Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Wise men traveled a great distance to see the Christ child. Matthew 2:1-2  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,  2)  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  Jerusalem received some remarkable visitors when Jesus was born. They are called "wise men." The Greek word translated "wise men" is "magus" and the wise men are sometimes called "Magi."   "Magi" is the plural form, meaning there were several wise men who came to Jerusalem seeking to worship the Messiah.. These men were of Babylonian or Chaldean origin.  They were regarded as teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, or sorcerers. Oriental wise men were also astrologers) who discovered a remarkable star serving as a sign that Messiah had just been born.  They traveled a gr...

Matthew tells us special details about the birth of Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:18  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.  The Spirit of God guided Matthew to record details surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. Guided by God's Spirit, Matthew could authoritatively say of the birth of Jesus that "It happened this way." When the mother of Jesus was espoused to Joseph, he discovered that she was pregnant. The Holy Spirit made sure to add a key detail. Mary was pregnant before "they came together." This phrase makes it clear that Joseph and Mary did not have any sexual relations prior to their marriage. How could Mary be pregnant?  Matthew tells us that she was "found with child of the Holy Ghost." A pattern in the gospel of Matthew is that of prophecies being fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ.  There are many prophecies about His...

Please review the last two posts that provide political and religious context for the New Testament era. The Old Testament concluded with Malachi rebuking Israel for intermarriage with pagans and for despising worship of God. All priests had failed the people and Jehovah's name was tarnished by their actions. Most people were spiritually apathetic and lax concerning right worship of God. No king had governed Israel for hundreds of years. Rome was now in charge and ruled with an iron hand. Many Jews conformed to Hellenism and were philosophical rather than being grounded in God's Word. No prophet had spoken for 400 years after Malachi preached. Israel needed a perfect prophet, priest and king and many longed for Messiah to come.  How does the New Testament begin? It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ.  Matthew's genealogy is constructed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to emphasize Jesus connection as the Messiah, the son of David.  Matthew's gospel calls Je...

We looked briefly at historical events that occurred during the 400 years between Malachi and Matthew's gospel. Today, I want to look at Judaism. Those who regularly read the Bible are probably familiar with the various people groups that Jesus encountered. However, it will help us as we study Matthew's gospel, to know about their origins. It is striking how much hostility these people had toward the Lord Jesus Christ and I hope to demonstrate reasons why. First, remember that the Persians and others merged political power and religious authority into the office of the High Priest. During the time of Jesus,  High priests were consumed with maintaining a tight grip on power.  They opposed and hated anyone who might cause them to lose power. Who were the Pharisees? Religious hypocrites who were proud in heart. Luke 18:10-14  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,...