Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

An eager multitude awaited for Christ when He descended from the mountain. Matthew 17:14-15  And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,  15  Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.  After Jesus and His disciples came down from the mountain, a multitude awaited them. A words "a certain man" alerts us that Matthew is highlighting something unique that happened.  This phrase is found 11 times in the Old Testament and 21 times in the gospels and Acts, always in connection with some unusual event or circumstance that God wants us to notice. It appears that a congregation gathered together during while Jesus and His disciples were up on the mount.  The people had a great desire  to hear the words of Christ!  They assembled themselves and patiently continued wait for Jesus to come down.  It is a sad...

At the beginning of this chapter of Matthew's gospel we read of Jesus' transfiguration. I failed to point out one more truth to think about with regard to heaven. Peter, James and John recognized Moses and Elijah when they stood speaking with Jesus. Genesis 25:8  Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.  I think this helps us understand what scripture means when it says that Abraham or other patriarchs were "gathered to his people." Family identities will continue and all those in our family tree who were born again we will meet in heaven when we die. Thus, Peter, James and John saw Moses and Elijah and knew who they were even though they never met them before. These men were separated in time by about 4,000 years. Hebrews 12:22-24  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  23  To the gene...

When Jesus was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared to talk with Him. Matthew 17:1-3  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,  2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.  3  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.  In our last post we learned that when Jesus took Peter, James and John apart with Him, that we must also take time to be alone with God, free from daily distractions. We learned from Jesus' transfiguration that God is Light and that we are to walk as children of light. God called us out of sin's darkness into the marvelous light of salvation through repentant faith in Christ. The narrative continues in this post. Matthew tells us that Moses and Elijah appeared when Jesus was transfigured, talking with Christ. Abraham is called the father of the faithful and the recipi...

Matthew 16 contained a whirlwind of activity and teaching, much of which centered on the Pharisee's demand that Jesus produce a sign from heaven for them. Jesus refused to yield to their demand because it violated the law of God. He issued a strong rebuke to them and warned His disciples to avoid the harmful doctrines of the Pharisees. After Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was, Peter made a bold confession of faith, that Jesus was the Christ the Son of the living God. At this point, Jesus mentioned His   "Church" for the very first time. We noted that the origin and purpose and doctrine of the church was a mystery that was fully revealed through the apostle Paul. Jesus foretold His sufferings, death and resurrection as He prepared to go to Jerusalem. Peter was very upset to think that Christ would endure such treatment, especially because like most Jews, he expected Jesus to be a conquering Messiah, not a Messiah who suffered. Jesus issued a strong correcti...