Jesus / Yeshua
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Matthew 1, Isaiah 7 and Emmanuel
Immediately preceding the quote of Isaiah 7:14 in the first chapter of Matthew, the author relays the words of the messenger to Joseph saying, And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 Most understand the author’s mention of “she shall bring forth a son” and the fact that the child shall be called a name as being the spark that ignites the reference to the words in Isaiah 7:14. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is,…
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Joseph is the Star of Matthew 1
Modern Christianity makes Mary, who they identify as the Virgin Mary, the star of Matthew 1. However, while Mary may have been a leading lady of all the other females mentioned in that chapter, she is only a supporting figure to the star of that chapter, which to any objective viewer is Joseph. Mary is simply described to the reader. However, it is Joseph’s genealogy that is being laid out in verses 2-16, not Mary’s. And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Matthew 1:16 And it is a scene from Joseph’s life that is being highlighted — his thoughts expressed,…
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Misfits Bible Study Session: Hebrews 6:11-20, Part 2
This week’s discussion was on Hebrews 6:11-20: And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God,…
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Why The Virgin Birth Matters
The subject of the Virgin Birth is a crucial fundamental issue in modern Christianity because it opens the door to a unique nature for their Christ. Much of today’s Christian dogma is based on the belief that Jesus/Yeshua is born without a human father, and this fundamental tenet of faith most prevalent in the Roman Catholic church spills over into the Protestant church, and continues to spill over into the Messianic community – to include “Hebrew roots”, “Torah-observant” and other such labeled parties, who hold to Jesus/Yeshua as the Christ/Messiah. The problem however, is that the Old Testament is filled with promises made by YHVH to men concerning the fate…
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Misfits Bible Study Session: Hebrews 6:11-20
This week’s text covered: And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly…
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Why Joseph Knew Her Not Till Mary Brought Forth
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. (Matthew 1:24-25 KJV) People often point to this passage as evidence that Joseph never had relations with his wife, however this statement is made after Mary had already conceived as revealed in verses 18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as [For] his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost [spirit]. (Matthew 1:18 KJV revisions…
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The Lineage of Luke 3:23-38 – Jesus, the Son of God
The author of Matthew introduces his book with a genealogy of Jesus Christ, specifically calling it a book of the generation (or a book of genesis): The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1 KJV) Whereas, the author of Luke provides a list of names in chapter 3 that appears to be a genealogy of Jesus, except it is never referred to as such. We recognize the names from Adam down to Nathan as being genealogical in nature because we have genealogical records given in the Old Testament to compare it with. But most of the names between Nathan and Joseph…
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Mary, of Whom Was Born Jesus
Many suggest the genealogy given in Matthew 1 is hinting at a Virgin Birth given the unique wording surrounding Mary, of whom was born Jesus. And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (Matthew 1:16 KJV) The thought is that it was the author’s intent to indicate Jesus was born of Mary, but not begotten of Joseph. But is that really what the author sought to convey?
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To Take Unto Thee Mary Thy Wife
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and…
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I Don’t Believe the Virgin Birth Doctrine
For months now I have been compiling two Biblical Study Guides on “The Birth of Jesus Christ”, one according to Luke-Acts, and the other according to Matthew. The intent of this project has been to encourage others to study the Bible for themselves regarding this subject. But I’ve been chomping at the bit to talk about what I’m personally seeing in the Bible as it relates to this matter. I don’t believe the Virgin Birth Doctrine. So many think the Bible puts forth the notion that Jesus was conceived and born of a virgin, without having been known by a man, but I firmly believe that is not the case…