New Testament

Jesus stayed behind in the temple at the age of 12 during a visit to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. His parents, Mary and Joseph, left the city unaware that he had stayed behind. After three days of searching, they found him discussing matters with the teachers in the temple. This event is recounted in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 41-52.

John, often identified as the author of the Gospel of John, refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" to emphasize his close, personal relationship with Jesus. This designation highlights the intimacy and trust he shared with the Lord, distinguishing him among the other disciples. It reflects a theme of love and divine connection present throughout the Gospel, showcasing the deep bond between Jesus and his followers.

"Shrewdly" refers to acting with sharp insight and keen judgment, often in a way that is astute or clever. It implies a degree of practical intelligence, particularly in making decisions or assessing situations. Someone who behaves shrewdly is typically perceptive and can navigate challenges effectively, often with an underlying strategic or cunning approach.

Ephesians 6: 17 reads. "Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God's word".

The helmet of salvation:

A Roman soldier's helmet protected his head, face, and neck. Paul uses the helmet to symbolize a Christian's hope for salvation by God ( read 1 Th 5: 8

As a helmit protects the head, so salvation protects his mind, his thinking faculties. Satan subtly promotes such poisonous influences as selfishness, hatred, and disloyalty.

By focusing on the Christian hope--figuratively wearing hope like a helmet--the Christian rejects any negative influence on his thinking. Read Mark 7: 20-22; 2 Corinthians 4: 4: Revelation 12: 9.

The sword of the spirit:

The sword, one of the most important weapons used by Roman soldiers, is the only offensive weapon mentioned in Paul's illustration. Read Ephesians 6: 14-17.

The Greek word translate "sword" in this verse could refer to a short weapon with at least one sharp edge.

Christians today make good use of " God's word", their main weapon for waging spiritual warfare. Read 2 Timothy 2: 15.

Paul is not suggesting that Christians use God's word to harm others. Rather they tactfully use Scriptural truths to expose false teachings that mislead people and enslave them spiritually. Read John 8: 32; 17: 17; 2 Corinthians 10: 4,5

Just as soldier uses his sword defensively to parry, or block, an enemy's blows, so Christians use God's word to protect their minds and hearts against the deceptions of false teachers and against temptations to do wrong. Read Matthew 4: 1-11; 2 Timothy 3: 16

Ephesians 6: 11 reads: " Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil"

1 John 5: 19 tells us that the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one. And Revelation 12: 9 shows that the wicked one is the original serpent the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth".

So to answer your question: The helmit of salvation is to protect our mind and thinking ability and the sword is God's word, that is there to help us to stand firm against any false teachings.

The holy spirit is Jehovah God's active force that help us to accomplish his purpose.

The written Word of God is called " the holy Scriptures", or holy writings" It was written under the influence of the holy spirit.

Acts 2: 1- 4 in the New Testament speaks about the event that happed on the day of the Festival of Pentecost, where 120 people who were present became filled with holy spirit and started to speak in different languages.

The gift of speaking in foreign tongues was one of God's outpoured holy spirit upon the faithful disciples of Christ on Pentecost 33 C.E. So the barrier created by language difference was overcome.

Acts 2: 17 shows that God poured out his spirit to give people the opportunity to know who Jehovah God is and to be saved. Verse 21 Reads. " And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved."

So God's active force is always given to accomplish His purpose.

Yes, Mark's Gospel is generally believed to have been written primarily for a Gentile audience, particularly Roman Christians. The use of Latin terms and explanations of Jewish customs suggest it aimed to make the teachings of Jesus accessible to non-Jewish readers. Additionally, the emphasis on suffering and persecution resonates with the experiences of early Christians facing challenges in a Roman context.

The story of Jesus in the temple, where he stays behind to engage with teachers while Mary and Joseph search for him, highlights the deepening of his identity and mission. It illustrates a moment of tension between Jesus' divine calling and his earthly family's expectations. Despite their initial distress, Mary and Joseph ultimately demonstrate trust in him, suggesting a complex relationship that balances parental concern with recognition of his unique role. This event emphasizes the importance of faith and understanding in familial relationships, especially when faced with divine purpose.

The parable of the muddy road tells the story of two travelers who encounter a muddy path. One traveler complains about the mud and focuses on the difficulties, while the other helps others navigate through it, finding joy in assisting those in need. The moral emphasizes the importance of perspective; while challenges may be present, a positive attitude and helping others can lead to fulfillment and a sense of purpose. Ultimately, it teaches that our reactions to adversity shape our experiences.

Paul and Barnabas were appointed to go on their missionary journey by the Holy Spirit, as recorded in Acts 13:2-3. While the early church leaders in Antioch were fasting and praying, the Holy Spirit directed them to set apart Paul and Barnabas for the work. Consequently, the church leaders laid their hands on them and sent them off to spread the Gospel.

In the Bible, " soul" is translated from Hebrew ne'phesh and in Greek psy.khe'. Bible usage shows the soul to be a person or an animal or the life that a person or an animal enjoys. To many persons, however, " soul" means the immaterial or spirit part of a human being that survives the death of the physical body. Others understand it to be the principle of life. But these latter views are not Bible teachings.

To help us to understand what the Bible says about the "soul" . Read Genesis 2: 7 " Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul." ( Notice that this does not say that the man was given a soul but that he became a soul, a living person)

1 Corinthians 15: 45: "It is written: The first man Adam became a living soul.'

1 Peter 3: 20: " In Noah's days... a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water."

Where does the Bible say that animals are souls?

Genesis 1: 20,21, 24,25: God went on to say: "let the waters swarm forth a swarm of living souls...Ans God proceeded to create the great sea monsters and every living soul that moves about, which the waters swarmed forth according to their kinds, and every winged flying creature according to its kind.... And God proceeded to make the wild beast of the earth according to its kind and domestic animals according to its kind. ..

Can the human soul die?

According to Ezekiel 18: 4: " Look ! All the souls-- to me they belong. As the soul of the father so likewise the soul of the son -- to me they belong. The soul that is sinning-- it itself will die." ( some translations say " the man" or the person".)

Does conscious life continue for a person after spirit ( life force )leaves the body?

Psalms 146: 4 reads. " His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground, in that day his thoughts perish." Here render as "spirit" Some translations say " breath" Read also Psalm 104: 29 .

These Scriptures will help you understand that a soul is a living person or a living animal. And the spirit is " the breath of life" that was blown into Adam's nostrils by God and the man became a living person or soul. which literally means " a breathing creature. Read Genesis 2:7

The turning point in the Gospel of Mark occurs in Mark 8:27-33, when Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah. Following this confession, Jesus begins to predict his suffering, rejection, and death, shifting the focus of the narrative from his public ministry and miracles to the impending passion. This transition highlights the conflicting expectations of a triumphant Messiah versus the reality of Jesus' sacrificial mission. The subsequent chapters emphasize the inevitability of his suffering and the significance of the cross.

The three wise men, also known as the Magi, are traditionally named Melchior, Gaspar (or Caspar), and Balthazar. They are said to have traveled from the East to visit the newborn Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These names, however, are not mentioned in the Bible and have evolved over time through various traditions and interpretations.

The Lord’s Prayer, as given by Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, is found in the Bible at Matthew chapter 6, verses 9-13. The Lord's prayer brings out 1) the sanctification of God's name. “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” (Matthew 6:9) We read at Psalm 83:18, “You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” **2)**Praying for God’s Kingdom to come. “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:10) 3) “Give us today our bread for this day.” (Matthew 6:11) In harmony with the Lord’s Prayer, we can pray in faith that God will provide for our daily needs. 4) “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) If we forgive those who sin against us, we will please God and be in a position to benefit from his mercy. 5) “Do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one.” (Matthew 6:13) Jehovah does not abandon us to temptation or cause us to fall into sin. if we worship Jehovah according to his inspired Word, the Bible, he will deliver us by helping us to resist the Devil.

In this way, we too can pray for these things. (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

According to 2 Thessalonians 3: 10 which reads. "If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat. Those words came from the apostle Paul, whch was an exhortation to proper conduct and which showed that the congregation was not under obligation to provide materially for those who were able to work but refused to do so.

Clearly Jehovah God expects us to be consistent, to act in harmony with our prayers. We can not expect our heavenly Father to answer our prayers without our doing anything about it. That is why we can read in Proverbs 13: 4 which reads. "The lazy person has his cravings, yet he has nothing. But the diligent one will be fully satisfied."

This saying has nothing to do with someone who wants to work but may be unemployed, sick, or too old to work.

A parable of growth typically illustrates themes of development, transformation, and the positive outcomes of nurturing faith or virtues, often highlighting the journey of individuals or communities toward spiritual maturity. In contrast, a parable of God's mercy emphasizes forgiveness, compassion, and the boundless love that God extends to humanity, showcasing instances where grace prevails over judgment. Meanwhile, a parable of judgment focuses on accountability and the consequences of one's actions, often serving as a warning about the importance of moral choices and the realities of divine justice. Together, these parables convey different facets of spiritual truth, encouraging reflection on growth, mercy, and responsibility.

At the time John received his revelation, traditionally believed to take place on the island of Patmos, the other apostles were likely scattered across various regions of the Roman Empire, engaging in their own ministries. Many of them were preaching the Gospel and establishing Christian communities, while some may have faced persecution or were in exile themselves. The exact locations of the other apostles during this time are not detailed in the biblical texts.

In Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," the door at the front symbolizes the entrance to a new spiritual realm and the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant established by Jesus. It also emphasizes the significance of the moment, highlighting that Jesus is the way to salvation. The door serves as a visual metaphor for the invitation to embrace faith and the transformative journey ahead for his followers.

Jesus' teachings are deeply related to the Eucharist as it represents the fulfillment of his message about sacrifice, love, and communion with God. During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist by sharing bread and wine, symbolizing his body and blood, which signifies the new covenant between God and humanity. This sacrament embodies the call to remember his sacrifice, encourages believers to partake in spiritual nourishment, and reinforces the communal aspect of faith through shared worship. Ultimately, the Eucharist serves as a tangible expression of Jesus' teachings on love, unity, and redemption.

The idea that Thomas was Jesus' twin is derived from the Gospel of Thomas, an early Christian text that suggests a close relationship between Jesus and Thomas. However, this notion is not supported by the canonical gospels of the New Testament, which do not mention any twin relationship. The concept may also reflect symbolic interpretations rather than a literal truth. Overall, mainstream Christian theology does not recognize Thomas as Jesus' twin.

The phrase "You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold" originates from William Jennings Bryan's speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention, where he opposed the gold standard in favor of bimetallism. Bryan argued that adhering strictly to gold would favor the wealthy elite and harm the working class, leading to economic inequality. The metaphorical "cross of gold" symbolizes the burdens placed on the populace by a monetary system that prioritizes gold over the needs of the many. Ultimately, it calls for a more equitable economic policy that supports all individuals, not just the affluent.

In the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22, the guests initially invited to the wedding banquet represent the Jewish people, who reject the invitation. When they refuse to come, the king sends his servants to gather others from the streets, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles and those who were previously marginalized. Ultimately, the parable emphasizes that many are called, but few are chosen, highlighting the importance of responding to God's invitation.

On his journey to Rome, the Apostle Paul encountered a significant misfortune when he was shipwrecked on the island of Malta. The ship carrying him and other prisoners was caught in a violent storm, leading to its destruction. Despite this setback, Paul remained unharmed, demonstrating resilience and faith as he helped others survive the ordeal. His experience on Malta ultimately provided him with opportunities to share his message and heal those on the island.

In the New Testament, 50,000 pieces of silver is often understood to represent a significant amount of money, equivalent to a large sum of wages for many workers. Some estimates suggest that a single piece of silver, such as a denarius, was worth about a day's wages for a laborer. Therefore, 50,000 pieces could represent the earnings of thousands of laborers over several years, highlighting the magnitude of wealth or value in the context of the events described in the text.

The grieving of the Holy Spirit refers to the rejection or persistent disobedience of God's guidance, which can lead to a hardened heart and separation from God. This concept, found in Ephesians 4:30, emphasizes the seriousness of turning away from divine influence. While many sins can be forgiven, continuously rejecting the Holy Spirit's work can indicate an unwillingness to repent and accept God's grace, ultimately leading to spiritual estrangement. Thus, it is not that God is unwilling to forgive, but rather that the individual may be unresponsive to His call for reconciliation.

"Synoptic" generally refers to a comprehensive or broad overview of a subject or situation, often presenting information in a summary format. In meteorology, it describes a type of weather map that provides an overview of atmospheric conditions across a large area at a specific time. The term can also be applied in fields like literature and theology, where it denotes a comparison or summary of texts or events.