-       CONSTANTINE   THE   GREAT       -   

   - His Edict of Milan in A.D. 313 made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire -  

In A.D. 312 at the Battle of Milvian, Constantine received miracle - an event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and thus it is define as the work of divine, that is, from God - from the Lord Jesus Christ. Constantine looked up to heaven before the battle/war and there up the sky, he saw a "Cross Of Light" above it, and with it the Greek words: "ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩ ΝΙΚΑ" - "BY THIS CROSS, CONQUER!", in Latin "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" (in hoc signo vinces")  - Constantine immediately commanded his army/troops to complement their shields, by adding the sign of the "Cross" on their shields and thereafter they won the battle and defeated the enemies and were victorious. 

Although Constantine lived much of his life as a pagan and later as a catechumen, he began to favour Christianity beginning in A.D. 312, and finally becoming a Christian and being baptised by either Eusebius of Nicomedia, an Arian bishop, or by Pope Sylvester 1, which is maintained by the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church. He played an influential role in the proclamation of the Edict of Milan in 313, and declared 'Christianity' in the Roman Empire. He convoked the First Council of Nicaea in 325 which produced the statement of Christian belief known as the 'Nicene Creed.' The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built on his orders at the purported site of Jesus' tomb in Jerusalem and was deemed the holiest place in all of Christendom. He has historically been referred to as the "First Christian Emperor" and he did favour to the Catholic Christian Church. In fact, Constantine was venerated as a saint in Eastern Christianity, and he did much for pushing Christianity towards the mainstream of Roman culture.

                                             -       THE EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY       -

The conjectures of anthropologists and archeologists about primitive human beings, man/woman are nothing compared to the solid fact of the sense of human sin. By its nature, the evidence of Eden is something we cannot find. By its nature the evidence of Eden is something one cannot help finding. As a matter of personal experience something has happened - we are not what we ought to be.

There are ultimately only two possible theories to account for the nature and the origin of man/woman; one is that the life of man/woman is a push from below; the other, that the life of man/woman is a gift from above; the one is the man/woman is wholly on earth, earthly; the other, that he/she is partly of the heavens, heavenly.

The second is the Christian conception; man/woman is not a risen beast, he/she is rather a kind of fallen angel. His origin is hidden not in the slime and dust of prehistoric forests, but in the real daylight of paradise where he/she communed with God; his/her origin looks back not to cosmic forces, but to divine grace. On this conception man/woman is supposed to act not like a beast because he/she came from one, but like God because he/she was made of and to His own image and likeness.

Early Christians continued to accept the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible; Old Testament as authoritative and they could interpret the Old Testament in the light of Jesus' deeds and words if they had a reliable record of them. So, alongside Moses and the prophets, they had these early writings about Jesus and letters from the apostles who had known Jesus in the flesh and Divine. This refers to Oral and Written Tradition.

When they sought to make a list of books about the Lord Jesus Christ and the early Church which they considered authoritative, they retained the Old Testament on the authority of Jesus and His apostles. Along with these books they recognised as authoritative the writings of the new age - four gospels or biographies on the life and ministry of Jesus; the 13 letters of Apostle/Saint Paul; and letters of other saints, apostles and their companions. The gospel collection and the apostolic collection were joined together by the Book of 'The Acts Of The Apostles' which served as a sequel to the gospel story as well as a narrative background for the earlier epistles.

The primary standard applied to a book was that it must be written either by an apostle or by someone close to the apostles. This guaranteed that their writing about Jesus and the early Church would have the authenticity of an eyewitness account. As in the earliest phase of the Church existence, 'the apostles' doctrine' was the basis of its life and thought. The apostolic writings formed the charter or foundation documents of the Church.

These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to prayers. The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone. The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.

They went as a body to the Temple everyday but met in their houses for the breaking of bread: they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved. - Acts 2:42-47 -

Behind the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is a thrilling story of how God revealed Himself and His will to human spokesmen and then acted throughout history to preserve His Word and pass it along to future generations.

In the beginning was the Word; the Word was with God and the Word was God. - John 1:1 -

Something which has existed since the beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have watched and touched with our hands; the Word, who is life- this is our subject. - 1 John 1:1 -

Having reflected on the nature of love and its meaning in scriptural/biblical faith, we are left with two questions concerning our own attitude; can we love God without seeing him? And can love be commanded? Against the double commandment of love these questions raise a double objection. No one has ever seen God, so how could we love him?

Moreover, love cannot be commanded; it is ultimately a feeling that is either there or not, nor can it be produced by the will. Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible seems to reinforce the first objection when it states; "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother and sister, he is a liar; for he/she who does not love his/her brother and sister whom he/she has seen, cannot love God whom he/she has not seen" -1 John 4:20 -

But this text hardly excludes the love of God as something impossible. On the contrary, the whole context of the passage quoted from the 1 John shows that such love is explicitly demanded. The unbreakable bond between love of God and love of neighbour is emphasized. One is so closely connected to the other that to say that we love God becomes a lie if we are closed to our neighbour or hate him and her altogether.

Saint John's words should rather be interpreted to mean that love of neighbour is a path that leads to the encounter with God, and that closing our eyes to our neighbour also blinds us to God.

Faith is a "substance" of things hoped for; the proof of things not seen. In order to understand more deeply, this reflection on the two types of substance - hypostasis and hyparchonta - and on the two approaches to life expressed by these terms, we must continue with a brief consideration of two words pertinent to the discussion which can be found in the tenth chapter of the Letter to the Hebrews.

Its refer to the words hypomone - Hebrews 10:36 - and hypostole Hebrews 10:39 - Hypo-mone is normally translated as "patience" - perseverance, constancy. Knowing how to wait, while patiently enduring trials, is necessary for the believer to be able to "receive what is promised".

The word hypostole, on the other hand, means shrinking back through lack of courage to speak openly and frankly a truth that may be dangerous. Hiding through a spirit of fear leads to "destruction". 

"God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control" -  2 Timothy 1:7 - that is, by contrast, is the beautiful way in which the second letter to Timothy describes the fundamental attitude of the Christian.

Christianity began in Roman territory and expanded into additional areas controlled by Rome. Christians were expected to observe Roman law and not to get involved in any disorderly, suspicious, or treasonous activity. The Book of Acts shows that the early Christians were protected and acquitted by the Roman authorities. They recognized Christianity as a legal and valid religion with the right to exist. Apostle/Saint Paul affirmed that he had not broken any Jewish, religious, or Roman law. - Acts 25:8 -

The apostle Paul's - Roman citizenship granted him privileges as well as protection from Jewish and Roman fanaticism. - Acts 16:35-39, 22:22-29 - His imprisonment in Caesarea and defense before Felix, Festus, and king Agrippa, as well as his specific appeal to plead his case before Caesar - Acts 25:10-12 - are good examples of Roman civil and legal law.

Roman Empire was the powerful pagan empire that controlled most of the known world during New Testament times. The unique laws and judicial codes by which the Roman Empire governed itself and the various nations and foreign provinces under its control. Judicial authority ranged from the absolute power of the emperor to the function of the senate and the imperial civil service [Governors, Procurators, prefects, magistrates, etc]. Judicial procedure in Rome generally included appearance before a magistrate, a trail, and the selection of a judge who would then render judgment on a case.

In the province, Roman law was administered by Roman officials. Pontius Pilate, for example, was the Roman governor involved in the trial of Jesus. The Gospel accounts of this episode give considerable insight into the judicial procedure of the Romans and how they related to local Jewish officials. - Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19 -

Rome was founded in 753 B.C. by Romulus, who became its first king. The little kingdom grew in size and importance, absorbing its immediate neighbors through the reign of seven kings, until the tyranny of Tarquinius Superbus, drove the people to revolt and to take the government into their own hands. A republic was established, and Roman citizens had a voice in government affairs. During the period of the republic, Roman extended her borders throughout all of Italy and the known world.

In 63 B.C. Judea became formally subject to Rome and this was the case during the entire New Testament (Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible) period. The republic was subject to internal strife which eventually led to the decline of a people-oriented government. The emperor Octavian, who was also known as Augustus, became emperor in 27 B.C. He was still reigning at the time of Jesus' birth.

The religion that was native to Rome was basically primitive in nature. The Romans believed that impersonal spirits or supernatural powers inhabited such natural objects as trees, streams, and earth. They believed that these spirits affected one's personal life for good or evil. But the most striking feature of Roman religion was its ability to merge the best features of several religions. As the empire expanded, it imported and assimilated many religious ideas, and pagan gods from Greece and the Orient. Roman gods were fused and identified with the gods of the Greeks. Buildings, temples and monuments to these gods were erected. Astrological beliefs and magical practices flourished.

An "imperial ruler cult" developed in the first century B.C. when the Roman senate voted to deify Julius Caesar and to dedicate a temple to his honor. Among all the emperors, only Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Claudius were deified. This phenomenon apparently had more political than religious meaning.

Throughout the entire New Testament period, various emperors ruled over the Roman Empire. During the reign of Augustus, Jesus Christ was born. His crucifixion occurred during the reign of the succeeding emperor Tiberius. The martyrdom of Apostle/Saint James, took place in the reign of the emperor Claudius. - Acts 11:28, 12:1-2 - It was to the emperor Nero that Saint Paul appealed. - Acts 25:11 - The destruction of Jerusalem prophesied by Jesus Christ was accomplished in the year A.D. 70 by Titus, who later became emperor. Thus, all of the New Testament phenomenon or story unfolded under the reign of Roman emperors.

As he drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, 'If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace!' But, alas!, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you - and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!' - Luke 19:41-44 - Matthew Chapter 24 - Mark Chapter 13 -

The Roman Empire reached the height of its power from about A.D. 100 to 175. By the end of the century, however, the Roman and their power had begun to decline, because of the vast expanse of its territory, the Empire grew increasingly difficult to administer. High taxation and political infighting also took their toll. Morally, Rome was also a sick society; its life of sin and debauchery served to hasten its collapse from within, even as barbaric tribes moved in to challenge the Romans; military rule. By A.D. 450 the Roman Empire was only a skeleton of its former self, reduced to a third-rate power among the nations of the ancient world.

Contact between Rome and Jews took place when some of the Jews were scattered to various parts of the Mediterranean world and when Rome moved into Palestine as part of its eastern expansion. Technically, however, contact between the Romans and the Jews began in 63 B.C. when Pompey marched into the land of Palestine. From the time of the Captivity in Babylon - or perhaps even earlier - many Jews made their homes outside Palestine. While some of them did this for economic reasons; others had been deported as prisoners of war to such places as Assyria and Babylon. The prophet Jeremiah indicated that some Jews had settled in Egypt during his time. - Jeremiah 44:1 -

Under Rome rule the Jews were given a special status with certain legal rights. They were permitted to practice their own religion and to build their synagogues. They also were exempt from military service and were not required to appear in court on the Sabbath. Relationship between the Jews and the Romans were mostly positive. But a few major disturbances did occur. The emperor Caligula alienated the Jews by opposing their belief in one God and forcibly erecting a statue of himself in their synagogues. In A.D. 19, the emperor Tiberius expelled some Jews from Italy. This edict was renewed under Claudius in A.D. 49. - Acts 18:2 - Apparently this edict did not last long, because Jews were living in Rome when apostle Paul arrived there about A.D. 62.

The situation of the Jews varied considerably under the different Roman rulers. Basically, the Romans treated the Jews fairly. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple in 20 B.C. and Herod Agrippa sought Jewish favor by persecuting the Christians. Archelaus, on the other hand, was a cruel and tyrannical ruler who massacred many Jews.

It was about this time that king Herod started persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he decided to arrest Peter as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread, and he put Peter in prison, assigning four squads of four soldiers each to guard him in turns. Herod meant to try Peter in public after the end of Passover week. All the time Peter was under guard the Church prayed to God for him unremittingly....... It was only then that Peter came to himself. 'Now I know it is all true' he said, 'The Lord really did send his angel and had saved me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were so certain would happen to me.'........ Herod put out an unsuccessful search for him; he had the guards questioned, and before leaving Judaea to take up residence in Caesarea he gave orders for their execution. - Acts 12:1-19 - Matthew 2:22-23 -

Resentful of the presence of these foreign oppressors, the Jews refused to recognize anyone but God as sovereign. Revolutionary activities of Jews nationalists such as Zealots increased and threatened the peace in Palestine. By A.D. 66, Rome was forced to subdue a Jewish revolt in Judea. And in A.D. 70, Titus, a Roman general who later became emperor, marched on the city of Jerusalem to destroy Jewish resistance. Many Jews lost their lives by crucifixion and other violent means. A small group of freedom fighters held out at Masada, but they took their own lives just before the Roman soldiers broke into their fortress.

The destruction of Jerusalem did not wipe out the Jewish state or religion. In some ways, it made the Jews more determined to resist. During the next 60 years Rome and the Jews clashed on a number of occasions. From A.D. 132-135 a second rebellion was led by a self-proclaimed messiah, and emperor at the time, issued an edict which virtually destroyed Judaism. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a Roman colony, complete with a pagan Roman temple, erected on the site of the Jewish Temple. The province of Judea was replaced by Syria Palestine. In this rebellion, some 500,000 Jews were killed and many others were sold into slavery. Those who survived were scattered beyond this new province.

The birth and development of Christianity took place within the borders of the Roman Empire. The New Testament contains references to Romans who were ruling at this time. Among them was Caesar Augustus - Luke 2:1 - Quirinius - Luke 2:2 - Tiberius Caesar - Luke 3:1, 20:22 - Other minor officials ruled on behalf of Rome, particularly those of the Herodian dynasty.

The Book of Acts shows how Christianity spread throughout Roman Empire. Under apostle Paul, the great missionary to the Gentiles, the Gospel may have been preached and proclaimed as far west as Spain. - Romans 15:28 - Christian Church existed in Rome as early as A.D. 50 - Acts 18:2-3 - By the time Saint Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans [A.D. 58] a large Christian community existed in the imperial city.

Paul's appearance in Rome was ironic because he came as a prisoner and not as a missionary. Here he was held in confinement awaiting a trail that apparently never took place. According to tradition, Paul lost his life under Nero's persecution about A.D. 64.

If I am guilty of committing any capital crime. I do not ask to be spared the death penalty. But if there is no substance in the accusations these persons bring against me, no one has a right to surrender me to them. I appeal to Caesar. Then Festus conferred with his advisers and replied, 'You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.' - Acts 25:11-12 - Acts 28:11-31 -

In its early stages, Christianity was regarded by Rome as a sect of Judaism. This is why it was ignored during its early years. On several occasions, Roman authorities viewed conflicts between Jews and Christians as an internal matter, not worthy of their attention. - Acts 18:12-17 - When Christians were accused by the Jews of breaking the law, they were acquitted. - Acts 16:35-39 - Rome even protected Christians from Jewish fanatics and assured apostle Paul the right of a proper trial. - Acts 19:28-41, 22:20-30, 23:23-24, 23:26, 28:31 - Most Christians had a positive and respectful attitude toward Roman authority.

The first known persecution of Christians by the Roman authorities took place under Nero. But this was an isolated case and not a general policy. Many Christians, including apostle Paul, lost their lives at this time. Tacitus, a Roman historian, refers to vast multitudes of Christians who were arrested, tortured, crucified, and burned. Hardship came to Christians in parts of Asia while Domitian was emperor. Later, under Trajan, they were further problem, especially in Bithynia where Pliny was governor (A.D. 112) Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, was martyred during this persecution. Rome may have feared that Christians could become a political threat because they would not acknowledge Caesar as lord.

Marcus Aurelius took official action against Christianity. As emperor, he was responsible for the death of Justin Martyr (A.D. 165) Celcius (A.D. 249-251) launched attack against Christians and, like Nero, used them as scapegoats for his own failures. While under Diocletian intense persecution of the Church took place for three years (A.D. 303-305) Many Churches were destroyed and Christians were martyred. 

With the coming of Constantine The Great, however, this policy of persecution was reversed. His Edict of Milan in A.D. 313 made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Human ingenuity cannot fully account for this. The Church has remained One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic - not through man's effort, but because God preserves the Church He established. - Matthew 16:18, 28:20 - God guided the Israelites on the escape from Egypt by giving them a pillar of fire to light their way across the dark wilderness - Exodus 13:21 - Today He guides us through His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, sacred Tradition, and the writings of the earliest Christians testify that the Church teaches with Jesus' authority. In this age of countless competing religions, each clamoring for attention, one voice rises above the din: the Catholic Church, which the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible calls "the pillar and foundation of truth." 

"At the moment of writing to you, I am hoping that I may be with you soon; but in case I should be delayed, I wanted you to know how people ought to behave in God's family - that is, the Church of the loving God, which upholds the truth and keeps it safe. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is very deep instead: Christ Jesus was made visible in the flesh, attested by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the pagans, believed in by the world, taken up in glory."- 1 Timothy 3:14-16 -

Jesus assured the apostles and their successors, the Pope and the bishops, "He who listens to you listens to me, and he who rejects you rejects me." - Luke 10:16 - Jesus promised to guide His Church into all truth. Jesus chose the apostles to be the earthly leaders of the Church. He gave them his own authority to teach and to govern. That is why Catholics call their spiritual leaders "father." In doing so we follow Saint Paul's example: "I became your father in Jesus Christ through the gospel." - 1 Corinthians 4:15 -

The apostles, fulfilling Jesus' will, ordained bishops, priests, and deacons and thus handed on their apostolic ministry to them - the fullest degree of ordination to the bishops, lesser degrees to the priests and deacons. Jesus gave Peter special authority among the apostles - John 21:15-17 - and signified this by changing his name from Simon to Peter, which means "Rock." 'You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas' - meaning Rock. - John 1:42 - The Lord Jesus Christ said Peter was to be the rock on which he would build His Church. - Matthew 16:18 -
 

Later this name was translated into Greek as Petros - John 1:42 - and into English as Peter. Christ gave Peter alone the "keys of the kingdom" - Matthew 16:19 - and promised that Peter decisions would be binding in heaven. He also gave similar power to the other apostles - Matthew 18:18 - but only Peter was given the keys, symbols of his authority to rule the Church on earth in Jesus' absence.

Christ Jesus, the Good Shepherd, called Peter to be the chief shepherd of his Church - John 21:15-17 - He gave Peter the task of strengthening the other apostles in their faith, ensuring that they taught only what was true - Luke 22:31-32 - Peter led the Church in proclaiming the gospel and making decisions. - Acts 2:1-41; 15:7-12 -

Early Christian writings tell us that Peter's successors, the bishops of Rome (who from the earliest times have been called by the affectionate title of "Pope," which means "papa"), continued to exercise Peter's ministry in the Church.

The Pope is the successor to Peter as bishop of Rome. The world's other bishops are successors to the apostles in general.

Whether or not, you are a Catholic Christian, you may have questions about the Catholic faith. You may have heard challenges to the Catholic Church's claim to be the interpreter and safeguard of the proclamation, preaching and teachings of the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can't deal with these challenges unless you understand the basics of the Catholic faith. Amen!                                  

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Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 - 

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -

Your generous contribution and support is profoundly cherish. I sincerely pray that: God blessing be upon you, always. Amen! Bank transfer: Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah - Public Bank Berhad account no. 4076577113 - Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.                

 -WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY-  

"Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth." - John 1:45 -

The first person to write anything down was Moses. God instructed Moses to write as a permanent memorial the divine vow that the name of Amalek would be blotted out. From that time until the end of the New Testament age, the writing of the many books and parts of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible continued. Behind the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is a thrilling story of how God revealed Himself and His will to human spokesperson and then acted throughout history to preserve His Word and pass it along to future generations.

"In the words of the prophets: The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God remains for ever." - Isaiah 40:8 - "Lasting to eternity, your word, Yahweh, unchanging in the heavens." - Psalms 119:89 -

 "I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." - Matthew 24:34-35 -

"In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God." - John 1:1 -

It would be difficult to find a person in Israel's life who was better prepared and qualified than Moses to write the history recorded in the Book of Genesis. A man who was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. In fact, Moses was providentially prepared to comprehend and integrate, under the inspiration of God, all the available records, manuscripts, and oral narratives.

Moses may have written the Book of Genesis during the years of the wilderness wandering to prepare the new generation to enter the land of Canaan. Moses, as a prophet who enjoyed the unusual privilege of unhurried hours of communion with God on Mount Sinai. Moses was well equipped to record for all generations this magnificent account of God's dealings with the human race and the nation of Israel/Jacob.

The early Universal Church, however, held to the conviction that Moses wrote the first book of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. Placed at the opening of the Hebrew Scriptures, Genesis is the first of the five Book of Moses, known as the PENTATEUCH. Moses may have finished writing the Book of Genesis not long before his death on Mount Nebo. - Deuteronomy Chapter 34 -

In such a crucial historical context, the message of the Book of Genesis would have been of tremendous spiritual help to its first hearers. The 'creation of the world', 'the beginnings of sin and disobedience', 'the principle of judgement and deliverance', the scattering of the nations', 'the call and covenant God made with Abraham', and 'the checkered careers of the first descendants of Abraham'.

The Book of Genesis takes the reader to the moment when the Creator spoke into being the sun, moon, stars, planets, galaxies, plants, moving creatures, and mankind. Those who seek to discredit the Book of Genesis by pointing to alleged discrepancies between religion and science are blind to the 'exalted spiritual' content of this work. If anyone expects to find in Genesis a scientific account of how the world/earth/universe came into existence, with all questions concerning primitive life answered in technical language, he/she will be disappointed. The Book of Genesis is not an attempt to answer such technical questions.

"Yahweh God called Moses, and from the Tent of Meeting addressed him, saying 'Speak to the sons of Israel.'" - Leviticus 1:1 - 

At that time they were reading from the Book of Moses to the people, when they found this written in it, "The Ammonite and the Moabite shall never be admitted to the assembly of God." - Nehemiah 13:1 -

And his leprosy was cured at once. Then Jesus said to him, 'Mind you do not tell anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering prescribed by Moses, as evidence for them.' - Matthew 8:4 -

I was blessed with God's help, and so I have stood firm to this day, testifying to great and small alike, saying nothing more than what the prophets and Moses himself said would happen: that the 'Christ' was to suffer and that, as the first to rise from the dead, He was to proclaim that light now shone for our people and for the pagans too. - Acts 25:22-23 -

This promise is realized in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Seed of Abraham through whom peoples of all nations and families may enter into the joy of knowing the God of Abraham. The true 'seed' or descendants of Abraham, Apostle/Saint Paul affirmed, are not Abraham's physical descendants but those who have the same faith as Abraham.

"Merely by belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ you are the posterity of Abraham, the heirs he was promised." - Galatians 3:29 - 

Not all those descend from Israel/Jacob are Israel/Jacob; not all the descendants of Abraham are His true children. Remember: It is through Isaac that your name be carried on, which means that it is not physical descent that decides who are the children of God; it is only the children of the promise who will count as the true descendants. The actual words in which the promise was made were: I shall visit you at such a time, and Sarah will have a son. Even more to the point is what was said to Rebecca when she was pregnant by our ancestor Isaac, but before her twin children were born and before either had done good and evil. 

In order to stress that God's choice is free, since it depends on the one who calls, not on human merit, Rebecca was told: the elder shall serve the younger, as Scripture says elsewhere: I showed my love for Jacob/Israel and my hatred for Esau. - Romans 9:7-13; Genesis 21:12; John 8:31-44; Genesis 11:5-6; 25:23; Matthew 1:1-2 -

At times attention is focused on the men in the Book of Genesis. But women of major significance also appear in the Book of Genesis. Eve is the mother of all living. - Gen. 3:20 - Sarah had a faith that was complementary to Abraham's. - Gen. 21:1-7 - Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah are the mothers of the 12 patriarchs of Israel/Jacob. - Gen. 29:31-30:24; 35:23-26 -

Other religions and philosophies result from the endless human quest for God; Christianity results from God's quest for lost mankind. What can be known of God from nature? God has made Himself known to all people everywhere in the marvels of nature and in the human conscience, which is able to distinguish right from wrong. This knowledge is 'Universal' and continuous, by it God has displayed His glory to everyone.

As valuable as general revelation is for justice, honesty and decency in the world today, nevertheless, it must be completed by the "Good News" of God's mercy and His gracious gift of perfect righteousness. Nature does not show God's plan for saving: those who do wrong, and those who are wicked and evil. The message of salvation was seen dimly throughout Old Testament sacrifices and ceremonies.

This promise is realized in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Seed of Abraham through whom peoples of all nations and families may enter into the joy of knowing the God of Abraham and be saved.

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.

                                Abraham was the father of Isaac,

                                Isaac the father of Jacob/Israel

                                Jacob/Israel the father of Judah and his brothers.....

                                David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,                                                      Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,.......

                                After the deportation to Babylon:....

                                And Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary;

                                 of her was born Jesus who is called Christ. 

The sum of generations is therefore: fourteen from Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Babylonian deportation; and fourteen from the Babylonian deportation to Christ. - Matthew 1:1-17 -

The full and final revelation of God has occurred in Christ Jesus. And the Good News is not complete until we witness and hear that Jesus Christ rose again triumphantly over sin, Satan, and the grave, and is alive for ever and ever.

As according to the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, the last book is the revelation given by God to Jesus Christ so that the Lord Jesus Christ could tell His apostles, disciples, teachers, believers and all those who loves God, about the things which are now to take place very soon; God sent His angel to make it known to His servant John, and John has written down everything he saw and swears it is the Word of God guaranteed by the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is a written, authoritative record by which any teaching or theory may be judged. But behind the writing lay periods of time when these messages were circulated in spoken form. (Oral Tradition) The stories of the patriarchs were passed from generation to generation by word of mouth before they were written. (Written Tradition) The message of the prophets were delivered orally before they were fixed in writing. Narratives of the life and ministry of Christ Jesus were repeated orally for two or three decades before they were given literary form. But the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible owes its preservation to the fact that all these oral narratives were eventually reduced to writing. Just as God originally inspired the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, God has used this means to preserve His Words for future generations.

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible or collection of books, accepted by the Christian Church as uniquely inspired by God, and therefore, authoritative, providing guidelines for belief and behavior.

"Now you together are Christ's body; but each of you is a different part of it. In the Church, God has given the first place to apostles, the second to prophets, the third teachers [religious, spiritual, Christian teaching, that is: John 14:6 - Christ Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life and it has nothing to do with Secular, Temporal, Worldly teaching]; and after them, miracles, and after them the gift of healing; helpers, good teachers, those with many languages." - 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 - 

These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, and to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers." - Acts 2:42 - "Didache" (Tradition, Sacred Scripture, The Magisterium) The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible or collection of books, accepted by the Christian Church as uniquely inspired by God, and therefore, authoritative, providing guidelines for belief and behavior. 

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible contains two major sections known as the Old Testament and the New Testament. As for the Catholic Christian, the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, consists of 72 or 73 books: that is, 45 or 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus/Sirach, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah. Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, [Old Testament] - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts Of The Apostles, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation. [New Testament]

As for the Non Catholic Christian, the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible consists of 66 books (most of them): that is, 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs/Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, [Old Testament] - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts Of The Apostles, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation. [New Testament]

The books of the Old Testament were written over a period of 1,000 years in the Hebrew language, except for a few selected passages, which were written in Aramaic. The Old Testament tells of the preparation that was made for the Lord Jesus Christ coming.

The New Testament was written over a period of 100 years. The original language in which it was written was Greek, This portion of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible tells of Christ's coming, His life, His teachings, His person, His work and ministry, and the growth of the early Church.

The English word testament normally refers to a person's will, the document which bequeaths property to those who will inherit it after the owner's death. But the meaning of testament from both the Hebrew and the Greek languages is "settlement," "treaty," or "covenant." Of these three English words, "Covenant" best captures the meaning of the word testament. Thus, the two collections that make up the old covenant and the books of the new covenants

The authority of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is implied by its title, "the Word of God." It is the written record of the Word of God which came to prophets, apostles, and which "became flesh" in Jesus Christ. Christians believe Jesus Christ was the Word of God. Through Jesus Christ, God communicated the perfect revelation of Himself to mankind. The Old Testament was the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible that Jesus used and quote, especially to the Pharisees, and Sadducees. When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and led away to His execution, He submitted with the words: "Now all this happened to fulfill the prophecies in scripture." - Matthew 26:56 - Jesus saw His mission in the world as a fulfillment of the predictions of the Old Testament.

The New Testament presents the record of Jesus' birth, life, teachings, work, ministry, passion, death, resurrection and the ascension; a narrative of the beginning of the Christian Church with the coming of the Holy Spirit; and the story of the extension of the Gospel and the planting of His Church during the following generation. It also contains the written teachings of Jesus' apostles and other early Christians who applied the principles, and practices of the Lord Jesus Christ doctrines and redemptive work to their lives.

According to the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, God has made Himself known in a variety of ways. "The heavens declare the glory of God." - Psalms 19:1 - For since the creation of the world God invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead. But while God is revealed in His creation and through the inner voice of man's conscience, the other means by which He has made Himself known is through the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible.

Indeed, God has revealed Himself through His mighty acts and in the words of His messengers, or spokesperson. Either of these ways is incomplete without the other. In the Old Testament record, none of the mighty acts of God is emphasized more than the "Exodus" God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. As He delivered His people, God repeatedly identified Himself as their redeemer God: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods except Me." - Exodus 20:2-3 -

If they had been delivered with no explanation, the nation of Israel would have learned little about the God who redeemed His people. The Israelites might have guessed that in such events as the plagues of Egypt and the parting of the waters of the Red Sea, some supernatural power was at work on their behalf. But they would not have known the nature of this power or God's purpose for them as a people.

God communicated with His people, the nation of Israel, through Moses, to whom He had already made Himself known in the vision of the burning bush. God instructed Moses to tell his fellow Israelites what has been revealed to him. This was no impersonal force at work, but the God of their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In fulfillment of His promises to them, God was acting now on behalf of their descendants.

In communicating with His people, God revealed both His identity and His purpose. His purpose was to make the Israelites a nation dedicated to His service alone. This message, conveyed to the Israelites through Moses, would have been ineffective if God had not delivered them personally. On the other hand, God deliverance would have been meaningless without the message. Together both constituted the Word of God to the Israelites - the saving message of the God who both speaks and acts.

This pattern of God's mighty acts and the prophetic word interacting with each other continues throughout the course of scriptural/biblical history. The Babylonian Captivity is a good example of this process. A succession of prophets warned the people that if they continue sinning against God, and did not correct their sinful ways, Captivity would come on them as judgment. But even during the years of the Captivity the prophets continued to speak, encouraging the captives and promising that God would deliver them from their plight.

The prophets were God's primary spokesperson to the people of Israel in the Old Testament times. But they were not His only messengers. Priests and sages, or wise men, were other agents through whom God's will was made known. The teachings of many of these messengers are preserved in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible.

In addition to God's revelation of Himself through the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, God's Word also records the response of those to whom the revelation was given. Too often the response was unbelief and disobedience. But at other times, people responded in faith and love, and obedience. In the book of Psalms, especially, proclaim the grateful response of men and women who experienced the grace and righteousness of God. These faithful people sometimes voiced their appreciation in words addressed directly to God. At other times they reported to others what God had come to mean to them.

There is one thing in the world that is definitely and absolutely your own, and that is your will. Health, power, life, and honor can all be snatched from you, but your will is irrevocably your own, even in hell. Hence, nothing really matters in life, except what you do with your will. 

"You." "We are all individuals in the sight of God. He calls His sheep by name. This Word was the foundation of Christian democracy. Every soul is precious in God's sight, even those whom the State casts out and kills. At the foot of the Cross, Mary witnessed the conversation of the good thief, and her soul rejoiced that he had accepted the will of God. Her Divine Son's Second Word promising Paradise as a reward for that surrender, reminded her of her own Second Word some thirty years before, when the angel had appeared to her and told her that she was to be the Mother of Him who was now dying on the Cross. In her First Word she asked how this would be accomplished since she knew not man. But when the angel said she would conceive of the Holy Spirit, Mary immediately answered: 'Be it done to me according to your word.'" Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. - Luke 1:38 -

 -     WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY     - 

Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 - 

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -

Your generous contribution and support is profoundly cherish. I sincerely pray that: God blessing be upon you, always. Amen! Bank transfer: Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah - Public Bank Berhad account no. 4076577113 - Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.