4 Bible Verses about Christian Ministers

And he said to his disciples. "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few; "therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to thrust forth laborers into his harvest field."

And he thus addressed them. "The harvest is abundant, but the harvesters are few. do you therefore pray the lord of the harvest to send forth harvesters into his harvest.

Brothers, I beseech you, by Jesus Christ our Lord, and by the love which the Spirit gives, to help me in my struggle by your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the disobedient in Judea; that my mission to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the saints; and that I may come to you in joy, by the will of God, and find rest together with you.

while all of you also are helping me by your prayers; so that from many lips thanksgiving may rise on my behalf for the blessings vouchsafed to me through the intercessions of many.

Continue to pray at all times, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for it with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given me to open my mouth boldly, and to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador, and in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it boldly as I ought to speak.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, salutes you, and Marcus, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, make him welcome), and Jesus surnamed Justas.

I entreat you, brothers, to acknowledge those who are toiling among you and are your leaders in the Lord, and give you counsel. Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Live in peace among yourselves.

Remember your leaders, the men who spoke the message of God to you; consider the issue of their lives, and imitate their faith.

In truth the signs of the true apostle were wrought among you in all patience by signs and marvels and powers.

for my gospel did not come to you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. For you know also the manner in which I behaved myself among you for your sakes.

holding out a message of life. Thus it will be my boast at the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, or toiled for nothing.

So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, said: "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen. "The God of this people of Israel chose our forefathers and made this people great, while they sojourned in the land of Egypt. And with an uplifted arm he led them out of it. "For about forty years he bore with them in the desert, read more.
"and when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance for about four hundred and fifty years. "And afterwards he gave them Judges, until Samuel, the prophet. "Then they asked for a king, and he gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a Benjamite for forty years. After deposing him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also bore witness, when he said, "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, and who will obey all my will. "Of this man's descendants God has brought unto Israel, according to his promise, a Savior, Jesus; "before whose coming John had already preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. "And John, when he was finishing his race, repeatedly asked the people. "'Who do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold there comes One after me, whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.' "Brothers, sons of Abraham's race, and all among you who reverence God, to us has the word of this salvation been sent. "For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. "Though they found no cause of death in him, yet they asked Pilate to put him to death. "And when they had fulfilled everything which had been written concerning him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. "But God raised him from the dead. "For many days he was seen by those that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and are now his witnesses to the people. "And we bring you glad tidings of the promise made to our forefathers, "how that God fulfilled it for us their children in raising up Jesus; as it is also written in the second Psalm, "Thou art my son, today have I become thy Father. "And as to his having raised him from among the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has said this, "I will give thee the holy and sure blessings of David. "Because in another psalm he says, "Thou wilt not give thy Holy One to see corruption. "For David, after he had served his own generation according to the will of God, fell on sleep, and was gathered to his forefathers, and did see corruption; but he whom God raised up saw no corruption. "Be it known unto you therefore, brothers, that remission of sins is proclaimed to you through this man; "and that by him every one that believes is justified from all things from which you could never be justified by the law of Moses. "Beware, then, lest that spoken of in the prophets come upon you. "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish, For in your days I will do a deed, A deed which you will never believe, Though one should declare it unto you." As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue, the people earnestly begged that these words might be repeated to them on the following Sabbath. When the congregation broke up, many of the Jews, and of the devout proselytes, followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked to them, and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ Jesus, you can have but one father. For in Christ Jesus I begot you through the gospel.

This kept them from believing in him. Wherefore Jesus said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his own family."

Now there were in the church in Antioch prophets and teachers; Barnabas and Symeon, surnamed "the Black," Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a half-penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your father. "The very hairs on your head are all numbered. "Cease to be afraid! You are of greater value than many sparrows.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? Yet not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God! "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not! You are of more value than many sparrow!

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer to God was made by the church for him.

"And now Lord, listen to their threats, and grant to thy slaves to proclaim thy message with all boldness,

and they prayed, saying. "Thou, O Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show clearly which of these two men thou hast chosen to fill the place "in this ministry of this apostles from which Judas went out to go to his own place."

It was then that one of the Twelve, he who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you ready to give me for betraying him to you?" So they weighed him thirty pieces of silver; and from that time he kept looking for a chance to betray him.

"Now this man bought a plot of ground with the price of his treachery, and falling there headlong he burst asunder and all his bowels gushed out.

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. "I have sinned," he said, "in betraying innocent blood!" "What is that to us?" they answered; "you must see to that." And flinging down the silver into the Sanctuary, he rushed out, and went and hanged himself.

and as they were eating, he said to them, "In solemn truth I tell you that one of you is going to betray me!" In deep distress they began to ask him, each in turn, "It is not I, is it, Master?" In reply he said: "One who has dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me. read more.
"The Son of man is indeed to go as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were good for that man if he had never been born." In answer, Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "Is it not?"

Barely had he spoken these words when Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared, accompanied by a great crowd of men with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now his betrayer had given them a sign, saying. "Whoever I kiss is the man; arrest him." So he came straight up to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed him eagerly. read more.
"Friend, do that for which you came," said Jesus. Then they came forward and laid hands on Jesus, and arrested him.

They have forsaken the right way; they have lost their way, and followed the road of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrong-doing. He was, however, rebuked for his own transgression; a dumb ass spoke with a man's voice, and stopped the madness of the prophet.

The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

Let deacons be the husband of but one wife, men who rule their children and their household properly.

Have I no right to take a believing wife with me on my journey, as the rest of the apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter do?

When Jesus came into Peter's house, he found his wife's mother prostrated with fever.

But as they opposed him and abused him, he shook out his garments in protest, and said: "Your blood be upon your own hands. I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

"And whoever will not receive you or listen to your words, as you go out from that house or that city, shake off the very dust from your feet. "I tell you solemnly it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that town. "Behold, it is I who am sending you forth like sheep among wolves. Be then as serpents and as guileless as doves. read more.
"But beware of men! For they will give you up to the Sanhedrin, and flog you in their synagogues. "And you will be taken before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. "But whenever they apprehend you, do not be anxious about how you shall speak or what you shall say; for it will be given you in that very hour what to say. "For it will not be you who is speaking, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. "And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against their parents and put them to death. "You will be hated by all men because of my name; and he who endures to the end shall be saved. "But when they persecute you in one city, flee to the next. In solemn truth I tell you that you shall not have completed the cities of Israel, before the Son of man comes. "A pupil is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his masters. "It is enough for the pupil to fare like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more, the members of his household. "So do not fear them; for there is nothing concealed which shall not be revealed, nor anything secret which shall not become known. "What I am telling you is in the darkness, do you speak in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but fear rather him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. "Are not two sparrows sold for a half-penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your father. "The very hairs on your head are all numbered. "Cease to be afraid! You are of greater value than many sparrows. "Every one, then, who will confess me before men, I also will confess before my Father who is in heaven. "But whoever disowns me before men, I also will disown before my Father who is in heaven. "Do not suppose that I am come to bring peace on the earth; I am come not to bring peace, but a sword. "For I came to set "a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; "and a man's own household will be his enemies. "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; "and he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. "He who has saved his life shall lose it; and he who has lost his life for my sake shall find it. "Whoever receives you is receiving me, and he who receives me is receiving Him who sent me.

So I testify to you this day that I am clear from the blood of all men; I never shrank from telling you the whole counsel of God.

Then he told them many truths in parables. "Behold," he said, "the sower went forth to sow; and as he sowed, some seed fell by the roadside, and the birds came and ate it. Some fell on rocky ground where there was not much earth. Now because it had no depth of soil, it sprang up at once; read more.
but when the sun rose it was scorched, and withered away because it had no root. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked it. But some fell on good soil, and bore a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

"Listen! the Sower once went out to sow, and as he sowed, it happened that some seed fell on the road, and birds came and picked it up; some other seed fell on stony soil, where it had not much earth; and it sprang up quickly because it had no depth of soil, read more.
but when the sun rose it was scorched and withered away because it had no root. Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked it, so that it yielded no crop. But some seed fell into good soil and yielded a crop that sprang up and increased, yielding thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. "Any one who has ears to hear," he added, "let him listen to this." When he was alone his followers and the Twelve began asking about the parables. He went on to say to them. "The secret truth concerning the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside everything is told in parables, so that, "for all their looking they may not see, and for all their hearing, they may not understand, lest perchance they should turn and be pardoned. "You do not understand this parable," said Jesus. "Then how will you understand the other parables? "What the Sower sows is the Word. There are those 'on the wayside' where the Word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan immediately comes and snatches away the Word which has been sown in them. And like the sowing upon 'stony ground' are those who, whenever they hear the Word, at once receive it with joy, but because they have no root in themselves they last for a time; but when suffering or persecution ensues because of the Word, they at once fall away. There are others who are 'sown among thorns.' When they have heard the Word, the anxieties of life and the snares of wealth, and all sorts of other ambitions, come in to choke the Word, so that it proves unfruitful. But those, on the other hand, who were sown on that good soil, are those who listen to the Word, and welcome it, and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold."

"A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed some fell by the wayside, and was trodden under foot, and the wild birds ate it up. "Some other seed dropped on the rock, as soon as it grew it withered away, because it had no moisture. "Another part fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. read more.
"But some fell on good soil, and grew up, and brought forth fruit, a hundredfold." When he said this, he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear with, let him listen."

Then all his disciples forsook him and fled; but those who had apprehended Jesus led him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled.

"You know that the Passover is coming in two days, and the Son of man will be delivered up to be crucified." Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the court of the palace of the high priest who was called Caiaphas,

But Jesus kept silence. Again the high priest addressed him, "I adjure you by the Living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!" "I am He," Jesus answered; "yet I tell you that from this time on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming upon the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his garments, saying. "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need have we of witnesses? For behold, now you have heard his blasphemy!

But one of their number, Caiaphas by name, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, rather than the whole nation be destroyed." now he did not say this of his own accord; but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die in behalf of the nation,

When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the message of the Lord with boldness.

When he saw this, Peter said to the people. "Men of Israel, why are you wondering at this? Why do you stare at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made this man to walk? "The God of Abram, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you betrayed and disowned before Pilate, when he had decided to let him go; "but you disowned the holy and righteous One, and asked as a favor the release of a murderer. read more.
"The Pioneer of Life you put to death. But God has raised him from the dead, and we are witnesses of that fact. "And his name, on the ground of faith in his name, has made strong this man, whom you now see and know; yes, the faith that is through him has made this man sound and strong again, in the presence of you all. "And now, brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. "But God has thus fulfilled what he foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer. "Repent then! and reform, from the blotting out of your sins, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; "and that he may send Jesus, your appointed Messiah, "whom the heavens must receive until the time of restoration of all things. "God spoke of this ages ago, through the mouth of his holy prophets. "Moses, for example, said: "The Lord your God will raise up a Prophet for you from among your brothers, as he raised up me; you must listen to whatever he may tell you; "and it shall be that every soul who will not listen to that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. "Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and his successors, all that have spoken, have also told of those days. "You are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, "And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. "It was for you first that God raised up his Servant, and sent him to bless you in turning every one of you away from your wicked ways."

"Rulers and elders of the people, if we are being examined today concerning a benefit conferred upon a cripple, as to how has this man been cured, "be it known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand before you strong and well. "For he is the Stone, cast aside by you builders, which has become the head stone of the corner. read more.
"There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, in which we must be saved." Now when they beheld the glad fearlessness of Peter and John and had perceived that they were amazed; and they began to recognize them, that they were companions of Jesus.

But Peter and John said in reply. "Do you decide whether in the sight of God it is right to obey you rather than God; but for our part, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

When they heard this they went at early dawn to the Temple, and began to teach. Meantime when the high priest and his followers arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin and all the Council of the Elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to fetch the apostles.

Brothers, be comrades in imitating me, and study those whose life and walk is according to the pattern I have set you.

Not that I have no right to such support; it was simply to give you an example for you to imitate.

Let no one despise you on account of your youth, but become an example for the faithful in word, in life, in love, in faith, in purity.

not by way of lording it over your heritage, but by becoming examples to the flock.

To the Jews I am become like a Jew, that I may win Jews; to those under the Law, like one under the Law, though I am not under the Law, myself; to those outside the Law, as one outside the Law, to win those outside the Law (though I am not outside the law of God, but inside the law of Christ). I am become weak to the weak, to win the weak. I am become all these things to all men that, by any and by all means, I may save some. read more.
And I am doing it all for the gospel's sake, that I may become a copartner in it.

"All things are lawful," you say? But not all things are expedient; "all things are lawful"; but not all build up.

But if any one tells you, "This food has been offered in sacrifice," do not eat it, for the sake of him who told you, and for your conscience sake??is conscience, not your own. "But," you may object, "why should my freedom be decided upon another's scruples of conscience? If I eat after giving thanks, why am I denounced for eating that for which I have given thanks?" read more.
Because whether you are eating or whether you are drinking, you are to do it all for the glory of God. Do not be a cause of stumbling either to Jews of to Gentiles, or to the church of God. For so I also try to please all men in every way, not by seeking my own good, but the good of the many, that they may be saved.

But though it be granted that I was not a burden to you, yet, you say, this was my cunning with which I caught you by a trick.

Then young children were brought to him, that he might lay his hands on them and pray. His disciples interfered, but Jesus said to them.

Now people were bringing little children to Jesus for him to touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.

And they kept bringing their babies for him to touch them; but when his disciples saw it they began to rebuke them.

But he answered her not a word. Then the disciples came up and kept beseeching him. "Send her away," they said, "because she wails after us."

but Herod, the Tetrarch, when reproved by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the wicked deeds that he had done,

"Repent," said he, "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This John it was of whom it was said through Isaiah, the prophet, The voice of one who cries aloud in the desert, "Prepare a way for the Lord, Make the paths straight for him." This John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. read more.
Then Jerusalem began to go out to him, and all Judea, and the whole neighborhood of the Jordan, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when John saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming for baptism, he said: "O brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Then bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'?? tell you that out of these very stones God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham. And already the axe is lying at the roots of the trees. Any tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. I indeed am baptizing you in water, unto repentance; but One is coming after me, mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse the threshing-floor. He will store his wheat in the granary, but will burn up the chaff in unquenchable fire."

For John had often told Herod, "It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife." So Herodias hated him, and wished to put him to death; but she could not, for Herod was afraid of John because he knew that he was a just and holy man. So he kept him safe. When he listened to John he was much exercised, yet he found pleasure in listening to him. read more.
Then came a convenient day, when Herod on his birthday held a feast for his lords and generals and the leading men of Galilee, at which the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced. She charmed Herod and his guests. "Ask me whatever you want," said the king to the young girl, "and I will give it to you." He even swore to her that whatever she asked, he would give it to her, up to half his kingdom. So she came out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she replied. So she at once hurried in to the king and made her request, "I want you," she said, "to give me, without delay, the head of John the Baptist on a charger." Then the king was exceedingly sorry; yet on account of his oaths and his guests he was unwilling to disappoint her. So he sent at once a soldier of the guard with orders to bring his head. And he went and beheaded John in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young girl, and she gave it to her mother.

So John used to say to the crowd of those who were going out to be baptized by him. "You breed of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Then bring forth fruit befitting your penitence, and do not begin to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our father." I tell you that God is able to raise up sons to Abraham out of these stones. And now truly the axe is already laid at the root of the trees. So every tree which is not bearing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me." "Be a shepherd to my sheep," said Jesus. The third time Jesus asked him, "Am I really dear to you?" Peter was grieved because the third time he asked, "Am I really dear to you?" and he answered, "Master, you know all things, you know that you are dear to me." "Feed my sheep," said Jesus. "In solemn truth I tell you that when you were young, you used to put on your own girdle, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands for some one to gird you, and carry you where you do not wish to go."

Meanwhile when myriads of the multitudes were thronging around him so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples, first of all. "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisee, which is hypocrisy.

"Woe unto you, blind guides, who say, If any one swears by the Sanctuary, it is nothing, but if any one swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, the oath is binding.

Presently Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, "It is because we did not bring any bread." When Jesus knew it he said: "Weaklings in faith! Why are you arguing among yourselves, because you have no bread? read more.
"Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many large basketfuls you took up? "Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many large basketfuls you took up? "How is it that you do not perceive that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware off the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" Then they realized that he had not told them to beware of the leaven, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

So in my fond affection it was my joy to give you, not only the gospel of God, but my very life also, because you had become dear to me.

It is but just that I should be thus mindful of you all, because I have you in my heart, and because in these fetters of mine and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel you are all my fellow partners in the privilege.

I am continually thanking God for all, always making mention of you in my prayers, as I call to mind your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the presence of our God and Father. For I know, O brothers, beloved of God, that he has chosen you;

You know how I was wont to treat each of you as a father treats his children,

And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, bearing testimony to a witness about to be spoken;

How faithful he was to the God who appointed him! For while Moses also was faithful in all God's house,

But some men came down from Judea and attempted to teach the brethren, saying, "Unless you are circumcised according to Moses' custom, you cannot be saved."

"therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to thrust forth laborers into his harvest field."

To my beloved friend and coworker Philemon,

So I testify to you this day that I am clear from the blood of all men; I never shrank from telling you the whole counsel of God.

as you learned it from Epaphras, our dearly loved fellow slave. He is a faithful minister of Jesus Christ in your behalf,

Epaphroditus, my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, who is your messenger and minister to my needs, I have thought it necessary to send to you;

Take your share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. A soldier in active service avoids entangling himself in the every-day affairs of life, so that he may please his commander.

"yet you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you are to be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth."

"And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

"'But rise and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you in order to appoint you my minister and my witness both of what you have already seen and of those things in which I will appear to you.

It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

And they all began, with loud lamentations, to throw their arms about his neck, and to kiss him lovingly, again and again, sorrowing most of all for the words that he had spoken, that after that day they should look upon his face no more. And they began to escort him to the ship.

When, however, our time was up, we left and started on our journey; and all of them, with wives and children, were escorting us on our way until we were out of the city; then, kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and said good-bye, and went on board the ship, while they returned home again.

Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have given over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

and their teaching will spread like a gangrene.

It is of this gospel I became a minister according to the gift of the power of the grace of God, bestowed on me by the energy of his power.

And this he will do if, indeed, you continue in the faith, firmly founded and stedfast, and never moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, and which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, that gospel of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

I act as priest of the gospel of God; so that the Gentiles, when offered before him, may be an acceptable sacrifice, because consecrated by the Holy Spirit.

Let any man look upon us as servants of Christ, and stewards of the secret truths of God.

but in every way I am striving to commend myself as God's minister by stedfast endurance, by afflictions, by troubles, by distresses,

Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, and to the elders and deacons.

Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ, and a brother of James. To those who are in God, the Father beloved, kept for Jesus Christ, and called.

But as for you, be always self-controlled, face hardships, do the work of a missionary, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

But you, O servant of God, flee from these things, and run after integrity, piety, faith, love, stedfastness, gentleness.

And when day dawned he called his disciples, and from among them he selected twelve, whom also he called Apostles missionaries.

Rejoice over her, O Heaven! Rejoice, ye saints, apostles, prophets! For God has now avenged you.

Let the elders who fill their offices well, be held worthy of twofold honor; especially those who have the task of preaching and teaching.

Now to you who are presbyters I make this appeal; for I am myself a presbyter, and was a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed.

Fourteen years later I went up to Jerusalem again, with Barnabas, and took Titus also with me (I went up at that time in obedience to a revelation). And I laid before them the gospel which I am wont to preach among the Gentiles. I did this privately before those in authority, lest by any means I should be running, or should already have run, in vain. But although Titus, my companion, was a Greek, they did not compel even him to be circumcised. read more.
Yet there were false brethren who had crept in to spy out the freedom we enjoy in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us again. To them we did not yield submission even for an hour, in order that the truth of the gospel might abide unshaken among you. But those in authority??hat they once were makes no difference to me; God is no respecter of persons??hose I say who were in authority had no additions to make my message. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter has with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who has equipped Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised, equipped me also for the apostleship to the Gentiles), and when they recognized the grace which had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, then thought to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and to me the right hand of fellowship. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews.

But when God who had set me apart from my very birth, and had called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach his gospel among the Gentiles, without consulting a human being, or even going up to Jerusalem to see those who had been apostles before me, I went off at once to Arabia, and on my return came back to Damascus. read more.
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter, and spent two weeks with him. I saw no other apostle except James, the Lord's brother. (In what I am now writing, I call God to witness that I am telling the truth.) Then I went into the districts of Syria and Cilicia. But to the churches of Christ in Judea I was personally unknown; only they used to hear it said, "He who was once persecuting us is now preaching the gospel of the very faith which he once tried to ruin." And they were giving glory to God on my account.

How then shall thy call upon Him in whom they do not believe? And how are they to believe in One of whom they have never heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

It was for this testimony that I myself was appointed a herald and apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), to be a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

To Titus, my true son in a common faith, from Paul, a slave of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and to the knowledge of the truth which goes with piety;

James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, sends greeting to the twelve tribes that are scattered abroad.

"Come, follow me," said Jesus, "And I will make you fishers of men."

so Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men."

Then he at once compelled the disciples to embark in the boat and go before him to Bethsaida on the other side, while he sent the people away.

Then he said to them, "Come apart, yourselves, to a quiet spot, and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they could not get time even to eat. So they sailed away privately to a solitary place.

The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks, is this. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches."

To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write. These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and who walks among the seven golden candlesticks.

The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks, is this. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches."

To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write. These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and who walks among the seven golden candlesticks.

Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John, who was called Mark.

So there arose a sharp irritation, so that they parted company; Barnabas taking Mark with him, sailed away to Cyprus;

More than that, he is the one chosen by the churches to accompany me on my journey, in administering this gift of yours for the Lord's glory. And this has my full consent,

As for Titus, remember that he is a partner of mine, and is also my associate in labors for you. As for the other brothers, remember that they are delegates from the churches, men in whom Christ is glorified.

Then those who welcomed his message were baptized, and in that day about three thousand souls were added to them;

When the day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all together in the same place, there came suddenly from the sky a sound like the onrush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues, like flame, distributing themselves, one resting upon the head of each one, read more.
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, a learned man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He had been instructed in the ways of the Lord, and being full of zeal, he used to speak and to teach accurately the facts about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they took him home and explained to him more accurately the way of God. read more.
When he wished to cross over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples in Corinth to receive him. On his arrival he mightily helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public argument, proving to them from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

The crowd with one accord were giving heed to what he said, when they heard and saw the signs that he did.

But when they believed Philip, who was preaching glad tidings about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they began to be baptized, both men and women.

There began to be great joy in that city.

And he took them, the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his. And after bringing them up into his house, he set food before them, overjoyed with all his household in having believed in God.

I am now rejoicing in my sufferings on your behalf; and I am filling up in my own body what is yet lacking of the sufferings of Christ in behalf of the church, his Body. It is of this I was made a minister, according to the stewardship entrusted to me by God for you, fully to declare God's message;

and their teaching will spread like a gangrene. Among such are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have gone astray concerning the truth by declaring that the resurrection is already past; and they are undermining the faith of some.

Epaphroditus, my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, who is your messenger and minister to my needs, I have thought it necessary to send to you; for he has been homesick for you all, and distressed at your having heard of his illness. And indeed he was sick nigh unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also so that I should not have sorrow upon sorrow. read more.
Therefore I have been the more eager to send him, in order that you may rejoice in seeing him again, and that I may have one sorrow less. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold in honor men like him; for it was through the work of the Lord that he came near to death; for he hazarded his very life to supply what was lacking in the help you sent me.

Epaphras, one of yourselves, salutes you, a slave of Christ who is always agonizing for you in his prayers, that you may stand firm, mature, and fully assured in all the will of God. For I can testify to his deep interest in you and in those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

But thanks be to God who has inspired in the heart of Titus the same zeal on your behalf that I have. For he not only consented to my request, but being thoroughly in earnest, comes to you of his own accord.

On that foundation, if a man proceeds to build gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, each man's work will be made manifest. The Day will disclose it, for it dawns in fire, and the fire will test each man's work, of what quality it is. If any man's work??he building he has made??tands the test, he will be rewarded. read more.
If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, as it were through the flames.

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come to him; and when they arrived, he said to them. "You yourselves know quite well, how I lived among you, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, "serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and amid trials that befell me through the plots of the Jews. read more.
"You know that I never shrank from declaring to you anything that was profitable, nor from teaching you publicity and in your homes, testifying both to Jews and Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what will befall me there, except that in city after city the Holy Spirit is warning me that bonds and afflictions are awaiting me. But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, if only I may run my race, and accomplish the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to attest the gospel of the grace of God. And now I know that not one of you among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see my face again. So I testify to you this day that I am clear from the blood of all men; I never shrank from telling you the whole counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock; and that from among your own number, men will arise, perverting the truth, to draw away the disciples after them. So be on guard; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all, night and day, even with tears. "And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. He is able to build you up, and to give you your inheritance among all those who are consecrated. "No man's silver or gold of clothing did I ever covet. "You yourselves know how these hands of mine provided for my needs, and those of my companions. "In all things I have set you an example, how that so toiling, you ought to help the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." When he had so said, Paul kneeled down, and prayed with them. And they all began, with loud lamentations, to throw their arms about his neck, and to kiss him lovingly, again and again, sorrowing most of all for the words that he had spoken, that after that day they should look upon his face no more. And they began to escort him to the ship.

Yet in just the same way these dreamers also defile the flesh, while they set at naught dominion and scoff at dignities. But Michael, the Archangel, when in contending with the devil, he was disputing about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce sentence for blasphemy, but said, "The Lord rebuke you." Yet these men blaspheme about matters of which they know nothing, while they use such things as they do understand by instinct (like the animals who have no reason) for their own destruction.

This aroused bitter indignation among the high priest and his followers who were of the sect of the Sadducees, and they apprehended the apostles, and threw them into the public prison. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors during the night, and let them out. read more.
He said to them, "Go take your stand in the Temple, and continue to tell the people all the words of this Life." When they heard this they went at early dawn to the Temple, and began to teach. Meantime when the high priest and his followers arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin and all the Council of the Elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to fetch the apostles. But the officers who went did not find them in the prison; so they came back and reported, "The prison we found locked fast, with the guards stationed at the doors, but when they were opened we found no one inside." When the officer in charge of the Temple and the high priest heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them, wondering what would come of it. And some one came and told them that the very men whom they had put in prison were standing in the Temple, and teaching to the people. On this the officer went off with his men and fetched them, not, however, by force, for they were afraid that the people would stone them. So they brought them, and stood them before the Sanhedrin. Then the high priest questioned them. "We strictly forbade you, did we not, to teach about this Name, and here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the apostles said in reply. "We must obey God rather than man. The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom you slew by hanging him on a tree. "Him God has exalted at his right hand as Prince and Saviour, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. "And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this they were infuriated, and were minded to kill the apostles; but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and held in honor by all the people, rose from his seat, and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while. He said: "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. "Years ago Theudas arose, claiming to be somebody, and was joined by about four hundred men. He was killed, and all of his followers dispersed and annihilated. "After him Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some of the people after him. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. "And now, I say to you, hold aloof from these men. Let them alone; for if this scheme or work be of human origin it will come to nothing; "but if it is from God, you cannot put it down; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." They gave in to him; and called the apostles in, and after flogging them, released them, with instructions not to speak about the name of Jesus. So they left Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name; but not for a single day did they desist from teaching and preaching in the Temple, and in private houses, the Gospel of Jesus, the Messiah.

And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (This was during the days of unleavened bread.) He had him arrested and thrown in prison, and put under guard of sixteen soldiers. He intended, after the Passover, to bring him forth to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer to God was made by the church for him. read more.
Now when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that very night, while Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison, suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him saying, "Rise up quickly." At once the chains dropped from his hands. "Gird yourself," said the angel, "and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said unto him, "Throw your cloak about you, and follow me." So Peter went out, following him, but did not realize that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he was seeing a vision. And when they had passed the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate that led to the city. This opened to them of its own accord; and they went out passed on through one street; and suddenly the angel left him. Peter, coming to himself, said, "Now I know for a certainty that the Lord has sent his angel and released me from the hand of Herod, and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating." So, after he had thought things over, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, surnamed Mark, where a large number of people were assembled, praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid servant named Rhoda came to answer. And when she recognized Peter's voice, for very joy she did not open the door, but ran in and told them that Peter was standing in front of the gate. "You are mad," they said. But she confidently insisted that it was so. "It is his angel," they said. Meanwhile Peter continued to knock, until at last they opened the door, and were amazed to see that it was really he. He motioned to them to keep quiet, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell all this to James," he said, "and to the brothers," and away he went to another place. When morning came there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what could possibly have become of Peter. Then Herod had search made for him, and could not find him. After sharply questioning the guards, he ordered them off to execution. He then went down from Judea to Caesarea, where he stayed for some time.

Now Peter, as he was going from town to town, came down also to the saints who lived in Lydda. Here he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, a paralytic. Peter said to him. "Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you! Rise and make your own bed!" read more.
At once he rose to his feet. All the people of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

On the morrow we started for Caesarea, where we went into the house of Philip, the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied, and while we remained there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

And when we were escaped, we ascertained that the island was called Malta. The foreign-speaking people showed us uncommon kindness, for they lighted a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain and because of the cold. Now when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and thrown them on the fire, a viper crawled out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. read more.
When the natives saw the reptile hanging on his hand, they began saying to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet justice does not allow him to live." However, he shook off the reptile into the fire and received no harm. But they kept expecting him to swell up or fall down dead suddenly. But after waiting a long time, and seeing no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said over and over that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood there were estates belonging to the governor of the island, whose name was Publius. He received us and entertained us for three days courteously. It happened however that the father of Publius was lying ill of fever and dysentery. So Paul went to see him and prayed and laid his hands on him and healed him. After this all the other sick people on the island came, and continued to be restored to health. These loaded us with many honors and, when at last we set sail, they put on board such things as we needed.

But when Simon perceived that, by the laying on of the apostles' hands, the Spirit was given, he offered them money saying, "Give me, too, this power, so that on whomever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him. "Your money perish with you, because you have supposed that with money you can obtain God's free gift!" read more.
"You have no part or lot in this matter." Your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent then of this your wickedness, and beseech the Lord to forgive you this purpose of your heart. "For I perceive that you still stand in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of unrighteousness."

They had John Mark as an assistant; and after going through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, named Bar-Jesus, who belonged to the suite of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. He summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas, "the sorcerer," for that is the translation of his name, opposed them, and tried to divert the proconsul from the faith. read more.
So Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily at him, and said: "O full of all craft and cunning, you son of the devil! You enemy of all goodness! Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? "The Lord's hand is now upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season." Instantly there fell on him a mist and a darkness, and groping about, he sought some one to lead him by the hand.

But when Simon perceived that, by the laying on of the apostles' hands, the Spirit was given, he offered them money saying, "Give me, too, this power, so that on whomever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him. "Your money perish with you, because you have supposed that with money you can obtain God's free gift!" read more.
"You have no part or lot in this matter." Your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent then of this your wickedness, and beseech the Lord to forgive you this purpose of your heart. "For I perceive that you still stand in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of unrighteousness."

If, however, the administration of death, written with letters and engraved on stones, began in glory, so that the children of Israel could not gaze steadily on the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face?? glory even then fading??8 how much more shall the ministry of the Spirit abide in glory? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, far more is the ministry of righteousness radiant in glory. Indeed that which once was glorious has lost its glory, because of the glory which surpasses it. read more.
For if that which was fading came in glory, far more will that which ever abides be glorious.

I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent our brother. Did Titus make gain of you? And did I not walk in the same spirit as he did? Did I not take the very same steps?

And he came also to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a certain disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewess, and of a Greek father. He was well spoken of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconiun. Now Paul, wishing that this man should accompany him on his journey, took him and circumcised him because of the local Jews, who all knew that his father was a Greek. read more.
And as they went on their way through the cities they handed them the resolutions which the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem had ordained for them to keep.

And as they were worshiping the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them, and let them go.

Now for some time a man named Simon had been practicing sorcery in that city, and had amazed the people of Samaria. He gave himself out to be some great person. Many from all classes would give heed to him, declaring, "This man is the Power of God, known as the Great Power." They were giving heed to him because, for a long time, he had amazed them with his sorceries.

It is no great marvel, then, if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.

In your teaching be serious and sincere. Let the instruction that you give be sound and above reproach, so that our opponents may be ashamed because they find no evil things to say about us.

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. "I have sinned," he said, "in betraying innocent blood!" "What is that to us?" they answered; "you must see to that." And flinging down the silver into the Sanctuary, he rushed out, and went and hanged himself. read more.
The chief priests took the money, and said, "It would be wrong to put it into the temple-treasury, because it is the price of blood." So after the consultation they bought the Potter's Field with it, for a burial-place for strangers.

So he sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, while he himself kept back for a time on his way into Asia.

"So we have sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth.

while Paul chose Silas, and set forth commended by the brothers to the grace of God.

He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they took him home and explained to him more accurately the way of God.

This plan commended itself to the whole body, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. These men they presented to the apostles who, when they had prayed, laid their hands upon them.

Never neglect the gift within you, which was given in fulfilment of prophecy at the time of the laying on of hands by the elders.

Whatever the gifts which each has received, use them for one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be kind to all men; a skilful teacher, patient of wrong.

so I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it. But one of the Elders said to me. "Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, and so can open the book with its seven seals."

As for Titus, remember that he is a partner of mine, and is also my associate in labors for you. As for the other brothers, remember that they are delegates from the churches, men in whom Christ is glorified.

On Christ's behalf, then, I come as ambassador. It is as though God was entreating you, through me, on Christ's behalf I beg you to be reconciled to God.

"That man was the Lamp-burning and shining??nd you were willing for a time rejoice in his light.

Take, my brothers, for an example the suffering and the patience of the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood.

So he left the place, and went into the house of a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house adjoined the synagogue.

Paul came to them, and because he was of the same trade with them, he lodged with them, and worked with them??or by trade they were tentmakers.

Peter stayed for some time in Joppa, lodging in the house of Simon, the tanner.

So after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them, and let them go.

Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

It is he who has also made me sufficient as a minister of a new covenant; not of a letter but of a spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit makes alive.

I have written somewhat to the church; but Diotrephes, who love to take the lead among them, does not receive me.

Let any man look upon us as servants of Christ, and stewards of the secret truths of God.

For indeed a presiding officer, as God's steward, ought to be blameless, not self-willed or quick-tempered, not a drunkard or violent, or greedy of filthy lucre;

It is not myself that I proclaim, but Christ Jesus as Master, and myself that I proclaim, and myself your slave for Jesus' sake.

Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow slave in the Lord, will make known to you all that concerns me.

I sent Timothy, my brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and to hearten you in your faith.

To Titus, my true son in a common faith, from Paul, a slave of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and to the knowledge of the truth which goes with piety;

It is but just that I should be thus mindful of you all, because I have you in my heart, and because in these fetters of mine and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel you are all my fellow partners in the privilege.

if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon an ungodly world;

Then summoning the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.

just as they reported them to us, who were from beginning eye-witnesses and ministers of the word,

As a worker with him I beseech you not to receive the grace of God in vain.