Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren,

But certain men coming down from Judea taught the brethren, Except ye be circumcised, after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had had no small contention and debate with them, they determined, that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And being come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and the apostles, and elders; and they declared all things which God had done with them. But there rose up, said they, certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, That we ought to circumcise them, and command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together, to consider of this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know, that God long ago made choice among us, that the Gentiles should by my mouth hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving the Holy Ghost to them, even as also to us. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why endeavour ye to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe, that through the grace of the Lord Jesus, we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence and hearkened to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought by them among the Gentiles. And when they held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me. Simon hath declared, how God at first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this I will return and build again the fallen tabernacle of David; I will build again the ruins thereof, and will set it up, That the residue of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles on whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doth these things. Known unto God are all his works from eternity. Wherefore my sentence is, That we trouble not them who from among the Gentiles turn to God. But that we write to them, to abstain from things offered to idols and fornication, and things strangled and blood. For Moses hath of old time them that preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren, Writing thus by their hand, The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren salute the brethren who are of the Gentiles, in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who came from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law, whom we commanded not. It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send to you chosen men, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives, for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, that no further burden be laid upon you than these necessary things, To abstain from meats offered to idols and blood, and things strangled and fornication; from which keeping yourselves ye will do well. Fare ye well. So being dismissed they came to Antioch, and having assembled the multitude, they delivered the epistle: Which having read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted and confirmed the brethren with many words. And after they had tarried a space, they were dismissed with peace by the brethren to the apostles. But it seemed good to Silas, to remain there. Paul also and Barnabas abode in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also the word of the Lord.


Then the disciples determined to send relief, every one according to his ability, to the brethren who dwelt in Judea: Which also they did, sending it to the elders, by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

But certain men coming down from Judea taught the brethren, Except ye be circumcised, after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had had no small contention and debate with them, they determined, that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And being come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and the apostles, and elders; and they declared all things which God had done with them. But there rose up, said they, certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, That we ought to circumcise them, and command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together, to consider of this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know, that God long ago made choice among us, that the Gentiles should by my mouth hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving the Holy Ghost to them, even as also to us. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why endeavour ye to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe, that through the grace of the Lord Jesus, we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence and hearkened to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought by them among the Gentiles. And when they held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me. Simon hath declared, how God at first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this I will return and build again the fallen tabernacle of David; I will build again the ruins thereof, and will set it up, That the residue of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles on whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doth these things. Known unto God are all his works from eternity. Wherefore my sentence is, That we trouble not them who from among the Gentiles turn to God. But that we write to them, to abstain from things offered to idols and fornication, and things strangled and blood. For Moses hath of old time them that preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren, Writing thus by their hand, The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren salute the brethren who are of the Gentiles, in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who came from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law, whom we commanded not. It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send to you chosen men, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives, for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, that no further burden be laid upon you than these necessary things, To abstain from meats offered to idols and blood, and things strangled and fornication; from which keeping yourselves ye will do well. Fare ye well. So being dismissed they came to Antioch, and having assembled the multitude, they delivered the epistle: Which having read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted and confirmed the brethren with many words. And after they had tarried a space, they were dismissed with peace by the brethren to the apostles. But it seemed good to Silas, to remain there. Paul also and Barnabas abode in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also the word of the Lord.



And as they went through the cities, they gave them the decrees, which were determined by the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem to keep. And the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

And sending to Ephesus from Miletus, he called thither the elders of the church.

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Yea, from among yourselves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. read more.
Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears. And now, brethren, 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 them that are sanctified.

And the next day, Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and teaching. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, unless by two or three witnesses.

For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou mightest set in order the things which remain, and ordain elders in every city, as I appointed thee: If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of luxury or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not given to wine, no striker, not desirous of filthy gain: read more.
But a lover of strangers, a lover of good men, prudent, just, holy, temperate, Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

And by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he have 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 Christ, and likewise a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed, Feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy gain, but of a ready mind, Neither as lording over the heritage, but being examples to the flock. read more.
And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. In like manner, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder, and be ye all subject to each other. Be ye cloathed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

The elder unto the elect Kuria and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but likewise all who know the truth, For the truth's sake,

The elder unto the well-beloved Caius, whom I truly love.


Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren, Writing thus by their hand, The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren salute the brethren who are of the Gentiles, in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who came from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law, whom we commanded not. read more.
It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send to you chosen men, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives, for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, that no further burden be laid upon you than these necessary things, To abstain from meats offered to idols and blood, and things strangled and fornication; from which keeping yourselves ye will do well. Fare ye well. So being dismissed they came to Antioch, and having assembled the multitude, they delivered the epistle: Which having read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted and confirmed the brethren with many words. And after they had tarried a space, they were dismissed with peace by the brethren to the apostles. But it seemed good to Silas, to remain there.