What do the following texts indicate about Jesus’ role in Creation? Why is this so important, especially when considering the origin of the Sabbath? See John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2. John begins his Gospel with the famous statement: In the beginning was the Word. . . . All things were made through Him, and … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: John 1:1-3; Matt. 12:1-5; Luke 4:16-21; John 5:16-17; Matt. 24:20. Memory Text: And He said to them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28, NKJV). Throughout His ministry, religious leaders challenged Christ’s … Continue reading –>
Muthu is a Bible teacher in an Adventist high school in southeastern India. But his ministry extends beyond the classroom. He takes students and adults to villages to hold Branch Sabbath Schools. Most of the villagers know little about Jesus. The children come first, gathering under a tree to hear stories and sing songs. Then … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Ellen G. White, The Spirituality of the Law, p. 45-78, in Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing; The Sermon on the Mount, p. 307-314, and Controversy, p. 606-609, in The Desire of Ages. Speaking of the law, Jesus said, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill . . .; that is, … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 19:16-22. From the immediate details of this specific story, what broad and important truths can we derive from this account about the law and what keeping of the law entails? The rich young man couldn’t comprehend that salvation from sin does not come from following the law, even strictly. It comes, rather, from … Continue reading –>
During another encounter Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 15:1-20; see also Mark 7:1-13), they questioned Him about a tradition of the elders, one not found in the Law of Moses. This tradition stipulated that one should ritualistically wash his hands before eating, something Jesus’ disciples had neglected to do. Christ immediately responded … Continue reading –>
How did Jesus expand the meaning of the law, as seen in Matthew 5:27-28? What did He say in Matthew 5:29-30? How are we to take these words? In this passage Christ referred to two commandments: the seventh and the tenth. Until then, the Israelites considered adultery to be only the overt physical sexual act … Continue reading –>
After establishing the perpetuity of the Ten Commandments, Jesus continued His Sermon on the Mount, now setting forth a few specific examples of Old Testament laws. People had so greatly misunderstood these specific commandments that Jesus felt the vital need of explaining their true meaning. What contrast did Jesus make with each aspect of the … Continue reading –>
What does Matthew 5:17-19 teach about Jesus’ attitude toward the law? Although the word law is often used to refer to the first five books of the Bible (also known as Pentateuch or Torah), in this case the context seems to indicate that He was referring primarily to the Ten Commandments. When saying He had … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 5:17-19, Matt. 5:21-44, Mark 7:9-13, Matt. 19:16-22. Memory Text: If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15, NKJV). Though many leaders in Israel highly exalted the law, some misunderstood its purpose, believing that they could obtain righteousness by obeying the law. As Paul was to write: For they … Continue reading –>
