Reference: Church
American
The Greek word translated church signifies generally an assembly, either common or religious; and it is sometimes so translated, as in Ac 19:32,39. In the New Testament it usually means a congregation of religious worshippers, either Jewish, as Ac 7:38, or Christians, as Mt 16:18; 1Co 6:4. The latter sense is the more common one; and it is thus used in a twofold manner, denoting,
1. The universal Christian church: either the invisible church, consisting of those whose names are written in heaven, whom God knows, but whom we cannot infallibly know, Heb 12:23; or the visible church, made up of the professed followers of Christ on earth, Col 1:24; 1Ti 3:5,15.
2. A particular church or body of professing believers, who meet and worship together in one place; as the churches of Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, etc., to which Paul addressed epistles.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her.
"This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness along with the angel who spoke to him in Mt. Sinai, and with our ancestors to whom he gave living words to hand down to us.
Now some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in an uproar, and the majority had no idea why they were come together.
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.
He saved us, not because of any deeds that we had done in righteousness, But because of his own pity for us. He saved us by that washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
All who are with us salute you. Salute those who love me in faith. Grace be with you all.
to the festal assemblage and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven, to a Judge who is God of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Easton
Derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., "the Lord's house"), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship.
In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both words meaning simply an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever used to denote the inhabitants of a country united in the same profession, as when we say the "Church of England," the "Church of Scotland," etc.
We find the word ecclesia used in the following senses in the New Testament: (1.) It is translated "assembly" in the ordinary classical sense (Ac 19:32,39,41).
(2.) It denotes the whole body of the redeemed, all those whom the Father has given to Christ, the invisible catholic church (Eph 5:23,25,27,29; Heb 12:23).
(3.) A few Christians associated together in observing the ordinances of the gospel are an ecclesia (Ro 16:5; Col 4:15).
(4.) All the Christians in a particular city, whether they assembled together in one place or in several places for religious worship, were an ecclesia. Thus all the disciples in Antioch, forming several congregations, were one church (Ac 13:1); so also we read of the "church of God at Corinth" (1Co 1:2), "the church at Jerusalem" (Ac 8:1), "the church of Ephesus" (Re 2:1), etc.
(5.) The whole body of professing Christians throughout the world (1Co 15:9; Ga 1:13; Mt 16:18) are the church of Christ.
The church visible "consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion, together with their children." It is called "visible" because its members are known and its assemblies are public. Here there is a mixture of "wheat and chaff," of saints and sinners. "God has commanded his people to organize themselves into distinct visible ecclesiastical communities, with constitutions, laws, and officers, badges, ordinances, and discipline, for the great purpose of giving visibility to his kingdom, of making known the gospel of that kingdom, and of gathering in all its elect subjects. Each one of these distinct organized communities which is faithful to the great King is an integral part of the visible church, and all together constitute the catholic or universal visible church." A credible profession of the true religion constitutes a person a member of this church. This is "the kingdom of heaven," whose character and progress are set forth in the parables recorded in Mt 13.
The children of all who thus profess the true religion are members of the visible church along with their parents. Children are included in every covenant God ever made with man. They go along with their parents (Ge 9:9-17; 12:1-3; 17:7; Ex 20:5; De 29:10-13). Peter, on the day of Pentecost, at the beginning of the New Testament dispensation, announces the same great principle. "The promise [just as to Abraham and his seed the promises were made] is unto you, and to your children" (Ac 2:38-39). The children of believing parents are "holy", i.e., are "saints", a title which designates the members of the Christian church (1Co 7:14). (See Baptism, Christian.)
The church invisible "consists of the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ, the head thereof." This is a pure society, the church in which Christ dwells. It is the body of Christ. it is called "invisible" because the greater part of those who constitute it are already in heaven or are yet unborn, and also because its members still on earth cannot certainly be distinguished. The qualifications of membership in it are internal and are hidden. It is unseen except by Him who "searches the heart." "The Lord knoweth them that are his" (2Ti 2:19).
The church to which the attributes, prerogatives, and promises appertaining to Christ's kingdom belong, is a spiritual body consisting of all true believers, i.e., the church invisible.
(1.) Its unity. God has ever had only one church on earth. We sometimes speak of the Old Testament Church and of the New Testament church, but they are one and the same. The Old Testament church was not to be changed but enlarged (Isa 49:13-23; 60:1-14). When the Jews are at length restored, they will not enter a new church, but will be grafted again into "their own olive tree" (Ro 11:18-24; comp. Eph 2:11-22). The apostles did not set up a new organization. Under their ministry disciples were "added" to the "church" already existing (Ac 2:47).
(2.) Its universality. It is the "catholic" church; not confined to any particular country or outward organization, but comprehending all believers throughout the whole world.
(3.) Its perpetuity. It will continue through all ages to the end of the world. It can never be destroyed. It is an "everlasting kindgdom."
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her.
"Repent," answered Peter, "and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise belongs to you and to your children and to all who are afar off, whomever the Lord may call."
praising God, and looked on with favor by all the people. Meanwhile the Lord kept adding to them daily those that were being saved.
With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Now there were in the church in Antioch prophets and teachers; Barnabas and Symeon, surnamed "the Black," Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.
Now some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in an uproar, and the majority had no idea why they were come together.
or if you are glorying, remember that it is not you who uphold the root, but the root which upholds you. "Branches have been broken off," you say, "that I might be grafted in." read more. True, through their unbelief they were broken off, and by your faith you stand. Do not be puffed up, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Fix your gaze, therefore, on the goodness and the severity of God; towards those who fell, severity, but towards you, God's goodness, if you continue stedfast in his goodness; otherwise you, too, will be cut off. And they also those Jews, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in again; for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a mere wild olive tree, and have been grafted, contrary to nature, into a fruitful olive tree, how much more shall these, the natural branches, be regrafted into their own olive tree?
but by all the churches among the Gentiles. Salute likewise the church that meets in their home. Salute Epaenetus, my dearly beloved, the first man in Roman Asia to believe in Christ.
to the Church of God at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all, wherever they are, who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.
For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through union with his believing wife; and the unbelieving wife, through union with her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unholy, but now they are consecrated to God.
For I am the least of the apostles, I who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how furiously I used to persecute the church of God, and how I kept seeking to root it out;
Do not forget then, that you Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by the "circumcision" made in flesh by man's hand, were once upon a time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of the Promise, without hope and without God in the world. read more. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our Peace, who has made the two of us Jew and Gentile one, and has broken down the party-wall of partition between us. In his own body he abolished the cause of our enmity, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, in order to make the two into one new man in himself, so making peace. Thus he reconciled us both in one body to God by his cross, on which he slew our enmity. So he came preaching "Peace" to you Gentiles who were afar off, and "Peace" to us Jews who were near; because it is through him that we both have access in one spirit to the Father. Take notice then that no longer are you strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household. You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. In him the whole building, fitly framed together, rises into a holy temple in the Lord; and in him you, too, are continuously built together for a dwelling-place of God through his Spirit.
because a husband is the head of his wife even as Christ is head of the church, his body, which he saves.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,
so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it as Christ does the church;
Salute the brothers in Laodicea; Nympha also, and the church which meets at her house.
Nevertheless God's firm foundation stands unshaken, bearing this inscription, THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS, and this also, LET EVERY ONE WHO NAMES THE NAME OF THE LORD RENOUNCE WICKEDNESS.
to the festal assemblage and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven, to a Judge who is God of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write. These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and who walks among the seven golden candlesticks.
Fausets
From the Greek kuriakee, "house of the Lord," a word which passed to the Gothic tongue; the Goths being the first of the northern hordes converted to Christianity, adopted the word from the Greek Christians of Constantinople, and so it came to us Anglo-Saxons (Trench, Study of Words). But Lipsius, from circus, from whence kirk, a circle, because the oldest temples, as the Druid ones, were circular in form. Ekkleesia in the New Testament never means the building or house of assembly, because church buildings were built long AFTER the apostolic age. It means an organized body, whose unity does not depend on its being met together in one place; not an assemblage of atoms, but members in their several places united to the One Head, Christ, and forming one organic living whole (1 Corinthians 12). The bride of Christ (Eph 5:25-32; 1:22), the body of which He is the Head.
The household of Christ and of God (Mt 10:25; Eph 2:19). The temple of the Holy Spirit, made up of living stones (Eph 2:22; 1Co 3:16; 1Pe 2:5). Ekkleesia is used of one or more particular Christian associations, even one small enough to worship together in one house (Ro 16:5). Also of "the whole church" (Ro 16:23; 1Co 12:28). Ekkleesia occurs twice only in Matthew (Mt 16:18; 18:17), elsewhere called "the kingdom of the heavens" by Matthew, "the kingdom of God" by Mark, Luke and John. Also called Christ's "flock," never to be plucked out of His hand (Joh 10:28), "branches" in Him "the true Vine." Founded on the Rock, "the Christ the Son of the living God," the only Foundation (Mt 16:16,18; 1Co 3:11).
Constituted as Christ's mystical body on Pentecost; thenceforth expanding in the successive stages traced in ACTS. Described in a beautiful summary (Ac 2:41,47). (On its apostasy (See BABYLON .) Professing Christendom numbers now probably 80 million of Greek churches, 90 million of Teutonic or Protestant churches, and 170 million of Roman Catholic churches. The Church of England's definition of the church is truly scriptural (Article xix): "a congregation of faithful men in the which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ's ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same." The church that shall reign with Christ is made up of those written in heaven, in the Lamb's book of life, the spirits of just, men made perfect (Heb 12:22-23; Re 21:27).
The faultless perfection and the glorious promises in Scripture assigned to the church (election, adoption, spiritual priesthood, sure guidance by the Spirit into all truth, eternal salvation) belong not to all of the visible church, but to those alone of it who are in living union with Christ (Eph 5:23-27; Heb 12:22-23). The claim for the visible church of what belongs to the invisible, in spite of Christ's warning parable of the tares and wheat (Mt 13:24-30,36-43), has led to some of Rome's deadliest errors. On the other hand, the attempt to sever the tares from the wheat prematurely has led to many schisms, which have invariably failed in the attempt and only generated fresh separations. We must wait until Christ's manifestation for the manifestation of the sons of God (Ro 8:19; Col 3:4).
The true universal church is restricted to "them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (1Co 1:2). They are visible in so far as their light of good works so shines before men that their Father in heaven is glorified (Mt 5:16). They are invisible insofar that it is God alone who can infallibly see who among professors are animated by a living, loving faith, and who are not. A visible community, consisting of various members and aggregations of members, was founded by Christ Himself, as needed for the extension and continuation of Christianity to all lands and all ages. The ministry of the word and the two sacraments, baptism, and the supper of the Lord, (both in part derived from existing Jewish rites, Mt 26:26-28; 1Co 5:7-8).
Baptism, the Lord's Supper were appointed as the church's distinctive ordinances (Mt 28:19-20, Greek text): "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ... Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and (only on condition of your doing so) I am with you always," etc. (See BAPTISM; LORD'S SUPPER.) The professing church that neglects the precept forfeits the promise, which is fatal to Rome's claims. No detailed church government is explicitly commanded by Jesus in the New Testament. The Old Testament ministry of high priest, priests, and Levites necessarily ended with the destruction of the one and only temple appointed by God. That the Christian ministry is not sacerdotal, as the Old Testament ministry, is proved by the title hiereus, the Greek of the Latin sacerdos, never once being used of Christian ministers.
When used at all as to the Christian church it is used of the whole body of Christians; since not merely ministers, as the Aaronic priests, but all equally, have near access to the heavenly holy place, through the torn veil of Christ's flesh (Heb 10:19-22; 13:15-16; 1Pe 2:19; Re 1:6). All alike offer "spiritual sacrifices." For a minister to pretend to offer a literal sacrifice in the Lord's supper, or to have the sacerdotal priesthood (which pertains to Christ alone), would be the sin which Moses charged on Korah: "Seemeth it but a small thing unto you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation to bring you near to Himself, ... to stand before the congregation to minister to them; and seek ye the priesthood also?" The temple then not being the model to the Christian church, the synagogue alone remained to be copied.
In the absence of the temple during the captivity the people assembled together on sabbaths and other days to be instructed by the prophet (Eze 14:1; 20:1; 33:31). In Ne 8:1-8 a specimen is given of such a service, which the synagogues afterward continued, and which consisted in Scripture reading, with explanation, prayers, and thanksgivings. The synagogue officers consisted of a "ruler of the synagogue," the "legate of the church" (sheliach tsibbur), corresponding to the angel of the church (Revelation 1-3), a college of elders or presbyters, and subordinate ministers (chazzan), answering to our deacons, to take care of the sacred books. Episcopacy was adopted in apostolic times as the most expedient government, most resembling Jewish usages, and so causing the least stumbling-block to Jewish prejudices (Ac 4:8; 24:1).
James, the brother of our Lord, after the martyrdom of James, the son of Zebedee and the flight of Peter (Ac 12:17), alone remained behind in Jerusalem, the recognized head there. His Jewish tendencies made him the least unpopular to the Jews, and so adapted him for the presidency there without the title (Ac 15:13-19; 21:18; Ga 2:2,9,12). This was the first specimen of apostolic local episcopacy without the name. The presbyters of the synagogue were called also (See BISHOPS, or overseers. "Those now called 'bishops' were originally 'apostles.' But those who ruled the church after the apostles' death had not the testimony of miracles, and were in many respects inferior, therefore they thought it unbecoming to assume the name of apostles; but dividing the names, they left to 'presbyters' that name, and themselves were called 'bishops'" (Ambrose, in Bingham Ecclesiastes Ant., 2:11; and Amularius, De Officiis, 2:13.)
The steps were apostle; then vicar apostolic or apostolic delegate, as Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete, temporarily (1Ti 1:3; 2Ti 4:21; Tit 3:12; 1:5), then angel, then bishop in the present sense. Episcopacy gives more of centralized unity, but when made an absolute law it tends to spiritual despotism. The visible church, while avoiding needless alterations, has power under God to modify her polity as shall tend most to edification (Mt 18:18; 1Co 12:28-30; 14:26; Eph 4:11-16). The Holy Spirit first unites souls individually to the Father in Christ, then with one another as "the communion of saints." Then followed the government and ministry, which are not specifie
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"So let your light shine before men that they may see good you do, and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
"So let your light shine before men that they may see good you do, and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
"It is enough for the pupil to fare like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more, the members of his household.
"It is enough for the pupil to fare like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more, the members of his household.
He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven," he said, "is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven," he said, "is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; "but while men were asleep his enemy came and sowed tares among his wheat and went away.
"but while men were asleep his enemy came and sowed tares among his wheat and went away. "And when the blade shot up and formed the wheat-kernel, then the tares also appeared.
"And when the blade shot up and formed the wheat-kernel, then the tares also appeared. "The slaves of the owner went to him and said: "'Was it not good seed, sir, that you sowed in your field? From whence then, do you get tares?'
"The slaves of the owner went to him and said: "'Was it not good seed, sir, that you sowed in your field? From whence then, do you get tares?' "'It is an enemy who has done this,' he answered. "The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and collect them?'
"'It is an enemy who has done this,' he answered. "The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and collect them?' "'No,' he answered, 'for fear lest while you are collecting the tares, you at the same time pull up the wheat.
"'No,' he answered, 'for fear lest while you are collecting the tares, you at the same time pull up the wheat. "Let both grow together until harvest, and at harvest-time I will tell the reapers to first gather the tares and tie them in bundles for burning, but to bring all the wheat into my store-house.'"
"Let both grow together until harvest, and at harvest-time I will tell the reapers to first gather the tares and tie them in bundles for burning, but to bring all the wheat into my store-house.'"
After he had sent the people away and gone into the house, his disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field."
After he had sent the people away and gone into the house, his disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field." "The sower of the seed," he answered, "is the Son of man;
"The sower of the seed," he answered, "is the Son of man; "the field is the world; the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; the weeds, the sons of the Evil One.
"the field is the world; the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; the weeds, the sons of the Evil One. "The enemy who sows the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are the angels.
"The enemy who sows the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are the angels. "Just as the weeds are collected together and burnt with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
"Just as the weeds are collected together and burnt with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. "The son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all hindrances, and whoever practices iniquity,
"The son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all hindrances, and whoever practices iniquity, "and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
"and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "And then shall the just shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears to hear, listen!
"And then shall the just shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears to hear, listen!
"Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her.
"Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her.
"Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her.
"Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her.
"but if he will not heed the church, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax-gatherer.
"but if he will not heed the church, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax-gatherer.
"but if he will not heed the church, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax-gatherer.
"but if he will not heed the church, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax-gatherer. "I tell you all in solemn truth that whatever you forbid upon earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
"I tell you all in solemn truth that whatever you forbid upon earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and, when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave to his disciples, saying, "Take, eat, this is my body."
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and, when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave to his disciples, saying, "Take, eat, this is my body." And when he had taken the cup and given thanks, he gave it to them, saying.
And when he had taken the cup and given thanks, he gave it to them, saying. "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
"Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe every command which I have given you. and lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
teaching them to observe every command which I have given you. and lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
"I am giving them eternal life, and they shall never perish, nor shall any one snatch them out of my hand.
"I am giving them eternal life, and they shall never perish, nor shall any one snatch them out of my hand.
I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own Name these whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are one.
I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own Name these whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are one.
I am not asking that thou wilt take them out of the world, but that thou wilt protect them from the Evil One.
I am not asking that thou wilt take them out of the world, but that thou wilt protect them from the Evil One.
Then those who welcomed his message were baptized, and in that day about three thousand souls were added to them;
Then those who welcomed his message were baptized, and in that day about three thousand souls were added to them;
praising God, and looked on with favor by all the people. Meanwhile the Lord kept adding to them daily those that were being saved.
praising God, and looked on with favor by all the people. Meanwhile the Lord kept adding to them daily those that were being saved.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them.
He motioned to them to keep quiet, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell all this to James," he said, "and to the brothers," and away he went to another place.
He motioned to them to keep quiet, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell all this to James," he said, "and to the brothers," and away he went to another place.
When they had finished speaking, James said: "Brothers, listen to me. Symeon has told how God first looked graciously upon the Gentiles, to take out from among them a people to be called by his name.
"Brothers, listen to me. Symeon has told how God first looked graciously upon the Gentiles, to take out from among them a people to be called by his name. "And this is in harmony with the language of the prophets, which says.
"And this is in harmony with the language of the prophets, which says. "After these things I will return, And I will rebuild David's fallen tent; And I will build again its ruins, And I will set it up;
"After these things I will return, And I will rebuild David's fallen tent; And I will build again its ruins, And I will set it up; "So that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, Even all the Gentiles, who are called by my name,
"So that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, Even all the Gentiles, who are called by my name, "Says the Lord, who has been making this known from the beginning of the world.
"Says the Lord, who has been making this known from the beginning of the world. "My judgment therefore, is against troubling those who turn to God from among the Gentiles;
"My judgment therefore, is against troubling those who turn to God from among the Gentiles;
And Crispus, the warden of the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his household; and many of the Corinthians from time to time listened, believed, and were baptized.
And Crispus, the warden of the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his household; and many of the Corinthians from time to time listened, believed, and were baptized.
On the following day we went with Paul to call on James, and all the elders were present.
On the following day we went with Paul to call on James, and all the elders were present.
Five days later, Ananias the high priest came down to Caesarea with some of the elders, and with an orator, named Tertullus. They laid information before the governor against Paul.
Five days later, Ananias the high priest came down to Caesarea with some of the elders, and with an orator, named Tertullus. They laid information before the governor against Paul.
All nature even is waiting with eager longing for the unveiling of the vision of God's sons.
All nature even is waiting with eager longing for the unveiling of the vision of God's sons.
but by all the churches among the Gentiles. Salute likewise the church that meets in their home. Salute Epaenetus, my dearly beloved, the first man in Roman Asia to believe in Christ.
but by all the churches among the Gentiles. Salute likewise the church that meets in their home. Salute Epaenetus, my dearly beloved, the first man in Roman Asia to believe in Christ.
Gaius, my host, and the host of the church, salutes you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, salutes you, and so does brother Quartus.
Gaius, my host, and the host of the church, salutes you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, salutes you, and so does brother Quartus.
to the Church of God at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all, wherever they are, who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.
to the Church of God at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all, wherever they are, who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.
When you are gathered together, and my spirit is with you together with the power of our Lord Jesus,
When you are gathered together, and my spirit is with you together with the power of our Lord Jesus,
On the first day of each week let each of you put aside something, keeping it in store as he may prosper, so that when I come there may be no collections going on.
On the first day of each week let each of you put aside something, keeping it in store as he may prosper, so that when I come there may be no collections going on.
(I went up at that time in obedience to a revelation). And I laid before them the gospel which I am wont to preach among the Gentiles. I did this privately before those in authority, lest by any means I should be running, or should already have run, in vain.
(I went up at that time in obedience to a revelation). And I laid before them the gospel which I am wont to preach among the Gentiles. I did this privately before those in authority, lest by any means I should be running, or should already have run, in vain.
and when they recognized the grace which had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, then thought to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and to me the right hand of fellowship. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews.
and when they recognized the grace which had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, then thought to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and to me the right hand of fellowship. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews.
For until certain men came from James he used to eat with the Gentile Christians, but when they came, he began to draw back and to separate himself, because he was afraid of the circumcision party.
For until certain men came from James he used to eat with the Gentile Christians, but when they came, he began to draw back and to separate himself, because he was afraid of the circumcision party.
God has put all things under Christ's feet, and placed him as Head over all in the church,
God has put all things under Christ's feet, and placed him as Head over all in the church,
Take notice then that no longer are you strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.
Take notice then that no longer are you strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.
and in him you, too, are continuously built together for a dwelling-place of God through his Spirit.
and in him you, too, are continuously built together for a dwelling-place of God through his Spirit.
and endeavor to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. There is one body and one spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling.
There is one body and one spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, in order to equip the saints for the work of serving, for the building up of the Body of Christ??13 till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the maturity of manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
in order to equip the saints for the work of serving, for the building up of the Body of Christ??13 till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the maturity of manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
So we shall no longer be children, tossed up and down, and blown about by every wind of teaching, tricked by the craft of men in the snares of misleading error;
So we shall no longer be children, tossed up and down, and blown about by every wind of teaching, tricked by the craft of men in the snares of misleading error; but holding the truth in love we shall grow up in every part into him who is our Head, even Christ.
but holding the truth in love we shall grow up in every part into him who is our Head, even Christ.
but holding the truth in love we shall grow up in every part into him who is our Head, even Christ.
but holding the truth in love we shall grow up in every part into him who is our Head, even Christ. 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.
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.
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.
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.
because a husband is the head of his wife even as Christ is head of the church, his body, which he saves.
because a husband is the head of his wife even as Christ is head of the church, his body, which he saves. But as the church submits itself to Christ, so also wives to their husbands in everything.
But as the church submits itself to Christ, so also wives to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her, in order that after cleansing her in the bath of baptism, he might sanctify her by his word,
in order that after cleansing her in the bath of baptism, he might sanctify her by his word,
in order that after cleansing her in the bath of baptism, he might sanctify her by his word,
in order that after cleansing her in the bath of baptism, he might sanctify her by his word, so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless.
so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless.
so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless.
so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless. That is how husbands ought to love their wives, as they love their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
That is how husbands ought to love their wives, as they love their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it as Christ does the church;
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it as Christ does the church; for we are members of his body.
for we are members of his body. For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. There is a deep mystery here?? am speaking of Christ and his church.
There is a deep mystery here?? am speaking of Christ and his church.
When Christ, who is our life, appears, then will you also appear with him in glory.
When Christ, who is our life, appears, then will you also appear with him in glory.
In it that new creation there is no "Greek and Jew," "circumcised and uncircumcised," "barbarian," "Scythian," "slave," "free man," but Christ is all, and in us all.
In it that new creation there is no "Greek and Jew," "circumcised and uncircumcised," "barbarian," "Scythian," "slave," "free man," but Christ is all, and in us all.
Let the word of Christ have its home in you richly, in all wisdom. Teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ever singing with grace in your hearts unto God.
Let the word of Christ have its home in you richly, in all wisdom. Teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ever singing with grace in your hearts unto God.
As I begged you when I was setting out for Macedonia, stay where you are at Ephesus, and instruct certain individuals there not to be teaching heterodoxy,
As I begged you when I was setting out for Macedonia, stay where you are at Ephesus, and instruct certain individuals there not to be teaching heterodoxy,
I left you in Crete for this reason, that you might set right the things left unfinished, and appoint presbyters in every city as I had instructed you;
I left you in Crete for this reason, that you might set right the things left unfinished, and appoint presbyters in every city as I had instructed you;
As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, join me in Nicopolis as quickly as you can, for I have arranged to winter there.
As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, join me in Nicopolis as quickly as you can, for I have arranged to winter there.
Since, then, we have a cheerful confidence, brothers, to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Since, then, we have a cheerful confidence, brothers, to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, that new and living way, through the veil (that is, his flesh);
by the way which he dedicated for us, that new and living way, through the veil (that is, his flesh); and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God;
and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled from and evil conscience, and our bodies bathed in pure water.
let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled from and evil conscience, and our bodies bathed in pure water.
On the contrary you are come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to innumerable hosts of angels,
On the contrary you are come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to innumerable hosts of angels,
On the contrary you are come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to innumerable hosts of angels,
On the contrary you are come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to innumerable hosts of angels, to the festal assemblage and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven, to a Judge who is God of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
to the festal assemblage and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven, to a Judge who is God of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
to the festal assemblage and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven, to a Judge who is God of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
to the festal assemblage and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven, to a Judge who is God of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
In his name, then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that confess his name.
In his name, then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that confess his name. And forget not to be kind and liberal; for with that sort of sacrifice God is well pleased.
And forget not to be kind and liberal; for with that sort of sacrifice God is well pleased.
Suppose a man comes into your synagogue with a gold ring and dazzling clothes, and suppose a poor man comes in, also, in shabby clothes,
Suppose a man comes into your synagogue with a gold ring and dazzling clothes, and suppose a poor man comes in, also, in shabby clothes,
and has made us to be a kingdom of priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever, Amen.
and has made us to be a kingdom of priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever, Amen.
I know your persecution and your poverty??ut you are rich! I know the reviling of those who say that they themselves are Jews, when they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
I know your persecution and your poverty??ut you are rich! I know the reviling of those who say that they themselves are Jews, when they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
There will not enter it anything profane, Nor any who work abominations and a lie; But only those who are written In the Lamb's Book of Life.
There will not enter it anything profane, Nor any who work abominations and a lie; But only those who are written In the Lamb's Book of Life.
Hastings
1. The word ecclesia, which in its Christian application is usually tr 'church,' was applied in ordinary Greek usage to the duly constituted gathering of the citizens in a self-governing city, and it is so used of the Ephesian assembly in Ac 19:39. It was adopted in the Septuagint to tr a Heb. word, q
See Verses Found in Dictionary
I indeed am baptizing you in water, unto repentance; but One is coming after me, mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near."
"but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; there will be the wailing and the gnashing of teeth."
"and he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.
"But he has no root in himself; he continues for a time, but when trouble arises, or persecutions, on account of the word, at once he stumbles and falls.
He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven," he said, "is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
"This is indeed the smallest of seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than any herb, and becomes a tree, so that the winged things of the sky come and roost in its branches."
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in the ground, which a man finds but buries again, and then in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that land. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of beautiful pearls.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
When Jesus came into the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of man is?" They replied, "Some say 'John the Baptist'; others, however, say that 'He is Elijah'; others, 'Jeremiah,' or 'One of the Prophets.'" read more. "And who do you say that I am?" he asked them. So Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." "Blessed are you, Simon, Son of Jonah," said Jesus; "for flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven! "Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her.
"Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her. "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind upon the earth shall be bound in the heavens, and whatever you loose upon earth shall be loosed in the heavens."
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind upon the earth shall be bound in the heavens, and whatever you loose upon earth shall be loosed in the heavens." Then he enjoined his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
"but if he will not heed the church, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax-gatherer.
"In solemn truth I tell you," Jesus answered, "that in the New Creation, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, you also who have followed me shall sit on twelve thrones, to govern the twelve tribes of Israel.
And the crowds who preceded and those who followed after him shouted again and again, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed be he who is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
When he had seated himself on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?"
"So when you see the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place let the reader take note of this,
"But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then will he take his seat on the throne of his glory;
"Then he, the King will say to those on his right hand. "'Come, my Father's blessed ones, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
"I am He," Jesus answered; "yet I tell you that from this time on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming upon the clouds of heaven."
After John had been thrown into prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God. "The time is now come," he said, "and the kingdom of God is near! Repent and believe the gospel."
"But if it is by the finger of God that I am casting out demons, then the kingdom of God is come upon you.
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
The Pharisees asked him when the kingdom of God was coming. He answered. "The kingdom of God does not come so that you can catch sight of it, "nor will they say, 'Look here it is!' or 'See there!'??or the kingdom of God is now in your midst."
"nor will they say, 'Look here it is!' or 'See there!'??or the kingdom of God is now in your midst."
"I tell you solemnly," said Jesus, "that unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
"For John indeed baptized in water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence."
It was during these days that Peter stood up among the brothers??he whole number of persons present was about one hundred and twenty??nd said:
"in this ministry of this apostles from which Judas went out to go to his own place."
There appeared to them tongues, like flame, distributing themselves, one resting upon the head of each one, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
and they stedfastly continued in the teaching of the apostles, and in the fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers.
Day after day they continued stedfastly with one accord in the Temple; and breaking bread together in their own homes, they continued to eat their food with gladness and an undivided heart, praising God, and looked on with favor by all the people. Meanwhile the Lord kept adding to them daily those that were being saved.
Now the multitude of the believers was of one heart and one soul, nor did any one of them say that any of his possessions was his own; but they had all things common.
And great fear fell on all the church and upon all who had heard it.
Now in these days while the number of the disciples was multiplying, the Grecian Jews began to murmur against the Hebrews, because their widows were habitually overlooked in the distribution of alms.
But certain men from the so-called "Synagogue of the Freedmen" and certain Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, Cilicians, and men from Roman Asia, started to dispute with Stephen,
"This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness along with the angel who spoke to him in Mt. Sinai, and with our ancestors to whom he gave living words to hand down to us.
"This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness along with the angel who spoke to him in Mt. Sinai, and with our ancestors to whom he gave living words to hand down to us.
With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
But Saul was laying waste the church. He was wont to enter into every house, and to drag off men and women, and to commit them to prison.
The apostle at Jerusalem, when they heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, sent to them Peter and John.
The apostle at Jerusalem, when they heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, sent to them Peter and John.
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats of murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
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.
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.
He motioned to them to keep quiet, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell all this to James," he said, "and to the brothers," and away he went to another place.
Now there were in the church in Antioch prophets and teachers; Barnabas and Symeon, surnamed "the Black," Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.
They chose elders for them in every church, after prayer and fasting, and commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Now when dispute and controversy sprang up between them and Paul and Barnabas, the brethren appointed Paul and Barnabas, and certain others, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to select some of their number, and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The men chosen were Judas called Bar-Sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. They took with them the following letter. "The apostles and older brothers send greeting to the Gentile Brotherhood throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia; read more. "as we have heard that some of your number who went out from us have troubled you with words and upset your souls, without having received any such instruction from us; "we have unanimously decided to select certain men, and to send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul; "men who have risked their very lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. "So we have sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth. "For it has seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; "that you abstain from food that has been sacrificed to idols, and from tasting blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear from these things and it will be well with you. Farewell."
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come to him;
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come to him;
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.
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.
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.
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.
On the following day we went with Paul to call on James, and all the elders were present.
"Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and to offer sacrifices.
Thus, then, sin came into the world through one man, and through sin came death and so death spread to all men, because all had sinned. For prior to the Law, sin actually existed in the world, but sin was not set down to man's account when there was no law. read more. Nevertheless, from Adam to Moses death reigned as king, even over those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression. Now Adam is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the transgression; for if through the transgression of that one man the rest on men died, much more did the grace of God and the gift given in his grace in the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow unto the rest of men. And it is not with the free gift as it was through the one that sinned; for the judgment came from one transgression unto condemnation; but the free gift came from many transgressions unto acquittal. For if through the transgression of the one, death reigned as king through the one, much more shall those who receive the overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in life through One, through Jesus Christ. It follows then, as through the transgression of one man came condemnation unto all men, even so through the act of righteousness of One came acquittal and life to all men. For just as through the disobedience of one man the rest were made sinners; even so by the obedience of One shall all the rest be made righteous. Now law was brought in so that transgression might abound; but where sin abounded, grace super-abounded; in order that as sin has ruled as king in death, so also grace might rule as king in righteousness which issues in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord,??urs!
For do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Jesus Christ, have been baptized into his death? We have been buried together with him, then, through baptism into his death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we should live in a newness of life.
but by all the churches among the Gentiles. Salute likewise the church that meets in their home. Salute Epaenetus, my dearly beloved, the first man in Roman Asia to believe in Christ.
Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
to the Church of God at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all, wherever they are, who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.
Do you not know what you are God's sanctuary, and that the Spirit of God is dwelling within you? If any one tear down God's sanctuary, God will tear him down; for the sanctuary of God is holy, and that is what you are.
Then get rid of the old leaven, so that you may be like a new lump, as you are now unleavened. For our Paschal Lamb has already been sacrificed, Christ himself. So let us keep the unending feast, not with any old leaven, neither with leaven of malice and vice, but with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a common participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a common participation in the body of Christ? Because we who are many are one bread, one body, for we all do share in the one loaf. read more. Look at Israel according to the flesh; are not those who eat the sacrifices in communion with the altar?
Again, when you meet together, there is no true eating of the Lord's Supper; for each one of you begins to eat his own supper; one goes hungry, while another gets drunk. read more. What! Have you no houses in which to eat or drink? or do you wish to show your contempt for the church of God, and to shame those who have no homes to eat in? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I certainly do not praise you.
What! Have you no houses in which to eat or drink? or do you wish to show your contempt for the church of God, and to shame those who have no homes to eat in? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I certainly do not praise you. For I passed on to you the account, which I myself received from the Lord; how the Lord Jesus, on the very night he was betrayed, took bread, read more. and when he had given thanks, he broke it, saying, "This is my body, broken for you; this do in memory of me." In the same way also, he took the cup after supper, saying. "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in memory of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming your Lord's death until he come. So he that eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthy must answer for a sin against the body and blood of the Lord. Let each man scrutinize himself, and thus let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For whoever eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks condemnation to himself. This is why many among you are feeble and sickly, and many sleep. If however, we were judging ourselves aright, we should not now be condemned; but through our condemnation by the Lord, we are trained so that we may not be condemned; So, my brothers, whenever you come together for this meal, wait for one another. If any one is hungry, let him eat at home, so that your meetings do not bring condemnation upon you. The other matters I will adjust when I come.
For to one man by the Spirit has been given a word of wisdom, to another a word of insight by the same Spirit; to one man by the same Spirit is given faith, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; read more. to another the powers which work miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But the one and the same Spirit gives power to all, distributing his gifts to each as he wills.
Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it. And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues."
For I am the least of the apostles, I who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
and when they recognized the grace which had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, then thought to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and to me the right hand of fellowship. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews.
For until certain men came from James he used to eat with the Gentile Christians, but when they came, he began to draw back and to separate himself, because he was afraid of the circumcision party.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ, have clothed yourselves with Christ. In him there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
On all who will govern their lives by this rule and on the Israel of God may peace and mercy rest.
for the government of the fulness of the ages, that all things in heaven and earth are alike should be gathered up in Christ, as Head. It is he in whom we Jews also have our inheritance, having been chosen beforehand according to the purpose of Him who executes all things according to the counsel of his will,
who for the praise of his glory is the pledge of our common heritage, unto the complete redemption of his purchased property.
God has put all things under Christ's feet, and placed him as Head over all in the church, which is his body, the fulness of Him who fills the universe.
which is his body, the fulness of Him who fills the universe.
were once upon a time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of the Promise, without hope and without God in the world.
were once upon a time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of the Promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near in the blood of Christ.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near in the blood of Christ.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our Peace, who has made the two of us Jew and Gentile one, and has broken down the party-wall of partition between us. read more. In his own body he abolished the cause of our enmity, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, in order to make the two into one new man in himself, so making peace. Thus he reconciled us both in one body to God by his cross, on which he slew our enmity.
because it is through him that we both have access in one spirit to the Father.
because it is through him that we both have access in one spirit to the Father.
because it is through him that we both have access in one spirit to the Father.
because it is through him that we both have access in one spirit to the Father. Take notice then that no longer are you strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.
You have heard how by direct revelation the secret truth was made known to me, as I have already briefly written you. By reading what I have written, you can judge of my insight into that secret truth of Christ read more. which was not disclosed to the sons of men in former generations, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets, namely, that in Christ Jesus the Gentiles form one body with us the Jews, and are coheirs and copartners in the promise, through the gospel. It is of this gospel I became a minister according to the gift of the power of the grace of God, bestowed on me by the energy of his power. To me, who am less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, that I should proclaim among the Gentiles the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ; and should make all men see the new dispensation of that secret purpose, hidden from eternity in the God who founded the universe, in order that now his manifold wisdom should, through the church, be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly sphere, according to his eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, in order to equip the saints for the work of serving, for the building up of the Body of Christ??13 till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the maturity of manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
in order to equip the saints for the work of serving, for the building up of the Body of Christ??13 till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the maturity of manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
in order to equip the saints for the work of serving, for the building up of the Body of Christ??13 till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the maturity of manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
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.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,
so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless.
He is the head of his Body, the Church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, in order that in all things he may become preeminent.
and by him it chose to reconcile all things alike on earth or in heaven to himself; making peace by him, through the blood of his cross. And you, alienated as you once were, hostile at heart in your evil deeds, read more. he has now in his human body reconciled to God by his death, in order that he may bring you into his presence, holy and unblemished and irreproachable.
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.
Salute the brothers in Laodicea; Nympha also, and the church which meets at her house. And when this letter has been read to you, see that it is read also in the church of Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
And when this letter has been read to you, see that it is read also in the church of Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
Paul and Silas and Timothy. To the church of the Thessalonians which is in God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to you, and peace.
Paul and Silas and Timothy. To the church of the Thessalonians which is in God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to you, and peace.
Yes! without contradiction, great is the mystery of godliness!
He gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto himself a people zealous of good works."
He gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto himself a people zealous of good works."
I will proclaim thy name to my brothers; In the midst of the Church I will hymn thy praises.
For by one single offering he has perfected forever those whom he is sanctifying.
and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled from and evil conscience, and our bodies bathed in pure water.
let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled from and evil conscience, and our bodies bathed in pure water.
to the festal assemblage and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven, to a Judge who is God of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to his sprinkled Blood whose message cries louder than that of Abel.
We Christians have an altar from which those have no right to eat who minister in the Tabernacle. For the bodies of the animals whose blood is carried by the High Priest into the Holy Place are burned outside the camp, read more. and so Jesus suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us then go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have not here an abiding city, but we are earnestly seeking the city that is to be. In his name, then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that confess his name. And forget not to be kind and liberal; for with that sort of sacrifice God is well pleased.
Suppose a man comes into your synagogue with a gold ring and dazzling clothes, and suppose a poor man comes in, also, in shabby clothes,
Some one indeed may say, "You have faith, and I have deeds." "Then show me your faith," I answer, "apart from any deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."
And yourselves like living stones be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, through Christ Jesus.
But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people, that you may show forth the virtues of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light??10 you who once were not a people, but now are the people of God; who were once without mercy, but now you have found mercy.
But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people, that you may show forth the virtues of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light??10 you who once were not a people, but now are the people of God; who were once without mercy, but now you have found mercy.
Your sister church in Babylon, elect with you, sends you salutations, and so does Marcus, my son.
To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write. These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and who walks among the seven golden candlesticks.
Morish
This English word is said to be derived from the Greek ???????? , which signifies 'pertaining to the Lord,' and is commonly used both for an association of professing Christians, and for the building in which they worship. It is the scriptural use of the word ????????, or 'assembly,' that is here under consideration.
The word is used in reference to Israel in the N.T. on one occasion in Ac 7:38, and to a Gentile throng in Ac 19:32,41. Its first occurrence in relation to Christianity is in Mt 16:18, where upon Peter's confession that Jesus was the Son of the living God, the Lord rejoins, "upon this rock I will build my assembly," etc. Historically this spiritual building, (for 'building' never refers to a material edifice) was begun after His death and resurrection, when the Holy Ghost descended at the day of Pentecost. In this aspect of the church there is no room for any failure
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"Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her.
In solemn truth I tell you that except a kernel of wheat fall into the ground and die, it remains a single kernel; but if it die it bears a great crop.
"This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness along with the angel who spoke to him in Mt. Sinai, and with our ancestors to whom he gave living words to hand down to us.
Now some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in an uproar, and the majority had no idea why they were come together.
And we can see this, for in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jew or Gentile, whether slave or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
God has put all things under Christ's feet, and placed him as Head over all in the church, which is his body, the fulness of Him who fills the universe.
in order that he might show to the ages to come the amazing riches of his grace by his goodness to us in Christ Jesus.
for we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good deeds, which God predestined us to make our daily way of life.
and should make all men see the new dispensation of that secret purpose, hidden from eternity in the God who founded the universe, in order that now his manifold wisdom should, through the church, be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly sphere,
in order that now his manifold wisdom should, through the church, be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly sphere,
There is one body and one spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling.
in order that after cleansing her in the bath of baptism, he might sanctify her by his word, so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, consecrated and beloved, clothe yourselves with tenderness of heart, kindness, humility, gentleness, good temper; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if any one has a grievance against another. Just as Christ the Lord forgave you, so must you forgive. read more. Over them all bind on love, which is the girdle of completeness. Let the peace of Christ, to which also you were called in one body, rule in your hearts, and show yourselves thankful. Let the word of Christ have its home in you richly, in all wisdom. Teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ever singing with grace in your hearts unto God. And whatever you do, whether in word of in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God our Father through him.
For this I tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who survive unto the coming of the Lord, will in no wise precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God will descend from heaven. Then the dead in Christ will rise first. read more. And afterwards we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. So comfort one another with these words.
I am writing this to you in case I should be detained, to let you see how you ought to behave in the household of God??he Church of the everliving God, the pillar and mainstay of the truth.
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for noble, some for ignoble uses.
Flee from the passions of youth, but run after righteousness, faith, love, and peace, in company with those who out of a pure heart call upon the Lord.
Come to him then, that living Stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, and precious. And yourselves like living stones be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, through Christ Jesus.
Smith
Church.
1. The derivation of the word is generally said to be from the Greek kuriakon (kuriakon) "belonging to the Lord." But the derivation has been too hastily assumed. It is probably connected with kirk, the Latin circus, circulus, the Greek kuklos (kuklos) because the congregations were gathered in circles.
2. Ecclesia (ekklesia) the Greek word for church, originally meant an assembly called out by the magistrate, or by legitimate authority. It was in this last sense that the word was adapted and applied by the writers of the New Testament to the Christian congregation. In the one Gospel of St. Matthew the church is spoken of no less than thirty-six times as "the kingdom." Other descriptions or titles are hardly found in the evangelists. It is Christ's household,
the salt and light of the world,
Christ's flock,
Mt 26:31; Joh 10:15
its members are the branches growing on Christ the Vine, John 15; but the general description of it, not metaphorical but direct, is that it is a kingdom,
From the Gospel then we learn that Christ was about to establish his heavenly kingdom on earth, which was to be the substitute for the Jewish Church and kingdom, now doomed to destruction
The day of Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian church. Before they had been individual followers Jesus; now they became his mystical body, animated by his spirit. On the evening of the day of Pentecost, the 3140 members of which the Church consisted were -- (1) Apostles; (2) previous Disciples; (3) Converts. In
we have indirectly exhibited the essential conditions of church communion. They are (1) Baptism, baptism implying on the part of the recipient repentance and faith; (2) Apostolic Doctrine; (3) Fellowship with the Apostles; (4) The Lord's Supper; (5) Public Worship. The real Church consists of all who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ as his disciples, and are one in love, in character, in hope, in Christ as the head of all, though as the body of Christ it consists of many parts.
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"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt lose its savor, in what way shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing but to be thrown out and trodden under foot of men.
"nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
"It is enough for the pupil to fare like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more, the members of his household.
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind upon the earth shall be bound in the heavens, and whatever you loose upon earth shall be loosed in the heavens."
"I tell you that for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation that does produce the fruit of it.
Then Jesus said to them. "This very night even you will all stumble and fall away from me; for it is written, 'I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Watsons
CHURCH. The Greek word ????????, so rendered, denotes an assembly met about business, whether spiritual or temporal, Ac 19:32,39. It is understood also of the collective body of Christians, or all those over the face of the earth who profess to believe in Christ, and acknowledge him to be the Saviour of mankind; this is called the visible church. But, by the word church, we are more strictly to understand the whole body of God's true people, in every period of time: this is the invisible or spiritual church. The people of God on earth are called the church militant, and those in heaven the church triumphant. It has been remarked by Dr. John Owen, that sin having entered into the world, God was pleased to found his church (the catholic or universal church) in the promise of the Messiah given to Adam; that this promise contained in it something of the nature of a covenant, including the grace which God designed to show to sinners in the Messiah, and the obedience which he required from them; and that consequently, from its first promulgation, that promise became the sole foundation of the church and of the whole worship of God therein. Prior to the days of Abraham, this church, though scattered up and down the world, and subject to many changes in its worship through the addition of new revelations, was still but one and the same, because founded in the same covenant, and interested thereby in all the benefits or privileges that God had granted, or would at any time grant. In process of time, God was pleased to restrict his church, as far as visible acknowledgment went, in a great measure, to the seed of Abraham. With the latter he renewed his covenant, requiring that he should walk before him and be upright. He also constituted him the father of the faithful, or of all them that believe, and the "heir of the world." So that since the days of Abraham, the church has, in every age, been founded upon the covenant made with that patriarch, and on the work of redemption which was to be performed according to that covenant. Now wheresoever this covenant made with Abraham is, and with whomsoever it is established, with them is the church of God, and to them all the promises and privileges of the church really belong. Hence we may learn that at the coming of the Messiah, there was not one church taken away and another set up in its room; but the church continued the same, in those that were the children of Abraham, according to the faith. It is common with divines to speak of the Jewish and the Christian churches, as though they were two distinct and totally different things; but that is not a correct view of the matter. The Christian church is not another church, but the very same that was before the coming of Christ, having the same faith with it, and interested in the same covenant. Great alterations indeed were made in the outward state and condition of the church, by the coming of the Messiah. The carnal privilege of the Jews, in their separation from other nations to give birth to the Messiah, then failed, and with that also their claim on that account to be the children of Abraham. The ordinances of worship suited to that state of things then expired, and came to an end. New ordinances of worship were appointed, suitable to the new light and grace which were then bestowed upon the church. The Gentiles came into the faith of Abraham along with the Jews, being made joint partakers with them in his blessing. But none of these things, nor the whole collectively, did make such an alteration in the church, but that it was still one and the same. The olive tree was still the same, only some branches were broken off, and others grafted into it. The Jews fell, and the Gentiles came in their room. And this may enable us to determine the difference between the Jews and Christians relative to the Old Testament promises. They are all made to the church. No individual has any interest in them except by virtue of his membership with the church. The church is, and always was, one and the same. The Jewish plea, is, that the church is with them, because they are the children of Abraham according to the flesh. Christians reply, that their privilege on that ground was of another nature, and ended with the coming of the Messiah: that the church of God, unto whom all the promises belong, are only those who are heirs of the faith of Abraham, believing as he did, and are consequently interested in his covenant. These are Zion, Jerusalem, Israel, Jacob, the temple, or church of God.
2. By a particular church we understand an assembly of Christians united together, and meeting in one place, for the solemn worship of God. To this agrees the definition given by the compilers of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England: "A congregation of faithful men, in which the true word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered according to Christ's ordinances, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same," Ac 9:31; 20:17; Ga 1:2,22; 1Co 14:34; Col 4:15. The word is now also used to denote any particular denomination of Christians, distinguished by particular doctrines, ceremonies, &c, as the Romish church, the Greek church, the English church, &c.
3. On the subject of the church, opinions as opposite or varying as possible have been held, from that of the Papists, who contend for its visible unity throughout the world under a visible head, down to that of the Independents, who consider the universal church as composed of congregational churches, each perfect in itself, and entirely independent of every other. The first opinion is manifestly contradicted by the language of the Apostles, who, while they teach that there is but one church, composed of believers throughout the world, think it not at all inconsistent with this to speak of "the churches of Judea," "of Achaia," "the seven churches of Asia," "the church at Ephesus," &c. Among themselves the Apostles had no common head; but planted churches and gave directions for their government, in most cases without any apparent correspondence with each other. The Popish doctrine is certainly not found in their writings; and so far were they from making provision for the government of this one supposed church, by the appointment of one visible and exclusive head, that they provide for the future government of the respective churches raised up by them in a totally different manner, that is, by the ordination of ministers for each church, who are indifferently called bishops, and presbyters, and pastors. The only unity of which they speak is the unity of the whole church in Christ, the invisible head, by faith; and the unity produced by "fervent love toward each other." Nor has the Popish doctrine of the visible unity of the church any countenance from early antiquity. The best ecclesiastical historians have showed, that, through the greater part of the second century, the Christian churches were independent of each other. "Each Christian assembly," says Mosheim, "was a little state governed by its own laws, which were either enacted, or at least, approved, by the society. But in process of time, all the churches of a province were formed into one large ecclesiastical body, which, like confederate states, assembled at certain times in order to deliberate about the common interests of the whole." So far indeed this union of churches appears to have been a wise and useful arrangement, although afterward it was carried to an injurious extreme, until finally it gave birth to the assumptions of the bishop of Rome, as universal bishop; a claim, however, which, when most successful, was but partially submitted to, the eastern churches having, for the most part, always maintained their independence. To very large association of churches of any kind existed till toward the close of the second century, which sufficiently refutes the papal argument from antiquity. The independence of the early Christian churches does not, however, appear to have resembled that of the churches which, in modern times, are called Independent. During the lives of the Apostles and Evangelists they were certainly subject to their counsel and control,
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and they stedfastly continued in the teaching of the apostles, and in the fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers.
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.
Now some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in an uproar, and the majority had no idea why they were come together.
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come to him;
So let us no longer pass judgment on one another; rather let this be your judgment, that no one put a stumbling-block in his brother's way, nor any cause of falling.
Then get rid of the old leaven, so that you may be like a new lump, as you are now unleavened. For our Paschal Lamb has already been sacrificed, Christ himself.
But what I wrote was that you were not to associate with any so-called brother who is immoral, or avaricious, or idolatrous, or abusive, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. No, with such persons do not even sit at table.
"All things are lawful," you say? But not all things are expedient; "all things are lawful"; but not all build up. Let not each one be always seeking his own, but rather his neighbor's good. read more. Eat anything that is for sale in the markets, asking no questions for conscience sake; for the earth and its fulness are the Lord's. If one who is not a believer invites you to his house, and you wish to go, eat everything that is set before you, without asking questions for conscience sake. But if any one tells you, "This food has been offered in sacrifice," do not eat it, for the sake of him who told you, and for your conscience sake??is conscience, not your own. "But," you may object, "why should my freedom be decided upon another's scruples of conscience? If I eat after giving thanks, why am I denounced for eating that for which I have given thanks?" Because whether you are eating or whether you are drinking, you are to do it all for the glory of God. Do not be a cause of stumbling either to Jews of to Gentiles, or to the church of God. For so I also try to please all men in every way, not by seeking my own good, but the good of the many, that they may be saved.
So there is a new creation when any man is in Christ. The old life has passed away, behold, the new is come.
Therefore, Come out from among them and separate yourselves, saith the Lord, touch not what is unclean;
because in Christ neither circumcision has any value, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works through love.
Even if any one should be overtaken in a fault, brothers, you that are spiritual ought, in a gentle spirit, to restore such a one, each one of you looking to himself, lest you too be tempted.
Even if any one should be overtaken in a fault, brothers, you that are spiritual ought, in a gentle spirit, to restore such a one, each one of you looking to himself, lest you too be tempted. Ever be bearing one another's burdens, and so be fulfilling the law of Christ.
It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
Continue to pray at all times, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for it with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Salute the brothers in Laodicea; Nympha also, and the church which meets at her house.
I summon you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who leads an idle and disorderly life, which is not according to the rule you received from me.
and let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the custom of some, but exhorting one another; all the more as you behold the Day drawing near. read more. For if we sin wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains any other sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fiery indignation which is about to devour the adversaries.
Remember your leaders, the men who spoke the message of God to you; consider the issue of their lives, and imitate their faith.
My brothers, what good is it if any one says that he has faith, if he has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
So just as the body without a spirit is dead, so faith is dead without deeds.
For you have been born anew, not of perishable, but of imperishable seed, by the living, lasting word of God.