The Jewish Background of the Scriptures
by John B. Metzger This is an article on the Jewish background of the Scriptures. Is this an important component that we need to interact with in our personal study and teaching of the Scriptures? The answer is yes, and here are some important points to understand: First point is that God is the author of Scripture; it is not a man-made document. Second the Bible was written by Jewish men over the span of 1500 years. Third the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12 is a Jewish covenant. The ramifications of this covenant echoes off of every page of Scripture. Fourth Israel is at the hub of...
Read MoreI Am’s of the Gospel of John
by John B. Metzger We cannot fully understand the significance of the I AM statements of Yeshua without going to the background of this I AM statement. It all starts in Exodus 3:14 when Moses asks the Name of the one speaking to him from the burning bush. Three Names are used to describe who the speaker is from the burning bush. In verse 2 and 4 the speaker is called the angel [messenger] of the LORD, the LORD [Yahweh] and God [Elohim]. God who spoke to Moses, said His Name was I AM THAT I AM, meaning He is the eternal present existent One. The theme of the Gospel of John is to present...
Read MoreTrinity or Tri-unity in the Hebrew Scriptures
by John B. Metzger The Trinity is a subject that we will never fully understand. But God has given us some basic information from His Word to help up grasp this difficult subject. I would like to preface our study with a concept that is largely ignored by many evangelical scholars. The Scriptures clearly state that God created all things (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3, 10; Colossians 1:15-19). God is also the author of language and is completely capable of speaking for Himself without the aid of flesh. So when we view Scripture we should take it as God gave it and not read our human bias into it....
Read MoreTestimony to Ariel Ministries
by John B. Metzger I have had the opportunity to observe Ariel Ministries for 16 years and have personally found this ministry to be the best teaching ministry from a Jewish perspective of any that I have seen or known of today. Coupled with that is the primary purpose of Ariel Ministries which is the evangelization and discipleship of Jewish people, as well as Gentile believers. I believe that the material prepared by this ministry has a quality of biblical excellence not often seen. Founder The ministry began in the heart of a Jewish believer in Messiah to reach his people for Messiah...
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