God creates everything. Starts with space, ends with man.
- Does the order of creation matter/have significance beyond the obvious logical sequencing?
Matthew 1
Lineage of Jesus is covered from Abraham to him. 42 generations (14 to David + 14 to deportation to Babylon + 14 to his birth).
Joseph's role in the Nativity story is discussed. He would have divorced Mary quietly but an angel told him that the conception was holy, and what he should name the child. Reference to fulfilled prophecy regarding a virgin birth and a child called Immanuel (God with us). Joseph honored the angel's command.
- How does Jesus (Jeshua -> "God saves")'s name relate to the prophesied name Immanuel ("God with us"), if at all?
Cyrus, king of Persia, appears to honor the God of Israel and sends the Israelites home to rebuild the temple. It looks like he took some of the spoils from Babylonia to do it.
- Did Persia conquer Babylon while the Israelites were still there?
- Why does Cyrus honor the God of Israel? Is that his god as well?
Acts 1
Jesus returns and proves himself alive to the apostles. He hangs out with them for 40 days, then ascends into heaven. 2 men in white robes stand by them as they watch him ascend and promise that he'll return the same way he left.
After Jesus leaves, the apostles vote on a replacement for Judas, who apparently bought a field with his reward for Jesus's betrayal, and fell and disemboweled himself in the field. (This apparently fulfills some Psalmic prophecies as well. ) They vote Matthias in to replace him as "a witness to the resurrection."
- Who are the two men in white robes? (presumably angels) and why did they feel the need to tell the apostles that Jesus would return in a particular way if not enough to recognize his return by?
- Were Barsabbas/Justus and Matthias specially qualified to be witnesses to the resurrection other than having been around for a long time?
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