Thematic Bible: Spiritual Development


Thematic Bible




And indeed ye do it to all the brethren, that are in all Macedonia; but we exhort you, brethren, to abound in it more and more: Verse Conceptsencouragement, examples ofGrowthSpiritual GrowthGrowth In Grace



Concerning whom we have much to say and difficult to be explained, since ye are become dull of hearing. For whereas ye ought for the time to be teachers of others, ye have need again of some one to teach you the first rudiments of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of solid food. For every one that wanteth milk, is unacquainted with the doctrine of justification; for he is an infant: read more.
but firm food is for persons come to age, who by habit have their senses exercised to a discernment both of good and evil.

Wherefore omitting the discourse about the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us proceed to perfection: not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and laying on of hands, and of the resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgement: (tho' we will do this also, if God permit:) for it is impossible that those, read more.
who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Spirit, and of the good word of God, and the powers of the gospel-age, and yet fall away, should be renewed again to repentance: since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and make an open example of Him. For as the earth, which imbibeth the rain that is frequently coming upon it, and produceth herbs fit for those by whom it is cultivated, receiveth a blessing from God: but that which bringeth forth thorns and briars, is rejected and near to a curse, (whose end is burning) so are they. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak for your caution. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewn to his name, by having ministred to the saints, and yet ministring. And we desire that every one of you would shew the same diligence to acquire the full assurance of hope even unto the end: that ye would not be sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises. For when God made the promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, saying, "Verily blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee." And thus waiting patiently he obtained the promise. For men swear by a greater Being, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all controversy.





And to this giving all diligence, add to your faith fortitude; and to fortitude knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience piety;






But Saul prevailed more and more, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, fully proving that this same Jesus is the Christ. Verse ConceptsAnointing, Of Christevangelism, nature ofGrowthPower, God's SavingChrist, Names ForSpiritual GrowthPreaching ChristProofsSaid To Be The ChristStrong Individualsdamascusempowerment