When they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these do? He saith to him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.

Then the church through all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria had peace: and being built up, and walking in the fear of God, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, was multiplied.

Who coming and seeing the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, to cleave unto the Lord with full purpose of heart.

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith; and that we must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of God.

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye likewise are full of goodness, being filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each, to profit withal.

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

And being persuaded of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith:

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected: but I pursue, if I may apprehend that, for which I was also apprehended by Christ Jesus.

Whom we preach, admonishing every man, and teaching every man, that we may present every man perfect through Christ Jesus.

Wherefore comfort one another and edify one another, as also ye do.

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works,

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch over your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with groans: for that is unprofitable for you.

The work

For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life precious to myself, so I may 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, let us wait on our ministring; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation.

Let a man so account us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

For if the ministration of condemnation was glory,

Therefore having this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not: But have renounced the hidden things of shame,

And all things are from God, who hath reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation: Namely,

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed, But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,

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

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, in that he accounted me faithful,

But watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry.

The edifying

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted, by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every member, maketh increase of the body, to the edifying of itself in love.

Let us therefore pursue the things that tend to peace, and to mutual edification.

Let every one of us please his neighbour, for his good, to edification.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

Think ye that we again excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all things, beloved, for your edification.

Wherefore comfort one another and edify one another, as also ye do.

The body

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

Which is his body; who is the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ for his body, which is the church:

General references

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

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each, to profit withal.

Despise not prophesyings.