Ok, we maybe changing the order of things to maybe focus a little more on a structured study. Of course, that is if you , the blog reader, would like something more structured or if you like this random person, place, definition idea.
Plaease let me know.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Mary (Mother of Jesus)
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was betrothed to Joseph when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced that she would bear a son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. During her pregnancy she visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was at that time pregnant with the baby who would become John the Baptist. It was on this occasion that she praised the Lord in a hymn (Luke 1:39-56).
After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, Joseph took his wife and Child to Egypt to escape Herod's plans to kill Jesus. After Herod's death, the family returned and settled in Nazareth in Galilee. She stood at the cross with two other women named Mary when Jesus was being crucified.
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon her and the apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 1:14). Scripture is silent on Mary's life after Pentecost, but legends abound. There is evidence that Luke came to her for information about the Holy family which he used in his Gospel. There is also evidence that Peter consulted her on points of doctrine, and that the Apostles' Creed was composed at her inspiration.
The most common belief is that Mary made her home with John the Apostle in Jerusalem and that she died there some time before his departure for a mission in Ephesus, possibly in the year 48 or 49, which would make her about 70 years old at the time of her death.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the most famous city in the world. It's located in the Judean Hills of Israel, with the Hinnom and Kidron valleys as part of its borders. Its elevation is 2600 feet above sea level.
Mentions of the city can be found in Egyptian texts dating back to the 19th century BC.
Jerusalem is first mentioned in the Bible as Salem, or Shalem, in Genesis 14:18, which describes a meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek.
Jerusalem became the seat of power for the land of Israel during the time of King David. David drove the Jebusites out of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:9) and named it the City of David. He reigned there as King of Israel for 33 years, after reigning his first 7 years in Hebron. After David, all of the kings of Judah reigned in Jerusalem. David's son, Solomon, built the Temple in Jerusalem,
which was later destroyed, rebuilt, and destroyed again.
In 701 BC the Assyrians besieged Jerusalem. But, through the prayers of King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, an Angel of the Lord saved the city (2 Kings, chapter 19).
In 586 BC the city was conquered and the Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army. After the Persians defeated Babylon, some of the Jews who had been taken as captives by the Babylonians were able to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the Temple. Jerusalem again became the capital of the land of Israel during the Hasmonean period, until 63 BC when the Romans occupied the city.
Herod, a Roman vassal, rebuilt the city and reconstructed the Temple. Jesus visited and preached in the city, and was crucified outside its gates. After the death of Jesus, the city became holy to the Christians. The Romans destroyed the city and the Temple in AD 70.
Constantine the Great sent his mother Helena to Israel in AD 326, and she became associated with Constantine's building of the first great Christian churches. Many Archeologists since the 1800's excavated in and around Jerusalem. Today with 3 major religions centered in Jerusalem, it is the focal point of the world. But in the future the "New Jerusalem" will descend out of Heaven, and the world will live in eternal peace.
The original site of Jerusalem, as it was during the days of King David about 3000 years ago, is still sometimes called the City of David. It is south of the Temple Mount and is surrounded by hills, as reflected in Psalms 125:2, of which the NIV translation reads: "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore."
A summary of the Old Testament books
Books 1-5: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
These books were written perhaps as long ago as 3400 years ago, by Moses. These five books are sometimes called the Pentateuch or the Torah.
Books 6-16: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah.
These books explain the history of Israel from the time that the nation was established about 3400 years ago. It includes information about the time when the nation was conquered by the Assyrians about 2700 years ago, and when it was conquered by the Babylonians about 2600 years ago. The Assyrians and Babylonians forced many Jews out of their homeland. But, many Jews returned during the next few centuries, shortly before the time of Jesus.
Books 17-22: Ester, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
These books are sometimes called the books of Writings, or the books of Poetry, or the books of Wisdom.
Books 23-27: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel.
These books contain prophecies that were delivered by prophets named Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. These prophets lived about 2700 to 2500 years ago. Some of their prophecies found fulfillment more than 2500 years ago. Christians believe that many of the prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus about 2000 years ago. And many of their prophecies have found fulfillment during the past 200 years.
Books 28-39: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
These books are sometimes called the books of the "minor" prophets. They are called "minor" because their books are short in length.
Books 1-5: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
These books were written perhaps as long ago as 3400 years ago, by Moses. These five books are sometimes called the Pentateuch or the Torah.
Books 6-16: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah.
These books explain the history of Israel from the time that the nation was established about 3400 years ago. It includes information about the time when the nation was conquered by the Assyrians about 2700 years ago, and when it was conquered by the Babylonians about 2600 years ago. The Assyrians and Babylonians forced many Jews out of their homeland. But, many Jews returned during the next few centuries, shortly before the time of Jesus.
Books 17-22: Ester, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
These books are sometimes called the books of Writings, or the books of Poetry, or the books of Wisdom.
Books 23-27: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel.
These books contain prophecies that were delivered by prophets named Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. These prophets lived about 2700 to 2500 years ago. Some of their prophecies found fulfillment more than 2500 years ago. Christians believe that many of the prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus about 2000 years ago. And many of their prophecies have found fulfillment during the past 200 years.
Books 28-39: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
These books are sometimes called the books of the "minor" prophets. They are called "minor" because their books are short in length.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Messiah
The Hebrew word "messiah" means "anointed." The Greek word for
Messiah is Christ.
In that form, the word appears 39 times in the Old
Testament of the Bible. It occurs many more times in
the form of "anoint" or "anointing."
It refers to a practice in ancient Israel in which
kings, priests and prophets were anointed with oil, a
ceremony that involved smearing a small amount of oil on a person who was
selected to perform a special job or task. The selection or choosing often was
done by God himself.
In Bible passage of Leviticus 21:10, for example, the high priest is referred to as having been
anointed with oil. King David is mentioned several times in connection with
the Hebrew word for anointed. In 1 Samuel 16:1, the Lord tells Samuel to anoint David as the new king of Israel:
The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for
Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil
and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of
Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be
king." - 1 Samuel 16:1 (NIV translation).
The word can be phonetically represented in English in a variety of ways,
including "messiah," "moshiach," "mashiach," "mashiyach," etc. This of course is
where English speakers get the word "Messiah."
The words "Messiah" and "Christ" mean the same thing. The word "Christ" comes
from the Greek translation of the Bible. That is because Greek was a widely used
language during the dawn of Christianity about 2000
years ago. Many of the New Testament books were
either written in Greek or were translated into Greek.
The word also is the name of a category of prophecies
in the Old Testament called "Messianic prophecies,"
for which the prophets spoke of a messiah who would save the people of Israel,
cleanse the world of sin, offer salvation to people throughout the world, and
bring forth an era of peace.
About 2000 years ago, there were Jews and Gentiles
who proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah who was
promised by the Old Testament prophets. Their writings became the New Testament.
They traveled far and wide to tell people the "Gospel,"
which means "good news," that the Messiah had come and that through him all who
believe would be granted salvation and eternal life
in Heaven.
Their evangelism work allowed Christianity to spread very quickly throughout
parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, despite the fact that the
Roman Empire was often severely oppressive to the
Christian faith.
Today, Jesus is the only person widely regarded, throughout the world, as being
the Messiah.
Judah, sometimes spelled as Judea, Judaea, or Juda
There are two Judahs in the Bible. One refers to a place and the other refers to a person. Both profiles are included below:
• Judah, the southern part of the Jewish homeland.
• Judah, one of the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel.
Judah, the southern part of the Jewish homeland
Judah - the place - refers to the southern part of the land of Israel and includes the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It covers most of the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Judah is named after one of the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel, a man who lived about 4000 years ago, and for whom the country of Israel is named.
Judah existed as an independent kingdom for about 300 years. This began about 2900 years ago when the country of Israel broke up into two separate kingdoms. The northern kingdom kept the name Israel and the southern kingdom became known as the Kingdom of Judah. Judah ceased as a kingdom when the Babylonians conquered it about 2600 years ago.
Judah, one of the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel
Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob. His mother was Leah, who also gave birth to Reuben, Levi, Simeon, Issachar and Zebulun. Judah was the founder of one of the 12 Tribes of Israel. A region of Israel, which included the city of Jerusalem, was named after Judah. In fact, Judah became the name of the southern kingdom when Israel divided into two kingdoms about 2900 years ago.
Judah played a role in saving the life of his brother Joseph. When Joseph's brothers had plotted to leave Joseph in a pit to die, Judah convinced his brothers to sell Joseph to Ishmaelites, rather than letting him die. (Genesis 37:26-28). Judah is shown to be the leader of his brothers in
Genesis, chapters 43, 44, and 46.
The ancestry of Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, is traced back to Judah. So is the ancestry of King David. In Jacob's blessing of his 12 sons, in Genesis 49, he described Judah as a lion cub, saying that he would have his hand on the necks of his enemies and that he would be praised by his brothers.
Jacob's blessing of Judah, in Genesis 49:8-12, includes a passage that is traditionally understood by Christians to mean that Judah's descendants would rule over the land of Israel, culminating with Jesus. In Revelation 7:7, Judah is at the top of the list of the tribes receiving the Seal of God for 12,000 of its members. The name Judah means "to praise."
Resurrection
People often think that "resurrection" means to be brought back to life after death. And, they are partly correct. But it means more than that. Resurrection means to be restored to eternal life after death.
Christianity is based on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection of Jesus, Christianity would have disappeared by the end of the first century.
The resurrection of Jesus three days after dying on the cross showed his disciples that he, as God, was able to conquer death. This motivated his disciples to teach people all over the world about Jesus. In fact, Christians today continue to evangelize the life and teachings of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
There are instances in both the Old Testament and the New Testament of people dying and then being restored to life.
In the New Testament, Jesus restored various people, including Lazarus and the son of a widow from the town of Nain.
In the Old Testament, the prophets Elijah (1 Kings 17:22) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:32-37) each revived a dead person.
Also, in the Old Testament, there is an explicit reference to resurrection, which is found in a prophecy in Daniel 12:2: "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
"When Jesus was resurrected some 2000 years ago, the empty tomb in which his body had been placed became a symbol of his power over death. Through Jesus, resurrection, and eternal life, belong to those of us who believe in Jesus.
People often think that "resurrection" means to be brought back to life after death. And, they are partly correct. But it means more than that. Resurrection means to be restored to eternal life after death.
Christianity is based on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection of Jesus, Christianity would have disappeared by the end of the first century.
The resurrection of Jesus three days after dying on the cross showed his disciples that he, as God, was able to conquer death. This motivated his disciples to teach people all over the world about Jesus. In fact, Christians today continue to evangelize the life and teachings of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
There are instances in both the Old Testament and the New Testament of people dying and then being restored to life.
In the New Testament, Jesus restored various people, including Lazarus and the son of a widow from the town of Nain.
In the Old Testament, the prophets Elijah (1 Kings 17:22) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:32-37) each revived a dead person.
Also, in the Old Testament, there is an explicit reference to resurrection, which is found in a prophecy in Daniel 12:2: "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
"When Jesus was resurrected some 2000 years ago, the empty tomb in which his body had been placed became a symbol of his power over death. Through Jesus, resurrection, and eternal life, belong to those of us who believe in Jesus.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Jesus
Jesus Christ was born in Israel about 2000 years ago. He was born of the Holy Spirit and of the virgin Mary. He was God living among us as a person. He was fully man and fully God. His birth, life, mission, death and resurrection were foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament and revealed to us by the authors of the New Testament.
For about three-and-a-half years he preached the word of God, performed miracles and revealed the future. After being crucified by the Romans, he died and was buried. He was resurrected, meaning he rose to life again. He ascended into Heaven and is seated with God the Father.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are cleansed of our sins and we too are resurrected, to an eternal life in the Kingdom of God. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ are contained in the Bible. His followers are called Christians.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - Jesus, as quoted in John 3:16 of the Bible (NIV translation).
To learn more about Jesus, we recommend reading the Gospel of John, which is a book within the Bible. You can read it online by going to the Online Bible and typing in "John 1" to read the first chapter. (There are 21 chapters total in the Gospel of John).
Jesus Christ was born in Israel about 2000 years ago. He was born of the Holy Spirit and of the virgin Mary. He was God living among us as a person. He was fully man and fully God. His birth, life, mission, death and resurrection were foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament and revealed to us by the authors of the New Testament.
For about three-and-a-half years he preached the word of God, performed miracles and revealed the future. After being crucified by the Romans, he died and was buried. He was resurrected, meaning he rose to life again. He ascended into Heaven and is seated with God the Father.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are cleansed of our sins and we too are resurrected, to an eternal life in the Kingdom of God. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ are contained in the Bible. His followers are called Christians.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - Jesus, as quoted in John 3:16 of the Bible (NIV translation).
To learn more about Jesus, we recommend reading the Gospel of John, which is a book within the Bible. You can read it online by going to the Online Bible and typing in "John 1" to read the first chapter. (There are 21 chapters total in the Gospel of John).
Israel
Israel - the place - refers to the Jewish homeland.
The boundaries of Israel have changed many times during the past 4000 years, and the land has been called by different names, including Judah, Judea and Palestine. The land of Israel is named after a person who lived about 4000 years ago. He originally was known as Jacob, and he was the father of 12 sons whose descendants are known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
The Bible's book of Joshua explains that the Israelites established sovereignty over the land of Israel about 3400 years ago. The land was divided up allocated among the 12 tribes of Israel and they were united and sovereign for roughly 500 years. This era includes the lifetimes of King David and his son King Solomon.
After the kingship of Solomon, about 2900 years ago, the country of Israel broke up into two separate kingdoms. The northern kingdom continued to be called Israel and the southern kingdom was called Judah. Judah included the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
They remained as separate and sovereign kingdoms until the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom about 2700 years ago and the Babylonians conquered Judah about 2600 years ago.
The Jews did not have sovereignty again until the Hasmonean Kingdom, which lasted from roughly 140 BC to 37 BC, after the Maccabee family led a rebellion against Greek rule. This kingdom held control over much of Judah. Some people do not consider the Hasmonean era to be a true example of sovereignty because it embraced a culture that they contend was more Greek than Jewish.
In May of 1948, Israel again became a united and sovereign nation, for the first time in about 2900 years.
Israel - the place - refers to the Jewish homeland.
The boundaries of Israel have changed many times during the past 4000 years, and the land has been called by different names, including Judah, Judea and Palestine. The land of Israel is named after a person who lived about 4000 years ago. He originally was known as Jacob, and he was the father of 12 sons whose descendants are known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
The Bible's book of Joshua explains that the Israelites established sovereignty over the land of Israel about 3400 years ago. The land was divided up allocated among the 12 tribes of Israel and they were united and sovereign for roughly 500 years. This era includes the lifetimes of King David and his son King Solomon.
After the kingship of Solomon, about 2900 years ago, the country of Israel broke up into two separate kingdoms. The northern kingdom continued to be called Israel and the southern kingdom was called Judah. Judah included the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
They remained as separate and sovereign kingdoms until the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom about 2700 years ago and the Babylonians conquered Judah about 2600 years ago.
The Jews did not have sovereignty again until the Hasmonean Kingdom, which lasted from roughly 140 BC to 37 BC, after the Maccabee family led a rebellion against Greek rule. This kingdom held control over much of Judah. Some people do not consider the Hasmonean era to be a true example of sovereignty because it embraced a culture that they contend was more Greek than Jewish.
In May of 1948, Israel again became a united and sovereign nation, for the first time in about 2900 years.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Holy Trinity. God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. As God the Father and Jesus, the Holy Spirit is a living entity, and is equal to the Jesus and the Father. He is the Spirit of God.
He is referred to in the Old testament about 80 times and about 240 times in the New Testament. It is the Holy Spirit who is active in the creation, moving over the surface of the water (Gen, 1:2). In the Old Testament the Spirit is described as "came upon" or "resting upon" men.
Whenever this happens the person who is affected is then enabled to perform some designated job for God. Gideon and Samson are two examples, also the people who built the Tabernacle in the desert during the time of Moses.
In the New Testament He is mentioned in almost all the books. It is He who effects the conception of Jesus in Mary, who descends upon Jesus at His baptism, and who then leads Him into the wilderness for testing. It is by His power that Jesus works miracles, and teaches His disciples.
The book "Acts" places special emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is active in the believer of Jesus; to give him new birth, and to endow him with spiritual gifts for the good of the entire body of believers. The Holy Spirit dwells in every person who believes in Christ (Romans 8:9-11).
In other words, if you believe in Jesus, and turn your life over to Him, you will actually have God living inside of you.
The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Holy Trinity. God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. As God the Father and Jesus, the Holy Spirit is a living entity, and is equal to the Jesus and the Father. He is the Spirit of God.
He is referred to in the Old testament about 80 times and about 240 times in the New Testament. It is the Holy Spirit who is active in the creation, moving over the surface of the water (Gen, 1:2). In the Old Testament the Spirit is described as "came upon" or "resting upon" men.
Whenever this happens the person who is affected is then enabled to perform some designated job for God. Gideon and Samson are two examples, also the people who built the Tabernacle in the desert during the time of Moses.
In the New Testament He is mentioned in almost all the books. It is He who effects the conception of Jesus in Mary, who descends upon Jesus at His baptism, and who then leads Him into the wilderness for testing. It is by His power that Jesus works miracles, and teaches His disciples.
The book "Acts" places special emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is active in the believer of Jesus; to give him new birth, and to endow him with spiritual gifts for the good of the entire body of believers. The Holy Spirit dwells in every person who believes in Christ (Romans 8:9-11).
In other words, if you believe in Jesus, and turn your life over to Him, you will actually have God living inside of you.
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