Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



And the disciples, as any man prospered, determined, each of them regarding aid, to send to the brothers who dwell in Judea, which also they did, having sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

And certain men, who came down from Judea, taught the brothers, Unless ye will be circumcised in the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. Therefore, no small dissension and debate having developed with Paul and Barnabus against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some other men from them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about thi Indeed therefore, having been helped for the trip by the congregation, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy to all the brothers. read more.
And after arriving in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders. And they reported as many things as God did with them. But some of the men who believed from the sect of the Pharisees rose up, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and the elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And when much debate occurred, Peter having risen up, he said to them, Men, brothers, ye know that from past days among us, God chose the Gentiles to hear through my mouth the word of the good-news, and to believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, just as also to us. And he made not one distinction between both us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye challenge God, to place a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But through the grace of the Lord Jesus, we believe to be saved, in the same way as those men also. And all the multitude kept silent, and they heard Barnabas and Paul describing how many signs and wonders God did among the Gentiles through them. And after they were quiet, James answered, saying, Men, brothers, hear me. Simeon described how God first came to help, to take from the Gentiles a people for his name. And to this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David that has fallen. And I will rebuild the things of it that have been demolished, and I will restore it, so that the rest of men might seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called upon them, says the Lord, who does these things. Known to God from the age are all his works. Therefore I judge not to trouble those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, but to write to them, to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses from generations past, has from city to city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues on every Sabbath. Then it was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to send men chosen from them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, after writing by their hand these things:The apostles, and the elders, and the brothers, to those down in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, to the brothers of the Gentiles, greeting. Since we have heard that certain men who went out from us have troubled you with words, disturbing your souls, saying to be circumcised, and to keep the law, to whom we did not command, it was decided by us, having become unanimous, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given over their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, themselves also declaring the same things by speech. For it was decided by the Holy Spirit, and by us, to lay upon you not one greater burden than these necessary things: to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, keeping yourselves from which, ye will do well. Be strong. Indeed therefore after being dismissed, they came to Antioch, and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. And after reading it, they rejoiced for the encouragement. And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brothers by much speech, and strengthened them. And after spending some time, they were dismissed with peace from the brothers to the apostles. [This verse is not in the majority of the Greek manuscripts.] But Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching good-news, the word of the Lord, with many others also.



And as they were going through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. Indeed therefore the congregations were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

And from Miletus having sent to Ephesus, he summoned the elders of the congregation.

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit placed you guardians, to tend the church of the Lord and God, which he purchased by his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And from you yourselves men will rise up, speaking distorted things, to draw away the disciples after them. read more.
Therefore watch ye, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease warning each one with tears. And now brothers, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified.

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

Let the elders who rule well be regarded worthy of double compensation, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. For the scripture says thou shall not muzzle an ox that is threshing. And the workman is worthy of his wage. Accept no accusation against an elder, except at two or three witnesses.

I left thee behind in Crete on account of this: That thou should set in order the things lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded thee, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having believing children, not with an accusation of debauchery or insubordinate. For the overseer must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-willed, not prone to angry, not a drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy of base gain, read more.
but a lover of strangers, a lover of good, serious minded, just, devout, self-controlled, holding firm the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he may also be able to exhort by the sound doctrine, and to correct those who contradict.

For by this the ancients were well reported.

Is any man weak among you? Let him summon the elders of the congregation, and let them pray near him, having anointed him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will rescue him who is depressed, and the Lord will rouse him. And if he should be a man who has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

I, a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a partaker of the glory going be revealed, exhort the elders among you: Tend ye the flock of God among you, watching over, not by obligation, but willingly, nor greedily, but readily, nor as domineering over the lots, but becoming examples of the flock. read more.
And when the chief Shepherd is made known, ye will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise younger men should be subordinate to the elder men. And all being subordinate to each other, clothe yourselves with humility, because God sets himself against the haughty, but gives grace to the lowly.

The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who know the truth,

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.


Philip, and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus who was surnamed Thaddaeus,

and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

And when they came in, they went up into the upper floor where they were lodging, including, Peter and James and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Juda

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,

and James and Cephas and John, those who were reputed to be pillars, when they understood the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. So that we were for the Gentiles, and they for me

But I did not see another of the apostles except James the Lord's brother.

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

Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,


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

And after they were quiet, James answered, saying, Men, brothers, hear me.


And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. And having greeted them, he reported one by one what God did among the Gentiles through his ministry.


And when it came to pass to launch us, after being drawn away from them, after going a straight course, we came to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, having gotton on, we launched. And having sighted Cyprus, and having left it behind on the left side, we sailed to Syria and came down to Tyre, for there the ship was unloading the merchandise. read more.
And having found disciples (we remained there seven days) who said to Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. And when it came to pass for us to finish the days, having gone forth, we were departing, all accompanying us, with women and children, as far as outside the city. And having knelt on the beach we prayed. And having bid farewell to each other, we went up in the ship, and those men returned to their own things. And when we finished the voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais. And having greeted the brothers, we remained with them one day. And on the morrow, after going forth, those around Paul came to Caesarea. And having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, being of the seven, we dwelt with him. Now four virgin daughters who prophesied were with this man. And as we remained more days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And having come to us, and having taken Paul's belt, having bound both his feet and hands, he said, The Holy Spirit says these things: Thus the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man whose belt this is, and will deliver him into the h And when we heard these things, both we and those local men urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. And Paul answered, What are ye doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I fare ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And since he was not persuaded, we were quiet, having said, May the will of the Lord happen. And after these days, having made preparation, we went up to Jerusalem. And also the disciples from Caesarea went together with us, bringing a certain Mnason, a Cypriot, an old disciple with whom we would lodge. And when we came to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.


And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. And having greeted them, he reported one by one what God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when the men heard, they glorified God, having said to him, Thou see, brother, how many thousands there are of the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealots of the law. read more.
And they were informed about thee, that thou teach all the Jews throughout the nations desertion from Moses, telling them not to circumcise the children nor to walk by the customs. What is it therefore? Certainly the multitude needs to get together, for they will hear that thou have come. Therefore do this that we say to thee. Four men are with us who have a vow on themselves. Having taken these, be purified with them. And pay expenses for them, so that they may shave the head. And all may know, that things of which they have been informed about thee, are nothing, but thou thyself also walk orderly, keep And about the Gentiles who have believed, we sent word, having decided for them to keep no such thing, except for them to guard against what is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul, having taken the men on the following day, having been purified with them, entered into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for each one of them.


And when we came to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. And having greeted them, he reported one by one what God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. read more.
And when the men heard, they glorified God, having said to him, Thou see, brother, how many thousands there are of the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealots of the law. And they were informed about thee, that thou teach all the Jews throughout the nations desertion from Moses, telling them not to circumcise the children nor to walk by the customs. What is it therefore? Certainly the multitude needs to get together, for they will hear that thou have come. Therefore do this that we say to thee. Four men are with us who have a vow on themselves. Having taken these, be purified with them. And pay expenses for them, so that they may shave the head. And all may know, that things of which they have been informed about thee, are nothing, but thou thyself also walk orderly, keep And about the Gentiles who have believed, we sent word, having decided for them to keep no such thing, except for them to guard against what is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.