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Luke Chapter 2-3

  • Bible Study on Luke

    Luke Chapters 2 & 3 

     

    >> Click Here For Audio Version << 

    Take the Quiz on Luke chapters 2 & 3 when done


    Luke 2 Outline:
    2:1-7  The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
    2:1-3  The census decreed by Caesar Augustus.
    2:4-5  Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem.
    2:6-7  Mary gives birth to Jesus.
    2:8-14  The Angels appear to the shepherds by night.
    2:15-20  The shepherds visit Jesus at the manger.
    2:21-38  Jesus is presented at the temple.
    2:25-35  Simeon gives a prophesy about Jesus.
    2:36-38  Anna the prophetess sees Jesus.
    2:39  Joseph and Mary return to their home in Nazareth.
    2:40  Jesus grew and became strong. 
    2:41-51  Jesus amazes the teachers at the temple.
    2:52  Jesus increased in wisdom, stature and favor.

    Luke 3 Outline:
    3:1-2  Luke gives historical events and times to establish the date.
    3:3-6  John comes on the scene fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy.
    3:7-18  John preaches his message.
    3:19-20  A reference to John’s imprisonment.
    3:21-22  Jesus is baptized by John and the Holy Spirit descended on Him and remained.
    3:23-38  The genealogy of Jesus. 

    Fun Facts:
    — A manger is a feeding box for livestock like horses or cattle. 
    — The Roman census was for the collection of taxes.
    — The word “Christ” means “Anointed.”
    — Jesus began His ministry at thirty years of age (Luke 3:23).

    Study Notes:
    — The roman emperor Caesar Augustus held a census to count the people for tax purposes. This is a historical fact called the “Census of Quirinius.” Some dispute the date but no one disputes that it happened. It is recorded in Luke chapter 2:1-3. Luke based his writing upon the facts and true events of the time. God used a heathen rulers tax system to fulfill the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). This was certainly an “inconvenience” to Joseph and Mary. God was at work the whole time, but no one saw it happening. 

    — Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, a small town in the region of Galilee. Because Joseph was descended from David, he had to travel to Bethlehem to register. This was 70-80 miles away and would have taken at least 4 days on a donkey. Everyone was traveling because of the census and finding somewhere to spend the night would have been difficult, so Jesus was born in a stable. That hotel missed a great opportunity, the birth of the Son of God. The manger was an open box where the livestock ate their food. 

    — The professional workers of God, priests, scribes and others completely missed what God was doing, while the poor shepherds in the field tending sheep saw it. They were the minimum wage workers of the time, the “marginalized.” Also Simeon and Anna who had waited and waited yet still served God faithfully praying and fasting, both recognized Jesus. 

    — When Jesus was 12, He knew that God was his Father (Luke 2:49).

    — Change always begins with a word from the Lord. It is the great “Equalizer” and is not a respecter of persons, and is all that you need. John had the true word, a crazy diet of locusts, wild honey and wore camel hair, yet thousands turned out to hear him because he carried the word even though he called them a “brood of vipers.”

    — John’s message was that they were not saved merely because they were a descendant of Abraham. The religious and self-righteous of the day viewed themselves as saved by inheritance and everyone else was lost. Today, you are not saved because you go to church or because your parents were Christians. Walking into a church does not make you a Christian anymore than walking into a McDonalds makes you a hamburger.

    Religious people compare themselves to others as a form of measurement. They take pride in the things that they do right, but tolerate their own “honest” (judgmental) attitudes. They measure people by their own rules like whether others cut their grass on Sunday, fish on Sunday, or vote a certain way, or support a certain cause, in order for them to be a Christian. None of those things are in the Bible, they are all added by religion. 

    Map of Mary and Josephs journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem:

    Discussion Questions (if your answers are very long, you may want to type them first in something like Word or Notepad, which doesn't require an Internet connection, then copy and paste (Ctrl-A to select, Ctrl-V to copy, Ctrl-V to paste), to prevent mishaps.  Also, there is a 3K character limit, so if they are super long, feel free to post more than once, and just answer a couple of questions at a time. We look forward to your thoughts!)

    1) When the angel and heavenly host announced the birth of the Christ, why do you think they made the proclamation to a group of shepherds and not to the rulers of the day?

    2) The original Hebrew spelling for “Jesus” was “Yeshua”, meaning “deliverer” or “savior”. Joshua, who led the the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 1) also shared the same name. Do you believe God is making a connection here? What are your thoughts on that?

    3) Though He was God incarnate, as a boy Jesus went to connect with the teachers at the temple and ask them questions. Why do you think that He did that? 

    4) John the Baptist said that said that he would baptize with water, but that Jesus would baptize with “the Holy Spirit and with fire”. Why do you think two baptisms were required and what does that mean to you?

    5) Why do you think God included the entire genealogy of Jesus in the Bible?

    Take the Quiz on Luke chapters 2 & 3


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84 comments
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady I think the rulers of the day were opinionated and closed minded people. The humble shepherds were open to the message. God makes connections in His Word. Joshua led them to the Promised land and Yeshua leads us to the Promised Paradise. Baptism with water gives witness to others that we are believers. It makes us set apart from the others. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is necessary to have a deeper connection with God and Jesus. It enables God to work in our hearts giving us compassion for all people, saved and unsaved. It helps us to be more like Christ and to have the power of His Spirit, to grow His church. It helps us to understand His Word. Through His Spirit we become the family of God.
April 27, 2015
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Lucille Jordan
Lucille Jordan We must first repent and then be baptized in water. which demonstrates our decision to follow Jesus, after totally surrendering our will to His, He will then send us The Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us on out path to becoming just like him/
April 27, 2015
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Angela Flowers-Jones
Angela Flowers-Jones 1.  Shepherds was the lowest position in society at this time.  The Angel of the Lord came upon them ( the Birth of the Lord was not announced to the notables of Israel, but rather to obscure shepherds). This was to let them know how important they were too.  The Glory of the Lord shone around about them and they were afraid( this was the visible token of the presence of God).  God is with them no matter how small their job is consider to be.  He love and use everybody.  2.  Joshua had been selected by the Lord and there was no doubt about his place and position.  He was bless by Moses.  Spirit recognize Spirit!!  3. To get their attention!  We are more accepting to kids that want to learn.  We think they want to learn and become like us lol. If they only knew they needed to be more like Him. I think they were giving more knowledge of God and made them want to know more. Also attention for Mary and Joseph on Jesus's true mission and purpose of being on earth.    4.  John, holy man, water baptize, the best that mortal man can do.   Jesus, baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire, this was made possible by the Cross 5.  Due to the fall, children cannot be born in the likeness of God, but rather in the likeness of Adam, the sinful nature. As wonderful as being in the genealogy of Christ was, some if not many of these individuals were not saved and in fact some of them were ungodly   This proves that Salvation does not come by inheritance or genealogy, it comes only by accepting Christ as one's Saviour!!
April 27, 2015
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Cheryl Hebert
Cheryl Hebert Hey everyone...I so enjoyed listening to this and having to think and go back and read...looking forward to seeing and learning!  Discussion Questions:   1) When the angel and heavenly host announced the birth of the Christ, why do you think they made the proclamation to a group of shepherds and not to the rulers of the day? 2) The original Hebrew spelling for “Jesus” was “Yeshua”, meaning “deliverer” or “savior”. Joshua, who led the the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 1) also shared the same name. Do you believe God is making a connection here? What are your thoughts on that? 3) Though He was God incarnate, as a boy Jesus went to connect with the teachers at the temple and ask them questions. Why do you think that He did that?  4) John the Baptist said that said that he would baptize with water, but that Jesus would baptize with “the Holy Spirit and with fire”. Why do you think two baptisms were required and what does that mean to you? 5) Why do you think God included the entire genealogy of Jesus in the Bible?      My Thinking on these...course I want to learn more! 1) The religious where too religious to believe it; they were supposedly scholars of God’s Law, but weren't too interested in meeting Jesus, even though all prophecies that were given, they supposedly knew.  They were too prideful!!! T he shepherds were very humble, look at our Savior's humility while HE was here on earth, and they believed and recognized what was going on when they heard the Heavenly Hosts. They took off and went to find Jesus …I bet that was something…But better than that…my, my….when we see our Savior, face to face…as the song “I Can Only Imagine” says, “or to my knees will I fall?   Will I be able to speak at all?” 2) I believe God was showing us that Joshua was a type of Christ. He was to be the savior to the people of Israel in the sense of bringing them over to the Promised Land and helping them in conquering their enemies in wars and also distributing their rightful inheritance.. Jesus is our Savior and offers us eternal life--HE too wants us to be in the Promised Land with HIM… 3) Because Jesus knew, by that time, I believe, the reason HE was born.  Hebrews 5:8 says He learned...  He wasted no time in preparing for HIS ministry and crucifixion.  But then again, maybe HE also wanted them to know Who He was at that time.  They were amazed at his knowledge, I believe scripture says! 4) John’s baptism was of repentance; us being baptized is professing that we now belong to Jesus Christ and the old self died (dunked), raised up (lifted up out of water) and became a new creation; we are told that the Comforter would be sent when Jesus ascended into Heaven; when we are born-again, we receive the Holy Spirit and all that HE is; the fire is our power of truly being Baptized in the Holy Spirit.  My opinion, of course!   5) Because HE knows the end from the beginning and everything leads to the news of Jesus’ birth—our Savior.  I think HE wanted to make certain “man” could trace Jesus all the way back, even though HE is God. There would be many witnesses!!!   All through the NT, the OT points to Jesus.  Those in the genealogy are mentioned more than once in NT.  No prophecy that HE has given has failed, nor will they… God bless you all!
April 27, 2015
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Angela Flowers-Jones
Angela Flowers-Jones 4.  John, holy man, baptize with water, the best a mortal man can do, even one as holy as John the Baptist.  Jesus, baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, this was made possible at the Cross. 5.  Due t the fall, children cannot be born in the likeness of God, but rather in the likeness of Adam, the sinful nature   As wonderful as being in the genealogy of Christ was, some if not many of these individuals were not saved, and in fact some of them were ungodly   This proves that Salvation does not come by inheritance or genealogy.  It comes only by accepting Chris as one's Saviour.t
April 27, 2015
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Jeff Franklin
Jeff Franklin I find it interesting that Luke says that "there were shepards tending their flocks by night".  What happened to the three wise men we were all tought about growing up. Why were they only mentioned in Matthew? Were these wise men the shepards?  Why doesn't it number them, it just says shepards and in Matthew it just says "some wise men?"
April 28, 2015
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Melissa-Peter Busse
Melissa-Peter Busse Looking forward to starting this study today! 
April 28, 2015
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Daryl Donerson
Daryl Donerson I totally agree
April 28, 2015
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Daryl Donerson
Daryl Donerson My first thoughts-The angel went to the shepherds because they were humble and had open hearts. They were able to receive Jesus the Messiah the way he came into the world as a baby. The rulers had their own ideas of how the Messiah should come and what he would do for them. They were looking for a grown man as their Messiah to come,not for Jesus to come as a baby,they would not have received the message from the angel. Just a funny thought(my sense of humor) As soon as the rulers would have opened their mouths with doubt,who knows how long their mouths would have been shut!!! Lol
April 28, 2015
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Daryl Donerson
Daryl Donerson Jeff If I'm not mistaken the shepherds and three wise men are two different groups of people.the three wise men was sent to find the baby Jesus by king Herod and the time frame is different to, in Matthew when they went Joseph and Mary was living in a house so Jesus was a little older than a baby. The gospels was written by different men so they wrote down what was important to them or what they remember that is why some gospels have things and people in them when others don't I hope this helps God Bless Daryl
April 28, 2015
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Beverly Boyd
Beverly Boyd God was indeed sending a message to the great “rulers” of the world. God sent the Messiah for the good of all people, Jews and Gentiles. I believe the shepherds were regular, hard-working, respected people and profession. The sheep/lambs were so valuable to their existence and culture because lambs were needed for food and survival but more importantly to sacrifice at the Passover Festival. The rulers would have tried to hide/stop any talk about the birth of Jesus. The shepherds were able to speak freely about their experience and angels’ words and songs of praise of God. Mary kept their words in her heart. I believe the Shepherds’ words gave Mary great comfort and confidence that God was in total and complete control and peace. Mary and Joseph followed the rules and customs of their faith. One of those customs was attending the Passover Festival. Jesus was changing from a child ... thinking and acting like a child ... to becoming educated by the temple teachers and a young man. I think of it as catechize. I am puzzled by the long genealogy of Jesus through Joseph’s ancestors because I believe he was conceived from God, not Joseph. Perhaps to honor Joseph for his great commitment to protect Mary and Jesus .....
April 28, 2015
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Beverly Boyd
Beverly Boyd Mary and Joseph followed the rules and customs of their faith. One of those customs was attending the Passover Festival. Jesus was changing from a child ... thinking and acting like a child ... to becoming educated by the temple teachers and a young man. I think of it as catechize. I am puzzled by the long genealogy of Jesus through Joseph’s ancestors because I believe he was conceived from God, not Joseph. Perhaps to honor Joseph for his great commitment to protect Mary and Jesus .....
April 28, 2015
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Rose Sicilia
Rose Sicilia The Shepards were low in class at that time but open to the Word of God The rulers would not have believed they felt entitlement and everyone else lost the Shepards believed and went to praise Jesus. Joshua was also a deliverer leading the people into the promised land as the Lord promises to deliver us into eternity with Him. The Lord at age 12 became aware that God was His Father also learning and teaching in the temple at that time.  Baptism with water was a simple beginning to prepare for when the Lord baptized it was with the Holy Spirit sealing us as His children. His genealogy I believe was told since the Jewish people believed only in Abraham this was shown to tell The I Am was here before all as was His Son Jesus and that God was the Father the others mentioned came after and we're called the sons of...Rose Sicilia 
April 29, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell Greetings...1) because the king of that day sought to kill all male newborns . 2) I am not certain of the correlation. 3) God's Divine Plan. 4) The Holy Spirit fills us with the fire of His Being, but why two baptisms were required I don't know. 5) To make us aware of the fact that He chooses who He please to fulfill His Plan..(??) He selects the least of us to bring His Word to fruition.
April 29, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell Hi... How will I know if my understanding is accurate regarding the questions you posed, Pastor Dion?
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, great thoughts, Carol! 
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you, Lucille! Yes, the Holy Spirit is our teacher - if only we could all be better students ;-).
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, thank you, Angela! Haha, I liked that comment that Jesus went to the temple at that age to essentially use their pride to get their attention. Little did they know...:)
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd We are enjoying it too, Cheryl!
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you for your thoughts, Angela! I've never heard the thought about Adam's descendants put quite like that either. Will have to give that some thought :).
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you for your comments! Yes, Jeff, as Daryl commented, the announcement to the shepherds was a different event, and unlike the picture we usually see, the visitation of the wise men was said to occur when Jesus was a little older :).
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Haha, great thoughts, Daryl :)! I believe that's probably the case with the shepherds being more receptive. We've seen some amazing things happen in current times in some of the "less developed" parts of the world that don't seem to happen here. I believe they are just less jaded and cynical. 
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you for your comments, Beverly :)! I can only imagine that if such news were to happen today, there would likely be a government coverup. Not pointing at any administration - all of them probably would. 
April 29, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd It is not a test, the questions are given to make you think about the word for a few minutes. Also, at the end of the week we will post our thoughts on the questions. :)
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd I've thought of that sometimes with the genealogy, Beverly. Part of the prophecies was that the Christ would come from the house of David, which was on Joseph's side. While Joseph wasn't the biological father, I supposed adopted father counts too, and I'm sure adoptive parents would agree :).
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you for you input, Rose :)! That's true, the people of the day knew of the prophecies, so it was likely part of what established His credibility.
April 29, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you for your comments, Yvette! On #2, I believe essentially that they were both deliverers into their respective Promised Land. Also, I think it's interesting that they both had a major figure who came before them to begin the path!
April 29, 2015
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Daryl Donerson
Daryl Donerson Q2a- Yes I do believe God was making a connection between Jesus and Joshua Q2b-I agree with Sylvia that Joshua was a type of Christ.I believe they both had two different assignments,Joshua was a deliver delivering Israel to the promise land and Jesus is our Savior saving us from sin and eternally living without him. Q3- I was going to say so he can know and understand them better but Jesus was God incarnate so he already knew them and how they thought.So I had to rethink and I came up with, Jesus was trying to prepare them for who he was and for what he was there for and going to be doing in the coming years.
April 29, 2015
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Angela Flowers-Jones
Angela Flowers-Jones God  did the genealogy to fulfill the scriptures! 
April 29, 2015
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Mahlet  Tsegaye
Mahlet Tsegaye Hi  ..1/ I think God want to protect the son(Jesus ) from king Herod. 3/ The grace of God was on him so Jesus  was teaching them ..and to manifest himself . 4/ I think we baptized in water to confirm that we make a decision to follow Jesus us our savior. But when we receive Holly sprite he will help us to grow spirituality .
April 29, 2015
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Angela Flowers-Jones
Angela Flowers-Jones God did the genealogy to fulfill the scriptures. 
April 29, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member I love reading and studying God's word. Thank you Pastor Dion and Sylvia
April 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Angela Flowers-Jones
Angela Flowers-Jones God did the entire genealogy to fulfill the scriptures 
April 29, 2015
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Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman Question 3.  Even though Jesus was God incarnate, he was also fully man.  He went to the Temple to learn and study as he had to 'grow in wisdom and grace.'
April 30, 2015
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Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman Question 5.  The Messiah was to be from the House of David. 
April 30, 2015
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Cathy Card
Cathy Card I think they made the proclamation to the shepherds because they knew the shepherds would be believers right away with no doubt and the rulers would not believe right away they would have to be shown.
April 30, 2015
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Daryl Donerson
Daryl Donerson Q4-my first thoughts-John the Baptist baptized with water for the repentance of sins. Jesus would baptize with The Holy Spirit and Fire so that The Holy Spirit can give us guidance and help in our  life with Jesus.(The Helper Jesus called him)Jn.14:16,26 I believe the two baptisms were required because without repentance of sins the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in an unrepentant body. Another thought-The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God who comes in us when we repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Savior.The Fire I believe is the Power that the Holy Spirit has to Freely give to us so that we can do God's work here on earth. Just my thoughts before researching a little more.
April 30, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams Q5 I BELIEVE THAT GOD PUT IT IN THE BIBLE TO LET US KNOW THAT HE IS NOT A RESPECTER OF PERSONS AND THAT HE CAN USE ANYBODY TO ACOMPLISH IS PURPOSE......
May 1, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams Q1. BECAUSE GOD KNEW THE HEARTS OF THE RULERS THAT THEY WOULD NOT BELIEVE
May 1, 2015
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Daryl Donerson
Daryl Donerson Q5- God wants to show us how his plan with Jesus started at the beginning with Adam and how he has a plan for our lives that can be carried out through the Trinity.
May 1, 2015
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Beverly Boyd
Beverly Boyd I'm sure you are correct ... and I thank you for your insight. 
May 1, 2015
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Chris Motley
Chris Motley Q-1 I think the shepherds were 1st. leaders of flocks or overseers and they weren't important like leaders or kings , just everyday people of that time , not famous. God likes to use those of lowly places or the meek as it says in the bible. come to him with child like faith.
May 1, 2015
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Chris Motley
Chris Motley Q-4 baptism of water being reborn , coming out of the womb. baptism with fire or the Holy spirit burns away the things not of the Lord and fills us with his spirit.
May 1, 2015
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Karen Foresman
Karen Foresman Amazingly clear response and it touched my spirit with Truth
May 1, 2015
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Karen Foresman
Karen Foresman Re Question #2...I am surprised that Joshua shared the name Jesus.  This I never knew.  It does follow, however, that Joshua was a deliverer and Jesus a deliverer of Jews and Gentiles.  Joshua, after Moses, took the big step forward in God's plan while Jesus came to fulfill Scripture and to provide redemption. It is mind boggling to me just how everything fits. 
May 1, 2015
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Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell Re Q#4; So many churches teach that Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision. Acts 2:38&39 says; "Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children and all who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." You see Baptism is so much more than is taught in most churches. 
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Yes, Karen, it's truly amazing how His plan fits together so well!
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Yes, so true, and we are all blessed to be included in that!
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Great thoughts, Daryl! " I believe the two baptisms were required because without repentance of sins the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in an unrepentant body." I believe this is very much the case.
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, the rulers would probably need a lengthy series of committee meetings ;).
May 2, 2015
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Tina G
Tina G The parts of Luke 2&3 that first came alive for me were when a pastor described Mary and Joseph searching frantically for their little boy. As a parent I could relate. Have you ever taken your your eye off your child for a split second and they were gone? In a store maybe? Its a very scary experience! And there Jesus was safe and sound learning and sharing Gods word in some tent and telling his parents he was just fine!  The second part I love is the description of John the Baptist. Wearing shaggy,probably dirty and dusty camel skin, eating bugs, and he's basically calling the people heathans, unworthy scum! What a sight he must have been!  I love it when the Bible comes alive!
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Yes, agreed. I tend to think that Jesus did not walk on Earth as an omniscient being, because He would not experience life in the way we do. The point, I believe, is that He had to live like we did and still did not sin.
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, thank you for your thoughts, Mahlet! That's very possible God was just trying to hide the birth to protect Jesus. The rulers didn't have a very good track record!
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Yes! It's amazing to me how so many believers seem to think that Holy Spirit baptism is of the devil. 
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, Jim!
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Great thoughts, Tina! I love that by taking our time, we can savor the richness of the scripture to the greater degree. I was thinking the same thing about Mary and Joseph, who were after all quite young themselves and not experienced as parents.  Haha, that's a great visual of John the Baptist :)!
May 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, it is amazing how The Bible comes alive to us, in our real life experiences.
May 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Tina G
Tina G Hee hee! Both of these boys must have been a handful!
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd That's probably an understatement, lol :)
May 2, 2015
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Cheryl Hebert
Cheryl Hebert I love reading everyone's thoughts on God's Word! Thanks to all for sharing!
May 2, 2015
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Daryl Donerson
Daryl Donerson I truly agree Sylvia Jesus had to experience life in the flesh as we do so he can fully understand that we can't do it without him and his righteousness covering us.
May 2, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd We are enjoying it too, Cheryl :)!
May 2, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield Because God exults the humble and gives THEM grace, but the "mighty rich"  He detests. Refer to the "Magnificant"
May 3, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield Me too!
May 3, 2015
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Daryl Donerson
Daryl Donerson After further research on Q4 I have come up with this on baptism with the Holy Spirit and Fire.  The Fire is symbolized and used in three different ways.  1) Fire symbolizes The Holy Spirit empowering believers to proclaim Jesus. The Power to do God's Will. 2) Fire symbolizes God's purifying presence that burns away the undesirable things in our lives. 3) Fire also symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit in bring God's Judgment's on those who refuse to repent.   
May 3, 2015
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Yada (Wendy)
Yada (Wendy) 1) When the angel and heavenly host announced the birth of the Christ, why do you think they made the proclamation to a group of shepherds and not to the rulers of the day?  The first grassroots movement? Lol 2) The original Hebrew spelling for “Jesus” was “Yeshua”, meaning “deliverer” or “savior”. Joshua, who led the the  Israelites  into the Promised Land (Joshua 1) also shared the same name. Do you believe God is making a connection here? Yes. I think He absolutely was. I think the whole trip around Jericho 7x was prophetically symbolic to the ages.    What are your thoughts on that? I think He took authority over every name. I hope that's an absolute statement because if you step outside of what scholars propagate and use logic. The name Jesus is obviously referencing or crediting zeus... I am not a genius or anything but it's really irritating that this is so obvious yet completely denied by the church. That being said Christ apparently did and said many things that upset perspectives everywhere regarding lines man had drawn in regards to Gods boundaries about things. Even though it's all over the Old Testament if you look for it. The lengths of spiritual adultery He tolerated and provided inside His gates broke free on the world. 
May 4, 2015
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Yada (Wendy)
Yada (Wendy) 3) Though He was God incarnate, as a boy Jesus went to connect with the teachers at the temple and ask them questions. Why do you think that He did that?  I wonder often about how God unveiled Himself in/to Christ. What the moments of realization felt like.  How much inequity and ineptitude Jesus saw. How He was molded from youth on to disdain hypocrisy. What life events and circumstances nurtured Him, the intimate details of how God formed His life and led Him into *knowing* Him. ?... 4) John the Baptist said that said that he would baptize with water, but that Jesus would baptize with “the Holy Spirit and with fire”. Why do you think two baptisms were required and what does that mean to you? First I think it's prophetic. I am pretty certain we will pass through literal fire and literal water to get HOME.  1 John indicates to me that we might be a bit delusional about currently being "indwelt" or baptized by Spirit. Also, about the entire body being the bride. If the bride is going to be kings and priests.... Who are they going to be kings and priests of? This is my perception. I feel Gods Spirit (I think) sometimes and it's more of a covering/adoption type *feeling* and I am not certain but I don't think that I've had a "second baptism". That being said if it is true the last thing I was to do is deny its true.  I would love for it to be true.  But the fruit of 1John is noooooo where to be found. My Daystar has not risen in my heart yet. Circumcision of heart is coming on Day 8. What is the difference between the two? Because I perceive the same desired result from both but it's obvious they are two different things. 
May 4, 2015
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Yada (Wendy)
Yada (Wendy) 5) Why do you think God included the entire genealogy of Jesus in the Bible? To keep precise Jews really busy so all the Gentiles can "hurry" and sneak on the ark?... Hehe I think the names all mean something.  I also think all the portions of all the stories told represent things. I also think when we go Home we might be identified with this family generationally somehow. Perhaps when dividing land. Not sure :)  I have a thousand thoughts about these intentional scripture. Mostly for now I think that it points us back to the OT... Who were these people. How did God work in their lives? I think that there are so many warnings and guide markers for us that are intended to lead us Home. Right now they seem confusing and very ambiguous. But when the time comes  it will be crystal clear. 
May 4, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt 1) Because the rulers did not want any one to declare that they were God. I think Jesus(God) wanted them to think about the Massiah, Kinda like when the woman touched the him of his garment, He ashed Who touched Me? Jesus wanted to involve her with Him. He could have healed her and never said anything.
May 4, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt 2) Because God was the savior of Isreal, and when Jesus came He came to be the Saviov of all Jew's and Gentiles.
May 4, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt 3) Because He wanted them to be involved with Him in a relationship.
May 4, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt 4) Jesus baptism in water was to show Christ to Isreal, a diffrent batism was being baptized with with the Holy Spirit and fire, To show that Christ is in me. That There are 3 persons in one. God the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
May 4, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt 5) To show that He was the Son of God.
May 4, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, the Lord loves those will humble themselves, though I believe that a person can be wealthy and humble. Not that we've been there, but we know some who are ;). Not sure what the "Magnificent" is?
May 4, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Great thoughts, Daryl, appreciate your additional research! One thing I find interesting the ebb and flow of the Holy Spirit, that during times when we are less consistent in our prayer time (and I think we all have those :)) I feel less of His presence. I guess that's kind of obvious, but I like the idea of us co-laboring with Him in our destiny :).
May 4, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Haha, Wendy, and I guess literally on the grass ;-). I really prefer to use "Yeshua" in my prayer time, but don't really have a problem with the name "Jesus" despite its roots. It's kind of like a lot of things, like the origins of Easter...we can take dominion over them and make it ours :)!
May 4, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Yes, I'm sure the Father was speaking to the Son the whole time and teaching Him. What's amazing to me is not only that He would fight injustice, but that He also loves the people who are causing it. I was reading an article the other day about "religious jerks". Part of it was that while they may be that, they are "His jerks" and He loves them just the same ;). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is something Dion and I both live, and it's an amazing thing :).
May 4, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Haha, Wendy, I have enjoyed your comments, thank you! Yes, I think each person listed has a story, and they are meaningful to significant ways to Him. There was a scifi film from the 80s called "Enemy Mine" and the goal at the end was for a man to present his adopted son, who was from an alien culture, to the boy's people. The format of the presentation was to recount all of the kid's ancestors, as a way of confirming that he had a place amongst these people. It was done in the form of a beautiful chant, almost a song, where you could tell that each name had great meaning. I kind of think of that when I look at the genealogy, as God presenting His Son's heritage :).
May 4, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Yes, and I also think Jesus wanted to really let her know how much she matter to Him.
May 4, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen!
May 4, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you for your great responses, Twila :)!
May 4, 2015
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Shunta Chaney
Shunta Chaney 2. After really pondering this question no I don't think there was a connection. Although Joshua was called to do a mighty work there is no comparison to what Christ did on the cross.
May 7, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd That the work of Christ is infinitely greater is certainly true! I believe though, that there's an idea that the new covenant is greater than that of the old, which is what Joshua came from. I think it's just a picture of God calling us to greater and greater glory :).
May 7, 2015
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Delores Greenwood
Delores Greenwood i really enjoy reading everyone's thought too.
June 7, 2015