Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, to send men, chosen from themselves, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas who is surnamed Barsabas, and Silas??eading men among the brethren;

And some, coming down from Judaea, were teaching the brethren, "Unless ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved." And, when Paul and Barnabas had no little dissension and discussion with them, they arranged that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders, concerning this question. They, therefore, having been sent forward by the assembly, went through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the gentiles; and they were causing great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And, having come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the assembly and apostles and elders; and they rehearsed as many things as God wrought with them. But there rose up some from the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." And the apostles and the elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And, much discussion having arisen, Peter, standing up, said to them, "Brethren, ye well know that, from early days, God made choice among you, that through my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe. And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as to us: and He made no distinction between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as also they." And all the multitude kept silence: and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul, recounting what signs and wonders God wrought among the gentiles through them. And, after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Brethren, hear me. Simeon declared how God first visited the gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And with this agree the words of the prophets; as it has been written, 'After these things I will return; and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; and the ruins thereof will I build again; and I will set it up; that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, even all the gentiles upon whom My name has been called,' saith the Lord, Who maketh these things known from of old. Wherefore, I judge that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God; but that we write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from anything strangled, and from blood; for Moses, from ancient generations, has in every city those preaching him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath." Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, to send men, chosen from themselves, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas who is surnamed Barsabas, and Silas??eading men among the brethren; having written through their hand thus: "The apostles, and the elders, brethren, to the brethren from the gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we heard that some from among us troubled you with words, unsettling your souls??o whom we gave no directions; it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, having chosen men, to send to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their souls in behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas; themselves also reporting the same things to you by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." So they being dismissed came down to Antioch; and, having assembled the multitude, they delivered the letter. And, having read it, they rejoiced at the consolation. And Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brethren in many words, and confirmed them. And, having spent a time there, they were sent away with peace from the brethren to those who had sent them. OMITTED TEXT. But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming, with many others also, the good tidings of the word of the Lord.


for as many of you as were immersed into Christ, did put on Christ. There exists neither Jew nor Greek, there exists neither bond nor free, there exists neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

And John, answering, said, "Master, we saw one casting out demons in Thy name; and we forbade him, because he follows not with us." And Jesus said to him, "Forbid him not: for he who is not against you is for you."

John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in Thy name; and we forbade him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Forbid him not; for there is no one who shall exercise power in My name, and be able quickly to speak evil of Me; for he who is not against us is for us. read more.
For whosoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because ye are Christ's, verily I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

If, therefore, God gave them the like gift, as to us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?" And, having heard these things, they were silent, and glorified God, saying, "Then, to the gentiles also God gave repentance unto life."

And some, coming down from Judaea, were teaching the brethren, "Unless ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved." And, when Paul and Barnabas had no little dissension and discussion with them, they arranged that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders, concerning this question. They, therefore, having been sent forward by the assembly, went through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the gentiles; and they were causing great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And, having come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the assembly and apostles and elders; and they rehearsed as many things as God wrought with them. But there rose up some from the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." And the apostles and the elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And, much discussion having arisen, Peter, standing up, said to them, "Brethren, ye well know that, from early days, God made choice among you, that through my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe. And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as to us: and He made no distinction between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as also they." And all the multitude kept silence: and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul, recounting what signs and wonders God wrought among the gentiles through them. And, after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Brethren, hear me. Simeon declared how God first visited the gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And with this agree the words of the prophets; as it has been written, 'After these things I will return; and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; and the ruins thereof will I build again; and I will set it up; that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, even all the gentiles upon whom My name has been called,' saith the Lord, Who maketh these things known from of old. Wherefore, I judge that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God; but that we write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from anything strangled, and from blood; for Moses, from ancient generations, has in every city those preaching him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath." Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, to send men, chosen from themselves, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas who is surnamed Barsabas, and Silas??eading men among the brethren; having written through their hand thus: "The apostles, and the elders, brethren, to the brethren from the gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we heard that some from among us troubled you with words, unsettling your souls??o whom we gave no directions; it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, having chosen men, to send to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their souls in behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas; themselves also reporting the same things to you by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." So they being dismissed came down to Antioch; and, having assembled the multitude, they delivered the letter. And, having read it, they rejoiced at the consolation.

Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, which He promised before through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, Who was born of the seed of David, according to His flesh, read more.
Who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead??ven Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations for His name's sake; among whom also are ye the called of Jesus Christ: to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish; so, as much as in me is, I am ready to proclaim the Gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek

because, by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the law is the knowledge of sin. But now, apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even a righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe; for there is no distinction; read more.
for all sinned, and are coming short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Whom God set forth as a propitiation, through faith in His blood, for the manifestation of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the formerly-committed sins in the forbearance of God: for the manifestation of His righteousness in the present time, to the end that He may be righteous, even when declaring righteous him who has faith in Jesus. Where, then, is the boasting? It was excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? Nay; but by a law of faith. For we reckon that a man is justified by faith, apart from works of law. Or is He the God of Jews only? Is He not of gentiles also! Yes, of gentiles also; if, indeed, God is One Who will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith. Do we, then, make void the law through faith? It could not be! Yea, we establish the law.

Having been justified, therefore, by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have had access by faith into this grace in which we have been standing; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

For He is our peace, Who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of the partition, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments expressed in decrees, that He might make the two one new man in Himself, making peace, and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby; read more.
and, coming, He proclaimed the Gospel of peace to you who were afar off, and peace to those who were near;

where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on, therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, tender affections of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; (bearing with one another, and freely forgiving one another, if any one have a complaint against any; even as the Lord freely forgave you, so also do ye): read more.
and over all these put on love, which is the uniting-bond of perfectness. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, unto which also ye were called in one body; and become thankful.


And the disciples, according as any one of them was being prospered, determined, each of them, to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judaea; which also they did, sending it to the elders through the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

And some, coming down from Judaea, were teaching the brethren, "Unless ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved." And, when Paul and Barnabas had no little dissension and discussion with them, they arranged that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders, concerning this question. They, therefore, having been sent forward by the assembly, went through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the gentiles; and they were causing great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And, having come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the assembly and apostles and elders; and they rehearsed as many things as God wrought with them. But there rose up some from the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." And the apostles and the elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And, much discussion having arisen, Peter, standing up, said to them, "Brethren, ye well know that, from early days, God made choice among you, that through my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe. And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as to us: and He made no distinction between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as also they." And all the multitude kept silence: and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul, recounting what signs and wonders God wrought among the gentiles through them. And, after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Brethren, hear me. Simeon declared how God first visited the gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And with this agree the words of the prophets; as it has been written, 'After these things I will return; and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; and the ruins thereof will I build again; and I will set it up; that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, even all the gentiles upon whom My name has been called,' saith the Lord, Who maketh these things known from of old. Wherefore, I judge that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God; but that we write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from anything strangled, and from blood; for Moses, from ancient generations, has in every city those preaching him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath." Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, to send men, chosen from themselves, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas who is surnamed Barsabas, and Silas??eading men among the brethren; having written through their hand thus: "The apostles, and the elders, brethren, to the brethren from the gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we heard that some from among us troubled you with words, unsettling your souls??o whom we gave no directions; it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, having chosen men, to send to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their souls in behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas; themselves also reporting the same things to you by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." So they being dismissed came down to Antioch; and, having assembled the multitude, they delivered the letter. And, having read it, they rejoiced at the consolation. And Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brethren in many words, and confirmed them. And, having spent a time there, they were sent away with peace from the brethren to those who had sent them. OMITTED TEXT. But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming, with many others also, the good tidings of the word of the Lord.



And, as they were journeying through the cities, they were delivering to them the decrees to keep, that had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the assemblies were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

And, having sent from Miletus to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the assembly.

Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit appointed you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that, after my departure, grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among yourselves will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. read more.
Wherefore, watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not to admonish every one with tears. "And now I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all the sanctified.

And, on the following day, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.

Let elders who preside well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox while threshing," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages." Against an elder receive not an accusation, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; if anyone is blameless, a husband of one wife, having believing children not in accusation of rioting, or unruly. For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain; read more.
but hospitable, a lover of good, sober-minded, righteous, pious, temperate; holding fast the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the healthful doctrine, and to convict those who contradict.

for in this the elders were well reported of.

Is anyone among you sick? let him call for the elders of the assembly; and let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and, if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.

The elders, therefore, I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of Christ's sufferings, also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed; feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the allotted charges, but becoming examples to the flock; read more.
and, when the Chief Shepherd is manifested, ye will obtain the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, ye younger, be subject to the elder; yea, all of you gird on the lowly mind to serve one another; because "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the lowly."

The elder to an elect lady and her children whom I love in truth??nd not I only, but also all who know the truth??2 for the truth's sake which abides in us, and will be with us forever:

The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.


Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, to send men, chosen from themselves, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas who is surnamed Barsabas, and Silas??eading men among the brethren; having written through their hand thus: "The apostles, and the elders, brethren, to the brethren from the gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we heard that some from among us troubled you with words, unsettling your souls??o whom we gave no directions; read more.
it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, having chosen men, to send to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their souls in behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas; themselves also reporting the same things to you by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." So they being dismissed came down to Antioch; and, having assembled the multitude, they delivered the letter. And, having read it, they rejoiced at the consolation. And Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brethren in many words, and confirmed them.


Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, to send men, chosen from themselves, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas who is surnamed Barsabas, and Silas??eading men among the brethren; having written through their hand thus: "The apostles, and the elders, brethren, to the brethren from the gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we heard that some from among us troubled you with words, unsettling your souls??o whom we gave no directions; read more.
it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, having chosen men, to send to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their souls in behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas; themselves also reporting the same things to you by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." So they being dismissed came down to Antioch; and, having assembled the multitude, they delivered the letter. And, having read it, they rejoiced at the consolation. And Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brethren in many words, and confirmed them. And, having spent a time there, they were sent away with peace from the brethren to those who had sent them. OMITTED TEXT.