Disciples Global Network

Was the New Testament composed in Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, or another language? The evidence points to Greek . What was the original language of the documents that became the New Testament? For centuries, the scholarly consensus has been that it was the Koiné Greek dialect spoken  widely in the Eastern Roman Empire. However, certain voices in the church are claiming that it was composed in the Hebrew or Aramaic language. What follows is a brief overview of the primary evidence for a Greek original.

John baptized men and women in water, but the Messiah of Israel will baptize in spirit and fire - Matthew 3:11-12. The Gospel of Mark begins by applying key prophecies to the ministry of John the Baptist. He is the forerunner who prepares the hearts and minds of Israel for the Messiah, and John does so by calling the Jewish nation to repent and baptizing the people “ for the remission of sins ” - (Isaiah 40:3-5, Mark 1:1-3).

John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah, the herald of the Kingdom of God and the one who baptizes in the Spirit – Mark 1:4-8. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah of Israel, in fulfillment of the Scriptures. He was the Voice in the Wilderness, and the Elijah who was to come and restore all things before the Day of the Lord - (Malachi 4:5, Matthew 11:14).

Redemption and God's Kingdom arrived in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, starting with his baptism by John – Mark 1:1-3. The Gospel of Mark opens with a declaration that combines passages from the Old Testament to provide the scriptural basis for the ministry of John the Baptist , and to set the stage for Christ’s mission . Mark begins with a note of fulfillment.

It was only when he died that the Roman centurion in charge of the execution recognized that Jesus was the Son of God . Everyone in the Gospel of Mark is incapable of recognizing who Jesus is, except for John the Baptist, Peter (momentarily), and the Roman centurion at his execution, and Peter’s moment of insight proved fleeting. Even the Baptist began to question the identity of Christ when he was imprisoned by Herod Antipas.

Jesus reveals the meaning of Scripture, the understanding of the future, and the nature and mysteries of God . Jesus unveils the Divine mysteries, and only he is qualified to reveal the nature and glory of the unseen God. All the promises of God find their fulfillment in him.  Christ unlocks the scriptures, and there is no true knowledge of God apart from him. The Creator of All Things is found in Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus is the Son of Abraham, the heir of the promises, and the Messiah who implements the inheritance of his people . The Gospel of Matthew begins by declaring that Jesus is “ the son of David, the son of Abraham .” He is the descendant who fulfills the promises made to the Patriarch. This identification introduces the theme of fulfilment that characterizes Matthew . Through Jesus of Nazareth, the covenant promises become concrete realities.

God sent Jesus to provide salvation for men, women, and children of all nations, and everlasting life in the age to come . After his resurrection, Jesus declared, “ All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me! Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations .” And so, he sent his disciples to announce the salvation accomplished by his death “ to the ends of the Earth .”

[ ‘Jesus’ means “Yahweh saves.” In the man of Nazareth, the salvation promised by the God of Abraham has arrived . ] The child carried by Mary was “ begotten of the Holy Spirit ,” and Joseph was instructed to name this child ‘Jesus’: “ Call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins .” The name announced by the angel pointed to the saving act of God that was about to unfold in history – (Matthew 1:20-23).

The reign of Jesus Christ from the Messianic Throne began following his Death, Resurrection, and Exaltation . The New Testament is clear. God made Jesus of Nazareth Lord and Messiah, and there is no other. His reign began when God exalted Christ following his resurrection. “ God has made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah! ” – (Acts 2:36).

Jesus demonstrated his authority over Satan’s kingdom by driving satanic forces out of the children of Israel – Mark 1:21-28. Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness, rejecting all his temptations. The effect of that victory was demonstrated when the Messiah exercised authority over demonic forces in the village of Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee. The first incident occurred in the local synagogue , a place where Jews would gather to study the Mosaic Law and pray.

Jesus is the ‘Son of Man’ foreseen by Daniel, the Messiah with absolute authority over the peoples and nations of the Earth . After defeating Satan in the wilderness, Jesus began proclaiming “ the Good News ” of the Kingdom in Galilee – “ The season is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel! ” The term “ Kingdom of God ” is a summary statement that links Christ’s mission to the glorious “ Son of Man ” figure described in the Book of Daniel .

Despite his miracle of calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Christ’s disciples still could not recognize who he was – Mark 4:35-41. After teaching the multitude, Jesus left the area to cross the Sea of Galilee, but a violent storm descended suddenly on the lake, frightening the disciples. Storms were common enough on that body of water, and several of the men with Jesus were fishermen familiar with the region’s weather. Their terror indicates this was an especially severe storm.

The promise of the Spirit is vital to the redemption of humanity and the Covenant of God with His people, the Church of Jesus Christ . The New Testament links the “ Promise of the Spirit ” to the “ Blessings of Abraham ,” the promise that God will bless the nations through the Great Patriarch. The Spirit is the gift believers receive “ through the hearing of faith .” It is part of the Covenant promised to Abraham, and the Apostle Peter connects this gift to “ the blessings ” for the nations, the Gentiles, in his sermon preached on the Day of Pentecost.

Jesus is the anointed Son of God whose life and ministry were characterized by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit . The activity of the Spirit dominated the life, words, and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth. He was “ Jesus, the one called Christ ,” the Anointed One, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel.  When  an angel  informed  Joseph that   Mary carried a child  “ conceived   of the Holy Spirit ,” his declaration indicated that something more than a miraculous birth was about to unfold.

The Spirit of God and the voice from heaven confirmed the calling and identity of Jesus, Son, Messiah, and the Servant of the LORD . Jesus first appears in the  Gospel of Mark  when John baptizes him in the Jordan River. The account identifies him with his hometown, Nazareth, a village of no consequence, though its insignificance plays a role in the story. He is the “ Servant of the LORD ” anointed by the Spirit, but he does not conform to popular expectations about the Messiah.

In Mark’s Gospel, no one recognizes who Jesus is except demons. Only in his death on a Roman cross was his identity understood by men . In Galilee, the disciples witnessed Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, forgive sins, and even calm violent storms, supernatural acts performed with great authority. However, his words and deeds produced confusion over his identity, and therefore, the question was asked by many, “ Who is this man ?” Only at his execution did a human being finally recognize who he was.

Only Jesus is the Light of the World, the expression of God, and the source of truth, life, and salvation, and he alone reigns supreme . From time immemorial, presidents, kings, dictators, and religious deceivers have claimed to be humanity’s best hope for peace and prosperity, self-proclaimed bulwarks of order who hold back the darkness that threatens to overwhelm society. Today, this plague of messianic pretenders is worse than ever,  especially in our churches and the political arena .

‘Christendom’ is an idolatrous term used often to invoke Divine support of national and political institutions, agendas, and ideologies . In popular usage, the English term ‘Christendom’ refers to “that part of the world in which Christianity prevails,” either because the majority of a nation’s citizens claim to be Christian, or because a specific sect or denomination is recognized by the State as the country’s official religion.

The whole earth will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of Heaven, and he will send his angels to gather his elect –Mark 13:21-27. After describing the destruction of the Temple, Jesus turns to the subject of his return. How much time will pass between the Temple’s demise and his arrival, he does not say, but in the intervening period, his disciples must beware of deceivers and “ false prophets ” who spread false information about his coming.