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Did the Qumran community predict the coming of Jesus?

...have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”   Here's an excerpt from the article I read, with some quotes from the scroll: We now have an unambiguous statement that “raising the dead” was one of the key expectations of the Messianic age in this community. Line 11 of this text also contains another highly striking feature. Indeed, it appears to be the closest and most direct linguistic parallel to a New Testament text that we have yet discovered. The line reads: For he will heal the wounded, resurrect the dead,and proclaim glad tiding to the poor. In both Matthew and Luke we read of a deputation that Joh...

Lent: Day 8 - Ignatius to the Romans

...the good news of God’s grace. This right here sums up everything Ignatius is saying and desires. His resolve is steadfast, even with the opportunity to get out of this situation via help from the Roman church. I wonder how many of us, myself included, would have such strength of faith in the face of death? As Ignatius said, he wants to “not merely be called a Christian, but really found to be one” through his actions and outward faith, whatever the circumstances. He does give us a small insight into what drives him during this time, because not only is he facing execution, but has ten soldiers guarding him who are not exactly treating him well, by the...

Lent Day 22: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 11-20

...the good news of God’s grace.  ...

Lent Day 26: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 51-60

...tell the news of the death of Amun, and those who met them enquired of the time of death and saw that it was at the very moment when Anthony had seen the vision from the Lord, and they all marvelled and rejoiced at the things the Lord did through Anthony. That’s all from today’s reading, but wow what a lot to take in! The Lord surely did some amazing things through his servant Anthony which in turn caused many to come to faith after hearing his reputation for his dedication to the Lord and the wonders worked through him. I hope this inspires you to seek the Lord more and to persevere more with your faith and the discipline of living as Jesus commanded us...

How many apostles are there in the New Testament?

...’s good news   Now we have 13. Some contend that Paul was the true replacement for Judas, but even if he was (which I don’t believe) and there were no more than twelve apostles, then we wouldn’t see any others – but we do. So let's continue counting: James, the half brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church—Galatians 1:19 Barnabas – Acts 14:14 Apollos – 1 Corinthians 4:6-9 ("...us apostles..." v.9) Timothy and Silvanus – 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:7 Epaphroditus – Philippians 2:25.  While some Bibles translate the word as “messenger”, the Greek word apostolon is actually “apostle” (as in other places – see endnote)....

Lent Day 38: Leo the Great: Sermon XXI (On the Nativity Feast I)

...Day Thirty-eight: St. Leo the Great: Sermon XXI (On the Nativity Feast I) Who: Leo the Great, also known as Pope St. Leo I (the Great), was Pope from 440-61 AD. Place and date of birth unknown; died 10 November, 461. Leo's pontificate, next to that of St. Gregory I, is the most significant and important in Christian antiquity, as he tried to  combat the heresies which seriously threatened church unity even in the West, such as Pelagianism. What: A sermon on the Nativity at Christmas time, about the incarnation of the Word of God. Why: To explain the incarnation and preach the Good news of our Lord and Saviour becoming man for our sake so that we may be sav...