But I tell you, your name is Peter, a rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not subdue it.

It was he who with the congregation in the desert went between the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and our forefathers, and received and communicated to you utterances that still live.

Meanwhile the people were shouting, some one thing and some another, for the meeting was in confusion, and most of them had no idea why they had come together.

But if you require anything beyond that, it must be settled before the regular assembly.

At present I am glad to be suffering in your interest, and I am making up in my own person what is lacking in Christ's sufferings for the church, which is his body.

he saved us, not for any upright actions we had performed, but from his own mercy, through the bath of regeneration and renewal by the holy Spirit,

All who are with me wish to be remembered to you. Remember me to all believers who love me. God bless you all.

to the solemn gathering of all God's elder sons, enrolled as citizens in heaven, to a judge who is the God of all, to the spirits of upright men now at last enjoying the fulfilment of their hopes,

But I tell you, your name is Peter, a rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not subdue it.

Peter said to them, "You must repent, and every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, in order to have your sins forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit, for the promise of it belongs to you and your children, as well as to all those far away whom the Lord our God calls to him."

constantly praising God and respected by all the people. And every day the Lord added people who were saved to their number.

And Saul entirely approved of his being put to death. A great persecution of the church in Jerusalem broke out that day, and they were all scattered over Judea and Samaria except the apostles.

There were at Antioch in the church there a number of prophets and teachers??arnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the governor, and Saul.

Meanwhile the people were shouting, some one thing and some another, for the meeting was in confusion, and most of them had no idea why they had come together.

But if you require anything beyond that, it must be settled before the regular assembly.

With these words he dismissed the assembly.

you must not look down upon the branches. If you do, remember that you do not support the root; the root supports you. "But," you will say, "branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in!" read more. That is true; but it was for their want of faith that they were broken off, and it is through your faith that you stand where you do. You ought not to feel proud; you ought to be afraid, for if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you. Observe then the goodness and the severity of God??everity to those who have fallen, but goodness to you, provided you abide by his goodness, for otherwise, you in your turn will be pruned away. Those others too, if they do not cling to their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from a wild olive and unnaturally grafted upon a cultivated one, how much easier it will be to graft them upon the olive to which they properly belong!

Remember me to my dear Epaenetus, who was the first man in Asia to turn to Christ.

to the church of God at Corinth, to those who are consecrated by union with Christ Jesus, and called as God's people, like all those anywhere who call on the name of Jesus Christ, their Lord as well as ours;

For the husband who is not a believer is consecrated through union with his wife, and the woman who is not a believer is consecrated through union with her Christian husband, for otherwise your children would be unblessed, but, as it is, they are consecrated.

For I am the least important of the apostles, and am not fit to be called an apostle, because I once persecuted God's church.

You have heard of my former conduct when I was attached to the Jewish religion??ow furiously I used to persecute the church of God and ravage it,

So remember that you were once physically heathen, and called uncircumcised by those who called themselves circumcised, though only physically, by human hands. At that time you had no connection with Christ, you were aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the agreements about God's promise; with no hope and no God in all the world. read more. But now through your union with Christ Jesus you who were once far away have through the blood of Christ been brought near. For he is himself our peace. He has united the two divisions, and broken down the barrier that kept us apart, and through his human nature put an end to the feud between us, and abolished the Law with its rules and regulations, in order to make peace and create out of the two parties one new man by uniting them with himself, and to kill the feud between them with his cross and in one body reconcile them both to God with it. He came with the good news of peace for you who were far away and for those who were near; for it is through him that we both with one Spirit are now able to approach the Father. So you are no longer foreigners or strangers, but you are fellow-citizens of God's people and members of his family. You are built upon the apostles and prophets as your foundation, and Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone. Through him every part of the building is closely united and grows into a temple sacred through its relation to the Lord, and you are yourselves built up into a dwelling for God through the Spirit.

for a husband is the head of his wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, which is his body, and is saved by him.

You who are husbands must love your wives, just as Christ loves the church and gave himself for her,

in order to bring the church to himself in all her beauty, without a flaw or a wrinkle or anything of the kind, but to be consecrated and faultless.

for no one ever hates his own person, but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ does with the church,

Remember me to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets at her house.

Yet God's solid foundation stands unshaken, bearing this inscription, "The Lord knows those who belong to him," and "Everyone who uses the name of the Lord must give up evil."

to the solemn gathering of all God's elder sons, enrolled as citizens in heaven, to a judge who is the God of all, to the spirits of upright men now at last enjoying the fulfilment of their hopes,

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: " 'He who holds the seven stars in his right hand and goes about among the seven gold lampstands speaks thus:

Your light must burn in that way among men so that they will see the good you do, and praise your Father in heaven.

Your light must burn in that way among men so that they will see the good you do, and praise your Father in heaven.

A pupil should be satisfied to come to be like his teacher, or a slave, to come to be like his master. If men have called the head of the house Beelzebub, how much worse names will they give to the members of his household!

A pupil should be satisfied to come to be like his teacher, or a slave, to come to be like his master. If men have called the head of the house Beelzebub, how much worse names will they give to the members of his household!

Another figure which he used in speaking to them was this: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,

Another figure which he used in speaking to them was this: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while people were asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

but while people were asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. And when the wheat came up and ripened, the weeds appeared too.

And when the wheat came up and ripened, the weeds appeared too. And the owner's slaves came to him and said, 'Was not the seed good that you sowed in your field, sir? So where did these weeds come from?'

And the owner's slaves came to him and said, 'Was not the seed good that you sowed in your field, sir? So where did these weeds come from?' He said to them, 'This is some enemy's doing.' And they said to him, 'Do you want us to go and gather them up?'

He said to them, 'This is some enemy's doing.' And they said to him, 'Do you want us to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, for in gathering up the weeds you may uproot the wheat.

But he said, 'No, for in gathering up the weeds you may uproot the wheat. Let them both grow together until harvest time, and when we harvest I will direct the reapers to gather up the weeds first and tie them up in bundles to burn, but get the wheat into my barn.' "

Let them both grow together until harvest time, and when we harvest I will direct the reapers to gather up the weeds first and tie them up in bundles to burn, but get the wheat into my barn.' "

Then he left the crowds and went into his house. And his disciples came up to him and said, "Explain to us the figure of the weeds in the field."

Then he left the crowds and went into his house. And his disciples came up to him and said, "Explain to us the figure of the weeds in the field." He answered, "The sower who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

He answered, "The sower who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world. The good seed is the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the wicked.

The field is the world. The good seed is the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the wicked. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels.

The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned, this is what will happen at the close of the age;

So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned, this is what will happen at the close of the age; the Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather up out of his kingdom all the causes of sin and the wrongdoers

the Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather up out of his kingdom all the causes of sin and the wrongdoers and throw them into the blazing furnace; there they will wail and grind their teeth.

and throw them into the blazing furnace; there they will wail and grind their teeth. Then the upright will shine out like the sun, in their Father's kingdom. Let him who has ears listen!

Then the upright will shine out like the sun, in their Father's kingdom. Let him who has ears listen!

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!"

But I tell you, your name is Peter, a rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not subdue it.

But I tell you, your name is Peter, a rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not subdue it.

But I tell you, your name is Peter, a rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not subdue it.

But I tell you, your name is Peter, a rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not subdue it.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the congregation. And if he refuses to listen to it, treat him as a heathen or a tax-collector.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the congregation. And if he refuses to listen to it, treat him as a heathen or a tax-collector.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the congregation. And if he refuses to listen to it, treat him as a heathen or a tax-collector.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the congregation. And if he refuses to listen to it, treat him as a heathen or a tax-collector. "I tell you, whatever you forbid on earth will be held in heaven to be forbidden, and whatever you permit on earth will be held in heaven to be permitted.

"I tell you, whatever you forbid on earth will be held in heaven to be forbidden, and whatever you permit on earth will be held in heaven to be permitted.

As they were eating Jesus took a loaf and blessed it, and he broke it in pieces and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it. It is my body!"

As they were eating Jesus took a loaf and blessed it, and he broke it in pieces and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it. It is my body!" And he took the wine-cup and gave thanks and gave it to them, saying,

And he took the wine-cup and gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, "You must all drink from it, for this is my blood which ratifies the agreement, and is to be poured out for many people, for the forgiveness of their sins.

"You must all drink from it, for this is my blood which ratifies the agreement, and is to be poured out for many people, for the forgiveness of their sins.

Therefore go and make disciples of all the heathen, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit,

Therefore go and make disciples of all the heathen, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands that I have given you. I will always be with you, to the very close of the age."

and teach them to observe all the commands that I have given you. I will always be with you, to the very close of the age."

and I give them eternal life, and they shall never be lost, and no one shall tear them out of my hands.

and I give them eternal life, and they shall never be lost, and no one shall tear them out of my hands.

Now I am to be no longer in this world, but they are to remain in the world, while I return to you. Holy Father, keep them by your power which you gave me, so that they may be one just as we are.

Now I am to be no longer in this world, but they are to remain in the world, while I return to you. Holy Father, keep them by your power which you gave me, so that they may be one just as we are.

I do not ask you to take them away from the world, but to keep them from evil.

I do not ask you to take them away from the world, but to keep them from evil.

So they welcomed his message and were baptized, and about three thousand people joined them that day.

So they welcomed his message and were baptized, and about three thousand people joined them that day.

constantly praising God and respected by all the people. And every day the Lord added people who were saved to their number.

constantly praising God and respected by all the people. And every day the Lord added people who were saved to their number.

Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, said to them, "Leaders of the people and members of the council,

Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, said to them, "Leaders of the people and members of the council,

He motioned to them to be quiet, and then related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Tell all this to James and the brothers," he said. Then he left them and went somewhere else.

He motioned to them to be quiet, and then related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Tell all this to James and the brothers," he said. Then he left them and went somewhere else.

When they finished James made this response: "Brothers, listen to me.

When they finished James made this response: "Brothers, listen to me. Symeon has told how God first showed an interest in taking from among the heathen a people to bear his name.

Symeon has told how God first showed an interest in taking from among the heathen a people to bear his name. And this agrees with the predictions of the prophets which say,

And this agrees with the predictions of the prophets which say, " 'Afterward I will return, and rebuild David's fallen dwelling. I will rebuild its very ruins, and set it up again,

" 'Afterward I will return, and rebuild David's fallen dwelling. I will rebuild its very ruins, and set it up again, So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, And all the heathen who are called by my name, Says the Lord,

So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, And all the heathen who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who has been making this known from of old.'

who has been making this known from of old.' In my opinion, therefore, we ought not to put obstacles in the way of those of the heathen who are turning to God,

In my opinion, therefore, we ought not to put obstacles in the way of those of the heathen who are turning to God,

But Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, and so did all his household, and many of the people of Corinth heard Paul and believed and were baptized.

But Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, and so did all his household, and many of the people of Corinth heard Paul and believed and were baptized.

On the next day we went with Paul to see James, and all the elders came in.

On the next day we went with Paul to see James, and all the elders came in.

Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they presented their case against Paul before the governor.

Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they presented their case against Paul before the governor.

For creation is waiting with eager longing for the sons of God to be disclosed.

For creation is waiting with eager longing for the sons of God to be disclosed.

Remember me to my dear Epaenetus, who was the first man in Asia to turn to Christ.

Remember me to my dear Epaenetus, who was the first man in Asia to turn to Christ.

My host, Gaius, the host of the whole church, wishes to be remembered to you. Erastus, the city-treasurer, and our brother Quartus wish to be remembered to you.

My host, Gaius, the host of the whole church, wishes to be remembered to you. Erastus, the city-treasurer, and our brother Quartus wish to be remembered to you.

to the church of God at Corinth, to those who are consecrated by union with Christ Jesus, and called as God's people, like all those anywhere who call on the name of Jesus Christ, their Lord as well as ours;

to the church of God at Corinth, to those who are consecrated by union with Christ Jesus, and called as God's people, like all those anywhere who call on the name of Jesus Christ, their Lord as well as ours;

and meeting with you, in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, by the authority of our Lord Jesus

and meeting with you, in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, by the authority of our Lord Jesus

On the first of every week each of you is to put aside and store up whatever he gains, so that money will not have to be collected after I come.

On the first of every week each of you is to put aside and store up whatever he gains, so that money will not have to be collected after I come.

It was in obedience to a revelation that I went. I laid before them the good news that I preach to the heathen, presenting it privately to the leaders, for fear my efforts might be or might have been futile.

It was in obedience to a revelation that I went. I laid before them the good news that I preach to the heathen, presenting it privately to the leaders, for fear my efforts might be or might have been futile.

For until some people came from James, he used to eat with the heathen, but after they came, he began to draw back and hold aloof, for fear of the party of circumcision.

For until some people came from James, he used to eat with the heathen, but after they came, he began to draw back and hold aloof, for fear of the party of circumcision.

He has put everything under his feet and made him the indisputable head of the church,

He has put everything under his feet and made him the indisputable head of the church,

So you are no longer foreigners or strangers, but you are fellow-citizens of God's people and members of his family.

So you are no longer foreigners or strangers, but you are fellow-citizens of God's people and members of his family.

and you are yourselves built up into a dwelling for God through the Spirit.

and you are yourselves built up into a dwelling for God through the Spirit.

Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the tie of peace.

Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the tie of peace. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope that belongs to the summons you received.

There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope that belongs to the summons you received. There is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

There is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above us all, pervades us all, and is within us all.

one God and Father of all, who is above us all, pervades us all, and is within us all.

And he has given us some men as apostles, some as prophets, some as missionaries, some as pastors and teachers,

And he has given us some men as apostles, some as prophets, some as missionaries, some as pastors and teachers, in order to fit his people for the work of service, for building the body of Christ,

in order to fit his people for the work of service, for building the body of Christ, until we all attain unity in faith, and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and reach mature manhood, and that full measure of development found in Christ.

until we all attain unity in faith, and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and reach mature manhood, and that full measure of development found in Christ. We must not be babies any longer, blown about and swung around by every wind of doctrine through the trickery of men with their ingenuity in inventing error.

We must not be babies any longer, blown about and swung around by every wind of doctrine through the trickery of men with their ingenuity in inventing error. We must lovingly hold to the truth and grow up into perfect union with him who is the head??hrist himself.

We must lovingly hold to the truth and grow up into perfect union with him who is the head??hrist himself.

We must lovingly hold to the truth and grow up into perfect union with him who is the head??hrist himself.

We must lovingly hold to the truth and grow up into perfect union with him who is the head??hrist himself. For it is under his control that the whole system, adjusted and united by each ligament of its equipment, develops in proportion to the functioning of each particular part, and so builds itself up through love.

For it is under his control that the whole system, adjusted and united by each ligament of its equipment, develops in proportion to the functioning of each particular part, and so builds itself up through love.

For it is under his control that the whole system, adjusted and united by each ligament of its equipment, develops in proportion to the functioning of each particular part, and so builds itself up through love.

For it is under his control that the whole system, adjusted and united by each ligament of its equipment, develops in proportion to the functioning of each particular part, and so builds itself up through love.

for a husband is the head of his wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, which is his body, and is saved by him.

for a husband is the head of his wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, which is his body, and is saved by him. Just as the church is in subjection to Christ, so married women must be, in everything, to their husbands.

Just as the church is in subjection to Christ, so married women must be, in everything, to their husbands. You who are husbands must love your wives, just as Christ loves the church and gave himself for her,

You who are husbands must love your wives, just as Christ loves the church and gave himself for her,

You who are husbands must love your wives, just as Christ loves the church and gave himself for her,

You who are husbands must love your wives, just as Christ loves the church and gave himself for her, to consecrate her, after cleansing her with the bath in water through her confession of him,

to consecrate her, after cleansing her with the bath in water through her confession of him,

to consecrate her, after cleansing her with the bath in water through her confession of him,

to consecrate her, after cleansing her with the bath in water through her confession of him, in order to bring the church to himself in all her beauty, without a flaw or a wrinkle or anything of the kind, but to be consecrated and faultless.

in order to bring the church to himself in all her beauty, without a flaw or a wrinkle or anything of the kind, but to be consecrated and faultless.

in order to bring the church to himself in all her beauty, without a flaw or a wrinkle or anything of the kind, but to be consecrated and faultless.

in order to bring the church to himself in all her beauty, without a flaw or a wrinkle or anything of the kind, but to be consecrated and faultless. That is the way husbands ought to love their wives??s if they were their own bodies; a man who loves his wife is really loving himself,

That is the way husbands ought to love their wives??s if they were their own bodies; a man who loves his wife is really loving himself, for no one ever hates his own person, but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ does with the church,

for no one ever hates his own person, but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ does with the church, for we are parts of his body.

for we are parts of his body. Therefore a man must leave his father and mother and attach himself to his wife, and they must become one.

Therefore a man must leave his father and mother and attach himself to his wife, and they must become one. This is a great secret, but I understand it of Christ and the church.

This is a great secret, but I understand it of Christ and the church.

When Christ, who is our true life, shall make his appearance, then you also will appear glorified with him.

When Christ, who is our true life, shall make his appearance, then you also will appear glorified with him.

Here, what matters is not "Greek" and "Jew," the circumcised and the uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeborn, but Christ is everything and in us all.

Here, what matters is not "Greek" and "Jew," the circumcised and the uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeborn, but Christ is everything and in us all.

Let the message of Christ live in your hearts in all its wealth of wisdom. Teach it to one another and train one another in it with thankfulness, with psalms, hymns, and sacred songs, and sing to God with all your hearts.

Let the message of Christ live in your hearts in all its wealth of wisdom. Teach it to one another and train one another in it with thankfulness, with psalms, hymns, and sacred songs, and sing to God with all your hearts.

As I asked you to do when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there not to teach strange views

As I asked you to do when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there not to teach strange views

I left you behind in Crete expressly to correct what defects there were, and to appoint elders in each town, as I directed you??6 men of irreproachable character, who have been married only once, whose children are Christians, free from any suspicion of profligacy or disobedience.

I left you behind in Crete expressly to correct what defects there were, and to appoint elders in each town, as I directed you??6 men of irreproachable character, who have been married only once, whose children are Christians, free from any suspicion of profligacy or disobedience.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to settle there for the winter.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to settle there for the winter.

Since then, brothers, we have free access to the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus,

Since then, brothers, we have free access to the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, by the new, living way which he has opened for us, through the curtain, that is, his physical nature,

by the new, living way which he has opened for us, through the curtain, that is, his physical nature, and since in him we have a great priest set over the house of God,

and since in him we have a great priest set over the house of God, let us draw near to God in sincerity of heart and with perfect faith, with our hearts cleansed from the sense of sin, and our bodies washed with clean water.

let us draw near to God in sincerity of heart and with perfect faith, with our hearts cleansed from the sense of sin, and our bodies washed with clean water.

But you have come up to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to countless angels,

But you have come up to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to countless angels,

But you have come up to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to countless angels,

But you have come up to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to countless angels, to the solemn gathering of all God's elder sons, enrolled as citizens in heaven, to a judge who is the God of all, to the spirits of upright men now at last enjoying the fulfilment of their hopes,

to the solemn gathering of all God's elder sons, enrolled as citizens in heaven, to a judge who is the God of all, to the spirits of upright men now at last enjoying the fulfilment of their hopes,

to the solemn gathering of all God's elder sons, enrolled as citizens in heaven, to a judge who is the God of all, to the spirits of upright men now at last enjoying the fulfilment of their hopes,

to the solemn gathering of all God's elder sons, enrolled as citizens in heaven, to a judge who is the God of all, to the spirits of upright men now at last enjoying the fulfilment of their hopes,

In his name let us continually offer praise as our sacrifice to God??he utterance of lips that glorify God's name.

In his name let us continually offer praise as our sacrifice to God??he utterance of lips that glorify God's name. But do not forget to be helpful and generous, for that is the kind of sacrifice that pleases God.

But do not forget to be helpful and generous, for that is the kind of sacrifice that pleases God.

For if a finely dressed man with a gold ring comes into a meeting, and a poor man in shabby clothes comes in also,

For if a finely dressed man with a gold ring comes into a meeting, and a poor man in shabby clothes comes in also,

he has made us a kingdom of priests for his God and Father??o him be glory and power forever. Amen.

he has made us a kingdom of priests for his God and Father??o him be glory and power forever. Amen.

I know of your distress and poverty??hough you are rich!?? know how you are slandered by those who claim to be Jews when they are not so, but only a synagogue of Satan!

I know of your distress and poverty??hough you are rich!?? know how you are slandered by those who claim to be Jews when they are not so, but only a synagogue of Satan!

Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who indulges in abominable practices and falsehoods, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who indulges in abominable practices and falsehoods, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

I am baptizing you in water in token of your repentance, but he who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not fit to carry his shoes. He will baptize you in the holy Spirit and in fire.

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent! for the Kingdom of Heaven is coming!"

while the heirs to the kingdom will be driven into the darkness outside, there to weep and grind their teeth!"

and no one who will not take up his cross and follow me is worthy of me.

but it takes no real root in him, and lasts only a little while, and when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, he gives it up at once.

Another figure which he used in speaking to them was this: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,

It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it is grown it is the largest of plants and grows into a tree, so that the wild birds come and roost in its branches."

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a hoard of money, buried in a field, which a man found, and buried again. And he was overjoyed, and went and sold everything he had and bought the field. "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dealer in search of fine pearls.

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was let down into the sea, and inclosed fish of all kinds.

When Jesus reached the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They said, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." read more. He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" Jesus answered, "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for human nature has not disclosed this to you, but my Father in heaven! But I tell you, your name is Peter, a rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not subdue it.

But I tell you, your name is Peter, a rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not subdue it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you forbid on earth will be held in heaven to be forbidden, and whatever you permit on earth will be held in heaven to be permitted."

I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you forbid on earth will be held in heaven to be forbidden, and whatever you permit on earth will be held in heaven to be permitted." Then he warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Then he warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the congregation. And if he refuses to listen to it, treat him as a heathen or a tax-collector.

Jesus said to them, "In the new world, I tell you, when the Son of Man takes his seat on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel!

And the crowds that went in front of him and that followed him shouted, "God bless the Son of David! Blessed be he who comes in the Lord's name. God bless him from on high!"

As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came up to him by themselves, and said to him, "Tell us when this is to happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the close of the age."

"So when you see the dreadful desecration, of which the prophet Daniel spoke, set up in the Holy Place"??he reader must take note of this??16 "then those who are in Judea must fly to the hills;

"When the Son of Man comes in his splendor, with all his angels with him, he will take his seat on his glorious throne,

Then the king will say to those at his right, 'Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take possession of the kingdom which has been destined for you from the creation of the world.

Jesus said to him, "It is true. But I tell you you will soon see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming upon the clouds of the sky!"

After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the good news from God, saying, "The time has come and the reign of God is near; repent, and believe this good news."

But if it is with the finger of God that I am driving the demons out, then the Kingdom of God has overtaken you.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.

He was once asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, and he answered, "The Kingdom of God is not coming visibly, and people will not say, 'Look! here it is!' or 'There it is!' for the Kingdom of God is within you."

and people will not say, 'Look! here it is!' or 'There it is!' for the Kingdom of God is within you."

Then Jesus said to them, "I tell you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no self-existent life.

"for John baptized people in water, but in a few days you will be baptized in the holy Spirit."

It was at that time that Peter got up among the brothers??here were about a hundred and twenty persons present??nd said,

to take this place of service as an apostle which Judas left to go where he belonged."

And they saw tongues like flames separating and settling one on the head of each of them, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to say in foreign languages whatever the Spirit prompted them to utter.

And they devoted themselves to the teaching and the society of the apostles, the breaking of bread, and prayer.

Day after day they all went regularly to the Temple, they broke their bread together in their homes, and they ate their food with glad and simple hearts, constantly praising God and respected by all the people. And every day the Lord added people who were saved to their number.

There was but one heart and soul in the multitude who had become believers, and not one of them claimed anything that belonged to him as his own, but they shared everything they had with one another.

And the whole church and all who heard this were appalled.

In those days, as the number of the disciples was increasing, complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the native Jews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.

But members of the synagogue known as that of the Libyans, Cyreneans, and Alexandrians, and men from Cilicia and Asia undertook to debate with Stephen,

It was he who with the congregation in the desert went between the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and our forefathers, and received and communicated to you utterances that still live.

It was he who with the congregation in the desert went between the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and our forefathers, and received and communicated to you utterances that still live.

And Saul entirely approved of his being put to death. A great persecution of the church in Jerusalem broke out that day, and they were all scattered over Judea and Samaria except the apostles.

And Saul entirely approved of his being put to death. A great persecution of the church in Jerusalem broke out that day, and they were all scattered over Judea and Samaria except the apostles.

And Saul entirely approved of his being put to death. A great persecution of the church in Jerusalem broke out that day, and they were all scattered over Judea and Samaria except the apostles.

And Saul entirely approved of his being put to death. A great persecution of the church in Jerusalem broke out that day, and they were all scattered over Judea and Samaria except the apostles.

But Saul harassed the church. He went into one house after another, and dragging out men and women, put them in prison.

When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there.

When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there.

Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the Lord's disciples, went to the high priest,

So the church all over Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace and became established. It lived in reverence for the Lord and, stimulated by the holy Spirit, it grew steadily in numbers.

So the church all over Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace and became established. It lived in reverence for the Lord and, stimulated by the holy Spirit, it grew steadily in numbers.

He motioned to them to be quiet, and then related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Tell all this to James and the brothers," he said. Then he left them and went somewhere else.

There were at Antioch in the church there a number of prophets and teachers??arnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the governor, and Saul.

They appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

This created a disturbance and a serious discussion between Paul and Barnabas and them, and it was agreed that Paul and Barnabas and some others of their number should go up to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles and elders about this question.

When they finished James made this response: "Brothers, listen to me.

Then the apostles and elders with the whole church resolved to select representatives and send them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They were Judas who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers. They were the bearers of this letter: "The apostles and the brothers who are elders send greeting to the brothers of heathen birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. read more. As we have heard that some of our number, without any instructions from us, have disturbed you by their teaching and unsettled your minds, we have unanimously resolved to select representatives and send them to you with our dear brothers Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we send Judas and Silas to you, to give you this same message by word of mouth. For the holy Spirit and we have decided not to lay upon you any burden but this indispensable one, that you avoid whatever has been sacrificed to idols, the tasting of blood and of the meat of animals that have been strangled, and immorality. Keep yourselves free from these things and you will get on well. Goodbye."

He traveled through Syria and Cilicia and strengthened the churches.

But if you require anything beyond that, it must be settled before the regular assembly.

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.

Take care of yourselves and of the whole flock, of which the holy Spirit has made you guardians, and be shepherds of the church of God, which he got at the cost of his own life.

Take care of yourselves and of the whole flock, of which the holy Spirit has made you guardians, and be shepherds of the church of God, which he got at the cost of his own life.

Take care of yourselves and of the whole flock, of which the holy Spirit has made you guardians, and be shepherds of the church of God, which he got at the cost of his own life.

Take care of yourselves and of the whole flock, of which the holy Spirit has made you guardians, and be shepherds of the church of God, which he got at the cost of his own life.

On the next day we went with Paul to see James, and all the elders came in.

After an absence of several years, I had come to bring charitable donations for my nation, and to offer sacrifice.

It is just like the way in which through one man sin came into the world, and death followed sin, and so death spread to all men, because all men sinned. It is true sin was in the world before the Law was given, and men are not charged with sin where there is no law. read more. Still death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned as Adam had, in the face of an express command. So Adam foreshadowed the one who was to come. But there is no comparison between God's gift and that offense. For if one man's offense made the mass of mankind die, God's mercy and his gift given through the favor of the one man Jesus Christ have far more powerfully affected mankind. Nor is there any comparison between the gift and the effects of that one man's sin. That sentence arose from the act of one man, and was for condemnation; but God's gift arose out of many offenses and results in acquittal. For if that one man's offense made death reign through that one man, all the more will those who receive God's overflowing mercy and his gift of uprightness live and reign through the one individual Jesus Christ. So as one offense meant condemnation for all men, just so one righteous act means acquittal and life for all men. For just as that one man's disobedience made the mass of mankind sinners, so this one's obedience will make the mass of them upright. Then law slipped in, and multiplied the offense. But greatly as sin multiplied, God's mercy has far surpassed it, so that just as sin had reigned through death, mercy might reign through uprightness and bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into union with Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death? Through baptism we have been buried with him in death, so that just as he was raised from the dead through the Father's glory, we too may live a new life.

Remember me to my dear Epaenetus, who was the first man in Asia to turn to Christ.

Greet one another with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ wish to be remembered to you.

to the church of God at Corinth, to those who are consecrated by union with Christ Jesus, and called as God's people, like all those anywhere who call on the name of Jesus Christ, their Lord as well as ours;

Do you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit makes its home in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is sacred, and that is what you are.

You must clean out the old yeast and become fresh dough, free from the old as you really are. For our Passover lamb is already sacrificed; it is Christ himself. So let us keep the festival, not with old yeast nor with the yeast of vice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of purity and truth.

Does not the consecrated cup which we bless mean that in drinking it we share in the blood of Christ? Does not the bread that we break mean that in eating it we share in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, many as we are, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. read more. Think of the Israelites' practices. Do not those who eat what is sacrificed have divine fellowship at the sacrificial altar?

So when you hold your meetings it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat, for each of you hurries to get his own supper and eat it, and one goes hungry while another gets drunk. read more. Have you no houses to eat and drink in? Or do you mean to show your contempt for the church of God, and to humiliate those who have none? What can I say to you? Can I approve of you? Not in this matter certainly.

Have you no houses to eat and drink in? Or do you mean to show your contempt for the church of God, and to humiliate those who have none? What can I say to you? Can I approve of you? Not in this matter certainly. For I myself received from the Lord the account that I passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus the night he was betrayed took some bread read more. and gave thanks for it and then broke it in pieces, saying, "This is my body which takes your place. Do this in memory of me." He took the cup, too, after supper, in the same way, saying, "This cup is the new agreement ratified by my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me." For until the Lord comes back, every time you eat this bread and drink from the cup, you proclaim his death. Hence anyone who eats the bread or drinks from the Lord's cup in a way that is unworthy of it will be guilty of profaning the body and the blood of the Lord. A man should examine himself, and only when he has done so should he eat any of the bread or drink from the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks, eats and drinks a judgment upon himself if he does not recognize the body. This is why many of you are sick and ill and a number have fallen asleep. But if we recognized our own condition, we would not incur this judgment. But since we do incur it, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that your meetings may not bring down a judgment upon you. The details I will settle when I come.

One man receives through the Spirit the power to speak wisely, another, by the same Spirit, receives the power to express knowledge, another, from his union with the same Spirit receives faith, another, by one and the same Spirit, the ability to cure the sick, read more. another, the working of wonders, another, inspiration in preaching, another, the power of distinguishing the true Spirit from false ones, another, various ecstatic utterances, and another, the ability to explain them. These are all produced by one and the same Spirit, and apportioned to each of us just as the Spirit chooses.

Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. And God has placed people in the church, first as apostles, second as inspired preachers, third as teachers, then wonder-workers; then come ability to cure the sick, helpfulness, administration, ecstatic speaking.

For I am the least important of the apostles, and am not fit to be called an apostle, because I once persecuted God's church.

For until some people came from James, he used to eat with the heathen, but after they came, he began to draw back and hold aloof, for fear of the party of circumcision.

For all of you who have been baptized into union with Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no room for "Jew" and "Greek"; there is no room for "slave" and "freeman"; there is no room for "male" and "female"; for in union with Christ Jesus you are all one.

Peace and mercy be on all who will follow this rule, and on the true Israel of God.

and in arranging, when the time should have fully come, that everything in heaven and on earth should be unified in Christ??11 the Christ through whom it is our lot to have been predestined by the design of him who in everything carries out the purpose of his will,

which is the advance installment of our inheritance, so that we may get full possession of it, and praise his glory for it.

He has put everything under his feet and made him the indisputable head of the church, which is his body, filled by him who fills everything everywhere.