Lesson 5306

 (Lesson 5306)(08-16-26) Luke 1:5-23 

   “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.” 

 

    In today’s quote, the angel Gabriel appeared to the elderly priest Zacharias, announcing that his barren wife Elisabeth would bear a son named John to prepare the way for the Lord. Because Zacharias doubted the message, he was struck mute until the promise of John’s arrival was fulfilled. ~

Lesson 5305

 (Lesson 5305)(08-15-26) Luke 1:1-4 

   “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Luke introduced his Gospel and explained his purpose. He acknowledged that many others had already written accounts of the events and ministry of Jesus, which were handed down by original eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. Being aware of everything Jesus said and did from the very beginning, Luke wrote an orderly, historical account addressed to Theophilus. His explicit goal is to provide Theophilus with certainty regarding the truth of the teachings he had personally witnessed and received. ~ 

 

Lesson 5304

 (Lesson 5304)(08-14-26) Mark 16:14-20 

   “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus appeared to His eleven remaining apostles after His resurrection. He rebuked them for their unbelief, commissioned them to preach the gospel to every creature, and promised that believers will be accompanied by signs such as casting out demons and speaking in new languages. Finally, it described Jesus being received up into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God, while the disciples went out and preached everywhere with the Lord confirming the word through accompanying signs. ~ 

NOTE: Verses nine through twenty of Mark chapter sixteen does not appear in some of the oldest texts of the New Testament.  

Lesson 5303

 (Lesson 5303)(08-13-26) Mark 16:8-13 

   “And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.” 

 

    Today’s quote relates that, early Sunday morning, the risen Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, who reported it to the apostles, who refused to believe her. Jesus then appeared in another form to two of His apostles walking in the country, who also returned and tell the rest, yet some still did not believe. ~