Thematic Bible: Of the ekklesia (body of Christ)


Thematic Bible



With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how furiously I used to persecute the church of God, and how I kept seeking to root it out;

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats of murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and begged of him letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any that were of the Way, either men or women, he could bind them and bring them to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed round him. read more.
He fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you Lord?" "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he said: "Stand up and go into the city, and there you shall be told what you must do." Meanwhile the men who were his fellow travelers stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice, but beholding no one. And Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open, he continued to perceive nothing; so they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. And he remained there three days, seeing nothing, and without eating or drinking. Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, "Ananias!" And he answered, "Lo, I am here, Lord." And the Lord said to him. "Arise, go into the street named 'Straight,' and make inquiries in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus, one Saul. He is now praying, and has seen a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him to restore his sight." "But, Lord," said Ananias, "I have heard from many about that man, and how much evil he did to the saints at Jerusalem! "In this city, too, he has authority from the chief priests to arrest all those who call upon thy name."


the adversary, who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God, or is an object of worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, and vaunts himself as God.

He that overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall go out from it nevermore. And I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

In him the whole building, fitly framed together, rises into a holy temple in the Lord;