Thematic Bible: What the disciples are


Thematic Bible



That is why you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the Messiah Jesus himself being the cornerstone.

The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the lamb were written on them.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the hill. After taking his seat, his disciples came to him, and he began to teach them: "How blessed are those who are destitute in spirit, because the kingdom from heaven belongs to them! read more.
"How blessed are those who mourn, because it is they who will be comforted! "How blessed are those who are humble, because it is they who will inherit the earth! "How blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because it is they who will be satisfied! "How blessed are those who are merciful, because it is they who will receive mercy! "How blessed are those who are pure in heart, because it is they who will see God! "How blessed are those who make peace, because it is they who will be called God's children! "How blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, because the kingdom from heaven belongs to them! "How blessed are you whenever people insult you, persecute you, and say all sorts of evil things against you falsely because of me! Rejoice and be extremely glad, because your reward in heaven is great! That's how they persecuted the prophets who came before you." "You are the salt of the world. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty again? It's good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled on by people. "You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden. People don't light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people in such a way that they will see your good actions and glorify your Father in heaven."

While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look! Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak to you." He asked the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" read more.
Then pointing with his hand at his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers, because whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Then Jesus told him, "How blessed you are, Simon son of Jonah, since flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, though my Father in heaven has. I tell you that you are Peter, and it is on this rock that I will build my congregation, and the powers of hell will not conquer it.

Then his mother and his brothers arrived. Milling around outside, they sent for him, continuously summoning him. A crowd was sitting around him. They told him, "Look! Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you." He answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" read more.
Then looking at the people sitting around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."

For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display in last place, like men condemned to death. We have become a spectacle for the world, for angels, and for people to stare at. We are fools for the Messiah's sake, but you are wise in the Messiah. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. We are hungry, thirsty, dressed in rags, brutally treated, and homeless, right up to the present. read more.
We wear ourselves out from working with our own hands. When insulted, we bless. When persecuted, we endure. When slandered, we answer with kind words. Even now we have become the filth of the world, the scum of the universe.


International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.