Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

When the fulness of time was come, at the right moment in history, God sent forth His Son, Jesus. Luke 2:1  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  Luke's narrative about the birth of Jesus continues with the words "And it came to pass in those days."   "Those days" refer to the time when John the Baptist was born, and when the birth of Jesus Christ drew near. Jesus was born at the time when the Roman empire conquered more territory and wielded more power than it ever h...

Elisabeth said that her son's name was John but the family questioned using that name. Luke 1:57-62  Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.  58  And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.  59  And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.  60  And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.  61  And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.  62  And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.  63  And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.  Mary returned to her home shortly before John the Baptist was born. There is no doubt that Zachariah and Elisabeth were  filled with gre...

Mary's Holy Spirit inspired hymn of praise to God for all His abundant goodness. Luke 1:46-47  And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,  47  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  This next paragraph is known as Mary's song of praise. We find expressions of joy and praise, and God alone the object and center of the joy.  Mary's song shares similarities with the song Miriam, sang, after the triumphant departure of Israel out of Egypt, and their safe passage through the Red Sea (See Exodus 15:1-21). Mary's words magnified the Lord with expressions of praise to give all glory and honor to God. The Spirit of God helped Mary to worship God with her whole heart. She celebrated God like we should with our whole being, our thoughts, words and singing.  This is the only way in which God can be magnified because nothing can be added to Him.  God is infinite and eternal.  Therefore the way we magnify Him is by singing hymns of praise with words...

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary at Nazareth and she was also a descendant of King David. Luke 1:26-27  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,  27  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.  Luke's gospel tells us that the same angel who appeared to Zachariah in the temple to tell him of the birth of John, came and appeared to Mary. This text also reminds us why Joseph and Mary returned to Galilee and Nazareth after they came back from the flight into Egypt. This was their home town and country. We are introduced to Mary, who was a virgin or sexually pure and she was a descendant of King David. She was espoused to Joseph and was waiting for her husband to finish preparing their home. Luke 1:28-29  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  29...

Those who follow doctrines of men circumvent the Word of God to their own peril. Matthew 15:7-9 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,  8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  Hateful scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of violating the traditions of the elders.  We explained how these oral traditions were elevated to a place of higher authority than the Spirit inspired scriptures. Jesus strongly rejected the traditions of elders and proved how traditions transgressed the commands of God. Jesus said we must grasp the severity of listening to another voice instead of God's. Matthew 15:10-11  And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:  11  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man....