Category: Bible

  • Lists of Apostles

    Similarities and Differences in the lists of the names of the Apostles Matthew and Mark have the same names, in a different order to each other, and with some different details. The Synoptic Gospels match for the most part, but Luke has a different name for one of the apostles compared to Matthew and Mark.  Matthew and…

  • Interesting Fifth Century Amulet

     An interesting fifth century object was found in Turkey. The object was interpreted by the Turkish archaeological authorities as King Solomon which Islam sees as Prophet Solomon. “The depiction of Prophet Solomon on this necklace surprised us and revealed the importance of the artifact for Anatolian archaeology,” said Çelikbaş. Anatolia is a region of Turkey.…

  • The Elect One

    There’s an Old Testament prophecy in the book of Isaiah that is a prophecy of the Messiah. Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. The Messiah is the Elect One. This theme…

  • Gospel Reading 2024-11-22

    LUKE 19:12-28 The Lord said this parable, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Trade with these till I come.’ But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, ‘We do not…

  • Epistle Reading 2024-11-22

    ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO PHILEMON 1:1-25 PAUL, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker, and Apphia our sister and Archippos our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God…

  • Web Resources on the Church Fathers and the Bible

    Helpful Study Resources This list should grow with time but here’s a start with the tools I’m using presently. Saints of the Day – Detailed accounts of the lives of the Saints of the Day CatenaBible – Click on a verse and see commentary from the Church Fathers on the verse BlueLetterBible – Useful for looking…

  • Philip the Evangelist was one of the Seven Deacons

    The Apostles in Jerusalem Selected Seven Deacons There are two Philips in the Book of Acts. One of them is Philip who is one of the 12 apostles. The other Philip was selected as one of the seven Deacons in Acts 6.  Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen,…

  • Conditions for Salvation?

    How is someone saved? Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Mark 16:16 He that believeth…

  • Epistle Reading 2024-11-21

    Hebrews 9:1-7 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the…

  • Gospel Reading 2024-11-21

    Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be…

  • The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians – Early Church Structure

    In Ignatius Chapter 8: He that is within the altar is pure, but he that is without is not pure; that is, he who does anything apart from the bishop, and presbytery, and deacons, such a man is not pure in his conscience.  The Letters of Ignatius are very early. Hisg seven epistles preserved under…

  • Sufficiency of Scripture?

    Missing Books? In Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (called 1 Corinthians in our Bibles), Paul refers to a previous letter. This letter is no longer existent (as far as anyone knows). 1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people… Paul refers to a letter to…

  • Gospel Reading 2024-11-20

    Luke 18:15-17;, 26-30   And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto…

  • Epistle Reading 2024-11-20

    Colossians 3:17-25, 4:1 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey…

  • Saint Peter on Saint Paul – Scripture and Tradition

     Saint Peter wrote about the writings of Saint Paul. 2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are…

  • St John Chrysostom – On the Scriptures

    From Homily 9 on Colossians Tarry not, I entreat, for another to teach you; you have the oracles of God. No man teaches you as they; for he indeed oft grudges much for vainglory’s sake and envy. Hearken, I entreat you, all you that are careful for this life, and procure books that will be medicines…

  • Megiddo Mosaic Circa 230 AD

    From “Earliest inscription declaring ‘Jesus is God’ discovered in Israel“. The 581-square-foot mosaic features the ancient Greek writing: “The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial.” Also found in the same mosaic: References The Ancient Church at Megiddo: The Discovery and an Assessment of its Significance The Megiddo Mosaic

  • Sola Scriptura is Contrary to Scripture Itself

    Defining Sola Scriptura Sola scriptura (Latin for ‘by scripture alone’) is a theological doctrine held by most Protestant Christian denominations, in particular the Lutheran and Reformed traditions, that posits the Bible as the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice. The Orthodox churches consider Sola scriptura to be contrary to the phronema (Greek…

  • Epistle Reading 2024-11-19

    Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom…

  • Gospel Reading 2024-11-19

    Luke 17:26-37 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise…

  • Orthodox View of Dispensationalism

    The End Times – Orthodox Vs Evangelical Protestant Teachings – Presentation 3 A good overview of Dispensationalism as contrasted to Orthodoxy.

  • Gospel Reading 2024-11-18

     The Gospel reading is: Luke 17:20-25 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. And he said unto…

  • Parables about the Church

    In a previous BLOG, it was established that the Gospel references to Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God are references to the church. Since this identification has been established we can turn and look at the things Jesus said about the Kingdom to help better understand the Church. Much of this information comes from parables.…

  • Is Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God the Church?

    The New Testament has quite a few parables about the Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God. Is the phrase Kingdom of Heaven the same as the church? My Evangelical Protestant training led me to think that they are not the same, but they are related. More Dispensational Falsehoods First, let’s look at one Dispensational…