Title: The Life of Christ
1WELCOME TO
The Life of Christ
Fenter D. Northern, Professor, NO eating
lunches in class Faulkner
University A Drink, small
crackers/cookies O.K Office hrs.
by appointments No slouching, nor sleeping
in class
Men
remove headwear
2Questions from last Lecture
- Was Jesus born at coincidence or random? Explain?
- When was divine readiness reached?
- Why was Palestine a good geographical place to
begin Christianity? - What were nations doing prior to the coming of
Christ? How may this be viewed? - Give examples of how mans impatience with God
has hurt the world. - Why did God wait so long to send Jesus and
establish Christianity? - What key role did the Jews play in their
dispersion? - List the captivities and the dates.
- Who were the Samaritans? Manasseh? Mt. Gerizim?
- What scriptures did the Samaritans have?
3- Name the nations whose policies made
contributions toward the coming of Christ? - Who were the Maccabees?
- What did Josephus say about the number of Jews at
the coming of Christ? - What were nine important developments among the
Jews during the Babylonian captivity? - INSTITUTION OF THE MERIT SYSTEM
- Rise of the sopherim (Scribes) scholarly class.
- Idolatry disappeared among the Jews.
- Sharing common memories kept them united.
- They had developed an indomitable spirit
4- The appearance of the synagogue helped
- The rise of the Targum
- New Revelation was received from God
- A new language appeared.
- What nations dominated Israel from 586 to the
coming of Christ? - Who were important Jewsih characters during some
of these captivities? - What was the difference in the political policies
of Babylonians and the Persians regarding
captives? - What did the Persian ruler returned the Jews to
their homeland? What did he do for them
religiously?
5Lecture Three
6Important Change in Events Greeks Capture
Persia 331 B.C.
- Alex. The Great, (356-323 A.D.) pupil of
Aristotle, exported Greek Culture known as
Hellenism. Founded intellectual center in Egypt
called Alexandria - Dispersion took on a new face
- This Divided the Jews into Hellenist and
Hebraist. - .
7The Chaldeans, the Persians and now The Jews
under Greek Rule 300-147 B.C.
Death of Alex. ( Ptolemy, Cassander, Lysimachus
and Seleucus) Antiochus IV Epiphanes Avid
Hellenist. (Epimanes-The madman) 175-164
B.C. Devastated Jerusalem in 168 B.C. 166 B.C.
Maccabean revolt 165 B.C. Rededicated temple
Feast of Lights called Hanukah 61 B.C. ROMAN
OCCUPATION.
8We Have Learned
- HOW THE JEWISH DISPERSION AIDED THE ARRIVAL OF
CHRIST -
- It Sowed seeds of Messianic expectation around
the earth.
9We Learned the Persian Contributions
- 1. Cyrus Permitted the Jews to Return to
Palestine (Zerubbabel 536 B.C., Ezra, 458 B.C.,
Nehemiah 444)
- 2. Cyrus signed a decree to Financed the new
Temple (Ezra 64)
10NOW LEARN the Greek Contributions that Helped
Plant Christianity
- 1. Greek Hellenism bred a universal language
- 2. They published a universal Bible known as
the Septuagint or LXX version. - 3. Emptiness of Greek Philosophies
- Stoics Zeno 280 B.C. Sought consolation in
fate by suppression of emotion (Acts 1718). - Epicureans --Epicurus d.271 B.C
- Pleasure is the greatest good (Acts 1718).
-
11Know the Roman Contributions
- The Pax Romana (Roman Peace)
- Excellent highway system
- Romes legal system
- NEGATIVE FACTORS
- Extreme moral degradation (Rom. 1)
- Affluence, Idleness
- No recognized standard of ethics
- Failure of pagan religions
- Prostitution, divorce, abortion, infanticide,
suicide
12A Prevailing Climate of Expectancy Helped
Christianity
- Generated by
- Pseudepigraphical literature (false writing)
abounded with eschatological (end time) themes
written in apocalyptic (veiled in symbols) ca.
100 B.C. - 100 A.D. - Jewish Scrolls (DSS) confirm
- The appearance of John the Baptist , about 26 A.D
13Summary of Worlds contributions that made it the
fullness of times
Jews Dispersion seeded Messianic
expectancy Persians Restored Jews to Palestine.
Financed New temple. Greeks Provided Universal
Language, Universal Bible Romans Positive Univ.
peace, law, coinage, open borders, roads General
Flood of eschatological and apocryphal
literature created a general feeling of
expectancy of God about to break into history.
14Jewish Parties to Learn
- The Pharisees the separated. Orig. w/n the
ranks of the scribes. Legalistic - The Sadducees sedeq righteousness the
socially elite, priestly class. Differences from
the Pharisees stated in Acts 238 - The Herodians
- The Essenes
- The Zealots
15JEWISH INSTITUTIONS
- THE TEMPLE
- THE SYNAGOGUE
- THE SANHEDRIN
16HEROD THE GREAT
- By religion--a Jew, by race -- Idumean,
culturally-- Greek, by politics -- Roman
Inherited throne of his father at age 22 - Convinced Octavian to appoint him sole king of
the Jews. Gave him Cleopatras possessions in
Palestine, with lands in Samaria and east of
Jordan He was paranoid a very suspicious man,
--had his wife, killed, two sons strangled and
his brother-in-law drowned.
17Herod the Great, cont.
- Furthermore, he ordered the killing of the
Bethlehem babies - Suffering from cancer and heart failure, and
fearing none would mourn at his death. He had all
the chief men in Jericho locked up with orders to
kill them all on the day he died. (Never
happened) - Died April 1, 4 B.C.
18Herod Archaelaus (Mt. 222)
- Received Judea, Samaria and Idumea at Herod the
Greats death - His brother Antipas received Galilee
- Philip Batanea, Trachonitis, and Auranitis
- Archaleaus was as vicious as his father
- Reigned 4 B.C. to 6 A.D.
19Herod Antipas (4 B.C.- A.D. 34)
- Received Galilee and Perea
- Jesus called him the Fox (Lk. 1332
- Great builder
- Murdered John the Baptist (Mt. 141-13)
- Reigned 4 B.C. to 39 B.C.
20Herod Philip 4 B.C. 34 B.C.
- Territory northeast of the Sea of Galilee
- Lost his wife to his brother Antipas.
21Herod Agrippa 1 (A.D. 41-44)
- Grandson of Herod the Great and son of
Aristobulus and Bernice - Ruled all Palestine
- Big Builder
- Murdered the apostle James (Acts 12)
22HEROD AGRIPPA II (A.D. 50-100)
- Son of Agrippa I
- Sat at hearing of Paul in Caesarea (Acts 25)
23Sources of the Gospels
- Luke 11-4 Luke carefully sorted and filtered
the sources to produce an orderly account of
Jesus ministry. - He alone follows ancient historian fashion of
dedicating his work to a patron. - Matthew uses a genealogical intro. Because he is
writing principally to a Jewish audience - Mark uses no formal intro.
- John uses a theological intro. To meet the new
Gnostic heresy.
24The Right Time for Jesus and Christianity to
Enter the World.
- 1. One Speech
- 2. One empire
- 3. Wide dispersion of the Jews
- 4. Decay of human gods
- 5. A wide spread end time mental climate
- 6. Preaching of John the Baptist
25Jesus Preexistence
- 1. John 11-2 declares a timeless existence
- 2. Jesus refers to his preexistence in his prayer
in John 175 - In 105 the writer of Hebrews speaks of a body
prepared for Jesus. - In Col. 111-18 Paul affirms Jesus was in the
beginning instrumental in creation. - In Phil 26-7 Jesus incarnation is told.
26Jesus Genealogies
- A Jews pedigree was his genealogy
- Differences in Matthews and Lukes account
poses no problem ( See A.T. Robinsons appendix) - Matthew gives the legal Jewish male descent from
Abraham - Luke traces Marys descent using Josephs name as
was the custom among Jews.
27Prophecies of Jesus Birth
- Genesis 315 CA 4000 B.C.
- The Messiahs virgin birth
- A perpetual spiritual warfare
- The Messiahs victory over Satan
- The Messiah will suffer in the process
28Prophecies of Jesus Birth, contd.
- 2100 B.C. Genesis 263-4 in thy seed
- Gal. 316 -- not seeds but seed.
- CA. 750 B.C. Isaiah 2816-18
- Refuge of lies (Mt. 2812-13)
- Covenant of death disannulled (Mt. 2615)
- Agreement with hell (Mt. 2762-64)
29Prophecies of Jesus Birth, contd.
- Birthplace Micah 52
- Flight to Egypt Hos. 111
- His priesthood Pa. 1104
- Universal rejection Ps. 21
- Betrayal by a friend Ps. 419
30Prophecies of Jesus Death
- Awesome suffering, Is. 53
- Death with criminals, Is. 539
- His bones unbroken, Ps. 3420, Ex. 1246 John
2933 - Burial with the rich Ps. 169 Mt. 2758
- His resurrection Ps. 1610
31Supreme Figure of All History
- Promised seed of the woman. (Gen. 315)
- He was to bruise the serpents head
- To be born of the tribe of Judah (Gen. 4910)
- To be born of the family of David (Isa. 111)
- To be born in Bethlehem (Micah 52)
- Key to Worlds history B.C. A.D.
32GREAT PROPHET TO COME BEFORE THE MESSIAHIsa.
403-5
- Isa. 403. The voice of him that crieth in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make
straight in the desert a highway for our God. - 4. Every valley shall be exalted, and every
mountain and hill shall be made low and the
crooked shall be made straight, and the rough
places plain - 5. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together for the
mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
33MALACHI 31-2
- 1. Behold, I will send my messenger, and he
shall prepare the way before me and the Lord,
whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple,
even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye
delight in behold, he shall come, saith the Lord
of hosts. - 2. But who may abide the day of his coming? and
who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like
a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap
34MATTHEW 31-3
- 1. In those days came John the Baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, - 2. And saying, Repent ye for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand. - 3. For this is he that was spoken of by the
prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying
in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the
Lord, make his paths straight.
35John the Baptist--forerunner
- Born of the Priestly tribe of Levi
- Luke 1 5. There was in the days of Herod, the
king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias,
of the course of Abia and his wife was of the
daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. - 6. And they were both righteous before God,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances of
the Lord blameless. - 7. And they had no child, because that
Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well
stricken in years.
36 8. And it came to pass, that while he executed
the priest's office before God in the order of
his course, 9. According to the custom of the
priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when
he went into the temple of the Lord. 10. And
the whole multitude of the people were praying
without at the time of incense. 11. And there
appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing
on the right side of the altar of incense. 12.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and
fear fell upon him. 13. But the angel said unto
him, Fear not, Zacharias for thy prayer is
heard and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a
son, and thou shalt call his name John.
37- 18. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby
shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my
wife well stricken in years. - 19. And the angel answering said unto him, I am
Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God and
am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee
these glad tidings. - 20. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not
able to speak, until the day that these things
shall be performed, because thou believest not my
words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
38John Was 6 Mos. Older than Jesus
- 24. And after those days his wife Elisabeth
conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, - 25. Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the
days wherein he looked on me, to take away my
reproach among men. - 26. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel
was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named
Nazareth, - 27. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name
was Joseph, of the house of David and the
virgin's name was Mary.
39Jesus was born between 5 6 B.C.
- Herod was still alive when Jesus was born. He
died in 4 B.C. - He issued an edit to kill all the male babies in
Bethlehem (Matt. 216) 4 2 6 B.C. - Joseph, Mary and the baby were in Egypt when
Herod died (Matt. 219)
40Jesus Earthly Existence
- Why Mary?
- Be it unto me according to thy word (Lu. 138)
- Why Joseph?
- 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and
not willing to make her a publick example, was
minded to put her away privily.
41Jesus Birth Reception
- Lowly birth preoccupied world.
- 7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and
wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in
a manger, because there was no place for them in
the inn. (Lu. 27) - Rejected by his own people
- 11 He came to his own home, and his own people
received him not. (John 111)
42A Few Did Receive Him
- Mary and Joseph
- The Shepherds were happy
- The Magi traveled far to worship him (Matt.
21-11) - They were interested
- Eager to suffer
- Searched for themselves
- Not too proud to ask for guidance
43Magi, contd.
- They were content with the light from heaven
- Paid whatever price necessary
- Never gave up
- When found, they worshipped him
- Proved sincerity with their gifts
44Simeon and Anna Waited on Him
- Simeon
- Luke 225 And, behold, there was a man in
Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon and the same
man was just and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel and the Holy Ghost was
upon him. - Anna
- Lk. 232 And she coming in that instant gave
thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him
to all them that looked for redemption in
Jerusalem.
45Those Not Welcoming Him
- Pharisees
- Outward religionist
- Scribes
- Legalists, traditionalists Placed sacrifice over
mercy - Sadducees, aristocratic right wing conservatives
- Rejected the after life, Pentateuch only (Acts
236-9) - Zealots
- Hated Rome, for war of independence,
46Jesus Early Visits to Jerusalem
- 1. Presentation for circumcision (Lu. 221)
- 2. Jesus as first sons redemption (Ex.
1815-16) - 30 days post birth
- Marys purification (Lu. 222)
- 41 days for a male (Lev. 124)
- 80 days for a maid (Lev. 125)
- Offered poor offering (Lev. 128)
47Early Years At Nazareth
- Little known before 12 years of age.
- First Passover at 12 years. (Lu. 241-42)
- Advanced in wisdom, and stature, and in favor
with God and men (Lu. 240)
Check fo6loc l 4