Do you have the Christmas Attitude?

Peace of God

Do you know why the donkey and the ox are in the nativity scene?

The Meaning of Christmas

Where you spend eternity will be decided by a person who was born in a homeless shelter to an unmarried teenager. As an infant, he became an immigrant to avoid political persecution. He became the greatest healer in the history of the world. He was investigated for giving health care away for free. He was put on trial by politicians making false allegations based on the testimony of false witnesses. The judge at his trial knew that he was innocent of the charges against him. However, a quick and politically biased opinion poll indicated the majority of the people in the Capitol wanted him executed. So, he was conveniently executed despite his innocence by a judge who colluded with the politicians to ignore the facts. After he died, a fake news story was created by the politicians and released through the news outlets under their control that said his body had been stolen by his own followers.

Of course, that was 2,000 years ago when things were much more primitive. When he returns, imagine how pleased he’ll be to see all the progress we’ve made to eliminate the problems that existed when he was born.

Merry Christmas

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University

Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

A Christmas Poem by the Angel of the Lord

Matthew 1:20...“Joseph, son of David, 

do not be afraid {“Afraid, Fearful” (ירא) Yare}

to take Mary your wife. 
For that which is conceived {“Conceiving” (הרה) Hareh}

in her is from the Holy Spirit {“Spirit” (רוח) Ruach}.

21 And she will give birth to a son,

and you shall call his name Jesus {“Jesus” (ישוע) Yashua or Yeshua},

for he will save {“Save” (יושיע) Yosheya}

his people {“People” (עמי) Ammo}

from their sins {“Sins” (עוֹנֹתָֽם) Avontum}.”

Merry Christmas from:
Dr. J Clontz, Aidan University
Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Be Smart this Christmas

Merry Christmas

from Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Many People have been Visited by Angels

Zechariah who was a priest in the temple and the father of John the Baptist talked with the angel Gabriel –

Luke 1:11-20

The Virgin Mary talked with the angel Gabriel –

Luke 1:26-38

Joseph, the husband of Mary, had two dreams involving the angel of the Lord –

Matthew 1:20-23, 2:13

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw and heard the angel of the Lord at the tomb -

Matthew 28:2-7

Mary Magdalene also saw and spoke with two angels in the tomb –

John 20:12-13

The apostles saw and heard an angel that released them from a dungeon –

Acts 1:19-20

The deacon Philip saw and heard an angel –

Acts 8:26

Cornelius saw and heard a vision of the angel of God who told him how to meet Peter –

Acts 10:3-7

Peter was released from a dungeon by an angel that spoke to him –

Acts 12:6-11

The largest interaction with angels involved a multitude of the heavenly host who spoke with the shepherds in the field near Bethlehem and told them how to find the Savior, the Christ -

Luke 2:8-20

Many of the interactions with angels cited in the New Testament include physical phenomenon such as prison chains and doors being opened. Zechariah was struck dumb and could not talk which served as physical proof that he had been visited by an angel. There was also information concerning geographic locations of individuals that could’ve only been derived supernaturally. For instance, Cornelius wasn’t a Christian at the time of the angel’s visitation. Cornelius had never heard of Peter before the angel told him where the apostle was.

Ask yourself, how do you explain the prison escape by the apostles and the singular escape by Peter chained between two guards? It is unlikely they accomplished their escapes unaided. There would’ve been serious consequences for their guards due to the escapes which makes it unlikely that their guards aided their escape. It is highly improbable that the entire group of apostles could’ve escaped completely unnoticed by their guards without supernatural intervention.

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Did you know that Jesus Celebrated Thanksgiving?

Matthew 15:36 Jesus took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. 38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

Hoping God blesses the multitudes with you at Thanksgiving also,

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Did you know that Jesus’ transfiguration was prophesied by Isaiah?

When Jesus was transfigured his face shone like the sun - Matthew 17:1-21.

At the time, he was at the top of the highest mountain in the area, Mt. Tabor. The mountain is situated on the ancient tribal border between Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali. Mt. Tabor was an ancient signal mountain since a fire ignited on top of the mountain was visible throughout the entire region. The light emanating from Jesus was visible throughout Zebulun and Naphtali which fulfilled the prophecy in the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 9:1 “Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.”

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Did you know that Old Testament prophets such as Zechariah are buried on the Mount of Olives?

The Mount of Olives is an extremely large cemetery that contains more than one hundred thousand graves.

When the dead rise from their graves at the resurrection the site will be crowded with multitudes of people. Shortly before the crucifixion, Jesus picked the Mount of Olives as the setting for the discussion with his disciples about the end of the age - because he plans to meet a great many people who were buried there when he returns!

Matthew 24:03 “…as he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”

1Thessalonians 4:15 “For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, cannot precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Did an Earthquake hit Jerusalem when Jesus Died?

The Bible, ancient historians and the Geological Society of America all indicate that an earthquake hit Jerusalem when Jesus died.

According to the Gospel of Matthew an earthquake hit Jerusalem when Jesus died and produced damage in the temple area:

Matthew 27:50 “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook. And the rocks were split.”

The earthquake at Jesus’ Crucifixion is potentially confirmed in the Jewish Talmud. According to the Talmud[Shabbat 15a], the Sanhedrin was exiled or banished from the subterranean chamber in the temple complex 40 years before the temple was destroyed. The passage in the Talmud also indicates this coincided with the Sanhedrin no longer adjudicating capital cases. The gospels indicate that the Jewish leadership was involved with the capital case against Jesus that occurred approximately 40 years before the temple destruction was completed. So according to the Talmud, Jesus’ trial may have been the last or one of the last capital cases involving the Sanhedrin. The subterranean structure where the Sanhedrin met was abandoned afterwards possibly due to earthquake damage that sealed it off from access or made it unsafe.

The Jewish Talmud[Yoma 39B] provides a second clue pointing toward earthquake damage in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ death. The temple doors began opening by themselves 40 years prior to the destruction of the temple. This indicates that something happened to the architectural supports for the temple doors at the time of Jesus’ death. An earthquake could’ve damaged the angularity of the door supports so that they began opening on their own.

There are non-Jewish sources that also indicate an earthquake hit the region near Jerusalem at approximately the time of Jesus’ death:

“Phlegon stated that in the 19th year of Tiberius (as Eustathius Antiochus noted in Hexaemeron) and the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad (that is 33 AD), the following events took place... 'There was the largest and most famous eclipse that had ever occurred. The day was so turned into night at the sixth hour (noon), that the stars were seen. Also, an earthquake in Bithynia destroyed many houses in the city of Nicaea” (James Ussher, Annals of the World 6503).

“[t]he largest earthquake happened in the principate of Tiberius Caesar when twelve cities in Asia Minor were razed to the ground in one night” (Pliny's Natural History 38).

The Geological Society of America Jerusalem earthquake of 33 A.D.: Evidence within laminated mud of the dead sea, Israel (Austin, Steven A.) - Two thousand years ago the Dead Sea Basin was shaken by two earthquakes that left two widespread seismites within laminated Dead Sea sediment. The first earthquake (spring 31 B.C., Jericho fault, M~7.2) transformed adjacent Dead Sea laminated mud and aragonite into a persistent and distinctive intraclast breccia seismite in places greater than 1 m thick. The 1st-century Jewish historian Josephus described the 31 B.C. earthquake as a significant social and economic event during King Herod's reign. A second seismite occurs within laminated mud and aragonite at 10 to 85 cm above the 31 B.C. seismite. Varve counting above the 31 B.C. datum indicates the second seismite can be assigned to 31 A.D. (+/- 5 years), but history specifies as 33 A.D. Superb mud laminae exposures are provided in two gullies at the southwest corner of the Dead Sea at Wadi Ze'elim fan delta where the 33 A.D. seismite outcrops 55 to 85 cm above the 31 B.C. intraclast breccia. The 33 A.D. seismite at Ze'elim is intraformationally folded, 8-cm-thick, sometimes brecciated, silicate mud and aragonite/gypsum laminae. Seismite facies progress from "linear waves" to "asymmetric billows" to "breccia" expressing transition to Kelvin-Helmholtz turbulence within the uppermost shearing laminae during shaking. Recumbent folds and imbricate faults are consistent with gravity collapse upon a broad arch structure during shaking. Folded seismite transitions northward within fan deltas to thicker intraclast breccia, suggesting an epicenter nearer Jerusalem. Matthew, the 1st-century synoptic Gospel author, reported two earthquakes in Jerusalem in 33 A.D. These are the Jerusalem earthquakes of April 3 at the crucifixion of Christ (Matt. 27:51), and April 5 at the resurrection of Christ (Matt. 28:2). Luke, a first century physician and historian, reported a smaller earthquake in the summer at the gathered assembly (Acts 4:31). The persistent 33 A.D. seismite indicates the biggest 33 A.D. earthquake was M~6.0. This biggest earthquake was likely April 3, 33 A.D. that startled city residents and caused moderate damage, especially to the western side of Temple Mount. Pivots of two, 20-m-high, metal doors of the Temple appear to have been damaged, and the 20-m-high curtain in front of the doors was torn, likely by displacement of the lintel of the Temple during the earthquake.

If an earthquake damaged the temple in Jerusalem at the time that Jesus died, the population of that city would’ve viewed this as a portent with supernatural overtones. This would explain why the Sanhedrin stopped adjudicating capital cases after the crucifixion of Jesus.

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Shabbat 15a – “Forty years before the Temple was destroyed, the Sanhedrin was exiled from the Chamber of Hewn Stones and sat in the stores on the Temple Mount. With regard to the last statement, the Gemara asks: What are the halakhic ramifications of this statement? Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Avdimi said: To say that they no longer judged cases of fines. The Gemara wonders: Does it enter your mind that they no longer judged cases of fines? Even several generations after the Temple was destroyed they continued to judge cases of fines in Eretz Yisrael. Rather, emend and say: That they no longer judged capital cases. The authority to impose the death penalty was stripped from the Sanhedrin, and therefore they willingly left the Chamber of Hewn Stone. Since the Sanhedrin no longer convenes in its designated place, the halakha is that it no longer has the authority to judge capital cases (Tosafot).”

Yoma 39B – “The Sages taught: During the tenure of Shimon HaTzaddik, the lot for God always arose in the High Priest’s right hand; after his death, it occurred only occasionally; but during the forty years prior to the destruction of the Second Temple, the lot for God did not arise in the High Priest’s right hand at all. So too, the strip of crimson wool that was tied to the head of the goat that was sent to Azazel did not turn white, and the westernmost lamp of the candelabrum did not burn continually. And the doors of the Sanctuary opened by themselves as a sign that they would soon be opened by enemies, until Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai scolded them. He said to the Sanctuary: Sanctuary, Sanctuary, why do you frighten yourself with these signs? I know about you that you will ultimately be destroyed, and Zechariah, son of Ido, has already prophesied concerning you: “Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars” (Zechariah 11:1), Lebanon being an appellation for the Temple.”

How do we tell which gospel accounts are valid and which are not?

According to the Gospel of Luke there were many people who wrote about Jesus:

Luke 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been fulfilled among us…

So how do we tell which gospel accounts are valid and which are not?

One way of course is through the church that Jesus created for us. Jesus didn’t leave a book - he left a church that he entrusted to the apostles and their successors to assist us. Many of the earliest Christian church leaders such as Papias (AD 125) and Irenaeus (AD 180) wrote about the gospels and their authorship. They not only tell us about the gospels that are valid but also those that are not. The writings of both Papias [Fragments 3:15, 16, 6:1, 19:1, 20:1]¹ and Irenaeus [Against Heresies Book III.1.1, 10.5, 11.8, 16.3]² name Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as valid gospels. Furthermore, Irenaeus lists a variety of gospels that aren’t valid and tells us about their authorship and the agendas of those who created spurious accounts.

Do we have any other way to tell which gospel accounts are valid? Potentially we do. The Old Testament foreshadows the New Testament. So where in the Old Testament are the four gospels foreshadowed? According to one of the early church leaders, St. Augustine, the four gospels are foreshadowed in the story of the garden of Eden³. Foreshadowing is merely where the outline of a story in the Old Testament parallels the outline of events in the New Testament. The allegorical parallels between the four rives and the four gospels are:

The first river, Pishon, which compasses the whole land of Havilah symbolizes the gospel of Matthew. Traditionally, Matthew left Judea for the area of Havilah (Arabia) where he preached until he died. According to some of the early church leaders, Matthew’s gospel was written first. It is also interesting to note that the first river in Genesis is noted for having gold and the Gospel of Matthew is the only gospel with the story of the visit of the wise men bringing gifts including gold.

The second river, Gihon, flows from Ethiopia to the Nile in Egypt and symbolizes the gospel of Mark. Traditionally, Mark eventually reached Egypt and became the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt and lived there until he died. According to some of the early church leaders, Mark’s gospel was written second.

The third river, Tigris, symbolizes the gospel of Luke. The Tigris formed the central portion of the Assyrian Empire. Luke the Evangelist is believed by many to have been from Antioch, Syria which had once been part of the Assyrian Empire. According to some of the early church leaders, Luke’s gospel was written third.

The fourth river, Euphrates, symbolizes the gospel of John. The Euphrates originates in Asia Minor (Turkey) which was the area where the apostle John lived after leaving Judea until he died. According to some of the early church leaders, John’s gospel was written fourth.

The foreshadowing of the four gospels by the four rivers coming from Eden match the traditional chronological order of authorship of the four gospels based on the writings of the early church fathers. Also, the geographic regions associated with each of the four rivers match the geographic regions traditionally associated with each of the authors of the four gospels. Furthermore, information unique to the first river includes information unique to the first gospel, Matthew.

Now I’m going to point something out to skeptics. Why do you think that the author of Genesis listed the rivers in a specific order of one through four? It serves no literary purpose. The author of Genesis could have numbered the four rivers in any order or more appropriately not numbered them at all. It is also odd that he numbers them in the order that he did. Geographically, Gihon is the furthest west and the furthest south while Tigris is the furthest north and east. So if he were to number the rivers in a geographic direction either Gihon or Tigris should have been first or fourth but they aren’t. Also if he were ordering from proximity to the center of Eden, then Tigris should have been fourth since it is the furthest from the center of Eden, but it is third. Since there is no literary or geographic reason to give the first to fourth order for the four rivers, then there must have been another reason. That reason was prophetic. It is not a coincidence that the four rivers listed in their specific order of one to four matches the traditional chronological order of authorship of the four gospels and the associated geographic regions for their authors.

References

1. The Comprehensive New Testament pp. 436, 567, 684

2. Ibid p. 567, 604, 684

3. Augustine civ 13.21 “The Garden is the church itself, as we can see from the Canticle of Canticles [4:12]; the four rivers are the four gospels; the fruit bearing trees are the saints.”

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University

Joseph of Arimathea is foreshadowed by Joseph the Patriarch

Women at the Cross Bible Study 1 - Mary and Zechariah

Did you know that John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God?

In John 3:22-36, John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, while talking with his followers. Since John the Baptist was a prophet sent by God - his testimony is irrefutable.

John 3:22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea, and there he remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been put in prison. 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purifying. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified – behold, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A man cannot receive even one thing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can bear me witness, that I said [that], ‘I am not the Christ,’ but I have been sent before him. 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

            31 “He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks. He who comes from heaven [is above all]. 32 He testifies to that which he has seen and heard; yet no one receives his testimony. 33 He who has received his testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Ask, and it will be given to you

The name of Jesus prophesied by Moses - Deuteronomy 31:3

Jesus’ name in Hebrew is pronounced the same as the Hebrew word for Joshua who appeared in the Old Testament.

Joshua in the Old Testament who leads the people into the promised land foreshadows Jesus (pronounced Joshua in Hebrew) leading the resurrected into the promised land of heaven.

Deuteronomy 31:3 clearly states that “The LORD your God, he will go over before you and it also states Joshua, he shall go over before you, as the LORD has said.

Thus allegorically the LORD your God, who will go over before you is Joshua (Jesus). So Moses is the prophet who gives the name of Jesus (pronounced Joshua in Hebrew) as the Lord your God who will go over before you.

Deuteronomy 31:3 The LORD your God, he will go over before you, and he will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before you, as the LORD has said.

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

The Greatest of all Time

The greatest of the twelve patriarchs was Joseph. He foreshadows the greatest followers of Jesus Christ. Thus we should run away from temptation to sin, we should repay evil with good, we should endure all hardship for those we love and even those who betray us. We should say what God has revealed to us even if it means persecution, we should devise ways to save the starving from perishing. We should punish those like simeon who instigate wrongdoing but with mercy so that upon their release they may return as an equal among their brethren. We should look after the least of our brethren like Benjamin so that they are uplifted among their brethren and it is the least who share from their abundance because of the love we pour out for them. We should live so that those who would seek our harm will one day view us as their children - Joseph was married to potiphers daughter, thus becoming the son in law of the very woman who wrongfully accused him! The tribe of Joseph received a double portion in the promised land and hopefully you will too!
Professor J. Clontz, Aidan University - Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

The Most Famous Carpenter that ever Lived

We only know of one structure that he built.

The structure was only used once.

It stood for less than a single day.

It only supported one person.

It is the most famous structure ever built.

The structure is the Cross.

The carpenter’s name is Jesus.

He has invited you to a house where everyone can live forever.

It should be quite a house.

After all, look at what he accomplished in this world with two pieces of wood and some nails.

Professor J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament 

Good News for all who Believe in Jesus – He Prayed for you!

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who believe in me through their word” – John 17:20

J. Clontz – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament 

Proof that Jesus is the Son of God

John the Baptist was a prophet sent by God and had thousands of followers in Judea. He stated, “I [John the Baptist] have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” Two of John the Baptist’s disciples heard his testimony identifying Jesus as the Son of God and went to follow Jesus. One of those disciples was Andrew who became an apostle of Jesus. Andrew told his brother Peter, “We have found the Messiah.”

So, John the Baptist who was followed by thousands of Israelites believed that Jesus was the Son of God. This means that either thousands of Israelites, John the Baptist, and his disciples were wrong or Jesus was the Son of God!

J. Clontz – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

[Josephus Antiquities 18.5.2 116-119]

     Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and was a very just punishment for what he did against John called the Baptist [the dipper]. For Herod had him killed, although he was a good man and had urged the Jews to exert themselves to virtue, both as to justice toward one another and reverence towards God, and having done so join together in washing. For immersion in water, it was clear to him, could not be used for the forgiveness of sins, but as a sanctification of the body, and only if the soul was already thoroughly purified by right actions. And when others massed about him, for they were very greatly moved by his words, Herod, who feared that such strong influence over the people might carry to a revolt -- for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise -- believed it much better to move now than later have it raise a rebellion and engage him in actions he would regret.

    And so John, out of Herod's suspiciousness, was sent in chains to Machaerus, the fort previously mentioned, and there put to death; but it was the opinion of the Jews that out of retribution for John God willed the destruction of the army so as to afflict Herod.

[The Gospel According to John]

1:29 The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he for whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing in water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. 33 I did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” 35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 And he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 And the two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 But Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is translated as “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying. And they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means the Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

Do You Ever Have Trouble Sleeping at Night?

Years ago, I memorized the 23rd Psalm. Whenever I have trouble sleeping at night, I remember the words to the Psalm. Often I drift back to sleep before I finish the Psalm. It is the most peaceful piece of literature I have ever read. It was written almost three thousand years ago by a shepherd who became a king. Many people have heard about King David. However, most people don't realize that King David is one of the most famous poets of all time. His poetic works are among the largest surviving collections of poems by a single author from the primeval age.  Presently, the 23rd Psalm written by King David is one of the top thirty poems requested in libraries in the United States and it is easily the oldest poem in that group.

Hoping all of your dreams are peaceful, J. Clontz - Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

It doesn't matter where your road starts. It only matters where your road ends.

J. Clontz - Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament