Joyce’s Insights of New Testament Institute Manual: “I Am The Way” Chapter 1

Nov. 9/2008

Joyce’s Insights of New Testament Institute Manual: “I Am The Way” Chapter 1

1. Christ is “the source of our comfort, the inspiration of our life, the author of our salvation. If we want to know our relationship to God, we go to Jesus Christ.” (Manual, pp. 5) When we want to receive inspiration, we go to Christ as he is the source and he is the bridge for us to return to Heavenly Father physically (through Jesus’ gift of resurrection which is a gift for all men good or bad) and spiritually (through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and keeping all of God’s commandments). Through our Savior’s atonement, we can then come to know God.
2. (1-1) Yo live an “ideal life” we need to follow the Savior’s example especially when great trials are heap upon us, we should be more determined and steadfast in keeping God’s commandments.
3. (1-2) If we finished all of the 28 chapters, we will be able to finish the entire 4 gospels (life of Jesus) in about two months given one chapter every two days! That’s a great gift to celebrate this holiday season of Thanksgiving and ChristmasJ
4. It is significant to note that the readings systematically cover the chronological happenings of our Savor’s mortal life on the earth.
5. Elder Ezra Taft Benson taught:

“To learn of Christ necessitates the study of the scriptures and the testimonies of those who know him. We come to know him through prayer and the inspiration and revelation that God has promised to those who keep his commandments.” (CR, Oct. 1972, p. 53.)

We can really know Christ not by just reading and hearing the testimonies but it always has the component of prayer whereby you are required to ask and you will receive an answer to your sincere, faithful prayers (Matt. 7: 7, Luke 11: 9, 3 Ne. 27: 29, D&C 4: 7). By doing our best in keeping God’s commandments, we ensure that the Holy Spirit can come into our hearts to testify of the reality of Jesus for it is only true the Spirit that one can gain a real testimony of the Savior.

6. (1-4) Matthew’s main focus is “on how the life of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy” and so on.
7. Mark “presents a picture of Jesus that is moving, full of action, and stresses the miraculous power of the Master.”
8. Luke seems to be writing to Romans and paints a compassionate picture of Christ. Luke’s emphasis is ‘on forgiveness and love, pointing out through parables unique to his gospel (such as the Prodigal Son) that the sinner can find rest and peace in Jesus….He alone tells of the visit of the angel to Zacharias and of Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist; he alone tells of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and of the actual birth of Jesus.”
9. John’s gospel bears testimony of Christ. Indeed, to by the mouth of two or three witnesses, Christ’s words shall be established.
10. (1-8) Historically, I learned that after the deceased King Herod who tried to kill the baby Jesus, the Israelite kingdom was divided into three parts ruled by Pontius Pilate who is a Roman procurator and King Herod’s two sons-- Herod Philip and Herod Antipas.
11. All in all, from this chapter, I learned that there is no other way to God…only in and through our Savior. May we so humble ourselves and truly seek Him with all our hearts and when we do all we can learn about Jesus, pray sincerely and keep His commandments, then God will keep His promise to send the Holy Spirit into our opened hearts and testify of His Son. We need to do our best to show God our sincerity and faith, then at the Lord’s own time, we will truly come to know Jesus and feel the joy the gospel bringsJ