Thematic Bible: Of the early Christians


Thematic Bible



And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were astonished that on the gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit; Verse ConceptsCircumcision, physicalGenerosity, God'sBelieversPrejudiceAstonishmentThe Gentiles ConversionThe Holy Spirit Described As God's Gift

And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou didst go in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

And they on hearing it glorified God; and said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealots for the Law. But they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk after the customs. What then is to be done? The multitude will necessarily come together; for they will hear that thou hast come. read more.
Do this therefore that we advise thee. We have four men who have a vow on them. These take, and purify thyself with them, and pay the expenses for them, that they may shave their heads; and all will know that those things of which they have been informed concerning thee are nothing, but that thou thyself also walkest in observance of the Law. But concerning the gentile believers, we have written to them and decided that they should observe no such thing, save only to abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from what hath been strangled, and from fornication.

And there came down certain men from Judaea, and taught the brethren, Unless ye are circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. But when Paul and Barnabas had had no small dissension and debate with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. They therefore, having been sent forward by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And having come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they related what great things God had wrought with them. But there rose up certain believers of the sect of the Pharisees, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe. And God, who knoweth the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it to us; and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye provoke the anger of God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Whereas we have heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no command; Verse ConceptsHeresyMen's OrdersTroubling Groups Of People

But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; and that because of the false brethren stealthily brought in, who crept in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring into bondage; to whom not even for an hour did we yield by the required subjection, that the truth of the gospel might still remain with you.