Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Afflictions made beneficial » In furthering the gospel
as for Saul, he made havock of the Church, entring into their houses, whence he dragg'd away both men and women, to throw them into prison.
In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only. some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus. and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts.
Now I would have you know, my brethren, that what has happen'd to me, has only conduc'd to the progress of the gospel;
for which I suffer even the chains of a malefactor: but the word of God is not so confin'd.
At my first defence, I had no assistance, for every body deserted me. I wish it may never be laid to their charge. however the Lord assisted and strengthen'd me, that the gospel might be confirm'd by my remonstrance, and all the nations might hear it; so that I was deliver'd out of the mouth of the lion:
Antioch » A city » A city of syria » Disciples first called Christians in
In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only. some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus. and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts. read more.
Of this the church at Jerusalem being appriz'd, they order'd Barnabas to go to Antioch; who upon his arrival there, was glad to see such effects of the divine grace, and exhorted them all to remain firmly attach'd to the christian profession: for he was a good man, and full of the holy spirit and of faith: so that many converts were added to the church. at length Barnabas departed to Tarsus in quest of Saul, and having found him, he conducted him to Antioch: where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians. About that time some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch: and one of them named Agabus foretold by the spirit, that there should be a great famine, thro' all the world: which accordingly happen'd in the reign of Claudius Cesar. 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.
Of this the church at Jerusalem being appriz'd, they order'd Barnabas to go to Antioch; who upon his arrival there, was glad to see such effects of the divine grace, and exhorted them all to remain firmly attach'd to the christian profession: for he was a good man, and full of the holy spirit and of faith: so that many converts were added to the church. at length Barnabas departed to Tarsus in quest of Saul, and having found him, he conducted him to Antioch: where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians. About that time some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch: and one of them named Agabus foretold by the spirit, that there should be a great famine, thro' all the world: which accordingly happen'd in the reign of Claudius Cesar. 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.
Cyprus » Preaching the gospel at
In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only. some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus.
Cyrene » Simon and lucius belonged to
one Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he pass'd by in his return out of the country, was compell'd to carry the cross.
Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus.
Jerusalem » Disciples persecuted and dispersed from
In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only. some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus. and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts.
and Saul was accessory to his death. At that time the persecution was so violent against the church at Jerusalem, they were all dispers'd through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles, and some devout men who carried Stephen to his burial, making great lamentation over him. as for Saul, he made havock of the Church, entring into their houses, whence he dragg'd away both men and women, to throw them into prison. read more.
but they that were dispers'd, preach'd the gospel wherever they went.
but they that were dispers'd, preach'd the gospel wherever they went.
Missionaries » Exemplified
In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only. some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus.
but they that were dispers'd, preach'd the gospel wherever they went.
Persecution » Of the righteous » Diffuses the gospel
In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only. some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus. and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts.
and Saul was accessory to his death. At that time the persecution was so violent against the church at Jerusalem, they were all dispers'd through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles,
but they that were dispers'd, preach'd the gospel wherever they went.
Now I would have you know, my brethren, that what has happen'd to me, has only conduc'd to the progress of the gospel; so that the whole court and publick are well appriz'd that I am a prisoner upon the account of Jesus Christ. even many of our brethren, encourag'd by my bonds, preach the word with greater freedom and intrepidity.
Revivals » Instances of » At pentecost, and times after pentecost
Being arriv'd at Iconium, they went both together to the Jewish synagogue, where they discours'd in such a manner, that a great number both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
thus the word of God was spread; and the number of disciples encreased very much at Jerusalem; and a numerous body of priests embrac'd the faith.
did not venture to approach near them. the number of those who believed in the Lord, both men and women, increas'd more and more.
however, many who heard Peter's discourse, believed, to the number of about five thousand people.
and continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they did eat their meals with gladness, and simplicity of heart, praising God, and showing benevolence to all the people. and the Lord encreased the church daily with new converts.
When the day of pentecost was come, they all met together with one accord. when all of a sudden there came a sound from heaven, like that of an impetuous wind, which filled all the house where they were. and there appeared several little flames, and sat upon each of them: read more.
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak in different languages, as the spirit gave them utterance. now many devout Jews were residing at Jerusalem, who came from all quarters of the world. and upon the rumour of this event, the multitude came together, and were confounded, every man hearing the disciples speak in his own language. struck with astonishment and admiration, they said to one another, are not these men who are speaking, all Galileans? how comes it then that we hear every man talking in our own native tongue? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya about Cyrene, foreigners from Rome, Jews, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians, we hear them all proclaiming in our tongues the wonderful works of God. and they were all amazed, and perplex'd, saying one to another, what can the meaning of this be? others in derision said, these men are full of sweet wine. But Peter standing up with the eleven, and raising his voice, said to them, ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and observe what I say. these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is but the third hour of the day. but this is the accomplishment of what was said by the prophet Joel, "it shall come to pass in the last days (saith God) I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams: and on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will pour out of my spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy: and I will shew prodigies in the heavens, and signs on the earth; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and illustrious day of the Lord shall come. and then whoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved." ye men of Israel attend to what I say; Jesus of Nazareth was a man whom God distinguished among you, by miracles, by prodigies, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you your selves also know: him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by means of the wicked, have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having delivered him from the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be overpower'd by it. for David says concerning him, "I had the Lord always present before me, he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. therefore did my heart rejoice, my tongue was glad: and my body shall rest in hope. because thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave, nor wilt thou give thine holy one a prey to corruption. thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy by thy presence." men and brethren, let me with assurance tell you of the patriarch David, who died and was buried here, his sepulchre being with us to this day: that, as he was a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him, to place the fruit of his loins upon his throne: foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ, when he said, "that his soul was not lest in the grave, neither did his body undergo corruption."' 'tis this Jesus whom God hath raised up, of which we all are witnesses. therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the father the promise of the holy spirit, he has diffused that spirit, the effects of which ye now see and hear. for David is not ascended to heaven: yet he saith himself, "the Lord said to my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool." therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, their hearts were struck with remorse, and they said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Peter replied, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy spirit. for the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. and with many other discourses did he conjure and exhort them, to save themselves from that depraved generation. then they that embraced his doctrine, were baptized: and there were about three thousand converts made that very day. they continued stedfastly in the apostolical doctrine of a community, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak in different languages, as the spirit gave them utterance. now many devout Jews were residing at Jerusalem, who came from all quarters of the world. and upon the rumour of this event, the multitude came together, and were confounded, every man hearing the disciples speak in his own language. struck with astonishment and admiration, they said to one another, are not these men who are speaking, all Galileans? how comes it then that we hear every man talking in our own native tongue? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya about Cyrene, foreigners from Rome, Jews, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians, we hear them all proclaiming in our tongues the wonderful works of God. and they were all amazed, and perplex'd, saying one to another, what can the meaning of this be? others in derision said, these men are full of sweet wine. But Peter standing up with the eleven, and raising his voice, said to them, ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and observe what I say. these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is but the third hour of the day. but this is the accomplishment of what was said by the prophet Joel, "it shall come to pass in the last days (saith God) I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams: and on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will pour out of my spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy: and I will shew prodigies in the heavens, and signs on the earth; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and illustrious day of the Lord shall come. and then whoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved." ye men of Israel attend to what I say; Jesus of Nazareth was a man whom God distinguished among you, by miracles, by prodigies, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you your selves also know: him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by means of the wicked, have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having delivered him from the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be overpower'd by it. for David says concerning him, "I had the Lord always present before me, he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. therefore did my heart rejoice, my tongue was glad: and my body shall rest in hope. because thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave, nor wilt thou give thine holy one a prey to corruption. thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy by thy presence." men and brethren, let me with assurance tell you of the patriarch David, who died and was buried here, his sepulchre being with us to this day: that, as he was a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him, to place the fruit of his loins upon his throne: foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ, when he said, "that his soul was not lest in the grave, neither did his body undergo corruption."' 'tis this Jesus whom God hath raised up, of which we all are witnesses. therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the father the promise of the holy spirit, he has diffused that spirit, the effects of which ye now see and hear. for David is not ascended to heaven: yet he saith himself, "the Lord said to my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool." therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, their hearts were struck with remorse, and they said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Peter replied, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy spirit. for the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. and with many other discourses did he conjure and exhort them, to save themselves from that depraved generation. then they that embraced his doctrine, were baptized: and there were about three thousand converts made that very day. they continued stedfastly in the apostolical doctrine of a community, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus. and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts.
word of God made continual progress. and after Barnabas