3/11/26 ECP Study ~ Originated by Charles L. Robinson Jr.
- Charles L Robinson Jr.
- 2 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Hello, My ECP Family and whoever else finds this concise study. It's so good to be in communication with you. As the saying goes "Absence makes the heart grow fonder", meaning I'm consistently reminded of my love for you (in Christ) and what God has divinely joined together in "us" in the moments-experiences without you. In other words, it's in the times - experiences not communicating with you that reminds me how grateful I am for you. As always, I hope you and your families day to day holding onto God, through Christ Jesus, has still been overwhelming in humble amazement (it never gets to old) regarding your gifted (by God) blessed sustenance in these capricious last days. Blessed be our heavenly Father at his throne in the third heaven, he's faithful, he still loves to show up and show out, in the name of Jesus.
In our last week's ECP study, we briefly reviewed some keen and helpful background information specifically regarding the New Testament involving: Fulfillment of Old Testament promises; New order-dispensation inaugurated by Jesus death; Concurus - interworking of God and human writers; Twenty-seven separate works often called 'the Books'; and as it's known today being derived from historical findings such as manuscripts (and other discoveries) that illustrates tremendous confirmation regarding truthful existence. Today, let's continue to amuse your minds, nutrition your hearts, and quicken your spirits through the means of additional faith natured (biblical and non-biblical) information outlined as follows: I. Acknowledgment of Old Testament authorized (cannon) biblical text II. Core scriptural indicators identifying the relationship between Old Testament and New Testament authorized (cannon) biblical texts, and III. What's noteworthy yet unauthorized biblical text, cannon, doctrine. I hope you enjoy your following review:
I. Acknowledgment of Old Testament authorized (cannon) biblical text:
- The Old Testament consist of three sections:
1) Pentateuch-Torah (first five books of Moses) - consisting of Promise; Election; Deliverance; Covenant; Law; and Land
2) Former Prophets - a period of settlement on Canaan to early monarchy
     Later Prophets - focusing on closing centuries of two kingdoms and later history of Judah
3) The Writings - offering patterns and prayers; insights of God's work in history; lessons from creation and human social environment; responses of believing people to the mystery of God's ways; and courage and devotion of God's people.
- Old Testament consists of 39 books
- Old Testament expressed quotations are identified approximately 250 times in the New Testament
- Old Testament indirect quotations are identified more than 1000 times in the New Testament
- Old Testament is authorized biblical text that compliments New Testament authorized biblical text.
II. Core scriptural indicators identifying relationship between Old Testament and New Testament authorized biblical text:
- Jesus insisted that he was the personal fulfillment of the Old Testament in his declaration in the synagogue in his hometown saying 'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing' (Luke 4:21)
- Jesus, like the prophets, sensed the emptiness of much Jewish legalism in which routine and ritual had become a worthless substitute for purifying hearts, integrity, and social concerns (Mark 7:1-13; Matthew 9:13;12:7; Hosea 6:6)
- Jesus renounced some of the law by love, forgiveness, and inward piety (illustrated in Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount.)
- Jesus recognized the binding authority of scriptures while reserving for himself the right to be the true interpreter (John 5:39 which points to Old Testament included as 'scripture'.)
- Exposition of Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to destroy, or the Prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil": 1)Destroy (Katalou) - overthrow completely; abolish; annul; (cancel, repeal) Fulfill (Plero) - to satisfy; expire; and end like other prophecies when fulfilled. *The meaning can't be determined by word study only, it must be established by context and in particular must be consonant with statement in verse 18 which deals with righteousness by expounding the true meaning of the law as opposed to wrong or shallow understandings. Therefore, 'fulfill' in verse 17 can be taken in the sense of 'Bring it to intended meaning' which became possible with the presence of the Messiah and his kingdom (Donald Hagner.)
2) There was ceremonial law which was Israels worship which does not apply today. There was civil law which dealt with daily living in Israel which does not apply today but it's principles behind the commands should guide our conduct. There was moral law which dealt with commands of God that require obedience and reveals the nature of God that still applies today.
* The Messianic age has dawned in history and with it comes the fulfillment of prophetic expectation. Consequently, the way in which the law is fulfilled is inseparable from the total mission of Jesus (Donald Hagner)
III. What's noteworthy yet unauthorized biblical text, cannon, doctrine:
- Apocrypha (excluded from Protestant and Jewish cannon yet accepted in Roman Catholic; Greek Orthodox; Russian Orthodox; Syrian Orthodox; Ethiopian Orthodox (or Abyssinan.) Apocrypha consists of: Additions to Ester; Baruch; Bel and Dragon; Ecclesiasticus (wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach); 1 Esdras; 2 Esdras; Judith; Epistle of Jeremiah; 1 Maccabees; 2 Maccabees; 3 Maccabees; 4 Maccabees; Prayer of Manasseh; Psalms 151; Song of the young men; Susanna; Tobit; and wisdom of Solomon
- The Lost Books (Their proper names and number of chapters):
Mary (8); Protevangelioin (16); I Infancy (22); II Infancy (4); Christ and Abgarus (22); Nicodemus (22); The Apostles Creed (1); Laodiceans (1); Paul and Seneca (14); Paul and Thecla (12); 1 Clement (23); II Clement (4); Barnabus (15); Ephesians (4); Magnesians (4); Trallians (4); Romans (3); Philadelphians (3); Smyrnaeans (3); Polycarp (3); Philippians (4); 1 Hermon - Visions (4);
II Hermas - Commands (12); III Hermas - Similitudes (10); Later of Herod and Pilate (7); The last gospel of Peter (1)
God bless you and your families, have an amazing remaining of your week, and I look forward to fellowshipping with you again very soon!
SOURCES:
Zondervans Biblical Dictionary
Holmans Biblical Dictionary
New Testament Survey
Old Testament Survey
King James Version Bible
New Kings James Version Bible
Lost Books of the Bible and the forgotten books of Eden