The God of biblical revelation is present everywhere in the Gospel according to Matthew, but often in a self-effacing way, receding behind Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us. God's presence is veiled by divine passives, hidden behind the reverent circumlocution “heavens.” The parable of the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God is widely stated in our Gospel of Matthew. Many scholars claim that the Gospel of Matthew reveals more about Jesus as a powerful King.

Suffering is often experienced by those who obey God, while happiness is experienced by those who do not know God. This study aims to re-examine theodicy about disasters and calamities and tries to provide alternative thoughts regarding the relationship between God, accidents and humans, based on the story of Job. This research methodology is a qualitative approach through library research, by reading books and journals and investigating related books. Hermeneutic principles are also used to understand the meaning of the signs (...) and symbols in the text. The results of this study indicate that the concept of anthropodicy stands as a complement to the idea of theodicy, which can help humans - especially believers - to understand the meaning of suffering and their vocation in a world full of uncertainty while still having faith in God, who is sovereign over all.Contribution: This article contributes to providing an understanding of anthropodicy from Job’s perspective, so that humans see suffering as God’s sovereignty and as something that God allows in order to see God’s omnipotence. (shrink)

Holistic service for youth and youth is the basic thing today because youth and youth are the present generation for the future of the church. By using descriptive qualitative methods, it can be concluded that the holistic ministry for youth and youth carried out by church leaders is able to build today's generation that continues to have an impact on the world and is also expected to bring Christian education that has one clear and definite goal/direction, namely knowing, loving, believe (...) in, obey and serve God according to His will and plan and for His glory. (shrink)

In Ephesians 4:17–32, the concept of a “new man” is explored, emphasizing the transformation that occurs when one becomes a follower of Christ. This passage delves into the teachings and principles that guide believers in their spiritual growth and maturity journey. The keywords in this section highlight key aspects of the teaching, such as “teaching,” which implies the importance of instruction and guidance in understanding and living out the Christian faith. Additionally, the phrase “new man” signifies a radical change within (...) an individual when they surrender their old ways and embrace a new life in Christ. Ephesians 4:17–32 offers practical insights on how to live as a transformed individual. It addresses various aspects of personal conduct, including honesty, integrity, self-control, kindness, forgiveness, and love. These virtues are not only encouraged for personal growth but also for fostering healthy relationships within the community of believers. (shrink)

Prayer holds a profound significance in a believer’s life, with Lord Jesus teaching specific teachings to his disciples on the subject. It serves as a communication tool bridging the connection between God and humanity, constituting a dialogue rather than solely a platform for pleas or requests. This research delved into the specific text of prayer, focusing on Matthew 6:9–13, commonly known as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. While many Christians interpret it as a ‘prayer of supplication’, the study questioned whether it truly (...) falls into that category and explored potential contradictions.Utilising a qualitative approach with a pure exegesis study, the author employed hermeneutics based on John D. Grassmick’s steps of exegesis analysis. The examination was centred on the Byzantine Greek Bible text in the Gospel of Matthew 6:14–15. The aim was to grasp the essence of the message within the studied texts, emphasising Lord Jesus’ teachings. Results highlighted the significance of understanding the Lord’s Prayer as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:9–13. The author emphasised the importance for Christians in Indonesia to comprehend the meaning of this prayer.Contribution: This reconstruction of Matthew’s understanding of the Lord’s Prayer using the Byzantine text anticipated contributions to HTS Theological Studies. The Our Father’s Prayer, a blessing to churches and Christians for over 2000 years, was explored for its proper grammatical translation and the profound contents taught by Jesus. This study aimed to assist Christians in understanding and applying the prayer in their lives, aligning with the true faith and fostering spiritual growth as intended by Lord Jesus. (shrink)

The shepherd has a very important role in God's purpose for His church. A shepherd should have the equipping ability as described in Ephesians 4:12a. This ability is manifested in two ways, namely: equipping the congregation with knowledge and experience of faith. The process of equipping the congregation will lead the Lord's congregation to spiritual maturity which is characterized by the unity of the spirit, the correct knowledge of the Son of God, full maturity and a level of growth that (...) is in accordance with the fullness of Christ. The results of the research conducted using the quantitative research method concluded that the ability of the pastor to equip the congregation based on Ephesians 4:1-16 had a significant effect on the spiritual maturity of the Baptist church congregations in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. (shrink)