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BIBLICAL BACKGROUNDS
(A Survey of Each Book)
GENESIS - Genesis means birth or beginning. The book of Genesis includes the following topics: The Creation; The Garden of Eden; The Antediluvians, or people before the Flood; The Flood; The Tower of Babel; The dispersion or Scattering of Races; the Lives of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph). The word “patriarch” means father -governor. The patriarchal System is government by the head of the family. Genesis has been called the “seedpod Book” because all the other books seem to have their roots starting from it.
One of the five books of law, Genesis was written by Moses.

EXODUS - Exodus means “going out”, referring to the going out from Egypt of the Children of Israel. This book includes an account of the Birth and Early Life of Moses; the Ten Plagues; the Journey from Egypt to Sinai; the Giving of the Law; and a description of the Tabernacle.
The Pilgrimage of the Children of Israel from Egypt to Palestine or Canaan has often been likened to the Christian’s journey through life.
The first seventeen verses of the twentieth chapter of Exodus contain the Ten Commandments, the basis of the moral code of civilization to this day.
Like Genesis, Exodus was written by Moses.

LEVITICUS - Leviticus and Levite are derived from Levi, the name of one of the twelve sons of Jacob. The tribe descended from Levi and was the priestly tribe, which had charge of the rites and ceremonies in the sacrifices, and of the teaching of the law of Moses. The Book of Leviticus gives the ritual of the Tabernacle services and the duties of the priests.
Leviticus is the third book written by Moses.

NUMBERS - The Book of Numbers is so named because it records two numberings of the Children of Israel. In its tenth chapter it continues the narrative of the journey of the Israelites from Egypt of Canaan, which was dropped in Exodus, Chapter 19. The Israelites in their journey from Sinai had planned to go northward and enter Canaan from its southern boundary, but were frightened by the spies; reports of the size of the inhabitants. As a result, they wandered forty years in the terrible wilderness and ultimately entered Canaan from the east, crossing the river Jordan. The experiences of those wilderness years are recorded in this fourth book of Moses.

DEUTERONOMY - Deuteronomy means “second law”, or the second giving of the law. Inasmuch as most of the adults who had received the law at Sinai had died by this time in Israel’s history it was necessary to repeat the law for the benefit of the new generation.
The last of the five books of Moses, Deuteronomy is in the form of eight addresses by Moses. The final chapter records his death.

JOSHUA - The Book of Joshua is named after one of the two spies who later became Moses’ Successor. Joshua led the Israelites, or Sons of Israel (Jacob), across the Jordan, attacked and conquered the Canaanites, and divided up the land among his followers. In the later chapters is found an address by Joshua in which he directs his people to high standards of personal conduct, and admonishes them to honor God.
This book is generally ascribed to Joshua.

JUDGES - Judges carries on the history of Israel from the death of Joshua to the time of Samuel. This period, during which the people repeatedly disobeyed and departed from God, is one of the darkest times in their history. As they repeatedly repented of their sins and turned to God, He raised up leaders, judges, who delivered them.
Although the writer of this book is unknown for certain, it is believed to be the work of Samuel.

RUTH - The Book of Ruth is a love story of the time of the Judges. It gives a remarkable picture of the life and customs of that early day. The story is told in such a quaint and interesting way that you seem to see the characters as they enter the picture. The passage 1:16 & 17 is one of the most beautiful and pathetic in all literature. Ruth was David’s great-grandmother, and so was in the earthly lineage of Christ. See Matthew Chapter 1.
Although the authorship is uncertain, evidence favors Samuel.

1 and 2 SAMUEL - These two books are one in the Hebrew Bible, and they relate in detail the closing days of the theocracy (in which God ruled directly through the Judges), and the early days of the kingdom. Israel rejected Jehovah, their God, and desired a king like other nations. Their first king was Saul, a man of goodly appearance and a skillful warrior, but not a man after God’s own heart. At Saul’s death, David, God’s own choice as king, was proclaimed ruler. The life of David is covered, together with an account of Samuel, the last of the Judges.
The writer of these books is unknown. Possibly it was Samuel, Nathan, or Gad.

1 and 2 KINGS - These two books, one in the Hebrew Bible, continue the history of the people of Israel from the accession Solomon, David’s son, to the carrying away of the people into captivity. They record the death
of David, the Accession of Solomon, and the Revolt of Jeroboam and his Ten Tribes during the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. From this time on the narrative intermingles the histories of the two kingdoms until the captivity of each.
Elijah and Elisha were the two great prophets of this period.
The writer of Kings is unknown.

1 and 2 CHRONICLES - The two Books of Chronicles duplicate to a large extent the books of Samuel and Kings. These latter writings are supposed to have come from a source in the Northern Kingdom, and Chronicles from one in the Southern Kingdom, and it therefore emphasized the history of Judah and the temple worship.
Chronicles is generally ascribed to Ezra.

EZRA - The Book of Ezra gives an account of the return of some of the Jewish exiles from captivity in Babylon and the rebuilding of their ruined temple.
The task of rebuilding the house of worship, carried on in a hostile, heathen environment, was hampered further by the spiritual condition of the people themselves.
Ezra may have been the author of this book.

NEHEMIAH - Largely biographical in nature, the book of Nehemiah is the last historical book of the Old Testament.
As a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah enjoyed a high station in life. However, upon learning of conditions in Jerusalem, he renounced his life of luxury to return to the city of his forebears, where he rebuilt the walls.
Nehemiah, a man of action, was a strong leader and under him, important religious and social reforms were accomplished.
The author is not definitely known.

ESTHER - This book records a deliverance of the Jews, and is read by their modern descendants in the synagogues at the Feast of Purim in commemoration of this deliverance. It is a literary gem read alike with interest and pleasure by young and old. It furnishes a good example of the providence of God; that is, a seeing ahead of what is going to take place and arranging matters so that His children are taken care of, or saved from harm.
There is no certain evidence as to authorship.

JOB - Job is thought by many to be one of the oldest pieces of literature known to man. The Patriarch Job, a righteous man, suddenly loses his property, and also, one after another, the members of his family. And, as if this were not enough, he himself is plunged into great physical suffering.
A goodly portion of the book is devoted to a philosophical discussion of suffering came as a punishment for sin. Job maintains that he is a Godly man, and that his suffering must have another purpose. The last chapters relate how his prosperity returned.
The author is unknown.

PSALMS - The Book of Psalms was the hymn book of the Hebrews. About 70 of the Psalms are ascribed to King David, the remainder to others. A large number of the hymns and anthems we use today are taken from the Psalms. The book is composed of 150 lyrics, some of wonderful beauty of thought, imagery and expression. Not a few pour forth the deepest devotion and the most lofty sentiments of the human heart, and there is nothing finer in the world’s literature. Of these, Psalms 1, 19, 22, 23, 90, 100, 103, are perhaps the most noteworthy.

PROVERBS - A Proverb is a short sentence conveying a moral truth in a concise and pointed form. Proverbial teaching originated in the East and is one of the most ancient forms of instruction.
Most of the Proverbs are ascribed to Solomon, and the essential message is that wisdom begins with God.

ECCLESIASTES - Ecclesiastes means preacher or speaker. The book seems to have been written as a soliloquy, an old man talking to himself. According to Jewish tradition Solomon was the author, but some scholars believe it was written after his time. The word “vanity” which occurs many times in this book does not have its customary meaning, but signifies transitoriness; that is, when the author says that all things are vanity, he means that they will pass away. The last chapter, very frequently quoted, is most interesting and instructive. The symbolic references are to the parts of the human body, as the head, eye, etc.

SONG OF SOLOMON - This book is known also as the “Song of Songs” and the “Canticles” and authorship is ascribed to Solomon.
The story is of a deep, pure love between a man and a woman. Solomon writes of the beauty and sacredness of such devotion and love. The story symbolized the great love of God for His people.

ISAIAH - This book was written in stirring times. The people were irreligious, corrupt, and debased. The Prophet Isaiah predicted the captivity in Babylon of both Israel and Judah, and from his home in the south he saw Israel made captive.
But he prophesied also the return of the exiles, and of the coming of the Messiah. In chapters 9, 11 and 53 will be found wonderful descriptions of Christ and His Kingdom, written certainly more than 500 years before Christ’s time, and perhaps more than 700.
The Book of Isaiah is one of the world’s greatest masterpieces. Composed by an educated man in the purest Hebrew, it is elevated in style, vehement in expression, fervent in feeling, and vivid in its imagery. It is more widely quoted in the New Testament than any other book.

JEREMIAH - Jeremiah, the Prophet, lived in a sorry time in the history of the Hebrews. It was in his day that the people of the Southern Kingdom, or Judah, were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into captivity in Babylon, though Jeremiah himself was left in Jerusalem.
He wrote with authority not only of the certainty of the judgment of God upon a sinful people, but also of the greatness of His love.

LAMENTATIONS - Jeremiah, standing in the midst of the ruins of the city of Jerusalem and the temple, grieves over its destruction which he had predicted. In the Hebrew, this book is in the form of a series of poems describing the ruin of the city, and the cause of its desolation.
This book has been called the Funeral Dirge over Jerusalem.

EZEKIEL - As a young man Ezekiel was carried captive from Judah eleven years before the destruction of Jerusalem.
The subjects of his prophecy are the destruction of Jerusalem, judgment upon the people, and finally, the return of the exiles and a glorious future for Israel.

DANIEL - The prophecy of Daniel is one of the most readable and interesting books in the Bible. Its stories (Chap. 1-6) are vivid and exciting, and the visions in the balance of the book (Chap.7-12) are most significant. The four beasts of Daniel 7:3 are thought to be the four great world powers-the Babylonian, the Medo-Persian, the Greco-Macedonian, and the Romans. The second vision (Daniel 8:1) is thought to refer to the Greek Power under Alexander the Great. The kingdom referred to in Chapter 9 is the Messianic or Christ’s kingdom. The visions in Chapters 10-12 refer to the events of the latter days.

HOSEA - The message of the prophet Hosea was principally to Israel. The first three chapters give an account of his own domestic troubles, and are intended to picture Israel’s sins and God’s love. The remainder of the book contains denunciations of the people for their idolatry and sins.

JOEL - The book of Joel is divided into two parts. In the first, a great calamity caused by an army of locusts is predicted in striking language. In the second part is given God’s answer to the people’s prayers.
The book of Joel contains a prophecy frequently found in the writings of the prophets: that the Jews shall establish a great nation in Palestine in later times. (The state of Israel became a reality in 1949.)

AMOS - Amos is one of the earliest of the prophetic books. The author prophesied that God loves mercy and not mere formal sacrifices, such teaching being like that of Christ. Amos was born 12 miles south of Jerusalem, but his prophesies were directed to the Northern Kingdom (Israel). He taught that Israel’s future greatness was not to be secured through power and wealth, but through justice and judgment.

OBADIAH - Obadiah lived in Jerusalem after Judah’s deportation to Babylon. He was God’s messenger announcing the doom of the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, who had gloried over Judah’s downfall. He also prophesied a future when the Jews should again rule over all the lands formerly under David’s control.
We know little of the author of this Book, the shortest of the Old Testament.

JONAH - The book of Jonah is quite the most readable of all the Minor Prophets. Two views of it have been held. One regards it as a historical narrative, while the other looks upon it as a symbolic story, teaching that as Jonah failed to do his duty by the people of Nineveh, so Israel failed in its moral and religious obligations to other nations. However, the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ is conclusive that Jonah is a historical narrative (Matthew 12:38-41).

MICAH - Micah lived in the time of Isaiah. Like Isaiah he preached against the sins of his time and especially against the oppression of the poor by the rich. He prophesied the destruction of both Israel and Judah, just before that punishment fell on Israel.

NAHUM - This Book prophesies the destruction of Nineveh, and is in two major divisions. The first section presents the judge, and the second the judgment upon this wicked city.
Very little is known about Nahum. He lived about 505 B.C.

HABAKKUK - Habakkuk prophesied in Judah during the reign of Jehoiakim. He wrote of the wickedness of Israel and of its impending overthrow by the Chaldeans. He also described the sinfulness of the Chaldean Conquerors and prophesied their ultimate downfall. The book concludes with his prayer of faith.

ZEPHANIAH - Zephaniah lived in the time of Jeremiah, Habakkuk and Nahum, and prophesied, as did they, against the sins of the people of his time. He prophesied judgment upon Judah and surrounding nations. He also prophesied blessings for a restored Jerusalem.

HAGGAI - The Book of Haggai contains four prophecies, all dealing with the rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel. God raised up Haggai and Zechariah to stir up the people to rebuild His house. For a picture
of the conditions during this period see the early chapters of Ezra.
Haggai wrote in 520 B.C.

ZECHARIAH - The message of Zechariah has been divided into two parts. The first part (Chap. 1-8) deals with the restoration of the temple, and the last part (Chap. 9-14) with the Messianic Kingdom.
The authorship of Chapters 1-8 is ascribed to Zechariah (520 B.C.); there is question as to the author of chapters 9-14.

MALACHI - Malachi was the last of the Old Testament Prophets. He lived after the temple had been rebuilt and worship restored, but he found the people to be backsliding. He rebuked them for their spiritual condition and also predicted the coming of the Messiah.

MATTHEW - Written particularly for the Jews, Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. Sometimes called the “Gospel of the Kingdom,” it begins with a genealogy of Jesus (“the Son of David”) and quotes frequently from Old Testament Scriptures.
It is ascribed to Matthew, The Publican (tax-collector), who was one of the twelve disciples. The best evidence available identifies it as the second oldest Gospel (Mark was written earlier), and puts the time of its writing before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

MARK - Mark’s Gospel is taken generally to be the oldest of the Four Gospels, and most scholars date it earlier than A.D. 70.
As Matthew’s Gospel was written to the Jews, so Mark’s was written to the Romans. Unlike Matthew, he does not refer to the Old Testament Prophets, for he is writing to people who are not familiar with them.
A companion of Peter, Mark doubtless heard his friend preach many times. Because of the close association between Mark and the Apostle Peter, his Gospel reflects the influence of this energetic and impulsive disciple.
He portrays Christ in all His power and authority, and stresses His deeds. Christ depicted as the Servant of the Lord.

LUKE - Luke was the author of both his Gospel and Acts. Unlike Matthew and Mark, he was a Greek and an educated man, being also a physician. He had been a companion of Paul, joining him at Antioch on the latter’s second missionary journey, possibly acting as his physician and assistant. Intended for the Greeks, this gospel portrays Christ as the perfect Man, the One who surpasses the highest ideals of the Greeks. He presents Christ as the “Son of Man” as well as the “Son of God”.
The date of writing is not known exactly, but it is certain from the first verses of Acts that this Gospel was written before Acts, probably between A.D. 64 and A.D. 70.

JOHN - John, the youngest of the twelve apostles, wrote his Gospel some time after Matthew, Mark and Luke to supplement their message.
The latter three are called the Synoptics (Gk. “a view together”) because they present much the same general view of the life and teaching of Christ.
The Gospel of John is an extraordinary book. It deals with the deepest questions of life, while singularly simple and direct style. John portrays Jesus as the “Son of God”, the “Only Begotten of the Father”. The sixteenth verse of the third chapter is often referred to as “the heart of the Gospel”.

ACTS - Written by Luke while in Rome with Paul, Acts continues the narrative of his Gospel, commencing with the events following the crucifixion of Christ. Its record covers a period of about thirty years, beginning with A.D. 30.
It includes an account of the organization and early history of the Christian Church, and is one of the most readable and best organized books in the Bible. The central purpose of the book is to show that Christ continues His work through the believers and the Church under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

ROMANS - Paul was in Corinth in A.D. 58 when he wrote this stirring letter to the Christians in the imperial city of Rome.
The Book of Romans, considered by many to be Paul’s most important work, is also one of the most important books of the Bible. Its major theme is justification by faith.
A controversy had arisen between the Jewish and Gentile Christians as to whether the Jews were to have pre-eminence over the Gentiles in the Church. Paul points out that God is just; and since “all have sinned” (both Jew and Gentile) the Jew would have no preference in His eyes over the Gentiles. God loves men of all origins, says Paul, and he calls upon men everywhere to attain salvation through Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS - This epistle to the Corinthians was written from Ephesus about a year after the establish-ment of the church at Corinth (circa A.D. 55).
Corinth was a cosmopolitan city in an age when moral restraints sat very lightly on men. Naturally there was difficulty in establishing and keeping a church pure in such surroundings.
Paul’s purpose in writing this letter was twofold: to direct the church away from the error and disorder that had evidenced itself, and to answer specific questions submitted to him.
The Greeks, owing to their ways of thinking, had much difficulty with the doctrine of the resurrection, and so Paul wrote of it in Chapter 15.
Chapter 13 is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible and in all literature. The word “charity” used in the King James Version does not have its present usual meaning, but is used with its old meaning, “love”.

2 CORINTHIANS - The Second Letter to the Corinthians was written a few months after the First, to which it is a sequel.
From Titus, Paul learned that his first letter had borne fruit in that many of the church at Corinth had repented, but he learned also that Judaizers had come there preaching a false gospel and denouncing his authority.
This second epistle was written not only to express pleasure at the reported repentance, but also to warn against false teachers and to vindicate his apostleship.

GALATIANS - The Apostle Paul visited the Galatia region on his First Missionary journey and established a church there. Some years later word came to him that Judaizers had infiltrated the Galatian church, and that the people were being led away from true Christianity by accepting Jewish rites and ceremonies as a substitute for what they had been taught. Paul recognized the situation as a crisis in the Galatian church and wrote accordingly. His emphasis is again upon the fundamental Christian doctrine of justification by faith.
Paul wrote this Epistle to the Galatians between A.D. 48 and A.D. 58.

EPHESIANS - This letter has been called the crown of St. Paul’s writings. Though taking the form of a letter, it is really more in the nature of a discourse (as are most of the epistles). Christ is the center and the church is united in Him. The mystery of the ages is explained in Christ.
This epistle was written about A.D. 62 or A.D. 63 during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome.

PHILIPPIANS - The church at Philippi was the first one organized in Europe (see Acts 16:8-40). Philippians was written by Paul - probably from Rome - near the end of his first imprisonment. The year was about A.D. 62.
It is sometimes called the Epistle of Christian Experience, for it deals with personal conduct rather than theology. Although written by Paul while in prison, its predominant note is joy.

COLOSSIANS - Colosse was a city of Phrygia, a central province of Asia Minor. Judaizers had worked in the Colossian church, and others had tried to introduce oriental mysticism. Paul, writing from his last imprisonment in Rome, told the Colossians that this mysticism meant nothing; that there is little of value in mere rites and ceremonies. Christ is above all, he writes, and real joy is gained by living the Christian life.

1 THESSALONIANS - This letter to the church at Thessalonica, established on Paul’s Second Missionary journey, was the first of Paul’s Epistles, written from Corinth about the year A.D. 51.
Paul was pleased with the vitality of this church, composed of converts from many different backgrounds. However, he felt it necessary to correct some errors in their thinking, particularly in reference to the Second Coming of Christ. Both this letter and 2 Thessalonians present much on the doctrine of the Second Coming.

2 THESSALONIANS - This letter was sent from Corinth a few months after the writing of 1 Thessalonians. Misunderstandings in reference to the first letter and the teaching on the tribulation necessitated Paul’s writing this second epistle.

1 and 2 TIMOTHY - First Timothy was written after Paul’s release from his first imprisonment, probably about A.D. 63. Second Timothy, the last epistle written by Paul, was sent from prison in Rome, where he was awaiting execution. Probable date of writing was A.D. 64 or 65.
Timothy, the son of a Greek father and Jewish mother, had been converted under Paul’s ministry, and subsequently became a missionary companion of the great apostle. He was then pastor of the church at Ephesus. Paul wrote as a spiritual father to this young pastor, instructing him in matters of doctrine and life.
These letters, unlike those preceding, because addressed to an individual rather than to a congregation, are called pastoral epistles.

TITUS - The Epistle to Titus, like those to Timothy, is a pastoral epistle. A Gentile, he was pastor of the church at Crete, a difficult assignment.
The church there had been in a state of disorder, and heresy was evident. Paul writes to encourage and counsel Titus. Although written before the Epistles to Timothy, this letter is one of Paul’s last writings.

PHILEMON - The shortest of the Pauline Epistles, this letter to Philemon is private in nature. Onesimus, a slave who had belonged to Philemon, a rich member of the Church at Colossae, had stolen from his master and run away to Rome, where he was converted under the ministry of Paul. Paul asks that Philemon forgive the crime and receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ.
This epistle was written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome.

HEBREWS - This letter was written to a group of Jewish Christians, probably around A.D. 64.
The Jewish Christians (who had fallen under persecution) were despairing of the faith and were tempted to return to Judaism. To point out the superiority of the Christian faith and to encourage them, the writer inscribed his epistle. He emphatically points out that Christ is greater than the prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua, and Aaron. God had spoken through each of these, but now He spoke through Christ, His Son!
Next to Romans, Hebrews has exerted the greatest influence on the thinking of succeeding generations of Christians. It contains many passages marked by great strength and beauty.
From early in the Christian era, the question of authorship of this epistle has been under consideration. Some students credited the writing to Paul, while others have claimed that it is the work of another - perhaps Barnabas or Apollos.

JAMES - James (along with the Epistles of Peter, John, and Jude) is called a catholic or general epistle, because it is not addressed to a particular church or individual, but to the church in general.
This letter contains little of doctrine, but much of morals and ethics. Its emphasis is upon works demonstrating faith.
Although there are three different persons named James mentioned in the New Testament, the writer is the James who was the half brother of Jesus.

1 PETER - Another of the general epistles, First Peter was sent to Christians in Asia Minor. It is mainly an exhortation to them to stand fast under the persecutions then prevailing.
The writer of this epistle was the Apostle Peter, and the date of writing sometime between A.D. 62 and A.D. 69.

2 PETER - In contrast to First Peter, which was written to encourage Christians under persecution, Second Peter warns of false teachers. It has much to say in reference to the reality of the Second Coming of Christ.
This book was one of the last to be put into the Canon, or list of the books of the Bible. Although some scholars have questioned its authorship, the traditional view ascribes it to Peter.

1, 2 and 3 JOHN - The Epistles of John are unlike the other general epistles in that the first is a homily on doctrine, while the other two are primarily private letters to individuals.
The First Epistle was written to correct heresy and to extol the qualities of the Christian Life.
The Second Epistle (probably addressed to a Christian woman) lays emphasis upon the truth of the Gospel of Christ. It advises the recipient not to receive false teachers.
The Third Epistle, addressed to Gaius, commends him for his treatment of his fellow Christians.
Although some have suggested that these letters were written by one other than the disciple, there is strong evidence that he was the author. The date of writing is placed near the end of the first century (A.D. 85 - A.D. 100).

JUDE - The general Epistle of Jude is a plea to the Christian to remain constant in faith and life. It points to the penalties of immorality, and closes with a benediction, reminding that Christ can keep the believer from yielding to the temptations of life.
Jude, a brother of James - hence a half brother of Jesus - was the author of this epistle. Time of writing is sometime between A.D. 70 and A.D. 80.

REVELATION - Of all the New Testament writings, the Revelation is the most difficult to interpret. There has been a divergence of opinion among scholars as to the exact meaning of a major part of the most striking portions of the book. Nevertheless its basic purpose remains clear: to reveal Jesus Christ as Lord, triumphant over evil. Indeed, the first words of the first chapter read “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”.
Written by the aged disciple John while a prisoner on the island of Patmos around A.D. 95, The Revelation had been a source of comfort and inspiration to Christians of every generation.

HARMONY OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold..........Luke 1:5

Birth of Jesus Foretold..........Luke 1:26; Matthew 1:18

Birth and Naming of John..........Luke 1:39

Birth of Jesus..........Luke 2:1; John 1:1-14

Genealogies..........Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:23

Circumcision and Naming of Jesus..........Luke 2:21

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple..........Luke 2:22

Coming of the Wise Men..........Matthew 2:1

Flight to Return From Egypt..........Matthew 2:19

The Lad Jesus in the Temple..........Luke 2:41

John the Baptist’s Ministry..........Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:1, Luke 3:1; John 1:6, 15

The Baptism of Jesus..........Matthew 3:13; Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21

The Temptation of Jesus..........Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1

Jesus Begins His Ministry..........Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14; Luke 4:14

John’s Witness of Jesus..........John 1:15

Call of First Disciples..........John 1:35; Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16; Luke 5:1

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount..........Matthew 5, 6, 7; Luke 6:17

Jesus First Miracle..........John 2:1

Jesus at Jerusalem..........John 2:13

Nicodemus Visits Jesus..........John 3:1

The Twelve..........Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:13; Luke 6:13

The Twelve Commissioned and Sent Forth..........Matthew 10:1; Mark 3:13; Luke 9:1

The Twelve Return..........Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10

John the Baptist’s Death..........Matthew 14:1; Mark 6:14; Luke 9:7

Peter’s Confession of Christ..........Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:27; Luke 9:18

Jesus Foretells His Own Death..........Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22

The Transfiguration (of Jesus)..........Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28

The Seventy Sent Out and Their Return..........Luke 10:1

The Raising of Lazarus..........John 11:1

Jesus Journeys to Jerusalem..........Matthew 20:17; Mark 10:32; Luke 18:31

The Jews’ Council Plots Jesus’ Death..........John 11:47; Matthew 26:3

Jesus’ Arrival at Bethany..........John 12:1

Jesus Enters Jerusalem..........Matthew 21:1; Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29; John 12:12

Jesus Cleanses the Temple..........Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; Luke 19:45

Jesus Teaches in the Temple..........Matthew 21:23; Mark 11:27; Luke 20:1

Judas’ Treacherous Plot..........Matthew 26:14; Mark 14:10; Luke 22:3

Preparation for the Passover..........Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:7 17

The Supper of the Last Evening..........Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:7; Luke 22:14

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet..........John 13:1

The Betrayer Revealed..........John 13:10

Jesus’ Last Discourses to His Disciples..........John 13:31; John 17

Jesus Institutes “The Lord’s Supper”..........Matthew 26:26; Mark 22; Luke 22:19

Peter’s Three Denials Foretold..........Matthew 26:34; Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34; John 13:38

Jesus’ Agony in Gethsemane..........Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:39; John 18:1

The Betrayal and Arrest..........Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:47; John 18:2

Jesus Taken to Annas..........John 18:13

Before Caiaphas the High Priest..........Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:53; Luke 22:54; John 18:19

Peter’s Three Denials..........Matthew 26:69; Mark 14:66; Luke 22:54; John 18:15

Jesus Before the Council..........Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66

Jesus Before Pilate..........Matthew 27:2, 11; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1; John 18:28

Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent..........Luke 23:4; John 19:4

Pilate Sends Jesus to Herod..........Luke 23:7

The Jews Reject Jesus..........Matthew 27:21, 25; Mark 15:6; Luke 23:18; John 18:40 & 19:15

Pilate Condemns Jesus to Death..........Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24; John 19:16

Jesus Mocked by the Soldiers..........Matthew 27:27; Mark 15:16; John 19:2

Jesus Led Away to be Crucified..........Matthew 27:31; Mark 15:20; Luke 23:33; John 19:18

The Crucifixion of Jesus..........Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18

Jesus on the Cross..........Matthew 27:36; Mark 15:25; Luke 23:34; John 19:19

The Death of Jesus..........Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30

The Centurion’s Witness..........Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47

The Burial of Jesus..........Matthew 27:57; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:50; John 19:38

The Resurrection of Jesus..........Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1


APPEARANCES OF JESUS AFTER THE RESURRECTION

To Mary Magdalene..........Matthew 16:9; John 20:11

To the Women..........Matthew 28:1

To the Eleven..........Mark 16:14; John 20:19

To Two Going to Emmaus..........Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13

To the Eleven (a week later)..........John 20:26

To the Apostles in Galilee..........Mark 16:14; John 21:1

To Peter..........Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5

To Five Hundred Brethren in Galilee..........1 Corinthians 15:6

To James..........1 Corinthians 15:7

To Paul..........1 Corinthians 15:8

Jesus’ Commission to the Apostles..........Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44

Jesus Talks With Peter..........John 21:15

The Ascension of Jesus..........Mark 16:9; Luke 24:50; Acts 1:4

The Descent of God the Holy Spirit..........Acts 2:1


THE MIRACLES OF OUR LORD

The First Miracle: Water Made Into Wine..........John 2:1

Many Healings..........Matthew 4:23, 8:16 & 15:30; Mark 1:32; Luke 4:40; etc.

A Leper..........Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40; Luke 5:12

The Centurion’s Servant..........Matthew 8:5; Luke 7:1

Peter’s Wife’s Mother..........Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:29; Luke 4:38

The Tempest Stilled..........Matthew 8:23; Mark 4:35; Luke 8:22

Two Demoniacs..........Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26

A Palsied Man..........Matthew 9:1; Mark 2:1; Luke 5:18

The Twelve-Year Afflicted Woman..........Matthew 9:20; Mark 5:25; Luke 8:43

Raising Jairus’ Daughter..........Matthew 9:23; Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41

Two Blind Men..........Matthew 9:27

A Dumb Demoniac..........Matthew 9:32 & 12:22; Luke 14

A Man With a Withered Hand..........Matthew 12:10; Mark 3;1; Luke 6:6

Five Thousand Fed..........Matthew 14:15; Mark 6:35; Luke 9:12; John 6:1

Jesus Walks on the Sea..........Matthew 14:22; Mark 6:47; John 6;16

The Syrophenician’s Daughter..........Matthew 15:21; Mark 7:24

Four Thousand Fed..........Matthew 15:32; Mark 8;1

The Epileptic Boy..........Matthew 17:14; Mark 9:14; Luke 9:37

Two Blind Men (Jericho)..........Matthew 20:30

Man With an Unclean Spirit..........Mark 1:23; Luke 4:33

A Deaf Mute..........Mark 7:31

A Blind Man (Bethesda)..........Mark 8:22

Blind Bartimaeus..........Matthew 20:30; Mark 10:46; Luke 18:35

Drought of Fishes..........Luke 5:4

Raising of Widow’s Son..........Luke 7:11

An Infirm Woman..........Luke 13:11

A Dropsical Man..........Luke 14:1

Ten Lepers..........Luke 17:11

Malchus’ Ear Healed..........Luke 22:50

A Nobleman’s Son..........John 4:46

A Cripple (Bethesda)..........John 5:1

A Man Born Blind..........John 9:1

Raising of Lazarus..........John 11:38

A Great Haul of Fishes..........John 21:1


THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD

The Builders..........Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49

The Sower..........Matthew 13:3; Mark 14:1; Luke 8:4

The Wheat and the Tares..........Matthew 13:24-30

The Mustard Seed..........Matthew 13:31; Mark 4:30; Luke 13:18

The Leaven..........Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20

The Hidden Treasure..........Matthew 13:44

The Pearl of Great Price..........Matthew 13:45

The Net..........Matthew 13:47

The Unmerciful Servant..........Matthew 18:23-35

The Laborers in the Vineyard..........Matthew 20:1-16

The Two Sons..........Matthew 21:28-32

The Wicked Husbandmen..........Matthew 21:33-46; Luke 20:9-18

The Marriage Feast..........Matthew 22:1-14

The Fig Tree..........Matthew 24:32

The Ten Virgins..........Matthew 25:1-13

The Talents..........Matthew 25:14-30

The Seed Growing Secretly..........Mark 4:26-29

The Good Samaritan..........Luke 10:25-37

The Rich Fool..........Luke 12:13-21

The Fruitless Fig Tree..........Luke 13:6-9

The Great Supper..........Luke 14:16-24

On Counting the Cost..........Luke 14:25-33

The Lost Sheep..........Luke 15:3-7

The Lost Coin..........Luke 15:8-10

The Lost Son..........Luke 15:11-32

The Dishonest Steward..........Luke 16:1-14

The Rich Man and Lazarus..........Luke 16:19-31

The Importunate Widow and Unjust Judge..........Luke 18:1-8

The Pharisee and Publican..........Luke 18:8-14

The Pounds..........Luke 19:11-27


FAVORITE BIBLE STORIES

God’s Work of Creation..........Genesis, Ch. 1

Adam and Eve..........Genesis, Ch. 2

Noah and the Ark..........Genesis, Ch. 6

God’s Covenant (Promise) with Noah..........Genesis, Ch. 9

Tower of Babel..........Genesis, Ch. 11

God’s Call to Abram..........Genesis, Ch. 12

The Story of Lot..........Genesis Ch. 19

Abraham and Isaac..........Genesis, Ch. 22

Isaac and Rebekah..........Genesis, Ch. 24

Jacob’s Vision of a Ladder..........Genesis, Ch. 28

Jacob Wrestles with an Angel..........Genesis, Ch. 32

Joseph and His Brothers..........Genesis, Ch, 37

Joseph Interprets Pharoah’s Dream..........Genesis, Ch. 41

The Baby Moses..........Exodus, Ch. 2

The Burning Bush..........Exodus, Ch. 3

The First Passover..........Exodus, Ch. 12

The Crossing of the Red Sea..........Exodus, Ch. 14

The Quails and Manna..........Exodus, Ch. 16

The Ten Commandments..........Exodus, Ch. 20

The Battle of Jericho..........Joshua, Ch. 6

Joshua’s Long Day..........Joshua, Ch. 10

The Sword of the Lord and Gideon..........Judges, Ch. 7

The Exploits of Samson..........Judges, Ch. 15

Samson and Delilah..........Judges, Ch. 16

Ruth and Naomi..........Ruth, Ch. 1

Ruth Gleans in the Field..........Ruth, Ch. 2

Samuel and Eli..........1 Samuel, Ch. 3

David and Goliath..........1 Samuel, Ch. 17

David and Jonathan..........1 Samuel, Ch. 19

Saul Consults the Witch of Endor..........1 Samuel, Ch. 28

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving..........2 Samuel, Ch. 22

Solomon’s Wisdom..........1 Kings, Ch. 3

Solomon Builds the Temple..........1 Kings, Ch. 6

The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon..........1 Kings, Ch. 10

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal..........1 Kings, Ch. 18

Job’s Prosperity Restored..........Job, Ch. 42

The Shepherd Psalm..........Psalm 23

Wisdom and Her Rewards..........Proverbs, Ch. 8

The Soft Answer..........Proverbs, Ch. 15

A Good Name is Better Than Riches..........Proverbs, Ch. 22

The Prince of Peace..........Isaiah, Ch. 9

Ezekiel’s Vision of Cherubim and Wheels..........Ezekiel, Ch. 10

The Parable of the Dry Bones..........Ezekiel, Ch. 37

The Fiery Furnace..........Daniel, Ch. 3

The Writing on the Wall..........Daniel, Ch. 5

Daniel in the Lion’s Den..........Daniel, Ch. 6

Jonah and the Big Fish..........Jonah, Ch. 1

The Temptation of Jesus..........Matthew, Ch. 4

Jesus Calls Peter and Andrew..........Matthew, Ch. 4

The Lord’s Prayer..........Matthew, Ch. 6

The Golden Rule..........Matthew, Ch. 7

The Transfiguration of Jesus..........Matthew, Ch. 17

The Last Supper..........Matthew, Ch. 26

Jesus Stills the Storm..........Mark, Ch. 4

Jesus and the Children..........Mark, Ch. 10

Jesus Clears the Temple..........Mark, Ch, 11

The Birth of Jesus..........Luke, Ch. 2

The Feeding of Five-Thousand..........Luke, Ch. 9

The Good Samaritan..........Luke, Ch. 10

Seventy Disciples..........Luke, Ch. 10

The Prodigal Son..........Luke, Ch. 15

The Story of Zaccheus..........Luke, Ch. 19

Peter’s Denial..........Luke, Ch. 19

Resurrection of Jesus..........Luke, Ch. 24

The Miracle of Water Into Wine..........John, Ch. 2

Jesus Talks to Nicodemus..........John, Ch. 3

The Woman at the Well..........John, Ch. 4

Jesus Walks on the Sea..........John, Ch. 6

Lazarus Raised From the Dead..........John, Ch. 11

Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem..........John, Ch. 12

The Ascension of Jesus..........Acts, Ch. 1

Coming of the Holy Spirit..........Acts, Ch. 2

Peter’s Sermon..........Acts, Ch. 3

Philip Talks with an Ethiopian..........Acts, Ch. 8

Conversion of Saul..........Acts, Ch. 9

Faith and Work..........James, Ch. 2

The Bridled Tongue..........James, Ch. 3


Good News
Bible Church

718 Riverspring Dr.
Prentice, WI 54556
(715) 428-2075

www.oocities.org/gnbc_2000

gnbc@hotmail.com