Thematic Bible: The early Christians


Thematic Bible



And all those who were of the faith kept together, and had all things in common; And exchanging their goods and property for money, they made division of it among them all, as they had need.

And no one among them was in need; for everyone who had land or houses, exchanging them for money, took the price of them, And put it at the feet of the Apostles for distribution to everyone as he had need. And Joseph, who was given by the Apostles the name of Barnabas (the sense of which is, Son of comfort), a Levite and a man of Cyprus by birth, read more.
Having a field, got money for it and put the money at the feet of the Apostles.

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was increasing, protests were made by the Greek Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were not taken care of in the distribution of food every day. And the Apostles sent for all the disciples and said, It is not right for us to give up preaching the word of God in order to make distribution of food. Take then from among you seven men of good name, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, to whom we may give control of this business.

And the disciples, everyone as he was able, made a decision to send help to the brothers living in Judaea: Which they did, sending it to the rulers of the church by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Now after a number of years I came to give help and offerings to my nation: Verse ConceptsGiftsPoverty, Attitudes TowardsPoverty, Remedies ForAlmsgivingAltruismCharityGiving To The Poor

But now I go to Jerusalem, taking help for the saints. For it has been the good pleasure of those of Macedonia and Achaia to send a certain amount of money for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. Yes, it has been their good pleasure; and they are in their debt. For if the Gentiles have had a part in the things of the Spirit which were theirs, it is right for them, in the same way, to give them help in the things of the flesh. read more.
So when I have done this, and have given them this fruit of love, I will go on by you into Spain.

Now about the giving of money for the saints, as I gave orders to the churches of Galatia, so do you. On the first day of the week, let every one of you put by him in store, in measure as he has done well in business, so that it may not be necessary to get money together when I come. And when I come, I will send the men of your selection with letters to take the money you have got together to Jerusalem. read more.
And if it is possible for me to go there, they will go with me.

And now we give you news, brothers, about the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia; How while they were undergoing every sort of trouble, and were in the greatest need, they took all the greater joy in being able to give freely to the needs of others. For I give them witness, that as they were able, and even more than they were able, they gave from the impulse of their hearts, read more.
Seriously requesting us that they might have a part in this grace of being servants to the needs of the saints:

But there is no need for me to say anything in my letter about the giving to the saints: Verse ConceptsMinistry, Qualifications ForBenevolenceWriting LettersSurplusministering


But that we give them orders to keep themselves from things offered to false gods, and from the evil desires of the body, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, and from blood. Verse ConceptsAdulterersChastityRitualSexual ChastitySexual SinsContaminationAbstinencePeople Consuming BloodChokingWriting LettersAvoiding EvilAvoid ImmoralityCreatures ChokedFood Offered To IdolsSexual ImmoralityEating MeatSexual Puritywomanhood

To keep from things offered to false gods, and from blood, and from things put to death in ways which are against the law, and from the evil desires of the body; if you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. May you be happy. Verse ConceptsExclusivenessLove, In RelationshipsSexual Sin, Nature OfAbstaining From MeatsAbstinencePeople Consuming BloodChokingAvoiding EvilAvoid ImmoralityCreatures ChokedFood Offered To IdolsBloodSexual ImmoralitySexual Puritygoodbyes

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain