Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem, with Barnabas, and took Titus also with me: and I went up according to revelation, and communicated to them that gospel, which I preach among the Gentiles; but privately to those who were of note, lest the pains, that I have already taken, or may hereafter take in the gospel, should be in vain. however, Titus who was then with me, being a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised: read more.
and as to the false brethren, who insidiously crept in to spy out our liberty which we have by Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude; I did not show them the lest compliance by way of submission, that the doctrine of the gospel might remain among you. But as for those who were men of real eminency, how considerable soever they were heretofore, it does not any ways affect me; God accepts not the person of any man: for they who were of note, in conference with me, had nothing new to add. on the contrary, when they perceived that I had the province of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, as Peter had that of preaching it to the Jews, (for he that had wrought powerfully in Peter with respect to his apostleship among the Jews, had also wrought powerfully in me upon account of the Gentiles:) and when James, Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

but when it pleased God, who ordained me from my birth, and called me by his especial favour, to reveal his son to me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not thereupon apply my self to any man; neither went I up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me: but I went immediately to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. read more.
After three years, I went up to Jerusalem, to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days: but other of the apostles saw I none, except James the Lord's brother. what I write to you, I call God to witness is all true: afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; but was personally unknown to the churches of Christ in Judea, who had only heard, that I, who formerly persecuted them, did now preach the gospel of faith, which I once endeavoured to suppress: and they glorified God upon my account.


so they set out, accompanied part of the way by the church, and pass'd thro' Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles, which gave great joy to all the brethren.

who had only heard, that I, who formerly persecuted them, did now preach the gospel of faith, which I once endeavoured to suppress: and they glorified God upon my account.


as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy spirit said to them, separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have destin'd them. accordingly, after having fasted and prayed they gave them imposition of hands, and dismiss'd them.


but when it pleased God, who ordained me from my birth, and called me by his especial favour, to reveal his son to me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not thereupon apply my self to any man; neither went I up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me: but I went immediately to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. read more.
After three years, I went up to Jerusalem, to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days: but other of the apostles saw I none, except James the Lord's brother. what I write to you, I call God to witness is all true: afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; but was personally unknown to the churches of Christ in Judea, who had only heard, that I, who formerly persecuted them, did now preach the gospel of faith, which I once endeavoured to suppress: and they glorified God upon my account.

this concerns you Gentiles. for as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I should do honour to my character,

for thus has the Lord commanded us, "I have appointed you to be a light to the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the remotest parts of the earth." when the Gentiles heard this, they received the word with joy, glorifying the Lord: and as many as were dispos'd to eternal life, believed.

at length being return'd to Jerusalem, one day as I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance. then I saw JESUS, who said to me, "make haste, and go out of Jerusalem immediately: for they will not receive the attestations you would give of me." Lord, said I, they know it is I that imprison'd those who believed on thee, and caus'd them to be scourg'd in the assemblies: read more.
that I was present, when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, that I abetted the slaughter, and watch'd the clothes of those who slew him. but the Lord said to me, "be gone, for I will send you far hence, even to the Gentiles."


who had only heard, that I, who formerly persecuted them, did now preach the gospel of faith, which I once endeavoured to suppress: