Thematic Bible: Preach without authority


Thematic Bible



Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. I went up because of a revelation; and I set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who were of reputation, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. read more.
But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. We did not yield to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. And from those who were reputed to be something (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)those, I say, who were of repute added nothing to me; but on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. read more.
Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I do not lie.) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; they only heard it said, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God because of me.