Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]. Verse ConceptsChurchProgressPredestination, Spiritual EventsChurch, IncreasingHuman FavourAdditionsMany In The ChurchAdding PeopleSymbols of the Holy SpiritBeing SavedFavorHaving A Good DayGoing To Churchgroups

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]. Verse ConceptsChurchProgressPredestination, Spiritual EventsChurch, IncreasingHuman FavourAdditionsMany In The ChurchAdding PeopleSymbols of the Holy SpiritBeing SavedFavorHaving A Good DayGoing To Churchgroups

And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and gave honor to the message of God [i.e., they accepted it as true]. And all those who were appointed [by God] to receive never ending life [through faith and obedience] became believers. Verse ConceptsGentiles, In NtHappinessHonouring GodPredestined PeopleThe Call Of GodPredestination, Of PersonsReligious AwakeningsThe Gentiles ConversionThose Who Believed In ChristElect


But to those who are called [by God to be saved], both Jews and Gentiles, [the message of] Christ is the power of God [See 1:16] and the wisdom of God. [See 1:30]. Verse ConceptsGod, Wisdom OfOutsidersThe Call Of GodChrist, Names ForChrist's WisdomThe Gospel To Jew And GentileSpecial RevelationThe power of ChristWisdom

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]. Verse ConceptsChurchProgressPredestination, Spiritual EventsChurch, IncreasingHuman FavourAdditionsMany In The ChurchAdding PeopleSymbols of the Holy SpiritBeing SavedFavorHaving A Good DayGoing To Churchgroups

Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and everyone speaks in languages [i.e., supernaturally], and outsiders [i.e., people who do not understand the language being spoken] or unbelievers come [into the assembly], will they not say that you people are crazy? Verse ConceptsLanguages ConfusedAssemblyChurch OrderChurch GatheringsNot Believing The GospelEach Local ChurchReckoned Insane

And I also tell you, [although] you are Peter [i.e., a stone], it is on this rock [i.e., the truth you have just confessed] that I will build my church and [not even] the gates of the unseen place of departed spirits will win out over it [i.e., all efforts to stamp out the church by killing Christians will fail]. Verse ConceptsThe DeadGoalsFoundationsAssemblyGatesdefence, divineBuildingHadesMission, Of Jesus ChristProgressChurch AgeJesus Christ, Present Activities OfGates Of DeathProphecies Said By JesusThe Foundation Of The ChurchPeople As RocksOvercoming DeathOvercoming Through ChristThe Church UniversalNamesChurch Distinct From IsraelOvercomingTragedymath

And if he refuses to listen to them [i.e., the witnesses], explain the [whole] matter to the church [i.e., probably a specially called meeting of mature Christians to resolve the matter]. And if he refuses to listen to the church also, [i.e., to acknowledge his sin and repent of it], consider him like an [unconverted] Gentile or tax collector [i.e., do not have fellowship with him]. Verse ConceptsChurchProblem SolvingPagansSin, God's Judgment OnTax CollectorsDisfellowshipAvoiding ForeignersEach Local ChurchTreating OthersConflictGoing To ChurchFamily Conflict

For first of all, I have been informed [Note: This was probably by Chloe's family. See 1:11] that divisions exist among you people when you assemble as a congregation. And I am inclined to believe it [is true]. Verse ConceptsAttending ChurchAssemblyDivision Among ChristiansSchismsWeakness In DivisionDivisions Of OpinionTrusting Other PeopleEach Local ChurchMental Abusedivision

However, in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so that I can instruct other people also, than to speak ten thousand words in a language [that people do not understand]. Verse ConceptsFive ThingsThinking ArightTeaching In The ChurchEach Local ChurchLanguageThe TonguespeakingMaturityorder

But if there is no interpreter present [at the meeting], the person [i.e., with the ability to speak a language supernaturally] should remain quiet in the assembly. [Note: This implies that the speaker would know before he begins speaking whether or not an interpreter is present]. [In that case], he should speak [only] to himself and to God. [See verse 2]. Verse ConceptsPraying QuietlyCurbing SpeechSoliloquyThe Tonguespeaking

because God is not a God of disorder but of peace [i.e., harmony]. As is the practice in all of the churches of the saints [i.e., God's holy people], the women should remain quiet in the assemblies. For they are not permitted to speak [i.e., in a language supernaturally, or to prophesy], but they are to be in subjection [i.e., to male leaders. See I Tim. 2:11-12], as the law also says. [See Gen. 3:16?].

For I am the least [significant] of the apostles, and am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Verse ConceptsGuilt, Human Aspects OfPainful MemoriesSelf AbasementUnworthinessInferiorityThe Church UniversalChurch Of GodPersecutionGoing To Churchimportance

For you have heard about the way I lived in the past, when I was in the Jewish religion, [that is], how I mercilessly persecuted the church of God, making havoc of it. Verse ConceptsPaul, Life OfZeal, Without KnowledgeDestruction Of The ChurchThe Church UniversalChurch Of GodPersecutionchristianitypasttrying



praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]. Verse ConceptsChurchProgressPredestination, Spiritual EventsChurch, IncreasingHuman FavourAdditionsMany In The ChurchAdding PeopleSymbols of the Holy SpiritBeing SavedFavorHaving A Good DayGoing To Churchgroups

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]. Verse ConceptsChurchProgressPredestination, Spiritual EventsChurch, IncreasingHuman FavourAdditionsMany In The ChurchAdding PeopleSymbols of the Holy SpiritBeing SavedFavorHaving A Good DayGoing To Churchgroups

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]. Verse ConceptsChurchProgressPredestination, Spiritual EventsChurch, IncreasingHuman FavourAdditionsMany In The ChurchAdding PeopleSymbols of the Holy SpiritBeing SavedFavorHaving A Good DayGoing To Churchgroups

And every day they continued to meet together in the Temple [i.e., for teaching and worship]. They were enjoying their meals and the close fellowship they shared in the various homes, and were praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel].

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]. Verse ConceptsChurchProgressPredestination, Spiritual EventsChurch, IncreasingHuman FavourAdditionsMany In The ChurchAdding PeopleSymbols of the Holy SpiritBeing SavedFavorHaving A Good DayGoing To Churchgroups

It happened in Iconium that Paul and Barnabas [again] entered the Jewish synagogue and presented the message [so powerfully] that a large number of both Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] became believers. Verse ConceptsCongregationevangelists, ministry ofevangelism, kinds ofGrowthHabitsPaul, Life OfMany In The ChurchAntagonism From Jew And Gentile

So, the message of God increased [in its influence] and the disciples multiplied in number greatly in Jerusalem, [so that even] a large number of [Jewish] priests became obedient to [the message of] the faith. Verse ConceptsExamples Of FaithFaith, As A Body Of BeliefsGrowthProgressChurch, IncreasingAdditionsGrowth In ProclamationMany In The ChurchObeying The GospelThose Who Had FaithUnnamed PriestsSpreading The Gospelgroupspriests


But many of the people who heard the message [of God] believed [in Jesus] and the number of men [alone] came to be about five thousand. Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofGrowthPreaching, Effects OfProgressRevival, CorporateFive ThousandMany In The ChurchNumbers Of MalesThose Who Believed In ChristBeing Saved

When everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him [i.e., that the man was healed], they turned [their lives over] to the Lord. Verse ConceptsConversion, examples ofReligious AwakeningsTurning To God

And every day they continued to meet together in the Temple [i.e., for teaching and worship]. They were enjoying their meals and the close fellowship they shared in the various homes, and were praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel].

And when the day of Pentecost came [Note: This was a Jewish festival held fifty days following the Passover Festival. Lev. 23:15-21], they [i.e., the twelve apostles] were all gathered together in one place [i.e., their second story living quarters, 1:13 ?]. Suddenly a rushing sound, like a fierce wind blowing, came from the sky above them, and [its noise] filled the entire house where they were sitting. Then they saw what appeared to be flames of fire shooting down and landing on each one of them. read more.
And they [i.e., the apostles] were all filled with [the power of] the Holy Spirit and began to speak ["the mighty accomplishments of God," See verse 11] in different languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability. Now some devoted Jews from every nation of the world were visiting Jerusalem [for the Pentecost festival]. And when they heard the noise [of the blowing wind] a large number of them assembled [around the apostles] and were puzzled over how they could hear them speaking in their native languages. Being so amazed and astounded [at something so unusual happening], they exclaimed, "Look! are not all these men who are speaking from [the country of] Galilee? How is it then, that we are hearing them speak in our own native languages: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappodocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt and areas of Libya around Cyrene, Jewish and proselyte travelers from Rome, Cretans and Arabians. How can it be that we hear [these apostles] speaking about the mighty accomplishments of God in the language of our national origin? And they were amazed and perplexed [over this] and began saying to one another, "What does all this mean?" But others made fun of them, saying, "Oh, they are just drunk [i.e., full of new wine]." But Peter [responded by] standing up with the eleven [other] apostles and, lifting up his voice, began to speak. He said, "People of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, listen to what I am saying so you will understand this situation. For these men [i.e., the twelve apostles] are not drunk as you suppose, since it is only nine o'clock in the morning. [Note: The use of Jewish time calculations are employed in this verse]. But what you see happening is simply [the fulfillment of] what was predicted by the prophet Joel [2:28ff], God said that 'in the last days [of the Jewish nation?] I will pour out My Holy Spirit upon all people [i.e., both Jews and Gentiles], and your sons and daughters will speak out [in prophecies] and your young men will see [supernatural] visions, and your old men will have [supernatural] dreams. Yes, and I will pour out my Holy Spirit on my male and female [spiritual] slaves in those days so that they will speak out in prophecies. And I will display miracles in the sky above and [supernatural] signs on the earth below [consisting of] blood, fire and smoky vapor. [In that day] the sun will become dark and the moon will [appear] as blood. [This will all happen] before the great and wonderful day when the Lord comes. [Note: Some view these last two verses as a reference to events occurring at the end of time. See Matt. 24:29-30]. And the time will come when every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' [i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ]. "You people of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus from Nazareth was a man whom God [demonstrated] His approval of by powerful deeds, miracles and [supernatural] signs which He accomplished through Jesus in your very presence --- and you all know this! Yet, He was handed over to you so that, by lawless men [i.e., the Romans], He was put to death by crucifixion. Now this was all done in harmony with God's full pre-knowledge and [divine] purpose. But God raised Him up, having released Him from the sharp pains [He experienced when dying], because it was not possible that He could be held in death's grip. King David said this about Jesus [Psa. 16:8ff], 'I always see the Lord in front of me, He is at my right side for protection; therefore, I was glad in my heart, and my mouth expressed this [joy]. In addition, my body will live in hope [of being raised] because you [i.e., God] will not allow my soul [i.e., this is a reference to Jesus] to remain in Hades [i.e., the unseen place of the departed spirits], neither will you allow [the body of] your Holy One to decay. You have made known to me what life is all about. You will make me completely happy by your very presence.' Brothers, I would like to speak very plainly about the patriarch David [Note: A patriarch was the ruling father of the family]. He died and was buried and his grave can be seen today. Since he was a prophet and knew that God had pledged His word that one of his [i.e., David's] descendants would sit on his throne [as king]; David, foreseeing this, spoke of Christ being raised from the dead. [He said Jesus' spirit] would not be left in the unseen place of departed spirits, nor would His body decay. So, God raised this Jesus up [from the dead] and we [apostles] are all witnesses [of it]. Jesus is [now] exalted at the right side of God, and having received the promised Holy Spirit from His Father, He has poured out what you have seen and heard [here this day]. Now David is not the one who ascended into heaven for he [spoke of Jesus when he] said [Psa. 110:1], 'The Lord [i.e., God] said to my [i.e., David's] Lord [i.e., Jesus], sit at my right side until I put your enemies [in subjection] beneath your feet.' Therefore, let all those who make up the household of Israel [i.e., God's people] know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Now when the people heard this message [of Peter and the other apostles, See verse 14], they were convicted [of its truth] in their hearts and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do [about our condemned condition]?" And Peter replied, "Every one of you must repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives] and be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ [i.e., by His authority] so that your sins will be forgiven [by God] and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [to live in your hearts]. For the promise [of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit] is being given to you [Jews] and to your descendants and [also] to all those who are far away [i.e., Gentiles. See Eph. 2:17]. [This promise is] to as many as [respond to] the Lord, our God's call [through the Gospel, See II Thess. 2:14]." So, Peter testified and urged the crowd with many additional words, saying, "Save yourselves from [the condemnation coming on] this sinful generation [by responding to this message]." Then those who responded [by faith] to the words [spoken by Peter and the apostles] were immersed, and about three thousand persons were added to them [i.e., the apostles] on that day. And these [new converts] continued regularly [to listen] to the teaching of the apostles and to share with them; they broke bread [in memory of Jesus] and continued praying.

But when some men from Cyprus and Cyrene came to Antioch, they preached [about] the Lord Jesus to the Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] also. The power of the Lord was upon their efforts so that a large number of people who believed [the message] turned to the Lord [in faithful obedience].

But the [influence of the] message of God grew and [the number of disciples] multiplied. Verse ConceptsMultiplyingGrowth In ProclamationMany In The ChurchGod Multipling PeopleSpreading The Gospel

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]. Verse ConceptsChurchProgressPredestination, Spiritual EventsChurch, IncreasingHuman FavourAdditionsMany In The ChurchAdding PeopleSymbols of the Holy SpiritBeing SavedFavorHaving A Good DayGoing To Churchgroups

Those who wash their robes are blessed because [then] they will have the right to [eat from] the tree of life, and will [be able to] enter the city through the gates. Verse ConceptsAvoiding SinGatesHappinessHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityRightsRitual WashingRobesTreesWashingThe Water Of LifeBeginning And EndWashing ClothesEntering LifeMetaphorical TreesBlessed In ServiceHealing Of NationsPromise Of HeavenUniversalism

"But you have a few people [there] in Sardis who have not [spiritually] polluted their clothing, and they will walk with me in [robes of] white [i.e., probably now on earth as well as in heaven], for they are worthy. Verse ConceptsRest, EternalWalkingWorthinessWhite And Bright ClothesClothed With RighteousnessWhite ClothsClean ClothesFew PeopleFew In The KingdomWorthy PeopleThe Environment

But you should be alert at all times, offering earnest prayers, so that you will be strong enough to escape all these things that will happen, and to appear [acceptable] in front of the Son of man [on that day]." Verse ConceptsAcknowledging GodWhat Christian Should Do AlwaysBeing PreparedEscaping, Spiritual ThingsBeing AwakePrayerfulnessWatchfulness, Of BelieversAnswered PromisesUnceasingAlways Being ActiveSeeking God's StrengthEscaping EvilEverything Happening For A ReasonPrayer During Hard TimesPraying

And people will come from the east and west and from the north and south to sit down in the kingdom of God. Verse ConceptseastHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityRest, EternalNorth And SouthNorth, South, East And WestReclining To EatThe Gospel Worldwide

but those who are considered worthy of gaining that age [i.e., the future, never ending state] and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given away in marriage. For they cannot die anymore either, because they are equal to the angels and are children of God, as well as children of the resurrection [i.e., people who are assured of being resurrected].

Then one of the [twenty-four] elders asked me, "Who are these ones dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?" And I answered him, "Sir, [surely] you know." And he said to me, "These are the people who have come through the terrible persecution, and they have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. So, [now] they are in front of God's throne and they are serving Him day and night in His Temple. And He who sits on His throne will spread His tent over them [i.e., He will protect them]. read more.
They will not be hungry anymore, nor will they get thirsty anymore. The sun will not beat down on them, nor will they become scorched by the heat. For the Lamb, who is at the center of the throne, will be their Shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]. Verse ConceptsChurchProgressPredestination, Spiritual EventsChurch, IncreasingHuman FavourAdditionsMany In The ChurchAdding PeopleSymbols of the Holy SpiritBeing SavedFavorHaving A Good DayGoing To Churchgroups

Those who wash their robes are blessed because [then] they will have the right to [eat from] the tree of life, and will [be able to] enter the city through the gates. Verse ConceptsAvoiding SinGatesHappinessHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityRightsRitual WashingRobesTreesWashingThe Water Of LifeBeginning And EndWashing ClothesEntering LifeMetaphorical TreesBlessed In ServiceHealing Of NationsPromise Of HeavenUniversalism

"But you have a few people [there] in Sardis who have not [spiritually] polluted their clothing, and they will walk with me in [robes of] white [i.e., probably now on earth as well as in heaven], for they are worthy. Verse ConceptsRest, EternalWalkingWorthinessWhite And Bright ClothesClothed With RighteousnessWhite ClothsClean ClothesFew PeopleFew In The KingdomWorthy PeopleThe Environment

But you should be alert at all times, offering earnest prayers, so that you will be strong enough to escape all these things that will happen, and to appear [acceptable] in front of the Son of man [on that day]." Verse ConceptsAcknowledging GodWhat Christian Should Do AlwaysBeing PreparedEscaping, Spiritual ThingsBeing AwakePrayerfulnessWatchfulness, Of BelieversAnswered PromisesUnceasingAlways Being ActiveSeeking God's StrengthEscaping EvilEverything Happening For A ReasonPrayer During Hard TimesPraying

And people will come from the east and west and from the north and south to sit down in the kingdom of God. Verse ConceptseastHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityRest, EternalNorth And SouthNorth, South, East And WestReclining To EatThe Gospel Worldwide

but those who are considered worthy of gaining that age [i.e., the future, never ending state] and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given away in marriage. For they cannot die anymore either, because they are equal to the angels and are children of God, as well as children of the resurrection [i.e., people who are assured of being resurrected].

Then one of the [twenty-four] elders asked me, "Who are these ones dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?" And I answered him, "Sir, [surely] you know." And he said to me, "These are the people who have come through the terrible persecution, and they have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. So, [now] they are in front of God's throne and they are serving Him day and night in His Temple. And He who sits on His throne will spread His tent over them [i.e., He will protect them]. read more.
They will not be hungry anymore, nor will they get thirsty anymore. The sun will not beat down on them, nor will they become scorched by the heat. For the Lamb, who is at the center of the throne, will be their Shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

And all the believers [in Jesus] were together and shared everything. They sold their belongings and property and divided [the money] among all [the believers] according to each one's need. And every day they continued to meet together in the Temple [i.e., for teaching and worship]. They were enjoying their meals and the close fellowship they shared in the various homes, and were read more.
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel].