... Author, Apostle— A Response to Richard Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses andreas j. köstenberger and stephen o. stout southeastern baptist theological seminary Richard Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006) makes a persuasive argument that the Gospels display eyewitness testimony and thus renews the quest for the identity of the Beloved Disciple as the author of the Fourth Gospel. While Bauckham attributes this Gospel to “the presbyter John” mentioned by Papias, the authors of this study show that the patristic evidence more likely seems to support the authorship of John the apostle and that the literary device of inclusio in the Fourth Gospel, astutely observed by Bauckham, also favors the authorship of John the son of Zebedee. Key Words: Fourth Gospel, Beloved Disciple, John, authorship, apostle, Zebedee, John the Elder, Papias, Eusebius, Muratorian Fragment, Polycrates, Irenaeus, Bauckham Introduction Recent years have witnessed a significant number of publications on the identity of “the disciple Jesus loved” in John’s Gospel. The ever more daring proposals have included identifications of this figure as diverse as the apostle Thomas, Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, James the son of Zebedee, and even the Samaritan woman, among others. 1 Most recently, Richard Bauckham has weighed in on this debate in his landmark volume Jesus and the 1. Thomas: James H. Charlesworth, The Beloved Disciple:...
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...The Apostle John is actually my favorite writer in the Bible. I love the way he describes things and how detailed he is. He was one of the Twelve Apostles and one of the "inner circle” of Christ's apostles. Most scholars believe that he is the "Beloved Disciple” referred to in the Gospel of John. He was the author of five books in the Bible, including Revelation and First through Third John. He is estimated to have been born around 6 A.D. and was the only apostle that did not die a martyr's death. As indicated by the differences between his Gospel and the other three Gospels, John saw things differently. John continually referred to Jesus as the Son of God and focused on Jesus as the Messiah. John's key themes in his writings is to present...
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...John Acts of John is considered to be one of the most interesting and intense books in the New Testament. A collection of narratives and traditions. The narratives are written within the years Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The book narrates two journeys of John to Ephesus, filled with dramatic events, miracles, and teachings. Docetic imagery and overt teachings are concentrated on in a few chapters. Dated around 90-110 AD, the gospel of John is written by John who is identified to be “the beloved disciple”, but rejected by modern scholars who believe the book went through three editions before reaching its current form. John was characterized by his zeal, passion and ambition. In his early days with Jesus John acted rashly, recklessly,...
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...The apostle John was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. He was a fisherman, the son of Zebedee, and the brother of James, another on of Jesus’ twelve disciples. John is credited with writing the gospel of John, 1 & 2 John, and Revelation. Unlike the rest of the original 12 disciples, John was the only one to not die a martyr, except for Judas, who killed himself after betraying Jesus. We first meet John when he and his brother James when Jesus calls them to leave their lives as fisherman and become “fishers of men”. From the time John begins following Jesus, he becomes one of the core disciples. John witnessed the transfiguration on the mountain. He also was one of the ones that prepared the last supper and he was the only of the twelve disciples...
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...of no where * The island of Patmos was sterile in nature; meaning it was unable to produce; no seed, fruit, grass or plants grew on the Island of Patmos * The island’s terrain was rocky, barren and desolate * The island was a place of stagnation; nothing flowing or moving; the island sat still as that of pond water * The word Patmos means “my killing” or a place of killing; this was a place where people felt death naturally, spiritually and mentally * The Apostle John was persecuted and sent to the island of Patmos as punishment because he refused to be quiet when it came to preaching, teaching and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ (he was truly a trumpet in Zion sounding the alarm about Jesus) * But in the midst of Patmos (barrenness, desolation and in the middle of nowhere), the Apostle John continued to preach and convert criminals who were exiled on the island (the devil still couldn’t shut his mouth concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ) * Matter fact, the Apostle John held Gospel services in caves on the island of Patmos; he was compelled to set up a temple of God on the island of Patmos…in the midst of the barrenness, isolation and desolation So in a...
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...(Part 1), Sant’ Apollinare in Classe housed the body of Saint Apollinare. The church is adorned with intricate mosaic jewels. The basilica end is semicircular apse; mosaic covers the semicircular apse and the triumphal arch. The upper part of the apse mosaic illustrates the transfiguration of Christ on the mount is symbolically represented and the three sheep facing the jeweled cross symbolically represent his disciples Peter, James and John. The hand of God is represented by the cloud above the jeweled cross, the jeweled cross, the fish symbol in the Greek word means Jesus Christ, Son of God and alpha and omega at the side signifies that Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end. At the bottom of the jeweled cross, the word “Salus Mundi” which means salvation to the world. On each side on the blue background with the clouds are four symbols for the Evangelists, winged figures holding books. The eagle, angel, lion and ox represent John, Matthew, Mark and Luke respectively. The twelve white sheep marching towards Christ symbolizes the Apostle emerging from the doors of two cities Jerusalem and Bethlehem which signifies the Jewish and Gentile Churches. The lowest register on the triumphal arch, Archangels Michael and Gabriel are shown as celestial guards. They are shown against a golden background. The lower part of the apse shows the center of green landscape, Saint Apollinare is robed in a white dalmatic and purple tunic symbolizes eloquence, with outstretched arms praying. ...
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...Jesus (/ˈdʒiːzəs/; Greek: Ἰησοῦς Iesous; 7–2 BC to AD 30–33), also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ,[e] is the central figure of Christianity, whom the teachings of most Christian denominations hold to be the Son of God. Christianity regards Jesus as the awaited Messiah (or Christ) of the Old Testament,[12] while Islam regards Jesus as a major prophet, second in importance only to Muhammad.[13] Virtually all modern scholars of antiquity agree that Jesus existed historically,[f] and historians consider the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) to be the best sources for investigating the historical Jesus.[20][21][22][23] Most scholars agree that Jesus was a Galilean, Jewish rabbi[24] who preached his message orally,[25] was baptized by John the Baptist, and was crucified by the order of the Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate.[26] In the current mainstream view, Jesus was an apocalyptic preacher and the founder of a restoration movement within Judaism, although some prominent scholars argue that he was not apocalyptic.[21][27] After Jesus' death, his followers believed he was resurrected, and the community they formed eventually became the Christian church.[28] The widely accepted calendar era, abbreviated as "AD" or sometimes as "CE", is based on the birth of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus has a "unique significance" in the world.[29] Christian doctrines include the beliefs that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of a virgin named Mary, performed miracles, foundedthe...
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...The four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John 1. Introduction The term Gospel means good news, a message which was desperately needed (Guthrie, 1965: 11). According to Talbot (2013: 69) gospels can be divided into 2 groups namely the Synoptic gospels- Matthew, Mark and Luke and Gospel of John. He explains that Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic gospels because they have so much in common. Kotze (6), outlines their similarities and differences as follows: |Mark | |Matthew | |Luke | |Total: 661 verses | |Total :1068 verses | |Total: 1149 verses | |600 verses parallel to Matthew | |505 verses parallel to Mark | |380 verses parallel to Mark | |61 verses peculiar to Mark | |235 versus parallel to Luke | |235 versus parallel to Matthew | | | |328 verses peculiar to Matthew | |534 verses peculiar to Luke | There are suggestions due the similarities and differences that (1) Mark was the original writer and was copied by Matthew and Luke (2) Matthew was original writer copied by Luke, and Mark made a shorter version. The material where obtained from the following suggested sources: (1) Oral tradition – the good news spread by word of mouth before it was written down (2) An earlier...
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...Justified by faith in Jesus Christ” Gal. 3:23-29 “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” [Gal. 3:26] Synopsis: Apostle Paul in his letter to Galatians is revealing a great fortune, an emphatic exposition of justification through faith which was kept as mystery to mankind. Until then mankind was shackled in the clutches of law. Human race was led by law towards justification where no compassion, personal aspect or relational attributes were present. It’s also worth noting; who else is the best qualified to witness and teach about justification and salvation through faith than Apostle Paul himself who got justified from Saul to Apostle Paul. Let us direct our muse based on below three aspects mentioned in verses 23-29. Christ The Guardian Children Of God Convergence Of Subjects 1. Christ The Guardian: We humans are elevated to a noble status. Our lord and savior Jesus Christ is assuming the default role of guardian in place of law which was instituted in the era of Mosses. The human race is being freed from the bondage of sins with no blemish of imperfections; our in-obedience is forgiven and expunged without traces when we repent truly with heart. We are being assured that we will be justified through our faith, through our faith we will be counted as righteousness. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 we are reminded “For we live by faith, not by sight”. It’s all about the promise Jesus the guardian who makes us stand firm on our feet again without...
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...The 4 Gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John collaborate to present Jesus. An in-depth look that reviews structures, themes, authors, settings, and dates, are ways to shape each Gospels contribution to the portrait of Jesus. By doing so, this pin points how they are similar and different from each other. What some referred to as, “memoirs of the apostles”, are not considered to be a biography of Christ; rather, the same information arranged and written as their individual interpretation to present the portrait of Christ that they choose to show . Out of The four Gospel writers Luke's interpretation is fascinating for many reasons. Luke had so much to tell, so he needed a second book, The Acts of the Apostles that is considered to be...
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...Theological Meaning of Jesus’ Temptation Mark’s account on Jesus’ temptation is very brief. Most of the Mark account is found also in the Matthew and Luke versions, with the exception of "with the wild animals." According to the texts, after being baptized, Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the Judean Desert. During this time, the devil appeared to Jesus and tempted him three times. Jesus having refused each temptation, the devil departed and angels came and brought nourishment to Jesus. Matt.4:2 set the stage for the great temptation involving Jesus. “He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.” We immediately read, "The tempter approached him and said to him, if you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread" (vs. 3). The devil looks for the best time to tempt you and me. It may be when the Christian is without a job, is having family problems, or the local church is experiencing difficulties that the devil makes his appearance and appeal. But Jesus shows us that regardless of the circumstances surrounding us, we are able to overcome the devil. The devil quotes verbatim from the Septuagint translation regarding Psalms 91: 11, 12. While the devil correctly quotes the scripture, however, he does not correctly apply the teaching contained in Psalms 91: 11, 12 to the circumstances at hand. Hence, just because scripture is quoted does not necessarily mean the truth is being taught. Jesus both correctly quotes and...
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...The Book Hebrews Author: Luke, Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, etc. Luke wrote for the use of medical terminology. Syntax- the study of rules Luke quoted the Greek Old Testament. May have written this in Greek from a sermonic construction that heard many times from Paul. Paul may have written this because: Early church He knew the Old Testament and Levitical Law He knew Timothy Sermonic construction Date: Before Paul died 66 A.D and before Jerusalem was destroyed 70 A.D Some early manuscripts included “To Hebrews” These were Christian Jews who were persecuted. Key Word: Better Really cared about the Word of God Passionate to demonstrate that Jesus was greater Committed to the high priesthood of Jesus How God separated the old from the new There were waves of persecution by against the Church in Jerusalem, mostly because of rivalry or competition, even though they shared cultural-religious backgrounds. The book of Hebrews is God’s call to Jewish Christians to leave the temple worship and only follow Christ. The Roman Titus destroyed Jerusalem Written to Jewish Christians who were involved in Temple worship. Believer were guilty of sacrificing animals Why Luke probably wrote Hebrews Was written to the Jewish Christians who were going back into Temple practices and Jewish customs Quoted Septuagint version of the Old Testament Not Pauline syntax Use of medical terms because Luke was a doctor No introduction Paul always quoted the Hebrew text ...
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...historical fact is denied, and innumerable theories (imposture, theories of swoon, of hallucination, mythical theories, spiritualistic theories, etc.) are invented to explain the belief. None of these theories can stand calm examination (see the writer’s work, The Resurrection of Jesus). The objections are but small dust of the balance compared with the strength of the evidence for the fact. From the standpoint of faith, the resurrection of Jesus is the most credible of events. If Jesus was indeed such an One as the gospel history declares Him to be, it was impossible that death should hold Him (Ac 2:24). The resurrection, in turn, confirms His claim to be the Son of God (Ro 1:4). The Resurrection (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20; 21; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) With the narratives of the resurrection are here included as inseparably connected, those of the appearances of Jesus in Jerusalem and Galilee. The accounts will show that, while the body of Jesus was a true body, identical with that...
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...natural descent, their great, extended family. Adam was, according to his natural parentage, a son of God (Luke 3:38 ). Therefore, in our natural descent, we are all the children of God. He is our Father by physical creation. Creating immortal children But God's purpose is far greater than the creation of corruptible and perishable human beings. God is in the process of creating His own spiritual children who will be incorruptible-children with eternal life who have His divine nature or character. He refers to this new creation in terms of "the old man," in contrast with "the new man," who is "renewed in the spirit of [his] mind" and is "created according to God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:20-24 ). The apostle Paul defined the new creation as a spiritual transformation, at first a change only in a person's nature and character, followed by a change into a literal spiritual being with eternal life. The Bible refers to this process as salvation. The...
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...footnotes which are found at the end of the document. PREFACE 1. Hearing the word of God with reverence and proclaiming it with faith, the sacred synod takes its direction from these words of St. John: "We announce to you the eternal life which dwelt with the Father and was made visible to us. What we have seen and heard we announce to you, so that you may have fellowship with us and our common fellowship be with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:2-3). Therefore, following in the footsteps of the Council of Trent and of the First Vatican Council, this present council wishes to set forth authentic doctrine on divine revelation and how it is handed on, so that by hearing the message of salvation the whole world may believe, by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love. CHAPTER I REVELATION ITSELF 2. In His goodness and wisdom God chose to reveal Himself and to make known to us the hidden purpose of His will (see Eph. 1:9) by which through Christ, the Word made flesh, man might in the Holy Spirit have access to the Father and come to share in the divine nature (see Eph. 2:1S; 2 Peter 1:4). Through this revelation, therefore, the invisible God (see Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17) out of the abundance of His love speaks to men as friends (see Ex. 33:11; John 15:14-15) and lives among them (see Bar. 3:38), so that He may invite and take them into fellowship with Himself. This plan of revelation is realized by deeds and words having in inner unity: the deeds wrought...
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