The circumcision of John the Baptist - Luke 1:59-66 - N. T. 

Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. 'No,' she said 'he is to be called John.' They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name', and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John'. And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. 'What will this child turn out to be?' they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

Cf. - Genesis 17:10-11 - O. T. - Now this is my Covenant which you are to maintain between myself and you, and your descendants after you: all your males must be circumcised. You shall circumcise your foreskin, and this shall be the sign of the Covenant between myself and you.

Cf. - Leviticus 12:3 - O. T. - On the eighth day the child's foreskin must be circumcised.

Cf. - Luke 1:12-13; 2:20-21; 1:80 -

Cf. - Acts 11:21 - N. T. - The Lord helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord.

The Benedictus - Luke 1:67-79 - N. T. 

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: 'Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue and he has raised up for us a power for salvation in the House of his servant David, even as he proclaimed, by mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times, that he would save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us, Thus, he shows mercy to our ancestors, thus, he remembers his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham that he would grants us, free from fear, to be delivered from the hands of our enemies, to serve him in holiness and virtue in his presence, all our days. And you, little child, you shall be called Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way for him. To give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins; this by the tender mercy of our God who from on high will bring the rising Sun to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.'

Cf. - Psalms 41:13 - O. T. - Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from all eternity and for ever! Amen. Amen!

Cf. - Psalms 72:18 - O. T. - Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who alone performs these marvel!

Cf. - Psalms 106:48 - O. T. - Blessed be Yahweh the God of Israel, from all eternity and for ever! Here, all the people are to say, 'Amen'.

Cf. - Psalms 111:9 - O. T. - How can a youth remain pure? By behaving as your word prescribes.

Cf. - Psalms 132:17 - O. T. 'Here, I will make a horn sprout for David, here, I will trim a lamp for my anointed.

Cf. - Psalms 136:24 - O. T. - And snatched us from our oppressors, his love is everlasting!

Cf. - Leviticus 26:42 - O. T. - I shall remember my Covenant with Jacob, and my Covenant with Isaac and my Covenant with Abraham; and I shall remember the land.

Cf. - Psalms 106:45 - O. T.  For their sake, he remembered his covenant, he relented in his great love.

Cf. - Psalms 105:8-9 - O. T. - Remember his covenant for ever, his word of command for a thousand generations, the pact he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac.

Cf. - Matthew 7:19-20 - N. T. - Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown on the fire. I repeat, you will be able to tell them by their fruits.

Cf. - Genesis 22:16-18 - O. T. - The angel of Yahweh called Abraham a second time from heaven, 'I swear by my own self - it is Yahweh who speaks - because you have done this, because you have not refused me your son, your only son. i will shower blessings on you, I will make you descendants as many as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants shall gain possession of the gates of their enemies. All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants, as a reward for your obedience.'

Cf. - Matthew 11:10 - N. T. - To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom Sacred Scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way before you. 

Cf. - Matthew 16:14 - N. T. - 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets'. 'But you,' he said 'who do you say I am?' Then Simon Peter spoke up, 'You are the Christ,' he said 'the Son of the living God'.

Cf. - Luke 1:16-17 - 

Cf. - Isaiah 40:3 - O. T. - A voice cries, 'Prepare in the wilderness a way for Yahweh. Make a straight highway for our God across the desert.

Cf. - Micah 3:1 - O. T. - Then I said: Listen now, you princes of the House of Jacob, rulers of the House of Israel.

Cf. - Acts 13:25 - N. T. - Before John ended his career he said, "I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal."

Cf. - 2 Peter 1:19 - N. T. - So we have confirmation of what was said in prophecies; and you will be right to depend on prophecy and take it as a lamp for lighting a way through the dark until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds.

Cf. - Isaiah 9:1 - O. T.  - The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.

Cf. - Isaiah 42:6-7 - O. T. - I, Yahweh, have called you to serve the cause of right; I have taken you by the hand and formed you; I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.

Cf. - John 8:12 - N. T. - When Jesus spoke to the people again, he said: 'I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; he will have the light of life'.

Cf. - Isaiah 11:6 - O. T. - The wolf lives with the lamb, the panther lies down with the kid, calf and lion cub feed together with a little boy to lead them.

Cf. - Jeremiah 6:14-15 - O. T. - They dress my people's wound without concern: "Peace! Peace!" they say, but there is no peace. They should be ashamed of their abominable deeds. But not they! They feel no shame, they have forgotten how to blush. And so as others fall, they too shall fall; they shall be thrown down when I come to deal with them - says Yahweh.

The hidden life of John the Baptist - Luke 1:80 - N. T. 

Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit matured. And he lived out in the wilderness until the day he appeared openly to Israel.

Cf. - Luke 1:66; 2:40; 3:1-18 -
                                                          - PAGE  5 -

The birth of Jesus and visit of the shepherds

Now at this time Caesar Augustus issued a ....PAGE  6

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, and the 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!

Hence, these two books (The Gospel According To Apostle/Saint Luke & The Acts Of The Apostles) of the New Testament were closely associated, and being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity'. Therefore, I faithfully believe that it is utmost important for us; all human beings to comprehend these two books, [ All the others Old Testament and New Testament books are equally important, but as for now, we will start studying and read these two books first, that is, being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity', before continuing the other books.] to the best of our knowledge and enabling our spirit to acknowledges: "Who is God, and how, and in what ways, that is, God is with us." Amen! 

When Sacred Scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: all belong to the same Lord, Jesus Christ, who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But they will not ask for his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent, but as Sacred Scripture say: The footsteps of those who bring good news is a welcome sound.

Not everyone, of course, listens to the Good News. As prophet Isaiah says: Lord, how many believed what we proclaimed? So faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ Jesus. [ 'Word of God' ] - Romans 10:11-17 -

How? And in what way, when it come to understanding matters: What I was always being told is: There are ways and preferences to comprehend all matters, whether it is of spirituality and unspirituality.

Firstly, in a literally manner: That is, used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true.

Secondly, in a humanly manner: That is, from a human point of view, in a humanly manner, by human means; within ability; with human feeling or kindness.

Thirdly, in a spiritually manner: That is, in a way that relates to or affects the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

Finally, in an unspiritual manner: That is, not spiritual. But secular and worldly.

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.  

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:

Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

It is to the Lord Jesus Christ that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name. - Acts 10:43 -

It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the Good News of peace was brought by Jesus Christ - But Jesus Christ is Lord of all men. - Acts 10:36 -

The visitation - Luke 1:39-45 - N. T. 

Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of the Lord? For the moment of your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.'

Cf. - Luke 1:15 - Judges 5:24 - O. T. - Blessed be Jael among women (the wife of Heber the Kenite); among all women that dwell in tents may she be blessed.

Cf. - Judith 13:17-18 - O. T. - Overcome with emotion, the people all fell on their knees and worshipped God, exclaiming as one man, 'Blessings on you, O our God, for confounding your people's enemies today!

Cf. - John 20:29 - N. T. - Jesus said to him: 'You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen yet believe.'

The Magnificat - Luke 1:46-56 - N. T. 

Cf. - 1 Samuel 2:1-10 - O. T. - 'My heart exults in Yahweh, my horn is exalted in my God, my mouth derides my foes, for I rejoice in your power of saving. There is none as holy as Yahweh, (indeed, there is no one but you) no rock like our God. Do not speak and speak with haughty words, let not arrogance come from your mouth. For Yahweh is an all-knowing God and his is the weighing deeds. The bow of the mighty is broken but the feeble have girded themselves with strength. The sated hire themselves out for bread but the famished cease from labour; the barren women bears seven-fold, but the mother of many is desolate.

Yahweh gives death and life, brings down to Sheol and draws up; Yahweh makes poor and rich, he humbles and also exalts. he raises the poor from the dust, he lifts the needy from the dunghill to give them a place with princes, and to assign them a seat of honour; for to Yahweh the props of the earth belong, on these he has poised the world. He safeguards the steps of his faithful but the wicked vanish in darkness (for it is not by strength that man triumphs). The enemies of Yahweh are shattered, the Most High thunders in the heavens. Yahweh judges the ends of the earth, he endows his king with power, he exalts the horn of his Anointed.'

Cf. - Isaiah 29:19 - O. T. - But the lowly will rejoice in Yahweh even more and the poorest exult in the Holy One of Israel.

And Mary said: 'My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great thing for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy - according to the promise he made to our ancestors - of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.'

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

Cf. - Isaiah 61:10 - O. T. - I exult for joy in Yahweh, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in the cloak of integrity, like a bridegroom wearing his wreath, like a bride adorned in her jewels.

Cf. - 1 Samuel 2:1 - O. T. - My heart exults in Yahweh, my horn is exalted in my God, my mouth derides my foes, for I rejoice in your power of saving.

Cf. - Habakkuk 3:18 - O. T. - But But I rejoice in Yahweh, I will exult in God my saviour.

Cf. - 1 Samuel 1:11 - O. T. - 'Yahweh Sabaoth! If you will take notice of the distress of your servant, and bear me in mind and not forget your servant and give her a man-child, I will give him to Yahweh for the whole of his life and no razor shall ever touch his head.'

Cf. - Luke 11:27 - Genesis 30:12-13 - O. T. - Leah's slave girl Zilpah gave birth to a second son by Jacob. Then Leah said, 'What happiness! Women will call me happy!'

Cf. - Psalms 126:3 - O. T. - What marvels indeed he did it for us, and how overjoyed we were!

Cf. - Psalms 111:9 - O. T. - Quickly he comes to his people's rescue, imposing his covenant once and for all; so holy his name, commanding our dread.

Cf. - Psalms 103:17 - O. T. - yet Yahweh's love love for those who fear him, lasts from all eternity and for ever, like his goodness to their children's children, as long as they keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Cf. - Psalms 89:10 - O. T. - You split Rahab in two like a carcase and scattered your enemies with your mighty arms.

Cf. - Psalms 138:6 - O. T. From far above, Yahweh sees the humble, from far away he marks down the arrogant.

Cf. - Sirach / Ecclesiasticus 33:12 - O. T. - Some he has blessed and made more important, some he has hallowed and set near him; others he has cursed and humiliated by degrading them from their positions.

Cf. - Ezekiel 17:24 - O. T. - And every tree of the field will learn that I, Yahweh, am the one who stunts tall trees and makes the low ones grow, who withers green trees and makes the withered green. I, Yahweh, have spoken, and I will do it.

Cf. - John 5:11 - Luke 12:19 - N. T. - He replied, 'But the man who cured me told me, "Pick up your mat and walk".

Cf. - Psalms 98:2-3 - O. T. - Yahweh has displayed his power; has revealed his righteousness to the nations, mindful of his love and faithfulness to the House of Israel.

Cf. - Isaiah 41:8-9 - O. T. -You, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham my friend. You whom I brought from the confines of the earth and called from the ends of the world; you to whom I said, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you, not rejected you'.

Cf. - Genesis 12:3 - O. T. - 'I will bless those who bless you: I will curse those who slight you. All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you.'

Cf. - Genesis 13:15 - O. T. - All the land within sight I will give to you and your descendants for ever.

Cf. - Genesis 22:18 - O. T. - All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants, as a reward for your obedience.

The birth of John the Baptist and visit of the neighbours - Luke 1:57-58 - N. T. 

Meanwhile the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.

Cf. - Luke 1:14-17 -
                                                                  - PAGE  4 -
The circumcision of John the Baptist

Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise.... PAGE  5

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, and the 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!

Hence, these two books (The Gospel According To Apostle/Saint Luke & The Acts Of The Apostles) of the New Testament were closely associated, and being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity'. Therefore, I faithfully believe that it is utmost important for us; all human beings to comprehend these two books, [ All the others Old Testament and New Testament books are equally important, but as for now, we will start studying and read these two books first, that is, being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity', before continuing the other books.] to the best of our knowledge and enabling our spirit to acknowledges: "Who is God, and how, and in what ways, that is, God is with us." Amen! 

When Sacred Scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: all belong to the same Lord, Jesus Christ, who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But they will not ask for his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent, but as Sacred Scripture say: The footsteps of those who bring good news is a welcome sound.

Not everyone, of course, listens to the Good News. As prophet Isaiah says: Lord, how many believed what we proclaimed? So faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ Jesus. [ 'Word of God' ] - Romans 10:11-17 -

How? And in what way, when it come to understanding matters: What I was always being told is: There are ways and preferences to comprehend all matters, whether it is of spirituality and unspirituality.

Firstly, in a literally manner: That is, used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true.

Secondly, in a humanly manner: That is, from a human point of view, in a humanly manner, by human means; within ability; with human feeling or kindness.

Thirdly, in a spiritually manner: That is, in a way that relates to or affects the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

Finally, in an unspiritual manner: That is, not spiritual. But secular and worldly.

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.  

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:

Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

IT IS TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST THAT ALL THE PROPHETS BEAR THIS WITNESS: THAT ALL WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS WILL HAVE THEIR SINS FORGIVEN THROUGH HIS NAME." - ACTS 10:43 - 

IT IS TRUE, GOD SENT HIS WORD TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, AND IT WAS TO THEM THAT THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE WAS BROUGHT BY JESUS CHRIST - BUT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL MEN. - ACTS 10:36 - 

The annunciation - Luke 1:26-38 - N. T. -

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.'

Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?' 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you' the angel answered 'and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her own age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' 'I am the handmaid of the Lord,' said Mary 'let what you have said be done to me.' And the angel left her.

Cf. - Daniel 8:15-16 - O. T. - As I, Daniel, gazed at the vision and tried to understand it, I saw someone standing before me looked like a man. I heard a man's voice cry over the Ulai, 'Gabriel, tell me the meaning of the vision!'

Cf. - Hebrews 2:14-16 - N. T. - Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, he too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham.

Cf. - Matthew 1:18 - N. T. - This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

Cf. - Judges 6:12 - O. T. - When the angel of Yahweh appeared to him and said, 'Yahweh is with you, valiant warrior!'

Cf. - Ruth 2:4 - O. T. - Now Boaz, as it happened, had just come from Bethlehem. 'Yahweh be with you!' he said to the reapers. 'Yahweh bless you!' they replied.

Cf. - Judith 13:18 - O. T. - Then Judith raised her voice and said, 'Praise God! Praise him! Praise the God who has not withdrawn his mercy from the House of Israel, but has shattered our enemies by my hand tonight!'

Cf. - Isaiah 7:14 - O. T. - The Lord himself, therefore, will give you a sign. It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she call Immanuel.

Cf. - Luke 2:21; Matthew 1:21 - N. T. - She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.

Cf. - 2 Samuel 7:1-3 - O. T. - Once David had settled into his house and Yahweh had given him rest from all the enemies surrounding him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, 'Look, I am living in a house of cedar while the ark of God dwells in a tent'. Nathan said to the king, 'Go and do all that is in your mind, for Yahweh is with you'. 

Cf. - Isaiah 9:6 - O. T. - For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and domain is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.

Cf. - Matthew 9:27 - N. T. - As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, 'Take pity on us, Son of David'.

Cf. - Daniel 2:44; 7:14 - O. T. - In the time of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not pass into the hands of another race: it will shatter and absorb all the previous kingdoms, and itself last for ever. - On him was conferred sovereignty, glory and kingship, and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants. His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed.

Cf. - Matthew 1:19-20 - N. T. - Mary husband Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit.

Cf. - Mark 1:24 - N. T. - 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.'

Cf. - Matthew 4:3-4 - N. T. - 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves'. But Jesus replied, 'Sacred Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'. 

Cf. - Acts 3:14 - N. T. - It was you who accused the Holy One, the Just one, you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer while you killed the prince of life.

Cf. - Genesis 18:13-14 - O. T. - Yahweh asked Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh and say, "Am I really going to have a child now that I am old?" Is anything too wonderful for Yahweh? At the same time next year I shall visit you again and Sarah will have a son.'

Cf. - Jeremiah 32:26-27 - O. T. - The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows, "See, I am Yahweh, the God of all mankind: is anything impossible to me?"

Cf. - Matthew 19:25-26 - N. T. - When the disciples heard this they were astonished. 'Who can be saved, then?' they said. Jesus gazed at them. 'For men' he told them ' this is impossible; for God everything is possible.'

Cf. - Romans 4:20-21 - N. T. - Since God had promised it, Abraham refused either to deny it or even to doubt it, but drew strength from faith and gave glory to God, convinced that God had power to do what he had promised.
                                                            - PAGE  3 -
The visitation

Mary set out at that time and went .......PAGE  4

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, and the 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!

Hence, these two books (The Gospel According To Apostle/Saint Luke & The Acts Of The Apostles) of the New Testament were closely associated, and being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity'. Therefore, I faithfully believe that it is utmost important for us; all human beings to comprehend these two books, [ All the others Old Testament and New Testament books are equally important, but as for now, we will start studying and read these two books first, that is, being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity', before continuing the other books.] to the best of our knowledge and enabling our spirit to acknowledges: "Who is God, and how, and in what ways, that is, God is with us." Amen! 

When Sacred Scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: all belong to the same Lord, Jesus Christ, who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But they will not ask for his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent, but as Sacred Scripture say: The footsteps of those who bring good news is a welcome sound.

Not everyone, of course, listens to the Good News. As prophet Isaiah says: Lord, how many believed what we proclaimed? So faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ Jesus. [ 'Word of God' ] - Romans 10:11-17 -

How? And in what way, when it come to understanding matters: What I was always being told is: There are ways and preferences to comprehend all matters, whether it is of spirituality and unspirituality.

Firstly, in a literally manner: That is, used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true.

Secondly, in a humanly manner: That is, from a human point of view, in a humanly manner, by human means; within ability; with human feeling or kindness.

Thirdly, in a spiritually manner: That is, in a way that relates to or affects the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

Finally, in an unspiritual manner: That is, not spiritual. But secular and worldly.

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.  

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:

Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

IT IS TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST THAT ALL THE PROPHETS BEAR THIS WITNESS: THAT ALL WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS WILL HAVE THEIR SINS FORGIVEN THROUGH HIS NAME." - ACTS 10:43 - 

IT IS TRUE, GOD SENT HIS WORD TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, AND IT WAS TO THEM THAT THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE WAS BROUGHT BY JESUS CHRIST - BUT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL MEN. - ACTS 10:36 - 

I.  THE  BIRTH  AND  HIDDEN  LIFE  OF  JOHN  THE  BAPTIST  AND  OF  JESUS

The birth of John the Baptist foretold - Luke 1:5-10 - N. T. -

In the days of king Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. Both were worthy in the sight of God, and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of the Lord. But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both getting on in years. 

Now it was the turn of Zechariah's section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God when lot fell to him by lot, as the ritual custom was, to enter the Lord's sanctuary and burn incense there. And at the hour of incense the whole congregation was outside, praying.

Cf. - Compare - 1 Chronicles 24:7-10 - O.T. - "The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, to Jedaiah the second, Harim the third......., Abijah the eighth, Jeshua the ninth......"

- Compare - Genesis 18:11-12 - O. T. - "Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well on in years, and Sarah had ceased to have her monthly periods. So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, 'Now that I am past the age of child-bearing, and my husband is an old man, is pleasure to come my way again!'"

- Compare - Judges 13:2-5 - O. T. - His wife was barren, she had borne no children. The angel of Yahweh appeared to this woman and said to her, 'You are barren and have had no child. But from now on take great care. Take no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean. For you will conceive and bear a son. No razor is to touch his head, for the boy shall be God's nazirite from his mother's womb. It is he who will begin to rescue Israel from the power of the Philistines."

- Compare - 1 Samuel 1:4-6 - O. T. - "One day Elkanah offered sacrifice. He used to give portions to Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; to Hannah, however, he would give only one portion, although he loved her more, since Yahweh had made her barren. Her rival would taunt her to annoy her, because Yahweh had made her barren."

- Luke 1:11-25 - N. T. -

Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear a son and you must name him John. He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must not drink wine, no strong drink. Even from his mother's womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and he will bring back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before him to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the disobedient back to the wisdom that the virtuous have, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him.' Zechariah said to the angel, 'How can I be sure of this?' I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.'

The angel replied, 'I am Gabriel who stand in God's presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. Listen! Since you have not believed my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until has happened.' Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long. When he came out he could not speak to them, and they realised that he had received a vision in the sanctuary. But he could only make signs to them, and remained dumb.

When his time of service came to an end he returned home. Some time later his wife conceived, and for five months she kept to herself. The Lord has done this for me' she said 'now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered among men.'

Cf. - Compare - Matthew 1:19-25 - N. T. - "Mary husband Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. Joseph had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.' Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel, a name which means 'God-is-with-us'. When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home and, though he had not had intercourse with her, she gave birth to a son; and he named him, Jesus."

- Compare - Luke 1:65; 4:36; 5:9,26; 2:10; 1:63; 1:10,58; 10:17,21 -

- Compare - Number 6:1-3 - O. T. - "Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, 'Say this to the sons of Israel: "If a man or a woman wishes to make a vow, the vow of the nazirite by which he/she is pledged to Yahweh, he/she shall abstain from wine and strong drink, and neither the juice of grapes, nor eat grapes, fresh or dried."

Cf. - Jeremiah 1:5 - O. T. - "'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.'"

Cf. - John 11:18 - N. T. - "'For John the Baptist came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He is possessed".

Cf. - Galatians 1:15 - N. T. - "Then God, who had specially chosen me while I was still in my mother's womb."

Cf. - Matthew 17:10-13 - N. T. - "And the disciples put this question to him, 'Why do the scribes say then that Elijah has to come first? 'True;' he replied 'Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.' the disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist."

Cf. - Malachi 3:22-24 - O. T. - "Remember the Law of my servant Moses to whom at Horeb I prescribed laws and customs for the whole of Israel. Know that I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before my day comes, that great and terrible day. He shall turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of children towards their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a curse."

Cf. - Sirach / Ecclesiasticus 48:10-12 - O. T. - "Designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God's wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob. Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love; for we too will have life."

Cf. - Genesis 15:8 - O. T. - 'My Lord Yahweh.' Abram replied 'how am I to know that I shall inherit it?'

Cf. - Daniel 8:15-16; 9:21-22 - O. T. - "As I, Daniel, gazed at the vision and tried to understand it, I saw someone standing before me who looked like a man. I heard a man's voice cry over the Ulai, 'Gabriel, tell him the meaning of the vision!' - "I was still speaking, still at prayer, when Gabriel, the being I had seen originally in a vision, flew suddenly down to me at the hour of the evening sacrifice. He said to me, 'Daniel, you see me; I have come down to teach you how to understand."

Cf. - Tobit 12:15 - O. T. - "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand ever ready to enter the presence of the glory of the Lord."

Cf. - Mark 1:1-2 - N. T. - "The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet of Isaiah."

Cf. - Matthew 8:9-11 - N. T. - "For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.' When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, 'I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven."
                                                          - PAGE  2 -
The annunciation

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent to God... PAGE  3

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, and the 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!

Hence, these two books (The Gospel According To Apostle/Saint Luke & The Acts Of The Apostles) of the New Testament were closely associated, and being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity'. Therefore, I faithfully believe that it is utmost important for us; all human beings to comprehend these two books, [ All the others Old Testament and New Testament books are equally important, but as for now, we will start studying and read these two books first, that is, being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity', before continuing the other books.] to the best of our knowledge and enabling our spirit to acknowledges: "Who is God, and how, and in what ways, that is, God is with us." Amen! 

When Sacred Scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: all belong to the same Lord, Jesus Christ, who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But they will not ask for his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent, but as Sacred Scripture say: The footsteps of those who bring good news is a welcome sound.

Not everyone, of course, listens to the Good News. As prophet Isaiah says: Lord, how many believed what we proclaimed? So faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ Jesus. [ 'Word of God' ] - Romans 10:11-17 -

How? And in what way, when it come to understanding matters: What I was always being told is: There are ways and preferences to comprehend all matters, whether it is of spirituality and unspirituality.

Firstly, in a literally manner: That is, used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true.

Secondly, in a humanly manner: That is, from a human point of view, in a humanly manner, by human means; within ability; with human feeling or kindness.

Thirdly, in a spiritually manner: That is, in a way that relates to or affects the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

Finally, in an unspiritual manner: That is, not spiritual. But secular and worldly.

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

IT IS TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST THAT ALL THE PROPHETS BEAR THIS WITNESS: THAT ALL WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS WILL HAVE THEIR SINS FORGIVEN THROUGH HIS NAME." - ACTS 10:43 - 

IT IS TRUE, GOD SENT HIS WORD TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, AND IT WAS TO THEM THAT THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE WAS BROUGHT BY JESUS CHRIST - BUT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL MEN. - ACTS 10:36 - 

IT IS TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST THAT ALL THE PROPHETS BEAR THIS WITNESS: THAT ALL WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS WILL HAVE THEIR SINS FORGIVEN THROUGH HIS NAME." - ACTS 10:43 - 

IT IS TRUE, GOD SENT HIS WORD TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, AND IT WAS TO THEM THAT THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE WAS BROUGHT BY JESUS CHRIST - BUT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL MEN. - ACTS 10:36 - 

The Gospel According To Apostle/Saint Luke and The Acts Of The Apostles must originally have been two parts of a book that today we should call 'a history of the rise of Christianity'. These two books of the New Testament were closely associated.

( 1 ) By their Prologues: both are addressed to someone called Theophilus and having referred to the gospel as an 'earlier work', goes on by way of introduction to say why the gospel was written and to summarise its closing incidents, that is, appearances of the risen Christ, ( Jesus Christ resurrection from the dead.) and the Ascension. ( Jesus Christ was taken up to heaven.)

Prologue - The Gospel According To Apostle/Saint Luke -
Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received. - Luke 1:1-4 -

Prologue - The Acts Of The Apostles -

In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. - Acts 1:1-2 -

( 2 ) By their literary affinity: vocabulary, grammar and style are not only consistent all through Acts showing that it is a literary unity, but they are also characteristic of the third gospel which makes it almost certain that both books ( The Gospel According To Apostle/Saint Luke and The Acts Of The Apostles ) are by the same author, that is,  Apostle/Saint Luke.

Hence, these two books of the New Testament were closely associated, and being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity'. Therefore, I faithfully believe that it is utmost important for us; all human beings to comprehend these two books, [All the others Old Testament and New Testament books are equally important, but as for now, we will start studying and read these two books first, that is, being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity', before continuing the other books.] to the best of our knowledge and enabling our spirit to acknowledges: "Who is God, and how, and in what ways, that is, God is with us. Amen!

Comparing Apostle/Saint Luke and his two sources, (a) - Apostle/Saint Mark, the best known, and (b) - the sources behind the Apostle/Saint Matthew passages which are paralleled in Apostle/Saint Luke, it becomes apparent that Apostle/Saint Luke was a craftsman whose concentration never slackened. His changes are very slight - just small omissions and additions - but through them he gives his work a character peculiarly his own. He avoids or whittles down anything he or his readers found offensive - 8:43, cf. Mark 5:26, he omits Mark 9:43-48, 13:32, etc. - or anything they could not be expected to understand (he omits Matthew 5:21f; Mark 15:34, etc.) He omits anything derogatory to the dignity of the apostles - Mark 4:13, 8:32f, 9:28f, 14:50 - and makes excuses for them - 9:45, 18:34, 22:45 - Luke explains obscure phrases - 6:15 - and clears up points of topography - 4:31, 19:28f,37, 23:51, etc.

In these innumerable small corrections, and even more especially in the fresh material he found by personal enquiry, it is possible to see what Apostle/Saint Luke's preferences were and to see the way his mind worked. Or, to put it more theologically, the Holy Spirit used Luke as his instrument to put the gospel into a completely new shape, packed with doctrine. The originality of Apostle/Saint Luke is not in his key ideas (they are identical with those of Apostle/Saint Mark and of Apostle/Saint Matthew) but in his religious mentality which apart from slight traces of Apostle/Saint Paul's influence, is overwhelmingly distinctive of Apostle/Saint Luke's personal temperament.

Apostle/Saint Luke, in Dante's phrase, is the 'scriba mansuetudinis Christi', the faithful recorder of Christ's loving-kindness. He is anxious to stress his Master's love of sinners - 15:1f,7,10 - to record his acts of forgiveness - 7:36-50, 15:11-32, 19:1-10, 23:34,39-43 - and to contrast his tenderness for the lowly and the poor with his severity towards the proud and towards those who abuse their wealth - 1:15-53, 6:20-26, 12:13-21, 14:7-11, 16:15,19-31, 18:9-14 - But in spite of this severity, the wicked however, deserving of punishment will not be condemned till the period set aside for mercy has come to an end - 13:6-9, cf. Mark 11:12-14 -

The one thing necessary is repentance, abdication of self, and on this the gentle, tolerant Luke takes a firm stand, insisting on unflinching and complete detachment - 14:25-34 - especially from riches - 6:34f, 12:33, 14:12-14, 16:9-13 - Another group of passages which are also found only in the third gospel is on the necessity of prayer - 11:5-8, 18:1-8 - of which Jesus set the example - 3:21, 5:16, 6:12, 9:28 -

Finally, Apostle/Saint Luke is the only one of the Synoptics to give the Holy Spirit the prominence, we find in Apostle/Saint Paul and in Acts (Luke 1:15,35,41,67, 2:25-27, 4:1,14,18, 10:21, 11:13, 24:49 ) These qualities, combined with that joy in God and that gratitude to him for his gifts which fill the third gospel - 2:14, 5:26, 10:17, 13:17, 18:43, 19:37, 24:51f - are the ones that go to make Apostle/Saint Luke's achievement the warm and human thing it is.

Prologue - Luke 1:1-4 - N. T. -

Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.

Cf. - Compare - Luke 15:27 - N. T. - "Your brother/sister has come" replied the servant "and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound."

- Compare - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - N. T. - "Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Sacred Scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day."

- Compare - Acts 1:8 - N. T. - "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth."

- Compare - Ephesians 3:7 - N. T. - "I have been made the servant of that gospel by a gift of grace from God who give it to me by his own power."

- Compare - Acts 1:1 - N. T. - "In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning."
                                                               - PAGE  1 -

I.  THE  BIRTH  AND  HIDDEN  LIFE  OF  JOHN  THE  BAPTIST  AND  OF  JESUS

The birth of John the Baptist foretold

In the days .......      PAGE  2

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, and the 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!

Hence, these two books (The Gospel According To Apostle/Saint Luke & The Acts Of The Apostles) of the New Testament were closely associated, and being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity'. Therefore, I faithfully believe that it is utmost important for us; all human beings to comprehend these two books, [ All the others Old Testament and New Testament books are equally important, but as for now, we will start studying and read these two books first, that is, being call 'a history of the rise of Christianity', before continuing the other books.] to the best of our knowledge and enabling our spirit to acknowledges: "Who is God, and how, and in what ways, that is, God is with us." Amen! 

When Sacred Scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: all belong to the same Lord, Jesus Christ, who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But they will not ask for his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent, but as Sacred Scripture say: The footsteps of those who bring good news is a welcome sound.

Not everyone, of course, listens to the Good News. As prophet Isaiah says: Lord, how many believed what we proclaimed? So faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ Jesus. [ 'Word of God' ] - Romans 10:11-17 -

How? And in what way, when it come to understanding matters: What I was always being told is: There are ways and preferences to comprehend all matters, whether it is of spirituality and unspirituality.

Firstly, in a literally manner: That is, used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true.

Secondly, in a humanly manner: That is, from a human point of view, in a humanly manner, by human means; within ability; with human feeling or kindness.

Thirdly, in a spiritually manner: That is, in a way that relates to or affects the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

Finally, in an unspiritual manner: That is, not spiritual. But secular and worldly.

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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 will glorify Me, since all he tells you will be taken from what is Mine. Everything the Father has is Mine; that is why I said: all he tells you will be taken from what is Mine. - John 16:12-15