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| Part VI |
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The next 400 years were the quiet before the storm when God would come to earth as a man.
| WELCOME TO JUDAH Under New Management AGAIN!!! |
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A lot was happening in the world during this time, setting the stage for God's entrance. Judah fell under the power of one nation after another, some favorably disposed towards her, some maliciously opposed to her. Alexander the Great brought the Greek language to Judah which would be needed for New Testament writers to fully and accurately convey the rest of God's message to the world.
| | | ROAD CONSTRUCTION USE ALTERNATE ROUTE | | |
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Pompey brought Roman rule and the building of Roman roads which would be needed to quickly spread the Good News to all of the then-known world.
When the New Testament history began, Rome was in power over Judah and had appointed Herod king of the Jews. Judah was allowed to continue practicing her religion so long as she didn't make waves.
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Jesus Christ was born to a virgin named Mary by a miracle of God (He's like that, you know) in the town of Bethlehem.
| | | WELCOME TO PLANET EARTH **** JESUS **** | | |
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Shepherds, foreign kings and angels celebrated his arrival which was preceded by that of John the Baptizer who was sent to prepare the way. When Jesus' ministry was about to begin, John pointed him out as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. Here was the fulfillment of what had been foreshadowed by the Passover Lamb, one who would die in our place.
| Y2K - Who Is To Blame An interview |
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Internet News: We have as our guest today the man whose birthday is the cause of the Y2K predicament, Jesus Christ. What do you have to say for yourself, Jesus? Jesus Christ: First, let me say that I was terribly flattered to have my birthday turned into the starting date for your calendar. IN: But isn't it true that your birthday was already being celebrated on December 25th? How is it that our calendar dates from your birthday but January 1st was chosen? JC: Oh, just a fluke, really. Neither date is correct. It always struck me as funny that, December 25th or January 1st, you choose to celebrate it in the middle of winter. I mean, the shepherds weren't exactly "keeping watch over their flocks by night" in the open fields during winter, were they? IN: No, I guess they weren't. So, when exactly were you born? JC: December 28th. IN: But... JC: Just kidding. If I told you when I was really born, you would just make another holiday out of it and I think that two birthdays a year are more than enough. IN: But it will be 2,000 years from the year you were born, right? JC: That's another thing. There is no year "0" partly because the ancients had no concept of it mathematic- ally but mostly because of all the arguments about whether it would be 0 AD or 0 BC. It became sort of a Y-zero-K situation, so they decided to skip it altogether. One year after 1 BC became 1 AD. IN: So, year 2000 will actually be your 1,999th birthday. JC: Well, not exactly. The monk who came up with your calendar used a calculation process called Pentiumnus Calculus to get the starting date. It was close but 5 years off so my human nature is going to be 2,005 years old in the year 2000. IN: So I guess the whole Y2K problem isn't your fault after all since you were actually born in 5 BC? JC: 6 BC. Remember to skip year "0". IN: Ah, yes, sorry. Happy belated birthday, by the way. So, what's in store for the world when the big Y2K hits? JC: I'm sorry, but I'm not supposed to talk about that. My Father made me promise not to divulge any future events. IN: Do you think the monk foresaw that we would invent computers just in time for the year 2000 to be a problem? JC: Perhaps you should interview him. Go easy on him, though. If he had done his calculations right, you'd all be...oops. Almost let that slip. IN: So, umm, I understand you have a book to plug. JC: Actually, the Bible has been out for quite a while. I won't ask people to go out and buy a copy since pretty much everyone has one. I'd just ask that they read it more. IN: And for anyone wishing to get you a belated 2,000th birthday/Christmas present? JC: Read the book. It'll tell you what I want. |
We have 4 (Count'em!) accounts of the life and times of Jesus Christ, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John often referred to as the Gospels. Each records the life of Jesus from a slightly different vantage point.
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Matthew wrote for a Jewish audience drawing heavily from the Old Testament to show that Jesus fulfilled all of the prophesies about the coming Savior. | Mark gave a very concise and action-packed version of Jesus' life to appeal to a Roman audience.
| Dr. Luke, MD. included a lot of historical details to indicate when the events of Jesus' life took place. | John's account of Jesus' life has a markedly different vantage point from the other 3 in that he was more intimately acquainted with Jesus. Also, since he wrote his account long after the others, John purposely avoided repeating what had already been written. | |
Jesus's ministry began when he was about 30.
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30th Birthday Party Invitation You are hereby invited to the home of Joseph and Mary on the happy occasion of Jesus' 30th birthday R.S.V.P. Beverages will be provided |
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He performed many miracles and taught the people many things. His message was one of reconciliation - how God was going to reconcile mankind to himself.
Mankind had sinned starting with Adam & Eve right down to every last one of us and just like God warned Adam & Eve, the punishment for this form of rebellion was death, eventual physical death and eternal separation from God. But God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for our sins. All God requires of us is to personally accept His free gift of salvation - eternal life with Him by accepting Christ as our savior, our substitute.
This message of reconciliation is known as the gospel, or good news.
| GOSPEL | = | GOOD NEWS |
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Jesus selected and trained 12 of his followers, the disciples, who were to spread his message after he left. His popularity rose until the Jewish leaders feared it would jeopardize the religious tolerance they enjoyed from Rome.
| $ REWARD $ - Wanted - DEAD or ALIVE The rebel called JESUS alias The Christ alias The Messiah alias The Son of God $ REWARD $ |
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From then on they worked to minimize Jesus' outreach and finally, they looked for a way to kill him, thinking that would end his impact. Then Judas, one of the 12, betrayed Jesus into the hands of the Jewish and Roman rulers who had him beaten, publicly ridiculed and finally crucified and buried.
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But 3 days later Jesus Christ rose from the grave appearing to many witnesses to display his power over death.
| JERUSALEM ENQUIRER HE'S BACK!!! | |||
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| Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. | Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. | Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. | Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. |
| ACTS Sequel to the Gospel of Luke From the bestselling author Dr. Luke, M.D. |
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The book of Acts, written by Luke as a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, records the spread of the gospel and the church throughout all of the then-known world beginning in Jerusalem.
| APOSTLES | = | SENT ONES |
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The disciples, who would from then on be called apostles (meaning sent ones), minus Judas were joined by others in spreading the gospel.
Paul at first persecuted the church, doing all he could to crush it. But Jesus appeared to him and recruited him to preach the good news to Jews and Gentiles alike and to their kings as well. Paul and the other apostles traveled throughout Eastern Europe and parts of Asia starting churches.
| Federal (Epistle) Express When it absolutely, positively has Has HAS to change the world overnight. |
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The rest of the New Testament books are letters written by these early Christian leaders to churches and to individual Christians.
They generally are letters bringing to light many of Jesus' teachings, encouraging believers to keep the faith and to hold to the truths of the Bible.
James, the half-brother of Jesus wrote the book of James to Jewish Christians everywhere, stressing practical Christian living.
Paul and Barnabas took their first Missionary journey preaching the gospel and starting churches wherever they went.
Then Paul wrote the letter to the churches he had started in the province of Galatia.
| | | Jerusalem Christian Church - Founded 33AD - | | |
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| Church Council Meeting Tonight Brother Paul Brother Barnabas and more Topic: Gentile Christians - Cool! | ||
The church leaders convened a council to discuss the delightfully surprising situation of Gentile Christians. A few years later, Paul took Silas with him on a second Missionary journey revisiting the previously started churches and starting new ones on the way.
Paul wrote 2 letters to the church at Thessalonica. And a few years later still, Paul journeyed back to visit the churches one last time to strengthen all the disciples.
After this, Paul wrote First & Second Corinthians, correcting errors in this church he had started and answering their questions.
| Letter to the Romans Re: Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ Dear Pope :) Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. |
Paul wrote the book of Romans to the church at Rome. In it Paul gave a systematic explanation of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ's work on the cross.
After returning to Jerusalem, Paul was taken prisoner during which time he had opportunity to preach to governors and kings called in to hear his case.
Paul wrote the books of Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Philippians, First Timothy, Titus and finally Second Timothy.
The apostle Peter wrote 2 letters during this time as well.
| Author identity protected (No! It wasn't Salmon Rushdie!) |
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The book of Hebrews was also written about this time but the author is unknown, though most assume Paul wrote it.
Jude, another of Jesus' half-brothers, wrote the book of Jude and then the Apostle John, probably the last living apostle, wrote 3 short letters and then the book of Revelation telling of things which will shortly come to pass. In many ways it carries on Daniel's prophecies of the yet-to-occur future. The book, and with it, the Bible end with a glimpse into eternity future.
There you have it: a whirlwind tour of the Bible - the most important book in the world.
If God, Creator of the Universe, wrote only 1 book, you would read it, wouldn't you?
Well, He did and you should.
Begin today.
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