Thematic Bible: Is with

But, if we live in the light [of righteousness] just like God [constantly] lives in the light [of righteousness], we can truly share a relationship with one another and [can know that] the blood of Jesus, God's Son, continues to cleanse [our spirits] from all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAtonementFellowship, In The GospelFellowship, Among BelieversAttending ChurchExpiationCommunityCleanliness, Metaphorical UsedrossAtonement, Remission Of Sins ByAttitudes, in prayerAtonement, in NTCleansing AgentsHoliness, Believers' Growth InLight, SpiritualOrthodoxy, In NtPurity, Moral And SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, God's Remedy ForWalkingFriendship Among BelieversPurgingApplying The BibleLiving In The LightBeing Cleansed From SinFellowshipCleanlinessBloodConfession of sinThe Blood Of Jesuscleansing

Also, when they perceived that this [special] favor [of preaching to Gentiles] was granted to me, James, Cephas [i.e., Peter] and John, the highly regarded pillars [i.e., leaders of the church] extended to me and Barnabas their right hands [signifying an agreement] to share [in the preaching of the Gospel], with us going to the Gentiles and they going to the circumcised ones [i.e., Jews]. Verse ConceptsFellowship, In Christian ServiceFellowship, Among BelieversApostles, Function In Early ChurchGrace, And Christian LifePaul, Apostle To GentilesPillarsCompanionshipMissionary WorkMetaphorical PillarsBlessings For The Right HandThe Gospel To Jew And Gentilepartnership

We declare to you what we have seen and heard [concerning Christ], so that you also may share a relationship with us. And indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsGod, Fatherhood OfFellowship Of Holy SpiritFellowship, With GodFellowship, Among BelieversAttending ChurchCommunion With GodCompanionshipHearing ChristFellowshipThe FatherLove And RelationshipsWitnessingcommunion

But you [Christians] have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. [Note: These terms describe people who have entered a spiritual relationship with God as part of the church]. [You have come] to a praise gathering of innumerable angels [Note: Christians are here pictured as assembled in worship of God, along with angels], and to the church of the firstborn ones [i.e., those who have received an inheritance from their Father], whose names are recorded in heaven. [See Luke 10:20]. [You have come] to God, who is the Judge of all people, and to the spirits of righteous people who have become [morally] perfect [i.e., that great company of God's people who have gone on to their heavenly reward], and to Jesus, the Mediator of a New Agreement [between God and mankind], and to the sprinkled blood [of Jesus], which says better things [to us] than [the blood of] Abel did. [Note: The contrast seems to be that "Abel's blood called for vengeance and death (See Gen. 4:10) whereas the blood of Christ provides mercy and life"].

We declare to you what we have seen and heard [concerning Christ], so that you also may share a relationship with us. And indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsGod, Fatherhood OfFellowship Of Holy SpiritFellowship, With GodFellowship, Among BelieversAttending ChurchCommunion With GodCompanionshipHearing ChristFellowshipThe FatherLove And RelationshipsWitnessingcommunion