Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Alms » Instances of giving » The early Christians
All the believers were united and shared everything with one another. They made it their practice to sell their possessions and goods and to distribute the proceeds to anyone who was in need.
since none of them needed anything, because everyone who had land or houses would sell them and bring the money received for the things sold and lay it at the apostles' feet. Then it was distributed to anyone who needed it. One man, Joseph, a descendant of Levi and a native of Cyprus, who was named Barnabas by the apostles (the name means "a son of encouragement"), read more.
sold a field that belonged to him, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
sold a field that belonged to him, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
In those days, as the number of the disciples was growing larger and larger, a complaint was made by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called the whole group of disciples together and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect messages from God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers, appoint seven men among you who have a good reputation, who are full of the Spirit and wisdom, and we'll put them in charge of this work.
So all of the disciples decided they would send a contribution to the brothers living in Judea, as they were able, by sending it through Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices.
Right now, however, I'm going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints, because the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have been eager to share their resources with the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were eager to do this, and in fact they are obligated to help them, for if the gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to be of service to them in material things. read more.
So when I have completed this task and have put my seal on this contribution of theirs, I will visit you on my way to Spain.
So when I have completed this task and have put my seal on this contribution of theirs, I will visit you on my way to Spain.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, you should follow the directions I gave to the churches in Galatia. After the Sabbath ends, each of you should set aside and save something from your surplus in proportion to what you have, so that no collections will have to be made when I arrive. When I arrive, I will send letters along with the men you approve to take your gift to Jerusalem. read more.
If it is worthwhile for me to go, too, they can go with me.
If it is worthwhile for me to go, too, they can go with me.
We want you to know, brothers, about God's grace that was given to the churches of Macedonia. In spite of their terrible ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and deep poverty have led them to be abundantly generous. I can testify that by their own free will they have given to the utmost of their ability, yes, even beyond their ability. read more.
They begged us earnestly for the privilege of participating in this ministry to the saints.
They begged us earnestly for the privilege of participating in this ministry to the saints.
I do not need to write to you any further about the ministry to the saints.
For God is not so unjust as to forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have ministered to the saints and continue to minister to them.
Defense » Of paul
Paul looked straight at the Council and said, "Brothers, with a clear conscience I have done my duty before God up to this very day." Then the high priest Ananias ordered the men standing near him to strike him on the mouth. At this Paul told him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! How can you sit there and judge me according to the Law, and yet in violation of the Law order me to be struck?" read more.
The men standing near him asked, "Do you mean to insult God's high priest?" Paul answered, "I didn't realize, brothers, that he is the high priest. After all, it is written, "You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.'" When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the Council, "Brothers, I'm a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I'm on trial concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected."
The men standing near him asked, "Do you mean to insult God's high priest?" Paul answered, "I didn't realize, brothers, that he is the high priest. After all, it is written, "You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.'" When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the Council, "Brothers, I'm a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I'm on trial concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected."
When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he replied: "Since I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I am pleased to present my defense. You can verify for yourself that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago. They never found me debating with anyone in the Temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or throughout the city, read more.
and they cannot prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. However, I admit to you that in accordance with the Way, which they call a heresy, I worship the God of our ancestors and believe in everything written in the Law and the Prophets. I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish that there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience before God and people. After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices. They found me in the Temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. But some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me. Otherwise, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when I stood before the Council unless it is for the one thing I shouted as I stood among them: "It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"
and they cannot prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. However, I admit to you that in accordance with the Way, which they call a heresy, I worship the God of our ancestors and believe in everything written in the Law and the Prophets. I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish that there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience before God and people. After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices. They found me in the Temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. But some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me. Otherwise, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when I stood before the Council unless it is for the one thing I shouted as I stood among them: "It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"
Then Agrippa told Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense. "I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, that I can defend myself today against all the accusations of the Jewish leaders, since you are especially familiar with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen patiently to me. read more.
All the Jews know how I lived from the earliest days of my youth with my own people and in Jerusalem. They have known for a long time, if they would but testify to it, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the standards of our strictest religious party. "And now I stand here on trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our ancestors. Our twelve tribes, worshiping day and night with intense devotion, hope to attain it. It is because of this hope, O King, that I am accused by the Jews. Why is it thought incredible by all of you that God should raise the dead? Indeed, I myself thought it my duty to take extreme measures against the name of Jesus from Nazareth. That is what I did in Jerusalem. I received authority from the high priests and locked many of the saints in prison. And when I cast my vote against them, they were put to death. I would even punish them frequently in every synagogue and try to make them blaspheme. Raging furiously against them, I would hunt them down even in distant cities. "That is how I happened to be traveling to Damascus with authority based on a commission from the high priests. On the road at noon, O King, I saw a light from heaven that was brighter than the sun. It flashed around me and those who were traveling with me. "All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in the Hebrew language, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is hurting you to keep on kicking against the cattle prods.' "I asked, "Who are you, Lord?' "The Lord answered, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet, because I've appeared to you for the very purpose of appointing you to be my servant and witness of what you've seen and of what I'll show you. I'll continue to rescue you from your people and from the gentiles to whom I'm sending you. You will help them understand and turn them from darkness to light and from Satan's control to God, so that their sins will be forgiven and they will receive a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' "And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Instead, I first told the people in Damascus and Jerusalem, then all the people in Judea and after that the gentiles to repent, turn to God, and perform deeds that are consistent with such repentance. For this reason the Jewish leaders grabbed me in the Temple and kept trying to kill me. I've had help from God to this day, and so I stand here to testify to both the powerful and the lowly alike, stating only what the prophets and Moses said would happen that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead and would bring light both to our people and to the gentiles."
All the Jews know how I lived from the earliest days of my youth with my own people and in Jerusalem. They have known for a long time, if they would but testify to it, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the standards of our strictest religious party. "And now I stand here on trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our ancestors. Our twelve tribes, worshiping day and night with intense devotion, hope to attain it. It is because of this hope, O King, that I am accused by the Jews. Why is it thought incredible by all of you that God should raise the dead? Indeed, I myself thought it my duty to take extreme measures against the name of Jesus from Nazareth. That is what I did in Jerusalem. I received authority from the high priests and locked many of the saints in prison. And when I cast my vote against them, they were put to death. I would even punish them frequently in every synagogue and try to make them blaspheme. Raging furiously against them, I would hunt them down even in distant cities. "That is how I happened to be traveling to Damascus with authority based on a commission from the high priests. On the road at noon, O King, I saw a light from heaven that was brighter than the sun. It flashed around me and those who were traveling with me. "All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in the Hebrew language, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is hurting you to keep on kicking against the cattle prods.' "I asked, "Who are you, Lord?' "The Lord answered, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet, because I've appeared to you for the very purpose of appointing you to be my servant and witness of what you've seen and of what I'll show you. I'll continue to rescue you from your people and from the gentiles to whom I'm sending you. You will help them understand and turn them from darkness to light and from Satan's control to God, so that their sins will be forgiven and they will receive a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' "And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Instead, I first told the people in Damascus and Jerusalem, then all the people in Judea and after that the gentiles to repent, turn to God, and perform deeds that are consistent with such repentance. For this reason the Jewish leaders grabbed me in the Temple and kept trying to kill me. I've had help from God to this day, and so I stand here to testify to both the powerful and the lowly alike, stating only what the prophets and Moses said would happen that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead and would bring light both to our people and to the gentiles."
Feasts » Instituted by moses » Observed » By paul
After these things had happened, Paul decided to go through Macedonia and Achaia and then to go on to Jerusalem. "After I have gone there," he told them, "I must also see Rome."
After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices.
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in Asia, as he was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, if that was possible.
After the Festival of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and days later we joined them in Troas and stayed there for seven days.
As he told them goodbye, he said, "I will come back to you again if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus.
"Since I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I am pleased to present my defense. You can verify for yourself that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago.
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in
"Surely our Law does not condemn a person without first hearing from him and finding out what he is doing, does it?"
When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he replied: "Since I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I am pleased to present my defense. You can verify for yourself that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago. They never found me debating with anyone in the Temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or throughout the city, read more.
and they cannot prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. However, I admit to you that in accordance with the Way, which they call a heresy, I worship the God of our ancestors and believe in everything written in the Law and the Prophets. I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish that there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience before God and people. After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices. They found me in the Temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. But some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me. Otherwise, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when I stood before the Council unless it is for the one thing I shouted as I stood among them: "It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"
and they cannot prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. However, I admit to you that in accordance with the Way, which they call a heresy, I worship the God of our ancestors and believe in everything written in the Law and the Prophets. I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish that there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience before God and people. After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices. They found me in the Temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. But some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me. Otherwise, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when I stood before the Council unless it is for the one thing I shouted as I stood among them: "It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"
Meanwhile, Jesus was made to stand in front of the governor. The governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." While Jesus was being accused by the high priests and elders, he made no reply. Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear how many charges they're bringing against you?" read more.
But Jesus did not reply at all, so that the governor was very surprised.
But Jesus did not reply at all, so that the governor was very surprised.
Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so."
Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered him, "You say so." The high priests kept accusing him of many things. So Pilate asked him again, "Don't you have any answer? Look how many accusations they're bringing against you!" read more.
But since Jesus no longer answered, Pilate was astonished.
But since Jesus no longer answered, Pilate was astonished.
When the crowd that had gathered heard this, they were pierced to the heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter answered them, "Every one of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. For this promise belongs to you and your children, as well as to all those who are distant, whom the Lord our God may call to himself." read more.
Using many different expressions, Peter continued to testify and to plead: "Be saved," he urged them, "from this corrupt generation!"
Using many different expressions, Peter continued to testify and to plead: "Be saved," he urged them, "from this corrupt generation!"