Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



And every one of the disciples determined, as he had the means, to send relief to the brethren that dwelt in Judea; which also they did; and they sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

And certain men came down from Judea, and taught the brethren, saying: Unless you be circumcised, according to the custom of Moses, you can not be saved. Therefore, after Paul and Barnabas had no little dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others from among them, should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. Being, therefore, con ducted on their journey by the church, they passed through Phenicia and Samaria, making known the conversion of the Gentiles; and they gave great joy to all the brethren. read more.
When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and the apostles and elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, arose, saying, that it was necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together to deliberate about this matter. And after there had been much disputing, Peter arose, and said to them: Brethren, you know that, at the beginning, God made choice among us, that, by my mouth, the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe. And God, who knows the heart, became a witness for them, by giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it also to us; and he made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why do you put God to the proof, by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers, nor we ourselves, were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved, even as they, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then all the multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they made known what signs and wonders God had done by them among the Gentiles. And after they were silent, James answered and said: Brethren, hear me; Simeon has declared how God, at the first, did visit the Gentiles, in order to take out from among 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 build again the tabernacle of David which has fallen down; and I will build again its ruins, and I will set it up; that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name has been called, says the Lord, who does all these things. Known to God from eternity are all bis works. For these reasons, my judgment is, that we give no trouble to those who, from among the Gentiles, have turned to God; but that we write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from lewdness, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For, from ancient times, Moses has, in every city, those who preach him, being read in the synagogue every sabbath-day. Then it pleased the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, chosen men from among themselves; Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren; and they wrote by their hands as follows: The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Inasmuch as we have heard that certain persons went out from us and troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, That you must be circumcised, and keep the law, to whom we gave no commandment, it has seemed good to us, having come together with one mind, to send chosen men to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have en dangered their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things in word. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from lewdness; from which if you keep yourselves carefully, you will do well. Farewell. So when these men were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and having assembled the multitude, they delivered this letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation which it gave. And Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them. And after spending some time, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren, to those who had sent them. But it pleased Silas to remain there. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others, the word of the Lord.



And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees that had been resolved on by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, that they might keep them. Therefore, the churches were established in the faith, and they increased in number daily.


Therefore, take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, that you be shepherds to the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that, after my departure, rapacious wolves will enter in among you, who will not spare the flock; and men will arise from among yourselves, speaking perverse things, that they may draw off disciples after them. read more.
Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, by day and by night, I ceased not to warn every one of you with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace; to Him who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified.

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

Let the elders who rule well, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching. For the scripture says: You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain; and, The laborer is worthy of his hire. Receive not an accusation against an old man, unless before two or three witnesses.

I left you in Crete for this purpose, that you might set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I commanded you: if any one is blameless, the husband of one wife, if he has faithful children that are not accused of riotous living, or disobedient. For the bishop must be blame less, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means; read more.
but hospitable, a lover of goodness, sober-minded, just, holy, temperate, holding fast the sure word as it is taught, that he may be able, by sound teaching, both to exhort and to convince the opposers.

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for by this the ancients obtained a good reputation. Verse ConceptsApprovalPeople Commended By God

Is any one among you sick? let him call for 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 shall save the sick; and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

The elders that are among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed. Act as shepherds to the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for the sake of sordid gain, but from readiness of mind: neither as being lords over God's possessions, but being examples to the flock. read more.
And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive the crown of glory that fades not away. Likewise, you younger, be in subjection to the older: do you all indeed be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the lowly.

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

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

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

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