DO YOU KNOW YOUR BIBLE?

SEVEN INTERESTING FACTS!

1.  God does not consider the Sun to be a star.  (Gen. 1:16 - And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars ALSO.).

2.  The sin that caused the fall was not Adam eating the forbidden fruit; it was his failure to trust God; by believing Satan, he was basically calling God a liar.  (Gen. 3:4 - And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.).

3.  Noah did not limit the animals to one male and one female.  (Gen. 7:2 - Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female:  and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.). 

4.  Mary had other children besides Jesus.  (Mt. 1:25; 13:55-56 - And knew her not UNTIL she had brought forth her firstborn son:  and he called His name JESUS. - - - Is not this the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  (From where) then has this man all these things?).

5.  The Magi (wise men; number not given; there were three gifts) were not a part of the "Nativity Scene," but found Jesus, Who, no longer a "babe" but now a "young child," most likely about one year old, living in a home.   That is why Herod wanted all male children from birth to two years of age, killed; he was unsure of His age; so he "bracketed" the age to be sure.(Mt. 2:11, 16; And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. - - - Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.).

6.  Jesus, as God, created the Universe.  (Jn. 1:1-3, 14 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The Same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. - - - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.).

7.  Hell is not the eternal destination of those who reject the Lord.  Their eternity will be in the Lake of Fire!  (Rev. 20:10-15 - And the devil that deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.  And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:  and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life:  and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:  and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire.  This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.

[Note:  It is not because of works that they are sent to an eternity in the Lake of Fire; it is because they failed to believe God, and their names were not in the Lamb's Book of Life!  1 Jn. 5:4-5; Rev. 3:5 - For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world:  and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God? - - - He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.]

TRUST GOD TODAY; HIS SON DIED FOR YOU!

BEFORE YOU TRY TO SERVE GOD, ALLOW HIM TO FILL YOU WITH HIS SPIRIT!

JESUS CHOSE TWELVE DISCIPLES TO BE APOSTLES!

Matthew 10:1-5 - And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Luke 6:13-16 - And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples:  and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor.

JUDAS COMMITTED SUICIDE!

Matthew 27:3-5 - Then Judas, who had betrayed Him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.  And they said, What is that to us?  See thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.  [Note:  "The rope broke!" (Acts 1:18)!]

THE ELEVEN WERE TO WAIT FOR THE SPIRIT!

Acts 1:4-5 - And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.

INSTEAD, THEY CHOSE JUDAS' REPLACEMENT!

Acts 1:20-26 - For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His Resurrection.  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, Who knows the hearts of all men, show whether of these two You have chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.  [Note:  They erred in three ways:  1) they didn't wait! 2) they assumed the replacement had to be with them "from the beginning," which we will see is wrong! 3) they "rolled the dice" to choose!]

JESUS CHOSE JUDAS' REPLACEMENT!

Acts 9:3-6, 15 - And as Saul journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?  And he said, Who are You, Lord?  And the Lord said, I am Jesus Whom you persecute:  it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will You have me to do?  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what you must do. - - - But the Lord said unto Ananias, Go thy way:  for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.  [Notes:  Matthias is never mentioned again in the Bible; the Apostle Paul's name appears 156 times, and he is credited for writing about half of the New Testament books!  Also note that the New Jerusalem is said to have twelve foundations:  Revelation 21:14 reads:  "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."]  

THE MORAL OF THE STORY:  

MAKE SURE YOU ARE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT BEFORE YOU ACT OR SPEAK FOR GOD!

MARY: A SINNER NEEDING A SAVIOR!

JESUS HAD BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

Matthew 1:24-25 - 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 13:55-56 - Is not this the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Whence then has this man all these things?

[Note:  Church tradition states that James and Jude wrote the New Testament books named for them.]

THE GREEK TERMS IN CONTEXT!

ἀδελφός - a male sibling; ἀδελφή - a female sibling; μαθητής - disciples.

Matthew 12:46-50 - While He yet talked to the people, behold, His mother and His brethren stood without, desiring to speak with Him.  Then one said unto Him, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with Thee.  But He answered and said unto him that told Him, Who is My mother?  And who are My brethren?  And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of My Father Who is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.

[Note:  The words "disciples" and "brethren" (both "brothers" and "sisters") are translations of different Greek words.]

Matthew 28:9-10 - And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.  Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me.

[Note:  The words "disciples" and "brethren" are translations of different Greek words.]

John 20:16-18 - Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.  Jesus said unto her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father:  but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.

[Note:  This exchange shows more clearly that the words "brethren" and "disciples" were used interchangeably.  From this reference on, the word "brethren" always applies to fellow believers.]

Acts 1:12-14 - Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey.  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both (the eleven remaining disciples) Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary  the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.

[Note:  Here, there are three groups:  1) the eleven disciples, soon to be known as apostles; 2) the women, who were also disciples of Jesus, and who had ministered to Him during His earthly ministry (Mk. 15:41; Lk. 8:3); and 3) the Lord's brethren, His family.  From this point on in the New Testament, the Lord's family is not mentioned; all believers were called "brethren" or "disciples."  On the day of Pentecost, there were a total of one hundred twenty disciples gathered together (see Acts 1:15).]    

MARY WAS A VIRGIN CHOSEN BY GOD

TO GIVE BIRTH TO HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.  

SHE DESCRIBED HERSELF AS ONE IN NEED OF A SAVIOR:

Luke 1:46-55 - And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  For HE has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden:  for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For HE that is mighty has done to me great things; and holy is His name.  And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.  For HE has showed strength with His arm; HE has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  HE has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.  HE has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich HE has sent empty away.  HE has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as HE spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.

[Note:  In what is known as "The Magnificat" (Latin for "My soul magnifies the Lord,") Mary speaks of God's mercy and His glory repeatedly.]    

REGARDLESS OF WHAT BIBLE VERSION YOU USE, NOWHERE DOES IT STATE THAT MARY IS TO BE WORSHIPPED, NOR DOES IT SAY SHE IS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN.  JESUS, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS TO BE WORSHIPPED AND COUNTED ON TO INTERCEDE FOR THE BELIEVER.  JESUS IS ALSO MARY'S SAVIOR!

THE SONG BY MARK LOWRY SAYS IT ALL:

MARY DID YOU KNOW?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again;
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb. 

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great -  I - AM!

DO NOT COUNT ON RELIGION TO GET TO HEAVEN!

WANT TO BE RIGHTEOUS?  BELIEVE!

Matthew 6:31-33 - Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?  Or what shall we drink?  Or wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (for after all these things do the Gentiles seek): for your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He (our heavenly Father) has made Him (Jesus, His Only Begotten Son) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Philippians 3:9 - And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

SALVATION IS NOT BY OUR WORKS; IT IS A GIFT! 

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

THE GOD WHO SAVES, ALSO PERFECTS!

Romans 8:28-30 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He did predestine, those He also called:  and whom He called, those He also justified:  and whom He justified, those He also glorified.

Philippians 1:3-6 - I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that He Who has begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:13 - For it is God Who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Hebrews 13:20-21 - Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.

THE FINAL "PRODUCT" IS CHRIST-LIKENESS!

1 John 3:1-2 - Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:  therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

RELIGIONS ARE BASED UPON MAN'S WORKS!

CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A RELIGION:

IT IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, OUR FATHER!