So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He said unto him, Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto him, Feed my lambs.

Then the congregations had rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria and were edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and with the comfort of the Holy Spirit they were multiplied.

Who, when he came and had seen the grace of God, was glad and exhorted them all to remain in their purpose of heart in the Lord.

confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to remain in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishops to feed the congregation of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

But I am convinced regarding you, my brethren, that even without my exhortation ye are full of charity, full of all knowledge, so as to be able to admonish one another.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one to profit with.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith,

Not as though I had already attained it, either were already perfect, but I follow after, if I may lay hold of that for which I have also been laid hold of by the Christ, Jesus.

whom we preach, warning every man and teaching in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus,

Therefore comfort and edify one another, even as ye do.

Therefore, leaving now the word of the beginning of the establishment of the Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from works of death, and of faith in God,

Listen to your pastors, and do not resist them, for they watch for your souls as those that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.

The work

For he was numbered with us, and had obtained a lot or inheritance of this ministry.

But none of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear unto myself, only that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

or ministry, in serving; or he that teaches, in doctrine;

Let us reckon men as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

How shall not the ministry of the Spirit be for greater glory?

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, according to the mercy we have received, we fault not,

And all this by God, who reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry not be blamed,

And say to Archippus, Take heed to fulfil the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

But watch thou in all things, labour, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry.

The edifying

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and well tied together among itself by the nourishment that every connecting bond supplies, by the operation of each member according to measure they have received, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in charity.

Let us, therefore, follow after the things which make for peace and the edification of each one to the others.

Let each one of us please his neighbour in that which is good, unto edification.

He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he that prophesies edifies the congregation .

Again, do ye think that we excuse ourselves unto you? We speak before God in Christ, but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

Therefore comfort and edify one another, even as ye do.

The body

There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling,

which is his body, and he is the fullness of her: who fills all things in everyone.

who now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fulfill in my flesh that which is lacking of the tribulations of the Christ for his body's sake, which is the congregation ,

General references

And they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one to profit with.

Despise not prophecies.