\"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 →
\"Of Little Faith\" in the NT
Volume 3, Number 27Of Little faith - Part 2:January 1, 2010 was the sixth anniversary of Faith Studies. Over the last 6 years, 94 have been sent through cyberspace to about 450 e-mail addresses. As with any human endeavor there are bound to have been errors along the way, certainly in grammar, punctuation and sentence structure, but I hope none in the presentation of God's Word. There are two things I'd like to remind you of at this time: 1) if you change your e-mail address and you wish to continue receiving faith studies please let me know about the change; 2) feedback... Continue reading →
\"Of Little Faith\" in the NT
Volume 3, Number 26Of Little faith - Part 1 - Care or Anxiety addressed:Seven different Greek words were identified in the New Testament (NT) that convey the idea of faith/believe or the lack thereof and were listed in Faith Study Vol. 3, No. 21 dated September 15, 2009. My goal is to examine every passage these words are found in order to understand what the Word of God teaches about faith/ believing. We are presently in the Gospels, i.e., Matthew, Mark, Luke and John where we have examined 2 words thus far; “pistis: usually translated “faith” and “pistos,” usually translated “faithful.” Today we... Continue reading →
\"Faithful\" in the NT
Volume 3, Number 25The word “Faithful” in the Gospels - Part 3 - Recap:Our last three studies (Vol 3, No 22 through 24) explored the use of the Greek word “pistos,” translated “faithful” found 12 times in the Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John where Jesus Christ's earthly ministry is recorded. We found He was the only one to utter this word in these accounts and He did so, as recorded 11 times in Matthew, Mark and Luke to teach His people, the Nation of Israel, some of the requirements for being admitted to His Kingdom here on earth. In these passages He... Continue reading →
Thomas & "Faithful" in the Gospels
Volume 3, Number 24The word “Faithful” in the Gospels - Part 3:In Parts 1 & 2 we looked at 11 of the 12 occasions the Greek adjective “pistos,” translated “faithful” is used in the Gospel accounts and found that Jesus Christ was the only one to utter this word in these passages. He did so to teach His people, the Nation of Israel, that:1) The faithful and wise servant is one who is constantly waiting and watching for his master's return, Matthew 24:45 - 51 & Luke 12:41 - 48.2) The good and faithful servant is one who is diligent to invest and... Continue reading →
The Faithful & Wise Servant
Volume 3, Number 23The word “Faithful” in the Gospels - Part 2:In Part 1 we examined the teaching of the word “pistos,” translated “faithful” where it is used 7 times in 4 different passages in Matthew and Luke. It is used once each in 2 passages indicating that the faithful and wise servant is one who is constantly waiting and watching for his master's return, Matthew 24:45 - 51 & Luke 12:41 - 48 and 5 times in 2 passages indicating the faithful and wise servant is also one who is diligent by doing something to invest and increase that with which he... Continue reading →
The Faithful & Wise Servant
Volume 3, Number 22The word “Faithful” in the Gospels - Part 1:The Greek word “pistos,” usually translated “faithful,” occurs 66 times in the New Testament. In this and the next few studies we are attempting to understand what Jesus Christ taught with this word during His earthly ministry. Pistos/faithful is found 12 times in the Gospels, i.e., Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which is significant in that 12 is the number for governmental perfection in the Bible and thus is indentified with the nation of Israel. Jesus Christ's earthly ministry was to the Nation of Israel, Matthew 15:24 and Jesus uttered this word... Continue reading →