Back to The Beginning: A guide to the Original Salvation Message for Those Seeking to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth

By Matthew C Haner

Never has there been a time such as this; the world needs truth! It is time for this book!

Nearly two thousand years ago, one of the most famous conversations in history took place as Jesus Christ said this: “‘To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.’ Pilate saith unto him, ‘What is truth?’” (John 18:37–38).

Pilate was aware that there were many people declaring at that time their truths about a great many things. As it was then, so it is in the twenty-first century, a time when it seems that the whole world is convinced that there are no absolutes, and so truth is only what we determine it to be. In the same premise, the world of religion has become a very confusing place.

If God is not the author of confusion, then why are we so confused? Why are there countless versions of Christianity today? Why are teachers teaching so many variations to God’s salvation message? When senior deacon and Bible teacher Matthew C. Haner began his quest to find the answers, he could not know of the magnitude of the journey he was about to take. He soon realized that finding the answers could not be about allowing himself to be entangled in the web of endless doctrinal debates and comparing doctrines to doctrines. Nor could it be about pointing to who is right or wrong in this present century but rather, finding and accurately presenting the genuine doctrine of the kingdom of God and heaven. It was then that God put it upon his heart to go “back to the beginning.”

Written in an easy-to-read format, Matthew’s work will systematically guide you into the original truth about repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit of God. This study guide clearly reveals the original salvation message taught to the whole world. The author reminds us that the Word of God exhorts all to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” and so students and teachers alike, settle in as you learn of the original truth found within the Word of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887511122

Book preview

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Back to The Beginning

A guide to the Original Salvation Message for Those Seeking to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth

Matthew C Haner

ISBN 979-8-88751-111-5 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88751-112-2 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Matthew C. Haner

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Note: All Hebrew and Greek word definitions are taken from the Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon.

All scriptures are taken from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Principle of Baptism

John the Baptist

Entering the Kingdom

The Answer

The Principle of Authority

The Name

Repentance and Remission of Sins

Obedience to the Command

Purchased Servant

Ancestral Change

Calling on the Name

Identified with Him

Matthew 28:19

Full Circle

Epilogue

Introduction

This Bible study, designed for both student and teacher, is a guide for those who have a love of the truth, desiring to understand and to be able to teach correctly that which the Word of God speaks. This study is, from its conception, the Spirit-called and the Spirit-led effort to reveal the original teachings of the things taught by those souls who had the God-given authority to do so.

As some of you may have guessed, taking your clue from the title of this book, the intent is to get back to the beginning of the original unaltered gospel of the true kingdom of God. The entire concept of this study really is neatly wrapped up in the title. Here is why: All people, whether religiously minded or not, know this one incontestable truth—there are countless religions to choose from today, but concerning the doctrines thereof, none stands in agreement with the other. Knowing these things, the God-given logical part of our brains should be generating some deep questions that would sound something like this: "Was there a certain time in history where the true doctrine of God's kingdom was taught in its fullness and pureness? Is there, or was there ever, one founding doctrine taught meant to be the one and only doctrine of the kingdom of God and heaven? The answers, even while we would ask them, are of the type that from somewhere deep within each of us, we would already be answering, There must be. It would be the veritable epitome of illogical if there was not."

The Word of God says, "For God is not the author of confusion" (1 Corinthians 14:33), and so the question, "How did we get to this place of exasperating religious chaos?" The answer immediately points to the greatest weakness of all humankind throughout the ages; we all have an opinion—about everything. Yes, it is all right to smirk a little at ourselves; we all know this is true. Because we humans have such a strong tendency to lean on, and into our own personal opinions, we have ultimately both authored and enabled our own confusion. Albeit this has proven to be a long process spanning over thousands of years (we will cover this later), we still have a very real problem today. This twenty-first century problem we all have is best described in this bold way: It is highly probable that, if we are following any form of religious doctrine, we are actually following another person's opinion or version taken out and altered, in one degree or another, at some point in time, from the original Word of God.

This study guide was created to help those who have the courage to, not only ask the hard questions but also to receive what may seem (at first) to be hard answers. The courage part will inevitably come into play as we see/hear things challenging our beliefs and, yes, our opinions concerning doctrine. Before we begin, this mission statement is provided in the form of a solemn promise: At no place in this study will you be insulted with a personal opinion or private interpretation of any part of the Word of God. We will look only to what the original Word of God and the first teachers actually taught. Nothing will be added, and nothing will be taken away.

Let us take a brief look at why there is so much emphasis placed on this concept of opinion. First, we should all understand, it is far better to live our lives always striving to be correctly informed, rather than just being opinionated: this holds true with any subject, but even more importantly, the Word of God. The following scripture is from one of the apostle Paul's many letters written to the churches: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18). We find the key to understanding this statement in the original meaning of the word glory. The original written language of Paul's letters, as is the case with most of the New Testament, was Greek. The Greek word for glory is doxa, and its definition is opinion, judgment, and view.

Paul's meaning here is simple: He pointed out that as part of the process of their salvation, they were gradually changing from their own opinion into the opinion of the Lord (from glory to glory). In this, we begin to perceive why God put forth the effort to provide His Word, His opinion, and even His expression into a book form we now call the Bible. How else could we learn God's opinion? From the beginning, God intended for His people to be able to learn, understand, and know His opinion, whereby through no small effort of our own, we receive the most awesome opportunity to be able to transform our minds and be of His opinion; the only way we can achieve this is through the Word of God, provided by God. In Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Paul).

Soon, we will look at the study template used to keep this labor decent and in order throughout its entirety, but before we do that, there is another thought to express; it is important because it became the driving force behind this entire endeavor. The one scripture that has been an inspiration above all others is Matthew 24:14 where Jesus Christ Himself said, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Jesus spoke these words in the first century AD (approximately AD 33) nearly two thousand years ago, pointing to a specific gospel (this gospel). Many years after this (approximately AD 60–63), the apostle Peter said, "But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:25). Just a few years after that, Jude wrote this, "It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3).

Each of the three passages points to the gospel in a very specific way, taught at a certain time in history. Jude wrote in the same premise, in the idea of earnestly striving for it, the way in which a combatant would fight to obtain something of unimaginable worth.

This study will cover the topic of baptism in its entirety. In the same aforementioned premise, most of us have come to realize baptism also has many differing opinions and interpretations, some far removed from the original teachings. In this twenty-first-century era, some are now teaching that baptism may or may not be necessary. Therefore, because of the great confusion we find ourselves in, we will study every aspect of baptism—where it came from, where it is now, what it meant and what it means, what comes before baptism and what follows, and whether or not it is necessary for salvation. We will study the full efficacy of baptism, from principle to fruition, according to the scriptures, according to the original Word of God. We will do this by going all the way back to the beginning, that is to say, to that short time in history before humankind began inserting their opinions and signing their names to the first founded pure Word of God.

By the time we finish with this study, we will have come to understand what Jesus Christ meant when He said, But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23–24).

The Seven Guidelines for Biblical Study

The only way to safeguard unbiased biblical truth is to make sure the Word of God interprets itself. Scripture must witness scripture, and no single verse can stand alone to form a true doctrine of the kingdom of God.

By inspiration of God

The God-breathed Holy scriptures are of no private interpretation.

In 2 Timothy 3:16,

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (Paul)

In 2 Peter 1:20–21,

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (Peter)

In 1 Corinthians 2:11–13,

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (Paul)

Authority of the Word

No person had, or has, the authority from God to add or take away from the established Word of God.God has provided fair warning to any that would strive to alterHis Word; these warnings went out to all—past, present, and future.

In Deuteronomy 4:2,

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish[take from or keep back] ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. (Moses)

In Proverbs 30:6,

Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

In Revelation 22:18–19,

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (John)

In Matthew 15:4–9,

For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Jesus Christ)

"But ye say, Jesus exhorted saying, God commanded…but ye say. Jesus continued in conveying they made the commandment of God of none effect" (make void, remove the authority) by placing their own traditional beliefs in a higher place of authority. "Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, Jesus continued in teaching that they were teaching their own doctrines, through private interpretations, traditional beliefs, and sectarian guidelines in vain."

It was never the way of God to succumb to the will of humankind (whom God created)—God does not bow toHiscreation, ratherHiscreation bows to God.

In John 1:1,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In Romans 11:33–36,

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Contextual correctness

Keep all scripture in proper context. Taking any verse out from its immediate context can spoil the intent of the verse; the same can cause the failure to perceive the full context of both chapter and book. Past failures of many teachers to keep Contextual Correctness have brought much confusion and many differing doctrines. This method of study is high on the list of importance for all having received the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

In 2 Timothy 2:15–17,

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker. (Paul)

There can be no doubt that we are constrained to study; in doing so, we gain the approval of God and will not be ashamed.

It is important to understand that in order to rightly divide the Word of truth the way in which Paul meant is to make sure we are not separating scripture from scripture even as we teach all scripture accurately.

When studying to show ourselves approved and rightly dividing the word of truth, we should always ask ourselves these five questions: Who, what, when, where, and why? These questions, used as a standard for study, will always keep us in contextual accuracy, e.g., Who is speaking? What is the topic and/or what is happening at that time? When (time in history) is it spoken, or what future time does it speak of? Where does it take place? Why did it take place, or why is the speaker speaking this now?

As we do these things, we should also take heed to Paul's warning to shun profane and vain babblings. Paul warned to avoid unhallowed or common discussions of empty and useless matters, for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

The vast majority of the Holy Scriptures began in their original languages of Hebrew and Greek, long before translation into English and other languages. Therefore, as part of endeavoring to keep contextual context, we will frequently look to specific word definitions from their original written languages in order to reveal exact translations and meanings.

In Isaiah 28:17,

Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet. (Isaiah)

The two words used in the scripture from Isaiah, line and plummet, serve as examples of the necessity for standards or guidelines to keep us accurate as we seek to grow in the knowledge of God. God, by divine inspiration, spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said that on His judgment, He will lay to the line and righteousness to the plummet. God is the ultimate judge of all humankind; because God is the Word, it is by the Word that God will hear our case and render a proper verdict. Line and plummet describe tools to bring levelness and control points, one for horizontal and the other for vertical, used at the time of this recorded writing. God made it clear the righteousness (truthfulness, justification, salvation) of His people will be established and determined according to the Word of God, which is God.

In 1 Corinthians 14:40,

Let all things be done decently [honestly] and in order [arrangement]. (Paul)

In Exodus 25:40,

And look that thou make [place in order and maintain] them after their pattern [plan/blueprint] which was showed thee in the mount.

In Hebrews 8:5,

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.

Here, the writer of Hebrews referenced the writings from Exodus. He taught that the things found in the Old Testament serve as examples, or representations pointing toward future things. In using the term shadow of heavenly things, he conveyed the way in which an object casts an image (shadow), thus representing the form of that object. In this case, the Old Testament is the object and the New Testament the representation thereof. This falls into the category of a term called types and shadows and works the same way in that when something physical (the Old Testament) signifies something spiritual (the New Testament). Accordingly, the physical aspects of the Old Testament principles work to reveal their spiritual or heavenly applications.

In Acts 7:44,

Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion [example, according to the teaching] that he had seen.

The principle of witness

At or in the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word be established. This also places high on the list of importance, as it is a thoroughly established biblical principle of study. Any true doctrine of the kingdom of God will always provide at least two or three witnesses, thus establishing its own integrity and authority. Using this method of study, we learn the importance of comparing scripture with scripture.

In Genesis 41:32,

And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. (Joseph, son of Jacob/Israel)

In Deuteronomy 17:6,

At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. (Moses)

In Deuteronomy 19:15,

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. (Moses)

In Matthew 18:15–16,

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (Jesus Christ)

In 2 Corinthians 13:1,

This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (Paul)

Scriptural integrity

The Word of God does not contradict itself. If scripture contradicted another, it would lose biblical integrity and compromise the entire Word of God. If a contradiction seems to occur, it is through a lack of understanding on the part of the teacher or the individual. Keeping ourselves in all these methods of study will automatically keep us in scriptural integrity.

In Proverbs 30:5,

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

In Romans 3:3–4,

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (Paul)

In 1 Corinthians 14:33,

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (Paul)

Continuity of scripture

The true doctrine of God builds upon itself; no doctrine stands alone, and all biblical doctrine (does not include extrabiblical teachings) is sensible, reasonable, logical, and harmonious. The Word of God, comprised of sixty-six books written over a one-thousand-five-hundred-year span by approximately forty authors, is one, through the divine guidance, the unfathomable wisdom, and the righteous will of God.

In Isaiah 28:10,

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (Isaiah)

Here, in this small verse nestled deep within the Old Testament writings, God revealsHismethod of teaching; through the precepts(oracles, commands, ordinances)of God, we begin to gain a small amount of understanding. Then in another area of scripture, a little more is learned, and still more in yet another area. Precept upon precept, line upon line; this never ends for the earnest studier, regardless of time spent. The more we desire to learn of God, throughHisWord, the more God will give. However, we should understand that it is not the way of God to give all understanding immediately, rather here a little and there a little. Throughout this process, we learn to make connections, like the pieces of an intricate puzzle, to all other areas of God's Holy Word; in all this, we learn to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) (see Contextual correctness). Continuity of scripture: To truly comprehend and utilize this method of study, one must be willing to read and study the entire Word of God, from in the beginning to the last amen.

In 1 Peter 2:1–2,

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere[pure unadulterated] milk of the word, that ye may grow[inward Christian growth] thereby. (Peter)

As an integral part of this study method, we should understand the Word of God exists on a much larger scale than mere words on a page within a cover-to-cover book we carry or keep on a shelf. The Word of God is a living Word of love, power, and authority, designed solely to reveal God's expression, opinion, and expectations, having an undeniable constancy throughout the ages.

In Daniel 7:14,

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel)

In Matthew 24:35,

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Jesus Christ)

In 1 Peter 1:24–25,

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (Peter)

In Matthew 24:14,

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Jesus Christ)

In Revelation 14:6,

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (John)

Historical significance

To confirm historical harmony, relevance, and connection, watch out for and guard yourselves from, but ye say and the traditions of men (Matthew 15:4–9). There are two significant ways to utilize this study method: First, the biblical history found within the Word of God. This is highly effective when we read from the New Testament writers as they refer to the Old Testament scriptures, and we go back to study them, thus gaining a deeper understanding of both Testaments. In the same premise, the Old Testament scriptures provide numerous principles, upon which the Word of God was built; the writer of Hebrews calls these the first principles of the oracles of God (Hebrews 5:12). The second way to use this study method is to refer to authorized historical references, such as encyclopedias, Bible, dictionaries, and history books. These sources can help us see a little clearer between the lines and behind the scenes concerning ceremonies and customs of the times. An important note here is this secondary aspect of study works only when serving as supplementary witness to those things already established within the Word of God, that is, not to be used to formulate a doctrine separate from the Word of God.

In Hebrews 13:8–9,

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace [the kindness of God] not with meats [figurative of those things allowed or forbidden by Jewish law] which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

In Ephesians 2:20,

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. (Paul)

In Galatians 3:16–18,

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (Paul)

In 1 Peter 1:10–11,

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (Peter)

~These are the biblical study guidelines we will use throughout this study~

The Principle of Baptism

The farther backward you can look the farther forward you can see.

—Winston Churchill

Introduction

Our first chapter in our study of biblical baptism will take us back to the very beginning. We will go back as far as the Word of God allows us to go to find where the concept of baptism originated. We will learn how and why God instituted it and what it accomplished. In order to achieve this efficiently, we will need to look at those things that came about long before the teachings of the New Testament (NT). As we begin to accomplish these things, we will gain a valuable understanding of just how intricately the Word of God connects from beginning to end. Therefore, just as the construction of every house first requires a firm foundation, we will learn how God, thousands of years past, provided the groundwork for the baptism taught and documented in the days of the NT. Before this chapter concludes, we will witness the gradual progression of the Old Testament (OT) foundational teachings of baptism toward that which it was to become: the New Testament Christian baptism.

The times and places from which the original gospel began were very different from the societies of the world today. Because of this, it is always good practice to study the Word of God, positioning ourselves in the same school of thought from when the founding doctrine began to be established. This will help us understand the true depth and context of what the teachers of those times were teaching. Our opening scriptures, found deep in the pages of the NT, will take us back to a much earlier place and time within the Mount Sinai region and the giving of the Law. From there, we will move forward to the very doorstep of the founding of the New Testament or New Covenant.

~Opening scriptures~

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12–14)

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. (Hebrews 6:1–2)

The teacher speaks of "the first principles of the oracles of God. There are many principles found in the oracles of God that serve to establish everything in God's kingdom so that the invisible things of God from the creation of the world may be clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" (Romans 1:20). Everything comprised in the Law, or instructions of the Old Testament (OT), is there not so much that we follow it by the letter of the Law but to perceive the principles found within. In this, we can begin to understand the kingdom of God, how it began, its applications for humankind, and most importantly, what it is to become.

The Principle of Baptism is simply the basic way in which baptism works and the foundation or beginning from which baptism derives. First things first, we should understand that when we truly desire to learn the who, what, when, where, and why of any subject, it immediately becomes necessary to start from the beginning. It's because only from there can we move forward, having correctly obtained the knowledge and understanding needed.

The writer of the NT epistle called Hebrews wrote, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God." We should immediately understand that the writer himself is of Hebrew lineage, having extensive knowledge of Hebraic history and a perfect understanding of the Law. He admonished both as one having authority and as an expert teacher. He revealed