Thematic Bible: Converts
Thematic Bible
Converts » Good ground,
but the ground that received the grain, represents those, who hear the word, and consider it, who all become fruitful, some in one degree, and some in another.
Verse Concepts
A vast number of people being assembled, and crowding to him from all quarters, he thus address'd himself to them by way of parable. a husbandman went out to sow his corn: and as he was sowing, some fell upon the beaten road, which was crush'd under foot, or devoured by the birds. some fell upon very stony ground, which no sooner sprung up, but it wither'd away, for want of moisture: read more.
some fell among thorns; but the thorns over-grew it, and starv'd it. but some of the corn fell into good soil, and grew up, yielding a hundred grains for one. then raising his voice he concluded with these words, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. But his disciples having ask'd him the meaning of this parable; he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear. now the meaning of the parable is this: the seed sown signifies the word of God. by the beaten road is meant, they who only hear: the word, by the lurking wiles of the devil, being hinder'd from taking root in their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. by the stony ground is understood such persons as receive indeed the doctrines they hear, with joy: but for want of resolution, believe only occasionally, and desert when the trial comes. the ground over-run with thorns denotes such as have embraced the doctrine, but are so immerst in the business, enjoyments, and pleasures of life, as not to improve it to any real advantage. but by the good ground is meant such persons as have received the doctrine with simplicity and sincerity, abide by it, and practise it with perseverance.
some fell among thorns; but the thorns over-grew it, and starv'd it. but some of the corn fell into good soil, and grew up, yielding a hundred grains for one. then raising his voice he concluded with these words, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. But his disciples having ask'd him the meaning of this parable; he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear. now the meaning of the parable is this: the seed sown signifies the word of God. by the beaten road is meant, they who only hear: the word, by the lurking wiles of the devil, being hinder'd from taking root in their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. by the stony ground is understood such persons as receive indeed the doctrines they hear, with joy: but for want of resolution, believe only occasionally, and desert when the trial comes. the ground over-run with thorns denotes such as have embraced the doctrine, but are so immerst in the business, enjoyments, and pleasures of life, as not to improve it to any real advantage. but by the good ground is meant such persons as have received the doctrine with simplicity and sincerity, abide by it, and practise it with perseverance.
but another part falling upon good soil, became fruitful, some grains yielding an hundred, some sixty, and some thirty.
Verse Concepts
Converts » Instances of » Sergius paulus
the proconsul seeing the fact, embraced the faith, being struck with admiration of the christian doctrine.
Verse Concepts
he was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of prudence: who sent for Barnabas and Saul, desiring to hear the word of God.
Verse Concepts
with such views, authorized by commission from the high priests, I was on the road to Damascus: when at mid-day, O king, a light from heaven exceeding the splendor of the sun, broke all around me, and those that accompanied me. we were all struck down: when I heard a voice directed to me pronounce these words in the Hebrew tongue, "Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? it is dangerous for thee to kick against the goad." read more.
I answer'd, who art thou, Lord? he said, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. but rise upright upon thy feet: for I have appear'd to thee in order to establish you my minister in testifying both what you have seen, and what I shall hereafter show to you, by delivering you from this people, and from the Gentiles to whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me." this heavenly vision, king Agrippa, I presently obey'd: first I warn'd the people of Damascus, of Jerusalem, of all Judea, and then the Gentiles, to repent, and turn to God, by acting suitably to their repentance. for such a conduct the Jews seiz'd upon me in the temple, designing to assassinate me; but by the divine favour I am still preserv'd alive, testifying to the small and to the great nothing but what Moses and the prophets have predicted should happen: "that Christ should suffer: that he should be the first that was to rise from the dead: and that he should enlighten both the Jews and the Gentiles."
I answer'd, who art thou, Lord? he said, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. but rise upright upon thy feet: for I have appear'd to thee in order to establish you my minister in testifying both what you have seen, and what I shall hereafter show to you, by delivering you from this people, and from the Gentiles to whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me." this heavenly vision, king Agrippa, I presently obey'd: first I warn'd the people of Damascus, of Jerusalem, of all Judea, and then the Gentiles, to repent, and turn to God, by acting suitably to their repentance. for such a conduct the Jews seiz'd upon me in the temple, designing to assassinate me; but by the divine favour I am still preserv'd alive, testifying to the small and to the great nothing but what Moses and the prophets have predicted should happen: "that Christ should suffer: that he should be the first that was to rise from the dead: and that he should enlighten both the Jews and the Gentiles."
Converts » Zealous » The blind men
however when they were gone, they spread abroad his fame thro' all that country.
Verse Concepts
the neighbours therefore, and they who before had seen him begging, said, is not this he that used to sit begging? this is he, said some; he is like him, said others: but he said, I am the man. thereupon they said to him, how did you come to your sight? read more.
he answered, a man call'd Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: I went, and washed, and so I saw. then said they to him, where is he? I don't know, said he. This very man that had been blind, was at length brought to the Pharisees. now it was the sabbath-day when Jesus made the clay, and gave him his sight. the Pharisees therefore ask'd him likewise, how he had received his sight. he told them, he put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and now see. thereupon some of the Pharisees said, this man has no divine mission, because he does not observe the sabbath. but said others, if he be an impostor, how can he do such miracles? and there was a schism among them. they therefore question'd the blind man again, what do you say of the man that made you see? he is a prophet, said he. but the Jews were so incredulous about his having been blind, and obtain'd sight, that they sent for his parents, and ask'd them, is this your son, who you say was born blind? how came it then that he now sees? his parents answered, that this is our son, and that he was born blind: we are very certain. but by what means it was that he now sees, that we know not; or who made him see, we know not: he is of age, ask him, he will answer for himself. his parents said this, because they were afraid of the Jews: for the Jews had agreed in this, that if any man did own him for the Messias, he should be excommunicated. it was this made his parents say, "he is of age, ask him." They therefore again call'd the man that had been blind, and said to him, in the name of God tell the truth: for we know that this man is an impostor. whether he be so or not, said he, I don't know: one thing I very well know, that once I was blind, and now I see. they still urg'd the same question, what did he do to thee? how did he make you see? I have already told you that, said he, and did you not hear it? why would ye hear it over again? have you likewise a mind to be his disciples? then they reviled him, and said, thou art his disciple; but we are Moses disciples. we know that God commission'd Moses: as for this fellow, we don't know who sent him. the man replied, that's very strange that he should make me see, and you should not know who sent him. now 'tis certain, that God does not countenance impostors: but regards him only that is religious, and executes his commands. It was never heard since the world began, that any man gave sight to one that was born blind. if this man had not his mission from God, he could do nothing. they answered, you were a vicious fellow from your very birth, and do you pretend to preach to us? and then they excommunicated him. Jesus having heard that they had excommunicated him; and meeting with the man, he said to him, do you believe on the son of God? he answered and said, who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him? Jesus said to him, not only thou hast seen him, but it is he himself that is talking with thee. then said he to Jesus, Lord, I believe: and prostrated himself before him.
he answered, a man call'd Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: I went, and washed, and so I saw. then said they to him, where is he? I don't know, said he. This very man that had been blind, was at length brought to the Pharisees. now it was the sabbath-day when Jesus made the clay, and gave him his sight. the Pharisees therefore ask'd him likewise, how he had received his sight. he told them, he put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and now see. thereupon some of the Pharisees said, this man has no divine mission, because he does not observe the sabbath. but said others, if he be an impostor, how can he do such miracles? and there was a schism among them. they therefore question'd the blind man again, what do you say of the man that made you see? he is a prophet, said he. but the Jews were so incredulous about his having been blind, and obtain'd sight, that they sent for his parents, and ask'd them, is this your son, who you say was born blind? how came it then that he now sees? his parents answered, that this is our son, and that he was born blind: we are very certain. but by what means it was that he now sees, that we know not; or who made him see, we know not: he is of age, ask him, he will answer for himself. his parents said this, because they were afraid of the Jews: for the Jews had agreed in this, that if any man did own him for the Messias, he should be excommunicated. it was this made his parents say, "he is of age, ask him." They therefore again call'd the man that had been blind, and said to him, in the name of God tell the truth: for we know that this man is an impostor. whether he be so or not, said he, I don't know: one thing I very well know, that once I was blind, and now I see. they still urg'd the same question, what did he do to thee? how did he make you see? I have already told you that, said he, and did you not hear it? why would ye hear it over again? have you likewise a mind to be his disciples? then they reviled him, and said, thou art his disciple; but we are Moses disciples. we know that God commission'd Moses: as for this fellow, we don't know who sent him. the man replied, that's very strange that he should make me see, and you should not know who sent him. now 'tis certain, that God does not countenance impostors: but regards him only that is religious, and executes his commands. It was never heard since the world began, that any man gave sight to one that was born blind. if this man had not his mission from God, he could do nothing. they answered, you were a vicious fellow from your very birth, and do you pretend to preach to us? and then they excommunicated him. Jesus having heard that they had excommunicated him; and meeting with the man, he said to him, do you believe on the son of God? he answered and said, who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him? Jesus said to him, not only thou hast seen him, but it is he himself that is talking with thee. then said he to Jesus, Lord, I believe: and prostrated himself before him.
Converts » Instances of » The mariners with jonah
Converts » Stony ground,
another part fell upon stony places, where it had not much earth: and it soon sprung up, because the soil was shallow:
Verse Concepts
where other seed fell, denotes the man that heareth the word, and at first receives it with pleasure: but having no root in him he has only an occasional faith: for as soon as any oppression or persecution arises upon account of the gospel, he presently relapses.
Converts » Instances of » The thief on the cross
Now one of the malefactors, that was crucified with him, impiously said, if thou art the Christ, save thy self, and us. but the other answered, and thus reprov'd him, art thou under no awe of God, thou that art condemned to the same punishment? as for us, it is with justice, that we suffer the penalty due to our crimes: but as for him, what misdemeanour has he been guilty of? read more.
then said he to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you enter into your kingdom. Jesus answer'd, verily I tell you, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.
then said he to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you enter into your kingdom. Jesus answer'd, verily I tell you, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.
Converts » Instances of » Jailer
the jayler waking, and seeing the prison-doors open, drew his sword, designing to dispatch himself from the apprehension that the prisoners had escaped. but Paul call'd to him aloud, and said, do thy self no harm, for we are all here. then having called for a light, he ran in, and with trembling fell down before Paul and Silas; read more.
and bringing them out, he said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? believe, said they, on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you, and your family. then they declared the word of the Lord to him, and to all his family. at the same time of night he washed their stripes, and immediately he was baptized, he, and all that belong'd to him. then he conducted them to his house, and gave them an entertainment; and he and his family were affected with joy, for having believed in God.
and bringing them out, he said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? believe, said they, on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you, and your family. then they declared the word of the Lord to him, and to all his family. at the same time of night he washed their stripes, and immediately he was baptized, he, and all that belong'd to him. then he conducted them to his house, and gave them an entertainment; and he and his family were affected with joy, for having believed in God.
Converts » Instances of » The samaritans
the woman then left her water-pot, and went away into the city, and said to the people, come, see a man who told me all that ever I have done: is not this the Christ? so they went out of the city, and came to him. read more.
In the mean while his disciples invited him, saying, pray master, eat. but he answered them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of: upon which the disciples said one to another, hath any man brought him any thing to eat? Jesus said to them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. is it not a common saying, "t'other four months, and then comes harvest?" lift up your eyes now, I say, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. he that reapeth, receiveth wages, by gathering fruit unto life eternal: that the sower, and the reaper, may both rejoice together. upon this occasion, that saying is verified, "one soweth, and another reapeth." I sent you to reap where you bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and you are entred into their labours. Now many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him, for that testimony which the woman gave him, "he told me all that ever I did." so that when the Samaritans were come to him, they desired him to stay with them: and he stay'd there two days. and many more believed, for having heard him speak himself: and said to the woman, now it is not for what you have said, that we believe: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the saviour of the world, the Christ.
In the mean while his disciples invited him, saying, pray master, eat. but he answered them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of: upon which the disciples said one to another, hath any man brought him any thing to eat? Jesus said to them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. is it not a common saying, "t'other four months, and then comes harvest?" lift up your eyes now, I say, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. he that reapeth, receiveth wages, by gathering fruit unto life eternal: that the sower, and the reaper, may both rejoice together. upon this occasion, that saying is verified, "one soweth, and another reapeth." I sent you to reap where you bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and you are entred into their labours. Now many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him, for that testimony which the woman gave him, "he told me all that ever I did." so that when the Samaritans were come to him, they desired him to stay with them: and he stay'd there two days. and many more believed, for having heard him speak himself: and said to the woman, now it is not for what you have said, that we believe: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the saviour of the world, the Christ.
Converts » Instances of » Lydia
so we took our places, and convers'd with the women, that came there. one of them was nam'd Lydia of Thyatira, a trader in purple, and a Jewish proselyte. she heard us: and the Lord inclin'd her heart to attend to what Paul said. so that having been baptized with her family, she made us this request, if you think me sincere in my profession, pray come and lodge at my house; and she prevail'd upon us.
Converts » Zealous » The woman of samaria
the woman then left her water-pot, and went away into the city, and said to the people, come, see a man who told me all that ever I have done: is not this the Christ?
Converts » Zealous » Andrew
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two disciples, who had followed Jesus, after they had heard what John had said. the first he met was his own brother Simon, to whom he said, "we have found the Messias," that is to say, the Christ.
Converts » Zealous » Philip
The day following Jesus having a mind to go into Galilee, met with Philip, and said to him, follow me. now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip meeting with Nathanael, said to him, we have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Converts » Instances of » The eunuch
then Philip enter'd upon the subject, and show'd how the whole passage was applicable to Jesus. as they pursued their journey, they came to a place of water: and the eunuch said, see, here is water; what should hinder my being baptized? [and Philip said, if you believe with all your heart, you may. and he answered, I do believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.] read more.
so he order'd the charioteer to stop: and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
so he order'd the charioteer to stop: and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Converts » Instances of » Gadarenes
and country, whence numbers went to see the fact: being come to Jesus, they found the man, who had been dispossess'd of the demons, sitting at Jesus's feet, cloathed, and in his right senses: at which they were much surpriz'd, being inform'd by those that were present, by what means the demoniac had been cured. then the Gadarenes of the adjacent parts unanimously desired him to leave their country: for they were greatly allarm'd. so he embark'd to cross over the lake. read more.
now the man, who had been dispossess'd, begg'd to take him with him. but Jesus dismissed him, saying, go home, and relate, what great things God hath done for you. whereupon he departed, and published through all the city, what a wonderful deliverance Jesus had wrought for him.
now the man, who had been dispossess'd, begg'd to take him with him. but Jesus dismissed him, saying, go home, and relate, what great things God hath done for you. whereupon he departed, and published through all the city, what a wonderful deliverance Jesus had wrought for him.
Converts » Instances of » Greeks
Some of them believed, and join'd themselves to Paul and Silas, besides a great number of Greek proselytes, and several women of distinction.
Verse Concepts
so that many of them believed, besides a considerable number of women of distinction, and of men, that were Greeks.
Verse Concepts
Converts » Zealous » Nebuchadnezzar
Converts » Wayside,
when any one heareth the doctrine of the gospel, and considers it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away what was sown in his heart: he is the person meant by the high-way, where some of the seed was sown: but the stony ground,
Verse Concepts
and in sowing, part of the grain fell in the high-way, and the fowls light and peck'd them up:
Verse Concepts
Converts » Choked,
he that is meant by the thorny ground, where other seed fell, is one that heareth the word: which by cares of this life, and the deceitful love of riches, is soon stifled, and becomes unfruitful:
Verse Concepts
another part fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up and choked it.
Verse Concepts
Converts » Instances of » Saul of tarsus
As he was on his journey, and near Damascus, on a sudden, a light from heaven surrounded him, and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? and he said, who art thou, Lord? and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. Then trembling with the fright Saul said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? and the Lord said to him,] read more.
but rise, and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do. the mean while the men who accompany'd him, remain'd astonish'd, hearing a voice, but seeing no one. at length Saul rose from the ground; and when he opened his eyes, he could not see: so that they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus, where he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. Now there was a disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, to whom the Lord said in a vision, Ananias! and he said, Lord, here I am. and the Lord said unto him, arise, and go to the street called Straight, and enquire at the house of Judas, for one Saul of Tarsus: for he is there at prayer. (at that very instant Saul saw in a vision the said Ananias come in, and put his hand on him, to restore his sight.) then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many that this man has done a world of mischief to thy saints at Jerusalem: he is now here, and is impower'd by the chief priests, to imprison all that make profession of thy name. go, said the Lord to him: for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the children of Israel. for I will make him see how much he must suffer for my name. Ananias therefore departed, and being arrived at the house, he put his hands on Saul, and said, brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared to you on your journey hither, hath sent me, that you might obtain your sight, and be filled with the holy spirit. immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he recover'd his sight; upon which he instantly arose, and was baptized.
but rise, and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do. the mean while the men who accompany'd him, remain'd astonish'd, hearing a voice, but seeing no one. at length Saul rose from the ground; and when he opened his eyes, he could not see: so that they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus, where he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. Now there was a disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, to whom the Lord said in a vision, Ananias! and he said, Lord, here I am. and the Lord said unto him, arise, and go to the street called Straight, and enquire at the house of Judas, for one Saul of Tarsus: for he is there at prayer. (at that very instant Saul saw in a vision the said Ananias come in, and put his hand on him, to restore his sight.) then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many that this man has done a world of mischief to thy saints at Jerusalem: he is now here, and is impower'd by the chief priests, to imprison all that make profession of thy name. go, said the Lord to him: for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the children of Israel. for I will make him see how much he must suffer for my name. Ananias therefore departed, and being arrived at the house, he put his hands on Saul, and said, brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared to you on your journey hither, hath sent me, that you might obtain your sight, and be filled with the holy spirit. immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he recover'd his sight; upon which he instantly arose, and was baptized.
Converts » Instances of » Jews and greeks at antioch
when the assembly was separated, many Jews and religious proselytes followed after, to whom the apostles address'd themselves, and exhorted them to persevere in the divine dispensation.
Verse Concepts
Converts » Instances of » At pentecost, about three-thousand people
then they that embraced his doctrine, were baptized: and there were about three thousand converts made that very day.
Verse Concepts
Converts » Instances of » Ruth
Converts » Zealous » The man possessed by demons
saying, go home, and relate, what great things God hath done for you. whereupon he departed, and published through all the city, what a wonderful deliverance Jesus had wrought for him.
Verse Concepts
Converts » Zealous » The deaf man
and Jesus charg'd them not to mention it to any one; but the more be enjoin'd them, the more they publish'd it.
Verse Concepts
Converts » Instances of » Post-pentecostal
however, many who heard Peter's discourse, believed, to the number of about five thousand people.
Verse Concepts
Converts » Instances of » Cornelius
Converts » Instances of » Ninevites
Converts » Instances of » Nebuchadnezzar
Seals » Illustrative of » Converts
if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for your being christians is the proof of my apostleship.
Verse Concepts