“But the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Acts 7:33 (NAS)

Steven’s defense of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, and the church as the intended spiritual temple of God before the Council (San Hedrin) as recorded in Acts chapter seven, is chock full of references to Old Testament passages. 

“Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith.’” Galatians 3:11

Three times in the New Testament the above noted Old Testament passage is alluded to, in Romans 1:17, here in Galatians, and the third time in Hebrews 10:37-38. 

“Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written,  ‘Therefore I will give praise to Thee among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Thy name.’ ” Romans 15:7-9

As the Holy Spirit moved the apostle Paul to dictate his letter to the Roman church through the stylus of Tertius, the obvious central theme is justification before God by means of faith in Jesus Christ versus justification by means of the works of the law. 

“And after He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ ”   Acts 13:22

We return once more to the thirteenth chapter of the book of Acts and its rich content of Old Testament quotes cited by the apostle Paul when given the opportunity in the synagogue at Psidian Antioch (in Syria) to give a “word of exhortation for the people” (Acts 13:15). 

“You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God.” James 2:22-23 (NAS)

This Old Testament quote by James concerning Abraham is originally found in Genesis chapter fifteen, verse six: “Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son…” Luke 2:4-7a (NAS) Part two

Last week we provided the information from the Scripture that demonstrated what time of the year Jesus would have been born (September/October). 

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son…” Luke 2:4-7a (NAS)

We take a brief break in our study of Old Testament quotes found in New Testament writings to revisit the (by popular demand) timely topic of Jesus’ birth.

Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will give His angels charge concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Matthew 4:5-7 (NAS)

Matthew records, as does Luke in his inspired parallel account, the only time Satan, God’s adversary, goes toe-to-toe with Jesus, God’s advocate, in an exchange of Scripture. 

“And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.’ ” Luke 4:17-19 (NAS)

In putting together the key chronological events of Jesus the Christ’s earthly life and mission, as well as the early church’s development, doctrine, and destiny, the Holy Spirit chose and moved Luke to be the divine chronicler.