Dr. John Matthew Powell is an author, educator, preacher & teacher, scholar & theologian specializing in biblical studies, Old & New Testament theology, and the historical contexts of Scripture. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, in addition to a second bachelor’s degree (BS) and a second master’s degree (MS) in non-theological disciplines. Motivated by a deep commitment to the authority, coherence, and divine inspiration of Scripture, Dr. Powell pursued and completed the Ph.D. in Bible Exposition, with an emphasis on careful comprehension, interpretation, and faithful application of the biblical text.
His scholarly work focuses especially on the unity of Luke–Acts, first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, early Christian theology, and the development of doctrine in the first three centuries of the Church. His research interests include the Second Temple period, New Testament history, and biblical conceptions of the afterlife, including heaven, hell, and the intermediate state. He is particularly known for his work on narrative structure, theological continuity, and the use of ancient rhetorical and literary conventions within the New Testament. As an author and educator, Dr. Powell has written extensively on biblical theology, historical interpretation, and doctrinal clarity, seeking to bridge rigorous academic scholarship with accessible exposition for both academic and ecclesial audiences. His publications and teaching aim to demonstrate how careful attention to language, historical setting, and canonical context guards against theological distortion and enriches contemporary Christian faith and practice. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Powell is actively engaged in teaching, preaching, and public speaking. He has served Churches, educational institutions, and ministry settings by equipping believers to read Scripture responsibly and to understand its theological claims within their original historical frameworks. His work consistently emphasizes fidelity to the biblical text, respect for apostolic teaching, and continuity with historic Christian doctrine. His theological commitments are openly confessional and rooted in Scripture as divinely inspired, authoritative, and unified. His scholarship reflects a conviction that theology must remain accountable to the text of Scripture itself rather than to later traditions or modern assumptions. Outside of his academic and ministerial work, He enjoys reading and writing in biblical studies and theology, leading congregations in teaching and worship, traveling with his family, and engaging in extended theological discussions. His work reflects a lifelong dedication to understanding Scripture within its original world and proclaiming its enduring relevance for the Church today.
Center for Biblical Research and Education 
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