Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible





[This happened] so that the blessing [promised] to Abraham might be received by the Gentiles through [the person and work of] Christ, so that we might receive the promised [gift of the] Holy Spirit through [our] faith [in Jesus]. Verse ConceptsGod, Faithfulness OfBankruptcyCircumcision, spiritualGrace, And Holy SpiritReceiving An InheritanceParticipation, In ChristRedemption, In NtGift Of The Holy SpiritThe Gentiles ConversionPromises Of The Holy SpiritThe Effects Of FaithReceiving The SpiritThe promises of GodBlessed By ChristFreedomBlessing Othersredeemed


"And while I was speaking, [the power of] the Holy Spirit descended on them [i.e., Cornelius' Gentile household] just like [it fell] on us [Jewish apostles] at the beginning [i.e., the day of Pentecost, See chapter 2]. Then I remembered what the Lord had said [See 1:4-5]: 'John immersed you [people] in water but you [apostles] will be immersed in the Holy Spirit.' [Therefore], if God gave to them [i.e., the Gentiles] the same gift as He gave to us [Jews] when we [apostles, See chapter 1-2] believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I stand against [the will of] God [by refusing to immerse them]?'"

For this reason also, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of the saints [i.e., God's holy people], Verse ConceptsFaith, Nature OfLove, For One AnotherSpiritual VitalityAgape LoveStrong Faith In ChristLove Exists Between PeopleFaithHope And FaithHaving FaithUnconditional LoveHope And LoveFaith In God


by preaching the truth; through the power of God [i.e., possibly including miracles]; and by [using] weapons of righteousness in [our] right and left hands. [Note: This could allude to offensive and defensive weapons and means that Paul was fully equipped to do whatever was right]. Verse ConceptsArmor of GodPower Through GodArmourWeaponsTruthArmor, SpiritualWeapons Of The BelieverGod's Word Is TruePurityPowerStrugglesThe Power Of WordsSpeecharmor




It was God's purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of "firstfruits" of those He created. [Note: "Firstfruits" here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God's creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come]. Verse ConceptsBorn Again, Produced Byelection, to salvationBeing Born AgainAssurance, nature ofBirth, SpiritualGospel, Promises OfOrigins Of Spiritual LifeRegenerationSalvation, Nature OfNew Birth, The Means OfPredestination, Spiritual EventsBible, Names OfBible, Given ForReceiving God's WordMetaphorical FirstfruitsWhat God's Will IsExerciserebirth



to open their eyes [to the truth] so they will turn from darkness to light and from the power [i.e., the influence] of Satan to God. [Then] they can receive the forgiveness of sins and the inheritance [of never ending life], along with [all] those who are set apart [for God] by trusting in Me.' Verse ConceptsenlightenmentReceiving An InheritanceRepentance, Nature OfSatan, Kingdom OfSpiritual Blindness, Removal OfSatan, Power OfClarityFrom Darkness To LightReceiving SightHealing Of The BlindBenefits Of Faith In ChristMan's Authority Over The DevilGod Will ForgiveDarknessForgiving YourselfSanctificationdominion

"Now I commit you [elders] to God and to the message of His unearned favor which can build you up [spiritually] and provide you with the inheritance [of never ending life], along with others who are [specially] set apart [for God]. Verse ConceptsBuild, FigurativelyEdification, Means OfGrace, And Christian LifeHeaven, Inheritance OfInheritance, SpiritualParticipation, In ChristRiches, SpiritualStrength, SpiritualBible, Given ForTypes Of ChristSanctified OnesBuilding Up The ChurchEntrustingReceiving God's WordThe Grace Of GodGod's GraceSanctificationgoodbyes

The Holy Spirit Himself bears testimony [along] with our [human] spirit that we are the children of God. And if we are [His] children, then we have an inheritance from God [i.e., blessings here and hereafter] and are fellow-sharers with Christ [of such blessings], providing we [are willing to] suffer with Him, so we can also be honored with Him [i.e., in the future life. See verses 18-25].



It is in [fellowship with] Christ that we [Jewish Christians] also were selected as [God's] inheritance [i.e., to receive His never ending blessings], having been predetermined according to the plan of God, who works out everything in harmony with what He wants. The end [i.e., of being so predetermined] was that we [Jewish Christians], who had previously placed our hope in Christ, should bring about the praise of God's splendor. You [Gentiles] also, who are in Christ, after having heard the message of truth, the good news about your salvation, and [after] believing in Him, were sealed [i.e., as evidence of ownership] with the promised Holy Spirit. [or, "the Holy Spirit who brings promises"]. read more.
He is a down payment of our inheritance, until God's own possession [i.e., His people] receives redemption. [Note: Here "redemption" refers to receiving a new body in heaven]. May this bring about praise to God's splendor.






But, it has [only] now been made known to us by the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has put an end to death and brought [never ending] life and incorruption [i.e., immortality] to light through the Gospel [message], Verse ConceptsDeath, DefeatedDeath, Of BelieversAbolitionenemies, of believersImmortality, In NtResurrection, Of BelieversVeilsVictory, Over Spiritual ForcesJesus Christ, SaviorAbolish, Evil ThingsLife Through ChristOvercoming DeathChrist AppearingNo DecayDeathBenefits Of HeavenepiphanyAbolishing Death






So, when I have completed this task, and have guaranteed [the safe delivery of] this offering to them, I will visit you on my way to Spain. Verse ConceptsThe Completion Of RedemptionCompletion

saying, "Do not harm the land, or the ocean, or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God [with a mark] on their foreheads." Then I heard the number of those who were sealed. [It was] one hundred forty-four thousand [in all] from every tribe of the Israelites [Note: This could refer to Christians of Jewish descent].








You [Gentiles] also, who are in Christ, after having heard the message of truth, the good news about your salvation, and [after] believing in Him, were sealed [i.e., as evidence of ownership] with the promised Holy Spirit. [or, "the Holy Spirit who brings promises"]. He is a down payment of our inheritance, until God's own possession [i.e., His people] receives redemption. [Note: Here "redemption" refers to receiving a new body in heaven]. May this bring about praise to God's splendor.