Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ, have been invested with Christ. There is no more Jew or Gentile, there is no more slave or freeman, there is no more male or female: but ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Then John addressing him said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbad him, because he followed not with us. And Jesus said to him, Forbid him not; for he that is not against us, is for us.

Then John addressed him, saying, Master, we saw a person in thy name casting out devils, who followeth us not: and we forbad him, because he did not follow us. Then said Jesus, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall perform a miracle in my name, who will be able presently after to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us, is for us. read more.
For whosoever shall give you even a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to the Messiah, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

If God then gave an equal gift to them even as to us, on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; I, indeed, who was I, that I should be able to restrain God? So when they heard these things they were satisfied, and glorified God, saying, Well! then hath God even to the Gentiles given repentance unto life.

AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot be saved. There being therefore no small contention and dispute maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of this question. They therefore being sent on their way by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving a particular narrative of the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren. read more.
Then when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were cordially received by the church, and the apostles and presbyters, and they related how great things God had done by them. But up rose some of the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was necessary to circumcise them, and to enjoin them to observe the law of Moses. Then the apostles and presbyters were assembled to consider of this matter. When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe. And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us; and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith. Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way as they. Then the whole multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs and miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me: Simon hath fully related, how at first God graciously looked upon [the Gentiles], to take from them a people for his name. And in accord with this are the words of the prophets; as it is written, "After this will I return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up from the foundation, and will set it upright again: that the residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who doth all these things." Known unto God from the beginning are all his works. Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God: but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol [sacrifices], and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses for ages past in every city hath those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it was determined by the apostles and presbyters with the whole church, to send select men from themselves unto Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren; writing a letter by their hand, in these words: The apostles and presbyters and the brethren, to the brethren from among the Gentiles which are at Antioch, and in Syria, and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain persons who went out from us have disturbed you with discourses, unsettling your minds, insisting, that you should be circumcised, and observe the law: to whom we gave no such charge: it hath seemed fit to us, assembled unanimously, to send unto you select men 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, and they by word of mouth will tell you the same things. For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no other burden except these things which are of absolute necessity; that ye abstain from eating whatever is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from whoredom: from which things carefully preserving yourselves, ye shall do well. Farewell. They then being thus dispatched, came to Antioch: and assembling the multitude, they delivered the letter: and when they had read it, they rejoiced in the consolation [of it].

PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God, (which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; made from the seed of David after the flesh, read more.
definitively marked out as the Son of God by miracle, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead: through whom we have received grace and apostolic mission among all nations for his name, to bring them to the obedience of faith: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ. To all that are at Rome, beloved of God, called saints, grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Both to the Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the ignorant am I a debtor. So, as far as is in my power, I am desirous to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God for salvation to every one who believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Wherefore by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified before God: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now distinct from the law the righteousness of God is manifest, receiving testimony from the law and the prophets; the righteousness of God indeed by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe: for there is no difference: read more.
for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; justified freely by his grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath proposed as the propitiatory sacrifice through faith in his blood, in demonstration of his justice for the remission of past sins, through the patience of God; for a demonstration of his justice at this present time: that he might be just, though justifying him who is of the faith of Jesus. Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what law? of works? No: but by the law of faith. We conclude therefore that by faith a man is justified, without works of law. Is he the God of the Jews only, and is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, verily, of the Gentiles also: since it is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith. Do we then abolish the law through faith? God forbid: but on the contrary, we give the law stability.

BEING justified therefore by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have had an introduction through faith into this grace in which we have stood fast, and are rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of separation, destroying the enmity in his flesh, even the law of precepts, in ordinances, that he might from the two create in himself one new man, making peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby; read more.
and coming, hath preached peace to you who were afar off, and to those who were nigh:

Where there is no difference whether a man be Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or freeman: but Christ is all and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and freely forgiving one another, if any man hath a complaint against another: even as Christ hath freely forgiven you, so also do ye. read more.
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God set up its throne in your hearts, whereunto also ye have been called in one body; and be ye thankful.




So when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, just as on us at the beginning. Then I recollected the word of the Lord, how he had said, John indeed baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost. If God then gave an equal gift to them even as to us, on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; I, indeed, who was I, that I should be able to restrain God?


While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the discourse.


If God then gave an equal gift to them even as to us, on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; I, indeed, who was I, that I should be able to restrain God?







If God then gave an equal gift to them even as to us, on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; I, indeed, who was I, that I should be able to restrain God?


NOW the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision disputed with him, saying, Thou hast gone in to men holding uncircumcision, and hast eaten with them. read more.
Then Peter taking up the matter from the beginning, explained it to them regularly, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying and I saw in a trance a vision, a certain vessel descending as a vast sheet let down from heaven by its four corners; and it came close to me: on which looking attentively, I perceived, and saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the air. Then I heard a voice saying to me, Rise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, By no means, Lord: for never yet hath any thing common or unclean entered into my mouth. But the voice replied the second time from heaven, What God hath cleansed, call not thou common. Now this was repeated thrice: and the whole withdrawn again into heaven. And, lo! immediately three men stood before the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no hesitation. But with me went also these six brethren, and we entered into the man's house: and he informed us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing and saying to him, Send men to Joppa, and invite Simon, who is surnamed Peter; who will speak words to thee, by which thou mayest be saved, and thy house. So when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, just as on us at the beginning. Then I recollected the word of the Lord, how he had said, John indeed baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost. If God then gave an equal gift to them even as to us, on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; I, indeed, who was I, that I should be able to restrain God? So when they heard these things they were satisfied, and glorified God, saying, Well! then hath God even to the Gentiles given repentance unto life.

When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe. And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us; and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith. read more.
Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way as they.