Word of the Week - Baptism, John's

John’s was not Christian baptism, nor was that which was practised by the disciples previous to our Lord's crucifixion.
Till then the New Testament economy did not exist. John's baptism bound its subjects to repentance, and not to the faith of Christ. It was not administered in the name of the Trinity, and those whom John baptized were rebaptized by Paul (Acts 18:24; 19:7).

Easton's Bible Dictionary
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain

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Bible Study Outline - Mark 1:4-8

After stating the prophesies of Malachi and Isaiah in verses 2 and 3, Mark quickly tells us of the coming of John.

4And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

After stating the prophesies of Malachi and Isaiah in verses 2 and 3, Mark quickly tells us of the coming of John.

1.What is Mark saying by moving so quickly from the prophecies of Malachi and Isaiah to ministry of John?
John is the fulfillment of the prophecies.

2.Looking back to verses 1 through 3, what do these prophecies say about John?
He is the messenger who clears the way.
He will come in the desert/wilderness.
Preaching a Baptism of Repentance

The people of Israel had been without a prophet for some 400 years.

1.What does Hosea (3:4-5) say about this inter testamental period, that is the time between the Old and the New Testament.

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days. Hosea (3:4-5) NIV

The Israelites would live without God or His representative.
The Israelites would one day return.
Many Israelites repented at Pentecost.

2.How do you think the people pf Israel might have viewed John's coming after all those years?
The crowds are making the pilgrimage to see the figure who is announcing the fulfillment of Israel's destiny.

3.What does this long period of time between prophets tell us about God's time.
God's time is far different than that of men.

4.How should it change our thinking knowing that God operates on a different time schedule than we do?
It is a reason for rejoicing, for He is long suffering

John's Ministry was one of active participation, He came and Baptized anyone who was willing.

5.What point was Mark making regarding John's Baptizing?

John called all people to Baptism as a symbol of moral and spiritual regeneration. Mark does not tell us of certain things about John represented in the other Gospels, such as his birth Luke (1), his disagreement with the dominant schools of Judaism Matt (3:7-10) Luke (3:7-9).

John's Ministry took place mostly in the wilderness or desert.

1.What other events in Biblical history have taken place in the desert?
Exodus
2.What significances is there to john's Ministry taking place in the desert or wilderness?
It would remind Israel of her Covenantal origins in the Exodus (Jere 2:2)

The wilderness was a place of redemption to Israel and thus God's place of Grace.

Mark portrays John as the fulfiller of Elijah's climatic role of the forerunner to the one who was more powerful.

John by appearing in the wilderness fulfills both the Mosaic and prophetic prototypes.

It is a re-enactment of the inaugural event in Israels history and that is the Exodus. The Israelites were leaving the city and returning to the wilderness.

It also fulfills the promise of the prophets since the area around the Jordan is the same region associated with Elijah 2 Kings (2:6) Luke (3:3)

Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." 2 Kings (2:6)

He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Luke (3:3)

John calls people out of their comfortable homes and away from the Temple to a Baptism of Repentance the forgiveness of Sins.

1.What does John mean by repentance?
The Greek word used for Repentance is Metanoia (met-an'-oy-ah). Metanoia is a compound word meaning both “to change ones mind” and “to alter ones understanding”. Meaning conscious thought and a willful act as opposed to a faith built on feelings
.
2.For the forgiveness of Sin?

1.For the forgiveness of Sin, John does not bestow forgiveness.
Forgiveness belongs to the new Covenant which the Messiah will bring. Jere 31:34

No longer will a man teach his neighbor,or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Jer (31:34) NIV

2.Who was John calling to repentance?
The call is to not only notorious sinners Luke (3:12-13) and Gentiles Luke (3:14) but to the righteous as well Matt (3:7-12)

Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
Luke (3:12-13) NIV

Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay."
Luke (3:14) NIV

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Matt (3:7-12) NIV

Josephus writing in Antiquities underscores John's call to reform in 18:116-118 thusly:

Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now when [many] others came in crowds about him, for they were very greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death. Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God's displeasure to him.

Josephus actually pays more attention to John than he does to Jesus. John's attraction and influence on the world were historical.

5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

1.Who does Mark say responded to John's message?
Whole/All
Hyperbole/ Literary exaggeration – Indicates the Covenantal people went out to be Baptized, probably as families.

2.How far did John's message of repetances travel?
The response to John's message reached Jerusalem and probably the Temple itself. John drew people from far and wide.
John's message was carried as far away as Ephesus 2 to 3 decades later.as recorded in Acts (19:1-7 )

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied.

Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Acts (19:1-7) NIV

3.Why do you think John received so much attention?
Many Jews believed there had not been a prophet since Malachi and prophets would not be restored until near the end of the age.

John's message was heard far and wide.

6John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

1.What about verse 6 strikes you as odd?
Clothing
John's garb and diet were as unusual in his day as they would be in ours, however they weren't entirely unique. Zec (13:4).

"On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his prophetic vision. He will not put on a prophet's garment of hair in order to deceive. Zec (13:4) NIV

Diet
Locusts were exceptable under Jewish dietary laws Lev (11:22) NIV

Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. Lev (11:22) NIV

John's manner of dress and choice of food recalled Eljah, who was expected to return before the end Hos (4:5-6).

John not only associated himself with Elijah by diet and dress, his criticizing of Herod Antipas echo Elijah's confrontation with Ahab. 1 Kings 18:18

7And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

1.What does John's use of a metaphor of that time period,”unworthhy to untie his sandals”, tell us about his attitude? John 3:30
Only Gentile slaves preformed this duty. John 3:30

8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Mark concentrates on John's message of reform and of the one more powerful.
John's Baptism was symbolic and pointed to a more powerful and permanent reality. In the Old Testament only God bestowed the Spirit.

1.What is John saying about Jesus by saying “He will baptize with the Holy Spirit”?
Jesus has the power of God the Father.
Baptism of the Spirit is greater then water Baptism.
The reference to the Holy Spirit identifies this as coming from the Father.

Mark testifies to the fact that Jesus' coming was not a random event. In the Old Testament the Bestowing of the Spirit was the prerogative of God.

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Word of the Week - Amillennialist

The amillennialist believes that the Kingdom of God was inaugurated at Christ's resurrection (hence the term "inaugurated millennialism") at which point he gained victory over both Satan and the Curse. Christ is even now reigning (hence the term "nunc-millennialism" — nunc means "now") at the right hand of the Father over His church. After this present age has ended, Christ will return and immediately usher the church into their eternal state after judging the wicked. The term "amillennialism" is actually a misnomer for it implies that Revelation 20:1-6 is ignored; in fact, the amillennialist's hermeneutic interprets it (and in fact, much of apocalyptic literature) non-literally.

A Special thanks to The Blue Letter Bible

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When tribulation comes...

Anyone can attest to the fact that, pain and suffering are part of our every day existence. It goes back to the earliest time period, back to the fall of humankind into depravity. All the way back to the time of Genesis, chapter 3, and the Fall itself.

Pain, suffering and even death did not exist in this world until that infamous act. The eating of the forbidden fruit. This one indiscretion by Adam and Eve allowed Sin into enter the world. Bringing with it death and its associates anxiety, anguish ,despair and all manner of afflictions. Romans (5:14)

Due to this one rebellious act the whole of creation was corrupted. Everything from our will, to our physical being. Including the entirety of creation, everything under Heaven. Romans (8:22)
Genesis (3:17-18)

As I write, I am sitting in the waiting room of our local hospital's radiology department. Waiting my turn on the CT Scanner.

Two summers back I was hit with a double whammy of a medical diagnosis. It turned out the lump on my scalp was cancerous. A B-cell lymphoma. To top it off the tremor that had developed in my right hand was the result of Parkinson's Disease.

A month or two prior to these diagnosis' I had read the book of James in preparation for leading our small group through it over the summer.

The words of James the brother of Jesus kept returning to my mind during this potentially devastating time.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

God was using my time of trial to work changes in me! I had learned from my study of James, to look for His will even the seemingly "bad" things. He proved Himself present by using my afflictions to bring me closer to Him! All of this is part of His plan and so am I. As are you!

Whatever affliction or hardship you are facing! Whatever anguish or distress you are currently undergoing! Is all part of His plan and His plan is pure good!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. Romans (8:28)

God uses our difficulties to bring about changes He wants in us, if we will only trust in Him. Take comfort in the One who created you. 2 Cor (1:3-4)

When tribulations come, and they will, might I be so bold as to suggest you consider this life a trial run. Keep your eyes on His promise of a far better world to be.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Rev 21:4 (NIV)

Then you will begin to understand all things as a gift from God. In closing I borrow from the Apostle John as he closes the book of Revelation and The Bible with :

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Rev 22:20 (NIV)

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Bible Study Outline - Mark 1:1-3

Mark opens the book not with a formal declaration describing the purpose of the book but with a statement about the subject of the book.


The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark opens the book not with a formal declaration describing the purpose of the book but with a statement about the subject of the book.

Let's examine the first verse.

1.What is Mark by using the Greek word Arche (ar-khay') which means for “beginning”, trying to get across to his readers?
That he is writing about the start of the Gospel.

2.How does this differ from the beginnings in Genesis (1:1).
The Genesis account is the creation of the world.
Mark is talking about the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption.

3.Why does Mark use language reminiscent of Genesis 1:1 to start his Gospel?
As a reminder of God's activity in the history of the world.

4.We have all heard that the word “Gospel” means “good news”, but just what is a Gospel?
A Gospel is the telling of God's plan for the redemption of fallen man.

5.What does Romans chapter 1 verses 2 through 4 tell us about the nature of a Gospel?

the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:2-4 (NIV)

John Calvin wrote a Gospel is a “testimony of the revealed salvation, which has been formerly promised to the fathers in an uninterrupted succession of ages. It points out at the same time , a distinction between the promises which kept the hope of the people in suspense, and this joyful message, by which God declares that he has accomplished those things which he had formerly required them to expect.”

That is to say, an illustration of God's stated plan of salvation and its fruition through time and eternity in Jesus Christ.


2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"
3 "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord,make straight paths for him.' "

Mark wrote his Gospel for Gentile believers, probably in Rome. Because they lacked knowledge of the Old Testament, he was not able to use quotations from it with any frequency. In verses 2 and 3 he makes an exception.

The phrase Mark chose to start verse 2, “it is written” cauthoritativehoratative quality recognized by Greeks, Romans and Jews. In the first century Greek world, this formula frequently opens the introductions to a law or legal declaration. In the Old Testament it would be recognized as claiming authority over the reader.

1.What is Mark saying about Isaiah by using the phrase “It is written”
That Isauthority an athority figure.
That Isaiah's authority came from God.

Verses 2 and 3 are actually a collage coming from different sources. The quotation from verse 2, “I will send my messanger ahead of you” echoes the first part of Malachi 3:1.

"Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. Malachi (3:1) (ESV)


1.What is God saying to Malachi who was looking forward and Mark who was looking backward to Christ by using the word See or Behold?
This is coming from God
Pay attention this is important
This is what I want you to tell my people.

2.In both Mark 1:2 and Malachi 3:1 John is called “my messanger”, What is the ultimate message John is to pass along.
The Messiah has come
The Kingdom of God has come

Verse 3 is a more exact representation of Isaiah 40:3.

A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ;
make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)

It was a common practice for Jewish teachers to combine texts or parts of texts, if they contained common keywords. Teachers were thought to be so learned in the scriptures that they were not required to specify which text or even mention its context.

Verse 3, "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "

1.Mark says the prophet was a voice of one calling in the desert, what was his calling to be?
To prepare Gods people for His coming.

2.Based on what we know a Gospel to be, What was the Lord is coming to do?
Restore the relatioship between God and His people.

3.Reflecting back on verse 1, who does Mark say was coming?
Jesus Christ – God Himself.

4.Who then was coming to do what for whom?

Jesus Christ was coming back to provide a path to salvation for God's people.

Verse 2, "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"

Paraphrasing Malachi 3:1, Mark would have known that Malachi chapter 3 was about God coming in judgement to set things aright among His people.

1.What would this have meant Mark was trying to convey to his Gentile believers?
Jesus was God
He came and died for their sins
Jesus coming meant the start of the Gospel age.

In Luke 16:16-17 Jesus himself speaks of John's role

"The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. Luke 16:16-17 (NIV)

1.What did Jesus say was inagurated with John's message?
The Kingdom of God

2.How does it affect your thinking knowing the Kingdom of God includes the time since John?

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Word of the Week - Exegesis

Exegesis (ek-si-jee-sis) is when a person interprets a text based solely on what it says. That is, he extracts out of the text what is there as opposed to reading into it what is not there (eisegesis). There are rules to proper exegesis: read the immediate context, related themes, word definitions, etc., that all play a part in properly understanding what something says and does not say.

A Special thanks to the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry and TheAmerican Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.

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Everlasting life

In this article I would like to discuss one of my pet peeves,


and that would be Everlasting Life.

Not the I have anything against eternal life, quite the opposite. My problem lies in the common understanding of eternal life. Specifically when does one obtain everlasting life.

Jesus in his interaction with the rich young man (Matt 19:16-26 and Mark 10:17-23) instructs him on how to obtain eternity by living a righteous and obedient life. The young man is on board with what Jesus tells him until he is instructed to give away all his wealth. The young man goes away in great distress at this pronouncement.

The message here is not that it is wrong to be wealthy as wealth is a gift from God. It is not wrong to be rich, it is wrong to misuse the gift of wealth or worse to idolize money. Money is NOT the root of all evil. The LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil. (1 Tim 6:6-10)

Now keep in mind, money can be anything. Anything we put above our relationship with God is an idol. In the story of the rich young ruler it was money that he worshipped and was unwilling to give up. It could be job, possessions, or even family and friends.

Money however is not what this article is about. Eternal life, more specifically when it begins and why this matters.

Let's say you are a Christian. You have given your life over to Jesus Christ. The issue I take is one of when does eternal life begin. How often have we heard something along the lines of "when I die"... with the gist of it being then I will have eternal life.

Eternal life begins the moment you except Christ as your Lord and Savior!

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24 (NIV)

Note the present tense of this sentence. The word "has" indicates a current reality! You have Everlasting Life! Now and Forever!

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:27-30 (ESV)

So what does it matter when eternity begins?

Think back to the rich young man, he wanted eternal life. He could have had eternal life instantaneously. How different this young man's eternal destiny had he just followed the advice of the one who created him.

If we realize that Eternal Life is a present reality, might we may better use our talents to further His Kingdom? Might we better adhere to the directives of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To look after widows and orphans, to care for the hungry, the thirsty, the needy, the sick and those in prison.

And most importantly of all:

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (ESV)

How different Christendom if we would only learn from His Lessons. if we could only understand the precious gift we have been given.

Quoting Randy Alcorn "you can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead"

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Bible Study Outline - Introduction to Mark

Introduction to the Gospel of Mark

Since the beginning of the Gospel tradition Mark has been viewed as being an inferior abridged version of the book of Matthew.

Augustine's statement that "Mark imitated Matthew like a lackey and is regarded as his abbrevitor” was the prevailing line of thinking until about the first half of the nineteenth century.

As a result of scholarly investigation of the first three Gospels it was determined that Mark actually was the first Gospel.

What do we know about the book of Mark?

It might surprise you to find that there has been some controversy regarding the authorship of the book called The Gospel according to Mark. Much like the writers of the other Gospels the writer does not identify himself. Nor does he declare the occasion for its writing as do Luke (1:1-4) and John (20:30-31).

The title for the book was given to it by the church sometime during the first half of the second century. This is true of all four of the Gospels. The standard naming convention for a Gospel was 'The Gospel according to ...” .

Usually an Apostle like Matthew or John or a major figure such as Luke is used to name a Gospel. Mark was not consider a prominent figure Biblically nor does he appear all that often in the text. Let's examine the references containing Mark that the Bible does provide.

Acts 12:11-12 tells us a bit about Mark's family

Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating." When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Act 12:11-12 (NIV)

1.What was happening in these two verses?
Peter released from jail by an Angel.
He took refuge at Mary mother of Mark house.
People were worshiping and praying at Mary's house.
2.What was Peter's first thought when he realized he been set free?
He sought refuge there at a sister in Christ's house.
3.What do these verses say about Mark's mother?
She was a devoted Christian.

Note:
1.Tradition tells us that the author of this Gospel was a Jewish Christian named John Marcus.
2.The Roman name of Marcus may indicate Roman citizenship.

It is thought that this same dwelling is where the Last Supper took place

When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:13-14 (NIV)

Paul wrote to the church in Colossians verse 4:10

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Col 4:10 (NIV)

1.What more can we ascertain from what Paul wrote in Collossians?
He was a contemporary of Paul's.
Mark was there on Paul's' third missionary journey.
Mark and Barnabas were cousins.
2.Why do you think Paul mentions that Mark is Barnabas' cousin?
To introduce Mark to the Church.

Another reference to Mark is Acts 13:13 where Mark then left the journey at Perga, returning to Jerusalem.

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13 (NIV)

Mark's leaving the mission caused a rift between Paul and Barnabas over whether or not Mark should accompany them on the second missionary journey. Acts (15:36-40)

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. Acts 15:36-40 (NIV)

1.What happens in these verses?
Paul and Barnabas disagree on whether Mark should be included in this trip..
Paul and Barnabas part company over the dispute.
2.Why was Paul upset with Mark?
He felt Mark had deserted them earlier.

A decade will pass before we hear from Mark again in (Philemon 24)

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. Phlm 24 (NIV)

1.What does this verse tell us about Paul and Mark?
They were apparently working together again.


In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul's last letter a few years later, he again mentions Mark.

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Tim 4:11 (NIV)

1.What does Paul do in this verse?
He asks for Mark specifically.
2.What does Paul give for a reason?
Paul finds Mark helpful

The last Biblical reference to Mark comes from 1 Pet 5:13 which simply states;

She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.
1 Pet 5:13 (NIV)

1.What is Peter saying in this verse about Mark?
He is probably saying that Mark came to faith through the preaching of Peter.

Church father Papias (A.D. 140) states that Mark served as a secretary to Peter and recorded Peter's testimony. Mark as Peter's interpreter is supported by Eusebius and others and is credited to information received from disciples of the Apostle John around 90 to 100 A.D.
The order in which Mark presents his Gospel mirrors that of Peter's recitation of those events in the book of Acts. (3:13-14 and 10:36-43)

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. Acts (3:13-14)

You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts (10:36-43)

1.Is the similarity between Peter's recounting of the Gospel story and Mark's version in any way compelling in and of itself?


The Date of the writing of the Gospel is also difficult to discern from scripture. The most compelling internal evidence that could point us to a specific time period would be ;

Mark's emphasis of Jesus as the suffering Son of God and on suffering discipleship suggest Mark's audience to have been Christian's undergoing persecution.


This would place the date of writing as either that of Caligula's attempt to place a statue of himself in the guise of Zeus in the temple of Jerusalem. (Josephus Ant. Book 18 Chapter 2 ). Caligula called Caius by Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, was murdered in 41 A.D.

Hereupon Caius, taking it very heinously that he should be thus despised by the Jews alone, sent Petronius to be president of Syria, and successor in the government to Vitellius, and gave him order to make an invasion into Judea, with a great body of troops; and if they would admit of his statue willingly, to erect it in the temple of God; but if they were obstinate, to conquer them by war, and then to do it.

1.What does Joesphus say Caligula was going to do?
Threatened war on Judea by way of Syria.
2.What did Judea have to do to avoid this war?
Desecrate the temple by placing a statue of Caligula in the Holy of Holies.

The second persecution within a few decades of Jesus' crucifixion was under Nero in Rome. This theory places the writing of Mark in the early to mid 60's. Gaius Cornelius Tacitus wrote Annals (book 15 verse 44) in the late first or early second century excerpted below.

all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car. Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man's cruelty, that they were being destroyed .

1.What does Tacitus tells us the reason for this persecution was?


2.Why did Nero pick Christin's to place the for the fire blame one?


Further evidence that Mark was writing to Romans is the fact that Mark felt the need to explain Jewish practices to his readers and even interprets Aramaic forms that remain in the text. These practices point to a Gentile audience. We will examine these when we study those verses.
Where this Gospel was written is less certain, again Rome seems the likely place.

What do you think Mark's main points were when he wrote this book?

1. That Jesus was the prophesied Messiah
2. The message of Christ coming is true in spite of the Jewish peoples rejection.
3. The Gospel is the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and can not be understood a part from its historical context.

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Forced Conversion - A Comparative Study

The abduction and eventual release of Fox News journalists, Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig revealed the stunning news that the two men had converted to Islam at gunpoint.

Both men were captured in Gaza City on August 14th by masked gunmen, who covered their heads with black hoods and bound the wrists of the two men behind their backs. They were then held in a dark garage and tied up, left lying on the floor often in painful positions.

During their captivity the two men were forced to make a video, dressed in Arab garb denouncing the West.


Centanni is quoted as saying “We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint” and “it was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns”.

Which lead me to compare Islam and its authoritative source the Koran and what it has to say about such a coerced conversion with Christian teachings from the Bible.

We will be looking for didactic or teaching principles that are applicable to our daily lives. This study excludes passages that were specifically for a time, place and event as in (Deut 7:1-3).

The Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) is chock full of teaching material.

I am not nor do I claim to be a Koranic scholar. I will rely heavily on my research which for the most part was done on line using the USC-MCS Compendium of Muslim Texts at the University of Southern California.

Within the stated parameters let us look at a Koranic teaching from (Surah 9:5).

Paraphrasing Surah 9:5 Muslims are instructed to fight and kill idolizers/pagans wherever they are found. They are to lay in wait, besiege, ambush and capture them unless the idolizers/pagans repent, worship Allah and pay the poor tax.

This verse is taken out of context, but I assure you it loses nothing by itself. I encourage you to follow the link above and make up your own mind. From where I sit it sounds like a forced conversion to me.

Christianity teaches that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31) to the extreme of making this the second greatest commandment!

We are to love those who hate and persecute us (Matt 5:44).

In both cases the Greek word used is agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o) means among other things, “to love dearly”.

Far different the commands of Jesus to love than those we normally would want nothing to do with when compared to the commands of Islam to convert by violent means.

Our weapons are the Word of God through His Grace by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus said before He departed :

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

On this point the Koran and the Bible teach diametrically opposing methodologies for conversion, but fear not Christian, I have read the ending and Christ prevails.

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