Thoughts and stories, by Pal

 Chapter 2, in New Testament Manual I really want to continue what I started last week, after our Prophet Russell M. Nelson counseled us to have a new normal, in which we turn to our Savior Jesus Christ, and always remember Him in our thoughts and actions. Today is Chapter 2, in the New Testament Manual, which I am studying.  We also are studying the Book of Mormon in “Come Follow Me.” Last week, I suggested that we could read Matthew, chapters 1 through 4.  This week I will write about those chapters, and what we can learn from them. Early Christian writers have all agreed that the book of Matthew in the New Testament was surely written by Matthew, the apostle of Jesus.  He may have used Mark’s Gospel, and Mark relied on Peter’s accounts of the Savior’s life.  It was written around 70 to 90 A.D.  Which means that it was about 35 to 45 years after Jesus died.  Matthew wrote a lot to the Jews, and many times he referred to previous prophecies of the com...

This photo above shows a large arena where the Romans held many chariot races. This is in Caesarea.    In those days, their courts were held in public, and this is in a large amphitheater, near the Mediterranean Sea. This bottom row of stone dates clear back from New Testament times.  The rest of the amphitheater has been made more recently.   This is likely where the Apostle Paul  appeared before King Agrippa, after he  was in prison for 2 years.   It tells the story in Acts 25 and 26, especially in 26:28, after Paul tells his conversion to the King, and the King tells him:  "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." More ruins in Caesarea.  This was a sanctuary for the Kings, especially Herod, and he had a great palace there.  He knew the public in Jerusalem didn't like him, and he liked to come to the palace here, where he felt more safe from the anger of the people in Jerusalem.  This city and harbor were built u...