New Testament

Being a disciple often fosters a deep sense of community and belonging, as it connects individuals with like-minded believers who share similar values and aspirations. It encourages personal growth through mentorship and guidance, allowing disciples to deepen their understanding and practice of their faith. Additionally, discipleship promotes accountability, helping individuals stay committed to their spiritual journey and moral principles. Overall, it cultivates a transformative experience that enhances both personal and communal faith.

Labeling Jesus as a "freeloader" doesn't accurately reflect his life and teachings. He lived a life of service, often relying on the hospitality of others while teaching principles of love, compassion, and community. His mission focused on helping the marginalized and promoting spiritual growth rather than seeking personal gain. Thus, many view him as a transformative figure rather than one who took advantage of others.

In the Gospel of John, miracles are referred to as "signs" because they serve a specific purpose beyond merely demonstrating divine power. They are intended to reveal deeper truths about Jesus' identity as the Son of God and to affirm his mission. These signs invite belief and faith in Jesus, encouraging a deeper understanding of his teachings and the nature of God's kingdom. Thus, they symbolize both physical healing and spiritual insight.

Jesus primarily used the Hebrew Scriptures, which are now known as the Old Testament in Christian tradition. He often quoted from texts such as the Torah (the first five books of Moses) and the Psalms, emphasizing their importance in his teachings and affirming their prophetic significance regarding his life and mission. Additionally, Jesus engaged with Jewish oral traditions and teachings that were prevalent in his time.

In the Bible, the size of a loaf of bread is not explicitly defined but is often interpreted from cultural and historical contexts. Typically, a loaf was made from barley or wheat and would vary in size, generally being small enough for one person to consume in a single meal. For instance, in the account of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the loaves mentioned are often thought to be similar to the small, flat breads common in ancient Near Eastern diets. Overall, while specific measurements are lacking, a loaf could be understood as a modest, personal serving of bread.

The Qumran Scrolls, particularly the Dead Sea Scrolls, provide valuable insights into the historical and cultural context of Second Temple Judaism, which directly influenced early Christianity. They contain texts that reflect similar themes, beliefs, and practices found in the New Testament, such as messianic expectations and community rules. By comparing these writings, scholars can better understand the theological and social milieu in which the New Testament was developed, shedding light on its teachings and the early Christian community's beliefs. Additionally, the scrolls help illuminate the diversity of thought and practice during this period, enhancing our understanding of the origins of Christian doctrine.

Ephesians 3 tells us that the time we live in is called the Age of Grace or the Grace Administration. Our accomplishments in reaching others with the truth of God's Word will cause us to rejoice at the gathering together when Christ returns. The administration following the Age of Grace is called "the day of Christ" or "the Lord's day," when the Lord himself shall rule in righteousness, power, and glory.

I Thessalonians 2:19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"

The Day of Christ is commonly referred to as the Second Coming. The children of Israel awaited the coming of the redeeming Messiah. They looked forward to his first coming, just as we look forward to his second coming.

Philippians 1:10 "That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;"

Philippians 2:16 "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."

II Thessalonians 2:2 "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

One aspect of the day of Christ that is not detailed in the scriptures is when it will occur. It could be today or 1000 years from now. Only God knows. It is not possible to learn or estimate (by signs, calendars, CNN, etc.) the day and hour when the Lord's day will begin, as God is keeping it a secret. We only know that it will commence with the shout of the Archangel Gabriel.

I Thessalonians 4:16,17 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

The Apostle Paul is traditionally believed to have written 13 letters (or epistles) that are included in the New Testament of the Bible. These are known as the Pauline Epistles.

Here’s a list of those 13 letters:

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Notes:

Some scholars debate whether Paul personally wrote all 13; a few are considered disputed epistles, possibly written by followers in his name.

#JAIDIXIT

Paul may have written other letters that are now lost or not included in the New Testament.

Exodus 2:16 mentions, "the priest of Midʹi·an had seven daughters, and these came to draw water and to fill the troughs to water their father’s flock." Midian is where Moses sought refuge and was given Zippora in marriage. NWT

These individuals are the ones that are handpicked by Jehovah God and Jesus to go to Heaven and rule with Christ. (Revelation 14:1-4; 20:4) Not everyone good is going to Heaven; the rest of the righteous people will live on the Earth forever, in a society devoid of evil people (Psalms 37:10, 11, 28-29) as well as all things that make life miserable now. (Revelation 21:4)

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as a stone or rock several times. Notably, in Matthew 16:18, Jesus states, "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church," indicating Peter's foundational role. Additionally, in 1 Peter 2:4-8, Jesus is described as a "living stone." Overall, these references emphasize His foundational and enduring role in the faith.

There isn't. The only ones that go to Heaven are those that are handpicked by Jehovah God & Jesus, and that number is limited to 144,000. (Revelation 14:1-4)

So what happens to the rest of those that died that were righteous that don't go to Heaven? They'll be resurrected back to life on Earth, along with those that died not knowing anything about Jehovah or His principles, a.k.a. "the unrighteous". (Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29) These righteous people will be able to live forever on Earth in peace. (Psalms 37:11 & 29)

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

In the Gospel of Mark, two notable miracles that are not found in the other Gospels are the healing of a blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26) and the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:21-43). The healing at Bethsaida is unique in its gradual process, where Jesus first restores partial sight before fully healing the man. Jairus's story showcases Jesus's authority over death and is intertwined with the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, highlighting Mark's emphasis on faith.

The New Testament writer who was bitten by a viper was the Apostle Paul. This incident occurred during his journey to Rome when he was shipwrecked on the island of Malta. While gathering firewood, a viper bit him, but he suffered no ill effects, which led the local people to regard him as a man of God. This event is recorded in Acts 28:3-6.

The whole Bible is inspired of God as mentioned at 1 Timothy 3:16. God's name is mentioned about 7,000 times in the original text of the Hebrew Scriptures. Jehovah God himself directed Bible writers to use his name. For example, he inspired the prophet Joel to write: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Joel 2:32) And God caused one psalmist to write: “May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18)

The name Jehovah is missing from many Bible translations. The reasons for this vary but it was replaced with titles such as "Lord" or "God".

But we can conclude that there is no book in the Bible that does not mention God's name. (New World Translation of The Holy Scriptures)

Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, is traditionally believed to be the son of a man named Talmai. However, specific details about his parents are not extensively documented in biblical texts. In some Christian traditions, he is also identified with Nathanael, but information about his family background remains limited.

David Wilkerson, the founding pastor of Times Square Church and author of "The Cross and the Switchblade," expressed views consistent with a belief in the rapture as part of his Christian eschatology. He emphasized the imminent return of Christ and the importance of readiness for believers. However, his teachings often focused more on spiritual renewal and repentance rather than detailed eschatological timelines. Overall, while he acknowledged the concept of the rapture, his primary message centered on living a life devoted to Christ.

Before coming to earth, Jesus was in heaven for billions of years. Colossians 1:15,16 mentions. "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." Jehovah God chose a virgin promised in marriage named Mary. She and Joseph were to be the earthly parents of Jesus. We read the account at Luke 1:26-31.

Luke 2:11 mentions, " For today there was born to you in David’s city a savior, who is Christ the Lord."

The distance between Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, and the Upper Room, traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper, is approximately 1 to 1.5 kilometers (about 0.6 to 0.9 miles). This distance can vary slightly depending on the specific routes taken through ancient Jerusalem. Today, the locations are situated within the Old City of Jerusalem, making it a relatively short walk between these significant sites.

The Book of Acts does not provide specific information about the marital status of the seven first deacons appointed in Acts 6:1-6. However, some early church traditions suggest that some of them, like Philip, may have been married, as he is later referred to as having daughters (Acts 21:9). Ultimately, the biblical text does not confirm or deny the marital status of all seven deacons.

According to historical and biblical accounts, John was likely not alone when he was exiled to the island of Patmos. While the Book of Revelation primarily focuses on John's visions and experiences, it does not provide detailed information about his companions during the exile. However, it was common for exiles to be isolated, so it is plausible that he was largely alone.

There is no historical or biblical evidence to suggest that Simon Peter, the apostle, had red hair. The New Testament does not provide any physical descriptions of Peter, and historical accounts from that time do not specify the hair color of individuals. Artistic representations often reflect the cultural context of the time they were created rather than historical accuracy. Thus, any claims about Peter's hair color remain speculative and are not grounded in factual evidence.

The disciples of Jesus, known as the apostles, were a diverse group of men, primarily Jewish, who varied in background and occupation. Many were fishermen, like Peter and Andrew, while others, such as Matthew, were tax collectors. They likely wore simple clothing typical of the time, consisting of tunics and sandals, and their appearance would reflect their humble lifestyle. Overall, they were ordinary individuals chosen for their dedication and faith rather than any distinctive physical traits.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the four authors of the Gospels in the New Testament, and their writings collectively convey the message of Jesus Christ's life, teachings, death, and resurrection. This message is commonly referred to as the "Good News" or "Gospel." Each Gospel offers a unique perspective on Jesus' ministry and emphasizes different aspects of His identity and mission. Together, they form the foundational texts of Christian faith.