Master the Bible: How to Get and Keep the Big Picture of the Bible's Story

24

Mas ter the B i b l e : How to Get and Keep the B i g P i c ture of the B i b l e ’ s Stor y

b. We are to engage the Scriptures as a workman does his work, handling the Scriptures accurately and appropriately, 2 Tim. 2.15.

D. He reflected in dialogue with his disciples on its meaning.

1. Jesus’ disciples were not necessarily educated, but they were endowed – given the opportunity to witness firsthand the life and acts of the Lord.

2. “After studying oral Torah, a student might choose to study advanced scriptural interpretation and juridical learning, along with subjects like astronomy, math ematics, and mystical speculation. At this level it was common for students to become disciples of some great scholar. The NT represents Jesus as such a scholar teacher surrounded by disciples, although it is doubtful whether Jesus’ disciples had the academic qualifications that other great teachers would have expected” (D. N. Freedman, The Anchor Bible Dictionary [2:316]. New York: Doubleday, [1996, c1992], p. 316).

3. Jesus selected his disciples to be his witnesses, and he equipped them in the meaning and implication of the things they witnessed.

a. The standard of apostleship was presence from John the Baptist to the ascension, Acts 1.21-22.

b. They actually ate and drank with the risen Messiah after his resurrection, Acts 10.40-41.

c. They wrote of their personal experiences after the Lord had ascended, e.g., the Transfiguration, 2 Pet. 1.17-18.