About the Pastor's Credentials
I will begin by telling you that I am not a Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic scholar. My knowledge of these languages is rudimentary. Therefore, I depend on the works of true scholars as sources for my studies. As previously stated, I have a Master's degree in Theology. The elementary knowledge of the original Bible languages I gained through my studies in Theology is small. Hence, I maintain a variety of resources to aid in my studies. I have many lexicons, several grammars, some interlinear Bibles, many Bible translations, word studies, and concordances. Additionally, I have several very good and detailed software titles (e.g. BibleWorks) at my disposal. I endeavor, with the help of my study resources, to maintain grammatical correctness when I attempt to expose those languages to you. In fact, in my study workplace, all these resources surround me within easy reach. My real world experience as a rural pastor complements these things as well.
Yet, all the resources in the world are useless in Bible study without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is instrumental in my studies. I pray for guidance when studying and God gives it to me. I heavily depend on Him to help me to be correct in my studies.
Having said that, I am far from perfect and I make many mistakes. Sometimes they are simple mistakes like typos; sometimes that are errors of judgment; and sometimes my expositions are just plain wrong. However, when I become aware of a mistake I attempt to remedy it with haste.
One last thing. As I mature in Christ, my knowledge of the things of God increases. My studies reflect this as it occurs. Some of my earlier studies confirm this. Nevertheless, I leave them there as a testament that God indeed does help all of us to "go on unto perfection," as stated in Hebrews 6:1.
Mark Oaks
Pastor
Pleasant Home Baptist Church
Milton, FL
שאלו שלום ירושלים
—Psalm 122:6a (Pray for the peace of Jerusalem) *
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Psalm 12:6-7
★ This work is undertaken in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. * Or, as the Masoretic text spells it, ירושלם (Yerushalam)
★ Copyright © 1998-2010, The Bible Church. All Rights Reserved. Contents may be distributed but not sold.
★ The Bible Church has the right to present its ideas and opinions in this format. We have NOT made any covenant with the Federal Government, such as a nonprofit agreement or tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3), and according to the
First Amendment
of the Constitution we have the right to free speech, including political speech, and freedom of religion.
★ The content of this study (with the exception of any scripture or quote) is the sole production of Pastor Mark Oaks and is subject to change as the pastor grows and learns.
★ Numbers following Greek or Hebrew words are
Strong’s Numbers.
Hebrew numbers are in normal type style (1234) and Greek numbers are in Italic style (1234).
(Instead of ירושלים, Yerushalayim, which is the plural form)
* שאלו שלום ירושלים is transliterated "shaalu shalom yerushalaim".