Are you being a good witness for God? Are you providing a good and accurate account of God’s Grace and Mercy? Looking at the scripture, John 1: 6 – 8; 19 – 51; the focus is on John the Baptist, as he testifies and witnesses of the coming of The Messiah. In verses 6 – 8; he states; “There was a man sent by God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light. He came only as a witness to the light.” This gives us insight into the mission of John the Baptist, concerning the coming of the Messiah. Through his testimony and witnessing; a road map has been provided as to how to be a good witness for God and to insure that your testimony is edifying God’s Grace and Mercy. The next time that you are reading this chapter of John; think about some things that you can input, improve, and express when you are witnessing and providing your testimony of God’s Grace and Mercy, in your life.
John the Baptist
Herodias -10 Points for Bible Study
Bible Study January 30, 2016
Key Scriptures: Matthew 14:3-12; Mark 6:6:14-29; Luke 3:19-20, 9:7-9
Character: Herodias was proud, manipulative, and arrogant. She used her daughter to get revenge on John the Baptist. She had two husbands (1) Herod Philip and (2) Herod Antipas, who were her uncles and sons of Herod the Great. Herod the Great was her grand father and father-in-law.
I. Adultery: Mark 6:18 – For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
II. Motivation: Luke 3:19 – But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him for Herodias his brother, Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done. (V20) Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. (Mark 6:19) – Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him but she could not.
III. Threat: Mark 6:1 – And they were out, and preached that men should repent and they cast out many devils and anointed with many that were sick and healed them. (Matthew 14:1) – At the time, Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, (V2) And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist, he is risen from the dead and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
IV. Fear: Matthew 14:5 – And when he would have put him to death he feared the multitude. because they counted him as a prophet. (Mark 6:20) For Herod feared John knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him.
V. Confusion: Luke 9:7 – Now Herod the Tetrach heard of all that was done by him; and he was perplexed because it was said of some that John was risen from the dead. (v9) and Herod said, John have I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
VI. Temptation: Matthew 14:6 – But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased him.
VII. Manipulation: Mark 6:22 – And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and then she sat with him, the king said unto the damsel ask of me whatsoever thou will and I will give it to thee.
VIII. Plot: Matthew 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
IX. Promise: Matthew 14:7 – Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask. (Mark 6:23) – And he swear unto her, whatsoever thou shall ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. (Mark 6:24) And she said the head of John the Baptist.
X. Choice: Matthew 14:9 – And the King was very sorry; nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given. (V10) And he sent and beheaded John in Prion.
All Scriptures from The Bible, KJV.
Reference: Jean E Syswerds, Women of the Bible, 52 Bible studies for Individual and Groups, Zondervan, 1999.
Elizabeth of the bible
Elizabeth of the Bible, January 9, 2016, Key scripture Luke 1:5 – 80
Her name means “God is My Oath”
Luke 1:5 [ The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold ] In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Luke 1:6 (refers to)
- Elizabeth was a woman the bible calls “upright in the site of God.” Like very few others, male or female, she is praised for observing the Lord’s commandments and regulations without blame. (Footnote) They were not sinless, but were faithful and sincere in keeping God’s commandments.
Luke 1:7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
- Zechariah was Elizabeth’s husband. He served in a priestly division burning incense in the Temple. He had been chosen by God to serve in this privileged position.
Luke 1:18
- Zechariah questioned the angel saying, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in her years.” Because Zechariah questioned the angel, he was silenced, and not allowed to speak until the birth of his son.
Luke 1:24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.
Luke 1:26 [The Birth of Jesus Foretold] In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.
Luke 1:36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.
Luke 1:39 [Mary Visits Elizabeth] At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,
Luke 1:40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Luke 1:57 [ The Birth of John the Baptist ] When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.
Two themes that came to mind after reading the information above: “Faith Rewarded” and The Consequences of Disobedience.
Resources
- NIV Study Bible
- Syswerda, Jean E, Women of the Bible, Zondervan, 1999
- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1%3A5-80&version=NIV
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