Elementary Notes on The Canon

 "The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it"-Psalms:68:11



The body of works called the Bible, that is  Scriptures,   speak to us about Who the great God is and as He reveals  Himself to us in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, where did we get the New Testament, how was it assembled  ?

The Need for Scripture

In the early church, there were many writings that abounded, some were 

legitimate and inspired by the Holy Spirit, they were the result of  what Greek calls "inspirata" which means breathed into. That Is God through His Spirit  into the heart of the Biblical writers to  convey to humanity what God has to say. There arose a need to have a body of writings that were agreed upon as being inspired  and recognized as being from God so that there would be constant from which to teach.   We are told by Luke that many had produced accounts of Jesus' life, words, death and resurrection.

 "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us" Luke:1:1

Most Early churches had maybe one copy of a Gospel or an epistle to utilize, which would sent to other churches, few had a complete or multiple copies to read and preach from.   

 So, of the many accounts, especially of the Gospel's , not to mention the epistles, how did the early church arrive at the collection of works we call the Bible ?  There abounded many writings that began to espouse ideas that stretched the orthodox Christianity teaching;  often theses writing were unknown until a person or group began to proclaim them, leading many to suspect that they were not authentic. 

  

 As Christianity began to grow and time past the Post-Apostolic church gathered to considered and in some cases debate  the question(s). This was a lengthily process which took time, not all were in full agreement , some believed that 2 & 3 John were too short  along with Jude, to be included, others questioned as to who wrote Revelation , some some thought  that it may have John the Presbyter rather then Apostle John,  others considered it to be the nonsensical  ramblings of an old man. Some thought Hebrews should not be included due the lack of a name affixed to it. Some questioned 2 Peter due to the   different style in writing in some respects to   1 Peter . 

Other writings that did not meet the standard and  discarded were the Acts of Paul and Thekla, Gospel of Thomas ,  Acts of Andrew,   Gospel of Peter , Revelation of Peter, Revelation of the Twelve and others which were "gnostic" writings . Some of these writings were as 2Peter:1:16 says  "cunningly devised fables" . Others may have been penned by Biblical personalities, yet lacked the intrinsic evidence of being the "Word of God" speaking perfectly to us about the Great God.
 It took time, prayer, discussion  and above all the leading of the Holy Spirit to arrive at agreement about what should and should not be included.

Sorting It Out

By the time of the "Patristic Writers";  this is the period roughly from  the close of the Apostolic period around 100  AD to 400s AD.


These Early church fathers are basically divided into the Ante-Nicene Fathers, that is those who lived and wrote  prior to the Council of Nicene(325) and the Post-Nicene Fathers, those who wrote after 325.  The " Fathers"   were also divided into Greek and Latin writers as well. Some of the prominent Greek Fathers are Justin Martyr , John Chrysostom, and Cyril of Alexandria .   The Latin Fathers are Tertullian , Cyprian, Jerome, Ambrose of Milan, Gregory the Great and Augustine of Hippo.

The church poured through the manuscripts and their content and  grouped these writings in to  basic categories: These categories were formulated by the Church Historian Eusebius,(270-340 AD) which helped end the controversies over what should be included and what should be dismissed. He applied the same approach that was used to canonize the Old Testament.

 

Homoloumena:-Writings which were accepted, all agreed upon them.

Antilegomena- Writings that there were some questions about their acceptance.

Pseudepigrapha- Writings coincided forgeries or heretical.

The Apocrypha-Books written after the Canon of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament)  was completed and never written in Hebrew and never referenced to by Jesus or the Apostles with one possible exception, Jude may have  quoted the Book of Enoch  in Jude 1:14

Early Mention 

Starting just about the time of the sacking of Jerusalem by the Roman armies, the New Testament was in pieces and passed from congregation to congregation and slowly was  being assembled by some who  had multiple copies of some of the writings. Prior to this word of mouth was the main conveyance and transmission of the Gospel, along with an occasional epistle.

Clement of Rome  an early church leader quoted from and coincided  authoritative many of the Canonical writing which are in the Bible. 

The Author of the Barnabas Epistle who some scholars think may be Barnabas himself, uses  again both Old Testament and New Testament references.

A early collection of writings called the Didache, also referred to as the "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles" quotes from Matthew's and Luke's Gospels and asserts their inspired authorship.

Many other early church leaders, such as Polycarp, Papius,Justin  & Ignation  quoted  again Matthew  and John along with Paul's works giving the Apostolic writing as much recognition  as they did the Old Testament.

Many others church leaders that followed did likewise , Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus and Tertullian.

Canonical Councils

 Four basic  Councils that were called to discus the question of Canon

Council of Laodecia-336 -AD
Council of Damascus-382-AD
Council of Carthage-397-AD
Council of Hippo-419-AD

At Loadecia Council  all that  we have of the New Testament was accepted but not Revelation, which was later accept at the other councils. 
Time nor space permits a long recounting of theses proceedings but they produced results that have blessed many for generations and resulted in the word of God being available to peoples down through the ages and many lands.

                                                                   How Chosen?

What was the means  by which the leaders of the church compiled the New Testament?

Apostolicity- All the writings had to have as its author an Apostle or another minister of that time.

Universal Acceptance- All Churches had to accept a given Gospel account or Epistle.

Uniformity- Consistent With all other accepted writings and historic teaching of the Church.

Inspiration- The Holy Spirit's inspiration must be  evidently  discerned.

Early Acceptance- Referred to, used and listed as Scripture by the early Church "Fathers".

Exhortation of Proclamation- Within the text there needed to be  direction to preach and proclaim the message of Jesus and the reading of the word.

When the  manuscripts were discussed, the above method was employed and what we have is the  result.  The Canon or body of writings, the Bible,  that speak to us about Jesus, it is a living document and has transformed the lives of many for time and eternity. Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.  
And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com                                      

Elementary Notes on the Gospels: Part V, John

The Gospel of John, called the "Most Beloved Gospel", 

its Greek name is  τὸ κατὰ Ἰωάννην εὐαγγέλιον. 

John's account is  written with a different style and intent as the Synoptic Gospels , John writes with such insight into the Deity and Humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John of all the writer's seems to speak to believers and presents an ongoing and growing Revelation of Who God is,  as He reveals Himself in Jesus .

In closing His account John tells us why he was moved to tell of Jesus.
"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John:20:31

John was a fisherman from Caprnaum , a community set on the shore of lake Galilee. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of James.  Jesus called  the brothers  "Boanerges" (translated "sons of thunder")  Mk:3:17   at times they would show their anger became wild, fierce and thunderous causing them to speak out like an untamed storm. At one point John and his brother James wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan town, but Jesus rebuked them. Lk:9:51-6 .

From early times  it was believed that John died of old age being in his late 90's , it is thought that he was one of the youngest of the Apostles. Some legends say that his enemies attempted to boil him alive, but were unable to do so,  that is why  in some church iconology John is represented as an eagle in a cauldron. Mostly John is represented as an eagle as an eagle fly high in heavens so John saw from a heavenly view.  


John was called by Jesus to be one of His twelve Apostles. It seems evident that John had a close friendship with Jesus he is called:"One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to Him" John:13:23.

John was, along with Peter and James,  one of the witness of the rising daughter of Jairus and one of the three who was with Jesus and saw the Transfiguration. Mark 5:21–43, Matthew:9:18–26, Luke 8:40–56    Matthew:17, Mark:9, Luke4:9


The date of the writing of John is thought to have been between 70-100 AD and was probably  written from Ephesus in Asia Minor where John
  led the Church being the last of the original Apostles of Jesus.  John is also credited with writing 1 John, 2 John,  3 John and the Book of Revelation.
Some believe that John was asked to write his account to counter gnostic teachings  that were rising in the church at that time, especially the belief that Jesus was not fully God. 
What was occurring was the emergence of "gnostic" teachers who claimed to represent the "true Church"  which in truth was just an alternative history to that of orthodox Christianity as taught by the disciples and their predecessors.  These "teachers"  had a whole host of teachings  but one was against the full divinity of Jesus. Some viewed Jesus as a mere apparition that  He only seemed to be "real" .
Some taught that Jesus was a man who became "good enough" to be called or adopted as God's son. There was a belief that Jesus was just a man who was "possessed" by the "divine spirit" which abandoned him at the cross.
And some taught that Jesus was an angel or created being.

Themes of John

Some of the themes of John , is that Jesus is that one who from the very beginning  was to come. John starts his Gospel in a unique way, tying the creation of the material  universe as seen in Genesis:1: "In the beginning"   first chapter  to the spiritual creation we have in Christ, and even proclaiming Jesus as the agent of both creations. John:1:1 " In the beginning" . Jesus is demonstrated  to be the Word of God , the "Logos"  the perfect Revelation of Who God is .

That the "Logos" is "Theos".    In the Hellenistic world there was a belief that above and beyond the pantheon of gods was a "power"  which superseded even them, and humanity could appeal to this "power" to find help from the oppressive Olympian gods. This "power" if resorted to would intervene and prevent the gods from harming humanity any further.

John is explaining to them that what their myths hinted at Jesus is the realty of it. He, Jesus,  is not just a "power" but God,  the true God,  the only God.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John:1:1

John shows how Jesus is that Messiah and provides several examples of power and signs to prove that He is. John includes uses of Scripture, the testimony of John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, God the Father ,the miraculous healing and works , the Holy Spirit's witnesses and even John's eye witness account
. 

Just a note: some who deny the Triune nature of God, those who believe that the Holy Spirit is just "divine power" the flows from God, will often turn to John:1:1 and ask if God is one God in three person's , why isn't the Holy Spirit mentioned here? That is a good question. The answer is; He is not mentioned here by name because He is the one doing the speaking, and He  speaks not of Himself but of Jesus.

 " He will not speak on his own;" & He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you" John:16:13a ,14.

Understand, there is not "three persons" in one God but rather One God in three persons- this  is what is called Tri-Theism. This is not Historic Christan teaching. Nor is God two persons who have eternally  agreed to be in agreement, yet completely distinct from each other , or a "family" of gods this is  binary-ism. Nor is God just one divine person alone, that would unitarianism. God is one God in three. Father, Son , Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Trinity actually emerged out of the need of the early church to defend its true monotheism that there is one God.

Out Line of John

1.Prologue: The Word, Incarnate,

2.Evidence of Jesus' Messianic Credentials

3.Passion Narrative:Death-Resurrection

4.Epilogue:Parting Words to Peter &  John

The  Seven Great "I AM"s

John is careful to show the divine nature and identity of Jesus in his presentations of what is called the great "I AM"s showing that very one who preached and walked in their midst was the very one Who from eternity past was and is and will always be God.

Jesus said to them: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM'." John 8: 58 

The Jews would have understood what Jesus was saying to them He was telling them it rattled their accepted view of their God. This challenged the view that they always held.

 "God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you." Exodus:3:14

John is making sure that there is not question in our minds as to Who Jesus is.

"I AM the bread of life" (6:35, 48).

 "I AM the light of the world" (8:58). 

"I AM the door" (10:7, 9).

"I AM the good shepherd" (10: 11, 14). 

"I AM the resurrection and the life" (11:25).  

I AM the way, the truth, and the life (14:6).  

I AM the true vine (15:1, 5).   

 YHWH

Jesus is identifying himself to Israel and to all humanity as the  I AM, the very one who is God that created all things, that called Abraham out of Ur, Who met Moses on the Mountain and spoke the words from the burning bush, "I AM that I AM". Jesus is One and is the very One Whom the Jews believed they worshiped. Jesus is telling them that He is  YHWH , which is  possibly pronounced Yahweh.

Clearing the Temple

John,  in his account gives attention to the clearing of the Temple of the money changers and animal pens in the Temple courts. These persons who were using the worship at the Temple as a means to profit and defiling this place of worship  , but their presence and activities were actually keeping some out.  In John's Gospel this incident  is placed early in the narrative  in John:2 yet in the Synoptic Gospels it is placed at the end of Jesus' ministry. Mark:11, Matthew:21, Luke:19.  

Some have speculated that it may be describing two separate events one taking place at the early point of Jesus' ministry the other at the end. 

It maybe that the truth is found in the whole  point of John's Gospel, that Jesus has come to restore a right relationship between God and  humanity, that Jesus has come to remove from the "temple of our lives" those selfish inclinations and anything else that clutters our spiritual lives. John may have placed this event early to demonstrate the intent of Jesus' coming,  placing it early on in his account so that it is there in our minds as we read his Gospel. John seems less concerned about the chronology and more concerned with the intent and what it means for us all.

Behold the Lamb

John give some time as well to the ministry and witness of John the Baptist , in fact,  when John engages us at the inauguration of the work of Jesus he does so by taking us to the banks of the Jordan where John the Baptist prepares the way  for Jesus as He steps  into His public ministry.

"John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" John:1:19-23

John also used the Baptist's pronouncement that  Jesus is the "Lamb of God"

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John:1:29

The lamb of God would again be a symbol that John would present in the Book of Revelation where John would sees Jesus as the Lamb still bearing the wounds of the crucifixion 

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne" Revelation:5:6a

In this verse John brings together the death and the resurrection, the" lamb looking as if slain" ,(the death), but is "standing  before the throne",   (the resurrection).

Nicodemus

Only John gives us  some of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus John:3:1-14

The Beloved Verse

"For God so loved the world" John:3:16  is found only in John.

Woman at the Well

The account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well is only John:4, where Jesus asked for and then offered  her and us the true "Water of Life" .

"He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." Revelation:21:6

Lazarus- and the Shortest Verse 

John also takes us to the tomb of  Jesus' friend  Lazarus and Jesus calling Him forth from the grave, here we read the shortest veras in all the Bible.

"Jesus wept." John:11:35

It is here that Jesus calls Himself the Resurrection, even before His own actual  resurrection,  showing us that His resurrection only demonstrates what has always  been true. He is Life and the grave nor death have power over Jesus. It also tells us that Jesus can resurrect any situation, that He is never too late to act for us even when we may think other wise.

Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” "Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” John:11:21-27

Foot Washing

 John pays attention and describes the foot washing that Jesus preform at the "Last Supper", where as the Synoptics do not.

"The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." John:13:2-5

John uses the foot washing in the same way that the Synoptic accounts uses their descriptions of the Bread and Wine, that it is through Jesus we are forgiven all our sins by His actions, but John uses the foot washing to reflect what Christ has accomplished for us, that is He has made us clean. John tells us in detail that it is Jesus who does the washing. Jesus was looking ahead to the cross and what He'd accomplish for us, that is the washing our sin away.

"Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them" .John:13:12c

"let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews10:22

"and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1John:1:7c

Discourse and The Lord's Prayer

John also gives us the account and discourse of Jesus just prior to His arrest and death, the  promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

John:14- Jesus' comforts and encourages Apostles, He is the way

John:15: Vine and Branches 

 John:16:- the Work of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus' overcoming of the World

John:17- As He prays as our High Priest for all Christians through out the ages , that we might all have that oneness and unity

Post Resurrection

John:21 contains the account of the seven disciples meeting the resurrected  Jesus on the beach of Galilee, they had gone back to fishing, but Jesus wants them, and us, to understand that after they, and we,  encounter Him our lives can never be the same again. Jesus  tell them to cast the net and there will be a great haul.  

We ready of Jesus' love for Peter, 15-19, and lastly the last words of affection and promises of work yet to done by John himself, 20-24.

No Book Big Enough

John closes his account telling us all that there is no means possible for anyone to list all the acts of Jesus

"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" John:21:25.

We find John's reason for his Gospel in 

"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John:20:3-31

All that we might Believe....Amen

 Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.

And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com 

A White Stone

"I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." Revelation:2:17c

Jesus , speaking by John to His people in the early church at Pergamum  which was a community along the imperial mail rout in Asia-Minor,  gives them,  and to Christians in all ages,  a word of encouragement after speaking correction to them. Our Lord tells them that they will receive a "white stone", with their new name upon it. Why would being the recipients of such a gift be an encouragement to them and  us?

These early Christians would have understood what Jesus was telling them and been grateful for it.

Aquital 

In the court systems of that day , after trying one accused of a crime , and after all the evidence was presented and brought forward and testimonies given  a panel of judges would deliberate then render their vertices publicly.

The accused would stand before all and the judges would show their decisions by dropping a stone into a conduit that would drop down into a slot that was visible to all in the court. A black stone for guilty, and a white stone for innocent  if there was two  black  and one white the person was condemned  and sentenced. If two white then the accused was  publicly declared innocent, justified , not guilty and set free. Once declared innocent, justified,  a person could not be tried again. 

Christians Innocent

Jesus is telling them, and us,  that they are acquitted of sin and will not be condemned. Jesus is declaring us before all that we are free all through His grace, in spite of the mountain of evidence against us all, He the great Judge finds us not guilty , and once He declares us so, we can never be tried again, set free. 

This would have been a comfort and encouragement to know that the Lord  has acquitted them and us.

Paul wrote of this acquittal, this justification, that we can experience this in Jesus:

"(He) forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross" Colossians:2:13-14

Once having been acquitted we can no longer be tried again, even though it is quite obvious that we all are  guilty, yet:  

"Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1  (Young's Literal Translation)

 "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." Romans:4:8

We are now set free, all by His grace and the work of salvation that Jesus secured for us. WE can never be condemned or accused again, the Great Judge has rendered His vertiec.NOT GUILTY!

 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians:2:8 

An Invitation

Another purpose for a white  stone in the ancient world, was that they were used to invite persons to important events, often these white stone invitations would have been sent by a special messenger with   the recipient's name written or inscribed upon the.

 Those invited would  need to bring these invitations along to be admitted to the gathering. White Stones were used to extend an ofter to be apart of a wedding feast. It was considered a great honor to have received such an invitation and be found in possession of one. The only thing that could keep one out was by absolute  refusal to receive it, even though a person's name was already inscribed upon it or to cast it away. It was considered a great social insult to turn down a personalized an invitation.

Gospel Invitation

The Gospel in just such an invitation, through the proclamation of the message about  Jesus Christ we are all personally invited to the wedding super. We are  offered free access to the greatest ,  most prestigious  event in time and eternity. God has sent this personalized  invitation to us through His Son Jesus Christ. It should be great honor to be received.

"but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things" Hebrews:1:2a-b

Jesus used the wedding supper in His teaching , that an invitation is offered and He commissioned messengers to invite the guest 

Unfortunately that there will be some, who having received this special invitation offered out of love will , will refuse to attend even though it is already their's 

 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come." Matthew:22:8

They did not esteem the invitation as they should have, or did not care that it was extended to them.

But some did and will receive it.

"Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find . So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.. " Matthew:22:9-10

Through the message about Jesus  our great God offers this personalized invitation to any and to all;  that they, having been declared not guilty,  are now invited to come into an eternal relationship with Him for all eternity nothing can keep us out  but our own unwillingness to receive it. This would have been great encouragement to those Christian  in Pergamum and to us today,  there is nothing to keep us out..Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.

And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com 

.

Elimentry Notes About the Gospels:Part IV, Luke

The Third of the synoptic Gospels, is Luke. 

 Τὸ κατὰ Λουκᾶν εὐαγγέλιον, to kata Loukan euangelion 

Luke's account is written as a first part of  two, the second part being the Book of Acts.Luke's Gospel is the longest of the Gospel accounts and seems to be directed to a Greek Audience being composed in "Koine" Greek, or "common" Greek also at times "Alexandrian Dialect". It is believed to have been written in the early 60's AD

Luke traces the linage of Jesus to the very beginning, to Adam himself down to Mary mother of Jesus,through whose eyes we see the entrance of Jesus into human history.
Luke present's Jesus to the Greek world as the perfect "divine-man" ; Greek mythology was filled demi-gods, that is humans begotten by one of the Greek Pantheon gods, but Luke is careful to show them that their myths were no comparison to the person of Jesus who is not half-god but is fully God as well as fully human..

Luke takes us to Zechariah the priest who while ministering at the temple receives an angelic visitation informing him that he and his elderly wife Elizabeth will have a child who would be John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus. Luke:1:5-25

The Annunciation & Mary's Visit

In Luke  we are taken to the young Mary, who receives the angilcal vist announcing to her and to us all that she would be mother of the Messiah, and Mary's trip to here elderly relative Elisabeth who was also with child. Luke:1:39-45 

The Magnificat

Luke includes Mary's song of praise to God for His salvation called the Magnificat.

"My soul glorifies the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.

He looks on his servant in her lowliness;

henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me.

Holy his name!

His mercy is from age to age,

on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength

and scatters the proud-hearted.

He casts the mighty from their thrones

and raises the lowly.

He fills the starving with good things,

sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel, his servant,

remembering his mercy,

the mercy promised to our fathers,

to Abraham and his sons for ever." Luke:1:46-55

Two Volumes

Luke in writing the Book of Acts, mentions to Theophilus that He has penned theses accounts

"The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen." Acts:1:12-2

 "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught".Luke:1 :-3

Note, that each is address to a Theophilus, "one who loves God", no one is sure as to who this person was or how they fit into the early history of the Christian Church,  but apperntly they were at least noted enough to recive a well researched set of documents by Luke who was a close associate of the Apostle Paul. .It is therorised by some scholars that Theophilus may have been a Roman appointed High Priest of Israel between AD 37 and AD 41, namedTheophilus ben Ananus.

Structure of Luke

Luke can basically be  structured  as followed :

1-The Prologue- 1:1-4

2-Jesu's Conception , Birth and Infancy- 1:5-2:52

3-Jesus Prepares  for Ministry-3:1-4:15

4-Galilee Ministry-4:16-9:50

5-Journey to Jerusalem-9:51-19:27

6-Jeruslem Ministry-19:28-21:38

7-Arest,  Trail , Crucifixion and Death-22:1-23:56

8-Resurrection of Jesus-24:1-53

 Beloved Physician 

Luke  apparently lived in he Greek city of Antioch   in Syria   Paul refers to Luke as "Luke, the beloved physician" Colossians:4:14  .This would speak of closes friendship and high regard  with Paul, and speak of a well educated person capable of research compiling and writing effectively the project that is now Luke and Acts. The style  employed reflects an educated and  disciplined min, Luke as well uses a rather a large  vocabulary his handling of the Like of Jesus.If tradition is correct that Luke was Greek, then  Luke would have been the only non-Jew to have written Scripture.

Luke mentions that many had taken the task of recording the times and teaching of Jesus, some point to he may have used John Mark's  account as source of information,  Luke would have certainly utilized any of the accounts that were available to him   in order research and   formulate  his Gospel. The accounts that would have been written by eye witness would have been of great value seeing that Luke himself was not one of the original disciples, but rather a Hellenistic Greek  physician. There is an ancient "tradition"  that Luke was an artist and may have contributed  to the early church's "iconology"  , that is painted or drawn  symbols to reflect Biblical events and persons, Luke himself is duplicated as a winged bull.

It is believed that Luke died at age 84 in a town called  Boeotia

Jesus's Compassion

Luke mentions to his readers the compassion that Jesus had for all, the lost and down trodden , the sick. He also points out the role of woman in the ministry of our Lord. 

Luke is careful to present Jesus' prayer life and emphasis is given to this fact it.

The "Lost Parables"

Luke's Gospel is the only one that mentions the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son. Luke:15:3-32. 

He is the only writer to mention the Evangelism tour that Jesus sent the seventy-two out on. Luke :10:1-24

Luke's Gospel gives Greek and Jewish as well as all Christian's throughout the ages; that what they have believed is in truth historical and reliable, Jesus is that one through which God has brought salvation to humanity. Amen

 

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.

And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com 

Messianic Scriptures Compulation

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." Luke:24:27

Seed of the Woman- Gen:3:15, Gal:4:4, Heb:4:2:14

Seed of Abraham-Gen:12:3,7, Matt:1:1

Seed of Issac-Gen:17:19,21:12, Matt:1:2

All Nations Blessed-Gen:18:18,22:17-18, 26:4, Gal:3:8,16, Heb:5:14

Lion of Judah -Gen:49:9-10, Rev:5:5

No Bones Broken- Ex:12:46,  Num:9:12, Ps:34:20, Jhn:19:36

Being the Firstborn-Ex:13, Lk:2:23

Serpent in the Wilderness -Num:21:8-9, Jhn:3:14-15

The Prophet- Deut:18:15, 18-19, Jhn:1:19-21, 6:14,7:40, Acts:3:22-23

Cursed and Hung on a Tree-Duet:21:23, Gal:3:13

On the Throne of David Forever-2Sam:7:12-12, 25-29, IChrncl:17:11-14, 23-27, 2Chrncl:21:7, Matt:19:28,25:31, Lk:1:32,Acts:2:30,13:23,32-37, Rm:1:3, 2Tim:2:8, Heb:1:5:5,Rev:2:26-27,19:15

Called Son of God- Ps:2:1-12, Matt:3:17, MK:12:11., Acts:4:25-26,13:33,Heb:1:5, 5:5, Rev:2:26-27,19:15

Praised by Children- PS:82, Matt:21:15-16

Resurrected- Ps:16:8-10, Acts:2:27, 31, 13-35

Mocked & Insulted- Ps:22:7-8, Mtt:27:31, 39-44,49, :Mk:15:16-20,29-32, Lk:23:35

Hands & Feet Peirced -Ps:22:16, Mtt:27:35,  Jhn:20:25

The One Peirced-Zech:12:10, Jhn:19:34, 37, Rev:1:7

Cast Lots For His Clothing- Ps:22:18, Mtt:26:50, lk:23:46,Jhn:19:23-24

Accused Falsely-PS:27:12, 35:11, Mtt:36:59-61, Mk:14:56-59

Commits His Spirit-Ps:31:5, Mtt:27:50, Lk:23:46, Jhn:19:30

Heated Without Reason-Ps:35:19, 69:4, Jhn:15:24-25

Friends Stand Far off- Ps:38:11,Mtt:27:55, Mk:15:40, Lk:23:49

I Come to do You Will- Ps:40:6-8, Heb:10:5-9

Betrayed by a Friend -Ps:41:9, 55:12-14 Mtt:26:14-16, 47,50,Mk:14:17-21, Lk:22:19-23,47-48,Jhn:1318

Sold for Silver -Zech:11:12-13, Mtt:26:14-15

Silver used to by Field- Zech:11:12-13, Mtt:27:5-10

Ascended to Heaven -Ps:68:18,Acts:1:9-11, Eph:4:8

Zealous for God-  Ps:69:9 ,Jhn:2:17, Rm:15:3

Given Gal & Vinegar- Ps:69:21,Mtt:27:34,48, Mk:15:23,36,Jhn:19:28-30

Taught in  Parables-Ps:78:2,Mtt:13:34-35

Entered Jerusalem- Ps:118:26, Zech:9:9, Matt:21:9,23:39, Mk:11:9, Lk:13:35,19:38, Jhn:12:13, Rev:19

Born of a Virgin-Isa:7:14, Mtt:1:22-23, Lk:13:35

Born in Bethlehem- Mich:7:6, Mtt:2:1, Lk:2:4,10-11

Babies Killed- Jer:31:15, Mtt:2:17-18

To Egypt & Returned- Hosa:11:1, Mtt:2:14-15

Light to Those in Darkens-Isa:9:1-2,Mtt:4:14-16, Lk:2:32

Destroys Death-Isa:25:8, 1Crth:15:54,Rev:7:17,21:4

Root of Jesse-Isa:11:10, Rm:15:12

Deaf & Blind Healed- Isa:29:18-19, Mtt:5:3,11:5,Jhn:9:39

Anointed to Preach-Isa:61:1-2, Mtt:11:5, Lk:4:17-21,7:22 Acts:10:38

Light to the Gentiles- Isa:49:6-12, 60:1-3, Lk:2:30-32,Acts:13:47,26:23, 2Crth:6:2, Rev:7:16

Flogged & Spit on-Isa:50:6, Mtt:26:67,27:26, 30, Mk:14:65,15:15,19, Lk:22:63-65, Jhn:19:1

Suffered & Exulted-Isa:52:13, 1Ptr:2:21-24

Rejected by His People- Isa:53:1-3, Mtt:27:1-2,Jhn:1:10-11,12:37-38

Silent When Accused- Isa:53:7, Mtt:26:63:, 27:12-14,Mk:14:61,15:5,Lk:23:9

Crucified With Criminals- Isa:53:12, Mtt:38, Mk:15:27-28,Lk:22:37,23:23-33

Buried With the Rich-Isa:53:9, Mtt:27:57-60

NOTE:not a complete list.

" These are the Scriptures that testify about Me," John :5:39b

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.

And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com 

Elimentry Notes About the Gospels:Part III, Mark.

Of the Synoptic Gospel records that have been included  in the Canon of Scripture , Mark's is generally believed to be the oldest having  existed   in note form until it's final compilation around  the mid- 50's AD, and some place it as late as 68-70 AD.  Written by  John Mark , who is mentioned in Acts:12:12,25 , Acts:15:37

John Mark was  from Jerusalem his mother's name was Mary we are told he  is a relative of the Apostle Barnabas, who was one Paul's associates as they made an evangelistic tour preaching and planting churches, it was during this  tour that John Mark departs under unknown circumstance that cause friction between Paul and Barnabas severing their working relationship for a time.
"So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." Acts:13:3

 "Barnabas wanted to bring John called Mark along with them too,  but Paul insisted that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.  They had a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company. Barnabas took along Mark" Acts:15:38-39

Peter

It thought  that Mark  gathered his information largely through his relationship with the Apostle Peter , 1Peter:5:13 the Apostle calls Mark "his son" , the accountant may largely reflects Peter's view , as Mark acting as his scribe. In early church symbolism Mark's Gospel was pictured as a lion with wings , which was positioned on the north side of the tabernacle as Israel journeyed.

 Mark's Account

It's full name is in the Greek  "κατὰ Μᾶρκον εὐαγγέλιον, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον κατὰ Μᾶρκον, to euangelion kata Markon"
 Some believe that Mark's account may have been a reference source  for Matthew's and Luke's accounts.
It is apparent that Mark used the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint when he borrows from the Old Testament. 

 John Mark was not one of  the original Apostles, but He as a young man, may have had  close contact with Jesus and the other disciples His account is the only one who contain the insertion of the "young man" who fled naked from the arrest scene when Judas led the soldiers to Him 


"A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,he fled naked, leaving his garment behind." Mark:15:51-52

Brief But Full

Marks account is brief and  depicts Jesus as our Lord acts to accomplish His mission as the suffering Servant in serving God, this action oriented view of Jesus may have been due to the nature of Peter himself, who often acted before thinking.  This view would have  caught the attention of  the Roman mind set of the day, it is to the point and direct without some details that the Roman mind would have found unnecessary.
But, Mark often uses very descriptive an lively style in presenting his narration of Jesus' life and mentions carefully Jewish customs as an explanation for those unfamiliar with them. 
 It is a book of the actions of Christ more than His words. Mark also includes the power to preform miracles , the uses of "power" again  would have gotten the attention of Roman thinking.
The last chapter is thought to have verses added to it as a editor's note, that is Mark:16:9-20  There is a   difference in the style and words that generally are not found in the body of the Mark Gospel . Eusebuis and Jerome , both stated this section of verses was not found in earlier manuscripts. Yet the content is consistent with the whole of the  Gospels.

Son of Man

Mark leaves details of  the accounts of Jesus' birth and life in Galilee to the other Gospel accounts Mark merely present Jesus' role in history as self evident as He arrives on the scene and  as He comes out of  Galilee with the message of salvation. 

 Mark also is careful to depict Jesus as "the Son of Man" which is the most often used  title that Jesus calls Himself by, showing His love and identification with all humanity.  Jesus uses this title for Himself more than others , and is found over 80 times in the Gospel accounts, Mark give special attention in His writing to this title.  Mark is again supporting that Jesus' humanity is as important as His deity.    An interesting component of Marks account is that He speaks of the feelings of  Jesus, that His emotional reprocess to those around Him, to all of us more than the other writers.

A Call to Discipleship

The Roam world understood a call to duty, but Mark purpose goes beyond duty  , but rather discipleship and all that entails, Romans would have understood this as many of them had been legionnaires and experienced a long term commitment , 20 or more years in most cases. Mark calls on a life long dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ, which would take one through many unforeseen experiences rejection and possible even death, yet this call to live the life and be fully vested in service to Jesus was for some a powerful attraction.The note on rejection may have struck a cord with Mark, who himself had been rejected ,by Paul , due to his own lack Mark may have understood the pain and stigma such rejection can cause, however we see that at some point Mark was "redeemed"  in Paul's eyes when he wrote to the young Pastor Timothy regarding Mark.

"Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry." 2 Timothy 4:11

Mark even in ministry had his moment of redemption, after leaving off the evangelism tour that he had been called to.

Mark's Gospel even in it brief form carry so much about our relationship with Jesus Christ as the  true Servant of the Almighty God having power and authority in his message , healing   and suffering...Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.

And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com