MODULE 1

History of CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY

- The birth of CPU is connected with the beginning of the Baptist Mission in the Philippines.

1898
- Rev. Dr. Eric Lund a Swedish Baptist Missionary baptized Braulio Manikan.
- Braulio Manikan a native of Aklan Panay in Barcelona Spain and the First Filipino Baptist.
- They translated the Gospels and Acts into the Hiligaynon language.

American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society (ABFMS)

- commissioned and financed their work.
- They arrived in Iloilo Philippines in May 1900.
- Their Mission work resulted in organizing churches in Iloilo, Negros and Capiz.

1901
- Rev. Charles Briggs sought to impress Dr. T. S. Barbour that a school should be started.
1903
- Dr Joseph Robbins and Dr. Peter planned that a boys’ school should be started.
1904
- The eleven Baptist Missionaries met in Iloilo and organized the Philippine Baptist Mission Conf.
(PBMC)
December 2, 1904
- The PBMC voted to established two schools: Industrial school for boys and Bible School to train
pastors.
1904
- Rev. Willian O. Valentine was elected principal of the two schools.
October 1, 1905
- The Jaro Industrial School opened under the principalship of Rev. Valentine.
1907
- The enrolment increased from 20 to nearly 300 students, all were working students.
1915-1916
- The first-year high school opened with 58 students enrolled and 50 of them remained.
March 1921
- First High School commencement with 17 students graduating
1921
- Jaro Industrial School was changed to Central Philippine School.
1922
- The name of the formally changed to Central Philippine College.
June 1923
- A Junior College opened classes enunciated by Pres. Stuart.
- The Stuart Hall is the oldest bldg. in CPU.
 - The college was organized into two divisions:
1. Department of Educational and Liberal Arts
2. Department of Theology.

1942-45
- World War II
- CPU was devastated. Many buildings were destroyed.
- Many teachers and students went to the mountains for refuge.
- CPU remained strong because of Central Spirit.

April 1, 1953
- Central Philippine College became Central Philippine University.
1966
- CPU Corporation voted Dr. Rex Drilon as the first Filipino president
1968
- The entire university property was turned over by Americans to Filipinos.
1973
- All the members of the Board of Trustees and Administrative official are Filipinos.

CPU’s MOTTO
Scientia et fidas
- Scientia means knowledge
- Fides means faith.

CPU’s Colleges
• School of graduate and studies
• College of Agriculture
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business and Accountancy
• College of Computer Studies
• College of Education
• College of Hospitality Management
• College of Engineering
• College of Nursing
• College of Medicine
• College of Theology
• College of Law
• College of Pharmacy
• College of Medical Laboratory Science

CPU’s Departments
• Senior High School
• Junior High School
 • Elementary
• Kindergarten

CPU’s affiliation
• CPBC
• IM-ABC
• UBCHEA
• ACSCU
• PAASCU
• ATESEA

At present
• In 113 years, CPU has grown from an industrial school with only 17 pupils to a widely known university
with an enrollment of about 14,000. The 24-hectare campus, which was originally chosen for its quiet and
relative isolation, is now a veritable community by itself, with more than 40 buildings used for classrooms
and support facilities.

Vision
A University committed to Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL) and responsive to the needs of the total
person and the world.

Mission
The mission of Central Philippine University is to carry out a program of spiritual, intellectual, moral, scientific,
technological, and cultural training, and allied studies under influences which strengthen Christian faith, build up
character and promote scholarship, research and community service.

CPU CORE VALUES

 Faith
 Character
 Justice
 Stewardship
 Excellence

Faith
- the act of believing the things God has revealed about Himself and acting on those beliefs.
- This includes commitment, cooperation, trust and confidence.

Character
- the aggregate feature and traits that form the individual’s nature of a person, moral quality, and good
report.
- This includes honesty, integrity, humility and loyalty.

Justice
- righteousness or lawfulness and fairness. It is observing due process in administrating, the deserved
punishment or reward.
- This includes fairness, equality, morality, and peace.
Stewardship
- the proper responsible management of life, position, possessions and other resources entrusted by God
to man.
- This includes service, accountability, culture and outreach.

Excellence
- highly commendable quality or feature of a person’s worth or deeds.
- This includes competence, technology, scholarship, and research.

Prayer
- is talking with God. Every Christian has the privilege of communicating directly with God. If we desire a
fulfilling Christian Life, we need to learn to talk with God.
- Through prayer we can appropriate all of God’s resources for us in Jesus Christ.
Bill Bright, CCC Material

Ten Reasons Why One Prays

1.) Acknowledges God’s power and goodness
2.) Assures us of the Lord’s presence
3.) Brings blessings from God
4.) Brings physical and spiritual healing
5.) Encourages our growth in faith
6.) Fulfils God’s command
7.) Helps us align our will with God’s will
8.) As a witness to others
9.) Reveals God and His purposes to us
10.) Strengthens us against temptation

Types of Prayer
Adoration - Praising God for who He was, is and will be (Psalm 63)
Confession – Listing our sins and telling God we are sorry (Isaiah 6:5)
Thanksgiving – Thanking God for what He has done (Ephesians 1:15)
Intercession – Making requests to God on our behalf for others (1 Samuel 12:23)
Petition – Asking God to help us in a specific way (Matthew 6:11)
Submission – Determining to recognize God as our Master (Job 1:20-21)

Manner by Which One Prays

Thumb - personal weaknesses. (Since the thumb is the part of the hand nearest one’s body.
Pointing finger – pray for people who point the way for us like teachers, pastors, missionaries and the like.
Middle or Tall Finger – pray for people who occupy high positions in the community like mayors, councilors,
Barangay Captain, President etc.
Ring Finger – Pray for people we love like friends, family, husband, wife, children, father and mother.
Little Finger – pray for those who are less fortunate, like the orphans, widows etc.

Bible Reading
A meaningful relationship with the Lord is dependent on hearing and understanding what He is sharing with us.
The Bible is the most important book one could read.
The Bible is God’s inspired Word to man.

Throughout history, God has desired to communicate with the people of His creation. Before Jesus came, God
spoke to and through the committed people of the Old Testament who recorded His Word.
While Jesus was on earth as well as after His death and resurrection God again directed committed men to record
the words and ministry of the Son of God. The result of their faithfulness and availability is the New Testament.
The New Testament is the entire record of God’s communication to us.
It has been given to us by God Who desires our fellowship and worship.

MODULE 2
An overview of the Bible
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work."

Bible – Good Book

- 66 books
- Old testament 39 books
- New testament 27 books

Old testament book division

A.) THE PENTATEUCH
- comes from the Greek term "pentateuchos" meaning five-volume.
- The Jews called it "Torah"

The five books of Law (Torah)

1.) Genesis
2.) Exodus
3.) Leviticus
4.) Numbers
5.) Deuteronomy

B.) THE EEVREET

- Israel's history covers the possession of the land down to the two deportations and loss of land because
of disobedience and unbelief.

The twelve books of history (Eevreet)

1.) Joshua
2.) Judge
3.) Ruth
4.) Samuel 1
5.) Samuel 2
6.) Kings 1
7.) Kings 2
8.) Chronicles 1
 9.) Chronicles 2
10.) Ezra
11.) Nehemiah
12.) Esther

C.) Kethuvim/Writings

Book of Poetry or Kethuvim

1.) Job
2.) Psalm
3.) Proverbs
4.) Ecclesiastes
5.) Song of Solomon

Book of Major Prophets

1.) Isaiah
2.) Jeremiah
3.) Lamentations
4.) Ezekiel
5.) Daniel
Book of Minor Prophets
1.) Hosea
2.) Joel
3.) Amos
4.) Obadiah
5.) Jonah
6.) Micah
7.) Nahum
8.) Habakkuk
9.) Zephaniah
10.) Haggai
11.) Zechariah
12.) Malachi

NEW TESTAMENT

The Gospels

- It is from the Greek word “evangelion” which means “good news” and “evangelizo” which means “to
bring good news.”
- It is the sum total of the saving truth as God communicated to the lost humanity through Jesus Christ.

Book of Gospels
1.) Matthew
2.) Mark
3.) Luke
4.) John
History
- It tells about the acts of the apostles, history of the church and its growth, from the ascension of Christ to
the imprisonment of Paul at Rome and the opening of his ministry.

Pauline Epistles
- They tell about the meaning and the application of the gospel for Christians.
- They give the interpretation of the person and work of Christ, and apply the truth of the gospel to
believers.

Book of Pauline Letters

Epistles to churches
1.) Roman
2.) 1 Corinthians
3.) 2 Corinthians
4.) Ephesians
5.) Philippians
6.) Colossians
7.) 1 Thessalonians
8.) 2 Thessalonians
Epistle to friend
1.) 1 Timothy
2.) 2 Timothy
3.) Titus
4.) Philemon

General Epistle
• They speak to the Christian church in general rather than to individual churches.
• They reflect the essential challenge Christians faced in the Roman Empire and how to follow Jesus in a
difficult environment.
Book of General Epistle
1.) Hebrews
2.) James
3.) 1 Peter
4.) 2 Peter
5.) 1 John
6.) 2 John
7.) 3 John
8.) Jude

Apocalypse
• It is about John's visions in the Island of Patmos dealing with religious history.
• Here, a great moral conflict is portrayed between the divine and satanic powers, ending in the victory of
the Lamb.
• Revelation

What is the Bible?

• The Bible is God’s word.
• It is known as the Good Book.
 • It is divided into two sections:
• Old Testament (39 books) &
• New Testament (27 books).
Total = 66 books

What does the Bible Mean?

• Gk. τα Βιβλια which means "books".
• Latin = singular (the Bible)
• or Βιβλιον = byblos which means "papyrus or book".
• It is more than a book, it is a library.

Word Meaning
Testament
- The word “testament” is from the Latin “testamentum” which translate the Hebrew word meaning
“covenant.”
Covenant
- is a sacred agreement between God and his people (John Mark Terry, RE 1 manual).
Scriptures – sacred or divine writings

The Bible is now supplemented being supplemented by an older source of information – material objects left
behind by ancient cultures.

The material remains include all tangible things such as:

* writings on the stone
* metal
* clay
* parchment
* papyrus

The material remains include unwritten documents:

* Fortifications
* Buildings
* Sculptures
* household vessels
* tools
* weapons
* personal ornaments

Who wrote the Bible?

Writers of the Old Testament
- Through the centuries, God spoke through many individuals. Their messages were brought together to
become our Old Testament.
- Many of the people who spoke the Words of God did not record their own messages.
- Other people recognized the importance of the messages and preserved them – sometimes after the
messages had been passed orally from one generation to another. (Oral Tradition)
Pentateuch = Moses

Narrative Books (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings and Chronicles) = work of nameless priests, scribes and archivists.

Great prophets (Amos, Isaiah, Micah and others) delivered their messages orally and their words were collected
and written down by later disciples whose names are unknown.

Jeremiah dictated many of his messages to his scribe – Baruch. King Jehoiakim destroyed the first scroll, God told
Jeremiah to dictate a second scroll. Baruch faithfully recorded these words as well.

Writers of the New Testament

Some of the authors of the New Testament were also anonymous just like the Old Testament.
Paul – writer of some of the books (between 50-62 C.E.)
Luke – author of Luke – Acts (a Gentile)

Who wrote the Bible?

• The Bible was written by about 40 people whom God had chosen throughout the centuries.
• They wrote the Bible with inspiration from the Holy Spirit.

Who wrote the Old Testament?

• The OT authorship was typically anonymous. But later, Moses was attributed to the Pentateuch.
• Most narratives are the work of the nameless priests, scribes and archivists.
• Prophecies were delivered orally and recorded by later disciples.
• Baruch was the scribe of Jeremiah.

Who wrote the New Testament?

• The authorship was attributed to various prominent disciples and apostles.
• Paul was the author of 13 epistles.
• All were written by Jewish writers, except Luke-Acts which was written by a Gentile.
• Only Hebrews has an unknown writer.

When was the Bible written?

- Most scholars date the first connected written account of biblical history–from the creation to Israel’s
conquest of Palestine–at about the 10th century B.C.E.
- The last books of the OT were composed only a century or two before the birth of Jesus.
- NT was composed during a much shorter period, probably between about 50 B.C.E. (for Paul’s earliest
letters) and 150 C.E. (for the final form of 2 Peter).
- 10th century BCE.
- The last books of the OT were composed one or two centuries B.C.E.
- In all, the Bible was approx. 1,100 years in the making.

What's the Language of the Old Testament?

• The OT was written in classical Hebrew, with some parts in Aramaic.
• They are the work of masoretes, they are medieval Jewish scribes who added vowels symbols making it a
Masoretic Text (MT).
• It was translated into Greek in Alexandria from about 3rd c. BC.
• 70 scribes worked independently which is known as the Septuagint (LXX).
• There were other ancient Greek translations by Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion.
• It was written entirely in Greek, is different from classical Greek which is called koine (common).
 • Other translations include the Syriac, Coptic and Latin.
• The Latin is known as the Vulgate, a work of St. Jerome (4th-5th CE).

Old Testament Books in Summary

LAW
• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy

1. GENESIS
- A book of origins
- Author: Moses
- the origin of the Universe, human race, and the Hebrew Nation.

2. EXODUS
- Book of Deliverance
- Author: Moses
- Main theme: The deliverance and beginnings of the history of Israel on the way to Canaan, under the
leadership of Moses.

3. LEVITICUS
- Book of Rituals/Ceremonial Laws
- Author: Moses
- The book of laws concerning morals, cleanliness, food, among others.

4. NUMBERS
- Book of the Wanderings
- Author: Moses
- The pilgrimage of Israel. The forty years of wanderings in the wilderness.

5. DEUTERONOMY
- Book of Repetition of Laws
- Author: Moses
- A repetition of the laws given shortly before Israel entered Canaan.

PRE-MONARCHY
Joshua
- Author: Joshua
- A record of the conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, and the division of
the land among the twelve tribes.
Judges
- Author: Anonymous
- The history of the six servitudes of Israel and the various deliverances of the land
through the fifteen judges.
Ruth
- Author: Samuel
- A beautiful pastoral story in which Ruth appears as ancestress of David and of Jesus
Christ.

MONARCHY

1&2 Samuel
- Author: Samuel
- The history of Samuel, with the beginning and early years of the monarchial period in Israel under the
reigns of Saul and David.
1&2 Kings
- Author: Samuel or Jeremiah
- The early history of the kingdom of Israel, and later the divided kingdom.
1&2 Chronicles
- Author: Ezra
- Largely a record of the reigns of David, Solomon and the Kings of Judah up to the time of the captivity.

POST- MONARCHY

EZRA
- Author: probably Ezra
- A record of the return of the Jews from captivity, and the rebuilding of the temple.
NEHEMIAH
- Author: Nehemiah
- The account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and the re-establishment of the sacred
ordinances.
ESTER
- Author: Anonymous, possibly Mordecai
- The story of Queen Esther's deliverance of the Jews from the plot of Haman, and the establishment of the
feast of Purim.

POETRY

1. Job
- Author: possibly Job; a wise man
- The problem of affliction, showing the malice of Satan, the patience of Job, the vanity of human
philosophy, the divine wisdom, and the final deliverance of the sufferer.
 2. Psalm
- Author: Mostly David
- A collection of one hundred and fifty spiritual songs, poems and prayers ugh the centuries by the church
in its devotions.
3. Proverbs
- Author: Solomon
- A collection of moral and religious maxims, and discourses on wisdom, temperance, justice, and many
more.
4. Ecclesiastes
- Author: Solomon
- Reflections on the vanity of life, and man's duties and obligations to God.
5. Solomon
- Author: Solomon
- A religious poem symbolizing the mutual love of Christ and the church.

MAJOR PROPHETS
What is a Prophecy?
• It is basically a message from God.
• Some of the OT Passages clearly speak of future events but are relevant to the people of their day.
• It calls for righteous living and just actions.
• It condemns abuse of the weak and poor.
Why It's Relevant?
• 1. The message came from God.
• 2. The message is rooted in real life.
• 3. The message speaks to human nature.
• 4. The message addresses the problem of sin.

1. Isaiah
- Author: Isaiah
- A great prophet of the resumption.
- A book rich in messianic prophecies, mingled with woes pronounced upon sinful nations.
2. Jeremiah
- Author: Jeremiah
- The weeping prophet.
- The backsliding, bondage and restoration of the Jews.
3. Lamentations
- Author: Jeremiah
- (Book of mourning)
- A series of dirges by Jeremiah, bewailing the afflictions of Israel.
4. Ezekiel
- Author: Ezekiel
- One of the mystery books, full of striking metaphors vividly portraying the sad condition of God's people,
and the pathway to future exultation and glory.
5. Daniel
- Author: Daniel
- A book of personal biography and apocalyptic visions concerning events in both secular and sacred
history.
MINOR PROPHETS
1. Hosea
- Contemporary of Isaiah and Micah.
- The apostasy of Israel characterized as spiritual adultery. The book is filled with striking metaphors
describing the sins of the people.
2. Joel
- A prophet of Judah.
- National repentance and blessings. The day of the Lord, a time of divine judgment, may be transformed
into a season of blessing.
3. Amos
- A herdsman prophet, a courageous reformer, denouncing selfishness and sin. This book contains a series
of five visions.
4. Obadiah
- The doom of Edom and final deliverance of Israel.
5. Jonah
- The story of “The Reluctant Missionary” who was taught by bitter experience the lesson of obedience and
the depth of divine mercy.
6. Micah
- This book gives a dark picture of the moral a condition of Israel and Judah, but foretells the establishment
of a Messianic kingdom in which righteousness shall prevail.
7. Nahum
- The destruction of Nineveh. Judah is promised deliverance from Assyria.
8. Habakkuk
- Written in the Chaldean period.
- The mysteries of providence. How can a just God allow a wicked nation to oppress Israel?
9. Zephaniah
- This book is somber in tone, filled with the threatening images, but ends in a vision of the future glory of
Israel.
10. Haggai
- A colleague of Zechariah.
- He reproves the people for slackness in building the second temple, but promises a return of God's glory
when the building should be completed.
11. Zechariah
- Contemporary of Haggai.
- He helped to arouse the Jews to rebuild the temple. He had a series of eight visions, and saw the ultimate
triumph of God's kingdom.
12. Malachi
- He ministered between Nehemiah's first and second term as governor of Judah. He called the people to
renew their commitment to the Lord and His ways; only then would they begin to receive the blessings
from Him.

NEW TESTAMENT BOOK IN SUMMARY

GOSPELS
 1.) Matthew
Author: Matthew
Narrative especially adapted to the Jews, showing that Jesus was the kingly Messiah of Jewish prophecy.
2.) Mark
Author: John Mark
A brief, picturesque record, emphasizing the supernatural power of Christ over nature, disease and
demons. All this divine energy exercised for the good of man.
3.) Luke
Writer: The beloved Physician
The most complete biography of Jesus It portrays him as the Son of man, full of compassion for the sinful
and the poor.
4.) John
Author: “The beloved disciple”
The narrative unveils Jesus as the Son of God, and records his teachings. “Faith” and “Eternal Life” re-echo
throughout the book.

BOOK MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

Date 50-60 A.D. 50-60 A.D. 58-60 A.D. 85-95 A.D.
Author Matthew Mark Luke John
Recipient Jews Romans Greeks The world
Portrait of Christ King Servant Perfect Mighty God
Person
Depiction of Christ Teacher Preacher Historian Theologian
Emphasis (writer) His sermons His miracles His parables His doctrines
Emphasis (Book) Humanity of Christ Deity of Christ
Place of Action Capernaum, Galilee Jerusalem in Judea
Gospel Influential Brief/short Loved Spiritual

HISTORY
Acts
- Writer: Luke
- A sequel to the Gospel of Luke.
- The origin and growth of the early church, from the ascension of Christ and to the imprisonment of Paul
at Rome.

Pauline Epistles
1.) Romans
- Addressed to the Church in Rome
- Part 1: (1-11) A mastery of the need of, and the nature of, the plan of salvation.
- Part 2: (12-16) Largely exhortations relating to spiritual, social and civic duties.

DATE: 56 A. D.
RECIPIENT: The saints in Rome who
are loved by God.
PURPOSE: To establish the church through instructions concerning the basics of salvation.

2.) 1 Corinthians
- seeing every part of life through the Gospels
- Addressed to the Church in Corinth
- The cleansing of the church from various evils, together with doctrinal instructions.

DATE: 54 A. D.
RECIPIENT: To the church of God in Corinth
PURPOSE: Paul gives advice to problems inside the Corinthian church i.e. immorality, food offered to idols, public
worship, doctrine on the resurrection and rebukes division.

3.) 2 Corinthians
- The characteristics of an apostolic ministry, and the vindication of Paul's authorship.

DATE: 55 A. D.
RECIPIENT: To the church of God in Corinth
PURPOSE: To show Paul's concern and love for his converts.

4.) Galatians
- Addressed to the Church in Galatia
- A defense of Paul's apostolic authority, and the doctrine of justification by faith, with warning against
false teachers and reversion to Judaism.

DATE: 52 A. D.
RECIPIENT: To the churches in Galatia.
PURPOSE: Paul directs them concerning the legalism of the Jews (requiring Gentiles to observe festivals and
practice circumcision) endangering the teaching that faith alone can save.

5.) Ephesians
- Addressed to the Church in Ephesus
- An exposition of the glorious plan of salvation. Special emphasis is laid upon the fact that all barriers
between Jews and Gentiles are broken down.
- KEY ISSUES - The clear theme of the letter is unity. God's plan is to bring to an end all that divides men
and women, social classes, cultures, nations and religions. Jesus Christ is the unifying force, as the head
unites the human body.

Paul’s letter to the PHILIPPIANS

- Addressed to the Church in Philippi
- It reveals the apostle's intense devotion to Christ, his joyful experience in prison, his deep concern that
the church should be steadfast in sound doctrine.
- KEY ISSUES - It is a warm personal letter to a church. He shares about being imprisoned and how he used
his situation to share the Gospel to the Roman officer. He also shares about Jesus as the servant willing to
give up his rights for the good of others, encourages them to do likewise.
Colossians
- Addressed to the Church in Colossae
- The transcendental glory of Christ as the Head of the Church.
- KEY ISSUES - There's a wrong teaching creeping in the church. Paul stresses: Jesus is absolutely central. he
existed before time and bring God and human race together. “Rituals, regulations and philosophical
reasoning and self-denial are not required but right relationship and attitudes in the church, family,
workplace and the world.

1 Thessalonians
- Addressed to the Church in Thessalonica
- it is composed of apostolic commendations, reminisces, counsels and exhortations. Special emphasis is
laid upon the comforting hope of the future advent of Christ.
- KEY ISSUES - Paul insists on his authorship. Timothy was sent to visit them and returned to Paul with the
message of encouragement. Other questions include, “What will happen when Christians die?” and
“When will Jesus return?”

2 Thessalonians
- Addressed to the Church in Thessalonica
- Written to enlighten the church concerning the doctrine of Christ's second coming and to warn believers
against unrest and social disorders.
- KEY ISSUES - The Thessalonians were confused about Paul's message in 1 Thessalonians Jesus' return,
some say He already had and this affected some people's work attitudes.
1 Timothy
- Addressed to the Timothy
- Counsels to a young pastor concerning his conduct and ministerial work.
- The first letter of Paul to Timothy is like a “leadership manual for church organization and administration.”
Paul instructs Timothy with the qualifications of church leaders and guides him how they should be
ordained in the church officers.

2 Timothy
- Addressed to the Timothy
- Paul's last letter, written shortly before his death, giving instructions and counsels to his beloved “son in
the gospel.”
- The second letter are like Paul's last words to his protege. Paul testifies about his experiences and
expresses his concern for the churches, encourages Timothy to remain devoted to Christ, rooted in sound
doctrine to avoid ungodly beliefs and practices, and be free from immorality.

Titus
- Addressed to the Titus
- An apostolic letter giving counsels and exhortations to a trusted friend, who was a pastor in a hard field.
Special emphasis is laid upon the doctrine of good works.
- Titus was also instructed by Paul to help alleviate tension in Corinth and also to collect money for the
poor.
- He was not only Paul's trusted friend but a spiritual son like Timothy.
- He was also assigned to take care of the newly established churches and appoint leaders to them.

Philemon
- Addressed to the Philemon
- A private letter written to Philemon, beseeching him to receive and forgive Onesimus, a runaway slave.
 - Philemon owned slaves who worked in his property and one of them was Onesimus. This slave robbed
Philemon with some valuables and run away from him. That made Philemon angry.

GENERAL EPISTLES
1.) HEBREWS
Writer uncertain.
The transcendental Flory of Christ, and of the blessings of the new disposition, compared with those of the Old
Testament.
AUTHOR: Anonymous (Paul, Luke, Barnabas etc.)
DATE: A. D. 70
RECIPIENT: Jewish and Roman Christians.
PURPOSE: To present Christ’s superiority.
SETTING: Jews undergo persecution from both Jews and Romans, needed the assurance that Christianity is
true and Jesus is the messiah.

2.) JAMES
- Writer: James, the Lord's brother
- Practical religion, manifesting itself in good works, as contrasted with mere profession of faith.

AUTHOR: James, brother of Jesus, leader of the church

DATE: A. D. 49
RECIPIENT: Christians in Jerusalem, 12 tribes.
PURPOSE: To expose unethical practices; teach right Christian behavior and true intent of the law.
SETTING: James shows his concern for persecuted Christians in Jerusalem.

3.) 1 PETER
- Writer: Apostle Peter
- A letter of encouragement to the saints scattered throughout Asia Minor. The privilege of believers
following the example of Christ, to have victory in the midst of trials, and to live holy lives in an unfriendly
world.

AUTHOR: Peter, Apostle of Christ

DATE: A. D. 62-64
RECIPIENT: Christians scattered in Mediterranean world.
PURPOSE: To encourage suffering Christians
SETTING: Persecution under Nero, Christians are tortured and killed.

4.) 2 PETER
- Writer: Apostle Peter
- Largely a warning against false teachers and scoffers.

AUTHOR: Peter, Apostle of Christ

DATE: A. D. 67, last epistle to be included in the NT.
RECIPIENT: Christians scattered in Mediterranean world.
PURPOSE: To warn Christians against false teachers, exhort them to grow in their faith and knowledge of
Christ.
SETTING: Peter's time was limited; remind believers about the unchanging truth of the gospel.

5.) 1 JOHN
- Writer: Apostle John
- A deep spiritual message addressed by the apostle John to different classes of believers in the church. It
lays great stress upon the believer's privilege of spiritual knowledge, the duty of fellowship and brotherly
love.

AUTHOR: John, the Apostle

DATE: A. D. 85-90
RECIPIENT: Gentile congregations
PURPOSE: To reassure Christians of their faith and
counter false teachers.
SETTING: John was not yet banished to the Island of Patmos. He was an eyewitness of Christ.

6.) 2 JOHN
- Writer: Apostle John
- A brief message of John on divine and worldly error. Addressed to “the elect lady and her children.” A
warning against heresy and false teachers.

AUTHOR: John, the Apostle

DATE: A. D. 90
RECIPIENT: To the elect lady, and the Christians
everywhere.
PURPOSE: To emphasize the basics of following Christ; warning against false teachers.
SETTING: Love letter from the elderly saint.

7.) 3 JOHN
- Writer: Apostle John
- An apostolic letter of commendation written to Gaius, containing character sketches of certain persons in
the church.

AUTHOR: John, the Apostle

DATE: A. D. 90
RECIPIENT: Gaius, the prominent Christian.
PURPOSE: To commend Gaius for his hospitality and to encourage him in his Christian life. To correct
Diotrephes and affirm Demetrius.
SETTING: Travelling church leaders depend on hospitality of churches.

8.) JUDE
- Writer: Apostle Jude
- Historical examples of apostasy and divine judgments upon sinners, together with warnings against
immoral teachers.

AUTHOR: Jude, James' brother and Jesus' half-brother

DATE: A. D. 65
RECIPIENT: Jewish Christians
PURPOSE: to remind the church of the need of constant vigilance to keep strong in the faith and defend
against heresy.
SETTING: Church was threatened by heresy.

THE BOOK OF REVELATION

- Writer: Apostle John
- Mainly a series of apocalyptic visions dealing with events in religious history. A great moral conflict is
portrayed between the divine and satanic powers, ending in the victory of the Lamb.

“Bible reading is education in itself” - Lord Tennyson

“It is impossible to rightly govern this world without God and the Bible." - George Washington

Who was the Bible written?

1. For our faith to grow. Romans 10:17

2. For our conviction of sin. Hebrews 4:12-13
3. For our avoidance of sin. Psalm 119:11
4. For our guidance to life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

MODULE 3
The Birth of Jesus

Lesson 1
The Background of the Birth of Jesus Christ

Two Popular Expectations of the Jews

A.) The Development of Messianic Prophecy

- The Jewish community had suffered in the hands of the foreign rulers.
- Messages filled with hope and expectations for things to become better.
1.) The coming of the Ideal ruler whose reign will be characterized by peace and righteousness.
2.) The coming of God Himself to establish His heavenly rule in the world.

1.) The first expectation centers on the coming of a savior who would come from the house of David. He
would be “God’s anointed one” or the “Messiah” who would save them from their enemies and restore
their kingdom. This expected Messiah would be a political leader or warrior, someone like David, who
would usher a new golden era in Israel.
2.) The second expectation is focused on God himself. The Jews hoped for the coming of God to rule the
world and make all things new. This was expressed in the concept of the Kingdom of God – God’s
 righteous and sovereign rule. The Jews expected God to come and deliver them from all their enemies
and the evils of the world.
3.) The Messianic hope was the belief that God would triumph over evil and bring to completion his
purposes either through His direct action or the Messiah.

The New Testament World

B. The Graeco- Roman World

- The Context of the Birth of Jesus.

- Consisted of the Vast empire of Alexander the Great.

Alexander the Great

- Born in 356 B.C. in Pella.
- Son of Philip II of Macedonia
- In 332 he reached Egypt and founded his capital city in Alexandria.
- Succeeded the throne in 336 B.C. after the assassination of Philip.
- Dreamt of establishing one Great empire, wielding the east and the west by spreading the Greek
culture (Hellenism) and language (koine) throughout his empire.
- In 333 he opened up the way to the Middle East by his victory at Issos (North of Antioch).
- He died at the age of 33 in Babylon.
- His Kingdom was divided among his quarrelling generals: The Antigonids in Greece, the
Ptolemies in Egypt and the Seleucids in Syria.

C. The Hellenization of Palestine (Israel) 333-165 B.C.

- Palestine was placed under the control of the Greek rulers from Egypt (Ptolemies).
- Named and renamed cities throughout the countries.
- Introduced Hellenism and Greek language.
- The Greek culture and language influenced the Jews and their religion.
- Ptolemies allowed the Jews to live in peace so the Jews enjoyed autonomy but remained to be
passive subjects.

The Result
- The Hebrew Scripture was translated into Greek (LXX) The Greek Septuagint

The Seleucids
- 198 B.C. = coming of the Seleucids by Antiochus III.
- wanted to impose the Greek culture and religion on the Jews.
- 167 B. C. = Antiochus IV came into power and strictly enforced Hellenism upon the Jews.
Antiochus IV
- He claimed he was the visible manifestation of Zeus.
- Called himself Epiphanes (Revealer of Zeus).
- Demanded that the Jews worship him.
- Abolished three important Jewish religious practices; 1.) Circumcision 2.) Reading of the Torah 3.) the
Sabbath.

The Result
- People became angry and crisis arose.
 D. The Maccabean Revolt and the Hasmonean Dynasty – 165 to 63 BC

In response to the religious oppression the Jews revolted.

- Mattathias –the priest of Modein led the first revolt.
- Judas his son succeeded him. (“Maccabee”- Hammerer/quencher of Hellenism).
- December (165 BC) Judas successfully marched into Jerusalem and on December of that year. He
Rededicated the temple and restored the temple worship.
- This event was celebrated thereafter in the festival of Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication or the Feast of
Lights.
- Succeeded by his brothers. They established the Hosmonean Dynasty ruled by priest-kings.

The Roman Period 63 B.C. to 70 A.D.

- 63 B.C. the Jews who were divided into rival groups appealed to Rome for arbitration.
- The Roman General Pompey supporting one side captured Jerusalem a three-month siege.
- This is the beginning of the Roman rule which lasted until the seventh century seventh century A.D., the
time of Arab invasions.
- 40 B.C. the Roman Senate named Herod as King of the Jews.
- 37 B. C. Herod ascended the throne.
- He was called the great because he was powerful ruler who built several structures such as theater,
amphitheater, gymnasiums

Herod

- Collected heavy taxes from the people.

- Ruthless and suspicious of people.
- He wanted no rival to the throne.
- Killed some members of his family that were plotting against him.
- Killed many babies in Jerusalem when Jesus was born. (2 years old and under – Matt. 2)

The Contributions of the Greeks and the Romans

Greek in the nation of Israel
- Greek culture (Hellenism) (Arts, literature, sculpture, architecture, philosophy and religious thought)
- Hellenism is the blending of the best material cultures from the civilizations of Asia Minor, Egypt and
ancient Greece.

Hellenism is characterized by:

1.) Syncretism
2.) Universalism
3.) Individualism
4.) Democratization of learning
The Greek culture was so attractive to the people that it penetrated their thought and practice.

Roman Contributions
- Efficient Government
- Engineering
- Military Tactics
1.) Pax Romana (Roman Peace)
2.) Safety
3.) Infrastructure
4.) Philosophy
5.) Religion
6.) Equality and Education

LESSON 2 – THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ
- Jesus is equivalent to the Hebrew “Joshua” which means “God is salvation”
- Christ and its Hebrew parallel “Messiah” mean “Anointed”
- The Birth of Jesus was the fulfilment of the prophecy.
- Matthew 1:17 “So all the generations from Abraham to David were 14 generations; and
from David until the exile to Babylon, 14 generations; and from the exile to Babylon
until the Messiah, 14 generations.”

• Date: Jesus was born about 4 B.C.

• Political Situation: After the exile Palestine was successively ruled by the Persians,
Greeks, Egyptians and Syrians.
• At that time Caesar Augustus was the ruler of Roman Empire.
• He was born in Bethlehem which is about six kilometers south of Jerusalem.
• He grew up in Nazareth – a town in Galilee

The birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of the prophecy in Micah 5:2; 1 Samuel 16:1, 13; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Isaiah
9:2-3, among other texts. The Gospels, Matthew and Mark, recount the genealogy of Jesus that He had come
from the line of David.
“Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). He grew up in
Nazareth, a town in Galilee with four brothers and some sisters, in the household of Mary and Joseph, the
carpenter (Bonda, 105).

The Purpose of the Incarnation of God in Jesus

- To reveal God
- For the Salvation of People
- To have dominion over all creation
A. To reveal God
• John 1:14, 18. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of
the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
• Luke 1:78-79. “Because of the mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us, to
shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of
peace.” This is similar to Simeon’s statement in Luke 2:32, “A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the
glory of Thy people Israel”.
• Matthew 1:23. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”

B. For the salvation of people

• Because of the barrier of sin between God and people, God sent a Savior to meet people’s responsibility
in a way acceptable to God. Jesus Christ became the unblemished and spotless Lamb of God that was
offered on the cross of Calvary for the atonement of sins. 1 Peter 1:18 says, “Knowing that you were not
redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your
forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished, and spotless, the blood of Christ.” The
saving act of Jesus did `not only deliver people from the bondage of slavery to sin but, towards the
experience of fullness of life.
• Luke 2:30. In Jesus, Simeon had seen God’s salvation when he said, “For my eyes have seen Your
salvation.”
• Luke 2:11. “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”
• Mark 10:45. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a
ransom for many.”

C. To have dominion over all creation (even death He conquered)

• Jesus came to carry out the mission of God (missio dei) that is a redemptive mission for the whole
creation.
• Luke 1:33. “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His Kingdom will have no end.”
• Matthew 2:2. “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and
have come to worship Him.”

MODULE 4
The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus Christ

Lesson 1 Baptism of Jesus Matthew 3:13-17

Baptism – In Greek “Baptizo” which mean to plunge deep immerse

Jesus Baptism
- Mark the beginning of His Ministry on Earth
 - To fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:15 and Mark 1:19)
- Jesus was Baptized in Jordan River.
- He was baptized by John.

John
- The forerunner
- A Nazarite.
- The son of Zacharias and Elisabeth
- The relative of Jesus
- angered Herod Antipas, the Judean ruler, by denouncing him for marrying Herodias, the wife of his half-
brother Herod, and was imprisoned (see Luke 3:1-20). At the request of Salome, daughter of Herodias and
Herod, John was beheaded (see Matthew14:3-11)

“Upon Jesus’ baptism the Holy Spirit came upon Him affirming His being Son of God, the promised Deliverer of
God’s people.”

Meaning of Baptism
- is the sign of a new life through Jesus Christ. It unites the one baptized with Christ and with his people.
1.) Participation in Christ’s death and resurrection.
2.) Conversion, pardoning and cleansing.
3.) The gift of the Spirit.
4.) Incorporation in the Body of Christ.
5.) The sign of the Kingdom.

1.) Participation in Christ’s Death and Resurrection. Jesus went down into the river Jordan and was baptized in
solidarity with sinners in order to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:15). By baptism, Christians are immersed in the
liberating death of Christ where their sins are buried, where the “old Adam” is crucified with Christ, and where the
power of sin is broken. Those baptized are no longer slaves to sin, but free. Read further Rom. 6:3-11; Col. 2:13;
3:1; Eph. 2:5-6.
2.) Conversion, Pardoning and Cleansing. Those baptized are pardoned, cleansed and sanctified by Christ, and are
given as part of their baptismal experience a new ethical orientation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Mark
1:4; Heb. 10:22; 1Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16; 1 Cor. 6:11).
3.) The Gift of the Spirit. God bestows upon all baptized persons the anointing and the promise of the Holy Spirit,
marks them with a seal and implants in their hearts the first installment of their inheritance as sons and daughters
of God. The Holy Spirit nurtures the life of faith in their hearts until the final deliverance when they will enter into
its full possession, to the praise of the glory of God (see II Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14).
4.) Incorporation in the Body of Christ. Baptism is a sign and seal of our common discipleship. Through baptism,
Christians are brought into union with Christ, with each other and with the Church of every time and place (see
Eph. 4:4-6).
5.) The Sign of the Kingdom. Baptism initiates the reality of the new life given in the midst of the present world. It
is a sign of the Kingdom of God and of the life of the world to come.

Subjects of Baptism
Scripture passages reveal that those who believe in Jesus are the subjects of baptism (see Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts
10:44-48; Acts 16:14-15; Acts 16:32-33; I Cor. 1:16); those who have received the Gospel and trusted in Christ for
salvation.
Examples of Baptism
1. John was baptized by immersion in Jordan River (Mark 1:5).
2. Jesus came out of the water (Mark 1:10).
3. John the Baptist baptized at Aenon near Salim (John 3:23), because there was much water there.
4. Baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:38-39).

Water is an evident symbol of washing and cleansing. The waters of baptism do symbolize washing and purification
from sins as well as death and resurrection with Christ (see Titus 3:5 and Acts 22:16).

Modes of Baptism
 Immersion
 Sprinkling
 Pouring

LESSON 2 THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS

Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13

Jesus’ temptation after His Baptism

- (Matthew 4:1-11)
Turn the stone into bread
Leap from the Temple
Compromise His loyalty to the Father

- Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. (HCSB)
- Matthew 4:2
After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry. (HCSB)
- Matthew 4:3
Then the tempter approached Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become
bread."(HCSB)
- Matthew 4:4
But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the
mouth of God. "(HCSB)
- Matthew 4:5
Then the Devil took Him to the holy city, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, (HCSB)
- Matthew 4:6
and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He will give His angels
orders concerning you and, they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot
against a stone. "(HCSB)
- Matthew 4:7
Jesus told him, "It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God. "(HCSB)
- Matthew 4:8
Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and
their splendor. (HCSB)
- Matthew 4:9
And he said to Him, "I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me."(HCSB)
- Matthew 4:10
 Then Jesus told him, "Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.
"(HCSB)
- Matthew 4:11
Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him. (HCSB)

Temptations came immediately after Jesus’ baptism.

These temptations were vital for the preparation of Jesus in the ministry.

QUIZ 1
1.) Where was the birth of Central Philippine University been connected?
ANSWER: The Baptist Mission in the Philippines

2.) Who was the Swedish Baptist Missionary to the Philippines?

ANSWER: Rev. Dr. Eric Lund

3.) Who were the two individuals who translated the Gospels and Acts into the Hiligaynon
language?
ANSWER: Rev. Dr. Eric Lund and Braulio Manikan

4.) Who sought to impress Dr. T.S. Barbour that a school should be started?
ANSWER: Rev. Charles Briggs

5.) How many Baptist missionaries met in Iloilo and organized the Philippine Baptist Mission
Conference?
ANSWER: 11

6.) Who was the first principal of Jaro Industrial School?

ANSWER: Rev. William O. Valentine

7.) When did Jaro Industrial School open? ANSWER:

ANSWER: October 01, 1905

8.) Who was the first Filipino president of CPU?

ANSWER: Dr. Rex Drilon

9.) One of CPU's Core Values that includes commitment, cooperation, trust and
confidence.
ANSWER: Faith

10.) This means talking with God.

ANSWER: Prayer
11.) This is the type of prayer where one praises God for who He was, is and will be.
ANSWER: Adoration

12.) This is to be observed in Bible Reading where one prays and asks the Holy Spirit to
guide him/her in his/her study.
ANSWER: Preparation

13.) The book that discusses about the laws concerning morals, cleanliness and food
ANSWER: Leviticus

14.) There are 27 books in the New Testament

ANSWER: True

15.) The Bible which is otherwise known as the Scriptures has 62 books.
ANSWER: False

16.) The New Testament was written entirely in Latin.

ANSWER: False

17.) Some sections of the Old Testament were written in Greek.

ANSWER: False

18.) The books of the Old Testament are classified into five.
ANSWER: True

19.) As a record of culture, the Bible is now supplemented by an older source of information.
ANSWER: True

20.) The mosoretes added vowel symbols to the consonantal Hebrew script.
ANSWER: True

21.) The history books of the Old Testament deals with the history of the early church.
ANSWER: False

22.) The books of the Old Testament are classified into five.
ANSWER: True

23.) This book talks about the origin of the universe, human race and the Hebrew nation.
ANSWER: Genesis

24.) This book records the beautiful pastoral story of the ancestress of David and Jesus.
ANSWER: Ruth

25.) This book deals with the history of six servitude of Israel, and the various deliverance of
the land.
ANSWER: Judges
 26.) The book which is the account of the early history of the Kingdom of Israel and later of
the divided kingdom.
ANSWER: I, II Kings

27.) This book is the account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and the re-
establishing of the sacred ordinances.
ANSWER: Nehemiah

28.) This is about the deliverance of the Jews from the plot of Haman and the establishment
of the feast of Purim.
ANSWER: Esther

29.) This book is a collection of moral and religious maxims and discourses on wisdom,
temperance, justice and many more.
ANSWER: Proverbs

30.) This book reflects on the vanity of life and man’s obligations to God.
ANSWER: Ecclesiastes

CHAPTER 5
The Calling of the Disciples
Jesus said: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” - Mark 1:17

Jesus Christ selected and trained men who would represent him in the world in the coming days, to minister to the
world for him. He selected and called them by name and bound them to himself. They were ordinary men yet
skilled and resourceful. Six of them were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee and others with different occupation.

All were from Galilee except Judas, the man of Keriot, from Judea. Jesus spent time with his disciples, taught them,
led them, and prayed for them, that they may learn to reach out people in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and
to the ends of the earth. Jesus selected and trained them to conquer the world in his name. “He called them his
friends rather than his servants for he had taught them everything he had learned from his Father” (John 15:15).

The disciple were sent out for mission as soon as they were equipped and empowered with the promise that God
will never leave them alone. They were also called the 12 apostles of Christ, which means the ambassadors, or
messengers of Christ.

Lesson 1 What Does “Disciple” Mean?

Latin “discipulus” meaning “pupil/learner”
Greek “mathetes” from manthano meaning “to learn”
Jesus was popularly known as a teacher or rabbi and his associates were known as disciples. All who
responded to his message is a disciple (see Luke 6:17; 19:37).
This term may also be applied to a believer, a convert to Christianity, and to one who strives to measure
up to the demands of Jesus Christ in terms of sacrificial devotion (Harrison, 148).
In verb form, the term ‘disciple’ denotes the making of converts (Acts 14:21).

LESSON 2 The Disciples of Christ

The number 12 suggests the influence of Hebraic tradition and perhaps warrants the
terminology so commonly used today of the church – the New Israel (Harrison, 139). The
following are the original twelve appointed by Jesus (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-
16).

The Inner Circle (because they were accorded special privilege):

- (Mt. 17:1; 26:37; Mk. 5:37)
1.) Simon – Peter
2.) James – “Supplanter” The Elder
3.) John – “God is Gracious” – the beloved disciple

1.) Simon - Also called Peter (“The reed changed to rock”, Petros “rock”). Son of Jonas or
John. Home: Bethsaida and Capernaum. A fisherman. Wrote 1 & II Peter. Bible history
and traditional legends: Evangelistic and missionary work among the Jews, going as far
as Babylon (1 Pe. 5:13). Tradition says as far as Rome, where he was crucified, head
downward.
2.) James (Supplanter, “The Elder”) – Also called Boanerges or Son of Thunder. Son of
Zebedee and Salome. Home: Bethsaida, Capernaum and Jerusalem. A fisherman.
Preached in Jerusalem and Judea. Beheaded by Herod, A.D. 44 (?) (Ac. 12:1,2).
3.) John (God is gracious, “The Beloved Disciple”). Also son of Thunder, brother of James,
son of Zebedee and Salome. Home: Bethsaida, Capernaum and Jerusalem. A fisherman.
Wrote Gospel, I, II, III John and Revelation. Labored among the Churches in Asia Minor,
according to tradition, especially at Ephesus. Banished to Patmos, afterward freed, and
died a natural death.

The Quite Workers:

1.) Andrew
2.) Philip
3.) Bartholomew
4.) Thomas
5.) Matthew
1. Andrew (Manly, “The Personal Worker”) - Brother of Peter, son of Jonas or John. Home:
Bethsaida and Capernaum. A fisherman. Originally a disciple of John the Baptist. Tradition:
Preached in Scythia, Greece and Asia Minor. Crucified on a St. Andrew’s Cross.
2. Philip (Lover of horses, “Philippos”) – Home: Bethsaida. Tradition says that he preached in
Phrygia, and died a martyr at Hierapolis.
3. Bartholomew (Gift of God, Nathanael) – Son of Tolmai. Home: Cana of Galilee. According to
tradition, he was a missionary to Armenia and was flayed to death. Jerome says he wrote a
gospel.
4. Thomas (Twin, “The Doubter”, Didymus) – Home: Galilee. Tradition says he labored in
Parthia, Persia, and India. Suffering martyrdom near Madras, at Mt. St. Thomas.
5. Matthew (Gift of God, Levi) – Son of Alphaeus. Home: Capernaum. A tax collector. Author of
the Gospel Matthew. Tradition says he died a martyr in Ethiopia.

The Little known:

1.) James
2.) Jude
3.) Simon

1.) James (“Supplanter”, The Less or Younger) – Son of Alphaeus, or Cleophas and Mary.
Home: Galilee. Wrote epistle of James. According to tradition, preached in Palestine and
Egypt. Was crucified in Egypt.
2.) Jude (“Man of heart”, Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus) – Brother of James “The Less” from
Galilee. Tradition says he preached in Assyria and Persia and died a martyr in Persia.
3.) Simon (“Hearing”, The Cananaean or Zealot) – Home: Galilee. Tradition says he was
crucified.

The Traitor
1.) Judas

Judas (“The Traitor”, Iscariot) – Son of Simon. Home: Kerioth of Judea. He betrayed Jesus for
thirty pieces of silver and afterwards hanged himself (Mt. 26:14-16; 27:3-5).
Note that aside from the 12 disciples, Jesus had other circle of disciples.
The masses, those present at itinerant preaching/teaching events and the large public feedings
of the multitudes.
The 70 disciples and friends who were impacted by Jesus’ teachings and healings and were
committed to following him (Anthony, 209).
Lesson 3 Demands Involved on Becoming a Disciple of Christ
1.) Allegiance to Christ
A disciple should have personal allegiance to Christ, dedication to the cause of Christ, and a
heart and mind to really follow Christ. He/she must be ready to put the claims of Jesus first
whatever the cost.

Luke 12:8
"And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also
acknowledge him before the angels of God,(HCSB)

2.) Readiness to leave family Belongings

In some cases, the demand is a literal abandonment of home, business ties, and possessions
only to answer the call for mission/to minister.

Mark 10:21
Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, "You lack one thing: Go, sell all you
have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow
Me."(HCSB)

3.) Bear the Cross

To follow the way of the cross no matter how difficult it may be. The cross-shaped yoke of
Christ is an instrument of liberation power to those who live in it with him and learn the
meekness and lowliness of heart that brings rest to the soul. “One cannot be a disciple of Christ
without forfeiting things normally sought in human life. Non-discipleship may be peaceful,
comfortable but will not fulfill the highest human possibilities and take life on the highest plane”
(Bonhoeffer, 1937).

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow Me.(HCSB)

Lesson 4 Two-fold Purpose in Making Disciples

1.) To be with Christ
To be associated with him
To express loyalty to him
To share the outward circumstances of their common life
To have opportunities to learn from him
 2.) To send them forth
Jesus commissioned them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and
teaching people to obey God.

Lesson 5 The Tasks of Discipleship

1.) Representatives of Christ to preach His message
2.) To cast out demons
3.) The heal the sick – to cure the lepers
4.) To raise the dead
5.) To give freely as they have received
6.) To make disciples

UNIT 6 The Ministries of Jesus

Jesus at 30, commenced a ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing after his baptism and Satan’s
inducements to divert him from his calling. He ministered mainly in Galilee (northernmost part of
Palestine), in Judea (John 1-3), and visited Jerusalem towards his arrest and death at Passover time
about 30 A.D.

With him were primarily the twelve disciples who lived and learned from him how to minister (See Map
of Israel reflecting the major events and ministries of Jesus). There were also a number of followers who
joined Jesus in the ministry but the twelve were the mainstay. They walked and lived with Jesus and
witnessed the way he did his preaching, teaching, and healing ministries.

As a whole, the three-year ministry of Jesus was an expression of God’s love and God’s grace of service
to people, to a Jew or a non-Jew. He himself was an example of a servant as he came to serve and not to
be served (Mark 10:45).

The Different Ministries of Jesus

1.) Preaching Ministry – the main message of Jesus’ preaching is the Good News of the reign of
God.

• The main message of Jesus’ preaching centered on the Good News of the Reign of God
(Kingdom of God). This Reign of God was contrary to the hope of the Old Testament
prophets, that the Messiah or Christ belonging to the kingly line of David would be a
warrior-king to deliver them from their Roman enemies. Instead, God’s rule in Jesus
the Christ (the “anointed”) was not in military victories but in mighty works of
preaching, teaching, and healing, bringing salvation to all people. Jesus, the Christ,
 delivered people from condemnation of sin by offering them forgiveness, and by
calling them to become his disciples as they confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
• The Sermon on the Mount in Galilee brings about revolutionary views of Jesus. Take a
look at the Beatitudes that outlines the very nature of individuals under the
Reign/Kingdom of God.
• Matthew 5:13-16 calls individuals in the Kingdom to be the Salt of the Earth and Light
of the World. Jesus in his preaching called people to live godly lives in spite of the
conflicts and difficulties that surround them.

2.) Teaching Ministry – the teaching ministry of Jesus had brought enlightenment and liberation
to many.
The teachings of Jesus focused on
* teachings on righteous living.
* teachings on devotion to God.
* various admonitions for Christian living.

• The teaching ministry of Jesus had brought enlightenment and liberation to many. His
teachings were very much differentiated from the teachings of the learned during his
time, such as the Pharisees and the Scribes among others. In fact, he taught to fulfill
the law instead of break them (see Matthew 5:17-20).
• Chapters 5-7 of Matthew (also known as “The Sermon on the Mount) present the
teachings of Jesus on dominant issues in his time; teachings on righteous living;
teachings on devotion to God; and various admonitions for Christian living. Aside from
these, parables were used by Jesus to bring about lessons concerning the Kingdom of
God.

3.) Healing Ministry – Jesus’ teaching was holistic as it brought real restoration on the individual
spiritually, physically, socially, morally and mentally.

• Jesus revealed his power by healing people without the use of medicine except the
use of soil and oil. People were astonished because of these healing wonders. People
wondered at what Jesus had done and called these “miracles.”

Additional Readings for Jesus’ Healing of Individuals:

Man with leprosy, Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-44; Luke 5:12-14
Roman centurion’s servant, Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
Peter’s mother-in-law, Matthew 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38-39
Two demon-possessed men from Gadara, Matthew 8:28-34
Paralyzed man, Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26
Two blind men, Matthew 9:27-31
Man mute and possessed, Matthew 9:32-33
Man blind, mute, and possessed, Matthew 12:22
Canaanite woman’s daughter, Matthew 15:21-28
Boy with epilepsy, Matthew 17:14-18
Two blind men, Matthew 20:29-34
Man with a shriveled hand, Matthew 12:9-13; Mark 3:1-5; Luke 6:6-11
Man with an evil spirit, Mark 1:23-26; Luke 4:33-36
Deaf mute, Mark 7:31-37
Blind Man, Mark 8:22-26
Bartimaeus, or one blind man, Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43
Woman with bleeding, Luke 8:43-48
Crippled woman, Luke 13:11-13
Man with dropsy, Luke 14:1-4
Ten men with leprosy, Luke 17:11-19
The high priest’s servant, Luke 22:50-51
Royal official’s son, John 4;46-54
Man at the pool of Bethesda, John 5:1-9

QUIZ 5,6

1.) How many years was Jesus ministry on Earth?

Answer: Three years

2.) How do we describe Jesus’s healing ministry?

Answer: Holistic

3.) This is the ministry of Jesus where the main message is the Good News of the reign of God.
Answer: Preaching

4.) Readiness to leave family belongings involves abandonment of the following except.
Answer: Faith

5.) All of Jesus’ disciple were from Galilee except

Answer: Judas

6.) What is not included in the tasks of the disciples?

Answer: To command the followers

7.) What is not included in the Two-fold purpose in making disciple?

Answer: To bear one another

8.) Where did Judas come from?

Answer: Judea

9.) What is not included in the focus of Jesus’ teachings?

Answer: Prosperity of Gospel

10.) How old was Jesus when He started His ministry?

 Answer: 30

11.) Most of Jesus’ disciples were carpenters.

Answer: False

12.) The people did not wonder what Jesus had done so they called these “miracles.”
Answer: False

13.) Jesus had many followers aside from the twelve disciples.
Answer: True

14.) Jesus revealed His power by healing people without the use of medicine except soil and oil.
Answer: True

15.) All in all Jesus had 10 disciples.

Answer: False

16.) Match the names of Jesus’ disciples with their descriptions.

UNIT 7
The Parables of Jesus

Parable
 - Is a short and simple story of comparison. It is designed to convey a concept to be understood
and or a principle to be put into practice.
- In Greek it means “to set beside,” as in English word comparison or similitude.
- Parables also have an emotional impact that makes them more meaningful and memorable to
those who are soft of heart.
- Jesus used parables to teach spiritual truths by means of earthly situations.

The following are the Parables of Jesus

(Read each parable)

1. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9; Mark 4:2-9; Luke 8:4-8)

The Parable of the Sower was told to the crowd that had gathered around Jesus. Jesus tells the
story of a sower who scattered seeds on four different types of soil. The first type of ground was
hard and the seed could not sprout or grow at all and became snatched up instantly. The second
type of ground was stony. The seed was able to plant and begin to grow, however, it could not
grow deep roots and withered in the sun. The third type of ground was thorny and although the
seed could plant and grow, it could not compete with the number of thorns that overtook it. The
fourth ground was good soil that allowed the seed to plant deep, grow strong, and produce fruit.
2. The Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)

In this parable, Jesus uses the example of a shepherd who separates his sheep from his goats in
order to help his followers understand what judgement will be like.
Jesus explains that people will be separated into two groups:
• those who have lived good lives and believed in God will be put on one side and have a place in
Heaven
• those who have rejected the belief in God and sinned in their lives will be placed on the other side
and will go to Hell

The Parable of the Sheep and Goats strongly encourages Christians to take action to help those in
need. In this parable, Jesus makes it clear that a life worthy of the reward of Heaven must involve
actively helping people in need. Jesus explains that helping a person, no matter their status, is just
the same as helping Jesus himself and is therefore a duty for all Christians.

3. The Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)

The parable of the two sons (Matt. 21:28-32) is about two brothers whose father tells them to go
work in his vineyard. One tells his father that he will but doesn’t do it. The other tells his father
that he won’t go but ends up working all day among the vines. Jesus then asks the question,
“Which of the two did the will of his father?” The answer is clear: the one who actually worked,
though initially refusing to do so. This parable continues earlier stories in Matthew about the
people who actually are part of God’s kingdom. Jesus tells the religious leaders in his audience
that “tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you” (Matt.
21:31).[1]The folks who look the least religious will enter God’s kingdom ahead of religious
leaders, because in the end they do God’s will.
4. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents (or the Talents’ parable) to his disciples. It appears in
Matthew 25:14–30, and another version of the parable can be found in Luke 19:11–27. The story
in Matthew 25:14–30 unfolds as such: A man goes away on a trip. Before he leaves, he entrusts
money to his slaves. To one he gives five talents, to the second he gives two talents, and to the
third he gives a single talent. The first two slaves double their money; they give the original
investment and their profit to their master when he returns. The third slave, however, buries his
talent out in a field instead of trying to make a profit; he returns only this when his master comes
back. The master is pleased with the first two slaves, but he is dissatisfied with the third’s actions.
He reprimands this slave and casts him out into the darkness.
5. The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)

Found only in Luke’s gospel, the Parable of the Rich Fool is introduced by a member of the
crowd listening to Jesus, attempting to enlist his help in resolving a family financial dispute. The
story deals primarily with wise stewardship and its responsibilities. This parable also includes the
famous slogan, “Eat, drink, and be merry.” Jesus’ story involves two anonymous men: one man’s
focus is on self-centeredness while the other’s is on selfishness; one of the men suffers from
greed. See if you determine which man was the greedier one and why. In this parable, a rich
farmer had more crops than he knew what to do with. His existing barns couldn't accommodate
the abundance of produce he'd amassed, so he built bigger barns in which he planned to store his
exorbitant amount of produce. He felt this would maximize his income potential by allowing him
to wait for substantial price increases before selling his commodities. St. Augustine wrote that the
farmer was “planning to fill his soul with excessive and unnecessary feasting, and was proudly
disregarding all those empty bellies of the poor. He did not realize that the bellies of the poor
were much safer storerooms than his barns.” The rich farmer’s foolishness is particularly evident
in the fact that wealth cannot guarantee the future: the day of judgment will arrive sooner than he
expected.
6. The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14)

At the end of the parable, we see an interaction between the king and a man who was not dressed
appropriately. He ordered the servants to bind this man and to throw him into the darkness where
he will cry and gnash his teeth. The unsuitably dressed man represents those who were not
prepared for complete commitment to Jesus. The parable concludes with the words: Many are
called but few are chosen.
7. The Lost Trilogy: Parable of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin and Lost Son (Luke 15:3-10; 15:11-32)

Among the 44 or so parables of Jesus (see Warren’s complete list) that are recorded in the three
synoptic gospels, there are a good number that are particularly well known because they deal with
salvation.
The first two parables — The Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin — set the tone for the third parable:
The Lost Son, which is better known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The first two parables are
similar. In one, when a shepherd loses one sheep, he leaves his flock to find it and rejoices when
it’s found. In the second, a woman who lost a silver coin carefully searches her home until she
finds it and then invites her neighbors and friends to celebrate with her. Both parables highlight
heaven’s rejoicing when each single sinner repents and is found by Lord Jesus.
 In Jesus’ third salvation-focused parable, he told a story about two sons. In short, the younger son
asked for his inheritance and left home. After he wasted his money on immoral living, he decided
to return to his father. Rather than rejecting his wayward son, the father embraced him. The older
son, who’d always been obedient to his father, reacted with jealous anger.

8. The Parable of the Unforgiving/Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23-35)

In the parable of the unjust servant (Matthew 18:23-35) the Master forgave Him a debt of ten
thousand bags of gold, but yet the servant caught a person who owed him a hundred silver coins
by the scruff of the neck! We should not do likewise! We must always remember how much we
have offended God, and yet He has forgiven us unconditionally.
We need to forgive other people who trespass against us. The king represented Jesus. The
servants represent the rest of us.
Our forgiveness is conditional - Matthew 6:12, 14-15 And forgive us our debts, AS WE ALSO
have forgiven our debtors. For IF you forgive other people when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you. But IF YOU DO NOT FORGIVE others their sins, YOUR
FATHER WILL NOT FORGIVE your sins. And ... the wages (punishment) of sin is death
(Romans 6:23).
9. The Parable of the Two Builders (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6: 47-49)

According to Jesus, the man who hears his words and acts on them is like a man who dug deep
into the ground and laid the foundation on a rock when building a house. A great storm came with
rain, a flood, and strong winds. However, the house was not shaken because it had a solid
foundation.

Jesus then says the one who hears his words and does not act on them is like a man who builds
his house without a foundation. When flooding came, the house fell and was destroyed because it
had no foundation.

This parable of the wise and foolish builders is similar to Jesus' explanation of how people
respond to the word of God in the Parable of the Sower and Four Soils.

MODULE 8
DEATH, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF JESUS
The Triumphal Entry
Jesus journeyed into Jerusalem from Bethany, less than two miles from the city. A crowd
formed ahead of Him. Some were with Him in Bethany where He raised Lazarus from the dead,
and many were pilgrims bound to attend the Passover Feast in Jerusalem. They went out to
meet Jesus some with palm branches and some with their cloaks spread on the road. They
shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming
Kingdom of our Father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9). There was a festive mood
in Jerusalem that day.
The cry “Hosanna!” is a Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” Cloaks or garments being spread
in the way indicated that someone very special was to come to the city. In those times, the use
of palm branches may have a special message. Palms were not only a token of rejoicing (Lev.
23:40; Neh. 8:15; Rev. 7:9), but may have carried political significance, since these had been
used at the Feast of Tabernacles when Judas Maccabeus’ recapture of the temple from Syria
was celebrated.
This time, perhaps, was to indicate that the hour of freedom for the people of God had finally
arrived. Many of these people had seen the power of Jesus at the feeding of the multitudes
with only five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish. Some had witnessed the miraculous works
of Jesus, such as, healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, among others. Indeed,
the coming of Jesus to Jerusalem brought a message of salvation for them that waited so long
for someone to rescue them from their enemies. Jesus came not in glory but in lowliness, the
Servant-King riding on a donkey, ready to fulfill God’s mission in the Holy City.
Could He be the Messiah? There were mixed emotions. Some believed and rejoiced while
others were angry. The religious leaders of Jerusalem were alarmed that this prophet from
Nazareth of Galilee might endanger relations with the Romans, perhaps that people might
crown Him King! This idea, in addition to His revolutionary teachings, could have motivated the
religious leaders to plan to arrest Jesus.
The Pharisees, then, requested Jesus to quiet His disciples (Luke 19:39-40), but Jesus defended
His disciples by answering them, “I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will
start shouting.” It was with deep concern and love for the city that Jesus wept over Jerusalem:
“If you only knew today what is needed for peace! But you cannot see it!” (Luke 19:41-42). He
looked at the temple and its courts and sorrowfully departed. His friends might have seen in
Him low spirits and so stayed with Him, hoping to comfort Him (Dais, 89).

Jesus’ Final Week

- Palm Sunday
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
Palm Sunday. Jesus’ final week of life on earth began with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem
on Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-11). He presented Himself to the people as their Messiah, but the
people misunderstood His role. They wanted a warrior king, while Jesus rode into Jerusalem on
a donkey’s colt. He did not bring the kingdom of God by force, but came to bring peace
between man and God.

Monday. On Monday, Jesus cursed the fig tree and again cleansed the Jerusalem temple (Mark
11:12-19). Jesus’ actions stiffened the determination of the Pharisees to get rid of Him.

Tuesday. On Tuesday Jesus debated with the Pharisees and Sadducees and put them to shame
(Mark 12:13-27). He also outlined a prophetic explanation to His disciples at the Mount of
Olives (Mark 13). During this same time Judas made arrangements to betray Jesus to the Jewish
leaders (Mark 14:10-11). While Jesus faithfully was following the will of God, Satan’s influence
for evil was also at work (Luke 22:3).
Wednesday. The Gospels do not record any incident on Wednesday of Jesus’ last week. We can
assume that He was busy teaching and preaching as He followed God’s will.
Thursday. On Thursday evening Jesus met with his disciples to celebrate the Passover at His last
supper (Mark 14:12-25). Afterwards He went with them to the Garden of Gethsemane, where
He struggled in prayer to God (Mark 14:32-42). While there, Judas came with a band of soldiers
to betray Him to the Jewish leaders (Mark 14:43-50) (Lea, 38). Jesus’ actions during this time
encourage us in two ways.
First, He never wavered from a commitment to do the will of God. Even when the horror of the
cross was looming large in His mind, He said, “Not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).
Second, He was concerned about preserving His disciples during this time of crisis. He prayed
for them as He was in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 17:9-19). He asked the Jewish leaders
to let the disciples go free after they had arrested Him (John 18:8-9).
Friday. When the Jewish leaders had arrested Jesus, they set about to find Him guilty of
breaking their own laws. To accomplish this, they brought Him before some Jewish leaders.
Among the Jewish leaders before whom Jesus appeared were Annas, the former high priest,
and Caiaphas, the current high priest (John 18:12-14). The Jewish leaders quickly tried to
convene a meeting of the Sanhedrin, and Jesus later appeared before the entire body (Mark
15:1).
The Jews collected some false witnesses whose accounts about Jesus could not agree (Matt.
26:59-61). Later Caiaphas succeeded in leading Jesus to claim that He would come again to
earth as Son of Man; a blasphemous statement to the Jews (Matt 26:64-66) (Lea, 38).
Almost every feature of Jesus’ trial was a perversion of Jewish justice. Jewish legal procedure
demanded that a trial started during the daytime be adjourned before night if unfinished. Jesus’
trial started at night and went on all during the night. Jewish trial law also provided that no one
could be convicted on his own testimony. That was the basis of His response (Mark 14:60-64)
(Lea, 38).
After the Sanhedrin found Jesus guilty of blasphemy, they took Him before the Roman
governor, Pontius Pilate, to ask Pilate to crucify Him (John 18:28-32), for the Jews could not
carry out capital punishments without Roman approval. A Roman governor likely would not
sentence someone to death for blasphemy. He would, however, fiercely oppose insurrection.
The Jews accused Jesus of misleading the nation, forbidding the payment of taxes to Caesar,
and claiming to be a king (Luke 23:2).
Pilate found it hard to believe that these charges were valid (John 19:4). He weakly tried to
release Jesus (John 19:12), but the Jewish leaders had stirred up the crowd to demand Jesus’
crucifixion. When Pilate asked them which prisoner they wanted to have released, he probably
hoped that Jesus’ reputation would lead the crowd to call for His release. The crowd screamed
out in unison for the release of Barabbas.
Pilate reluctantly delivered Jesus to be prepared for crucifixion. He sentenced Jesus to a
“scourging,” a beating which generally preceded crucifixion. The Roman soldiers mocked Jesus
by twisting a crown of thorns and calling Him, “King of the Jews.” The Roman leaders also
compelled Jesus to bear the cross to Calvary. When His strength gave way, they pressed Simon
of Cyrene into service (Matt. 27:27-32) (Lea, 39).

Jesus’ Death and Burial

3 times he begged to pass the horror of Crucifixion… for he was in such agony of spirit that he
broke into a sweat of blood, with great drops falling to the ground as he prayed more and more
earnestly. - Luke 22:44 LB)
He knew the time of his torture and death…
They Crowned Him with thorns…
They blindfolded him and hit him with their fists and asked, "Who hit you that time, prophet?“
- Luke 23:64

Then the Cross

The Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus carried the horizontal beam of His cross to the place of crucifixion. Generally the upright beam of
the cross was left in place, standing erectly on the ground. The horizontal beam was lashed to the
upright beam. The scourging of Jesus left Him weak and exhausted. The Romans forced Simon to assist
Jesus in carrying the cross to the place of execution (Matt. 27:32).

The crucifixion lasted about six hours after starting around 9 a.m. At noon darkness settled over
Jerusalem (Matt. 27:45). At three o’clock in the afternoon Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have
you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). Other signs accompanying His crucifixion were the earthquake, the
splitting of the veil of the temple, and the appearance of saints who were taken from their graves (Matt
27:51-52) (Lea, 57).

The Romans used crucifixion as a brutal method of execution for slaves and criminals. The place of
crucifixion was Golgotha, which means “Place of the Skull” (Matt 27:33). The Roman execution squad
nailed Jesus to the cross and placed Him between two thieves (Luke 23:32-33). Jesus hung on the cross
for six hours, from around nine o’clock in the morning until three o’clock in the afternoon.

Crucifixion was more brutal than the gas chamber or the electric chair today because the victims died a
slow, painful death. Nailing a victim to the cross did not injure any vital organs. A combination of pain,
slow loss of blood, and heat exhaustion resulted in death.

Before His last breath…

Seven Last Sayings of Jesus on the Cross

Jesus’ sayings spoken from the cross are called “The Seven Last Words” (Matthew 27:46 par. Mark
15:34; Luke 23:34; 43, 46; John 19:26-27, 28, 30).

1.) “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do...” (Luke 23:34)
2.) “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43)
3.) “Woman behold thy son!” And he said to the disciple, “behold thy mother.” (John 19:26-27)
4.) “Eli, Eli, la’ma sa-bach’tani?” – “My God, my God why Thou hast forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46)
5.) “I thirst” (John 19:28)
6.) “It is finished” (John 19:30)
7.) “Father into Thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46)

a.) Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:34)

The first of the words spoken by our Lord from the cross reveals a love that is utterly
unexpected and utterly undeserved. He prayed for the Roman soldiers and even, as Peter
suggests (Acts 3:17), for the religious guides of the nation (F. F. Bruce, 1094). Christian
forgiveness is an amazing thing. When Stephen was being stoned to death he, too, prayed,
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). There is nothing so lovely and nothing so
rare as Christian forgiveness (Barclay, 285).

b.) And Jesus said unto him, “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke
23:43).
 The second was spoken to the penitent brigand, who, beyond the cross, saw the crown and
the coming glory, and who said, ‘Jesus remember me when you come in your kingly power’
(Lk. 23:42). The word “paradise” is a Persian word meaning a “walled garden.” When a Persian
king wished to do one of his subjects a very special honor he made him a companion of the
garden, which meant he was chosen to walk in the garden with the king. It was more than
immortality that Jesus promised the penitent thief. He promised him the honored place of a
companion of the garden in the courts of heaven (Barclay, 285).
Jesus’ promise that the repentant thief would join Him in paradise provides an
encouragement for all who have been far away from God. There is hope for them in God’s
sight. However, people should not be encouraged to wait for a “death-bed” conversion. Many
people enter into eternity without making adequate preparation for it, even at the end of life
(Viertel, 88). Surely this story tells us above all that it is never too late to turn to Christ.

c.) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto
his mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then saith to the disciple, “Behold thy mother!” And
from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home (John 19:26-27).

The third saying addressed both to the mother of Jesus and to the beloved disciple, proves
that we have in Jesus the supreme example of a “heart at leisure from itself, to soothe and
sympathize.” Though suffering severe physical pain and enduring far more awful agony of
soul, he thought of his mother and made provision for her future (Bruce, 1094).

Part of the work of Jesus, the great High Priest, is to create a new fellowship of the redeemed,
and to unite human beings one with another by virtue of their common loyalty to Himself. So
while He hangs on the cross He bids His mother and the beloved disciple find in their
attachment to Himself the basis of a new spiritual relationship to one another--that all who
enjoy the fellowship are drawn to one another by the consciousness that they are all brothers
for whom Christ died.(Tasker, 211).

d.) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “E’li, E’li, la’ma sa-bach’tha-ni?”
That is to say, “My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46).

The fourth awe-inspiring word was probably spoken by Jesus as the mysterious, supernatural
three-hour darkness was lifting (Bruce, 1094). This saying is actually the first verse of Psalm 22. It
is suggested that Jesus was repeating Psalm 22 on the cross as a picture of his own situation,
and as a song of his trust and confidence. That was the moment when Jesus who knew no sin,
was made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21); and the penalty which he bore for us was the inevitable
separation from God which sin brings (Barclay, 368-9).

e.) After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be
fulfilled, saith, “I thirst” (John 19:28).
 Read Psalm 69:21. The fifth word followed close upon the fourth. It is the only word that speaks
of physical suffering. Jesus had refused a drugged drink (Mk. 15:23), but he accepted another
kind of drink, in order to moisten his parched throat and lips, so that, with a loud voice, he might
make the declaration contained in the sixth word. The cry is taken by the soldiers literally, and
rightly so, for it was in the main prompted by acute physical need.

f.) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head,
and gave up the ghost (John 19:30).
When we say, “It is finished,” we generally mean that it is all over. It is often a discouraging
word. That was not what Jesus meant. The word consists of one comprehensive Greek verb,
tetelestai, ‘It is finished.’ And tetelestai is the victor’s shout; it is the cry of the man who has
completed his task (Barclay, 369). It is the cry fulfilling all the OT prophecies and types, and
where Jesus once for all offered the one final sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:12) (Bruce, 1094).

Hence, when Jesus spoke these words, it was a shout of victory. He had done everything He
came to do, and it was completed. He had finished all that the Father had sent Him to do.
Moreover, the word translated “It is finished” was used in the sense of paying a debt. He had
paid for the salvation of all of those who would believe. Because Jesus has paid for our sins,
we can come to Him and find salvation and forgiveness (Lea, 104).

g.) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my
spirit”; and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (Luke 23:46).

In the final word Jesus quoted Psalm 31:5, traditionally the pious Jew’s evening prayer. The
redeemed are so really brothers of the Redeemer (Heb. 2:11-13) that, in the moment of dying,
they can use the same language, as they commend their souls into the hands of the Father –
his Father, and their Father in him (Bruce, 1094).

Jesus’ words are true both chronologically and theologically. Jesus’ life was at an end. He was
dying. His words stated that. He also had finished all that the Father had sent Him to do. He
had paid for the salvation of all of those who would believe.

The Resurrection of Jesus

Jesus remained in the tomb from Friday evening until Sunday morning. He was buried for a portion of
three days and by Jewish standards this amounted to three days.

Sunday
• Those who buried Jesus in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea were sure that He was dead (Luke
23:50-56)
• The Roman government placed guards (Matthew 27: 60-66)
• The women came and found the tomb empty (Luke 24: 1-3)
 • The Roman guards were frightened and they fainted with fear (Matthew 28:1-4)

Read Mark 16:1-8. After the Sabbath ended on Saturday at sunset, the women brought spices to anoint
the body of Jesus (v. 1). Mark names the women as those who were present at the death of Jesus and
who observed the tomb in which He was buried. Sunday morning at sunrise, they went to the tomb to
complete the burial preparations of the body (v. 2). On the way to the tomb, they discussed who would
roll the heavy stone from the door for them (v. 3).

When they arrived, they discovered that the stone was already rolled away (v.4). They entered the tomb
and saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side (v. 5). Mathew and Luke give
emphasis to the supernatural elements by stressing the presence of an angel. Mark simply mentions the
white robe of the young man and focuses attention on the amazement of the women who had come to
anoint the body of Jesus (Viertel, 159).

The women were upset as a result of the events on Friday, and their distress was increased by the
absence of Jesus’ body. The angel (messenger) gave them the resurrection message and instructed them
to tell the disciples that Jesus would meet them in Galilee (vv. 6-7). Jesus had spent most of his ministry
in Galilee, according to Mark’s account, and He would meet the disciples there instead of in Jerusalem
where He had been crucified. Mark’s Gospel ends with a description of the fear of the women (v. 8)
(Ibid.).

Read Luke 24:1-53. Luke recorded the time of the resurrection exactly as Matthew and Mark had. Early
on Sunday morning the women came bringing spices to complete Jesus’ burial. Luke mentioned that as
the women were inside the tomb wondering, two angels appeared (v. 4). He also mentioned how Peter
hurried to the tomb after he heard the report of the women’s meeting with the angels (v. 12). Only Luke
presented the account of Jesus’ appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (24:13-35) (Lea,
88).

Jesus made a surprise appearance to the disciples (vv. 36-49) that also is described in John 20:19-23. He
showed the disciples the marks of His wounds. At first they refused to believe. He dispelled their
disbelief by eating food to show the reality of his life.

Jesus’ Resurrection Appearances

The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus occurred to different people at different times and in
different places. If the appearances were limited to a few people in the murky light of sunrise or sunset,
some might feel that they had been mistaken. However, the number and variety of post-resurrection
appearances is a proof of their reality. The repeated sightings of Jesus took place over a period of 40
days and then suddenly stopped when Jesus ascended to heaven. We will see Jesus again only when He
returns to take His people to be with Him (John 14:1-6). This hope of seeing Jesus again fills us with a
desire to live a sober, righteous, and godly life (Tit. 2:11-13) (Ibid., 57).
After the resurrection Jesus appeared to Peter, James, Paul, the apostles, and to over 500 Christians on
a Galilean hillside (1 Cor. 15:5-8; Matt. 28:16-20). He also appeared early in the morning (John 20:11-
18), at midday (Luke 24:13-35), in the evening (John 20:19-23), in an enclosed room (John 20:26), and
along a seashore (John 21:1-14).

In addition to the above evidences, the birth of the church and the proclamation of the disciples are
further evidences of the resurrection. Before the resurrection, Jesus’ followers were defeated, dejected,
and bewildered. After the resurrection, they glowed with confidence and were fearless before the might
of Rome and the rage of the Jews (Acts 4:1-21). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the best explanation
for their pulsating power.

The resurrection of Jesus means that His body did not decay in the grave but that it was made alive. The
body was transformed from a natural body into a glorified or heavenly body; it could not die again, nor
was it limited by time and space.

Jesus Resurrection Appearances

• To Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18; Mark 16:9-11)
• To a group of women (Matthew 28:9-10)
• To two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32; Mark 16:12-13)
• To Simon Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5)
• To the group of disciples (Luke 24:36-43)
• To the group of disciples one week later (John 20:26-31)
• To seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-23)
• To the group on the mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-20; 1 Cor. 15:6; Mark 16:15-18)
• To James (1 Cor. 15:7)
• To all of the apostles (1 Cor. 15:7; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:4-12)

Although the historical reality of the appearances cannot be proved, evidences in favor of their actuality
include: (1) the transformation of the lives of the apostles after they had seen the risen Lord; (2) the
conversion of Paul and the appearance of Jesus to him; (3) the history of the spread of the Church in
spite of great obstacles; and (4) the personal experience of every believer who is born again and meets
Christ in a new birth experience (The Torch Bible Commentaries, 152). A. M. Hunter notes that three
great witnesses to the reality of the resurrection are: the existence of the Christian Church, the
existence of the New Testament, and the existence of the Lord’s Day.

Jesus Ascension
Luke 24:50-53
- Luke is the only Gospel containing reference to the ascension. After a post-resurrection ministry
of 40 days, Jesus returned to heaven (Luke 24:50-53). Jesus disappeared from the view of the
disciples. There seemed to be an air of finality about His disappearance. However, in His
 ascension Jesus closed one chapter and began another. He finished His earthly work. He took up
His heavenly residence, and He began His heavenly work through His church.

No one has seen Jesus on earth since that time. His returning to heaven is a sign of the completion of His
work and reflects the majesty which He is due (Heb. 1:3). In heaven today, Jesus prays for His people
(Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1). From heaven He will one day return to reign on earth in glory (Acts 1:11).

1.) This refers to a short story of comparison.

ANSWER: Parable

2.) In the parable of the sower the hard ground represents someone who is hardened by
sin.
ANSWER: True

3.) The thorny ground in the parable of the sower depicts the man who has strong faith in
God.
ANSWER: False

4.) The parable of the lost sheep shows God’s personal concerns for individuals.
ANSWER: True

5.) The parable of the unmerciful servant gave us the idea that we should be firm in
requiring others to repay us with what they owe from us.
ANSWER: False

6.) Grace and or forgiveness to another must have limits.

ANSWER: False

7.) The proper foundations for life are material wealth, fame and power.
ANSWER: False

8.) We are responsible for using the God-given resources so that they increase in value.
ANSWER: True

9.) What is the meaning of “Hosanna” in Hebrew expression?

ANSWER: Save

10.) Who said this, “I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start
shouting.”
ANSWER: Jesus

11.) What did the Sanhedrin found Jesus guilty of?

ANSWER: Blasphemy

12.) Who was the Roman governor that was asked to crucify Jesus?
 ANSWER: Pontius Pilate

13.) Since the Roman governor would not likely sentence someone to death for blasphemy,
the Jews then accused Jesus of the following except?
ANSWER: Bearing false witness

14.) What did the Roman soldiers call Jesus when they mocked and twisted crown of thorns
on him?
ANSWER: King of the Jews

15.) Who was forced by the Romans to assist Jesus on carrying the cross to the place of
execution?
ANSWER: Simon of Cyrene

16.) How long was Jesus crucifixion?

ANSWER: Six hours

17.) What time did Jesus’ crucifixion start?

ANSWER: Nine o’clock

18.) In whose tomb was Jesus buried ?

ANSWER: Joseph of Arimathea

19.) What day was Jesus resurrected?

ANSWER: Sunday

20.) What is not included in the evidences of Jesus’ resurrection in favor of their actuality?
ANSWER: The dominion of the church