Reference: Holy Spirit
Hastings
The Christian doctrine of the Holy Spirit arises out of the experience of the Church, as it Interprets, and is itself interpreted by, the promise of the Comforter given by Jesus to His disciples (Joh 14; 15; 16). This appeal to experience follows the method adopted by St. Peter in his Pentecostal sermon (Ac 2:33). The teaching may briefly be stated as follows: The Holy Spirit is God; a Person within the Godhead; the Third Person, the knowledge of whom depends on the revelation of the Father and the Son, from both of whom He proceeds. He was in the world, and spoke by the prophets before the Word became flesh, and was Himself the agent in that creative act. Through Him the atonement was consummated. He is the life-giving presence within the universal Church, the Divine agent in its sacramental and authoritative acts; communicating Himself as a presence and power to the individual Christian; mediating to him forgiveness and new birth; nourishing, increasing, and purifying his whole personality; knitting him into the fellowship of saints; and finally, through the resurrection of the body, bringing him to the fulness of eternal life. The purpose of this article is to justify this teaching from Scripture.
1. The promise of Christ.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Now the earth was formless and empty, and darkness [was] over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God [was] hovering over the surface of the waters.
Now the earth was formless and empty, and darkness [was] over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God [was] hovering over the surface of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light!" And there was light.
So God created humankind in his image, in the likeness of God he created him, male and female he created them.
when Yahweh God formed the man [of] dust from the ground, and he blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
And Yahweh said, "My Spirit shall not abide with humankind forever in that he [is] also flesh. And his days [shall be] one hundred and twenty years."
So now, return the wife of the man, for he [is] a prophet, so that he will pray for you and you will live. And {if you do not return her}, know that you will certainly die, and all that [are] yours."
Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this in whom is the spirit of God?"
And Israel stretched out his right hand and put [it] on the head of Ephraim (now he was the younger), and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands, for Manasseh [was] the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph and said, "The God before whom my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, walked, The God who shepherded me {all my life} unto this day,
And he will speak for you to the people, {and then} he will be to you as a mouth, and you will be to him as a god.
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took her tambourine in her hand, and all of the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.
"See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri the son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah.
And, look, I have given with him Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, from the tribe of Dan, and I have put skill in the heart of all [the] skilled of heart, and they will make all that I have commanded you--
You will bring the Levites {before} the tent of assembly, and you will summon the entire community of the {Israelites}. And you will bring the Levites {before Yahweh}, and the {Israelites} will lay their hands on the Levites,
And the Levites will lay their hands on the head of the one bull and offer [it] as a sin offering and the other one as a burnt offering to Yahweh, to make atonement for the Levites.
I will come down and speak with you there; I will take away from the spirit that [is] on you, and I will place [it] on them; and they will bear the burdens of the people with you; you will not bear it alone.
Then Yahweh went down in the cloud and spoke to him, and he took away the spirit that [was] on him, and he {put it} on the seventy elders. And as soon as the spirit was resting on them they prophesied, but they did not do it again.
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is [the] spirit, and place your hand on him.
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is [the] spirit, and place your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before the entire community, and {commission him} {in their sight}. read more. You will give to him from your authority so that the entire community of Israel will {obey him}. He will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will ask for him by the decision of the Urim before Yahweh. On {his command} they will go out, and at {his command} they will come in, [both] he and all of the {Israelites} with him, the entire community." Moses did just as Yahweh commanded him, and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before the entire community. And he placed his hands on him and {commissioned him} just as Yahweh spoke by the hand of Moses.
"Yahweh your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst, from your countrymen, [and] to him you shall listen.
And not again has a prophet arisen in Israel like Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face,
And it was their children [whom] he raised in their place that Joshua circumcised, for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised {on the journey}.
Now at that time Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, [was] judging Israel.
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say: "Come, let us go up to the seer." For the prophet of today was formerly called a seer.)
Then the Spirit of Yahweh will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will turn into {a different person}. When these signs come to you, do for yourself what your hand finds [to do], for God [will be] with you. read more. Then you will go down before me to Gilgal. Look, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings {and to make} fellowship offerings. You must wait seven days until I come to you. Then I will let you know what you should do." {Just as he turned} his shoulder to depart from Samuel, God {changed his} heart. And all these signs were fulfilled on that day. When they went from there to Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them.
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. Then the Spirit of Yahweh rushed upon David from that day {on}. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.
So he went there to Naioth in Ramah and the Spirit of God came upon him also, and {he walked along prophesying} until he came to Naioth in Ramah. He also stripped [off] his clothes and prophesied before Samuel. He lay naked all that day and all night. Therefore they say, "[Is] Saul also among the prophets?"
"The spirit of Yahweh speaks through me, and his word [is] upon my tongue.
And you gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst.
And you gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst.
You were patient toward them for many years, and you have warned them by your spirit through the hand of your prophets, but they did not listen. So you gave them into the hand of the nations of the lands.
For {as long as} my breath [is] in me, and the spirit of God [is] in my nose,
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of Shaddai gives life to me.
By the word of Yahweh [the] heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
And [in] your majesty {ride victoriously}, because of truth and humility [and] righteousness. And let your right hand teach you awesome deeds. Your arrows [are] sharp; peoples fall under you in the midst of the king's enemies. read more. Your throne, O God, [is] forever and ever. A scepter of uprightness [is] the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you from among your companions [with] festive oil.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
You send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of [the] ground.
"Do not touch my anointed ones, nor harm my prophets."
Where I can go from your Spirit, or where can I flee from your presence?
Where I can go from your Spirit, or where can I flee from your presence?
Teach me to do your will, for you [are] my God; your Spirit [is] good. Lead me onto level ground.
And a shoot will come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from its roots will bear fruit. And the spirit of Yahweh shall rest on him-- a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and might, a spirit of knowledge and the fear of Yahweh. read more. And his {breath} [is] in the fear of Yahweh. And he shall judge not by his eyesight, and he shall rebuke not by {what he hears with} his ears. But he shall judge [the] poor with righteousness, and he shall decide for [the] needy of [the] earth with rectitude. And he shall strike [the] earth with the rod of his mouth, and he shall kill [the] wicked person with the breath of his lips. And righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
And righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
"Oh rebellious children!" {declares} Yahweh, "to make a plan, but not from me, and pour out a libation, but not [from] my Spirit, {so as to add} sin to sin.
Draw near to me; hear this! I have not spoken in secrecy from [the] {beginning}; from [the] time {it came to be}, there I [have been]; And now the Lord Yahweh has sent me and his Spirit."
And I have put my words in your mouth, and I have covered you in the shadow of my hand, to plant [the] heavens and to found [the] earth, saying to Zion, 'You [are] my people.'"
I will bring them to {my holy mountain}; I will make them merry in my house of prayer. their burnt offerings and their sacrifices {will be accepted} on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples,"
[The] Spirit of the Lord Yahweh [is] upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me, he has sent me to bring good news [to the] oppressed, to bind up {the brokenhearted}, to {proclaim} release to [the] captives and liberation to those who are bound,
[The] Spirit of the Lord Yahweh [is] upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me, he has sent me to bring good news [to the] oppressed, to bind up {the brokenhearted}, to {proclaim} release to [the] captives and liberation to those who are bound, to {proclaim} [the] year of Yahweh's favor, and our God's day of vengeance, to comfort all those in mourning,
But they {were the ones who} rebelled, and they grieved {his Holy Spirit}, so he {became an enemy to them}; he himself fought against them.
But they {were the ones who} rebelled, and they grieved {his Holy Spirit}, so he {became an enemy to them}; he himself fought against them. Then his people remembered the days of old, [of] Moses. Where [is] the one who led up them from [the] sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where [is] the one who puts {his Holy Spirit} inside him,
Then Yahweh stretched out his hand and he touched my mouth, and Yahweh said to me, "Look, I have put my words in your mouth.
For thus says Yahweh, "Sing for joy for Jacob [with] gladness, and shout out for the head of the nations. Proclaim, praise, and say, 'Save, Yahweh, your people, the remnant of Israel.' Look, I [am] going to bring them from [the] land of [the] north, and I will gather them from [the] remotest part of [the] earth. Among them [the] blind, and [the] lame, [those who are] pregnant, and [those who] give birth, together, a great assembly, they will return here. read more. With weeping they will come, and with pleas for mercy I will bring them; I will let them walk by streams of water in a straight path. They will not stumble in it, for I have become to Israel a father, and Ephraim, he [is] my firstborn."
"Son of man, I have appointed you [as] a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, then you must warn them from me.
And I will not hide my face again from them when I pour out my Spirit over the house of Israel," {declares} the Lord Yahweh.
And it will happen afterward thus: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your elders will dream dreams; your young men shall see visions. And also on the male slaves and on the female slaves, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? My Lord Yahweh has spoken, who will not prophesy?
But I, I am filled [with] power, with the Spirit of Yahweh, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his rebellion, and to Israel his sin.
" 'I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication, and they will look to me whom they pierced, and they shall mourn over him, as one wails over an only child, and they will grieve bitterly over him as [one] grieves bitterly over a firstborn.
But Jesus answered [and] said to him, "Permit [it] now, for in this way it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted him.
Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil,
For you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father [who is] speaking through you.
For you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father [who is] speaking through you.
For you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father [who is] speaking through you.
But if I expel demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you!
And he said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here [to] there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."
He said to them, "How then does David, by the Spirit, call him 'Lord,' saying,
And immediately [as he] was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens being split apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.
And immediately [as he] was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens being split apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.
And becoming angry, he stretched out his hand [and] touched [him], and said to him, "I am willing; be made clean."
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit does not have forgiveness {forever}, but is guilty of [an] eternal sin"--
And he was imploring him many [times], saying, "My little daughter {is at the point of death}! Come, lay your hands on her, so that she will get well and will live."
And he was not able to do any miracle in that place except to lay his hands on a few sick [people] [and] heal [them].
And he took hold of the blind man's hand [and] led him outside the village, and [after] spitting in his eyes, he placed his hands on him [and] asked him, "Do you see anything?"
And summoning the crowd together with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
And [after] taking [them] into his arms, he blessed them, placing his hands on them.
David himself said by the Holy Spirit, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet." '
And when they arrest you [and] hand you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you should say, but whatever is given to you at that hour, say this. For you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will expel demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up snakes. And if they drink any deadly [poison] it will never hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and {they will get} well."
just as those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning passed on to us,
And the angel answered [and] said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the one to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
And the angel answered [and] said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the one to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
just as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from earliest times--
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel."
Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham [as] father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones!
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him went out throughout all the surrounding region.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him went out throughout all the surrounding region.
"The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because of which he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to send out in freedom those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord."
Therefore if you, [although you] are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"
But if I expel demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you!
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict.
And behold, I am sending out what was promised by my Father upon you, but you stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
For from his fullness we have all received, and grace after grace.
And I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water, that one said to me, '[The one] upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him--this one is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and you do not understand these [things]?
I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me. If another should come in his own name, you would accept that one!
This is the bread that came down from heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. The one who eats this bread will live {forever}."
Thus many of his disciples, [when they] heard [it], said, "This saying is hard! Who can understand it?"
Now he said this concerning the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. For the Spirit was not yet [given], because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)
So the chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus also,
Now is the judgment of this world! Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out!
and the one who sees me sees the one who sent me.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places; but if not, I would have told you, because I am going away to prepare a place for you.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places; but if not, I would have told you, because I am going away to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also.
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How are we able to know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. read more. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."
Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Am I with you so long a time and you have not known me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'
Jesus said to him, "Am I with you so long a time and you have not known me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'
Jesus said to him, "Am I with you so long a time and you have not known me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'
Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in me, the works that I am doing he will do also, and he will do greater [works] than these because I am going to the Father.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, in order that he may be with you {forever}-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see him or know [him]. You know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.
the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see him or know [him]. You know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.
the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see him or know [him]. You know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.
the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see him or know [him]. You know him, because he resides with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you [as] orphans; I am coming to you.
"I will not leave you [as] orphans; I am coming to you. Yet a little [time] and the world will see me no longer, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. read more. On that day you will know that I [am] in my Father, and you [are] in me, and I [am] in you. The one who has my commandments and keeps them--that one is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him."
The one who has my commandments and keeps them--that one is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, why is it that you are going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" read more. Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and {will take up residence with him}.
Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and {will take up residence with him}.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name--that one will teach you all [things], and will remind you of everything that I said to you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name--that one will teach you all [things], and will remind you of everything that I said to you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name--that one will teach you all [things], and will remind you of everything that I said to you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name--that one will teach you all [things], and will remind you of everything that I said to you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name--that one will teach you all [things], and will remind you of everything that I said to you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name--that one will teach you all [things], and will remind you of everything that I said to you.
I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has {no power} {over} me.
Remain in me, and I in you. Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit from itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither [can] you, unless you remain in me.
Remain in me, and I in you. Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit from itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither [can] you, unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you [are] the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him--this one bears much fruit, for apart from me you are not able to do anything. read more. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and dries up, and they gather them and throw [them] into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you bear much fruit, and prove to be my disciples. "Just as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have spoken these [things] to you in order that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be made complete.
No longer do I call you slaves, because the slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything that I have heard from my Father I have revealed to you.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father--that one will testify about me.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father--that one will testify about me.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father--that one will testify about me.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father--that one will testify about me.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father--that one will testify about me.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father--that one will testify about me.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father--that one will testify about me.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father--that one will testify about me.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father--that one will testify about me. And you also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
And you also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And [when he] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment:
And [when he] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me, read more. and concerning righteousness, because I am going away to the Father and you will see me no more, and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. I still have many [things] to say to you, but you are not able to bear [them] now. But when he--the Spirit of truth--comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come.
But when he--the Spirit of truth--comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come.
But when he--the Spirit of truth--comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come.
But when he--the Spirit of truth--comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come.
But when he--the Spirit of truth--comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come. He will glorify me, because he will take from what [is] mine and will proclaim [it] to you.
He will glorify me, because he will take from what [is] mine and will proclaim [it] to you.
He will glorify me, because he will take from what [is] mine and will proclaim [it] to you.
He will glorify me, because he will take from what [is] mine and will proclaim [it] to you.
He will glorify me, because he will take from what [is] mine and will proclaim [it] to you. Everything that the Father has is mine. For this [reason] I said that he takes from what [is] mine and will proclaim [it] to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine. For this [reason] I said that he takes from what [is] mine and will proclaim [it] to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine. For this [reason] I said that he takes from what [is] mine and will proclaim [it] to you. "A little [while] and you will see me no more, and again a little [while] and you will see me. read more. So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he is saying to us, 'A little [while] and you will not see me, and again a little [while] and you will see me,' and 'Because I am going away to the Father'?" So they kept on saying, "What is this that he is saying, 'A little [while]'? We do not understand what he is speaking about!" Jesus knew that they were wanting to ask him, and he said to them, "Are you deliberating with one another about this--that I said, 'A little [while], and you will not see me, and again a little [while] and you will see me'?
I am asking on behalf of them. I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you have given me, because they are yours,
"And I do not ask on behalf of these only, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word,
"And I do not ask on behalf of these only, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they all may be one, just as you, Father, [are] in me and I [am] in you, that they also may be in us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me.
that they all may be one, just as you, Father, [are] in me and I [am] in you, that they also may be in us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me.
that they all may be one, just as you, Father, [are] in me and I [am] in you, that they also may be in us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me.
I in them, and you in me, in order that they may be completed in one, so that the world may know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me.
I in them, and you in me, in order that they may be completed in one, so that the world may know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me.
And the one who has seen [it] has testified, and his testimony is true, and that person knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.
And [when he] had said this, he breathed on [them] and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
I produced the former account, O Theophilus, about all {that} Jesus began to do and to teach,
And [while he] was with [them], he commanded them, "Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what was promised by the Father, which you heard about from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit {not many days from now}."
But you will receive power [when] the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth."
And when they had entered, they went up to the upstairs room where they were staying--Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James [son] of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas [son] of James. All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
Therefore it is necessary for [one] of the men who have accompanied us during all the time [in] which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day [on] which he was taken up from us--one of these [men] must become a witness of his resurrection together with us."
And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in the same [place].
And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in the same [place]. And suddenly a sound like a violent rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And suddenly a sound like a violent rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. And divided tongues like fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. read more. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them [ability] to speak out.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them [ability] to speak out.
And [when] this sound occurred, the crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one was hearing them speaking in his own language.
And [when] this sound occurred, the crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one was hearing them speaking in his own language.
And all were amazed and greatly perplexed, saying {to one another}, "{What can this mean?}" But others jeered [and] said, "They are full of sweet new wine!"
But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 'And it will be in the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. read more. And even on my male slaves and on my female slaves I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out this that you see and hear.
Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out this that you see and hear.
And Peter [said] to them, "Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
And Peter [said] to them, "Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
And Peter [said] to them, "Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding every day to the total [of] those who were being saved.
But Peter said, "Silver and gold {I do not possess}, but what I have, this I give to you--in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!" And taking hold of him by the right hand, he raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
[as] you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
But Peter said, "Ananias, for what [reason] has Satan filled your heart, [that] you lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back for yourself [some] of the proceeds of the piece of land?
whom they stood before the apostles. And they prayed [and] placed [their] hands on them.
whom they stood before the apostles. And they prayed [and] placed [their] hands on them.
This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and who [with] our fathers received living oracles to give to us,
But when they believed Philip [as he] was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized.
Now [when] the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who went down [and] prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. read more. (For he had not yet fallen on any of them, {but they had only been baptized} in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
(For he had not yet fallen on any of them, {but they had only been baptized} in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then they placed [their] hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. read more. Now Simon, [when he] saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, offered them money,
Now Simon, [when he] saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, offered them money, saying, "Give to me also this power, so that whomever I place [my] hands on may receive the Holy Spirit!" read more. But Peter said to him, "May your silver {be destroyed along with you}, because you thought {you could acquire} the gift of God by means of money! {You have no} part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and ask the Lord if perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you!" For I see you are in {a state of bitter envy} and {bound by unrighteousness}." But Simon answered [and] said, "You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me."
and he has seen in a vision a man {named} Ananias coming in and placing hands on him so that he may regain [his] sight."
So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing [his] hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain [your] sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing [his] hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain [your] sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately [something] like scales fell from his eyes and he regained [his] sight and got up [and] was baptized,
for they heard them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter said,
But I said, 'Certainly not, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has ever entered into my mouth!' But the voice replied from heaven for the second time, '[The things] which God has made clean, you must not consider unclean!' read more. And this happened three times, and everything was pulled up into heaven again. And behold, at once three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea approached the house in which we were [staying].
And behold, at once three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea approached the house in which we were [staying].
And [as] I was beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as also on us at the beginning.
Now in those days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them {named} Agabus stood up [and] indicated by the Spirit [that] a great famine was about to come over the whole inhabited earth (which took place in the time of Claudius).
Now there were prophets and teachers in Antioch in the church that was there: Barnabas, and Simeon (who was called Niger), and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. And [while] they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart now for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." read more. Then, [after they] had fasted and prayed and placed [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.
For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to place on you no greater burden except these necessary things:
And [when they] came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.
And [when they] came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.
And [when they] heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And [when] Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.
And [when] Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.
And [when] Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.
({Now this man had} four virgin daughters who prophesied.) And [while we] were staying [there] many days, a certain prophet {named} Agabus came down from Judea. read more. And he came to us and took Paul's belt. Tying up his own feet and hands, he said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man whose belt this is, and will deliver [him] into the hands of the Gentiles.'"
And it happened that the father of Publius was lying down, afflicted with fever and dysentery. Paul went to {him} and [after] praying, he placed [his] hands on him [and] healed him.
who was declared Son of God in power according to {the Holy Spirit} by the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Much in every way. For first, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
Because of this, just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned. For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not charged to one's account [when there] is no law. read more. But death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who did not sin in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who is to come. {But the gift is not like the trespass}, for if by the trespass of the one, the many died, by much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, multiply to the many. And the gift [is] not as through the one who sinned, for on the one hand, judgment from the one [sin] [led] to condemnation, but the gift, from many trespasses, [led] to justification. For if by the trespass of the one [man], death reigned through the one [man], much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. Consequently therefore, as through one trespass [came] condemnation to all people, so also through one righteous deed [came] justification of life to all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in as a side issue, in order that the trespass could increase, but where sin increased, grace was present in greater abundance, so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person {does not belong to him}.
And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also make alive your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you.
For all those who are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery [leading] to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba! Father!" read more. The Spirit himself confirms to our spirit that we are children of God,
because [those] whom he foreknew, he also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many brothers.
Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies [as] a living sacrifice, holy [and] pleasing to God, [which is] your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may approve what [is] the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God. read more. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone who is among you not to think more highly of yourself than what one ought to think, but to think {sensibly}, as God has apportioned a measure of faith to each one. For just as in one body we have many members, but all the members do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ, and {individually} members of one another, but having different gifts according to the grace given to us: if [it is] prophecy, according to the proportion of [his] faith;
but having different gifts according to the grace given to us: if [it is] prophecy, according to the proportion of [his] faith; if [it is] service, by service; if [it is] one who teaches, by teaching; read more. if [it is] one who exhorts, by exhortation; one who gives, with sincerity; one who leads, with diligence; one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
For to us God has revealed [them] through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all [things], even the depths of God.
For to us God has revealed [them] through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all [things], even the depths of God. For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man that [is] in him? Thus also no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. read more. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, in order that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
Do you not know that you are God's temple and the Spirit of God dwells in you?
And some of you were these [things], but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [who is] in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus [is] accursed," and no one is able to say "Jesus [is] Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is beneficial [to all]. For to one is given a word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another a word of knowledge by the same Spirit, read more. to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another {miraculous powers}, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues.
to another {miraculous powers}, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues.
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free [persons], and all were made to drink one Spirit.
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free [persons], and all were made to drink one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. read more. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not [a part] of the body," not because of this is it not [a part] of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not [a part] of the body, not because of this is it not [a part] of the body. If the whole body [were] an eye, where [would] the hearing [be]? If the whole [were] hearing, where [would] the sense of smell [be]? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body just as he wanted. And if they all were one member, where [would] the body [be]? But now [there are] many members, but one body.
but our presentable [parts] do not have need [of this]. Yet God composed the body by giving more abundant honor to the part which lacked [it],
and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. Not all [are] apostles, [are they]? Not all [are] prophets, [are they]? Not all [are] teachers, [are they]? Not all [are workers of] miracles, [are they]? read more. Not all have gifts of healing, [do they]? Not all speak with tongues, [do they]? Not all interpret, [do they]? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
And if I have [the gift of] prophecy and I know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that [I can] remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
And now these three [things] remain: faith, hope, [and] love. But the greatest of these [is] love.
Pursue love, and strive for spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy.
Pursue love, and strive for spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy.
Pursue love, and strive for spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy. For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries. read more. But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment]. In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound.
In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. read more. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you, but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue.
and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord [is, there is] freedom.
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed [him] to his face, because he was condemned. For before certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles, but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, [because he] was afraid of those [who were] of the circumcision,
But when the fullness of time came, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order that he might redeem those under the law, in order that we might receive the adoption. read more. And because you are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba! (Father!),"
And because you are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba! (Father!),"
Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing!
For neither is circumcision anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
and he subjected all [things] under his feet and gave him [as] head over all [things] to the church,
that you were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, not having hope, and without God in the world.
that you were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, not having hope, and without God in the world.
and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, killing the enmity in himself. And coming, he proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to the ones who were near, read more. because through him [we] both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
because through him [we] both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
because through him [we] both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Consequently, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God, read more. built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
(which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit):
On account of this, I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, read more. that he may grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, [that] Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (you having been firmly rooted and established in love), in order that you may be strong enough to grasp together with all the saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and height, and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
one body and one Spirit (just as also you were called with one hope of your calling),
Now to each one of us was given this grace, according to the measure of Christ's gift.
And he himself gave some [as] apostles and some [as] prophets and some [as] evangelists and some [as] pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, read more. until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ,
from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.
from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.
being darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance [that] is in them, because of the hardness of their heart,
and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
I give thanks to my God upon my every remembrance of you,
For God [is] my witness, that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
For God [is] my witness, that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
for I know that this will turn out to me for deliverance through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
for I know that this will turn out to me for deliverance through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Therefore, if [there is] any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
Think this in yourselves which [was] also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped, read more. but emptied himself [by] taking the form of a slave, [by] becoming in the likeness of people. And being found in appearance like a man, he humbled himself [by] becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross. Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [those] in heaven and of [those] on earth and of [those] under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,
but now you have been reconciled by {his physical body} through death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
and everything {whatever} you do in word or in deed, giving thanks [for] all [things] in the name of the Lord Jesus to God the Father through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
I am setting before you this instruction, Timothy [my] child, in accordance with the prophecies spoken long ago about you, in order that by them you may fight the good fight,
Do not neglect the gift [that is] in you, that was granted to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.
Do not neglect the gift [that is] in you, that was granted to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.
Do not neglect the gift [that is] in you, that was granted to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.
Lay hands on no one hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Lay hands on no one hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
for which reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.
for which reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.
and that from childhood you have known the holy writings that are able [to make] you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture [is] inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness,
[Although] God spoke long ago in many parts and in many ways to the fathers by the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all [things], through whom also he made the world, read more. who is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, sustaining all [things] by the word of power. [When he] had made purification for sins through him, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
For indeed, [although you] ought to be teachers {by this time}, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and {you have need of} milk, not solid food.
teaching about baptisms and laying on of hands, and resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
Therefore also he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him, [because he] always lives in order to intercede on their behalf.
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve [the] living God?
Therefore, brothers, [since we] have confidence for the entrance into the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, [by the] new and living way which he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, his flesh,
whose voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, saying, "Yet once [more] I will shake not only the earth but also heaven."
Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the elders of the church and they should pray over him, anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins {he will be forgiven}.
In the same way, younger men, be subject to the elders, and all [of you] clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
recognizing this above all, that every prophecy of scripture does not come about from one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom that was given to him, as [he does] also in all his letters, speaking in them about these [things], in which there are some [things] hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, as [they] also [do] the rest of the scriptures.
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched, concerning the word of life--
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his slaves [the things] which must take place in a short time, and communicated [it] [by] sending [it] through his angel to his slave John, who testified about the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, all that he saw. read more. Blessed [is] the one who reads aloud and [blessed are] those who hear the words of the prophecy and observe the things written in it, because the time [is] near! John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from the one who is and the one who was and the one who is coming, and from the seven spirits who [are] before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and released us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father--to him [be] the glory and the power {forever and ever}. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even every one who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Yes, amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, the one who is and the one who was and the one who is coming, the All-Powerful. I, John, your brother and co-sharer in the affliction and kingdom and steadfastness in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great sound like a trumpet saying, "What you see, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." And I turned to see the voice which was speaking with me, and [when I] turned, I saw seven gold lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands [one] like a son of man, dressed in [a robe] reaching to the feet and girded around his chest [with] a golden belt, and his head and hair [were] white like wool, white as snow, and his eyes [were] like a fiery flame, and his feet [were] like fine bronze when it has been fired in a furnace, and his voice [was] like the sound of many waters, and [he] had in his right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword coming out of his mouth, and his face [was] like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person, and he placed his right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last,
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person, and he placed his right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last, and the one who lives, and I was dead, and behold, I am living {forever and ever}, and I hold the keys of death and of Hades.
"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: "This is what the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God's creation, says:
And I fell down before his feet to worship him, and he said to me, "{Do not do that!} I am a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
And the one seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all [things] new!" And he said, "Write, because these words are faithful and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I [am] the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who is thirsty I will give [water] from the spring of the water of life freely.
And he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming out from the throne of God and of the Lamb