Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible




And according as any one of the disciples was prospered, they determined every one of them to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea; which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

And there came down certain men from Judaea, and taught the brethren, Unless ye are circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. But when Paul and Barnabas had had no small dissension and debate with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. They therefore, having been sent forward by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And having come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they related what great things God had wrought with them. But there rose up certain believers of the sect of the Pharisees, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe. And God, who knoweth the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it to us; and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye provoke the anger of God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they. And all the multitude became silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they related what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me. Simeon hath related how God first visited the gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written: "After this I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which hath fallen; and I will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up; that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, and all the gentiles, who have been called by my name, saith the Lord, who doeth these things, which were known from the beginning." Wherefore my judgment is, that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God; but that we should write to them by letter to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from that which hath been strangled, and from blood. For Moses from the times of old hath had in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Then it was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among themselves, and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. And they wrote by them, "The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from the gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting. Whereas we have heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no command; it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to choose men and send them to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will themselves tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay upon you no further burden except these necessary things: to abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, ye will do well. Farewell." They therefore being sent away came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and confirmed them. And when they had remained some time, they were dismissed with peace from the brethren to those who sent them. (...) But Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and publishing, with many others also, the glad tidings of the word of the Lord.



And as they journeyed through the cities, they delivered to them for their observance the decrees which had been ordained by the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem. The churches therefore were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Verse ConceptsAttending Churchelders, in the churchOfficersChurch GovernmentChurch, Examples Ofeldersgoodbyes

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the church of the Lord, which he purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And from among yourselves will men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. read more.
Therefore be watchful, and remember that for the space of three years, night and day, I ceased not to warn every one with tears. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified.

And the day following Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. Verse Conceptselders, in the churchGoing To ChurchThe Elderlyelders

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word and in teaching. For the Scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox while he is treading out the grain"; and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." Against an elder receive not an accusation without two or three witnesses.

For this cause I left thee behind in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed thee; if any one is without reproach, the husband of one wife, having believing children, that are not accused of dissoluteness, or unruly. For a bishop must be without reproach, as Gods steward; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain, read more.
but hospitable, a lover of what is good, discreet, just, holy, temperate, holding fast the sure word according to what he was taught, that he may be able by sound teaching both to exhort, and to refute the gainsayers.

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For by it the elders obtained a good report. Verse ConceptsApprovalPeople Commended By God

Is any sick among you? let him call to him the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; even if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.

The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellowelder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed; tend the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for base gain, but with ready mind; not as lording it over your allotted charge, but being examples to the flock; read more.
and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye will receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. In like manner, ye younger men, submit yourselves to the elder; and all of you be clothed with humility toward each other; for "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble."

The elder to the elect Cyria, and to her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only, but also all that know the truth, Verse ConceptsElection, Description OfLove Exists Between PeopleKnowing God's TruthLove And RelationshipsLove And FamilyLoving Children

The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. Verse ConceptsAffection, GoodThose Who Loved



And he that had received the five talents came and brought five talents more, saying, Lord, thou intrustedst to me five talents; see, I have gained five talents more. Verse ConceptsTalentsFive ThingsEntrustingLarge DenominationsGifts And Talentsinvesting




whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Verse ConceptsHandsOrdinationPrayer, In The ChurchLaying On Of HandsLaying On Hands To CommissionThe Apostles In Action







whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Verse ConceptsHandsOrdinationPrayer, In The ChurchLaying On Of HandsLaying On Hands To CommissionThe Apostles In Action


whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Verse ConceptsHandsOrdinationPrayer, In The ChurchLaying On Of HandsLaying On Hands To CommissionThe Apostles In Action