Peter’s Usage Of Archē In Acts 11:15: A Theological Shibboleth For The Dispensational Uniqueness Of The Church (original) (raw)
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One Messiah, two advents, three forerunners: The chiastic structure of Matthew 11:2–17:13
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi
This article proposes and evaluates a large chiastic structure for Matthew 11:2–17:13, leading to a discussion about the one Messiah, his two advents, and three forerunners, namely John the Baptist, the prophet Elijah, and another forerunner, the Apostle Peter, during the Inter-Advent Period. The structure emphasises God’s kingdom programme, the Inter-Advent Period and the parables of Matthew 13. What may be theologically significant about this chiastic structure is that it may link Matthew 13 to the typological fulfilment of the feasts of the Lord by the Lord Jesus Christ and it also focuses attention on the roles of three forerunners.
The Star of Bethlehem: Why and when the magi went to Jerusalem after they saw the star
2022
Matthew's account stresses Jesus' Jewish identity and heritage. It is therefore intriguing that his earliest witnesses to recognise Jesus' kingship were not among Christ's Jewish followers, but a group of nameless, foreign soothsayers, who visited Jerusalem in search of a boy to proclaim as king. The historical reliability for this narrative depends hugely on the existence of a star that proclaimed Christ's coming into the world. Magian astrological beliefs, ancient Chinese astronomical observations, Jewish history, and scientifically derived data from NASA's table of past lunar and solar eclipses, are shown to link together the events described by Matthew are historical not merely legendary.
In this article, we address the question whether magi saw the star "in the east" according to traditional translations, or, according to modern, trendy translations, the magi saw the star "in its rising?" We will conclude that the traditional, historical translation is correct, and that modern translations distort the meaning of Matthew's Gospel. According to Matthew, When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matt. 2:1, 2 There are two references to the "east" in this passage: the first occurs in a clause pertaining to the wise men or magi; the second occurs in a clause spoken by the magi about themselves and also includes reference to the star. The first is clear and unambiguous, and identifies the magi's place of origin: "magi came from the east." However, the second is ambiguous and can be understood either in reference to the magi or the star. If to the magi, it refers (as before) to the region or country where the magi were when they saw the star before travelling to Jerusalem. If to the star, it can refer either to 1) the place or quarter of the sky in which the star was viewed or seen, or (if new versions are credited) to 2) the time and manner of its appearing; viz., it's heliacal or acronychal "rising." Translations which have it that the star is referred to typically opt for the latter, and render the passage "For we have seen his star in its rising, and are come to worship him." This requires explanation. Heliacal and Acronychal Risings All stars, as the earth makes its annual orbit around the sun, appear to migrate across the sky, rising first in the east, then moving slowly toward the west, where they disappear below the horizon, only to reappear sometime later in what is termed their heliacal rising-the first day, after being invisible, when they