102 Fascinating Bible Studies on the New Testament

Books by Dr. William H. Marty

102 Fascinating Bible Studies on the New Testament

The Jesus Story

The Quick-Start Guide to the Whole Bible*

The Whole Bible Story

The World of Jesus

*with Dr. Boyd Seevers

© 2019 by William H. Marty

Published by Bethany House Publishers

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Ebook edition created 2019

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ISBN 978-1-4934-1718-6

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations labeled CSB are from the Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016

Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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This book is dedicated to the people who will use it. It is my hope that it will help you to better know the Word of God and the God of the Word.

Contents

Cover    1

Books by Dr. William H. Marty    2

Title Page    3

Copyright Page    4

Dedication    5

Introduction    11

The Life of Christ    15

1. Genealogies of Jesus    17

2. Birth of Jesus    20

3. Infancy and Childhood of Jesus    22

4. John the Baptist    25

5. Baptism of Jesus    28

6. Temptations of Jesus    31

7. Water to Wine    34

8. Beatitudes    37

9. Disciple    40

10. Feeding of the 5,000    43

11. God and the Physically Challenged    45

12. Herodians    48

13. I Am    50

14. Jesus and Demons    53

15. Jesus’ Miracles    56

16. Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer    59

17. Nicodemus    62

18. Parables of Jesus    64

19. Pharisees    67

20. Sanhedrin    70

21. Scribes/Teachers of the Law    73

22. Sermon on the Mount    76

23. Holy Spirit and Jesus    79

24. Olivet Discourse    81

25. But That’s Not Fair    84

26. Prayers of Jesus    86

27. Transfiguration    89

28. Greatness of Christ    92

29. Woman at the Well    95

30. Zacchaeus    98

31. Trials of Jesus    101

32. Seven Last Words of Jesus    104

33. Resurrection of Jesus    107

Acts    111

34. Holy Spirit and the Birth of the Church    113

35. Baptism of Believers    116

36. Last Words of Stephen    119

37. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch    122

38. Antioch    125

39. Barnabas    127

40. Jerusalem Council    130

41. Paul’s Missionary Journeys    132

42. Peter and Paul—Two Apostles    135

43. Sadducees    138

44. Samaritans    140

45. Three Converts at Philippi—Lydia (Part I)    143

46. Three Converts at Philippi—The Slave Girl/Human Trafficking (Part II)    145

47. Three Converts at Philippi—The Jailer (Part III)    147

48. Trials of Paul    150

49. Troas    153

Paul’s Epistles    157

50. Baptism for the Dead    159

51. Church Leaders    161

52. Church, Metaphors    164

53. Fruit of the Spirit    166

54. Heavenlies/Heavenly Realms    169

55. Last Words of Paul    172

56. Lord’s Supper    174

57. Paul’s Legacy—Seven Metaphors for the Christian Life    177

58. Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh    179

59. Paul’s Prayers    181

60. Slavery, Illegal Immigration, and Forgiveness    183

61. Tithes and Offerings    186

62. Trustworthy Sayings    189

General Epistles    191

63. Faith without Works Is Dead    193

64. Holy Spirit in the Epistles    195

65. Last Words of Peter    197

66. Melchizedek    199

67. New Covenant    202

68. Rest    204

69. Spirits in Prison    206

70. Unjust Suffering    208

Revelation    211

71. Babylon, Babylon    213

72. Lamb of God    215

73. Last Words of John    218

74. Letters to the Seven Churches    221

75. Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls    224

Doctrine    227

76. Angels    229

77. Antichrist    232

78. Apostle    235

79. Ascension    237

80. Church    239

81. Cosmic Christ    242

82. Devil (Satan)    245

83. Eternal Punishment or Annihilationism?    248

84. Flesh    251

85. Glorification    253

86. Grace    255

87. Grief and Grieving    258

88. Justification    261

89. Lord’s Day    264

90. Reconciliation    267

91. Resurrection of Believers    270

92. Righteousness    272

93. Sanctification    275

94. Savior    278

95. Scripture    280

96. Sovereignty of God    283

97. Spiritual Gifts    286

98. Trinity    289

99. Union with Christ    292

100. World    295

101. Worry    297

102. Wrath of God    300

Acknowledgments    302

About the Author    303

Back Ad    304

Back Cover    305

Introduction

I had the unique privilege of teaching Old and New Testament Survey to four hundred freshmen for thirty-seven years. It was an exciting experience. They were eager to learn, and keenly attentive in class, at least at the beginning of each semester. Of course, since they were at Moody Bible Institute, they expected their Bible teachers to answer all their questions about the Bible, including some that angels never imagined. I soon learned that I would never get through survey if I didn’t control their questions, so I had to be somewhat of a killjoy and explain to them that I couldn’t answer all their questions. I assured them that in their four years at Moody they would have multiple opportunities to get answers to their questions. I also confessed that I didn’t know all of the answers, which was somewhat shocking to some students. But I assured them that my colleagues knew more than I did about certain subjects and would be able to answer their questions.

I’m sorry, but I have to be a killjoy again. This book will answer a lot of your questions, but not all of them. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the editor gave me the liberty to pick the topics. When he told me that, I thought he must be kidding. Did he know what he was doing giving a retired Bible teacher that kind of freedom? He was serious, so most of the studies are on topics about which I think I am capable of making a few intelligent comments. But not all. I chose some topics that I had not previously studied but have had questions about. Some are a bit difficult and even controversial. I have tried to avoid tipping my hand on the ones that are controversial, but it is impossible to be completely unbiased. So if you disagree with me on a conclusion, that’s okay. I’m not inspired; the Bible is. I realize I may be wrong, and people who disagree are not heretics. Some may have a different interpretation of certain passages. It is possible to agree to disagree if those passages are not foundational to orthodox Christian doctrine.

What’s in this book? A lot of studies on topics from the New Testament. At one point, I told the editor I felt like I was writing a Bible dictionary, but I was the only contributor. He was really encouraging. He said that he felt the same way as an editor. How are the topics organized? I tried to balance the studies between the life of Christ (the four Gospels), the book of Acts, Paul’s epistles, the general epistles, several studies on the book of Revelation, and doctrine. Because this isn’t a story, the order in which you do the studies doesn’t matter. You can start with the last study in the book and then go to the next one that captures your interest.

Who should use this book? It is intended for individuals or small groups, for pastors or people in the pew, for Bible teachers or students, for mature believers or new Christians. You don’t even have to be a Christian to use this book. You may have serious doubts about Christianity because of what you believe the Bible says or what others have told you the Bible says on certain subjects. You may find one or more of those subjects in the book, and you may be surprised by what the Bible actually says.

What should you do with this book? Don’t read it like a novel. It doesn’t have a plot and story line. There are 102 Fascinating Bible Studies in it. Why 102? I don’t know. That’s how many I was asked to write. The format for each study is basically the same. I make a few comments about the topic that includes some of the significant biblical references. The comments are followed by a memory verse on the topic. The questions are the main part of the study. Don’t do what my wife and others have attempted, and that’s to answer the questions without reading the passage. If you do, you will tell me what my wife did: I don’t understand! I then asked her, Did you read the passage? The usual answer was, No! Well, no wonder you don’t understand the question! My wife was actually a huge help in writing this book. But please read the passage before attempting to answer or discuss the questions. If you don’t like my questions or want to add additional ones, you can make up your own.

The goal for this book is what I have been devoted to most of my adult life. After college, four years in the army, and one tour in Vietnam, I decided I wanted to do something else, so I went to seminary. Seminary was like landing on a different planet. The men and women who were my teachers not only cared for me, but they loved God and his Word. Their passion for the Word of God ignited the same passion in me, so after a whole lot of schooling I began ministry and found my place in God’s kingdom teaching the Bible to young men and women and trying to ignite in them a love for God and his Word.

My wife thinks I was the right person to write this book. She often tells me that because I didn’t grow up in the church, I don’t think in the typical evangelical/orthodox Christian box. She said that growing up in the church she was not allowed to ask some of the questions I do. This book will not answer all of your questions, but hopefully it will give you insight and a fresh perspective on some of the perplexing passages in the New Testament. I hope the studies challenge you, make you think, but most of all help you to become more like Christ. In the study on Paul’s prayers, I have been convicted to include his prayer for the Ephesians in my prayers for others. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better (Ephesians 1:17). And that’s my prayer for you!

1

Genealogies of Jesus

Because of the advances in DNA testing, there has been a surge of interest in tracing one’s ancestry. Though they didn’t have DNA testing at the time of Christ, genealogies were extremely important in Judaism. They were essential for establishing inheritance rights and tracing the messianic line.

Only Matthew and Luke give Jesus’ ancestry, and though the genealogies are similar they are not identical. Plus, they are not complete, only representative.

Matthew presents Jesus as Israel’s messianic king, who had come in fulfillment of God’s kingdom promises. No one, however, could claim they were Israel’s long-awaited king unless they were a descendant of David, to whom God had promised that one of his descendants would rule over an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:16). Matthew then begins his Gospel by identifying Jesus as the Messiah, a son of David, and a son of Abraham (1:1). By tracing his ancestry to David, Matthew establishes Jesus’ legal right to the throne of David. But he also wants to show that Jesus is the fulfillment of the universal promise of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1–3).

Luke’s concern is to show that Jesus is a universal Savior. He traces Jesus’ ancestry from Joseph to Adam (3:38), and puts the genealogy between Jesus’ baptism and temptation (3:21–4:13). By placing the genealogy between Jesus’ baptism and temptation Luke contrasts Jesus’ victory over sin and Satan as the second Adam with the failure of the first Adam (cf. Luke 3:21–22 and Luke 4:1–3). Because he was created, Adam is called the son of God (3:38). God calls Jesus his beloved Son at his baptism (3:22 ESV), and in the temptation account, Satan says, If you are the Son of God . . . (4:3).

Study Questions

1. Matthew 1:16. Why do you think Matthew identifies Joseph as the husband of Mary rather than the father of Jesus?

2. Matthew 1:3, 5, and 6. In addition to Mary, Matthew lists four women in Jesus’ genealogy.

a. Who are they and what do we know about them from the Old Testament?

b. What is the significance of including these women in Jesus’ genealogy?

3. Genesis 12:1–3. What are the three promises God made to Abraham? How did God fulfill the promise to bless all people? Why is this important if we are not Jewish?

4. Matthew 28:16–20. Though Jesus is identified in the genealogy as Israel’s Messiah-King, how does the Gospel of Matthew end? Why is this important?

5. Luke 3:23. Like Matthew, Luke makes it clear that Joseph is not Jesus’ biological father. Luke’s intent is to raise the question, If Joseph is not Jesus’ father, who is? How does Luke answer that question in 3:38?

6. Luke 3:38. Not only is the order of Jesus’ genealogy in the reverse order than the names in Matthew, but Luke does not stop with David and Abraham. How far back does Luke trace Jesus’ ancestry? And as mentioned in the commentary, the genealogy comes before the temptation account. Why?

7. Matthew 1:11–13. Who is identified in the genealogy?

a. What happened to Jehoiachin, king of Judah, because of his wickedness (see Jeremiah 22:24–27)? The signet ring was a symbol of royal lineage. This means that the royal line was cut off, and messianic hopes ended with the Babylonian exile.

b. Haggai 2:23. What did God do to reinstate the messianic line?

c. What does this reveal about the grace of God and his promises?

8. What do the genealogies confirm about God’s providential control of history? How does this give you assurance about the course of your life?

Memory Verse: Matthew 1:1

2

Birth of Jesus

The Gospels give two complementary accounts of Jesus’ birth. Matthew records the birth of Jesus from the perspective of Joseph, Jesus’ father, and Luke gives Mary’s perspective.

Jesus’ birth was a miracle. Before they were married, Joseph discovered his fiancée was pregnant. Joseph was honorable and did not want to disgrace Mary so he planned to divorce (betrothal was as binding as marriage) her secretly. However, the angel Gabriel appeared to him in a dream, saying, Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20 NLT). Joseph married his fiancée as Gabriel had commanded but did not have sexual relations with her until after the birth of their son (Matthew 1:24–25).

After his announcement to Joseph, Gabriel appeared to Mary and informed her that she would give birth to a son, and she was to name him Jesus. Confused, Mary asked, But how can this happen? I am a virgin (Luke 1:34 NLT). Gabriel did not offer Mary a scientific explanation but said she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and the power of the Most High would overshadow her (Luke 1:35). As proof that nothing is impossible with God, Gabriel informed Mary that her cousin Elizabeth had conceived in her old age (Luke 1:36). Mary responded with humility and obedience to the startling revelation. She said, I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true (Luke 1:38, NLT).

Though Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth in the northern province of Israel, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the home of David, in Judea during the rule of Caesar Augustus. Joseph went to Bethlehem, his hometown, to register for a census when Quirinius was governor of Syria (Luke 2:1–4). Because they couldn’t find lodging, Jesus was born in a manger, a feeding trough for animals (Luke 2:6–7).

Study Questions

1. Luke 1:35. Why do you think the virgin conception and birth of Jesus is important for the following:

a. The fulfillment of prophecy (see Isaiah 7:14)

b. The humanity of Christ

c. The deity of Christ

d. That Jesus did not inherit Adam’s sin nature

e. Our salvation, which is also a supernatural work of God (see John 3:5–8; Titus 3:7)

2. How did God work supernaturally and providentially in the birth of Jesus? Can you recall an event or events from your life in which God worked providentially?

3. Matthew 1:21. What was Jesus’ primary mission? How important was the virgin birth for Jesus’ mission as Savior?

4. Matthew 1:24. How difficult do you think it was for Joseph to respond to Gabriel’s revelation that his fiancée would