LESSON 1, INTRODUCTION:

I love an idea I heard a few years ago, concerning Bible Study. The New Testament anyway. Matthew through Revelation, 27 Books, and interestingly 260 chapters. There are exactly 260 weeks in any five year period! Yes, 52 (weeks per year) times 5 equals 260.

So ... if a person should study, in detail I mean, 1 chapter of the New Testament each week ... he or she would have covered the entire divinely inspired Document, cover to cover!

That sounds like a daunting challenge, and it may be. But it is workable. And surely would be immensely profitable!

Anyone want to try it?

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, THE GOSPELS:

The New Testament Gospels, only 4 exist, Matthew and Mark and Luke and John. We call them Gospels based on their Greek equivalent, "euaggelion." It means "good news!" It's "root" is "aggelos," our word for "angel or messenger."

Today I share some preliminary thoughts about the Gospels. The first three, Matthew through Luke, are often called "synoptic," written from a "similar viewpoint." Each presents the story of Jesus in parallel fashion. Often sharing basically the same miracles or parables or events.

John is the "loner" in this configuration. He is different in that his material often accents experiences of our Lord's other than those reported by the synoptic writers.

Yet all four present the Life Story of Jesus, highlighting the major situations our Saviour experienced. Particularly His Death, Burial and Resurrection!

Two of the Gospels were organized, written under the direct Guidance of the Holy Spirit, by Disciples, eye-witnesses of Jesus' Life and Ministry. These are Matthew and John.

This too, Matthew seems to have been written with a particular and thorough Jewish emphasis. Jesus there is Messiah King!

Mark presents the Lord as the perfect Servant, maybe even drawing from Isaiah's four great "Servant" Passages. Like chapter 53, "The Lord hath laid on HIM (Jesus) the iniquity of us all."

Luke concentrates on Jesus' Humanity. There He is the "Son of Man," compassionately loving people. The Gentile world no doubt is Luke's "target" audience.

And John? He writes for everyone! Jews and Gentiles alike. Jesus there is the Son of God! In fact, this Gospel does not even record Jesus' Birth! "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1, with the "Word" being Jesus!

Matthew gives us Jesus Sermons, to groups.

Mark, Jesus' miracles.

Luke, Jesus' parables.

And John shares Jesus' interviews, One-on-one discussions.

If I had to choose a Main word, a key term in each of the Gospels, Matthew's would be "fulfilled." Jesus fulfilled the Law!

Mark's is "straightway," Jesus "immediately" doing one thing after another. The busy Saviour!

Luke loves to show Jesus' care for men and women, especially women in fact. Our Lord's "compassion."

And no doubt John likes the word "believe." In fact, that Gospel is written "that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20:31

The Gospels are being attacked today as never before. And we are being bombarded with a host of "new gospels" as well.

But I'll just stay with the four we have!

And believe them too!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW:

The first Gospel, Matthew, has 28 chapters. That's 1,071 verses in total. It takes the average reader about 2 1/2 hours to ingest the whole Book, time well invested.

Matthew the Disciple, the writer, was first named Levi and was a tax collector. Until he met Jesus! "And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him." Matthew 9:9, Matthew's own words!

And this tax collector, a man given to working with numbers every day, handling money, says a lot in his "Book" about that subject too. For example, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." Matthew 6:19-20

Matthew also likes to "group" things together. Jesus' miracles are largely treated this way in the first Gospel. See chapters 8 and 9 to get a sample of what I mean.

Matthew congregates the parables that way, too. Matthew 13 is the place to read them. "The Parables of the Kingdom," they are often called.

And even Jesus words, His Sermons. Matthew 5-7, the "Sermon on the Mount," is presented as a whole "unit" in Matthew. But in Mark or Luke the paragraphs are separated, preached at different times and places.

Matthew too has a distinct Jewish emphasis. He loves to quote an Old Testament Verse and apply it to our Lord. He does so more than any other Gospel writer, about 35 times in fact. This truth alone is worth much further study.

This may be why Matthew has been placed first in the New Testament, immediately following the Old Testament which it so eloquently expounds. I've never seen this truth before, this "placement" idea of Matthew! Bible study, how exciting!

One writer says that Luke reports Jesus' life as would a "gardener." Giving us the incidents and sayings of Jesus in their natural locale. As they literally occurred, in real time. But Matthew is like a "florist," arranging these same situations together for maximum beauty. For the most impressive display! And Jesus is beautiful!

No matter how much is said about Matthew's Book, one simply must read it to get the impact it provides.

Sometime soon, enjoy Matthew.

Or enjoy Him again!

The Jesus He preaches is the darling Son of God.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, THE GOSPEL OF MARK:

The Gospel of Mark is written by a younger man, "John whose surname was Mark." He's called exactly that 3 times in Acts by Luke. He's related to Barnabas, Paul's early companion in travel. Colossians 4:10 says so, "sister's son" in fact.

Mark actually accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first preaching tour, first missionary journey. But he failed to complete the mission. "Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John (Mark) departing from them returned to Jerusalem." Acts 13:13

This act of defection alienated Mark and Paul for years. But they are serving the Lord together again, at least by the time of Paul's second Roman imprisonment.

Now Mark's Gospel, the shortest of the four, has only 16 chapters, 678 verses. He seems to write for a non-Jewish audience. He explains many Jewish words, for example. "James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, the sons of thunder." Mark 3:17

He also clarifies certain Jewish customs, with which Gentiles would not be familiar. "And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders." Mark 7:2-3

He also uses several Latin terms, not Jewish ones. "Centurion" being an example. "Legion" as well.

While Matthew emphasizes the words of Jesus, Mark highlights Jesus' actions, deeds, miracles.

Mark contains only 4 parables, but 18 miracles, the Gospel of a busy Servant of God, the Son of God!

Mark's favorite word, in keeping with his own youth and his particular view of Jesus, is "straightway." It means "quickly, hurriedly, immediately!" Yes, 42 times he uses the adverb! Mark's Book is a quickly moving Story.

And get this. Though written several years after Jesus' earthly Ministry, Marks records these events in the present tense! Like they're still happening when we read them yet today! There are 151 "present tense" verbs in Mark's short Account of Jesus!

Mark may have been introduced to Christ by Peter. At least that Apostle calls Mark "his son" in First Peter 5:13, "Marcus my son!"

And Mark, though too young to have himself seen all the situations he's describing, writes like he's an eye-witness to them! He is, via the eyes of Simon Peter most likely!

Holy Spirit inspired, inerrant in every sense, the Gospel of Mark is a jewel in the Bible's Vault!

Read it soon, for the first or second or thirteenth time!

What writing!

What a Book, the Word of God.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, THE GOSPEL OF LUKE:

Luke's Gospel, the third in the New Testament, is a "favorite" of many. He is indeed unique in his presentation of Jesus.

I love Luke because he is so precise in "checking his facts." He uses eye-witness testimony to substantiate his history! "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." Wow, Luke 1:1-4.

By the way, the "Theophilus" to whom Luke is writing is probably some Roman official, maybe not even a Jew, who is apparently a convert to Christianity. The term "most excellent" almost guarantees his social position, quite high in esteem.

And Luke writes his Book with this man in mind, as the addressee. Luke explains things to him that a normal Jew would have already known. Geographical facts, for instance. "And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs." Luke 24:13, everyone local would have known Emmaus was that close to Jerusalem, but not a "foreigner."

But when Paul travels nearer Italy, cities are merely named, without comment! Many believe Theophilus lived in that part of the world, Europe. "And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli." Acts 28:12-13

Here Jesus is not just the "Messiah," that's not Luke's emphasis. Jesus is the Saviour Who died for the whole world! Luke's genealogy of Jesus goes back, not to Abraham as does Matthew, but all the way to Adam, the father of all humanity! And get this one, Simeon's testimony regardinging Baby Jesus. "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." Luke 2:30-32

Then too, Luke is a "physician," according to Paul. In one of the only three places Luke is mentioned in the whole Bible, "Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you." Colossians 4:14

So we might expect, and we do find, that physical maladies are highlighted in this Gospel. The people Jesus healed. Also Luke uses medical language in his writing. Here's an instance. "And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed." Acts 28:8-9, also written by Luke.

Luke too gives great importance to women in his writing, much more than other New Testament authors. Like Elizabeth the Mother of John the Baptist and Mary the Virgin and Simon Peter's Mother-in-Law. And the bleeding woman and the woman "bent-over" for 18 years, both of whom Jesus made well. Martha working while Mary sat at Jesus' feet! The widow and her two mites. Anna at the Temple too! Plus others.

Luke's is the compassionate Gospel.

Jesus is here the Perfect Man, as well as Son of God.

How lovely!

Someone study Luke today. A total of 24 chapters, with 1,151 verses. It takes about 2 hours, 30 minutes to read him, Luke's Gospel.

Enjoy!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN:

John's Gospel is different. Unlike Matthew or Mark or Luke in a hundred ways, if not more! Yet the fourth Book of the New Testament may be the most read in all the Bible.

I love it for many reasons, one being the clarity with which John writes. He tells us his "purpose" for writing, no doubt about it. "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20:30-31

Jesus' Johannine "signs" are described, several in great detail, to persuade people that Jesus is God's Son ... to lead them to trust and faith and belief in Christ as Saviour!

To get people "saved," in other words!

But what are "signs?" The Greek noun is "semeion," translated "miracle" 23 times in the New Testament. Then it's "wonder" (as a noun) 3 more times. Even "token" once!

John's miracle stories, mighty supernatural acts worked by Jesus, they are his "signs" in his majestic 21 chapter Gospel.

Seven of them, miracles, little "preachers" to lead folks to Jesus, to allow Him to impart eternal life to those who believe!

That's the heart of John's Gospel.

And the purpose for which he composed it.

Now, what are those "signs," precisely?

1. Turning water into wine, John 2.

2. The nobleman's son healed, John 4.

3. The impotent, lame man being healed by the Pool of Bethesda, John 5.

4. The 5,000 being fed, John 6.

5. Jesus walking on the sea, the stormy sea, John 6.

6. The man born blind healed, John 9.

7. Lazarus being raised from the dead, John 11.

Each of these miracles, when carefully considered, "point" (the very job of a sign) to Jesus as the Saving Son of God!

Oh, I'd love to preach these seven miracles one week!

One Revival week.

John's 21 chapters contain 879 verses. And the whole Book can be read in about 2 hours. Why, many of us read that long at a time anyway. Why not one day, one evening, or four lunch breaks ... read again this precious Gospel.

Written to praise and exalt and uplift our dear Lord!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Oh, let's add an eighth sign! Early in that twentieth chapter of John, Jesus is raised from the dead! And He too, participated in His Own Resurrection! So we can legitimately "count" this one as well. "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again." John 10:17

Of all the miracles ... surely His coming back from the grave, His resurrection proves Who He is! "Lord Jesus, we believe!"

LESSON 7, THE BOOK OF ACTS:

The Book of Acts is the major New Testament Volume of history. It was written by Luke, we believe. It's clearly addressed to the same recipient as Luke's Gospel also, a man named Theophilus. That means "God lover!" Acts 1:1 says this much.

But Acts is as well a "continuation" of Luke's Gospel. There we are told what Jesus began to do. But now in Acts we're informed as to what Jesus continued to do! Acts 1:1 again, "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach." Note the word "began." Yes, our Lord is still at work!

Luke ends (chapter 24) with Jesus' Ascension to Heaven. "And Jesus led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him." Luke 24:50-52

Then the Book of Acts begins with that same Ascension! "And when He (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight." Acts 1:9

Thus this great Event "links" the Gospel of Luke with the Book of Acts.

Now a word about the "content" of Acts. Maybe a short outline of the Material. Easy. Chapters 1-12, Peter as main character. Chapters 13-28, Paul as main character!

The key verse of Acts is, no doubt, Acts 1:8. The whole Book seems to have been arranged around this skeleton. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

For sure, the first section of Acts centers in Jerusalem. Then to Samaria it goes. Lastly to the uttermost parts of the earth! Carrying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Someone aptly said the Book records the "Acts of the Holy Spirit" more than anything else. Indeed it does.

At Pentecost, many were saved, 3,000 souls.

Then the first Gentiles is born again, Cornelius.

Then many are saved through Paul's preaching. Three "missionary journeys!"

And every salvation experience recorded is a direct result of the convicting power of God the Holy Spirit!

Acts, twenty eight chapters of inerrant history.

Read some of it today! It's still exciting ... because God is still at work in today's world. No telling how many souls will be saved before the sun sets again!

"Power," to be witnesses, Amen!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, THE BOOK OF ROMANS:

The Book of Romans is perhaps the greatest doctrinal treatise ever written! It contains 16 chapters, having a total of 433 verses. An average reader can invest an hour or so in Romans, and cover the whole Book.

Paul is the human author. "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." From the Book's opening paragraph.

Romans, as do several of Paul's Epistles, consists of two main sections. The first is a "teaching" block of material, presenting several fundamentally great truths about salvation. The second is "practical" material, showing us how to live more godly day by day. Doctrine first, then duty! Correct belief first, then Christian behavior!

But in the middle of Romans, between the doctrinal data (chapters 1-8) and the practical data (chapters 12-16) the Holy Spirit has placed some "dispensational" data (chapters 9-11). This three-chapter unit primarily discusses Israel, God's chosen people.

Paul begins Romans proving we are "all" sinners! Then he tells us how to be saved, God's "plan" of redemption is outlined. Next he instructs us "how" to live, not by leaning on our own capabilities (the flesh) but by following the Guidance of God Himself (the Holy Spirit). Then Romans concludes with several handfuls of precise "advice" ... about one particular situation after another, a virtual handbook of godliness.

The Book of Romans, a favorite to thousands of Christians!

Read it today!

Or, for those of you who have read it before, read it again today!

God speaking to humanity!

Perhaps the greatest single Booklet ever written, Romans!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, FIRST CORINTHIANS:

The Book of First Corinthians immediately tells us, by its very title, that the Believers at Corinth (in Greece) consumed a lot of Paul's time! In fact, they were Paul's "high-maintenance" Church for sure. Obviously Paul had to write them more than once, since there is at least a "Second Corinthians!"

For years I have deliberately called First Corinthians the New Testament's "Book of Church Problems," a virtual manual on handling difficulties in a local assembly of Christians.

Paul wrote the Epistle while he was in Ephesus (Asia Minor then, Turkey now), where he pastored for three years. Here's First Corinthians 16:8 for proof. "But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost." Furthermore, later in the same chapter: "The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house." Aquila and Priscilla lived in Ephesus at the time. Acts 18:1-3 tell us: "After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers."

By the way, Paul ministered to the Church at Corinth eighteen months, a year and a half. Luke tells us this in Acts 18:11. "And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."

Well, here are some of the problems Paul helped the Corinthians endure. In chapter 1 the Church was ripped apart by divisions over preachers! Paul had "heard" this. "For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

In chapter 5 Paul deals with sexual sin in the Church there! "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife." First Corinthians 5:1, yes, Paul did help them eventually work through this "touchy" situation.

In chapter 6 the Believers in Corinth, were suing one another in their courts of law! "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?" The chapter's very first verse!

Then the Church had apparently written to Paul, asking specifically about "the Christian and marriage." Because chapter 7 covers the subject extensively. "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife." Chapter 7, verses 1-4.

Next, the issue of eating meat, the much less expensive cuts, that had first been offered to idols, to the heathen gods and goddesses of the Greek culture. Chapter 8 begins, "Now as touching things offered unto idols ...." And continues a while!

Then later in the Book Paul teaches about order and decorum in their worship services. Including proper observance of the Lord's Supper. Chapter 11 does this. "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken." Verses 20-21, what a shame!

Next Paul organizes the Bible doctrine of spiritual gifts, which had been terribly abused by the Corinthians. Ultimately the Apostle shows how "love" is to be the prevailing feeling in all our interactions as Believers. First Corinthians 13, one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written.

Then the problem of the resurrection! Both of Jesus' literal coming forth from the Grave, how important that doctrine was and still is! Annexed is the Bible's teaching on the resurrection our bodies, when Jesus comes again! This is in chapter 15, another classic!

Lastly, the offerings were under question! "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." First Corinthians 16:1-2, money to help suffering saints in other places! Missionary and humanitarian aid.

First Corinthians, an intensely practical Book!

With 16 chapters, only 437 verses, and just an hour's time in reading ... someone "tackle" it today!

After all, it is God's Word!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, SECOND CORINTHIANS:

Anytime Paul writes a "second" epistle to a Church, there is MORE to be said! Usually another "problem" that must be corrected. That's definitely the case with Second Corinthians! Also Second Thessalonians for that matter. And even Second Timothy to a lesser degree.

I love Second Corinthians because, as much as any "Pauline" Epistle does, it reveals the "heart" of this great man of God. Second to this might be Galatians. Well, the Letters to Timothy do so, but in a different way. Romans, for example does not!

Similar to the Book of Jeremiah, Second Corinthians gives us the emotional state of its writer. Paul hurts and weeps and grieves most all the way through Second Corinthian's 13 chapters.

Here are a couple of unique features of Second Corinthians, to me anyway. In it Paul "defends" his Apostleship, his very ministry! "Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men." Second Corinthians 3:1-2

Or even better, Second Corinthians 11:16. "I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little." Nobody else would "stand up" for the Apostle! So of necessity he speaks for himself, concerning his authenticity!

He was being "attacked" by certain members of the Corinth Church, or by infiltrators who had joined since Paul's departure. Paul left the city in order to preach Christ elsewhere, "So have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named." Romans 15:20

Another thing about the Book is how often Paul preaches "separation" from sin and wrong associations! He exhorts the true Believers to stay away from the compromisers! Chapter 6 comes to mind. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" Or later in the same chapter. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Verses 14 and 17

Then Paul, in greater detail than anywhere else, teaches the Corinthians how to handle a special "offering" (financial) that he wants to gather to help the suffering Christians down in Jerusalem. There had been a famine there. Second Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 are given to this theme. This set of instructions has become the basis for what's often called "faith-promise" giving today, mostly in support of mission work.

And I enjoy the way Paul closes the Epistle. Especially Second Corinthians 13:11-13. "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." Good exhortation, what encouragement! Note too the way the last sentence names Each Member of the Godhead, the Trinity!

In reading the Book, you might want include First Corinthians too. The one sort of "builds" on the other.

Either way, Second Corinthians is 257 verses of Holy Spirit dictated Scripture. Mistake free and "profitable" to us all. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Second Timothy 3:16-17

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, GALATIANS:

Galatians, one of Paul's New Testament Epistles, is named not for a city, but a region of the Roman Empire. "Galatia" is where the "Gauls" lived. The "Celts" as history often knows them. Although the Gauls originally lived in what is today France.

Paul visited the area of Galatia during His "Second Missionary Journey." Though it seems Paul was "sickly" during his time there. "Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me." Galatians 4:13-15, makes me want to both study and preach this little Epistle, a whole Revival week of preaching it!

But something had happened since Paul was in Galatia. "Troublemakers" had come into the Churches. And tried to reverse Paul's preaching about the Grace of God. Looks like some of the Christians there had followed these false teachers, too. "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. " Galatians 1:6-7

Galatians is clearly a doctrinal Epistle. The adjective here merely means a "teaching" Epistle. Though it does conclude with some great instructions on how to live for Jesus!

Martin Luther, who doubted the authenticity of the Epistle of James and never preached from the Book of Esther, loved Galatians. Of course that man was wrong on a lot of issues, including his hatred of the Jews.

Galatians emphasizes the "liberty" we have in Jesus Christ. The Law of Moses does not save us! The Law of Moses does not help save us! The Law of Moses does not keep us saved. And the Law of Moses does not make me a victorious Christian now that I am saved. Jesus and Jesus alone does all this! Thus Paul preaches in Galatians, powerfully so!

It was this Old Testament Jewish Law, that whole system (especially including circumcision) that Paul's "enemies" in Galatia tried to enforce on the people.

Paul reacted energetically! "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9, where "accursed" is "anathema!"

Wow!

Galatians also has some beautiful verses. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 6:16, which is soon followed by the all-time classic: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

With only 6 chapters, just 149 verses, 23 minutes reading time ... someone enjoy anew the Truth Galatians presents. I mean today do this!

What beauty!

What writing!

The pure Word of God!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, EPHESIANS:

Thanks to Dr. Luke and the Book of Acts, we probably know as much about Paul's work in Ephesus as anywhere the great Apostle labored. And the Letter he wrote those folks, is one of the greatest Epistles ever penned.

Ephesians has just 6 chapters, totaling 155 verses, and only requires 22 minutes of reading time, the whole little Book. But it's a giant spiritually!

I have occasionally preached Ephesians 1 under this rubric: First, the blessings we enjoy from God the Father. Next, the blessings we enjoy from God the Son. Lastly, the blessings that are ours through God the Holy Spirit!

Ephesians, though not in the same detail the Book of Romans does, presents the "Plan of Salvation" in an exceedingly clear manner. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

The last half of Ephesians is "practical" to the core! Telling how we Christians should "walk" in the Spirit of God. For example, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:18-21

And Paul closes, chapter 6, with his exhortation to be clothed in the "whole armour of God." Detailing every piece of equipment a Romans soldier might wear, Paul compares each to some quality in the Christian life. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:11-17

Paul "pastored" the Church in Ephesus about three years! Acts 20:31 gives us this statistic. That's the longest time Paul ever stayed in one place preaching, as far as the New Testament specifically tells us.

And, by the way, Paul is in prison (in Rome) as he writes this little Jewel! Ephesians 3:1 tells us. "I Paul the prisoner!" Maybe Ephesians 6:20 is a better example. "For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

All I can do is encourage you to read Ephesians!

Read it again, for the fifteenth time, to many of you!

What a Book!

Telling us what to believe.

Then telling us how to behave!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, PHILIPPIANS:

It's perhaps one of the sweetest Books in the New Testament. Certainly one of Paul's least abrasive ones. Sometimes called the "missionary" epistle, Philippians is a precious Letter.

Only 4 chapters long, just 104 verses. Every word divinely inspired and without error. One of the very first little commentaries I ever read, as a teenager just called to preach, was Dr. Harry A. Ironside's little book entitled "Philippians," verse by verse.

I love Philippians.

Paul wrote it while in prison, in Rome we believe. In fact Paul mentions his "bonds" or "chains" 4 times in Philippians chapter 1, that chapter alone! Amazing!

The city of Philippi was so named by Alexander the Great's Father, Phillip of Macedon. It was not a commercial center either, thus few if any Jews lived there. Paul, upon visiting the city for the first time, did not go to the synagogue to preach, as was his custom. Probably because no synagogue existed there, there apparently not even being 10 male Jews in the city!

So ... gentiles were saved in Philippi!

Lydia, a seller of purple, from Thyatira ... for example.

And a jailor employed by the Roman government!

Soon a Church was born!

Philippians 1 contains one of the loveliest prayers the Apostle ever uttered. Expressing his spiritual goals for the believers in Philippi. "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11

Philippians 2 shares with us one of the greatest doctrinal paragraphs in the Bible, about the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Wow, Philippians 2:5-11, the heart of our doctrine of Christology!

Philippians 3 ends with one of the clearest descriptions of the Coming of our Lord found anywhere. "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." Philippians 3:20-21

And Philippians 4 is Paul's great "thank-you" letter to this little Church who had financially supported his ministry time and time again. "Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:14-19, yes this is really a "missionary" letter!

Then the Book also contains another classic verse, life changing in fact. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8, practical godliness supreme!

Someone today read or re-read Philippians.

You will be glad you did.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, COLOSSIANS:

Colossians is, to me anyway, Paul's "intellectual" Epistle. Though, as is usual with the great Apostle, the Book's last half is intensely practical.

Still, it's really the first 2 chapters that amaze this preacher. They are both profoundly "deep" and yet supremely "uplifting."

Yes, Paul is at his "doctrinal best" in Colossians. Didactic to the core, yet brief and lucid! Truth be told, only the Holy Spirit could have written this Epistle. Though Paul's personality bleeds through constantly!

Colosse is a rather unimportant city, at least in reference to the Roman Empire. Today the little metropolis is no longer in existence. But Biblically Colosse is vital! Paul's Letter to the Church there is priceless, irreplaceable. And a man named Philemon lived there, who had a slave named Onesimus. They are the subjects of the beautiful short Pauline Epistle called Philemon too!

Colossians has only 4 chapters, 95 verses. And it can be read quickly, less than half an hour. But Oh what Truth it contains, it presents. It "is" Truth in fact, being part of God's inspired Word! (Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17:17, saying "Thy word is truth.")

Also, Paul wrote Colossians from a Roman jail cell! Nearly his last words in the whole Epistle, "Remember my bonds," my "chains!" Colossians 4:18, the 95th verse in the Book! So here we have one of the New Testament's "Prison Epistles."

Paul calls the Christians who lived in Colosse "faithful brethren." He held them in high esteem.

And Paul's "prayer" in Colossians is a classic! "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire ... that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." Colossians 1:9-12, very thorough!

Colossians is one of even Paul's most Christo-centric writings ever. Jesus-centered! For example, this one-liner: "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell." Colossians 1:19, in Jesus!

Colossians chapter 2 gives as lovely a view of Jesus' Victory on Calvary as is found anywhere. "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:14-15

Then Colossians chapters 3 and 4 present the practical side of Christian living. How to behave day after day, loving the Lord. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4

Then Paul teaches us what to "put off," a list of sins follow ... plus what to "put on" as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ! "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." Colossians 3:12-14

Then Paul, by chapter 4, is asking prayer for himself! "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." Colossians 4:2-4, in some ways parallel to both Second Thessalonians 2:1-2 and Ephesians 6:19-20.

To study on your own, notice the interesting people we meet in the Epistle. Epaphras in 1:7 and Tychicus (4:7) and Onesimus (4:9) and Aristarchus (4:10). Also John Mark is mentioned again, Colossians 4:10. Even a man named Jesus Justus in 4:11. Plus Luke, "the beloved physician," in 4:14. Not counting Nymphas (who allowed a church to meet in his house) 4:15. Plus Archippus, also mentioned in the Book of Philemon! Paul was a "people-person" indeed!

Colossians, read it today.

It is still God's Word.

Always will be!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, FIRST THESSALONIANS:

What if I told you there are more than two Books of the Bible named after ladies? Not only Ruth and Esther, but the Thessalonians Epistles as well, at least indirectly so. Yes, the city of Thessalonica was named after the Wife of a man named Cassander, a relative of Alexander the Great. Formerly the town's name was Therma, just meaning "hot."

Paul (along with Silas and Timothy) first visited the city during his second missionary journey. In Acts 17:1-10 Luke tells the story. Here's the opening: "Now they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." Souls saved almost immediately!

Paul deeply loved the Thessalonian Believers. And they had such a great testimony for Jesus. Here's the opening sentence in First Thessalonians. "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." Notice in the capitalized clause the words "faith" and "hope" and "love."

The whole Book is sometimes called "The Second Coming Epistle," actually Second Thessalonians could be included under that umbrella as well. Every chapter, in both Epistles, refers in some way to our Lord's Return!

Let me show you what I mean.

First Thessalonians 1:10 says: "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." Jesus is coming again!

First Thessalonians 2:19 continues: "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy." In Jesus' Presence, at His Coming!

Then First Thessalonians 3:13 longs: "To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." The "Coming" referenced yet again! The Greek noun used is "parousia," literally "in His Presence!"

And First Thessalonians 4:14-17 now. "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Coming in the air!