Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Elder » In the Christian church
then the disciples determin'd to send, each of them answerably to his abilities, some relief to the brethren residing in Judea: which they actually perform'd, and sent it by the hands of Saul and Barnabas to the presbyters at Jerusalem.
However some that arrived from Judea, told the Gentile converts, unless you are circumcised agreeably to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved. upon which Paul and Barnabas having warmly contested the point with them, it was resolved, that Paul and Barnabas and some others should go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles upon this question. so they set out, accompanied part of the way by the church, and pass'd thro' Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles, which gave great joy to all the brethren. read more.
and being arrived at Jerusalem, they were receiv'd by the church, by the apostles, and presbyters, to whom they related all that God had done by them. but some of the sect of the Pharisees who had embraced the faith, started up, pretending that the Gentiles ought to be circumcised, and observe the law of Moses. The apostles therefore, and the presbyters assembled to deliberate upon this affair. and after the question had been much canvass'd, Peter rose up, and said, my brethren, you know that a considerable time since God chose me from among you to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and bring them to the faith. God who knows their hearts has granted them a testimonial, by giving them the holy spirit, even as he did to us: making no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith. why therefore do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear? but we believe that it is by the favour of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we are to be sav'd, as well as they. The whole assembly were very silent, whilst Barnabas and Paul related what miracles and prodigies God had wrought among the Gentiles by their ministry. After they had done speaking, James assum'd the discourse, and said, my brethren, give me your attention. Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name. and this is agreeable to the oracles of the prophets: as it is written, "after this I will return and build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: I will repair its ruins, and raise it up: that the rest of mankind, even all the nations, that profess my name, may seek the Lord. he that does all these things, is the Lord himself that has said it." for the works of God are all known to him from the beginning of the world. wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from animals that are strangled, and from their blood. for as to the law of Moses, that has been published in every city a considerable time, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then the apostles, the presbyters, and the whole church thought it proper to select some out of their own body to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch: such as Judas surnam'd Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, whom they charg'd with this letter. The apostles, the presbyters, and the brethren, to the Gentile brethren at Antioch, in Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Whereas we have been appriz'd, that some who went from us, have embarass'd you with their discourse, and unsettled your minds, maintaining, that you ought to be circumcised, and to observe the law, though we gave them no such injunction: after having been assembled, we unanimously judg'd it proper to send particular deputies to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. we therefore send Judas and Silas to inform you in person of this affair. for by the holy spirit it seemed good to us, to lay no greater burthen upon you, than these necessary injunctions; that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the flesh of strangled animals, and from fornication: you will do well to preserve your selves from these practices. farewel. Being thus dispatch'd, they went to Antioch; where having assembled all the faithful, they deliver'd the letter: from the reading of which, they were affected with joy at the comfortable contents, as for Judas and Silas, they being also prophets, they consolated and confirm'd the brethren by several discourses. and after they had stay'd there some time, with the good wishes of the brethren, they had leave to go to the apostles. however Silas thought fit to stay at Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas continued, teaching and preaching the doctrine of the Lord, with many others.
and being arrived at Jerusalem, they were receiv'd by the church, by the apostles, and presbyters, to whom they related all that God had done by them. but some of the sect of the Pharisees who had embraced the faith, started up, pretending that the Gentiles ought to be circumcised, and observe the law of Moses. The apostles therefore, and the presbyters assembled to deliberate upon this affair. and after the question had been much canvass'd, Peter rose up, and said, my brethren, you know that a considerable time since God chose me from among you to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and bring them to the faith. God who knows their hearts has granted them a testimonial, by giving them the holy spirit, even as he did to us: making no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith. why therefore do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear? but we believe that it is by the favour of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we are to be sav'd, as well as they. The whole assembly were very silent, whilst Barnabas and Paul related what miracles and prodigies God had wrought among the Gentiles by their ministry. After they had done speaking, James assum'd the discourse, and said, my brethren, give me your attention. Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name. and this is agreeable to the oracles of the prophets: as it is written, "after this I will return and build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: I will repair its ruins, and raise it up: that the rest of mankind, even all the nations, that profess my name, may seek the Lord. he that does all these things, is the Lord himself that has said it." for the works of God are all known to him from the beginning of the world. wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from animals that are strangled, and from their blood. for as to the law of Moses, that has been published in every city a considerable time, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then the apostles, the presbyters, and the whole church thought it proper to select some out of their own body to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch: such as Judas surnam'd Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, whom they charg'd with this letter. The apostles, the presbyters, and the brethren, to the Gentile brethren at Antioch, in Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Whereas we have been appriz'd, that some who went from us, have embarass'd you with their discourse, and unsettled your minds, maintaining, that you ought to be circumcised, and to observe the law, though we gave them no such injunction: after having been assembled, we unanimously judg'd it proper to send particular deputies to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. we therefore send Judas and Silas to inform you in person of this affair. for by the holy spirit it seemed good to us, to lay no greater burthen upon you, than these necessary injunctions; that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the flesh of strangled animals, and from fornication: you will do well to preserve your selves from these practices. farewel. Being thus dispatch'd, they went to Antioch; where having assembled all the faithful, they deliver'd the letter: from the reading of which, they were affected with joy at the comfortable contents, as for Judas and Silas, they being also prophets, they consolated and confirm'd the brethren by several discourses. and after they had stay'd there some time, with the good wishes of the brethren, they had leave to go to the apostles. however Silas thought fit to stay at Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas continued, teaching and preaching the doctrine of the Lord, with many others.
and after they had by prayers and fastings establish'd Pastors for them in every church, they recommended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
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don't neglect the gift you have, which was given you with the ministerial charge, when you receiv'd imposition of hands from the presbytery.
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as they pass'd through the cities, they recommended it to the faithful to observe the decisions, made by the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem. thus were the churches established in the faith, and daily grew more numerous.
At Miletus he sent a message to the pastors of the church at Ephesus, to come to him:
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be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. for I know when I am gone, you will be oppress'd by wolves, that will not spare the flock. nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers. read more.
be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears. and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd.
be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears. and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd.
the next day Paul went with us to James, where all the pastors assembled.
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Let the presbyters that govern well receive a double salary, especially those who are employ'd in preaching and instructing. for the scripture says, "thou shalt not muzzle the ox, when he treads the corn." and, "the labourer is worthy of his reward." don't receive any accusation against a pastor, but upon the deposition of two or three witnesses.
I left you in Crete, to regulate what was amiss, and to ordain pastors in every city, as I had appointed you, to chuse such as are without reproach, married to but one wife, whose children are obedient, not accused of debauchery, nor unruly. for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not morose, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not desirous of unlawful gain. read more.
but a lover of hospitality, humane, prudent, just, holy, temperate; attach'd to the truth, that has been taught him, that he may be able to teach others sound doctrine, and to convince those who oppose it.
but a lover of hospitality, humane, prudent, just, holy, temperate; attach'd to the truth, that has been taught him, that he may be able to teach others sound doctrine, and to convince those who oppose it.
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and it was for their faith that our fore-fathers acquired so great a reputation.
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Is any of you sick? let him send for the pastors of the church, to pray for him, and after giving him the unction, in the name of the Lord, the prayer that proceeds from faith, shall save the sick; the Lord will raise him up, and his sins that may have been the occasion, shall be forgiven.
I address myself to you pastors, as being a pastor myself, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to partake of the glory, that shall hereafter be made manifest; to exhort you to feed the flock of God, which is among you: to take care of it, voluntarily, without reluctance, not from any view to sordid gain, but out of real affection; not to domineer over the laity, but to be examples for their imitation; read more.
that when the sovereign pastor shall appear, you may carry off a glorious crown, that will never fade. As for you that are young, be you submissive to those of a more advanc'd age: and do you all of you pay a becoming deference to one another: be cloak'd with humility, for " God opposes the proud, and shows favour to the humble."
that when the sovereign pastor shall appear, you may carry off a glorious crown, that will never fade. As for you that are young, be you submissive to those of a more advanc'd age: and do you all of you pay a becoming deference to one another: be cloak'd with humility, for " God opposes the proud, and shows favour to the humble."
The PRESBYTER to the lady ECLECTA and her children, whom I sincerely love, and not only I, but all true christians,
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The PRESBYTER to my dear Gaius, whom I truly love.
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John » The apostle » Writes to the congregations » See the epistles of john
The PRESBYTER to the lady ECLECTA and her children, whom I sincerely love, and not only I, but all true christians,
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The PRESBYTER to my dear Gaius, whom I truly love.
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