Jesus Christ
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The Way of Jesus (Contents)
Part 1 – The Heart of Humility Without Fault Part 2 – The Power of Gentle Words Part 3 – The Strength of Silence Part 4 – The Language of Forgiveness Part 5 – The Speech of Restoration Part 6 – The Voice of Compassion Part 7 – The Servant’s…
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4. Preparing for Eternity
Readiness for Christ’s return. Theme: Living holy, watchful, and prepared for eternity. Chapter (10) Eternity, Legacy, and Society Bible Verses: 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would…
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3: Jesus and the Law – From Mount Sinai to the Mount of Beatitudes
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The teachings of Jesus Christ represent a climactic moment in the history of biblical law. Far from abolishing the Law of Moses, Jesus clarifies, fulfils, and intensifies its moral meaning. This article explores how…
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22: Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind on the Sabbath
Text: John 9:1–16Theme: Light of the World, Sabbath Healing, and Confrontation with Spiritual Blindness 1. Introduction The healing of the man born blind in John 9 is one of the most theologically rich miracles in the New Testament. Performed on the Sabbath, it provokes fierce opposition from the Pharisees and…
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23: The Women Rest on the Sabbath Before Jesus’ Resurrection
Theme: Obedience, Expectation, and the Sabbath Between the Cross and Resurrection 1. Introduction Following the crucifixion of Jesus, His disciples and the women who followed Him are faced with the Sabbath immediately after the darkest day in history. Luke 23:54–56 succinctly records that they rested on the Sabbath according to…
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25: Sabbath as a Shadow of Christ
Theme: Christ as the Fulfilment of the Sabbath and the Reality of Eternal Rest 1. Introduction By the time of the later New Testament writings, the early Church faced questions about how the Mosaic Sabbath applied to Gentile believers. Colossians 2:16–17 and Hebrews 4:1–11 offer a mature theological reflection: the…
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3: Can I Believe in Jesus and Still Bow to Idols? – Theological Contradictions
1. Introduction A pressing question for many believers—especially in culturally pluralistic societies—is whether one can claim faith in Jesus while simultaneously participating in acts of idolatry. This issue arises not only in overt idol worship (such as bowing to images) but also in syncretistic practices that blend Christianity with traditional…
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5: Jesus and the First Commandment – Worship the Lord Only
1. Introduction Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did not nullify the commandments of God—He fulfilled them and reaffirmed their spiritual depth. Among these, the First Commandment remains foundational: exclusive worship of the one true God. In His teachings, temptations, and confrontations, Jesus consistently called for wholehearted allegiance to God.…
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5: The Trial of Jesus — Political Collusion and Religious Power
Political Collusion and Religious Authority Introduction The trial of Jesus (Mark 14:53–65; Matthew 26:57–68; Luke 22:54–71; John 18:12–40) represents a critical moment where religious leaders and political authorities conspired to neutralise a perceived threat to their power. Far from a purely religious proceeding, the trial is deeply political, reflecting the…
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Jesus Christ in the Old Testament
The Son – Jesus Christ in the Old Testament: Presence, Prophecy, and Prefiguration 1. Introduction Although the name “Jesus” does not appear in the Old Testament (OT), Christian theology holds that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is present throughout its narrative. This presence is not explicit but revealed through…
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Jesus Christ in the New Testament
The Son – Jesus Christ in the New Testament: Revelation, Relationship, and Redemptive Authority 1. Introduction The New Testament (NT) reveals Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God, the incarnate Word, and the fulfilment of all Old Testament hope. While the Old Testament anticipates the coming of the Son…
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Jesus Christ in the Old and New Testaments
The Son – Jesus Christ in the Old and New Testaments: Prefiguration, Incarnation, and Fulfilment 1. Introduction Christian theology affirms that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both eternally pre-existent and historically incarnate. Though the Old Testament (OT) does not name Jesus explicitly, it testifies to the coming of…
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The Trinity in the Old Testament
The Trinity in the Old Testament: United Presence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 1. Introduction While the doctrine of the Trinity is clearly articulated in the New Testament, its roots extend deeply into the Old Testament (OT). The OT does not provide a systematic exposition of one God in…
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The Trinity in the New Testament
The Trinity in the New Testament: The Fully Revealed Presence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 1. Introduction The New Testament (NT) brings to completion what the Old Testament anticipates—the full revelation of the Trinity: one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is not a philosophical doctrine…
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The Trinity Across Scripture
The Trinity Across Scripture: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Old and New Testament Unity 1. Introduction The doctrine of the Trinity—that God is one essence in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is a cornerstone of Christian theology. While the Old Testament (OT) lays the foundational framework, the New…
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78. Jesus’s Characters
Genesis 3:15 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Isaiah 53:7 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought…
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4: Salvation — Yeshuah (OT), Soteria (NT), and Intertestamental Usage
1. Hebrew Term: Yeshuah — יְשׁוּעָה Pronunciation: yeh-shoo-AHMeaning: Salvation, deliverance; God’s saving acts on behalf of His people. Old Testament Usage: Intertestamental Usage: New Testament Usage: Example Verses: Comparative Summary:
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13: Messiah — Mashiach (OT), Christos (NT), and Intertestamental Usage
1. Hebrew Term: Mashiach — מָשִׁיחַ Pronunciation: mah-SHEE-akhMeaning: Anointed One; the promised deliverer and king in Israel. Old Testament Usage: Intertestamental Usage: New Testament Usage: Comparative Summary:
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7: Messiah Expectations in Second Temple Judaism
1. Term: Messiah — מָשִׁיחַ (Mashiach) Meaning: Anointed one; expected deliverer and king. 2. Historical-Cultural Context: 3. Literary Examples: 4. Cultural Significance:
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Chapter 1: The Grainfield Confrontation
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 12:1–8; Mark 2:23–28; Luke 6:1–5) The morning sun rose softly over Galilee, bathing the rolling grainfields in gold. Jesus walked ahead, His steps unhurried, His robe brushing against the ripening stalks. Behind Him, His…
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Chapter 2: Healing on the Sabbath
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 12:9–14; Mark 3:1–6; Luke 6:6–11) The synagogue in Capernaum was filled that Sabbath morning. Its stone walls echoed with quiet prayers as men gathered in their places, women standing silently at the back. The…
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Chapter 3: Dining with Sinners
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 9:9–13; Mark 2:13–17; Luke 5:27–32) The sun had begun its slow descent over Capernaum, casting a warm golden hue across the dusty streets. Jesus walked along the road near the customs booth, where men…
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Chapter 4: The Handwashing Dispute
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 15:1–20; Mark 7:1–23) The morning market bustled with voices calling out prices of figs, olives, and salted fish. Disciples walked beside Jesus, weaving through traders and buyers. They stopped at a vendor selling freshly…
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Chapter 5: The Beelzebub Accusation
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 12:22–37; Mark 3:22–30; Luke 11:14–23) The midday sun glared down on the crowded village square, where men gathered under olive trees for shade. A commotion stirred as people pressed forward, creating a path for…
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Chapter 6: The Demand for Signs – The Sign of Jonah
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 12:38–42; Matthew 16:1–4; Mark 8:11–13; Luke 11:29–32) The afternoon shadows lengthened as Jesus taught in the bustling courtyard, His voice carrying over the murmurs of the gathered crowd. Pharisees in flowing robes and Sadducees…
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Chapter 7: Testing Jesus on Divorce
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 19:3–9; Mark 10:2–12) The road beyond the Jordan was lined with travellers heading towards Jerusalem for the approaching feasts. Dust rose with every footstep, coating sandals and robes alike. Jesus walked ahead, His disciples…
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Chapter 8: The Seven Woes against the Pharisees
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 23:1–36) The temple courts were crowded as Passover drew near. Pilgrims thronged every archway, carrying lambs and doves, coins jingling in their purses as merchants called out prices for sacrifices and offerings. Jesus stood…
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Chapter 9: The Plot to Kill Jesus after Lazarus’ Resurrection
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (John 11:45–53) The village of Bethany buzzed with whispers and astonished laughter. Men ran along the narrow streets calling to their neighbours. Women clutched their shawls to their mouths, eyes wide with wonder. Children scampered…
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Chapter 10: Paying Taxes to Caesar – The Trap Question
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17; Luke 20:20–26) The morning sun streamed through the great courtyards of the temple, lighting its white stone walls with dazzling brilliance. Pilgrims pressed through the colonnades, their sandals scraping against the…
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Chapter 11: The Question about the Greatest Commandment
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels (Matthew 22:34–40; Mark 12:28–34; Luke 10:25–28) The temple courts bustled with pilgrims and scholars debating in shaded colonnades. Pharisees regrouped, their traps thus far foiled by the calm authority of Jesus. Yet they were not…
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Faith Without Sight: An Exegetical, Theological, and Epistemological Study of John 20:24–29
1. Introduction The encounter between Jesus and Thomas in John 20:24–29 remains one of the most profound narratives in the Gospel of John. Commonly known as the “Doubting Thomas” story, it reveals Jesus’s gracious approach to human scepticism, the transformation of apostolic faith, and the theological nature of belief without…
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Wise Men (Magi)
1. Name / Role Wise Men (Magi) 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Wise Men appear in the New Testament, specifically in Matthew 2:1–12, shortly after Jesus’ birth. They are central to the infancy narrative, arriving in Bethlehem to worship the Christ…
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Roman Centurion of Great Faith
1. Name / Role Roman Centurion of Great Faith 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This centurion appears in Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10, during the early part of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee. He is a Gentile military officer serving under Roman…
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Ethiopian Eunuch
1. Name / Role Ethiopian Eunuch 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Ethiopian Eunuch appears in Acts 8:26–40, during the early expansion of the Church following the persecution in Jerusalem. His story marks a major turning point in the spread of the…
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Cornelius the Centurion
1. Name / Role Cornelius the Centurion 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Cornelius appears in Acts 10–11, during the early growth of the Church. His story marks the first recorded Gentile conversion initiated by divine revelation and affirmed by the outpouring of…
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Lydia of Thyatira
1. Name / Role Lydia of Thyatira 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Lydia appears in Acts 16:11–15 and again in Acts 16:40, during Paul’s second missionary journey. Her conversion occurs in Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia (northern Greece), making her the…
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Samaritan Woman at the Well
1. Name / Role Samaritan Woman at the Well 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Samaritan woman appears in John 4:1–42, during Jesus’ early Galilean ministry. This encounter occurs at Jacob’s well in Sychar, in Samaria, a region generally avoided by devout…
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Syrophoenician (Canaanite) Woman
1. Name / Role Syrophoenician (Canaanite) Woman 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This woman appears in two parallel Gospel accounts: Matthew 15:21–28 (where she is called a Canaanite) and Mark 7:24–30 (where she is identified as Syrophoenician by birth). Her interaction with…
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Gerizim Demoniac (Legion)
1. Name / Role Gerizim Demoniac (Legion) 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This man appears in Mark 5:1–20, Luke 8:26–39, and Matthew 8:28–34, during Jesus’ ministry across the Sea of Galilee. He lives in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes), part…
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Simon of Cyrene
1. Name / Role Simon of Cyrene 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Simon of Cyrene appears during the Passion narrative in the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and Luke 23:26—at the time of Jesus’ journey to the cross. His story takes place…
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Greeks Seeking Jesus at the Festival
1. Name / Role Greeks Seeking Jesus at the Festival 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This event is recorded in John 12:20–26, taking place shortly before Jesus’ crucifixion during the Passover festival in Jerusalem. It occurs after Jesus’ triumphal entry and signals…
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Unnamed God-Fearers (in Acts)
1. Name / Role Unnamed God-Fearers (in Acts) 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context These individuals appear throughout the Book of Acts, particularly in Acts 10–18, during the apostolic missions of Paul, Barnabas, and others. They are Gentiles who regularly attended synagogue worship…
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Pilate’s Wife
1. Name / Role Pilate’s Wife 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Pilate’s wife appears only once in Scripture, in Matthew 27:19, during Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Her brief but significant intervention occurs as Pilate deliberates on…
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The Thief on the Cross
1. Name / Role The Thief on the Cross 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The thief appears during the crucifixion of Jesus, recorded in Luke 23:39–43. He is one of two criminals crucified beside Jesus, and his encounter with Christ takes place…
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The Roman Centurion at the Cross
1. Name / Role The Roman Centurion at the Cross 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This figure appears during the crucifixion of Jesus, specifically in Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, and Luke 23:47. He is the Roman officer overseeing the execution, positioned at…
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The Greeks Converted in Antioch
1. Name / Role The Greeks Converted in Antioch 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context These converts appear in Acts 11:19–26, following the persecution of believers after Stephen’s martyrdom. Their conversion marks a major development in the expansion of the gospel—from preaching to…
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Article 8: Jesus and the Pharisees – Repeated Confrontations over Law and Hypocrisy
1. IntroductionThe Gospels document numerous confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees, religious leaders who were zealous for the Mosaic Law yet often criticised by Jesus for their legalism and hypocrisy. These exchanges reveal deep theological and ethical tensions within first-century Judaism. 2. Historical and Biblical ContextThe Pharisees were a prominent…
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Article 19: Jesus and John the Baptist – Contrasting Ministries Without Recorded Confrontation
1. IntroductionJesus and John the Baptist were contemporaries whose ministries intersected closely in time and purpose. While the New Testament records no direct conflict or argument between them, their differing approaches to ministry provide a valuable study in complementary roles within God’s redemptive plan. 2. Historical and Biblical ContextJohn the…
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1. Paul’s Proof of Jesus as the Christ: Scriptural, Historical, and Theological Foundations
Introduction Understanding how the Apostle Paul proves that Jesus is the Christ—the promised Messiah—is foundational to grasping Pauline theology and the early Christian proclamation. This article explores Paul’s multi-faceted proof, drawing from his key letters, highlighting scriptural fulfilment, historical claims, and theological reasoning that underpin his gospel message. 1. Scriptural…
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3. Jesus’ Death and Resurrection: The Centrepiece of Pauline Christology
Introduction The death and resurrection of Jesus stand at the heart of Paul’s proclamation that Jesus is the Christ. This article examines how Paul understands these events theologically and their foundational role in his gospel, focusing on justification, atonement, and victory over death. 1. Jesus’ Death as Atonement for Sin…
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4. Ethics as Participation in Christ’s New Life: The Teaching of Romans
Introduction Paul’s letter to the Romans not only presents Jesus as the Messiah but also calls believers to live ethically as participants in Christ’s death and resurrection. This article explores how union with the risen Messiah shapes Christian ethics, emphasizing newness of life, love, and community. 1. Union with Christ:…
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6. Imitating Christ’s Humility and Exaltation: Ethical Exhortations in Philippians
Introduction In Philippians, Paul presents Jesus as the humble yet exalted Messiah and calls believers to imitate this model. This article explores how Christ’s incarnation, obedience, and exaltation form the ethical foundation for Christian community life and witness. 1. The Christ Hymn: Humility in Incarnation 2. Obedience to Death and…
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7. The Church as the Body of Christ: Identity and Unity in Romans and 1 Corinthians
Introduction Paul’s ecclesiology is deeply rooted in his Christology. In Romans and 1 Corinthians, he describes the church as the body of Christ, a spiritual organism unified by the Spirit and called to live in ethical harmony. This article explores how Paul’s understanding of Jesus as the Messiah shapes the…
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9. The Church Called to Imitate Christ: Humility and Mission in Philippians
Introduction Paul’s letter to the Philippians emphasizes the church’s calling to imitate the Messiah’s humility and exaltation. This article examines how Paul connects Christ’s self-emptying and lordship with the ethical and missional life of the Christian community. 1. The Model of Christ’s Humility 2. Exaltation and Lordship as Motivation 3.…
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Chapter 6: Confession and Commitment
Overview: Declaring Jesus as Lord Confession and commitment are at the heart of the Christian conversion experience, marking the transition from internal belief to external allegiance. While faith and repentance begin within the heart, confession brings that transformation into the public and relational sphere. It is the open declaration that…
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The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ
The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ – Fleming Rutledge 1. Full Citation Rutledge, F. (2015) The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2. Introduction Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion is a monumental theological work that reclaims the centrality and scandal of the cross for…
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11.2 Jesus
🔹 Story 1: Jesus’ Birth Fulfilled Prophecy Main Characters: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, MagiStory Summary: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, fulfilling ancient prophecies about the Messiah. Angels announced His birth to shepherds, and Magi came from the East to worship Him.Key Verses: Luke 2:1–20; Matthew 1:18–25; 2:1–12Theme Connection: Jesus is…
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Chapter 1 – Wisdom and the Eternal Logos
Christ as the Timeless Agent of Creation Biblical Foundations: Wisdom and the Word Before Time The concept of pre-creation activity is richly presented in Scripture through the figures of divine Wisdom and the eternal Logos (Word). In Proverbs 8:22–31, Wisdom is personified as present with God before the foundation of…
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Chapter 11 – God’s Covenants & The Redemptive Narrative
From Post-Flood Humanity to Divine Election Biblical Basis Throughout Scripture, God unfolds His redemptive plan through a series of covenants, each marking a critical stage in His interaction with humanity. The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:8–17) establishes divine commitment to the stability of creation. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1–3; 15; 17)…
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Chapter 12 – Christ, the Cross, and Cosmic Redemption
The Incarnation as the Centre of Time and Creation Biblical Basis: Christ the Creator and Sustainer of All Things The Incarnation—“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14)—marks the central event in the Christian understanding of history and cosmology. It is not merely a divine intervention within time,…
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Genealogy of Jesus – Matthew, Luke, Lexnary (Contents)
Matthew (Joseph’s Line) Luke(Mary’s Line) Lexnary – God God – I. From Adam to Noah I. From Adam to Noah – Adam Adam – Seth Seth – Enosh Enosh – Kenan (Cainan) Kenan (Cainan) – Mahalalel Mahalalel – Jared Jared – Enoch Enoch – Methuselah Methuselah – Lamech Lamech –…
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60. Jesus (called Christ)
1. Name and Meaning• Name: Jesus (Greek: Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous; Hebrew/Aramaic: יֵשׁוּעַ, Yēshūaʿ)• Meaning: “The Lord is salvation” or “Yahweh saves,” derived from Yehoshua (Joshua)• Title: Christ (Greek: Χριστός, Christos) means “Anointed One,” equivalent to the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah) 2. Genealogical Placement and Lineage Role• Position: Sixtieth generation from Adam; fiftieth generation after the flood…