1 Peter 1 ~ of Jesus Christ

The Crosby-Schoyen Codex: One of the Earliest Extant Papyrus Codices, Probably from the Earliest Monastery Library. 160 AD.

Image Source: www.schoyencollection.com

The Crosby-Schøyen , a papyrus codex in Sahidic (a dialect of Coptic) from Alexandria, Egypt. Open Edition Journals explains the history of Coptic was the language in use when Gnostics and Christians were in fierce battle. Polycarp records the battle of Gnostics versus Christian going back to the time of John the Disciple. Late first to second century, 160 AD,  according to the year of the Sermon author. The greater deficiencies in the earlier translations into Arabic are primarily the Arabic translation, for instance in liturgical texts, aimed at being "very literal", placed as it was beside the Coptic. It is essential to remember there was, at least initially, a lack of education in Arabic, the Christians in Egypt, as in Palestine and Syria, soon by necessity became an important part of the administration conducted in Arabic and became famous as scribes.

The Crosby-Schoyen Codex Consists:

52 leaves, of which 16 are missing, 15x15 cm, written in 2 columns, (10 x12 cm), 11-18 lines in a bold large Coptic uncial, with 3 decorated cartouches. 

Its fifth and final text is written in a single column, 12 lines. Dating from about the second century, it is one of the earliest extant codices, showing the adoption of the codex form of the book by early Christians. 

In 2013, it was the earliest codex in private hands.

The five texts in the Crosby-Schøyen Codex are:

Bible: Jonah

Bible: 2 Maccabees 5:27 - 7:41

Bible: 1 Peter

Melito of Sardis, b 100 AD, d 180 AD wrote 

Peri Pascha   AD Written 160 AD. Recorded by Jerome and Tertullian through Jerome's quotes. 

Homily, A Sermon for Easter Morning

The codex represents the earliest known complete text of the two books of the Bible, Jonah and 1 Peter. Of 1 Peter there is also a Greek papyrus slightly later, circa 300, Papyrus 72 from the same hoard, now in the Vatican Library. The Schøyen 1 Peter is copied from a Greek exemplar written before 2 Peter existed, that is circa 60-130 AD. It is the single most important manuscript of 1 Peter. Texts 2 and 4 are also the earliest witnesses. Text 5 is unique, and probably the oldest extant Christian liturgical manuscript.

The Disciples and people of the Bible recognized in Africa are Niger, Simon Niger of Acts 13. Thought to be Simon of Cyrene, carrying the Cross for Jesus and his son, Rufus, Romans 16.  In Church History, Saint Matthew died in Ethiopia. His remains are found in Salerno, Italy.  In 2014, Pope Francis ordered an autopsy of the remains and declared them to be genuine.  

St. Mark is in Church History, teaching in Alexandria. Barnabas and his relatives, Aristopolis and Mary were known to go to Africa.   

So what brought us to the History of Biblical Papyrus today?  

To remember our history is important. To know, seeing not the implications in the trend of current mankind, today's verbiage would be politically correct thought, but to know the glory of being God's people while acknowledging inherent and always inclusive human flaws, sins and weakness.

 The Gospel is The Word of God, Scripture, God's Word is manifest. We have a choice to find faith within and not a dislike by our own thoughts. This will define our lives and, ultimately, the soul of life within us and leads our family forward.  

The struggle is for each life. The Constitution seeking Human Rights, written by mankind.

Not to fall into quarrels, instead seeking the Higher Good.

1 Peter 1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again 

to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, 

kept in Heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this Salvation

The prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time The Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by The Holy Spirit sent from Heaven

 Things into which angels long to look.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is Holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am Holy.” And if you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him Glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth 

for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the Living and Abiding Word of God; for

“All flesh is like grass

    and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

    and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is The Good News that was preached to you.

The Good News

Today's Chapter tells us of the Blessing of The Holy Spirit

for being truthful, preparing for action. Loving one another from a pure heart.

Ransomed from the perils of our ancestry, without Jesus Christ. Heaven, available on earth in His Good Will, imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, 

kept in Heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for Salvation.

The Scriptures tell us we see glimpses of Heaven. And find angels long to see God's salvation. We are here today, looking for a glimpse of Salvation and, like God's own angels, want to see this salvation, today. And as the Scriptures tell us, what we do with The Scriptures leads us into Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, His Power and His Glory or away from God. Daily we choose His Love, and we are led, not into quarrels, but Higher for His Glory we long to see and live.

John 13:1

Now before the Feast of the Passover, 

when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world 

to the Father, 

having loved His own who were in the world, 

He loved them to the end.

Abba, Father,

Dwell in us, please, Father.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

To see

to bring

to be

more daily

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as in Heaven

In Jesus Christ is 

Our Love, Joy and Hope.

Bless those working for

Post Pandemic Healing

and 

Care

with Faith, Hope and 

LOVE.

Thank You for Jesus.

To You, our Father, be the Glory

Our God is an Awesome God! 

Amen and Alleluia

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

†

Isaiah 49:1-13 ~ my God has become my strength

 

Isaiah 49:1-13

Listen to me, O coastlands,

and give attention, you peoples from afar.

The Lord called me from the womb,

from the body of my mother 

He named my name.

2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword;

in the shadow of His Hand He hid me;

He made me a polished arrow;

in His quiver He hid me away.

3 And He said to me, “You are my servant,

Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

4 But I said, “I have labored in vain;

I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;

yet surely my right is with the Lord,

and my recompense with my God.”

5 And now the Lord says,

He who formed me from the womb to be His servant,

to bring Jacob back to Him;

and that Israel might be gathered to Him—

for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord,

and my God has become my strength—

He says:

“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant

to raise up the tribes of Jacob

and to bring back the preserved of Israel;

I will make you as a light for the nations,

that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

7 Thus says the Lord,

the Redeemer of Israel and His Holy One,

to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation,

the servant of rulers:

“Kings shall see and arise;

princes, and they shall prostrate themselves;

because of the Lord,

Who is faithful,

the Holy One of Israel, 

Who has chosen you.”

8 Thus says the Lord:

“In a time of favor I have answered you;

in a day of salvation I have helped you;

I will keep you and give you

as a covenant to the people,

to establish the land,

to apportion the desolate heritages,

9 saying to the prisoners, 

‘Come out,’

to those who are in darkness, 

‘Appear.’

They shall feed along the ways;

on all bare heights shall be their pasture;

10 they shall not hunger or thirst,

neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them,

for He who has pity on them will lead them,

and by springs of water will guide them.

11 And I will make all My mountains a road,

and My Highways shall be raised up.

Behold, 

these shall come from afar,

and behold, these from the north and from the west,

and these from the land of Syene.”

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;

break forth, O mountains, into singing!

For the Lord has comforted His people

and will have compassion 

on His afflicted.

John 13:1

Now before the Feast of the Passover, 

when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world 

to the Father, 

having loved His own who were in the world, 

He loved them to the end.

Abba, Father,

Dwell in us, please, Father.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

To see

to bring

to be

more daily

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as in Heaven

In Jesus Christ is 

Our Love, Joy and Hope.

Bless those working for

Post Pandemic Healing

and Care.

Thank You for Jesus.

To You, our Father, be the Glory

Our God is an Awesome God! 

Amen and Alleluia

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

†

2 Timothy 1:10 ~ Light through The Gospel

 

2 Timothy 1:10

It has now been 

revealed

 through the appearing 

of our Savior, 

Christ Jesus

 

Who has destroyed death 

and has brought Life 

and immortality 

to Light 

through The Gospel.

We have, in the last 10 to 15 years, seen Archaeology and tourism and knowledge increase in Biblical literacy. In the 1980s, people did not often know about verb usage, Papyrus 46 of the late first century. Papyrus 46 is incredibly clear and includes the last eight chapters of Romans, Hebrews, 1–2 Corinthians, Ephesians,; Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, and two chapters of 1 Thessalonians. They believed the Scriptures were written in 400 A.D. due to illiteracy of the Disciples and the world.

Instead, Judaism embraces knowledge and teaching. It would be rare during the life of Jesus Christ to be uninformed of the Scriptures. Proverbs is a very revered Book of the Old Testament and says repeatedly, "Cry out for Wisdom." Jewish Children had a profound public education system and attended, no doubt, attended the synagogue school. The Jewish child was sent to school in the fifth or sixth year of his life. The pupils either "stood, teacher and pupils alike, or else sat on the ground in a semicircle, facing a teacher." Until the children were ten years of age, the Bible was the one text book.

Now, we understand about literacy and Biblical Knowledge during the first century AD.

The Herods, the children of Herod the Great, were shipped off to Italy to attend the finest private tutorship.

Statuette of a young Roman girl reading

First Century A.D.

Roman citizen families, patricians, patres = family, the elite, sprang from 5 families 400 B.C. In 440 B.C. it was illegal for patricians to marry into the publican, plebeian, class. Making 16 Patrician offspring families in 160 B.C.  And.... no formal education system. Not very good at all. This was down from 100 Patrician families in between 400 - 160 B.C. With no formal education system to help this situation. 

First Century B.C., Freeborn Roman children, ingenuiae, born of Roman citizen began to have positions open up and freely intermarry with the Patricians. Julius Caesar's stepfather was the first to be, Gaius Marius, to be Consul of Rome. He called himself the First Man of Rome.

The Cornelii, the Manlii, the Fabii, the Aemilii, the Claudii, and the Valerii were the first 5 Patrician families. If you were like Julius Caesar, you were from the family of Julian. And in the Patrician class you would be able to count families like Julian back 400 years and know the made grade of Cornelii, Manlii etc. 

The educational degree of the Patricians varied wildly. Julius Caesar was profoundly educated by inclination, familial history, degree of pedigree by private tutors. His cousin, Marc Antony was an Antonius, Marcus Antonius Creticus, known to be athletic and handsome but utterly not intellectual. Leading to the Roman Republic to Roman elbows out, murder in, Roman Empire. 

Among the plebeians, it was important to read. Two age groups of classes were available to children within the plebeians. Trade includes understanding the basics of business. 

2 Timothy 1:10

It has now been 

revealed

 through the appearing 

of our Savior, 

Christ Jesus

 

Who has destroyed death 

and has brought Life 

and immortality 

to Light 

through the Gospel.

In 16 years after the death of a man named Jesus, Claudius was having extreme discomfort anyone would have such a famous name, after dying in an obscure suburb of Syria, called Judea.  Not only the Josephus guess estimate of 2 million filling  the 36 acres of Temple after the First Easter, recorded in Acts 1. They wanted to know how the Messiah would do any more miracles than Jesus Christ.  And people had seen Him alive in Victory after His Crucifixion. 

This wonder and awe, astonishment, filled the Trade Routes, from Judea around the Mediterranean to Rome. And back into Egypt to all surround the African countries.  Filling Peter's home, turned Church, Peter's plaster walls with graffiti of praise and Historical Biblical eyewitnesses. Then asking so many questions, Mark, now traveling with Peter and loved so much, he is referred to by Peter as his spiritual son. Mark writes His Gospel. The Gospel of Mark. To answer the questions of first century Rome.

The Jews certainly knew the Light of the Messiah would come. And finding this out, the Romans certainly wanted to know about Jesus Christ.

Thank You. Jesus.

Our God is working. His Son,

Jesus is working.

Amen.

The Real Eyewitness of 500, who studied with Living, Victorious Jesus for 40 days. Created a wonder across and around the world. These 500 people would find pilgrims arriving to ask about their eyewitness, this was called Presbyters. 

Our Father, Who is in Heaven

Almighty God, 

our Heavenly Father,

 guide the nations of the world 

into the way of justice and truth, 

and establish among

them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, 

that they

may become the Kingdom of our Lord 

and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

The Safety of one

who has faithfully

served this Nation.

And is Loved. 

Eternal God, 

in whose perfect Kingdom no sword is drawn

but the sword of righteousness, 

no strength known but the

strength of Love: 

So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, 

that

All

 peoples 

may be gathered under the banner 

of the Prince of Peace, 

as children of one Father; 

to whom be dominion 

and

glory, now and forever. 

Amen.

Forgive us in Your Mercy, Father.

Our flaws, sins and weaknesses

the doubt even Your Disciples had.

God of Love.

Have Mercy upon us all,

we pray in Jesus Christ.

Dwell in us, Father,

we ask in the Highest Name of Jesus.

Dwell, fully, in those we love

Help us to seek You 

first

and we will finish well 

in Jesus Christ.

We pray 

Peace

for Israel

and Your Good Creation.

Continued Healing

and all Good Health!

Very Grateful for the help

we have received from each other

and God's Salvation.

Thank You. Jesus.

Our God is working. His Son,

Jesus is working.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

YES, Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You, Jesus