New Testament

The Word of God the Bible, is the way that God has chosen to communicate with mankind, and the Book of John 17: 3 shows that accurate knowledge of God is life saving.

The Book of 1 Timothy 2: 4 has this to say. " Whose will ( God's will )is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

The Book of John 2 : 24 shows that God is looking for worshippers who worship him with spirit and truth.

1 John 4: 9 made this statement. " by this the love of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only begotten-Son into the world so that we might gain life through him.

Which means: That our gratutude for what God has done for us, should move us to action, because we owe our lives to Jehovah God as it is confirmed in 1 John 4: 8-10

These extra Scriptures should motivate us into action.

Read 2 Corinthians 5: 15; 1 John 4: 11; 5: 3.

So to answer your question: God has taken every action possible to save mankind from the curse of sin and death, by sending his most precious Son to earth 2'000 years ago, to redeem the human race from the damage caused by Satan, in the garden of E'den.

" So feel free to honour such generousity"

The Bible reveals that God is not partial but in every nation the man/woman who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. God sent out the word to the sons of Israel to declare to them the good news of peace through Jesus Christ-- the one is Lord of all. Read Acts 10: 34-37

God does not judge us by our nationality, race, skin colour, or culture. Rather he focuses on what really counts, what we are in the inside.

Read 1 Samuel 16: 7

So to answer your question: Those who take their stand for God's Kingdom (government) to come, will be saved. Read Daniel 2: 44; Matthew 6: 9,10

The Book of Matthew 6: 9,10 Jesus showed us for what, and to who, we should pray to.

So WHO should we pray to? Our Father in the heavens.

So WHAT should we pray for? God's kingdom.

God's kingdom is an expression of Jehovah's sovereighty over the earth, with Jesus as king, that will remove the present wicked system of things, including all human governments, and bring in a righteous new world. Read Daniel 2: 44; 2 Peter 3: 13; Revelation 16: 14-16; 19: 11-21.

Jesus never pretended to be God. John 17: 4 shows that he prayed to his Father saying that he glorified him and finished the work that his Father have given to him to do.

The holy spirit is God's power and His state of mind. Read Matthew 3: 11; Acts 10: 38.

So to answer your question, which is: Who to pray to? Jesus told us to pray to our Father whose name is Jehovah, which is the way God presented himself to mankind. Isaiah 42: 8 reads. " I am Jehovah. This is my name."

James was the son of Joseph and Mary, and half brother of Jesus. Read Mark 6: 3; Galatians 1: 19 Although not an apostle, it was evidently this James had an important part in the Christian congregation.

But the son of Zebedee, brother of John and one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ was called James. Read Matthew 10:2.

James and his brother were working with their father in the fishing business in 30 C.E when Jesus called them.

Read Matthew 4: 18-22 ; Mark 1: 19,20; Luke 5. 7-10.

So the Bible speaks about two different James. One was Jesus' apostle and the other was his half brother, who played an important role in the congregation, but was not an apostle.

The Bible brings out that anyone that wants to please Jehovah God well can do so if they choose to. (Acts 10:34-35) This would also include being a disciple of Christ; since Jesus taught only what Jehovah told him to (John 7:16), following the commands that Christ gave can be heeded by any that choose to. (Matthew 28:19-20)

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

Ephesians 2: 1-5 shows that as humans under our sinful tendency we all at one time walked according to the ruler of the authority of the spirit of disobedience in harmony with the desires of our flesh, but with God's mercy and undeserved kindness, we have the opportunity to be saved through Jesus' ransom.

Paul makes the point that the Christians in Ephesus had once led, or walked according to, an unrighteous way of life, due to the ruler of authority of the air: who is no one else but Satan the Devil.

Paul uses similar language at 1 Corinthians 2: 12 in referring to "the spirit of the world"

The apostle Paul associates Satan with " the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places," and he speaks of them as "the rulers of this darkness. " Read Ephesians 2: 2; 6: 11,12.

A disciple of Jesus is a follower of Jesus' teaching. Our salvation depends on God's requirement that Jesus came on earth to teach all those who would like to be saved. One does not exist without the other.

The Book of John 14: 6 reads. "Jesus said: " I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"

The Book of James 2: 26 expresses the same idea in other words. "Indeed, just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead".

So to answer your question:

No one expects to receive a salary for a job he did not accomplish. That logical concept is often neglected, in the human mind, when it comes to accomplishing God's requirements.

Here is what the Book of 1 Timothy 2: 4,5 tells us about God's state of mind.

"Whose will ( God's will ) is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men a man, Christ Jesus.

When Jesus was on earth, he set the example. The Book of Matthew reveals the work he has done as our teacher and as the wisest man ever to walk the earth.

His places of teaching were people's homes, on mountainsides, at the seashore, and on boats. Jesus was a great teacher, because he was taught by his Father Jehovah, when he was in heaven with him, before coming on earth.

He taught his disciples to be as humble as a small child. Read Matthew 18: 1-5. To not over worry about what tomorrow brings. Read Matthew 6: 25-33.

People were amazed at Jesus' way of teaching. God wants us to continue to listen to his teaching. Read 7: 28; Matthew 17: 1-5.

We can listen to God's Son by reading the Bible accounts of his life.

As the great teacher who served other people and knew that he was not always going to be on earth, he told his disciples that he came, not to be served, but to serve others. Read Matthew 20: 28.

So if we want to continue Jesus' work, we must follow his great teaching example , which is to make disciples of people of all nations. Read Matthew 28: 19: 20

According to the Bible baptism is an outward symbol that the one being baptized has made a complete, unreserved, and unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of God.

Read Matthew 28: 19,20; Acts 2: 41.

The ransom, read John 3: 16, was paid for all those who put faith and trust that led to obedient actions.

According to the Book of John 5: 28,29 the dead are in God's memory in the memorial tombs. There are those who are remembered for the resurrection of life, ( the ones who "did good things" before they died, and will have to remain faithful after, on earth under Jesus' kingdom (government).

Those who will be ressurected for their "judgement" as confirmed in John 5: 28,29 is used in the sense of a process of evaluation. "These unrighteous ones" mentioned will be judged based on their conduct under the kingdom rule of Christ, and will be judged individually according to their deeds.

Read Revelation 20: 12; John 3: 36.

So to answer your question: People will be judged based on what they do after they are resurrected, not before. Some people did not have the opportunity to become familiar with God's requirements and cannot be held responsible.

Jesus' message was received with mixed reviews. There was 1 point where he started an explanation by saying if someone were to eat his flesh and drink his blood that they would have everlasting life. (John 6:54) Before waiting to see what else he had to say, many left in disgust. (John 6:60 & 66) He also brought out that his teachings would divide households at times. (Matthew 10:34-39)

True Christians however, realize that exercising faith in Christ's sacrifice, as well as gaining true knowledge about Jehovah God, is what leads to everlasting life. (John 3:16; 17:3)

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

Being christened is the receiving of sprinkling of water on the head of a baby child, done by a church and the giving of the child's name. Such practice is no where to be found in The Bible.

Being baptize means that one has made a complete, unreserve, and unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of Jehovah God.

Becoming a christian is a personal choice that one makes, due to the knowledge of Christ. A christian is a follower of Christ. That decision can only be made by an adult, who is fully conscious of what it involves and means to be a christian.

The Book of Acts 2: 41 reads. "Those who embraced his word heartily were baptized." So faith and baptism are always connected with one another and the practice of infant baptism was unknown in Jesus' days, but became recognised as an apostolic tradition in the course of the third century.

The word 'baptize' comes from the Greek ba.pti-zein, meaning "to dip, to plunge." It has nothing to do with the sprinkling of water on someone's head.

The scriptures indicate that if a person wants to be saved, there are a number of things that 1 has to do. For example, a person must be faithful to Jehovah God, even up to death. (Matthew 24:13) They must also repent of their sins and try to live according to Jehovah's standards (2 Peter 3:9), as well as taking in accurate knowledge about Jehovah and the Christ. (John 17:3) Believing in Christ is good, but following his example is something his followers are supposed to do. (1 Peter 2:21)

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

Prophecies concerning Jesus is found in the Bible.

Micah 5: 2, shows that Jesus will be the ruler in Israel, whose origin is from ancient times, from days long ago.

The prophecy in Psalm 34: 20 show details that were prophesied about the Messiah's death. It shows that Jesus would guard all his bones.

Zecharriah 12: 10 shows that Jesus will be pierced and that people would grieve bitterly.

Thus, John 19: 33-37 confirms that Jesus' bones were not broken which are the confirmation of the prophcies concerning Jesus.

Prophetic Usage.

At the institution of the Passover, Jehovah commanded that the lamp (or goat ) be roster whole and " you must not break a bone in it.

" Read Exodus 12: 46 "

This was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, " the lamb of God, " who is the antitypical Passover sacrifice. Read John 1: 29; 1 Corinthians 5: 7.

So to answer your question, which is why were Jesus' legs not broken? It is the confirmation that God's prophecies always come true.

Matthew 20:28 mentions, "Just as the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many.” This ransom is Jehovah God's means to save mankind from sin and death. (Ephesians 1:7) Because of the ransom, our sins can be forgiven. Colossians 1:13,14, "He rescued us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins." The ransom also provides the hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth, Romans 6:23, "For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord."

Also Revelation 21:3,4 mentions, "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them.  And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” This priceless gift can benefit even those who have died by means of the resurrection. As we learn about Jehovah and Jesus by studying the Bible, our faith and knowledge will grow. John 3:36, “The one who exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life.” In appreciation for his ransom, the Lord's Evening Meal is observed every spring on Nisan 14 calendar.

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures; bh book chapter 5)

Mary ( Jesus' Mother )

Definition: The divinely chosen and highly favoured woman who gave birth to Jesus.

When Mary was is first introduced to us in Scripture, she is engaged to Joseph, also from the tribe of Judah and descendant of David.

What can we learn from the Bible record about Mary?

1. A lesson of willingness to listen to what God says through his messengers even though what we hear may at first disturb us and seem impossible.

Read Luke 1: 26-37

2. Courage to act in harmony with what one learns to be God's will, trusting fully in him. Read Luke 1: 38

3. Appreciation of moral purity. Read Luke 1: 34

4: Diligence in teaching one's children the Word of God.( this was reflected in what Jesus was doing at the age of 12. Read Luke 2: 42, 46-49

Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus, confirmed in Matthew 1: 22-25

Marvelously, Jehovah God transferred the kife-force and the personality pattern of his first-born heavenly Son to the womb of Mary, so what was born, was a perfect human.

Read Luke 1: 35; John 17: 5;

Did Mary remain a virgin ? Matthew 1: 25 shows that Joseph did not have anyl relations with her until she gave birth.

Matthew 13: 53-56 shows that she had other children after Jesus' birth, which means that Jesus had brothers and sisters. So according to that Scripture, we can only conclude that Jesus was not Mary's only child, and that she had other sons and daughters.

The angel who informed Mary of the coming miraculous birth did not say that her son would be God. He said: " You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High... The child will be holy and will be called Son of God." Read Luke 1: 31-35.

So the focus is more on the Son of God than on Mary. Whose role was to redeem the human race from sin and death and to undo the damage caused by Satan in the garden of E'den

Our salvation comes from the ransom that God made possible due to God and Jesus' love for mankind Read John 3: 16; 1 John 3: 8.

1 Corithians 15: 22 reads. "For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.

Jesus confirmed that he is the way in the Book of John 14: 6 in these words.

" I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me "

So to answer your question, concerning Mary. We can admit that she is an example of obedience, even if she did not always understand God's plan. But our salvation will be through her Son Jesus Christ, that God has chosen to redeem the human race.

We read at Colossians 1:15, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him." The Bible refers to Jesus as God’s “only-begotten Son” because Jesus alone was directly created by Jehovah. (John 3:16) Jesus worked closely with his Father, Jehovah, helping Him to create all other things. (Proverbs 8:30.) Jesus continues to enjoy a close relationship with Jehovah. He loyally serves as God’s spokesman, “the Word,” delivering His messages and instructions.​—John 1:14. For these reasons he was created.

Through Jesus, Jehovah God will restore peace on earth. Jesus, the Ruler of God’s Kingdom, is called the “Prince of Peace,” and he will ensure that “to peace there will be no end.”—Isaiah 9:6, 7.

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

The meaning of the word salvation is 'being delivered.'

The big question is: being deliverd from what?

At the beginning of mankind's history, God's purpose was that we live forever on earth, in peace and in a clean environment, confirmed in Genesis 2: 15-17.

His purpose was postponed for the moment, due to the first couple Adam and Eve's choice of life. Genesis chapter 3 and Romans 5: 12 is mankind's history.

Thus, from that day, the solution offered by God in Genesis 3: 15 , became the resolution of salvation for the human race, on earth.

That prophecy explains that there were going to be two offsprings. Satan's offspring and God's offspring. And it was Satan's offspring that was going to be crushed by God.

That first prophecy in Genesis 3: 15 pointed to events that would fulfill God's purpose, but would only occur until thousands of years later, which will lead to the birth of the Christ.

1 Corinthians 15: 22 confirms this fact in these words. "For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.

John 3: 16 confirms this fact in these words. " For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that EVERYONE EXERCISING FAITH in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.

So to answer your question, which is: What is the definition of salvation history?

It means that, that ancient prophecy in Genesis 3: 15 is of great importance. Despite what Satan did in the garden of E'den, Jehovah God held out hope for mankind.

Psalm 37: 29 shows what our future holds in these words. " The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.

Titus 1: 2 reads. " And is based on a hope of the everlasting life that God, who cannot lie, promised long ago".

2 Peter 3: 13 reads. "But there are new heavens ( a new government ) and a new earth ( a new society of humans ) that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.

Righteousness could only exist now and in the future, if we let God direct our lives, confirmed in Jeremiah 10: 23. And He has given us enough time to come to that conclusion.

We read the account at Acts 1:1-11. "After he had suffered, he showed himself alive to them by many convincing proofs. He was seen by them throughout 40 days, and he was speaking about the Kingdom of God." So after Jesus gave his life in ransom for mankind, he ascended back to heaven.

Jesus continually spoke of the kingdom of God; To make possible the way of that kingdom upon earth, Jesus Christ and his heavenly hosts must first make an end to this present wicked system of things, invisible and visible, which the Bible tells he will do soon.​—Matt. 6:9, 10; Rev. 16:14, 16; 19:11-21.

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

When God created the first couple who were invited to take good care of the garden of E'den according to God's instructions, they also received the freedom to do or not to do so. Read Genesis 2: 15-17.

Genesis 2: 17 shows that Adam knew that if he did not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and bad, he would not die. That command would have made no sense if he was meant to grow old and die anyway.

God gave us the gift of life with the instructions to become successfully, happy inhabitants of His Creation.

Worshipping God or not, is something we are all free to choose to do.

Adam had that choice.

By not eating from the tree , the first couple would have shown their obedience to the One who gave them life. It would have shown that they recognized God's right to direct their ways.

Another commandment was given to Adam and Eve which included a clear ststement of the penalty if violated, which was death. Genesis 2: 17

Unfortunately their choice was going to have a great impact on mankind, as confirmed in Romans 5: 12 in these words. "That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned.

The meaning of the word 'sin' is: miss the goal'

God's goal was that we live forever on earth in prefect health in a clean environment. That goal was postponed for the moment.

God has left mankind enough time to come to the conclusion to what is written in the Book of Jeremiah 10: 23 in these words.

"It does not belong to man/woman who is walking even to direct his/her step".

Matthew 4: 4 shows what Jesus thinks, in these words.

" Man must live, not live on bread (food )alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah's mouth. And all what comes from Jehovah's mouth is written in the Bible.

Matthew chapter 5, which is Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said in verse 3

" happy are those conscious of their spiritual need. Which literally means an innate hunger to understand the meaning and purpose of life.

So to answer your question.

Jesus made it quite clear that humans were created with the need to be directed by more intelligent than themselves.

Revelation 4: 11 reminds us that God is worthy to receive the glory and the honour, and the power, because he created all things, and because of His will they came into existence and were created.

God's purpose is written in Psalm 37: 29, where it shows that the righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it, which has always been God's goal.

The answer is given in the book of John 3: 16 in these words. "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only.begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life".

2'000 years ago God sent his only precious Son to earth, to redeem the human race from sin and death and to undo the damage caused by Satan in the garden of E'den.

Jesus' willingness to surrender his life in our behalf was the greatest expression of his love for us.

God loves us so much that he gave his Son as a ransom, making it possible for us to be delivered from sin and death, confirmed in Ephesians 1: 7.

The ransom is a precious gift from Jehovah God, but he does not force us to accept it. It is up to us to accept Jehovah's gift.

The Book of Matthew was written by:

Matthew in Palestine and was completed in C. 41

The Book of Mark was written by:

Mark in Rome and was completed in C. 60-65.

The Book of Luke was written by:

Luke in C. Caesarea and was completed in C. 56-58

The Book of John was written by:

Apostle John in Ephesus or near and was completed in C. 98

The scriptures show that there were some Jews who followed the Mosaic Law that did become Christians. (Acts 2:14, 36-42) Those that died faithful to Jehovah God before Jesus even came to Earth are counted among "the righteous" that will be resurrected in the future. (Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29)

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

Adam was suppose to fill the earth and live forever on it. But God's purpose was postponed, because Adam was no longer in the position to fill the earth with perfect humans, due to the fact that he lost that privilege ,due to the fact that he turned his back on God's requirements and sinned. ( The word sin means 'miss the goal'

Read Genesis 3: 16-19; Romans 5: 12.

1 Corinthians 15: 22,23 reads: " For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in Christ all will be made alive. The requirments have not changed, which are for us to live up to God's standards.

So to answer your question, which is "why is Jesus called the 'new Adam?

It is because Jesus as a perfect man that was sent to earth, did not fail to remain faithful under Satan's power, which is not the case concerning Adam.

So Jesus became the new Adam as the only perfect person that has resisted Satan. " Adam, a perfect man, who has lost the privilege to fill the earth, for a perfect man, "Jesus " to repair that lost."

Jehovah God demonstrated supreme confidence in his Son in charging him with the mission of going to earth and serving as the promised Messiah.

Genesis 3: 15 is the first prophecy in the Bible concerning God's promise, and pointed to events that would fulfill his purpose but would not occur until thousands of years later with the birth of the Christ.

Our world went from bad to worse when Adam sinned. The worst was when death was spread on mankind. Read Romans 5: 12.

John 17: 3 shows us through who and how, everlasting life on earth is going to be possible.

Psalm 37: 29 has this to say. " The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it".

Jesus was sent to earth by God, 2'000 years ago, to redeem the human race from the curse of sin and death and to undo the damage done by Satan in the garden of E'den.

Read Genesis 3: 1-5 ; Romans 5: 12 which show how death on mankind was spread like a disease, by the first couple, who refused to live up to God's requirements. Read John 3: 16; 1 John 3: 8.

The new life will be under God's kingdom, where God's will, will be done as in heaven also on earth, promised in the Book of Matthew 6: 9, 10 and Jesus told us to pray for it to come.

The whole Book of James is the reminder for us to be careful not to exercise any kind of favouritism, the importance of taming our tongue, not to take our stand for any other than Jehovah God, warning against any kind of pride, to respect our promises, in letting our "yes" mean yes. Which are ways of not being double minded.