The greatest book ever written; the New Testament in its inspired literary form

Front matter

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•greatest book Ever Written

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Contents

PROLOGUE The Genealogy of Jesus Christ 3

The Private Life of Jesus Christ.

The Seven-Fold Identification of the Messiah. §1. The Nativity.

PART SIX The Ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem

The Kingly Surrender to the Holy City. §1. The Sojourn Beyond the Jordan.

i. The Question of Divorce 53

ii. The Subjects of the Kingdom of Heaven ... 53

iii. The Question of the Rich Young Man .... 54 §2. The Approach of Jesus to Jerusalem.

i. The Forecast Again of the Crucifixion .... 55

ii. The Mother of Zebedee's Children 56

iii. The Healing of Two Blind Men 57

§3. The Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem.

i. The Reception of Christ 57

ii. The Cleansing of the Temple 58

iii. The Cursing of the Fig Tree 58

iv. The Authority of Christ 58

§4. The Controversies with the Rulers

i. The Plot of the Pharisees 61

ii. The Indictment of the Pharisees 62

iii. The Forecast of the Fall of the Temple .... 65

iv. The Great Discourse on Last Things 65

The Sixth Summary

PART SEVEN The Crucifixion and Resurrection

The Priestly Propitiation and Triumph. §1. The Approaching Passover Feast.

i. The Action of the Sanhedrin 71

ii. The Anointing of Jesus at Bethany 71

iii. The Conspiracy of Judas Iscariot 71 xii Contents

§2. The Observance of the Passover Feast.

i. The Preparation for the Feast 72

ii. The Disclosure of the Betrayal 72

iii. The Institution of the Holy Communion ... 72

iv. The Forecast of Peter's Denial 73

§3. The Arrest and Trial of Jesus.

i. The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane ... 73

ii. The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus 74

iii. The Trial Before the Sanhedrin 74

iv. The Trial Before the Roman Governor .... 75

§4. The Crucifixion and Resurrection.

i. The Mocking of Jesus by the Soldiers .... 77

ii. The Crucifixion of Jesus at Golgotha ..... 77

iii. The Burial of Jesus 78

iv. The Resurrection of Jesus 79

The Great Commission.

The Seven-Fold Apostolic Commission 80

The Closing Summary

The Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The Beginning of the Gospel.

The Manifestation of the Messiah 83

The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee 84

The Preaching Tour through Galilee 85

The Criticism of the Jewish Authorities .... 86

The Fame of Jesus throughout Syria 88

The Organization of the Apostles 88

The Scribes from Jerusalem in Galilee 88

The Departure into Gadara 91

The Return into Galilee 92

The Ministry through Galilee 93

The Retirement of Jesus Across the Lake ... 95

The Tradition of the Elders of the Jews .... 97

The Northern Retirement into Phoenicia .... 98

The Retreat into Decapolis 100

The Secret Arrival in Galilee 103

The Journey from Capernaum to Jerusalem . . 104

The Ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem 107

The Controversy with the Rulers 108

The Last Words with the Disciples Ill

The Crucifixion of Jesus 114

The Resurrection of Jesus 120

Contents xiii

THE PREFACE

The Manifold Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Dedication to Theophilus.

The Design of the Author of the Gospel .... 125

The Private Life of Jesus Christ. §1. The Annunciation.

i. The Promise of God to Zacharias 127

ii. The Annunciation to Mary 128

Hi. The Visit of Mary to Elizabeth 130

§2. The Birth of John the Baptist.

The Circumcision and Name 131

§3. The Nativity.

i. The Birth of Jesus at Bethlehem 132

ii. The Angel and the Shepherds 133

iii. The Circumcision and Presentation 134

iv. The Visit of Jesus to Jerusalem 135

§4. The Manifestation of Jesus Christ.

i. The Coming of John the Baptist 136

ii. The Voice of God from Heaven 138

iii. The Genealogy of Jesus 138

iv. The Great Temptation of Jesus 140

Thw First Summary

The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee.

§1. The Public Appearance of Jesus Christ.

i. The Announcement at Nazareth 143

ii. The Ministry of Jesus through Galilee 144

iii. The Healing of a Paralytic 146

iv. The Call of Levi the Publican 146

§2. The Lordship of Jesus.

The Opposition of the Pharisees 147

§3. The Organization of Apostles.

i. The Choice of the Twelve 148

ii. The Following Multitudes 148

iii. The Great Sermon in the Plain 148

The Second Summary

The Ministry in Galilee Concluded. §1. The Authority of Jesus Christ.

i. The Healing of the Servant of a Centurion . . . 151

ii. The Raising of a Widow's Son 151

iii. The Inquiry of John the Baptist 152

iv. The Witness of Jesus to John 153 xiv Contents

§2. The Recognition of Jesus Christ.

i. The Anointing in a Pharisee's House 153

ii. The Preaching Tour of Galilee 154

iii. The Parable of the Sower 154

iv. The True Kindred of Jesus 155

§3. The Great Power of Jesus Christ.

i. The Stilling of the Storm on the Lake 155

ii. The Sojourn of Jesus in Gadara 156

iii. The Return of Jesus into Galilee 157

iv. The Mission of the Twelve Apostles 158

§4. The Glory of Jesus Christ.

i. The Great Confession of Simon Peter 159

ii. The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ 160

iii. The Healing of the Demoniac 160

iv. The Forecast of the Crucifixion 161

The Third Summary

The Great Journey to Jerusalem.

§1. The Coming of the Kingdom of God.

i. The Rejection by the Samaritans 163

ii. The Would-be Followers of Jesus 163

iii. The Mission of the Seventy 164

iv. The Home of Mary and Martha 166

§2. The Prayer for the Kingdom of God .

i. The Instruction of the Disciples 166

ii. The Encouragement to Prayer 167

iii. The Blasphemy of the Pharisees 168

iv. The Praise of a Woman 169

§3. The Judgment of the Kingdom of God.

i. The Present Evil Generation 169

ii. The Condemnation of the Pharisees 170

iii. The Warning against Phariseeism 171

iv. The Discourse on Worldly-Mindedness 172

§4. The Nature of the Judgment.

i. The Call to Repentance 175

ii. The Parable of the Fig Tree 176

iii. The Healing of an Infirm Woman 176

iv. The Extension of the Kingdom 177

The Fourth Summary

The Journey to Jerusalem Concluded. §1. The Glory of the Kingdom of God.

i. The Question Concerning the Saved 179

ii. The Threat of Herod the Tetrarch 179

iii. The Visit with a Chief Pharisee 180

iv. The Cost of Discipleship 181

Contents xv

§2. The Great Rejoicing in Heaven.

The Lost and Found 182

§3. The Great Reward of the Kingdom.

i. The Parable of the Unjust Steward 184

ii. The Reply to the Pharisees 184

iii. The Woe of Offences 185

iv. The Greatness of Faith 186

§4. The Judgment to Come.

i. The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers 186

ii. The Kingdom of God in the Midst 187

iii. The True Members of the Kingdom 188

iv. The Approach to Jerusalem 190

The Fifth Summary

Part Six

The Ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem. §1. The Triumphal Entry of Jesus.

i. The Royal Reception by the City 193

ii. The Lamentation of Jesus 194

iii. The Cleansing of the Temple 194

iv. The Plot to Destroy Jesus 194

§2. The Controversy with the Rulers.

i. The Challenge of Authority 195

ii. The Rejection of Jesus 195

iii. The Plot to Ensnare Jesus 195

iv. The Condemnation of the Scribes 197

§3. The Gospel of Giving.

The Gift of a Widow into the Treasury .... 197 §4. The Great Discourse on Last Things.

i. The Fall of Jerusalem and Return of Jesus . . . 198

The Sixth Summary

Part Seven

The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. §1. The Observance of the Passover.

i. The Approaching Feast 201

ii. The Preparation for the Feast 201

iii. The Observance of the Feast 201

iv. The Situation after the Feast 202

§2. The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus.

i. The Agony in the Garden . 203

ii. The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus 203

iii. The Denial of Simon Peter 204

iv. The Mocking of Jesus 204 xvi Contents

§3. The Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus.

i. The Condemnation of Jesus 204

ii. The Way to Calvary 206

iii. The Crucifixion of Jesus 206

iv. The Burial of Jesus Near the City 208

§4. The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus.

i. The Announcement of the Resurrection .... 208

ii. The Appearance of Jesus at Emmaus 209

iii. The Appearance of Jesus to the Apostles . . . .210

iv. The Ascension of Jesus 210

The Closing Summary

The Word that was God in the Beginning 213

PART ONE Jesus the Prophet of God

§1. The Testimony of John the Baptist .215

§2. The Marriage at Cana in Galilee 217

§3. The Cleansing of the Temple 217

§4. The Interview with Nicodemus 218

§5. The Witness of John to Jesus 219

§6. The Ministry in Samaria 220

§7. The Healing of the Nobleman's Son 222

PART TWO Jesus the King of Israel

§1. The Healing of the Man at the Pool 223

§2. The Feeding of the Five Thousand 225

§3. The Feast of Tabernacles 228

§4. The Healing of the Man Born Blind 234

§5. The Parable of the Good Shepherd 235

§6. The Raising of Lazarus 237

§7. The Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem 240

PART THREE Jesus the High Priest of the People

§1. The Last Supper with the Apostles : . . 245

§2. The Promise of the Holy Spirit 246

§3. The Parable of the Vine 248

§4. The Prayer of Intercession 252

§5. The Betrayal and Condemnation 254

§6. The Crucifixion of Jesus 257

§7. The Resurrection of Jesus 259

The Conclusion of the Gospel 263

Contents xvii

The Coming of the Holy Spirit. §1. The Introduction.

i. The Life and Work of Jesus 267

ii. The Great Commission to the Apostles .... 267

iii. The Waiting Apostles in Jerusalem 268

§2. The Organization of Apostles.

The Choice of Matthias 268

§3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

i. The Fulfilment of the Father's Promise 269

ii. The Impression upon the City 269

iii. The Address of the Apostle Peter 269

iv. The Great Awakening in Jerusalem 271

§4. The New Life of the Disciples.

The Church after Pentecost 272

The First Summary

The Ministry in Jerusalem.

§1. The Apostles at the Temple.

i. The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate 273

ii. The Address of Peter to the People 273

iii. The Apostles before the Sanhedrin ....... 275

iv. The Return to the Disciples 276

§2. The Social Life of the Church.

i. The Unity of the Disciples 277

ii. The Faithfulness of Barnabas 277

iii. The Unfaithfulness of Ananias and Sapphira . . 277 §3. The Influence of the Apostles.

i. The Popularity of the Twelve 278

ii. The Arrest of the Twelve Apostles 278

iii. The Trial before the Sanhedrin 278

iv. The Acquittal of the Apostles 279

§4. The Choice of the Seven.

The Provision for the Benevolence 280

The Second Summary

The Ministry in Palestine.

§1. The Dispersion from Jerusalem.

i. The Arrest of Stephen 281

ii. The Trial of Stephen 281

iii. The Execution of Stephen 285

iv. The Great Persecution in Jerusalem 285 xviii Contents

§2. The Ministry in Samaria.

i. The Ministry of Philip the Evangelist 286

ii. The Baptism of Simon Magus 286

iii. The Mission of Peter and John 286

iv. The Blasphemy of Simon Magus 286

§3. The Conversion of an Ethiopian.

The Call of the Holy Spirit to Philip 287

§4. The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus.

i. The Persecution at Damascus 288

ii. The Ministry of Ananias to Saul 288

iii. The Preaching of Christ by Saul 289

iv. The Plot of the Jews against Saul 289

The Third Summary

The Gospel for the Gentiles.

§1. The Tour of Peter through Palestine.

i. The Ministry at Lydda and Sharon 291

ii. The Call of Peter to Joppa . 291

§2. The Gentile Pentecost at Cassarea.

i. The Vision of Cornelius 292

ii. The Vision of Peter at Joppa 292

iii. The Ministry of Peter at Csesarea 293

iv. The Action of the Church at Jerusalem .... 294 §3. The Gentile Church at Antioch.

i. The Founding of the Church 295

ii. The Mission of Barnabas from Jerusalem . . . 296

iii. The Coming of Paul to Antioch 296

iv. The Famine Mission to Jerusalem ....... 296

§4. The Persecution of Herod Agrippa I.

i. The Death of the Apostle James 297

ii. The Assault upon Peter 297

iii. The Death of the Jailors 298

iv. The Blasphemy and Death of the King .... 298

The Fourth Summary

The First Gentile Churches.

§1. The Ministry of Paul through Cyprus.

i. The Call of Barnabas and Paul at Antioch ... 299

ii. The Conversion of the Proconsul 299

§2. The Ministry of Paul in Galatia.

i. The Church at Antioch of Pisidia 300

ii. The Church at Iconium 303

iii. The Church at Lystra 303

iv. The Church at Derbe 304

Contents xix

§3. The Gentile Council at Jersualem.

i. The Controversy at Antioch 304

ii. The Council at Jerusalem 305

iii. The Action of the Council 306

iv. The Delivery of the Decrees 307

§4. The Visit to the Galatian Churches.

The Second Missionary Journey 307

The Fifth Summary

Part Six

The Churches in Macedonia, Greece and Asia. §1. The Call of Paul into Macedonia.

The Divine Guidance toward Troas 309

§2. The Ministry of Paul in Macedonia.

i. The Church at Philippi 309

ii. The Conversion of the Jailor 310

iii. The Church at Thessalonica 311

iv. The Church at Bercea 312

§3. The Ministry of Paul in Greece.

i. The Apostle at Athens 312

ii. The Church at Corinth 313

iii. The Apostle before the Proconsul 314

iv. The Return to Antioch in Syria 314

§4. The Ministry of Paul in Asia.

i. The Beginning of the Third Journey 315

ii. The Ministry of Apollos at Ephesus 315

iii. The Arrival of Paul at Ephesus 315

iv. The Evangelization of Asia 316

The Sixth Summary

PART SEVEN The Ministry of Paul at Rome

§1. The Journey via Corinth to Jerusalem.

i. The Plan of Paul to Visit Rome 317

ii. The Pagan Riot at Ephesus 317

iii. The Journey into Greece and Return 318

iv. The Journey from Miletus to Jerusalem . . . .321 §2. The Persecution of Paul by the Jews.

i. The Report of Paul to the Church 322

ii. The Seizure of Paul in the Temple 322

iii. The Address from the Castle Steps 323

iv. The Hearing before the Sanhedrin 325

§3. The Transfer of Paul to Caesarea.

i. The Vision of Paul in the Castle 326

ii. The Transfer to the Roman Governor 326

iii. The Trial before Governor Felix 328

iv. The Appeal of Paul to Caesar 330 xx Contents

§4. The Transfer of Paul to Rome.

i. The Voyage via Asia to Crete 334

ii. The Shipwreck on the Island of Melita .... 334

iii. The Arrival of Paul at Rome 337

iv. The Prison Ministry of Paul at Rome 337

The Closing Summary