, and diakonos. These words are translated 61 times minister unto, ministry, minister, or ministering. They are translated 17 times serve, or servant, and 6 times ministration. They are translated only 5 times deacon or deacons including 2 times where the word is rendered in a phrase "use the office of a deacon." There are 14 miscellaneous translations of the words which are all compatible with the above renderings. These terms frequently refer to women in the Bible, which surely ought to cause us to look with caution at today's tradition surrounding the office.
The only words in Acts 6 that lend themselves to the term deacon are the words ministration in Acts 6:1 and serve in Acts 6:2. It might be noted that both refer to the daily feeding of widows and orphans, and that because in that brief era they had all things common (Act 4:34-37) .
As we look at the practical and applicable aspect of this, we see 7 men of good record and reputation in the church. The fact that at least 2 of them, Philip and Stephen, performed apostolic miracles causes us to think that they companied with the Lord as did Matthias and they probably were all of the 70 called and sent in Luke 10:1. Certainly this cannot be proved, but the more I study, the more thoroughly I am convinced of it.
What we should see in this is that the office of the deacon is to be filled only with men of blameless reputation and that they are to be servants, never rulers.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 39
1. Why were the men of Acts 6 chosen?
2. How many of them were there?
3. What kind of men were they to be?
4. Did the church have a voice in their selection?
5. Did the apostles approve them?
6. It so, how did the apostles so signify?
7. What was their specific job?
8. Do we need men for this job today?
9. Who had authority over these jobs?
10. Did any of these men preach?
11. Can the office of deacon include preaching?
12. Does the word imply authority, service, or both?
13. Can an apostle be referred to as a deacon?
14. Could a pastor or preacher be so described?
15. Do we find any of these 7 men exercising authority?
16. Did any of these 7 men perform miracles?
17. Did any of them baptize anyone?
18. What are the proper parallels between their functions and those of deacons today?
19. Is the word deacon the common Bible name for this office?
20. Which of these men became a martyr?
LESSON 40
THE STONING OF STEPHEN
Act 6:8-7:60 Memory Verse: Act 7:51
The stoning of Stephen is no mere or isolated event. It is in a very definite sense a milestone in the fulfilling of Joel's prophecy and all the other Bible prophecies that point to a people being called out of the Gentiles. That which David prophesied in Psalm 69:21-25 and which Paul explains in Romans 11:9-15 had its marked entrance at the death of Stephen. It was a turning of emphasis of the Gospel ministry from the Jews to the Gentiles. In the first five chapters of Acts, even though thousands and thousands of people have been saved, no Gentile house has been entered nor has the Gospel been preached in any Gentile village or city. You will notice, however, that from this point the great thrust of the Gospel will be decidedly toward the Gentiles.
They were not Gentiles who rose up against Stephen and accused him falsely, it was Jews of the most religious sort. Moreover, both Acts 6:10 and Acts 7:51 tell us that they resisted the Holy Ghost not just Stephen. When Stephen was falsely accused and called to account for his actions and message, he did not defend himself. He rather accused his accusers by reciting their history before them. He gave account after account of their forefather's rebellion against God. He started with the call of Abraham and gave a complete account of their ungodliness, God's punishment followed by mercy, followed by more of their ungodliness and then another cycle of the same thing. He crowned his message by stating that the individuals before him, just like their forefathers, always resisted the Holy Ghost. He then called them the betrayers and murderers of the Lord.
It might be noticed that Stephen's message was very like Peter's in Acts 2:22-23. But, whereas in Acts 2:37 the people were pricked in their hearts and repented, those in Acts 7:54 were cut to the heart and they gnashed on Stephen with their teeth and ultimately stoned him to death. Stephen died a heroic martyr's death but the sorrow of Israel was just beginning.
In the eighth chapter of Acts the great church at Jerusalem is dispersed but instead of the result being bad, it is good. They go everywhere preaching the Gospel (Acts 8:4). Philip the evangelist goes to Samaria followed by John and Peter who is subsequently led by the Spirit to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Moreover, the experience of Saul in Acts 7:58 seems to not long precede the miraculous conversion of this great apostle to the Gentiles.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 40
1. Was Stephen a Jew or Gentile?
2. Was he named among the 70 of Luke 10?
3. Was he a man of long standing testimony?
4. Was he a miracle worker?
5. Was he a student of the 0ld Testament?
6. What work had the church ordained him to do?
7. Why was he accused of blasphemy?
8. Were his accusers sincere men?
9. Did Stephen defend himself?
10. What historical account did he give?
11. Did he call the Israelites bad names?
12. What did his message have in common with Peter's in Acts 2?
13. Were the Jews convicted by his preaching?
14. What was their first physical reaction?
15. What was their ultimate treatment of him?
16. What was his intercession for them?
17. What spiritual revelation did he see?
18. What later famous person observed Stephen's stoning?
19. What was his part in it?
20. Was he personally in agreement with it?
LESSON 41
THE DISPERSION MINISTRY
Act 8:1-40, 11:19-26 Memory Verse: Act 8:35
We often see adversity to the work of God, only in the capacity of its interference to our plans and programs. It is scriptural, however, to remind you that God never allows this without a purpose (Psa 76:10). His purpose in the persecution of Acts 8:1 was an adjustment in the ministry of His young church that would result in a much broader spread of the Gospel. Be sure, though, that God did not effectively cause the persecution to arise, He only permitted the "wrath of man" to function and that only to the extent to which it would result ultimately in His glory.
The purpose of those who stoned Stephen (Act 7:59-60) and those who persecuted the church (Act 8:1), was to stop the spread of the Gospel of Christ. The actual effect of it was to precipitate the spread of it. Philip went down to Samaria, then to the Ethiopian eunuch, who ultimately went home to Ethiopia rejoicing with the message of Jesus Christ (Act 8:39). Philip then continued his ministry in many cities, from Azotus to Caesarea (Act 8:40). Moreover, as an outflowing of his ministry at Samaria and a completion of it, Peter and John, after having gone to Samaria, preached the Gospel in many Samaritan villages (Act 8:25).
The contextual arrangement of the Biblical account of Paul's conversion would indicate that even this persecution was an effect for his conversion. It probably supplied many of the goads the Holy Spirit used to prick his heart (Act 9:5). Of course, you know Paul's ministry accounts for the broadest early spread of the Gospel. You should also know that the dispersed Christians and the resulting churches were the basic human instruments of his early spiritual maturity.
In Acts 11:18, the account of the persecution scattering continues by telling us of those who went to Phenice, Cyprus and Antioch. It was in Antioch that they began to speak to Grecians (Gentiles) and a great number turned to the Lord. The church at Antioch was thus established. It was here that the disciples were first called Christians (Act 11:26) and from whence Paul and Barnabas were sent out (Act 13:1-3).
It is the modern opinion that freedom to preach the Gospel and the hope of its continuance, lie in our ability to form government rightly and to preserve freedom. Even though I am certainly for this, we might be reminded that our freedom is accompanied by lethargy and apostacv, while traditionally, the more God's work has been opposed, the more it has flourished. Compare Exodus 1:8-12 to Acts8:4.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 41
1. Who was responsible for stoning Stephen?
2. Was Stephen's message essentially that of the church?
3. Were his murderers satisfied with his blood?
4. To which other members of the church did it spread?
5. What effect did this have on preaching at Jerusalem?
6. How large did the church at Jerusalem remain?
7. What did the dispersed church do?
8. Did they immediately move beyond ministry to the Jews?
9. Did they immediately preach to Gentiles?
10. Where did Philip go when he left Jerusalem?
11. Why did he leave this preaching point?
12. How did this affect world evangelism?
13. Where did the rest of the church go?
14. Where was Philip's ministry after his meeting with the eunuch?
15. Where were the disciples first called Christians?
16. In what country was this city?
17. Did God purpose the persecution?
18. Did God cause the persecution?
19. If the answers to questions 17 and 18 are different, explain why
20. Has persecution traditionally retarded Christianity?
LESSON 42
THE GOSPEL TO THE GENTILES
Acts 9:1-15, 10:1-47, 11:1-18 Memory Verse: Act 11:18
The extension of salvation to the Gentiles was no isolated or incidental event. It was prophesied by many Old Testament prophets. Compare Joel 2:28-32 to Acts 2:21 and Rom. 10:11-13. Compare also Romans 10:20 to Isaiah 65:1-9 to Galatians 3:16. Thus we should see that this great transaction which seemed so strange to the Jews and even the Jewish Christians, was the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose. This purpose, I say, was revealed to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Israel, the prophets (though they saw it dimly) and finally unveiled through God's holy apostles.
A careful study of the book of Acts shows us that God was working simultaneously in and upon many to bring this about. Not only so, he was permitting and restraining the deeds of the wicked to perfectly set the stage for it. While great persecution upon God's young church (Act 8:1) sent them everywhere preaching Christ (Act 8:4), God was converting a young Pharisee named Saul. He was soon to become the apostle Paul and the greatest missionary of all time to the Gentiles. Meanwhile, God was opening the age of the Gospel to the Gentiles in a dual drama. In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius. He was devout in the same sense as those lost Jews of Acts 2:5. This was, however, a religion void of Christ or salvation as described in Romans 10:1-2, thus God sent an angel to him who gave him instruction in sending for a preacher who would tell him how to be saved (Act 11:14). At the very same time of the external workings of the Holy Ghost upon Cornelius, there were great workings of the Spirit both upon and in Peter at Joppa. God revealed to him that he was to go to Caesarea and preach the Gospel to Gentiles.
As Peter obeyed and preached Christ in the house of Cornelius, the Holy Ghost fell upon them and they spoke with other tongues, just as the Jews did at Jerusalem in Acts 2:4-6. Peter thus commanded that they should be baptized in the name of the Lord (Act 10:48) just as in Acts 2:38.
As Peter rehearsed this to the elders of the church, he revealed that this was the fulfillment of Acts 1:5, just like the events on the day of Pentecost. They then glorified God and said, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. 1 Corinthians 1:21-24 perfectly explains the wonderful internal work of calling that the above passages record.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 42
1. Where was Paul going when he was converted?
2. What was the chief work of his ministry to be?
3. Were other people simultaneously going to preach to Gentiles?
4. Who was the first Jew to openly preach to specific Gentiles?
5. Where did these Gentiles live?
6. Which of these Gentiles' name do we have?
7. What was this Gentile's occupational position?
8. From whom did he receive instruction in sending for Peter?
9. Who was sent to get Peter?
10. Why did they have an impossible task?
11. To what city did they go?
12. To whose house did they go?
13. What extraordinary miracle had Peter done there?
14. Where was Peter when they arrived?
15. Why had he gone to this place?
16. What vision had he seen there?
17. What commandment did he receive concerning the vision?
18. What was the Spiritual application of this?
19. How did Peter know the men at the gate related to this?
20. Who accompanied Peter to Caesarea?
LESSON 43
THE CONVERSION OF SAUL
Act 7:58-8:4, 9:1-31 Memory Verse: Act 9:15
All who study the providence of God, know that every event in history is related to every other event in history and in the future. Nowhere does Bible record make this more conclusive than in recording the arrangement of events in the early years of the Lord's Church. Saul was breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the church (Act 9:1). But the havoc he made of the church sent them everywhere preaching the Word (Act 8:3-4).
Let's see here the glorious truth that God not only could overrule the effect of Paul's sin and make Paul's wrath praise him (Psa 76:10). He also overruled the sin in his heart and made Paul's heart and life praise him. Nowhere can the final irresistibility of God's grand purpose be more perfectly seen. Paul was going to Damascus to apprehend Christians, but as he journeyed, God moved upon him in love, yet with great force.
Two things should be seen in this passage. First, the power of God in the conversion of sinners. If you object to this and assume that as soon as Paul knew the truth, he yielded, I would call to your attention the facts. He kicked against the pricks, or goads of God's grace. So great was God's thrust upon Paul that he was knocked down. That Scripture says he fell is true, but context will not allow us to suppose he fell voluntarily. He was left trembling and astonished, and without sight for three days. On the other hand, be sure Paul exercised volition in this matter. We hear him say, "Who art thou, Lord?" and "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" What we see is a perfect coordination of God's exercise of His power and man's exercise of a converted will. This is the constant pattern; man freely bows to his Saviour when and because he is converted from his sin and rebellion. That is, God converts him, he does not convert himself. What Paul experienced here was the new birth. Not every new birth is like this, but every one is equally the gracious and unsought work of God.
Paul remained 3 days without sight, food or drink. At this point, God spoke to Ananias, surely one come to Damascus at the time of the dispersion of Acts 8:4 and, in my opinion, one of those who had companied with the Lord during His earthly ministry (Act 1:21-22). Ananias feared Paul, for since he stood in the background at the stoning of Stephen, he had grown to great prominence in persecuting the church. Nevertheless, at God's insistence, he went and laid his hands on Paul restoring his sight. He then baptized him, whereupon Paul immediately began to preach Christ in the synagogues (Act 9:18-20).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 43
1. Did significant time pass between the stoning of Stephen and the conversion of Saul?
2. Where was Paul's early persecution of the church centered?
3. Was Paul's persecution confined to public worshipers?
4. Toward what particular person was his wrath directed?
5. Was this being done in ignorance?
6. If so, would it mean he was basically guiltless?
7. To what city was he en-route when converted?
8. What establishments did he plan to inspect there?
9. From whom did his authority come to do this?
10. What signaled God's particular interception of Paul on the road to Damascus?
11. Did Paul kneel down at this point?
12. Who spoke first, Paul or God?
13. Which person of the Godhead did the speaking?
14. Had Paul been resisting God at this point?
15. What was Paul's first question?
16. Was God's answer to him complete?
17. Were people in Damascus aware of him?
18. To whom did God speak on Paul's behalf and in what manner?
19. Why did this man resist God's bidding?
20. How soon after conversion did Paul begin to preach?
LESSON 44
PAUL'S EARLY MINISTRY
Act 9:19-31, 11:22-30;
Gal 1:10-2:2; 2Co 12:1-6 Memory Verse: Act 9:26
God had chosen Paul for a very special ministry. Paul was saved for and called into that work. There were, however, many human obstacles to overcome. They lay in two basic categories. One was the long years of training and prejudiced preparation in Judaism. This would bring him under tremendous peer pressure, even to the endangering of his life. The other category was that he was feared and distrusted by Christians, due to his previous conduct. Let's see how God overruled all of this and used Paul as His apostle to the Gentiles.
Paul was saved near and baptized at Damacus. Immediately he confessed and preached Christ there. God then separated him into the desert where he learned the Gospel and many basic revelations, which would later influence his ministry and his epistles. He then returned to Damascus, where he preached Christ and after many days (Act 9:23) the Jews sought to kill him. He was then let down the wall in a basket and escaped to Jerusalem. At this point, he is about 3 years old in the Lord. (Gal 1:18) The disciples were afraid of him there also and refused to accept him. Barnabas then befriended him, testified for him and brought him to the apostles with whom Barnabas had considerable influence. He was thus accepted by them and abode with Peter 15 days (Gal 1:18), but this was not a time of basic indoctrination. (Gal 1:15-22)
Making peace with the disciples at Jerusalem did not mean safety for him. As he began to preach Christ, there were again those who went about to slay him. (Act 9:29) Whereupon, the disciples brought him to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus. At this point in time, the number of Gentiles who had believed was greatly multiplying and the center of God's activity in this matter was Antioch. (Act 11:20-21) The tidings of this came to the church at Jerusalem soon after Paul had gone to Tarsus. They sent Barnabas to Antioch. After a short ministry there alone (Act 11:22-25), he went to Tarsus, found Paul and returned with him to Antioch. An entire year was spent by them in Antioch, teaching God's Word. It was here and at this time that the name Christian originated. This was the second time Barnabas had been a major influence in Paul's life.
At this time, Barnabas made a trip back to Jerusalem with relief. This trip is still not the one referred to in Galatians 2:1. They soon returned to Antioch and abode there until their first missionary trip (Act 13:1-2).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 44
1. Was Paul young, middle aged or old when he was converted?
2. Where was he saved and baptized?
3. How long after salvation was he baptized?
4. What impairment did he have during this time?
5. How long was it before he began to preach?
6. Where did he go secondly after conversion?
7. Where did he go after that?
8. What caused him to go to Jerusalem?
9. What kind of reception did he receive?
10. Why was he treated this way?
11. Who interceded for him there?
12. With which apostle did he abide?
13. For how long was this stay?
14. What occasioned his departure?
15. Where did he go from Jerusalem?
16. How long was he at this city?
17. Who caused him to go to Antioch?
18. How long did he stay in Antioch?
19. Why did he return to Jerusalem?
20. From where was his first missionary journey?
LESSON 45
HEROD'S PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH
Act 12:1-25 Memory Verse: Act 12:24
This chapter covers a battle, not between Herod and Peter, but between Herod and the spread of the Gospel. I place the lesson here because of the time sequence. It was at the time the church at Antioch was reaching prominence and that the Word of God was being published widely among the Gentiles, that Herod took it upon himself to vex the church and stop the Gospel. (Act 12:1)
At this point, Herod made James, the brother of John and the son of Zebedee, the first apostolic martyr. He planned to make Peter the second, but would not do so during the Jews' feast for his effort was greatly designed to promote himself in their sight. (Act 12:3) Therefore, he put him into prison under very heavy guard until a convenient time to kill him. God, however, was not through with Peter, so He sent His angel to free him. It might be noted that Peter was so at peace with God, that he was sleeping well the day before his scheduled execution.
During this time prayer was being constantly made for Peter by the church (Act 12:5) apparently in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. This John Mark was the writer of Mark's Gospel and a nephew to Barnabas. The angel of the Lord entered the prison, woke Peter, who was chained between two guards, caused his chains to fall off and led him out of the prison into the city. The angel then departed and Peter went to the house of Mary where prayer was being made. The fact that these people doubted Peter's identity shamefully illustrates the common weakness of our faith when we pray.
The effect of this miraculous event was devastating to Herod's political image. He had the keepers who guarded Peter put to death, then he left town for a time. The end of this tyrant who would kill a Christian for mere political gain is recorded in Acts 12:20-23. Verse 20 shows the mutual hatred of Herod and the people of Tyre and Sidon, tempered by their mutual lust for gain. They came to him because their country was nourished by his country. He relished this vain praise and made them a flowery speech. They acclaimed him to be a god and not a man, which praise he gladly accepted. Because of this, God so smote him that he was literally eaten up from within by worms in a moments time and died.
As for the church which he was persecuting, they were not at all diminished by his vile efforts. Acts 12:24 says that in all this, the Word of God grew and multiplied. The heathen do rage but God does all His pleasure.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 45
1. Who was the first apostolic martyr?
2. How did he die?
3. Who was responsible for his death?
4. Which other apostle did he arrest?
5. What were his plans for him?
6. Why were they not carried out immediately?
7. How did he detain this apostle?
8. What did the church then do for Peter?
9. What did God do for Peter at this time?
10. What means did God use to release Peter?
11. Where did Peter go when he was released?
12. What were the people doing there?
13. Who was the first person to see Peter?
14. What was her reaction?
15. How did the people display their strength or weakness of faith?
16. What happened to Peter's prison guards?
17. Where did Herod go at this time?
18. What people came to him there?
19. What happened to Herod at this point?
20. What was the over-all effect on the Gospel?
LESSON 46
THE CALL AND SENDING OF PAUL AND BARNABAS
Act 12:24-13:7 Memory Verse: Act 13:3
No place in Scripture is the Bible pattern for sending forth missionaries so clearly set forth. Certainly we must understand that God calls and sends, but does He use human and organizational means in sending, and if so, what are those means? It seems to me that His plan is clearly set forth in this passage and that there is no place in Scripture where a rescinding of this plan or an improving upon it is as much as hinted at. Let's see what we can learn from this passage.
First, Paul and Barnabas were called by the Holy Ghost to a specific work. It was of necessity in compliance with the Great Commission, yet it was more than mere general obedience to it. It was a specific call to specific men to a specific work (Act 13:2). I would not suggest that all these calls are the same or that Paul had no visions or revelations that are not given today. Certainly there are great differences, yet we do have a clear pattern in this passage. The Holy Ghost called men to a specific work.
Secondly, they were sent by the church. In verses 1 and 2 the Holy Ghost spoke to men of the church. In verse 3 these men of the church (not various churches) laid hands on them signifying authorization and they sent them away. So Paul and Barnabas were sent both by the church (Acts 13:1-3) and by the Holy Ghost (Act 13:4).
Thirdly, they went in the liberty of the Spirit as to specific location and task. The church did not do a population survey or write to the Chambers of Commerce, in a number of cities, and decide where they were most needed. Rather, being persuaded that these men were doctrinally sound and spiritually right, they sent them to labor in the work into which the Holy Ghost said, "I have called them."
In our day of precise methods and organized systems, it is the opinion that mission work can't be done in such a fashion. It should, however, be remembered that God does His work as it pleases Him. We do not have to be able to convert governments or storm their borders or mechanize systems; we need only to go into all the world with the Gospel and God will open doors before us as it pleases Him.
It is to be remembered that this commission was given to God's church, and they were promised by its giver that He had all power in heaven over principalities and in earth over men's governments and their hearts. We can accomplish what God ordains.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 46
1. What organization sent the first missionaries to the Gentiles?
2. Did they have organizational and doctrinal authority from another church?
3. Were they under present power of another church?
4. Who instructed this church in mission policy?
5. What was the church doing when they received this instruction?
6. In what country were these people located?
7. Which men were they instructed to send?
8. Where were they instructed to send them?
9. Did the church exercise authority in sending them?
10. Does this mean that the Holy Ghost didn't send them?
11. Were these missionaries prophets?
12. Were other prophets left in the church?
13. Who did Paul and Barnabas take with them?
14. Was Barnabas or Paul the chief missionary at this time?
15. From what seaport town did they sail?
16. To what island did they go?
17. What was the first recorded city in which they preached?
18. In what establishments did they preach?
19. In what town did they find a sorcerer?
20. What did this sorcerer endeavor to do?
LESSON 47
PAUL'S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY
Act 13:4-14:28 Memory Verse: Act 14:17
The first missionary journey of Saul and Barnabas was less than 1,000 miles round trip and of an unrevealed duration. I should not be surprised, however, that in this short trip they may have experienced more hardship, sight of the unknown, adversity, adventure and persecution than any modern-day missionary experiences in his entire lifetime.
They sailed to the island of Cyprus and there in the city of Salamis, preached Christ in the Jewish synagogues. It is obvious that there was no point in their journey where they considered themselves "tourists" until they reached the "field." They met with the adversity of witchcraft before they ever left Cyprus. It seems to be at Paphos that Saul became Paul and God placed him in the leadership position of the team. Up to this point, Barnabas seems to have been the pre-eminent figure.
Paul did not meet the adversity of Elymas with a humanistic appeal for religious freedom, but called him a child of the devil and pronounced a curse of blindness upon him. I wonder how much of our potential power is forfeited today by being soft on sin?
From Cyprus, they sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, from whence John Mark forsook them and returned. It is not stated that they did or did not preach in Pamphylia, but I expect they did. From there they came to Antioch of Pisidia. It seems this is the same country known as Galatia.
It is here that Paul delivered a great discourse relating the entire history of Israel and showing that the purpose and consummation of it all lay in the person and work of Christ. When the Jews departed, the Gentiles requested this message be preached unto them. (Act 13:42) The next Sabbath, most of the city turned out to hear Paul preach. This provoked the Jews to envy, whereupon Paul verbally renounced them and turned to the Gentiles. (Act 13:46-48)
Because of the rebellion and resistance when those ordained to life had believed, they departed to Iconium, where God saved both Jews and Greeks through the Gospel; but again, the envious Jews sought to have them killed. They went to Lystra and to Derbe preaching the Word. At Lystra, Paul healed an impotent man and as a result of it the people tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods (Act 14:11-18). In spite of this, when the Jews came from Antioch, they so persuaded the people that Paul was stoned and left for dead.
From thence they went to Derbe and returned through the cities where they had preached, confirming the souls of the disciples; urging them to continue in the faith, expecting tribulation. They then returned and reported to their sponsoring church. It seems to me this gives the proper pattern for Bible missions.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 47
1. How long (distance) was the first missionary journey?
2. About how much time was involved?
3. Who seemed to be the leader at its outset?
4. When did the leadership appear to change?
5. Who accompanied Paul and Barnabas on this trip?
6. How far did he continue with them?
7. Where did they meet their first resistance?
8. What kind of force sponsored the resistance?
9. What was Paul's response to it?
10. What was the result of the incident?
11. In what city and country did Paul deliver a revealed message?
12. By what other name may this country be known?
13. Did any of the Jews respond favorably?
14. What request was made by the Gentiles?
15. How many people in this city believed?
16. Where did Paul and Barnabas go from Antioch of Pisidia?
17. What miracle did Paul perform at Lystra?
18. What was the response of the city?
19. What change of conduct took place when the unbelievers from Antioch arrived?
20. What consummated this first missionary journey?
LESSON 48
THE CONFERENCE CONCERNING LEGALISM
Act 15:1-35; Gal 1:18-2:2 Memory Verse: Gal 2:1
It seems likely to me that the trip to Jerusalem described in Acts 15:1-6 is the same one referred to by Paul in Galatians 2:1-2. If this is true, it would indicate that Paul is at least 14 years old in the Lord and perhaps 17, depending on whether the "after" of Galatians 2:1 dates from his conversion or from his first trip to Jerusalem.
The important thing is the occasion of the conference and the clear doctrinal implications and precedents that resulted from it. There were Jews, men from Judea (Act 15:1) and Pharisees (Act 15:5) who taught and openly contended for something very contrary to what Paul and Barnabas had been teaching. Paul's message had been salvation through the merits of Christ's blood through faith. His message is described in Romans 4:6,"...God imputeth righteousness without works." Now the Judaizers did not deny Christ's identity, deity, blood, resurrection or return. They did, however, vehemently reject the idea of salvation by Grace alone. They admitted that one must have Christ, but they contended that he must also have the ordinance of circumcision, just as some insist on the necessity of baptism for salvation today. They also insisted that he must "live it" or have the works of the Law (Act 15:1-5). I would to God that men today would study this chapter and the disposition of this matter and see it as the mandate it is for pure Grace. This matter was not dismissed lightly, but given long deliberation (Act 15:6-7a). The conclusions were as follows: First, both Jew and Gentile hearts were purified by faith (Act 15:8-9). Second, neither this generation nor their fathers had been able to bear the yoke of the Law (Act 15:10). Third, it was tempting God to mingle Law with Grace (Act 15:10-11). The apostolic faith was that both Jew and Gentile were saved by the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
James reminds the brethren that prophecy foretold His taking out of the Gentiles a people for His name (Act 15:4), and that both the effort and outcome were all within the eternal decree (Act 15:18). Therefore, says James, Let us not trouble them with legalism (Act 15:19). James, however, does advise that they urge the Gentiles toward godly conduct as opposed to the idolatrous conduct of the world around them, i.e., pollutions of idols, fornication and eating of blood (Act 15:20).
The letter which Paul and Barnabas carried back to Antioch and in which the church there rejoiced (Acts 15:30-31) contained the following information from the conference: First, the legalizing teachers had no agreement with or authority from us. Second, your salvation is by Grace through faith alone, but observe the godly practices of Acts 15:29 for your testimony's sake.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 48
1. What occasioned Paul's trip to Jerusalem?
2. About how long after his conversion was this trip?
3. What particular sect promoted the heresy?
4. Did these people believe in Christ?
S. What were their particular doctrinal mistakes?
6. By whose mouth had the Gentiles first heard the Gospel?
7. Was the main vessel to the Gentiles?
8. Did the Old Testament foretell the Gentiles' conversion?
9. Which two of the original apostles spoke to this issue?
10. Did Paul and Barnabas speak during this conference?
11. What was the conclusion of this apostolic conference?
12. By what means was it conveyed to the church at Antioch?
13. Name two men who returned to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
14. Had the Pharisees gone out from the church at Jerusalem?
15. Was their teaching potentially of eternal consequence?
16. Did the apostles claim divine authority in their decision?
17. What four areas of abstinence were enjoined?
18. Were these to be conditions of salvation?
19. Which of the men from Jerusalem remained at Antioch?
20. How did the church at Antioch feel about the letter?
LESSON 49
PAUL'S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
Act 15:36-18:22 Memory Verse: Act 15:40
Paul's second missionary journey was much longer than the first, not only in miles, but it involved years in time duration. It is to be noted, however, that the second trip, as the first and third, had its beginning and authority with the church at Antioch (Act 15:40-41, 18:22).
This journey started with a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (Act 15:37-40). Some think Barnabas was wrong in this matter, but they should be reminded that Paul later accepted Mark, and that God used him greatly in writing one of the Gospels. I think it wiser to conclude that just as early persecution had spread the Gospel farther, this disagreement sent out 2 missionary teams. It is be argued that nothing is read of Barnabas after this, please know that the same could be said of most of the apostles. Barnabas took Mark, his nephew, and sailed to Cyprus, the first leg of their first journey, and Paul, accompanied by Silas, journeyed by land back to the churches of Galatia. The order in which he visited them was Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Antioch in Pisidia.
At Lystra a young man, about whom we shall read much later on in our Bibles, joined Paul and Silas. He was Timothy, whose mother was a Jewess and a Christian, but whose father was a Greek or Gentile. Paul circumcised him, not of necessity, but for testimony, and Timothy became part of the missionary party. As they visited the churches, they delivered the decrees of the conference at Jerusalem. Beware that we do not confine in our minds their ministries to the cities specifically named for the Scripture clearly says they went throughout the regions of Galatia and Phrygia. They were forbidden by God to preach in Asia, Bithynia and apparently in much of Mysia, and thus proceeded on from Troas to Macedonia led by a vision of Paul in the night.
Their first major stop in Macedonia was at Philippi. It was there that God saved Lydia and the Philippian jailor. From Philippi they were driven by persecution to Thessalonica and more persecution, and from there to Berea where they found men of a more noble sort, but the evil Jews of Thessalonica followed and they were driven from Berea also. Paul then came to Athens where he delivered his great and powerful discourse on Mars' Hill, and from there he went to Corinth where he continued for a year and six months teaching the Word. From there Paul, accompanied by Aquila and Priscilla, went to Cenchrea, then to Ephesus where he left Aquila and Priscilla and continued on to Caesarea of Judah, and then northward to report to his home church in Antioch of Syria. Only eternity will reveal the massive harvest resulting from this trip.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 49
1. Which church sent Paul on his second missionary journey?
2. Who accompanied him on this journey?
3. Why did Barnabas not go with him?
4. Who went with Barnabas on his journey?
5. Where did Barnabas go?
6. Where did Paul go, to begin with, on his journey?
7. Why didn't he preach in Asia Minor?
8. Where did they assay to go and why didn't they?
9. What happened to Paul at Troas?
10. Into what country did this experience bring them?
11. Where was his first major preaching point there?
12. Who was the first Macedonian convert?
13. What persecution did Paul and Silas suffer there?
14. What was the result of this persecution?
15. Where did Paul go after he left Philippi?
16. Why were the people of Berea called "more noble"?
17. Where did Paul go from Berea?
18. What famous message was delivered there?
19. Where was his next major stop?
20. What well-known people did he meet there?
LESSON 50
PAUL'S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY
Act 18:23-20:38 Memory Verse: Act 20:21
Paul's second missionary journey started with a retracing of the first, and was continued by covering much more new territory than all the miles of the first trip. His third journey was basically a retracing of the first and second. There is, however, an exception. He never returned to Cyprus as far as we can tell. It is speculative to explain why, but it may be that since Barnabas was from Cyprus (Act 4:36) and had returned there on his second journey, Paul was aware that he was taking good care of that area and simply left it with him.
While Paul was going through the areas of Galatia and Phrygia, a man named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was well taught in the Old Testament truth and was an eloquent speaker, but his knowledge of the timetable of God came only up through the ministry of John the Baptist and his baptism. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him home and taught him the whole Gospel of Christ. He passed on into Achaia preaching the truth, but left behind him some unsaved disciples.
When Paul came to Ephesus, he learned that though these men had believed Apollos' message, they knew nothing of the Holy Ghost, not yet of Jesus Christ. They knew only what Apollos knew at this point (Act 18:25). Paul then preached unto them Christ and they believed and were baptized, whereupon they received the Holy Ghost and spoke in other languages just as the Jews did on the day of Pentecost and as the Gentiles did in the house of Cornelius. This made entrance for Paul to preach to the Jews in that area (Act 19:8). It was also at this time that Paul had his encounter with Demetrius, the silversmith. The effect of the Gospel was so that it was effecting the sale of idols. Read Acts 19:23-41.
Paul then passed through Madeconia and Achaia for the second time and confirmed the churches which resulted from his second missionary journey. He then purposed to return to Antioch of Syria from whence he was sent, but to return through Macedonia and Asia (Act 20:3-4). Paul thus returned through Macedonia and to Troas in Asia. It was there that he raised a young man named Eutychus from the dead. From Troas, Paul came to Miletus, an interim stop on his voyage to Syria, and finally his trip to Jerusalem. While he awaited the sailing of the ship, he sent for the elders at Ephesus. When they came to him, he delivered the great exhortation of Acts 20:17-35. Read these verses carefully, for they describe the very nature of Paul's ministry.
Paul's ministry was marked by two indispensable basics. In his evangelism, he preached repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ (Act 20:21). In his teaching, Paul never shunned to declare all the counsel of God (Act 20:26-27).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 50
1. Where did Paul's third missionary journey begin?
2. What new territory did it cover?
3. What well-known man's ministry intermingled with Paul's at Ephesus?
4. Where was this man from?
5. What were the limitations of Apollos' Bible knowledge?
6. Who was responsible for maturing him?
7. Where did Apollos go from Ephesus?
8. What problem did he leave behind for Paul?
9. What was missing in their understanding of John's message?
10. What happened when Paul baptized them?
11. What effect did this have on Paul's ministry at Ephesus?
12. What miracles did Paul perform in Ephesus?
13. Were all who chose to do miracles in Jesus' name permitted to do so?
14. Name a group who violated God's sovereign appointment in this area.
15. What professional man opposed Paul here and why?
16. About how long was Paul's ministry at Ephesus?
17. What two countries did he visit after leaving Ephesus?
18. Did he later return to Ephesus?
19. Where did he raise a man from the dead and who was he?
20. Why was Paul pure of the blood of all men?
LESSON 51
THE EPISTLES OF PAUL
Read the first five verses of the
books of Romans through Hebrews Memory Verse: Gal 1:1
The Apostle Paul not only traveled thousands of miles, suffered great persecution and preached the Gospel throughout the regions, he was also a great writer. Even though he often wrote huddled in a dungeon, he contributed immeasurably to our Bible. His authorship of Hebrews is questioned by some and it must be admitted that it does not, by name, identify its author. I do, however, agree with the great majority of Bible students that Paul was the author of Hebrews. In all his other epistles he identifies himself as the author, and in at least nine of them, he identifies himself as being an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, he is the author of 14 of the 27 books of the New Testament. He contributes about 29% of the entire volume of the New Testament and is the writer of more of its volume than any other man. He is followed by Luke with 28%, John with 19%, Matthew with 13%, Mark with 8%, Peter with 2.5%, James with 1.4% and Jude with .3%. The broadest overview of New Testament doctrine is unquestionably to be found in the Pauline epistles.
The word epistle simply means a letter. These letters were written for indoctrination or special instruction. They often related to a particular problem, malpractice or misconduct in the church to which they were written. The book of Hebrews was written to a category of people (Jews), teaching the relationship of the Old Testament priesthood to Jesus Christ, the mediator of the New Testament, and showing His work and identity as the true High Priest of God forever. The books of first and second Timothy, Titus and Philemon were written to certain men by those names while the rest of Paul's epistles were written to various churches. It is obvious though, that all of these are intended for far broader application than the immediate recipients and that they extend even to us today. Notice that the epistle of 2 Corinthians is also addressed to all the saints in Achaia (2Co 1:1). The Galatian letter is to the churches (plural) of Galatia (Gal 1:2), and the Colossian letter was to be read also in Laodicea (Col 4:16). Consider also that Peter refers to Paul's writing as Scripture (2Pe 3:15-16), and Paul tells us that all Scripture is profitable to us (2Ti 3:16). So we can easily conclude that all of Paul's writings in some way apply to us and should be diligently studied.
Essentially every Bible doctrine is dealt with in some way as Paul gives instruction to God's churches. Not only so, there are many doctrines upon which we would have very insufficient light were it not for his writings.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 51
1. What is the meaning of the word epistle?
2. How many of Paul's epistles does the Bible contain?
3. Are any other books of the Bible epistles?
4. Which New Testament book has questionable authorship?
5. Who wrote the largest amount of the New Testament?
6. Who wrote the second largest amount?
7. Who wrote the second largest number of books?
8. About what percentage of the New Testament did Paul write?
9. How many New Testament writers were there?
10. How many books does the New Testament contain?
11. Did the King James version translators believe Paul wrote Hebrews?
12. Did Paul write churches where he had not preached?
13. Did he write epistles not contained in the Bible?
14. If your answer to the above is yes, name one or more.
15. Did Paul commonly call himself an apostle?
16. Did other apostles consider his writings Scripture?
17. Were Paul's writings only to churches or to individuals also?
18. Are all of his writings applicable to us?
19. Were any of his writings dictated?
20. Did he write epistles intended for more than one church?
LESSON 52
THE PERSECUTIONS OF PAUL
2Co 11:21-33 Memory verse: 2Co 11:23
The first Biblical account we have of Paul records his participation in the stoning of Stephen. His depravity alone can account for this, but I think God was providentially preparing him to be one of the most persecuted men to suffer for the Lord. On his first missionary journey, he was stoned and left for dead at Lystra, but this is only the beginning of his suffering. We will list a few in this lesson.
First, consider perils among false brethren (2Co 11:26). There were always, then as today, men who counted tradition above truth. Since Paul counted the Word of God, and particularly the Gospel, more important than any earthly tie, he was under constant attack by those who claimed to be brethren. They often sought his life.
Consider the peril of his countrymen (2Co 11:26). While he felt a constant burden for the Jews, they constantly sought to kill him (Rom 9:12, Act 22:20-22). He was hounded and threatened by the Jews everywhere he went. I am not referring to the burdens of hunger, cold, nakedness, fatigue, etc. that God permitted him to have, but only the deliberate persecutions that men directed against him.
Consider the beatings. As of the writing of II Corinthins he lists 8 of them. 3 times he was beaten with rods. This was probably a stick the size of a walking cane, especially selected and cured for this purpose. 5 times he says he received 39 stripes of the Jews. This was probably from a cruel whip intended for a torturous punishment and wielded by a professional whipper. Few people in their entire lifetime receive as much deliberate infliction of pain as in one of these beatings. Remember, these came form the people he sought to help.
Paul was stoned. This was a very brutal means of execution. So severe was this infliction that his adversaries left him for dead (Act 14:19). This or other near experiences with death, perhaps in beatings, etc., or perhaps in physical punishment that would have normally killed a man, must have been the "in deaths oft" that Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:23.
Paul's imprisonments were probably more numerous than those identified in Scripture, but the ones we know are enough. He was beaten, jailed and put in stocks in Philippi. He spent 2 years in prison before starting his journey to Rome. While en route he was shipwrecked and once there he was imprisoned 2, perhaps 3 different times. His final days were spent in prison and finally he was beheaded in a Roman prison.
In all this, Paul held his composure and counted it a joy to suffer for Christ. It seems to me that two phrases describe his attitude: "I endure all things for the elect's sake." (2Ti 2:10) and "I press toward the mark." (Phi 3:14)
QUESTIONS - LESSON 52
1. Did Paul inflict persecution such as he received?
2. Was he responsible for the death of Christians?
3. Where was the first threat on his life after he was saved?
4. What was the first recorded physical attack on him?
5. Where did his stoning take place?
6. Name two kinds of beatings he received.
7. How many lashes did the Jews give each time?
8. How many times was he beaten in all?
9. Were was his first recorded imprisonment?
10. Was he beaten at this time?
11. What other affliction was imposed on this occasion?
12. What other man shared this persecution with him?
13. What was the reason for this arrest?
14. What was the good result of it?
15. Name the place where Paul was finally imprisoned.
16. Did his affliction come from Gentiles, Jews or both?
17. How did Paul finally die?
18. Where was he imprisoned besides Rome and Philippi?
19. How long did Paul spend in the sea?
20. Do we have any details of his shipwreck?
LESSON 53
PAUL'S TRIP TO ROME
Rom 1:7-16; Act 21:1-40, 26:1-32 Memory verse: Act 25:12
(Serious students read Acts 21:1-28:31)
The providence of God is always beyond our understanding and even our greatest expectations. One of the classic examples of this is how Paul was taken to prison at Rome. It was necessary for governors, magistrates and kings all along the way to pass judgment upon him, and since heresy and insurrection were the accusations, the Gospel was of necessity his constant defense. Therefore, hearers of the Gospel of Christ were forced by their office to do so.
The turmoil was instituted by the Jews (Act 21:27-30), but it became necessary for the chief captain of the band of Romans charged with keeping the peace to intervene (Act 21:31-40). When Paul was allowed to speak to the people (Acts 21:40), he preached them a Gospel message with his own life and conversion as an object lesson (Act 22:1-21). Their response was nothing but to try to kill him (Act 22:22-30). The Roman captain tried again to arrange a hearing before the council, but his defense was ignored and his life endangered (Act 22:30-23:10).
Acts 23:11 explains, from the providential view, why all this injustice: Paul must preach at Rome. Thus Paul was taken to Caesarea to appear before Felix, the governor (Act 23:19-35). There he was accused by a professional orator who was secured by the elders for this purpose. Again, Paul's defense included the Gospel and the message of God's wrath upon sin. It was so powerful that Felix trembled, but he neither repented of his sin nor acted in good conscience. He rather yielded to political pressure and left Paul imprisoned (Act 24:22-27).
Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, to whom the Jews appealed against Paul. Festus seemed disposed to give him to them (Act 25:9), however, Paul appealed to Caesar and it was determined that he should go to Rome (Act 25:11-12). It was after this that Festus brought Paul before Agrippa. When Agrippa had heard Paul, he answered, "Almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian." He also declared that Paul should be set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. Of course, Agrippa dared not override this, thus arrangements were made for Paul to go to Rome.
You will notice that on this trip there were soldiers who plotted to kill Paul, there was a long storm, there was the loss of the ship and being stranded on a barbarian island, and Paul was bitten by a venomous snake. Any of these things could have meant Paul's death, but they actually worked out to be opportunities for him to preach Christ.
All of this is great proof that all God's purpose shall come to pass. If He purposes that Paul can not be killed until he goes to Rome then to Rome he must go, and all of men's injustices will only facilitate it.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 53
1. Did Paul preach at Rome before writing the epistle?
2. Was he personally anxious to go to Rome?
3. Did God intend to send him there?
4. Did Paul go to Rome at his, or church expense?
5. Did Paul go voluntarily, involuntarily, or both?
6. If your answer is both, explain how it is possible.
7. How long was Paul in prison at Caesarea?
8. Why was he imprisoned at Caesarea instead of Jerusalem?
9. Name 3 rulers he preached to at Caesarea.
10. What was the reaction of the first one?
11. What was Festus' opinion of Paul?
12. What comment did Agrippa make concerning Paul's message?
13. Why did Agrippa not set Paul free?
14. What was Agrippa's office?
15. Was Agrippa Jewish or Roman?
16. How was Paul transported to Rome?
17. What natural hazard befell his company en route?
18. Upon what island were they cast?
19. Were the people there friendly or hostile?
20. What miraculous experience did Paul have there?
LESSON 54
PAUL'S CONDUCT AT ROME
Act 28:1-31 Memory verse: Rom 8:28
The injustices against Christians through the years have been numerous and varied. Their persecutors shall be judged, but what should Christian conduct be under such circumstances? Paul's conduct en route to and while imprisoned at Rome is, no doubt, a good model for us. On his trip he had a good rapport with the soldiers who guarded him and the sailors who transported him. He constantly gave good advice and even divine revelation. His ministry can properly be credited with saving their lives. This seems strange to us, but it should not. Let us see this conduct continued while he is in Rome.
By the time you reach Acts chapter 28, Paul's life has so affected his guards that Luke is writing as if Paul is in charge rather than being a prisoner (Act 28:13-15). As soon as they reach Rome, Paul is treated in a special way (Act 28:16). He did not use this as an occasion for ease, but as an opportunity to more effectively preach Christ (Act 28:17).
Paul's first consideration, as in all cases, was the Jew (Act 28:17). The Jews at Rome were at least curious to hear what Paul had to say for they had heard (adversely) of this "sect" called Christianity (Act 28:21-22). His message to them was an all-day exposition of the Law and the Prophets (Act 28:23). Some of them gave mental assent to his message and some did not. This only led them to an argument among themselves after which Paul repeated the Lord's description of them in Matthew 13 as being the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 6:9-10. Paul then tells them, as he had others, that salvation is sent to the Gentiles. From this point, Paul continued for two whole years in his own rented house, preaching the Gospel. Such a privilege for a prisoner could only be by divine providence.
It is thought by most that the beginning of Paul's Roman imprisonment was about A.D. 62 to A.D. 68. It is also the opinion of most that during this time there was a year or so of liberty in which Paul made another short missionary journey. This is a reasonable conclusion when we compare 2 Timothy 4:20 to Acts 20:4 and Acts 21:29. There was simply no point where Paul in his trip from Jerusalem to Rome could have left Trophimus at Miletus, thus we feel there were two Roman imprisonments.
Preaching was not Paul's only ministry while at Rome. You will notice from 2 Timothy 4:13 that Paul was still a student, wanting his books and his parchments. He also wrote a great deal while in prison. The book of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, Philemon and probably 1 Timothy and Titus were written during Paul's imprisonment in Rome. In all this we learn that God's Word cannot be bound. A true preacher will somehow preach wherever he is.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 54
1. Which Bible writer tells of Paul's imprisonment?
2. Was Paul kept in a dungeon?
3. Was Paul kept in chains?
4. Was he afforded any special privileges?
5. Were there Christians at Rome before Paul arrived?
6. Did they know he was coming?
7. Had they received previous religious teaching from him?
8. Where did Paul live during his early stay in Rome?
9. How long did he dwell this way?
10. About how long was Paul detained at Rome?
11. Was his teaching interfered with during this time?
12. Was Paul imprisoned at Rome once or twice?
13. Explain the reason for your opinion.
14. What did Paul do in prison besides preach and teach?
15. To whom did he write and ask for certain things?
16. What were some of the things for which he asked?
17. About how many letters did he write from prison?
18. Which of them seems to be his last?
19. Did Paul heal all whom he chose?
20. Did Paul teach much from the Old Testament?
LESSON 55
THE DEATH OF PAUL
Phi 1:20-26, 2Ti 4:6-8 Memory verse: 2Ti 4:6
As in the case of most of the apostles, we do not have a scriptural account of Paul's death. James, the brother of John, was killed with a sword (Act 12:1-2), Stephen was stoned and we have a declaration of how Peter would die (Joh 21:18-19). Beyond this, we have only the accounts of secular history and tradition to indicate how the apostles and other believers died. Some of them, having lived painful lives for Christ, died relatively easy deaths like by beheading, while others were torn apart by beasts, boiled alive, burned at stakes, crucified, starved to death, etc.
In Paul's case, traditional history claims that he was beheaded at Rome. Even though religious tradition often comes close to myth, it seems likely that this account is accurate. We cannot and should not elaborate greatly on Paul's death, but we can learn much and profit greatly from his attitude toward its prospects.
First, Paul says, "I am ready." This is to say he felt he had made due peace not only with God, but with the circumstances of his life. Even though we are saved, if we knew the time of our deaths we would say, 'Oh, no! Let me do this first, or make restitution for this first, or complete a neglected task.' In Paul's case he felt he had finished his course. The work God had ordained for him was completed. Now he is willing for this life to end and this earthly tabernacle to be dissolved (2Co 5:1). He is willing to be absent from the body and present with the Lord (2Co 5:8).
Second, he considers his life ready to be offered, not lost. In Philippians 2:17, it seems Paul likens himself to a drink offering to be poured out upon the sacrifice of their faith, probably referring to Christ. Thus, as his life had a purpose, so he considers his death to have a purpose.
Then Paul feels his life has been a success. He does not recount "souls won" or "churches built", he rather reflects upon his faithfulness and orthodoxy. These are things often belittled today. "I have fought a good fight." From the outset of his ministry, Paul was hated for preaching pure grace. That way is still fought because it robs man of his dream of being God. Whatever failure he may have had, or whatever failure men may have imagined in him, he counted it his highest victory to have kept the faith.
Finally, Paul said death will not be my loss, but will rather be my gain. "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Phi 1:21) How can a person with such conduct lose, and how can one with such a philosophy fret? Paul said each of these, life and death, hold so much for me that I can not really decide which I prefer (Phi 1:23-15).
So we do not know exactly when or how Paul died. We do know, however, that his murderers only liberated him from the body of death (Rom 7:24-25), and put him in God's presence (2Co 5:8).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 55
1. Where did Paul die?
2. How did he die?
3. How did James, the son of Zebedee, die?
4. How old was Paul when he died?
5. Did Paul expect to die a natural death?
6. To what religious ceremony did Paul liken his death?
7. To what physical structure did he liken his body?
8. Was Paul desirous of prolonged life?
9. Was he anxious to die?
10. Name two churches to which he spoke of his death.
11. To which man did he write of his impending death?
12. Did he indicate to him that he knew something of the time?
13. What did Paul say of his future executioners?
14. Did Paul speak hereof the quantity of his ministry?
15. Did he speak of the character of his ministry?
16. Did Paul believe his soul would sleep until the resurrection?
17. Did he believe he could exist without his body?
18. Where did Paul say he would be when he died?
19. Did Paul believe there were rewards for service?
20. Did Paul say how he expected to die?
LESSON 56
JOHN'S VISION ON PATMOS
Rev 1:1-20 Memory Verse: Rev 1:8
John is simply the medium through which the revelation is given. The revelation is of Christ Jesus, who is everlasting God, Alpha and Omega. The revealed actions of Jesus Christ, are of "things which must shortly come to pass." The word shortly here, as in today's English, has a varied definition. In this case, it probably does not express a short time preceding, but a suddenness and swiftness of its coming to pass. We are promised blessing as we read and attend to these words (Rev 1:3).
John addresses himself to the seven churches of Asia (v. 4), all, only a short distance from the isle of Patmos where he was exiled for the testimony of Christ (Rev 1:9). To each of them a particular message is contained but the content of the book is for us all. It is to reveal to us hitherto unknown truths concerning the return of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:7). The book essentially does not focus upon the rapture of the Saints, but upon the return of Christ to the earth when all the earth shall know of His presence (Rev 1:7)
John's first vision was preceded by verbal instruction, and the identity of the instructor (Rev 1:10-11), "I am Alpha and Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet) the first and the last." The instruction of verse 11 is not just for the vision of this chapter, but for the vision of the entire book of Revelation. It is also notable here that the messages to the seven churches will not merely be the specific instruction to each church, respectively, but will include the record of this entire revealing vision, thus the whole book.
What John saw here was a vision representing the person of Christ with all His divine attributes and power being symbolized by various aspects of the vision. He is encircled by 7 golden candlesticks which represent the 7 churches of Asia to whom this revelation is to be sent. In His hand are 7 stars which represent the angels (messengers) of the 7 churches (Rev. 1:12,16,20). It is not to be supposed that these verses describe the glorified body of Christ but rather a vision which reveals His attributes and actions as King of kings and Lord of lords. His apparel indicates royalty, His hair wisdom, His eyes omniscience, His feet judgment and His voice ability to speak to men universally. This is not specific interpretation but these are fitting types. The sword typifies the power of His word and the brightness of His countenance reveals man's inability to stand before God. How different this is from the profane familiarity we so often hear expressed today.
John is instructed concerning this vision: "Write the things which thou has seen." Since John was preserved and suffered persecution to give us this revelation, let's study to understand all we can.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 56
1. Who is the writer of the book of Revelation?
2. Was he the apostle and how do we know?
3. Where was John when it was written?
4. Why was he on this particular island?
5. Does this book state its own importance?
6. To whom is this book particularly addressed?
7. What two offices do we hold by virtue of Jesus' blood?
8. Does this chapter deal with the second coming?
9. If so, is it seen here as good news?
10. What do the words Alpha and Omega mean?
11. Does John indicate that Christianity includes tribulation?
12. On which day did he receive this revelation?
13. What was John to do with the vision he was to see?
14. Who did the one John saw look like?
15. Where was He standing?
16. What kind of apparel was he wearing?
17. Describe His hair and His eyes .
18. What about Him symbolized God's Word?
19. What did John do when he saw Him?
20. What did the stars and candlesticks represent?
LESSON 57
THE MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
Rev 2:1-3:22 Memory Verse: Rev 2:29
Few passages have a broader scope of opinion concerning interpretation, than the messages to the 7 churches of Asia. Some consider them to be basically descriptive of progressive `Church' ages from the days of the apostles to the present. I have great difficulty with this interpretation, since the establishments they think of as being the 'church' of those respective ages are in many cases an establishment I can in no sense call the church of Jesus Christ. For instance, on page 1,332 of the Scofield Bible, Dr. Scofield writes, "Thyatira is the papacy developed out of the Pergamos state." Now, I don't believe that the papacy is any part of Christ's church at any time. Similar parallels are drawn throughout this interpretation, thus I am forced to reject it in whole.
I rather see these 7 messages as being written to 7 churches which Jesus loved and to whom John ministered. They dealt with problems, weaknesses and strengths that existed in those churches at that particular time and which may and do exist in all true churches through the process of time.
The Isle of Patmos was a barren, rocky island about twenty miles off the west coast of Asia Minor in the Aegean Sea. It was about seventy miles from Ephesus. The geographical location of these seven cities is such that if a person went from Patmos to deliver a message to each of them, the logical order of delivery would be precisely the order of Revelation 2 and 3. It is, therefore, my belief that the messages to the churches and the book of Revelation have this purpose:
The Lord tells John to write a revelation which was to go to all of these churches and subsequently to us. These were churches Jesus loved and thus rebuked, chastened, and called to repentance. (Rev 3:19) They were not some heretical groups which have no right to the title 'church.' They each had burdens to bear or which they had borne, thus the Lord comforted and commended them. They all had shortcomings, thus He rebuked them and they all had problems, thus He instructed them.
These messages are often referred to as 7 letters to 7 churches, however, this is not indicated in Scripture. It rather seems to me that the entire book of Revelation is a message to all of them in which a particular message is written to each of them. We not only find a message addressed to them as in Revelation 2:1, but we find the whole book addressed to all of them (Rev 1:4).
It is thus my conclusion that any true church may rightly interpret the salutation of Revelation 1:4, this way: 'John to our church' a message to comfort and rebuke us and a revelation of things to come which will keep us looking for Him, who cometh with clouds (Rev 1:7).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 57
1. In what sea is the Isle of Patmos located?
2. What kind of land is Patmos?
3. Off of which mainland is Patmos located?
4. About how far from the coast is it?
5. Which of the 7 churches addressed would be nearest it?
6. How many messages are included in the book of Revelation?
7. Explain the dispensational theory of these 7 messages.
8. According to this theory, what would the church of Thyatira represent?
9. Does the theory represent basic progressive apostasy?
10. Which church do they consider to have reached the height of apostasy?
11. Which of these 2 messages are most alike?
12. Would each of these churches have read the messages to the other?
13. Do the messages imply spiritual understanding in the churches?
14. Do all of these churches receive rebuke?
15. Do they all receive commendation?
16. How much of the book of Revelation is addressed to each of them?
17. What could account for the order of these messages?
18. What is the basic prophecy of this book?
19. Who is the focal figure of this book?
20. What is the revealed basis of rebuke and chastening?
LESSON 58
THE RESURRECTION AND RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
Rev 4:1; 1Th 4:13-18, 5:1-10;
1Co 15:51-55 Memory Verse: 1Th 4:17
For centuries the discussion and controversy over the chronological order of end-time events has flourished. Many harsh words have been exchanged, and I fear that all too often the shallower the student, the deeper his resentment for those who hold to a different interpretation.
By 'resurrection' we mean the raising of the dead, and by 'rapture' we mean the catching away and changing of the living (1Co 15:51-52; 1Th 4:16-17) The word rapture unlike the word resurrection does not appear in Scripture, but the doctrine very clearly does. The Scripture teaches that at an unrevealed moment which may be at any time now, the Lord will descend from Heaven and the dead in Christ will be resurrected from the grave and shall ascend into the air to meet the Lord there, and the living Saints of that moment will be transformed from this body of flesh and blood to a celestial body of flesh and bone in which the life is not the blood, but the Spirit of God. That this future event is taught in Scripture, is held by most fundamental Christians of today, but as to the time factor of it, there is much disagreement.
Some believe that it takes place just after the tribulation period. These are called post-tribulationists. Some believe that it takes place after the first 3½½ years of the tribulation. These are mid-tribulation rapturists. I believe it takes place immediately before the tribulation. This is the pre-tribulation view. Some believe it precedes the tribulation, but that only faithful and vital Christians will be raptured. This is called the split-rapture view, and in my opinion is strictly a philosophical view without Scriptural foundation.
Having stated that I personally hold to a pre-tribulation rapture, let me explain in these remaining lines my reasoning. This aspect of the Lord's return is set forth as an event that comes without warning (1Th 4:16-5:4). It seems that the tribulation as revealed in the book of Revelation humanly speaking, would be a clear timetable for the world. It is further taught that the Holy Spirit restrains the anitchrist and that He will continue to do so as long as He is in the world (2Th 2:6-7). We are promised that He will never leave nor forsake us, thus it seems to follow that as long as New Testament Christians are here, the antichrist can't be fully revealed. This is too brief but let me just say that too many Scriptures relating to the tribulation period make no sense when applied to the church-age Christians. Finally, the rapture is set forth as the blessed hope. If it follows the tribulation, I should prefer death before it occurs. There are many other reasons of which space forbids expression, but please read the references we have given.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 58
1. What does the word rapture mean?
2. Is it a Bible word?
3. Is it a Bible doctrine?
4. To whom does it apply?
5. To whom does the resurrection at this time apply?
6. Which is first, the resurrection or the rapture?
7. What is meant by the words tribulation period?
8. How long is this period of time?
9. Name three time placement theories of the rapture as related to the tribulation.
10. What is a person called who expects Jesus' return before the tribulation?
11. What is a person called who expects it afterward?
12. Do those resurrected and raptured have a body?
13. If so, is it the same as this present body?
14. If you think not, explain the basic differences.
15. What is the belief of a mid-tribulation rapturist?
16. Does the book of Revelation give a definite point of the rapture?
17. Did the Lord speak of a great tribulation period?
18. What two New Testament writers tell us most about it?
19. Is the rapture and resurrection of the church or of the saints?
20. Are Christians promised freedom from tribulation?
LESSON 59
THE GREAT TRIBULATION AND ISRAEL
Mat 24:3-31; Dan 9:20-27 Memory Verse: Mat 24:21
It is impossible to write a short lesson that is sufficient for this subject. It is my hope that I may in brief over-view, point you in the right direction.
In Matthew 24 our Lord spoke directly of this period of time. It may well be the best place in Scripture to find a definite guide to the study of it. Let's try to see some of the pertinent truths our Lord definitely sets forth. The time is preceded by wars, rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, pestilences, earthquakes, etc. (Mat 24:6-8). There will be great persecution against Israel (Mat24:9-16). Now this seems significant to me, because Israel is certainly not hated for Christ's sake, at least in any understood sense today, yet verses 15 and 16 clearly make this an Israelitish issue. Thus it seems to me that this must take place in a time when much of Israel has turned to Christ.
The abomination of desolation in Matthew 24:15, clearly refers to the 70th week of Daniel (Dan 9:20-27). To me it seems extremely difficult to apply any of this to principles of church worship and Christianity today, or even since the ascension of Christ. I thus must place it at a time when the saints are gone and Israelitish worship is restored in the land of Judah. I feel most satisfied with the doctrine that the saints are gone and that this time is the time of Jacob's trouble, a time determined upon those who were "His people" in the days of Daniel, those to whom Jerusalem was the Holy City (Dan 9:24). To those who try to place the fulfillment of this prophecy in 70 A.D., I ask how it can encompass Daniel 9:24b, "to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins."
The Lord seems to make this a very local and a very Israelitish issue. (Mat 24:15-20) Those who are in Judea are to flee to the mountains. They are to pray that their flight be not on the sabbath. These things so aptly fit Jews, but make no sense at all when applied to the Christian.
Whatever we may not know about this period, we do know it is of supreme intensity! It will be like nothing before or after it (Mat 24:24). It would be, except for its brevity of only 7 years, the destruction of all mankind from the face of the earth (Mat 24:22). It is for the elect's sake that this time is shortened. Is the 'elect' referred to here Israel in general? I think not, for Israel has never been impossible to deceive as is implied in Matthew 24:24. It would, I think, refer to the elect among the nation of Israel, as is referred to in Romans 9:6-7, compared to Romans 9:31-32, compared to Romans 11:7, compared to Romans 11:25-29.
In any event, let the dwellers on the earth fear and tremble for the woe which shall come upon them in this time (Rev 8:13).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 59
1. Did the Lord speak of the Great Tribulation?
2. To which Old Testament book did He refer?
3. Did the Lord say how long the tribulation period would be?
4. Of how many weeks of troublous time was Daniel told?
5. By whom was Daniel thus informed?
6. Were these weeks of days, or units of sevens?
7. What was the time period of each week?
8. How many weeks were to be fulfilled after the crucifixion?
9. Was this to be immediately after the crucifixion?
10. If your answer to #9 is no, explain it.
11. Was this tribulation to come upon all the world or only on Israel?
12. What would it do for Daniel's people?
13. For whose benefit will this time be brief?
14. Why is this brevity so necessary?
15. Is the coming of the Son of man in this passage to be widely known?
16. What nation was warned to flee to where?
17. What was their signal to flee?
18. When were they to pray their flight would not be?
19. Why would this more aptly apply to Israel than to us?
20. In what part of the week was the antichrist's covenant broken?
LESSON 60
THE GREAT TRIBULATION AND THE WORLD
Rev 8:1-10:11 Memory Verse: Rev 8:13
In the previous lesson I tried to briefly state something of the tribulation period as it is related to the nation of Israel. They will be under great persecution from basically all other nations with very few exceptions. There is to Israel some remedial value in this time, but what of the other nations of the earth, the antichrist's kingdom? Do they ride free and clear until a final moment of judgment? Not at all! The ravages of war upon them will be so outreached by divine judgment through the elements of heaven and earth, that this period, especially the last 3½½ years, will be one long tragedy.
Chapter 4 of Revelation shows the glorious Judge and Creator, chapter 5 shows Him as the glorious Heir and Kinsman Redeemer. Chapter 6 prophesies through the vision of the horsemen and the seals the impending tribulation period, and chapter 7 shows the withholding of that peril until God's 144,000 servants are sealed. When we come to chapter 8, we begin to read details of tribulation upon all the earth that are absolutely beyond our imagination.
In verses 6 through 12 of chapter 8, we see _ of the trees and all the grass burned off the earth by an act of God. Can you imagine the death and devastation that goes with this? An item like a burning mountain is cast into the sea destroying _ of all sea life and ships, then a star falls from heaven contaminating _ of all the earth's drinking water and many men die from drinking it. The sun, moon and stars are smitten with partial and erratic darkness, but this is only the beginning (Rev 8:13).
In chapter 9, demonic locusts are released upon the earth with Satan as their king. They shall be allowed to torment men by their sting for a period of 5 months. So terrible was the pain of this that men would seek and desire death, but would not be able to die (Rev 9:4-6). In Revelation 9:15-19, we see demonic powers released which torturously destroy a third of the men who are yet alive upon the earth. Do those who are spared repent? No, they are rather hardened.
If you will consider the above plagues in light of the vast population of this earth, you will see it as a vast, festering catastrophy that is nearly inconceivable. The earth will be under siege of fire, without water to drink and at the same time under siege of demon power. The dead can't be buried, the suffering can't be measured, the minds of the earth can't cope with the problems or even understand their source. If judgment alone could bring men to repentance, this would do it. It is the goodness of God that bringeth us to repentance. These people only increase in their sins and idolatry and hatred for God until the King of Kings comes to destroy them (Rev 19:16-21).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 60
1. Does the Gentile world cause suffering during the tribulation period?
2. If so, upon whom do they exact it?
3. Does the tribulation affect all the world?
4. How intense will it be compared to other tribulation?
5. What person drew this parallel for us?
6. Will the Gentiles suffer in war during this time?
7. Will the greatest suffering come from human or super-human causes?
8. What force destroyed destroyed a third of the trees?
9. What part of the grass did it destroy?
10. Do we find grass mentioned later? If so, how can you account for it?
11. What was cast into the sea when the second angel sounded?
12. What were the results of this?
13. Upon what did the star fall when the third angel sounded?
14. What was the name of the star?
15. What was the result of it?
16. What alteration was made in the sun, moon and stars?
17. From where were the locusts released?
18. Were they natural or demonic?
19. What power did they have?
20. Did men repent because of theirsuffering?
LESSON 61
THE FALL OF BABYLON THE GREAT
Rev 17:1-18:24 Memory Verse: Rev 18:2
So vast is this subject and varied are its interpretations that I can but give a summarized view as to the great world events I think it foretells. I d o not claim to have a final word on the matter. Men have frequently been explicit and wrong, thus weakening the confidence of some in any real understanding of this symbolism.
It seems to me that in the two figures of Revelation chapters 17 and 18, namely the Mother of Harlots and Babylon the Great, we have two aspects of an antichrist world system. It is the same system described by the image in Daniel chapters 2 and 3. In my opinion, it has always been both political and religious.
This great city here identified as "Babylon the Great" is the basic structure of all world government which is not under subjection to Jesus Christ, God's appointed Governor of the universe. It was seen as Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, holding in subjection Judah, the Holy Seed. This government has emerged in all kinds of progressive systems and fashions, yet all government which is not absolutely subject to God is in some sense subject to Satan, and thus is part of this world system symbolized in Scripture as Babylon. It includes all kinds of governmental, political, social and economic systems. Some of them are far superior to others by many good virtues. They may be at enmity or even at war over their differences, yet not being completely under Jesus Christ, they all exist in some state of rebellion and decomposition.
This political system has always carried its religious hariot, with all her variety of daughters upon its back. I think the Harlot symbolizes any and all religious systems which do not ascribe all salvation and all glory to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of Revelation 5. Again, even as the political system, the religious system has emerged in many and varied forms with many of them coexisting. They have cohabited with the varying political systems, promising men profit and salvation, while giving only and always some form of bondage. In Nebuchadnezzar's day, it was the image in the plain of Dura (Dan 3). It had before then been seen in the tower of Babel and later as Baalamism. It has since been seen in the Eastern religions and in all forms of Christendom, except true Christianity. To limit the identity of this "Great Whore system" to a single segment of religious error is to let the rest go unchallenged. Scripture included them all.
Our lesson reveals the soon to come fall of this entire two-headed system. The earth will suffer great tribulation, both in Babylon's present exaltation and imminent fall. From it all, however, will emerge the certain revelation of Jesus Christ, in whose blood the saints are washed and who shall be revealed "King of kings and Lord of lords."
QUESTIONS - LESSON 61
1. What two figures symbolize the religo-political system of this lesson?
2. What division of it does the woman symbolize?
3. Is this seen in one or many governmental systems?
4. Where would it have existed, if at all, in Noah's last days?
5. How is it relevant to one-world government and ecumenicalism?
6. Where, if at all, could it have been seen in Moses' time?
7. How did this exist in the days of Daniel?
8. Has this governmental system been consistent or varied?
9. Has the religious part of it been consistent or varied?
10. In what particular form did it exist when Christ was upon earth?
11. Was there religious and political courtship at that time?
12. Did the Mother of Harlots then shed blood for political gain and wealth?
13. What Israelitish queen is used in Revelation 2 to symbolize this system?
14. Have the two aspects of this system remained united by mutual love?
15. If your answer to#14 is no, why have they remained united?
16. Name some of the governments in which this political system has taken form.
17. Name some of the religions in which this religious system has taken form.
18. Will their zeal for absolute power increase or diminish?
19. Will they remain in unity until the very end?
20. If not, which aspect will attack and destroy?
LESSON 62
CHRIST'S RETURN AND ARMAGEDDON
Rev 18:1-19:21 Memory Verse: Rev 19:16
In Revelation 17 and 18 we see the pronouncement and some details of the fall of Babylon, the Mother of Harlots. In Revelation 17:16, we read of 10 kings who have given their power to Babylon, rebelling against and devouring the Great Whore. It should be noted that these same kings are those who will make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them. This system, "Babylon the Great," the one-world government and religion conglomerate, will impose upon the world the mark of the Beast, to bring all they can under this ststem, but even in this effort they will become self-destructive. Has this not been their basic pattern through 6,000 years? It has been a pattern of wars, slavery, self-destruction, regrouping and reorganizing and repetition of the self-destruction. This intensifies near the end, yet the pattern would never cease to go in this cycle if Christ did not intervene.
In Revelation 19:1-6 we find the resumption of the praises of the 24 elders and the 4 beasts of which we read back in Revelation 4 and 5. In chapter 4 God was praised for creation, in chapters God was praised for redemption. In chapters 6-18 we see the build-up of the antichrist kingdom upon the earth and God's wrath by and upon it. Here in Revelation 19 we read of God's destruction of that entire system. This is preceded by the elders and the beasts praising God for His righteous judgment upon evil and rebellion.
In Revelation 19:7-10 we read of the marriage of the Lamb and His wife made ready by being clothed in fine linen, the wedding garment washed in the blood of the Lamb. It is in this chronological setting that we must see the return of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. He does not come riding as a servant upon an ass, but as a king upon a white horse. He does not come in meekness, but His eyes were as a flame and on His head were many crowns and His name was known of no previous king, "The Word of God." This king is the very personification of all truth, righteousness and authority. His sword is not for the hand, but of the mouth. It is not physical or military power that will overcome the heritage of antichrist kingdoms, but the Word of God, which is alive and omnipotent and sharper than any two-edged sword.
Now only the redeemed of the Lord can rejoice. They have suffered while Babylon lived deliciously, but that is over. An angel standing in the sun summons the fowls of the air to come and fill themselves with the carcases of all her armies, the Beast and the False Prophet are cast into the lake of fire and the remainder of their armies are slain with the Word of God and the battle is over. The conflict of the ages is finished and Jesus is not only Lord of all, He is all in all. The world has no hope, except to bow down before Him while He is offered as Savior.
QUESTIONS - LESSON 62
1. Name three categories of people praising God in Revela 19.
2. For what attribute or act are they praising God?
3. Upon what system is this action focused?
4. Who was to receive honor in the marriage of the Lamb?
5. In what was the bride to be clothed?
6. Which is first, the marriage of the Lamb, or Christ coming as King?
7. Upon what does Christ the King ride?
8. Explain a previous and different mount.
9. What difference is symbolized by the two mounts?
10. For what does Christ come upon the white horse?
11. What were Jesus' eyes like in this account?
12. In what was He clothed at this time?
13. By what names is He known in this chapter?
14. How were His armies uniformed?
15. What weapon or weapons are here described?
16. After what manner do His armies fight?
17. What were two things that were done with the sword of His mouth?
18. For what purpose did the angels summon the fowls?
19. Do the antichrist armies plan an attack at this time?
20. What is the outcome of this battle?
LESSON 63
THE MILLENNIUM
Rev 20:1-10 Memory Verse: Rev 20:2
There are three main divisions of thought concerning the chronological relationship of the return of Christ to the millennium. First, understand that the word comes from two words: mille (which means thousand) and annus (which means year), thus millennium or 1,000 years.
There are those called amillennialists, which means no millennium. They hold varying views, but essentially they believe the whole of this language is symbolic and that we are not to look for a future, literal, 1,000 year, earthly reign of Christ with Satan's absence.
There are the postmillennialists, who, in essence, hold that the kingdom will be ushered in and Satan banished by the work of Christ through His church after which Jesus will return to dwell with us. This theory is nearly dead due to contrary evidence. I have, for the sake of space, oversimplified both of the above theories, but I hope I have not caricatured them.
What I hold to be the correct view is the premillennial view. This is, that Revelation 20 is to be taken very literally. Now we understand that in verse l and 2 of chapter 20 we may see the words, key, bottomless pit, chain, dragon and serpent as being words of symbolism. On the other hand, we can't possibly see the identity of Satan and the restraint upon him (from deceiving the nations) as mere symbolism. Without literal meaning, these statements have no meaning. By the same standard, I see the 1,000 years as being very literal. The term is repeated, verbatim, six times in these few verses, whereas we have an undefined short time referred to in Revelation 20:3, as a "little season."
Space does not allow total Scriptural documentation, but the whole of Scripture as far as I can understand it, leads me to expect this order of events: Without further warning, very soon, the Lord will descend from heaven for His saints (1Th 4:13-18), immediately following the resurrection and rapture described therein, the earth will be gripped by 7 years of tribulation. This will be ended by the return of Christ with His saints (Rev19:11-21). Immediately after this, the millennial stage is set. Satan is bound and the saints who died during the tribulation are resurrected (Rev 20:4) to join those who were resurrected and raptured at the beginning of it. This completes the raising and rapturing of the saints referred to as "the first resurrection." Christ was the first fruits, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells of the main harvest and Revelation 20:4-6 refers to the gleanings.
Now that Satan is gone, Christ is reigning with His saints and the only unregenerate people on the earth would seem to be neutral. Since the antichrist and his armies are destroyed, surely men will follow God. No! When Satan is loosed, depraved men will still follow him (Rev 20:7-9).
QUESTIONS - LESSON 63
1. What does the word millennium mean?
2. Is such a time specifically named in Scripture?
3. What evil force or person is then absent?
4. Who disposes of him?
5. Where is he kept during this time?
6. By what is he constrained?
7. Why is he kept there during this time?
8. Who is resurrected at this time?
9. How much time separates the first and second resurrection?
10. When is Satan loosed from his prison?
11. In what activity does he then engage?
12. Is he successful in this attempt?
13. How is his following described?
14. In what activity do they engage?
15. What happens to them then?
16. Were these people deceived?
17. What then happens to Satan?
18. Who preceded Satan to this place?
19. How long is Satan's torment to be?
20. What do we learn of human nature from this lesson?
LESSON 64
THE SECOND RESURRECTION
Rev 20:1-15; Joh 5:28-29 Memory Verse: Rev 20:5
God's revelation of future events has always been misunderstood by many. Often this is caused by tradition and the blinding of our minds by traditional interpretation. Even when we try to be totally open to Bible revelation, our natural minds give trouble. One of the areas of disagreement through the ages has been the doctrine of the resurrection. A very common concept which I consider erroneous is the doctrine of a general resurrection. The basic idea is that on a certain "great day" all the dead will be brought out of the graves to stand before God. Even though criteria for judgment varies, all general resurrectionists hold that these will be judged at the same time and eternal destiny will, at that point, be either decided or stated.
I believe the Bible very clearly teaches two distinctly different resurrections. In Acts 24:15, Paul refers to a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Now this teaches a very separate state of two groups when they come from the grave, but it does not state that they will or will not experience that resurrection at the same time. Our Lord gives indication of a separation in John 5:28-29 when He refers to the resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation. This verse alone should cause much misgiving about a possible "general resurrection" view, but it is far from all we have. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Paul makes a definite statement concerning the resurrection of the dead in Christ with no reference to the lost. Again, in 1 Corinthians 15, the resurrection is focused upon from a totally favorable viewpoint with no implication of fear of judgment coupled with it. I count the clincher Revelation 20:4-6. This passage clearly refers to a first resurrection thus implying a second. If that were not enough we are distinctly given a 1,000 year time span between the completion of the first resurrection and the time when the rest of the dead live again. I think that words could not be more plain.
My conclusion, therefore, is that Revelation 20:12 is to be seen as the second resurrection and exclusively the resurrection of the unsaved. No salvation or praise is mentioned here, only the bleak reality of judgment according to works (Rev 20:13). At this resurrection, death and hell deliver up the dead. I believe this refers to a uniting of the body (from the grave) and the soul (from hell). The sea delivered up the dead which were in it. The dead small and great stand before God. None escape. In verse 14 we find the same content and quantity cast into hell as were resurrected in verse 13. We also find it is the second death which has all power over all who are not included in the first resurrection (Rev 20:6). Oh my friend, turn to Christ that you may attain unto the resurrection of life!
QUESTIONS - LESSON 64
1. What is meant by a general resurrection?
2. Is more than one kind of resurrection mentioned in Scripture?
3. Does Jesus speak of twocategories of resurrection?
4. Does He tell us if they occur at the same time?
5. Do we find a resurrection of the living mentioned by itself?
6. Which New Testament book tells us most about the first resurrection?
7. Does this book speak of the second resurrection?
8. Does Scripture speak specifically of a first resurrection?
9. Explain how this implies another one.
10. Are martyrs mentioned at the first resurrection?
11. Are martyrs mentioned at the second resurrection?
12. Is anything good said of those in the second resurrection?
13. Name three places from which the dead are said to come.
14. Do we have any indication of a separation of people here?
15. Does the first resurrection have more than one phase of harvest?
16. If so,what is the first part of it?
17. Name three reasons for which men in this lesson were killed.
18. What was the means of execution mentioned here?
19. What were these souls privileged to do?
20. What was the time lapse before the rest lived?
LESSON 65
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
Rev 20:11-15 Memory Verse: Rev 20:15
The error of the expectation of a general resurrection is commonly accompanied by the error of the doctrine of a general judgment. This opinion is fueled by a misinterpretation of passages like Matthew 25:31-46. I will not at this point give an exposition of Matthew 25, but I hope it is sufficient to point out that it is the judgment of the nations and certain to take place at the second coming of Christ (premillennially), whereas the great White Throne judgment is after the millennium (Rev 20:5). What is this great White Throne judgment? Let me try to briefly explain it under a few simple headings.
The judge is unquestionably Jesus Christ. Paul identifies Him as the divinely appointed agent of judgment in Acts 17:31 and the Lord Himself assures us this is an accurate interpretation of Scripture when He says in John 5:22, "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:" The sinner must receive Jesus Christ either as Savior or Judge. So terrible is the countenance of this judge that heaven and earth flee away, and nothing remains, except the sinner, standing before God the Son.
The subjects of this judgment are the dead small and great. Their social, economic and moral standing in life have no bearing on the issue: Their names are not written in the book of life (Rev 20:15). They are not the "dead in Christ" as in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. They are the "rest of the dead," the subjects of the second death (Compare Rev 20:6 to Rev 20:14).
The standard of this judgment is revealed in Revelation 20:12. They were judged "in righteousness" (Acts 17:31) and they were judged out of those things written in the books according to their works. The implied detail of the records of heaven has long been a profound mystery, but in our modern day when a scientist can make an electronic computer chip the size of a pencil eraser which can store 50,000 pieces of information, it becomes easier to see how God in His infinite knowledge records every evil work, thought, disposition and natural tendency of the sinner. Oh sinner, fear and tremble for all that is recorded against you!
The verdict is a foredrawn conclusion. All who stand at this judgment are guilty by virtue of the fact that their names were not written in the Book of Life. They loved darkness rather than light (Joh 3:19), now they will have plenty of it.
The sentence is eternal damnation. They are cast into the lake of fire with Satan, the Beast and the False Prophet. The only activity there is torment day and night forever and ever (Rev 20:10). It is better to enter into life under any circumstances, than into hell (Mar 9:43). Cast away whatever detains you from eternal life!
QUESTIONS - LESSON 65
1. When does the judgment of the nations take place?
2. When does the great White Throne judgment take place?
3. Is Satan judged at this judgment?
4. What is meant by "earth and heaven fled away"?
5. Who will sit upon the great White Throne?
6. Does Scripture describe this judge as man or God?
7. What records facilitate this judgment?
8. What particular book is named here?
9. Are any Christians judged here?
10. According to what are these people judged?
11. Who are the subjects of this judgment?
12. To what death is this judgment equated?
13. Which of these subjects is found innocent?
14. What negative charge stands against them?
15. Did these people necessarily reject Christ?
16. Did these people necessarily reject light?
17. If you answer yes to #16, tell why they rejected light.
18. What was their sentence?
19. What is the duration of their punishment?
20. Explain why, if you consider it to be eternal.
LESSON 66
THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH
Rev 21:1-22:21 Memory Verse: Rev 21:5a
It may be that these two chapters of Scripture tell us more about our final state in the presence of God our Savior than all others combined. It is impossible for mortals to conceive of such beauty and perfection as this, but as we read these two chapters, we can at least touch the hem of the garment.
Revelation 21:1 may shed much light on the depth of the meaning of Revelation 20:11, "from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place forthem." In Revelation 21:l, we find the statement, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." Then in Revelation 21:5, we read the Lord's words, "Behold I make all things new." I believe we see here, not only the judging of sinners, but the putting away of the entire previous system and creation, and the making of a new one in which the curse of sin has no place or effect? There will be a new and permanent relationship between Christ and His people (Rev 21:7). It is symbolized by the relationship of a bride and groom (Rev 21:9). All that opposes this glorious union is forever cast out (Rev 21:8, 27). Again, Revelation 22:8 describes that which is eternally excluded.
Well, what of those who are within the presence of God? It will be a surrounding of physical beauty unparalleled, the Holy Jerusalem having the glory of God (Rev 21:11). It is a city of perfect dimension where every shape, material and feature speaks of divine perfection and the mercy of God toward His people (Rev 21:12-22). There is no temple in the city. Why? Because the temple has always been a symbolic meeting place for God and His people. Now there is no mere symbolism of it, we are actually with our Lord, and in Him forever (Rev 21:22). There is no need of sun or moon for the Glory of God is the eternal light (Rev 21:23), thus there is no night (Rev 21:25).
From the throne flows a river of the pure water of life. Down the midst of the street and on the banks of the river, growing everywhere, is the tree of life. That to which Adam lost access in Eden is given back to man in the New Jerusalem. The tree of life bears 12 manners of fruit and yields fruit every month. The leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations (Rev 22:1-2). The curse of sin is gone forever (Rev 22:3).
At this point, the state of man will be unalterable. The just are forever just and the filthy are forever filthy (Rev 22:11c). But, my friend, your state is not unalterable at this point. There is the glorious invitation from God's Word: "and let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Rev 22:17) Will you appear at the Great White Throne, or in the New Jerusalem?
QUESTIONS - LESSON 66
1. Does the Bible speak of more than one heaven and earth?
2. If so, are there two at any given time?
3. What is the great surface difference of the first earth and the new one?
4. What is the name of the Holy City?
5. What union is used to illustrate her beauty?
6. What are some things God will take away from His people?
7. What things are at this point made new?
8. From where did the New Jerusalem come?
9. How many gates did the Holy City have?
10. How many foundations did the wall have?
11. What are the proportional dimensions of the City?
12. What are two possible shapes that can fit these dimensions?
13. About how large would the City be?
14. About how high would the wall be?
15. Of what material are the wall and the city made?
16. How many gates does the City have?
17. Of what are the gates made?
18. Of what is the temple made?
19. What is in the middle of the streets?
20. Describe all you can about the tree of life.
THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE MIRACLES OF JESUS CHRIST
Matt. Mark Luke John
Beginning of His ministry 2:1-11
1 Water to Wine 2:1-11
The Galilean Ministry - First Period
2 Healing the nobleman's son 4:46-54
3 The draught of Fishes 5:1-11
4 The man with an unclean spirit 1:23-26 4:33-35
5 Healing Peter's mother-in-law 8:14-15 1:30-31 4:38-39
6 Healing a leper 8:2-4 1:40-45 5:12-14
7 Healng the paralytic 9:2-8 2:1-12 5:17-26
8 The impotent man 5:1-16
9 The withered hand 12:9-14 3:1-6 6:6-11
The Galilean Ministry - Second Period
10 The centurion's servant 8:5-13 7:1-10
11 Raising the widow of Nain's son 7:11-17
12 The man dumb and blind 12:22 3:22
13 Stilling the storm 8:23-27 4:35-41 8:22-25
14 The Gadarean demoniac 8:28-34 5:1-20 8:26-39
15 Raising Jairus' daughter 9:18-26 5:21-43 8:40-56
16 The afflicted woman 9:20-22 5:25-34 8:43-48
17 Two blind men and the dumb demoniac 9:27-34
18 Feeding the five thousand 14:13-23 6:30-46 9:10-17 6:1-15
19 Walking on the water 14:24-38 6:47-56
The Galilean Ministry -Third Period
20 Syrophoenician woman's daughter 15:21-28 7:24-30
21 Deaf and dumb man 15:29-31 7:31-37
22 Feeding the four thousand 15:32-38 8:1-9
23 The blind man near Bethsaida 8:22-26
24 The demoniac boy 17:14-20 9:14-29 9:37-43
25 The Temple tax - tribute money 17:24-27 9:33
The Perean Ministry
26 The man born blind 9:1-41
27 The dumb demoniac 11:14
28 The crippled woman 13:10-21
29 The man with dropsy 14:1-6
30 The raising of Lazarus 11:1-46
31 The cleansing of ten lepers 17:11-19
32 The blind men near Jericho 20:29-34 10:46-52 18:35-43
The Passion Week
33 The withered fig tree 21:20-22 11:20-25
34 Healing the ear of Malchus 26:50-51 14:47 22:49-51
Post-Resurrection
35 The draught of fishes 21:8-11