Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



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.


Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax-collector; James the son of Alpaeus, and Thaddeus;

and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean,

And, when they entered, they went up into the upper-room, where they were abiding; both Peter and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

After that He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;

And, perceiving the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas right-hands of fellowship, that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcision;

But other of the apostles I saw not, except James, the brother of the Lord.

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

and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon who is called Zelotes,


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

And, after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Brethren, hear me.


And, on the following day, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. And, having saluted them, he narrated, one by one, each of the things God wrought among the gentiles through his ministry.


And, when it came to pass that we, having been torn away from them, had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and thence to Patara; and, having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, going aboard, we set sail. And, having come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. read more.
And, having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days; who, indeed, said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And, when it came to pass that we completed the days, going forth, we were resuming our journey; they all, with wives and children, accompanying us out of the city; and, kneeling down on the beach, having prayed, we bade one another farewell; and we embarked upon the ship, but they returned to their homes. And, having finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and, having saluted the brethren, we abode with them one day. And, on the morrow, going forth, we came to Caesarea; and, entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was of the seven, we abode with him. And this man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied. And, as we tarried there several days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, Agabus by name. And, coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, binding his own feet and hands, he said, "Thus saith the Holy Spirit, so shall the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle, and shall deliver him up into the hands of the gentiles. And, when we heard these things, both we and those of that place were beseeching him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What are ye doing, weeping and crushing my heart? For I am ready, not only to be bound, but to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus." And, when he would not be persuaded, we were silent, saying, "The will of the Lord be done." And, after these days, having gotten ready, we went up to Jerusalem. And there went with us also some of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an aged disciple, with whom we should lodge. And, when we came to Jerusalem, the brethren gladly received us. And, on the following day, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.


And, on the following day, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. And, having saluted them, he narrated, one by one, each of the things God wrought among the gentiles through his ministry. And they, hearing it, were glorifying God, and said to him, "You observe, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews, of those who have believed; and they are all zealous for the law. read more.
And they were informed by report concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk after the customs. What is it, therefore? They will certainly hear that you have come. Do this, therefore, which we say to you: we have four men who have a vow on them; taking these to yourself, be purified with them, and incur expense for them, that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing in those things of which they have been instructed concerning you; but that you yourself also are walking orderly, keeping the law. But concerning the gentiles who have believed, we sent to them, having given judgment, that they should keep themselves from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from anything strangled, and from fornication." Then Paul, taking the men, on the next day, having been purified with them, was entering into the temple, announcing the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering should be offered for each one of them.


And, when we came to Jerusalem, the brethren gladly received us. And, on the following day, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. And, having saluted them, he narrated, one by one, each of the things God wrought among the gentiles through his ministry. read more.
And they, hearing it, were glorifying God, and said to him, "You observe, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews, of those who have believed; and they are all zealous for the law. And they were informed by report concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk after the customs. What is it, therefore? They will certainly hear that you have come. Do this, therefore, which we say to you: we have four men who have a vow on them; taking these to yourself, be purified with them, and incur expense for them, that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing in those things of which they have been instructed concerning you; but that you yourself also are walking orderly, keeping the law. But concerning the gentiles who have believed, we sent to them, having given judgment, that they should keep themselves from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from anything strangled, and from fornication."