Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Antioch » A city » A city of syria » Paul and peter's controversy at
When Cephas came to Antioch, I openly resisted him because he was completely wrong. He ate with the people of the nations until some men James sent arrived. When they arrived, he drew back and separated himself. He feared those who were of the circumcised people. The rest of the Jews were hypocrites with him, so much that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. read more.
I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the good news. Therefore I said to Cephas, in front of them all: If you, being a Jew, live as the nations do and not as the Jews, why do you compel the people of the nations to live like the Jews? We are Jews by birth, and not sinners from the nations.
I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the good news. Therefore I said to Cephas, in front of them all: If you, being a Jew, live as the nations do and not as the Jews, why do you compel the people of the nations to live like the Jews? We are Jews by birth, and not sinners from the nations.
Gentiles » Unclassified sciptures relating to
Some of them were convinced (believed) and joined with Paul and Silas. A large crowd of the devout Greeks and of the prominent women also joined.
This I say therefore, and testify (affirm) in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the nations also walk, in the vanity (futility) (depravity) of their mind (thinking). They are darkened (blinded) (obscured) in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart. They are past feeling. They have given themselves over to loose conduct, to work all uncleanness with greediness (a lust for more).
Do not worry! Do not say: 'What shall we eat?' or, 'What shall we drink?' or, 'What shall we wear?' All people go in search of these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
You were separate from Christ at that time, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel. You were strangers from the covenants of the promise. You had no hope and were without God in the world.
But I say, that the things that the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
This is what Jehovah says: Do not learn the practices of the nations. Do not be frightened by the signs in the sky because they frighten the nations. The people's customs are erroneous and empty. It is wood cut from the forest. It is the work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.
Large quantities of meaningless words and repetition are not acceptable in prayer. The pagans think their gods will hear long and repetitious prayers. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
In the past he let all nations to walk in their own ways.
Paul waited for them at Athens. His spirit was irritated within him when he saw the city full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and devout persons. He went to the marketplace every day with those who would meet with him.
Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said: Men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that you are very religious. As I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: To An Unknown God. What you worship as unknown, this I will proclaim to you. The God that made the world and all things in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. He does not live in temples made with hands. read more.
Men's hands do not serve him as if he needed anything. He gives life and breath to all. From one person he made every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth. He determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation. God did this so man could seek him and might find him. He is not far from each one of us.
Men's hands do not serve him as if he needed anything. He gives life and breath to all. From one person he made every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth. He determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation. God did this so man could seek him and might find him. He is not far from each one of us.
The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. That which is known about God is clear to them, for God revealed it to them. His invisible attributes are clearly seen since the creation of the world. The things made prove His eternal power and divine nature. Mankind has no excuse, read more.
for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools. They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. God gave them up to uncleanness because of the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up to vile affections for even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature. Also the men left the natural use of the woman and burned in their lust, one toward another; men with men working that which is obscene. They receive full recompense due for their error. They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a reprobate (depraved) mind, to do things that are not fitting. They are filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, and unmerciful. They know the judgment of God, that those who commit such things are worthy of death! And yet, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who do them.
for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools. They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. God gave them up to uncleanness because of the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up to vile affections for even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature. Also the men left the natural use of the woman and burned in their lust, one toward another; men with men working that which is obscene. They receive full recompense due for their error. They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a reprobate (depraved) mind, to do things that are not fitting. They are filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, and unmerciful. They know the judgment of God, that those who commit such things are worthy of death! And yet, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who do them.
You who judge have no excuse. For when you judge another you condemn yourself. After all you do the same things. We are sure that the judgment of God, according to truth, is against those who commit such things. What do you reason O man? When you judge these things, and you also do them, do you think that you will escape the judgment of God? read more.
Do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering? Do you not know that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Thanks to your stubborn and unrepentant heart, you store up wrath for yourself, in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. He will render to each according to his works. [He offers] everlasting life for those who search for incorruptible glory and honor by enduring in good works. Those who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will receive wrath and indignation. [There will be] tribulation and distress on every person who works evil, for the Jew first and for the Greek. [There will be] glory, honor and peace to every one who does good works, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. God is not partial! (God does not play favorites!) For all who have sinned without law will perish without law. All who have sinned under law will be judged under law. The hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be righteous. When those of the nations, who have no law, practice by nature the things of the law they are a law to themselves even though they do not have any law. They show the work of the law written in their hearts. Their conscience also bears witness, and their thoughts accuse or excuse them.
Do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering? Do you not know that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Thanks to your stubborn and unrepentant heart, you store up wrath for yourself, in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. He will render to each according to his works. [He offers] everlasting life for those who search for incorruptible glory and honor by enduring in good works. Those who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will receive wrath and indignation. [There will be] tribulation and distress on every person who works evil, for the Jew first and for the Greek. [There will be] glory, honor and peace to every one who does good works, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. God is not partial! (God does not play favorites!) For all who have sinned without law will perish without law. All who have sinned under law will be judged under law. The hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be righteous. When those of the nations, who have no law, practice by nature the things of the law they are a law to themselves even though they do not have any law. They show the work of the law written in their hearts. Their conscience also bears witness, and their thoughts accuse or excuse them.
You know that you were of the nations, carried away and led by mute idols.
For the things that are done by them in secret is a shame even to speak about.
Every one of you should know how to possess his own vessel in holiness and honor,
You have spent enough time in the past doing what unbelievers like to do. Your lives were spent in indecency, lusts, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and the disgusting worship of idols (false gods). They think it strange that you do not run with them in wild and reckless living and they speak evil about you.
Justification before God » Under the gospel » Is not of faith and works united
You who seek to be righteous by Law are separated from Christ. You have fallen away from grace.
Some men came down from Judea to teach the brothers. They said: You cannot be saved unless you become circumcised according to the custom of Moses. Paul and Barnabas had an intense (harsh) dispute and debate with them. They concluded that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to settle this question. The congregation sent them on their way. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations. They brought great joy to all the brothers. read more.
Then they went to Jerusalem where the apostles and elders and congregation greeted them. They declared all the things that God had done for them. The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith. Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear? We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they also are. The crowd kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul. They declared the miracles and wonders God performed through them among the people of the nations. When they finished talking James said: Brothers listen to me: Simeon declared how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree to this for it is written: I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12) That the rest of mankind might seek after Jehovah, and all the nations, upon whom my name is called, Jehovah said, who is doing these things. (Amos 9:12) Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Therefore it is my decision not to trouble those of the nations who have turned to God. We should write to them that they should abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from things strangled and from blood. Moses has been preached in the synagogues from old times until now every Sabbath day. The apostles and elders along with the whole congregation desired to send chosen men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers. They wrote letters as follows: The apostles, elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers who are of the nations in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Since we have heard, that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with speeches, subverting you, saying: You must be circumcised, and keep the law. We gave no such commandment! It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. These men have endangered their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things in person. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. You should abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well. Farwell (best wishes).
Then they went to Jerusalem where the apostles and elders and congregation greeted them. They declared all the things that God had done for them. The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith. Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear? We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they also are. The crowd kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul. They declared the miracles and wonders God performed through them among the people of the nations. When they finished talking James said: Brothers listen to me: Simeon declared how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree to this for it is written: I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12) That the rest of mankind might seek after Jehovah, and all the nations, upon whom my name is called, Jehovah said, who is doing these things. (Amos 9:12) Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Therefore it is my decision not to trouble those of the nations who have turned to God. We should write to them that they should abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from things strangled and from blood. Moses has been preached in the synagogues from old times until now every Sabbath day. The apostles and elders along with the whole congregation desired to send chosen men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers. They wrote letters as follows: The apostles, elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers who are of the nations in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Since we have heard, that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with speeches, subverting you, saying: You must be circumcised, and keep the law. We gave no such commandment! It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. These men have endangered their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things in person. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. You should abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well. Farwell (best wishes).
We reason therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace (undeserved kindness). But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works.
I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the good news. Therefore I said to Cephas, in front of them all: If you, being a Jew, live as the nations do and not as the Jews, why do you compel the people of the nations to live like the Jews? We are Jews by birth, and not sinners from the nations. Yet we know that a man is not righteous by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. We believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be righteous by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law. The works of the law justify no one. read more.
We sought to be righteous in Christ. And we were found to be sinners. Is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. If I build up again the things that I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor. I, through the law, died to the law that I might live to (for) God. I have been impaled with Christ. It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. The life that I now live in the flesh (physical body) I live by faith. This is the faith that is in the Son of God. He loved me and gave himself up for me. I do not reject the grace (totally undeserved gift) of God: for if righteousness is [gained] through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
We sought to be righteous in Christ. And we were found to be sinners. Is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. If I build up again the things that I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor. I, through the law, died to the law that I might live to (for) God. I have been impaled with Christ. It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. The life that I now live in the flesh (physical body) I live by faith. This is the faith that is in the Son of God. He loved me and gave himself up for me. I do not reject the grace (totally undeserved gift) of God: for if righteousness is [gained] through the law, then Christ died for nothing.