Study #6 |
Welcome to study number six of the Bible Correspondence Course. We appreciate you taking the time to study God's word. It is our sincere hope you enjoy the course and that it increases your knowledge of the word of God. We recommend that you use either the King James Version or the New King James Version as you study this course. It is designed for use with either of these translations.
This study will begin with a discussion of the events that lead up to Christ's death. From there we will briefly examine the crucifixion and the resurrection that followed. Having examined the death and resurrection of Jesus, we will then look at the implications of these events. Special attention will be given to the bearing these things had on the establishment of the kingdom.
This will set the stage for a discussion of the establishment of Christ's church. We will study how people were admitted into the church and how you can be a part of Christ's church today. In addition, we will contemplate what the change in kingdoms does to the law. We will see the relevance the Old Testament has today and how the New Testament replaced the law of Moses. With this introduction, we hope you will have a Bible in hand and read the references as we study the closing moments in Christ's life.
This study will begin with a discussion of the events that lead up to Christ's death. From there we will briefly examine the crucifixion and the resurrection that followed. Having examined the death and resurrection of Jesus, we will then look at the implications of these events. Special attention will be given to the bearing these things had on the establishment of the kingdom.
This will set the stage for a discussion of the establishment of Christ's church. We will study how people were admitted into the church and how you can be a part of Christ's church today. In addition, we will contemplate what the change in kingdoms does to the law. We will see the relevance the Old Testament has today and how the New Testament replaced the law of Moses. With this introduction, we hope you will have a Bible in hand and read the references as we study the closing moments in Christ's life.
Events leading up to the Death of Jesus
atthew 21:1-11 records the story of Christ's final entry into Jerusalem. The simple trip was embellished by the shouts of praise from the Jewish people. This event fulfilled a prophesy recorded in Zechariah 9:9. The prophesy spoke of their king coming to them riding on a donkey. This falls in line with earlier expectations of Christ's kingdom. Since the Jews anticipated a physical kingdom, they naturally praised their new king, Jesus. The problem was, they didn't understand the new kingdom nor how Christ would begin the new kingdom.
Jesus was not in Jerusalem very long until his life was absorbed in controversy. In Matthew 21:12-26 he cleansed the temple of the money changers who had perverted God's house with their dishonest dealings. In Matthew 22:23-33 he reprimanded the Sadducees and in Matthew 23:1-39 he rebuked the Pharisees. In just a few days his actions in standing for what is right had so infuriated his enemies, they were determined to kill him.
Luke 22:1-6 records the plot between Jewish leaders and Judas, the disciple of Christ. At the appointed time Christ observed the Passover feast with his disciples. After the feast he went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. By this time Judas had informed the Jews of where Jesus was located. They sent a guard and arrested him that night. [See Luke 22:8-53.] Soon they would try him and take him to Pilate to be put to death.
Jesus was not in Jerusalem very long until his life was absorbed in controversy. In Matthew 21:12-26 he cleansed the temple of the money changers who had perverted God's house with their dishonest dealings. In Matthew 22:23-33 he reprimanded the Sadducees and in Matthew 23:1-39 he rebuked the Pharisees. In just a few days his actions in standing for what is right had so infuriated his enemies, they were determined to kill him.
Luke 22:1-6 records the plot between Jewish leaders and Judas, the disciple of Christ. At the appointed time Christ observed the Passover feast with his disciples. After the feast he went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. By this time Judas had informed the Jews of where Jesus was located. They sent a guard and arrested him that night. [See Luke 22:8-53.] Soon they would try him and take him to Pilate to be put to death.
The Trial and Death of Jesus
Relatively little information is given regarding the childhood of Jesus except the circumstances involving his birth. From the time he was called out of Egypt until his baptism, little record is supplied about his life.
Mark 6:3 speaks of people from Christ's hometown. They identified Jesus as a carpenter. Since Joseph was a carpenter, it makes sense that Jesus might have helped him until the time of his ministry began. [See Matthew 13:55.]
Luke 2:40-52 provides one story from when Jesus was twelve years old. His family had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and was returning home. As they traveled out of Jerusalem they noticed Jesus was not with them. He had stayed behind in Jerusalem. When they returned to find him they discovered he had been disputing with experts of the law of Moses. Jesus explained he had to be about his Father's business.
Upon returning home, Jesus submitted himself to Mary and Joseph. The story ends with a general commentary on Christ's youth. The Bible says he grew in body and mind. Apparently, Jesus grew and developed as a normal person. However, when the time for his ministry came, his work would reflect that he was no ordinary person. Through his mighty works, Jesus would prove he is the Son of God.
When Jesus was about thirty years old, he was baptized. [See Luke 3:21-23.] Matthew 3:13-17 provides more details of this occasions. Jesus came to John the baptist to be baptized. John was reluctant because he felt Jesus should baptize him. Jesus insisted so John baptized him.
The Bible says that after his baptism, God spoke from heaven declaring that Jesus was his Son. This alone is a remarkable testimony to the reality of Jesus, that he is Christ, the Son of God. In Matthew 17:1-5 there is record of another instance where God spoke from heaven to declare Jesus is his son. In II Peter 1:17-19, Peter reflected on this heavenly voice. As grand and glorious this must have been, Peter says the prophesies Christ fulfilled are also a sure testimony to these claims.
So the ministry of Jesus began with his baptism. Soon after this, he began preaching and performing miracles. The mark that his life and teaching would leave on the world would stand just as strong or stronger two thousand years later than in the very century in which it happened. Truly Jesus is God’s son.
Mark 6:3 speaks of people from Christ's hometown. They identified Jesus as a carpenter. Since Joseph was a carpenter, it makes sense that Jesus might have helped him until the time of his ministry began. [See Matthew 13:55.]
Luke 2:40-52 provides one story from when Jesus was twelve years old. His family had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and was returning home. As they traveled out of Jerusalem they noticed Jesus was not with them. He had stayed behind in Jerusalem. When they returned to find him they discovered he had been disputing with experts of the law of Moses. Jesus explained he had to be about his Father's business.
Upon returning home, Jesus submitted himself to Mary and Joseph. The story ends with a general commentary on Christ's youth. The Bible says he grew in body and mind. Apparently, Jesus grew and developed as a normal person. However, when the time for his ministry came, his work would reflect that he was no ordinary person. Through his mighty works, Jesus would prove he is the Son of God.
When Jesus was about thirty years old, he was baptized. [See Luke 3:21-23.] Matthew 3:13-17 provides more details of this occasions. Jesus came to John the baptist to be baptized. John was reluctant because he felt Jesus should baptize him. Jesus insisted so John baptized him.
The Bible says that after his baptism, God spoke from heaven declaring that Jesus was his Son. This alone is a remarkable testimony to the reality of Jesus, that he is Christ, the Son of God. In Matthew 17:1-5 there is record of another instance where God spoke from heaven to declare Jesus is his son. In II Peter 1:17-19, Peter reflected on this heavenly voice. As grand and glorious this must have been, Peter says the prophesies Christ fulfilled are also a sure testimony to these claims.
So the ministry of Jesus began with his baptism. Soon after this, he began preaching and performing miracles. The mark that his life and teaching would leave on the world would stand just as strong or stronger two thousand years later than in the very century in which it happened. Truly Jesus is God’s son.
The Resurrection of Jesus
Three days after the crucifixion some of the disciples had come to visit the tomb of Jesus. Rather than finding the mangled remains of a crucified body, they found an empty tomb and eventually, a risen Savior. [See Matthew 28:1-8 and Mark 16:9-11.] Early that Sunday morning the body of Jesus came to life and escaped the clutches of death.
After appearing to his disciples and others several times, he ascended into heaven. [See I Corinthians 15:5-8.] The gospel accounts speak of many of these appearances. After several days of such appearances he ascended into heaven. Matthew 28:18-20 records that just before he ascended, Jesus commissioned his followers to preach the gospel to all the world. In this commission he told them that he now has all power or authority. When considering that throughout Jesus’ earthly life there was expectation of a kingdom, such a claim makes it sound as though his resurrection and ascension allowed the establishment of that kingdom. Christ's teaching on moral issues and daily living was just as hard for many to receive. Several times he silenced the religious leaders of his day with superior answers to their objections. He often scorned the standards of the day as unacceptable. One such occasion was what is commonly called the sermon on the mount. It is recorded in Matthew 5-7. In this sermon he brought to their attention what was commonly believed about several issues. He then refuted these standards while offering in their place God's values and principles. He scolded the religious leaders of the day for their pomp and haughtiness. On other occasions, such as Matthew 23, he scolded the Pharisees for their sin and hypocrisy. Though Jesus is commonly perceived as accepting every one just as they are, his instruction shows otherwise. He did not accept people as they were! He demanded that people repent. [See Luke 13:3.] He condemned those with religious error as lost, though they didn't know it. [See Matthew 7:21-23.] Rather than excusing immorality, he contended that it defiles a person. [See Mark 7:20-23.] Jesus upheld a high standard of morals for daily living. He condemned those who did not live by the standards set forth in God’s law. |
The Resurrection and the Kingdom
To understand the significance of the resurrection as it relates to the kingdom, we need to examine a prophesy of the kingdom given in II Samuel 7:12-13. In this passage Nathan speaks to David about the coming kingdom. He tells them three basic things we will focus on.
First, he said the kingdom would be established while David was dead (while he sleeps with his fathers). Second, he said the king would be a descendant of David (of the fruit of his loins). Third, he said the king would build the house of God and have an established kingdom. All three of these elements are mentioned by Peter just a few days after the ascension of Christ. In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. In Acts 2:29-31 he referred to the prophesy in II Samuel 7. First, he says that David is dead. Second, he said that Christ is a descendant of David. Third, he says Christ has been raised up to sit on his throne. Then he plainly connects this prophesy of the kingdom's establishment to the resurrection of Christ. Up to this point, much has been said about the kingdom being anticipated. Now, on the day of Pentecost, after the death and resurrection of Christ, we read of the kingdom as having been established. Did we miss something? There was no grand ceremony declaring Christ king over a liberated Israel. Remember, that is what the Jews were expecting. The nature of the kingdom was entirely different. In John 18:36, when Christ was on trial before Pilate, he said his kingdom was not a worldly kingdom. The kingdom of Christ anticipated by the prophets and throughout his earthly life was to be spiritual in nature. To understand when this kingdom was established, we need to understand what it was. In Matthew 16:18-19 Jesus spoke of the establishment of his church. In that discussion he referred to the church as the kingdom of heaven. Nathan's prophesy said the king would build the house of God. In I Timothy 3:15, Paul called the house of God the church. Evidently, the anticipated kingdom was the Lord's church. It is spiritual in nature. It was established in the first century. It was brought about by the death and resurrection of Christ. Acts 2:47 speaks of the church being presently existent and growing on the day of Pentecost, just a few days after the resurrection. The establishment of the church brings to reality the expected kingdom of Christ. |
Jesus: King and Priest
In Zechariah 6:12-13 the prophet spoke of the coming of Christ (the Branch) and his kingdom. Please note that his kingship and his priesthood are directly connected. They are so closely connected, he said Christ would be a priest on his throne.
We have already clearly established that the church is the kingdom of Christ. We understand that Christ is Lord over his church or king in his kingdom. Now consider that he is also our high priest. Hebrews 8:1-2 speak of Christ as our high priest, in heaven, having offered his blood for our sins. Hebrews 9:1-7 reflects on the priesthood and tabernacle as prescribed in the law of Moses. The purpose is to create a contrast between that system and the perfect Christ. They offered the blood of bulls and goats that could not really take away sin. [See Hebrews 10:3-4.] Hebrews 9:11-14 says Christ offered his perfect blood in the heavenly tabernacle for our sins. The verses that follow explain the change in sacrificial systems required a change in testaments. The Levite priests offered sacrifices according to the law of Moses. Under that system Christ could not be priest because he was not a Levite. [See Hebrews 8:4 and Hebrews 7:14.] Since there has been a change in priesthood, there must also be a change in the law. Since there is a new kingdom with a new king, there must be a new law. |
The Priesthood Being Changed
According to Hebrews 7:12 the above conclusion is absolutely correct. Since Christ is now our king and priest, there must be a new law to replace the law of Moses. This is not to suggest the law of Moses is bad or of no value today. The simple fact is, it fulfilled its purpose and has now been done away.
The Old Testament spoke of the time when this new law would come. In Jeremiah 31:31-34 the prophet spoke of the new covenant that would be different from the one given at Sinai. The Hebrew writer reflects on this passage in Hebrews 8:6-13 and says it implies the first covenant, the law of Moses, would vanish away. The evidence is clear that the old covenant had to be abolished. When was the old covenant abolished? When did the new covenant take effect? According to Colossians 2:14 the law of Moses (the handwritten ordinances, laws) was nailed to the cross. The death of Jesus marked the end of the Mosaic covenant. Hebrews 9:15-17 says the death of Jesus also ushered in the new covenant. By comparison to a last will and testament, the Hebrew writer points out that the testament of Christ was ratified after his death. Therefore, the same death that abolished the law of Moses, brought into effect the law of Christ. Hebrews 10:9 says the first covenant was taken away that the second one may be established. Clearly the death of Christ accomplished both. Does this mean the Old Testament is of no value? Emphatically, no! The law of Moses served its purpose in defining sin and bringing the world to Christ. [See Galatians 3:19-25.] Once this purpose was fulfilled, it was naturally done away. But the Old Testament still serves as a marvelous reference. Though it is not a binding law for us to follow, it does tell us about God and his relationship with man. Romans 15:4 tells how reading these things can give us patience, comfort and hope. The Old Testament definitely has its place in Christianity. To bind it as law on God's people today is wrong. However, to study and learn from it, for the purpose of enhancing our understanding of the New Testament is not only good, it is expected. |
How to Enter the Kingdom
he controversy involved in what Jesus taught eventually took its toll. As he continued in his teaching ministry, rejection of him and his doctrine grew. In Matthew 12:14, relatively early in the ministry of Christ, the Pharisees were already plotting how to destroy Jesus. Christ challenged their beliefs and they responded by rejecting him.
The resistance continued to grow. In Mark 6:1-6 we learn that people of his hometown rejected him. Not only was disapproval intensifying in Jerusalem, it was spreading to other areas. By the time of the events in John 10:39 the Jews had attempted to capture Jesus but he escaped.
Luke 19:47-48 specifically connects this kind of opposition directly to Christ's teaching. Circumstances had made it difficult for some time, but the Jews would soon succeed in capturing Jesus. Luke 22:2 tells of their continued plotting to kill him. This time they contracted with Judas to betray Jesus. From this time it wouldn't be long until the increasing rejection grew into the frenzy of a mock trial with phony witnesses. The life of Jesus would soon be brought to a cruel end.
It is important to remember that God allowed this rejection to endanger the life of Jesus. It was God’s plan all along that Jesus would be rejected and put to death. This was necessary for the salvation of man.
The resistance continued to grow. In Mark 6:1-6 we learn that people of his hometown rejected him. Not only was disapproval intensifying in Jerusalem, it was spreading to other areas. By the time of the events in John 10:39 the Jews had attempted to capture Jesus but he escaped.
Luke 19:47-48 specifically connects this kind of opposition directly to Christ's teaching. Circumstances had made it difficult for some time, but the Jews would soon succeed in capturing Jesus. Luke 22:2 tells of their continued plotting to kill him. This time they contracted with Judas to betray Jesus. From this time it wouldn't be long until the increasing rejection grew into the frenzy of a mock trial with phony witnesses. The life of Jesus would soon be brought to a cruel end.
It is important to remember that God allowed this rejection to endanger the life of Jesus. It was God’s plan all along that Jesus would be rejected and put to death. This was necessary for the salvation of man.
Summary of Study #6
In this study, we have considered the closing events of Christ's life. We briefly reviewed his trials and fraudulent conviction at the hands of corrupt Jews and false witnesses. His final sentencing came from the Roman ruler, Pilate.
After hours of humiliation and torture on the cross, he finally succumbed to death. Three days later he arose from the tomb victorious over death. The significance of this resurrection involves much more than just conquering death. It also brought about the promised kingdom.
We learned that the church was the promised kingdom. Christ is its king and priest. The New Testament is its law. The fact of Christ's priesthood necessitated a change in the law. So at the death of Jesus, the law of Moses was done away and the law of Christ was ratified.
With a new kingdom, king and law, we may now enjoy the benefits of being in God's kingdom. You gain admittance into that kingdom by being saved.
In this study, we have considered the closing events of Christ's life. We briefly reviewed his trials and fraudulent conviction at the hands of corrupt Jews and false witnesses. His final sentencing came from the Roman ruler, Pilate.
After hours of humiliation and torture on the cross, he finally succumbed to death. Three days later he arose from the tomb victorious over death. The significance of this resurrection involves much more than just conquering death. It also brought about the promised kingdom.
We learned that the church was the promised kingdom. Christ is its king and priest. The New Testament is its law. The fact of Christ's priesthood necessitated a change in the law. So at the death of Jesus, the law of Moses was done away and the law of Christ was ratified.
With a new kingdom, king and law, we may now enjoy the benefits of being in God's kingdom. You gain admittance into that kingdom by being saved.