Mark 15:34-16:16

Mark 15:46 – With the tomb being hewn out of solid rock, there was no way for anyone to sneak the body of Jesus out of some back way. In other accounts (Matthew 27:61-66), we learn that the Romans secured the tomb with a guard.

Mark 16:1-8 – Compare Matthew 28:1-10; John 20:17; Luke 24:1-12. The people touched Jesus after His resurrection, but Jesus told them not to cling to Him because He still had to ascend to Heaven. Luke’s account firmly puts Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week.

Mark 16:14 – Jesus expected the disciples to believe in the testimony of others, which is what He expects of us today.

Mark 16:16 – Some dispute this verse to get away from the baptism requirement, but other verses (such as Acts 2:38-40) clearly show that baptism is required. See also Matthew 28:18-20. If you do not believe, you cannot be baptized in the name of Jesus, so not believing implies not being baptized, which ends in condemnation.

• “not fond of sordid gain” - I Timothy 3:8
• “holding to the mystery of faith” - I Timothy 3:9
  • See Colossians 1:25 for another use of “mystery.”
  • See also II Corinthians 13:5.
• “beyond reproach” - I Timothy 3:10
  • “must also first be tested” - “Also” here seems to be referring back to qualifications for elders. Deacons should be tested like elders are.
• “women” - I Timothy 3:11
  • The Greek word translated “women” here can mean either “wife” or “woman” depending on the context. Since this verse occurs in the middle of a discussion on deacons and the next verse specifies that deacons must be male (i.e., be “husbands of only one wife”), the most natural interpretation would be that this is referring to the wives of deacons.
  • Qualifications for wives of deacons:
    • “dignified”
    • “not malicious gossips” - cf. II Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:3
    • “temperate” - also, sober or sober-minded. See I Timothy 3:2.
    • “faithful in all things”
• “husbands of only one wife” - I Timothy 3:12
  • See I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6 (cf. I Timothy 5:9)
  • This seems to indicate that a deacon must be married and in a scriptural marriage. If is not completely clear if a man could still be a deacon after his wife died.

• The Bible heart is:
  • Intellect: That with which man understands and believes. It is the intellect of man.
  • Emotion: That with which man loves and hates. Matthew 22:37
  • Willpower: That with which man obeys God. Romans 6:16-17
  • Conscience: The conscience of man – it approves or disapproves of our actions.
• A heart is purified by a faith that obeys. Acts 10:9; Galatians 5:6; I Peter 1:21
• David asked for a clean heart to be created within himself first. We must also look to purify ourselves. Colossians 3:17; Philippians 4:8
• Psalms 51:11-12 - What we must do to be able to pray this prayer:
  • We must have the disposition to draw nigh to God. James 4:8
  • We must exercise self-discipline. I Corinthians 9:27
  • Refuse to go beyond the doctrine of Christ. II John 1:9

• Job 42:1-2?
• Psalms 135:6?
• Proverbs 21:1?
• James 1:13-15 – God does not cause people to sin.

• People are free to choose between good and evil.
  • Genesis 3:2-3,6
  • Deuteronomy 30:15-20
  • Joshua 24:14-15
  • Isaiah 1:19-20
  • John 7:16-17 – There are two “wills” discussed here. We have to align our will with God’s will.
  • Romans 2:2-11; 6:12,23
  • II Peter 3:9
• God’s sovereignty is seen in His final judgment.
  • John 5:28-29
  • II Corinthians 5:20
  • I Peter 1:17-19

• Philippians 2:12; I Thessalonians 2:13

• Live how you want, but in the end you will answer for it!