Thematic Bible: Catholicity


Thematic Bible



For all ye that are baptised, have put on Christ. Now is there no Jew, neither gentile, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither man nor woman: but ye are all one thing in Christ Jesus.

And John answered and said, "Master we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us." And Jesus said unto him, "Forbid ye him not. For he that is not against us, is with us."

And whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me." John answered him, saying, "Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, which followeth not us and we forbade him, because he followeth us not." But Jesus said, "Forbid him not. For there is no man that shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. Whosoever is not against you, is on your part. read more.
"And whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink for my name's sake because ye are belonging to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Forasmuch then as God gave them like gifts, as he did unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ: what was I that I should have withstood God?" When they heard this, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

Then came certain from Jewry and taught the brethren, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved." And when there was risen dissension and disputing not a little unto Paul and Barnabas, against them: they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should ascend to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And after they were brought on their way by the congregation, they passed over Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy unto all the brethren. read more.
And when they were come to Jerusalem they were received of the congregation and of the apostles and elders. And they declared what things God had done by them. Then arose there up certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which did believe: saying that it was needful to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together to reason of this matter. And when there was much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Ye men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago, God chose among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God which knoweth the heart, bare them witness, and gave unto them the holy ghost, even as he did unto us; And he put no difference between them and us, but with faith purified their hearts. Now therefore, why tempt ye God, that ye would put a yoke on the disciples necks which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, as they do." Then all the multitude was peaced and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul which told what signs and wonders God had showed among the gentiles by them. And when they held their peace, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren hearken unto me; Simeon told how God at the beginning did visit the gentiles, and received of them people unto his name. And to this agreeth the words of the prophets, as it is written, 'After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down, and that which is fallen in decay of it will I build again and I will set it up, that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and also the Gentiles upon whom my name is named saith the Lord, which doth all these things.' Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain themselves from filthiness of images, from fornication, from strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time in every city hath them that preach him, and he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath day." Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole congregation, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas, called also Barsabbas, and Silas, which were chief men among the brethren: and gave them letters in their hands after this manner, "The apostles, elders, and brethren send greetings unto the brethren which are of the gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which departed from us, have troubled you with words, and cumbered your minds saying ye must be circumcised and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment. It seemed therefore to us a good thing, when we were come together with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul: men that have jeopardized their lives, for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, which shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the holy ghost and to us, to put no grievous thing to you more than these necessary things, that is to say: that ye abstain from things offered to images, from blood, from strangled and fornication. From which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. So fare ye well." When they were departed, they came to Antioch and gathered the multitude together and delivered the epistle. When they had read it, they rejoiced of that consolation.

Paul, the servant of Jesus Christ, called unto the office to be an apostle, put apart to preach the Gospel of God, which he promised afore by his prophets, in the holy scriptures that make mention of his son, the which was begotten unto him of the seed of David, as pertaining to the flesh: read more.
and declared to be the son of God with power of the holy ghost, that sanctifieth, since the time that Jesus Christ our Lord rose again from death: by whom we have received grace and apostleship, to bring all manner heathen people unto obedience of the faith, that is in his name: of the which heathen are ye a part also, which are Jesus Christ's by vocation. To all you of Rome beloved of God, and saints by calling. Grace be with you, and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

For I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to them which are no Greeks, unto the learned and also unto the unlearned. Likewise, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you of Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe; namely to the Jew, and also to the gentile.

because that by the deeds of the law, shall no flesh be justified in the sight of God. For by the law cometh the knowledge of sin. Now, verily, is the righteousness that cometh of God declared without the fulfilling of the law: having witness yet of the law, and of the prophets. The righteousness, no doubt, which is good before God cometh by the faith of Jesus Christ: unto all, and upon all them that believe. read more.
There is no difference: For all have sinned, and lack the praise that is of valour before God: but are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus - whom God hath set forth for a mercy seat through faith in his blood, to show the righteousness which before him is of valour, in that he forgiveth the sins that are passed, which God did suffer to show at this time: the righteousness that is allowed of him, that he might be counted just, and a justifier of him which believeth on Jesus. Where is then thy rejoicing? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. We suppose, therefore we hold, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also the God of the gentiles? Yes, even of the Gentiles also. For it is God only which justifieth circumcision, which is of faith: and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then destroy the law through faith? God forbid. But we, rather, maintain the law.

Because therefore that we are justified by faith we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom we have a way in, through faith, unto this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the praise that shall be given of God.

For he is our peace, which hath made of both one, and hath broken down the wall in the midst, that was a stop between us, and hath also put away, through his flesh, the cause of hatred - that is to say, the law of commandments contained in the law written - for to make of twain one new man in himself, so making peace. And to reconcile both unto God in one body through his cross, and slew hatred thereby: read more.
and came, and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Where is neither gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarous or Scythian, bond or free: But Christ is all in all things. Now therefore as elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel to another; even as Christ forgave you, even so do ye. read more.
Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness, and the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which peace ye are called in one body: and see that ye be thankful.


"Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptised, which have received the holy ghost as well as we?"

When the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard say that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:


Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the gentiles are turned to God:

For I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to them which are no Greeks, unto the learned and also unto the unlearned.

and therefore when James, Cephas, and John, which seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the righthands, and agreed with us that we should preach among the heathen, and they among the Jews:



Then Paul stood up and beckoned with the hand and said, "Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

Ye men and brethren, children of the generation off Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is this word of salvation sent.

When they were come out of the Synagogue of the Jews, the gentiles besought them that they would preach the word of god to them between the Sabbath days. When the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and virtuous converts followed Paul and Barnabas, which spake to them and exhorted them to continue in the grace of God.


Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive, that God is not partial: but in all people, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.


And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake


And when they were come to Salamis, they showed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to their minister.