When they were through breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me." he answered. Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."

Now throughout the whole of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria the Church continued to enjoy peace and to be spiritually built up. It was increasing in members also, as it kept walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

When he arrived, and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord, with full purpose of heart;

Everywhere they strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to hold to the faith. "It is through many tribulations," they said, "that we must enter into the kingdom of God."

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood.

And I myself also am confident regarding you, my brothers, that you yourselves are already full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and well able to give advice to one another.

Now to each man has been given his manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

As these promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, and perfect our holiness in the fear of God.

And because I am convinced of this, I know that I shall live, and go on working side by side with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

I do not say that I have already won, or am already perfect, but I am passing on to lay hold on the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me.

Him I am ever proclaiming, warning every one and teaching every one, in all wisdom; that I may bring every man into his presence, full grown in Christ.

So comfort one another, and try to build one another up, as indeed you are doing.

So let us get beyond the teaching of the elementary doctrines of Christ, and let us be borne along toward what is mature. Let us not be continually laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works,

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who must give account; that they may do thus with joy and not with lamentation, for this would be unprofitable to you.

The work

"For he was numbered among us, and he did get his allotted share of this ministry.

But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, if only I may run my race, and accomplish the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to attest the gospel of the grace of God.

If it is the gift of administration, let us give ourselves to our service.

Let any man look upon us as servants of Christ, and stewards of the secret truths of God.

So then, as I have this ministry because of God's mercy to me, I do not lose heart.

And all this is from God, who through Christ reconciled me to himself, and gave me the ministry of reconciliation;

I am giving no one a cause of stumbling in order that my ministry may not be discredited;

And tell Archippas to take heed to the ministry which he has received in the Lord, that he may fulfill it.

And I am thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has thus enabled me, that he accounted me faithful, and appointed me to his service,

But as for you, be always self-controlled, face hardships, do the work of a missionary, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

The edifying

From him the whole body (knit together and compacted by all its joints) makes continual growth of the body so as to build itself up in love, through the energy of his bounteous provision, according to the need of each several part.

So then let is eagerly pursue the things that make for peace and the upbuilding of each other.

Let each one of us try to make his neighbor happy for his good, unto his upbuilding.

He who speaks in a tongue upbuilds himself; but he who prophesies upbuilds the church.

Do you think that all this time I am defending myself to you? It is before the presence of God that I am speaking in Christ; and all, beloved, for your upbuilding.

So comfort one another, and try to build one another up, as indeed you are doing.

The body

There is one body and one spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling.

which is his body, the fulness of Him who fills the universe.

I am now rejoicing in my sufferings on your behalf; and I am filling up in my own body what is yet lacking of the sufferings of Christ in behalf of the church, his Body.

General references

"But a stranger they will not follow, but flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

Now to each man has been given his manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Do not despise prophesyings.