Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking along Titus also. Now I went up [there] because of a revelation and laid out to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but in private to the influential people, lest somehow I was running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus [who was] with me, [although] he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. read more.
Now [this was] because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they might enslave us, to whom not even for an hour did we yield in subjection, in order that the truth of the gospel might remain continually with you. But from those {who were influential} (whatever they were, [it makes] no difference to me, {God does not show partiality})--for those who were influential added nothing to me. But these, [when they] saw that I had been entrusted [with] the gospel to the uncircumcision, just as Peter to the circumcision (for the one who was at work through Peter for [his] apostleship to the circumcision was at work also through me for the Gentiles), and [when] James and Cephas and John--those thought to be pillars--acknowledged the grace given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right [hand] of fellowship, in order that we [should go] to the Gentiles and they to the circumcision.

But when the one who set me apart from my mother's womb and called [me] by his grace was pleased to reveal his Son in me in order that I would proclaim the gospel [about] him among the Gentiles, immediately I did not consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those [who were] apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia and I returned again to Damascus. read more.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days, but I did not see [any] others of the apostles except James, the brother of the Lord. (Now [the things] which I am writing to you, behold, [I assure you] before God that I am not lying.) Then I came to the regions of Syria and of Cilicia, but I was unknown {in person} to the churches of Judea [that are] in Christ, and they were only hearing, "The one formerly persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith that formerly he was attempting to destroy," and they were glorifying God because of me.


So they were sent on their way by the church, [and] passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.

and they were only hearing, "The one formerly persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith that formerly he was attempting to destroy," and they were glorifying God because of me.


And [while] they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart now for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, [after they] had fasted and prayed and placed [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.


But when the one who set me apart from my mother's womb and called [me] by his grace was pleased to reveal his Son in me in order that I would proclaim the gospel [about] him among the Gentiles, immediately I did not consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those [who were] apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia and I returned again to Damascus. read more.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days, but I did not see [any] others of the apostles except James, the brother of the Lord. (Now [the things] which I am writing to you, behold, [I assure you] before God that I am not lying.) Then I came to the regions of Syria and of Cilicia, but I was unknown {in person} to the churches of Judea [that are] in Christ, and they were only hearing, "The one formerly persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith that formerly he was attempting to destroy," and they were glorifying God because of me.

Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Therefore, inasmuch as I am apostle to the Gentiles, I promote my ministry,

For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have appointed you {to be} a light for the Gentiles, {that you would bring} salvation to the end of the earth.' And [when] the Gentiles heard [this], they began to rejoice and to glorify the word of the Lord. And all those who were designated for eternal life believed.

"And it happened that [when] I returned to Jerusalem and I was praying in the temple courts, I was in a trance, and saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and depart {quickly} from Jerusalem, because they will not accept your testimony about me.' And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that from synagogue [to synagogue] I was imprisoning and beating those who believed in you. read more.
And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I myself also was standing near and was approving, and was guarding the cloaks of those who were killing him.' And he said to me, 'Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles!'"


and they were only hearing, "The one formerly persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith that formerly he was attempting to destroy,"