Thematic Bible: Of the apostles
Thematic Bible
divine Call » Of the apostles » Call of to special work
And [as he] was passing by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me!" And he stood up [and] followed him.
And Jesus said to them, "{Follow} me and I will make you become fishers of people."
And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men [and] went away after him.
And when day came, he summoned his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he also named apostles:
On the next day he wanted to depart for Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me!"
And he said to me, 'Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles!'"
Imprisonment » Of the apostles
And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison.
Names » Of the apostles
And when they had entered, they went up to the upstairs room where they were staying--Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James [son] of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas [son] of James.
Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother,
Simon (whom he also named Peter) and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew,
Persecution » Instances of » Of the apostles
I, John, your brother and co-sharer in the affliction and kingdom and steadfastness in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus.
And they laid hands on them and put [them] in custody until the next day, because it was already evening. But many of those who listened to the message believed, and the number of the men was approximately five thousand. And it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes came together in Jerusalem, read more.
and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all those who were from the high priest's family. And they made them stand in [their] midst [and] began to ask, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed [done to] a sick man--by what [means] this man was healed-- let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man stands before you healthy! This one is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become {the cornerstone}. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved." Now [when they] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. And [because they] saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in return. But [after they] had ordered them to go outside the Sanhedrin, they began to confer with one another, saying, "What should we do with these men? For that a remarkable sign has taken place through them [is] evident to all those who live [in] Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny [it]! But in order that it may not spread much [further] among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name {to anyone at all}." And they called them [back] [and] commanded [them] not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus.
and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all those who were from the high priest's family. And they made them stand in [their] midst [and] began to ask, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed [done to] a sick man--by what [means] this man was healed-- let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man stands before you healthy! This one is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become {the cornerstone}. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved." Now [when they] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. And [because they] saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in return. But [after they] had ordered them to go outside the Sanhedrin, they began to confer with one another, saying, "What should we do with these men? For that a remarkable sign has taken place through them [is] evident to all those who live [in] Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny [it]! But in order that it may not spread much [further] among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name {to anyone at all}." And they called them [back] [and] commanded [them] not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus.
And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them [out] [and] said, "Go and stand in the temple [courts] [and] proclaim to the people all the words of this life." read more.
And [when they] heard [this], they entered at daybreak into the temple [courts] and began teaching. Now [when] the high priest and those with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin--even the whole council of elders of the sons of Israel--and sent to the prison to have them brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison, and they returned [and] reported, saying, "We found the prison locked with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but [when we] opened [them], we found no one inside!" Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, [as to] what this might be. But someone came [and] reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple [courts] and teaching the people!" Then the captain went with the officers [and] brought them, not with force (for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned [by them]). And [when they] had brought them, they made [them] stand in the Sanhedrin, and the high priest put a question to them, saying, "{We strictly commanded} you not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!" But Peter and the apostles answered [and] said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed [by] hanging [him] on a tree. This one God has exalted to his right hand [as] Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and [so is] the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." Now [when] they heard [this], they were infuriated, and were wanting to execute them. But a certain man stood up in the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee {named} Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, [and] gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, "Men [and] Israelites, take care for yourselves what you are about to do to these men! For before these days, Theudas rose up saying he was somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined {him}. {He} was executed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and {caused people to follow him in revolt}. And that one perished, and all who followed him were scattered. And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God." So they were persuaded by him. And they summoned the apostles, beat [them], commanded [them] not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released [them]. So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name. Every day, both in the temple [courts] and from house [to house], they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news [that] the Christ [was] Jesus.
And [when they] heard [this], they entered at daybreak into the temple [courts] and began teaching. Now [when] the high priest and those with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin--even the whole council of elders of the sons of Israel--and sent to the prison to have them brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison, and they returned [and] reported, saying, "We found the prison locked with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but [when we] opened [them], we found no one inside!" Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, [as to] what this might be. But someone came [and] reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple [courts] and teaching the people!" Then the captain went with the officers [and] brought them, not with force (for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned [by them]). And [when they] had brought them, they made [them] stand in the Sanhedrin, and the high priest put a question to them, saying, "{We strictly commanded} you not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!" But Peter and the apostles answered [and] said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed [by] hanging [him] on a tree. This one God has exalted to his right hand [as] Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and [so is] the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." Now [when] they heard [this], they were infuriated, and were wanting to execute them. But a certain man stood up in the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee {named} Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, [and] gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, "Men [and] Israelites, take care for yourselves what you are about to do to these men! For before these days, Theudas rose up saying he was somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined {him}. {He} was executed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and {caused people to follow him in revolt}. And that one perished, and all who followed him were scattered. And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God." So they were persuaded by him. And they summoned the apostles, beat [them], commanded [them] not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released [them]. So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name. Every day, both in the temple [courts] and from house [to house], they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news [that] the Christ [was] Jesus.
Now at that time, Herod the king laid hands on some of those from the church to harm [them]. So he executed James the brother of John with a sword. And [when he] saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. ({Now this was during the feast} of Unleavened Bread.) read more.
[After he] had arrested {him}, he also put [him] in prison, handing [him] over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him {out for public trial} after the Passover. Thus Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer was fervently being made to God by the church for him. Now when Herod was about to bring him [out], on that [very] night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards before the door were watching the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood near [him], and a light shone in the prison cell. And striking Peter's side, he woke him up, saying, "Get up {quickly}!" And his chains fell off of [his] hands. And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals!" And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me!" And he went out [and] was following [him]. And he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but was thinking [he] was seeing a vision. And [after they] had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened for them by itself, and they went out [and] went forward [along] one narrow street, and at once the angel departed from him. And [when] Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know truly that the Lord has sent out his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and all {that the Jewish people expected}!" And [when he] realized [this], he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John (who is also called Mark), where many [people] were gathered together and were praying. And [when] he knocked at the door of the gateway, a female slave {named} Rhoda came up to answer. And recognizing Peter's voice, because of [her] joy she did not open the gate, but ran in [and] announced [that] Peter was standing at the gate. But they said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting it was so. And they kept saying, "It is his angel!" But Peter was continuing to knock, and [when they] opened [the door] they saw him and were astonished. But motioning to them with [his] hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these [things] to James and to the brothers," and he departed [and] went to another place. Now [when] day came, there was not a little commotion among the soldiers [as to] what then had become of Peter. And [when] Herod had searched for him and did not find [him], he questioned the guards [and] ordered [that they] be led away to execution. And he came down from Judea to Caesarea [and] stayed [there].
[After he] had arrested {him}, he also put [him] in prison, handing [him] over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him {out for public trial} after the Passover. Thus Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer was fervently being made to God by the church for him. Now when Herod was about to bring him [out], on that [very] night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards before the door were watching the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood near [him], and a light shone in the prison cell. And striking Peter's side, he woke him up, saying, "Get up {quickly}!" And his chains fell off of [his] hands. And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals!" And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me!" And he went out [and] was following [him]. And he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but was thinking [he] was seeing a vision. And [after they] had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened for them by itself, and they went out [and] went forward [along] one narrow street, and at once the angel departed from him. And [when] Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know truly that the Lord has sent out his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and all {that the Jewish people expected}!" And [when he] realized [this], he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John (who is also called Mark), where many [people] were gathered together and were praying. And [when] he knocked at the door of the gateway, a female slave {named} Rhoda came up to answer. And recognizing Peter's voice, because of [her] joy she did not open the gate, but ran in [and] announced [that] Peter was standing at the gate. But they said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting it was so. And they kept saying, "It is his angel!" But Peter was continuing to knock, and [when they] opened [the door] they saw him and were astonished. But motioning to them with [his] hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these [things] to James and to the brothers," and he departed [and] went to another place. Now [when] day came, there was not a little commotion among the soldiers [as to] what then had become of Peter. And [when] Herod had searched for him and did not find [him], he questioned the guards [and] ordered [that they] be led away to execution. And he came down from Judea to Caesarea [and] stayed [there].
Prayer » Of the apostles
And they prayed [and] said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show clearly which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to depart to his own place."
Vicegerency » Of the apostles
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain [the sins] of any, they are retained."
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be released in heaven."
"Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be released in heaven.