Repent & Believe the Gospel of the Kingdom
Volume 3, Number 37“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 5:We are examining the use of the Greek word “Pisteuo,” usually translated “believe” in each of the 35 occasions Matthew, Mark and Luke used it. Two studies ago (Vol 3, No 35) we considered the first time in New Testament (NT) history “believe” is recorded as having been uttered, that being when the Angel Gabriel told the Priest Zacharias that because he did not believe (God's Word as delivered by Gabriel) that his wife Elizabeth was going to conceive and bare a son he would be rendered deaf and dumb until his... Continue reading →
God's Word to Zacharias, John the Baptist's Father
Volume 3, Number 36“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 3:We are examining the use of the Greek word “Pisteuo,” usually translated “believe” in each of the 35 occasions Matthew, Mark and Luke used it. Our last two studies revealed how Jesus uttered this word 5 times during 3 different incidents to teach, among other things, that to believe is to have faith. Now, I hope to categorize the 35 occasions believe is recorded by the three Gospel writers in order to see what this teaches.Three points to remember as we proceed: 1) for now, we are dealing with only three synoptic... Continue reading →
Zacharias Struck Deaf & Dumb as a Sign
Volume 3, Number 35“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 3:We are examining the use of the Greek word “Pisteuo,” usually translated “believe” in each of the 35 occasions Matthew, Mark and Luke used it. Our last two studies revealed how Jesus uttered this word 5 times during 3 different incidents to teach, among other things, that to believe is to have faith. Now, I hope to categorize the 35 occasions believe is recorded by the three Gospel writers in order to see what this teaches.Three points to remember as we proceed: 1) for now, we are dealing with only three synoptic... Continue reading →
Believers Throughout Israel's History
Volume 3, Number 34“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 2:Our last study pointed out three incidents in five passages recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke in which Jesus used the Greek word “Pisteuo,” usually translated “believe” to teach, among other things, that to believe is to have faith:1) The Centurion who sent emissaries to advise he was not worthy of Jesus entering his house and (he believed that) all Jesus had to do was to say the word and his servant would be healed. “When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you,... Continue reading →
The First Three Times of Believe & Faith in the NT
Volume 3, Number 33Dateline: Kona, Hawaii“Believe” vis a vis “Faith” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 1:The purpose of this entire series of studies is to understand faith in the Bible. To do this in the New Testament (NT) we are examining each context of Scripture where 7 different Greek words in the original that are related to the concept of faith are found. The 7 Greek words are generally (but not always) translated with our English words 1) “faith,” 2) “faithful,” 3) “of little faith,” 4) “believe,” 5) “believe not,” 6) “unbelief” and 7) “that believe not.” We've finished with the... Continue reading →
Review of "Faith" Words in the NT
Volume 3, Number 32Status update:Again, it is time for a reminder of where we are in this study, especially for new readers. For a period of four and a half years we studied faith in the Old Testament; primarily, but not exclusively, focusing on the 16 Saints named in Hebrews 11 who were born witness to by their faith (Volumes 1 & 2.) Then in June 2008 we began in the New Testament. Our methodology is to examine all contexts wherein seven different words relating to faith are used. The King James Bible is being used and as with any version there are... Continue reading →
\"Of Little Faith\" in the NT
Volume 3, Number 31Of Little faith: Part 6 - Recap:In our last 5 studies we examined each text in which the Greek word “Oligopistos,” translated with our English phrase “of little faith” is used. It is found only 5 times in the New Testament; four in Matthew and once in Luke. Today's study recaps the teaching it conveys. This is based on the premise that the Holy Spirit inspired the writers of Scripture, including the individual words they used. (This is not to say the Holy Spirit dictated what to write, it is to say the writers were inspired to write.) Nothing is... Continue reading →
\"Of Little Faith\" in the NT
Volume 3, Number 30Of Little faith: Part 5The Greek word “Oligopistos” translated “of little faith,” is found in 5 passages; four in Matthew and once in Luke and we have examined 4 of them. Our study today looks at the 5th occasion this word is used, which involves an incident that is recorded by two Gospel writers: Matthew 15:39 - 16:12 and Mark 8:10 - 21. But although both Matthew and Mark record this incident, only Matthew uses the word “Oligopistos” translated “of little faith.” In the context leading up to this Jesus fed 4000 men, in addition to women and children with... Continue reading →
\"Of Little Faith\" in the NT
Volume 3, Number 29Of Little faith: Part 4 - Doubtful Reasoning addressed:Our study continues in what the Word of God teaches with the Greek word “Oligopistos” translated “of little faith,” found 5 times in the New Testament; four in Matthew and once in Luke. Recapping thus far: Part 1 examined how Jesus used this word to teach His followers about Care or Anxiety: “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye (Oligopistos) of little faith?” Matthew 6:30. A parallel passage,... Continue reading →
\"Of Little Faith\" in the NT
Volume 3, Number 28Of Little faith: Part 3 - Fear & Doubt addressed:We are studying the Greek word “Oligopistos” translated “of little faith,” found 5 times in the New Testament: four in Matthew and once in Luke. Part 1 examined how Jesus Christ used this word to rebuke His followers for their Care or Anxiety: “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye (Oligopistos) of little faith?” Matthew 6:30. A parallel passage, almost word for word, is found in Luke... Continue reading →