34 Bible Verses about Religion

Then Peter began. "I see, beyond all doubt," he said, "that 'God does not show partiality,' But that in every nation he who reverences him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

That religious observance which is pure and spotless in the eyes of God our Father is this--to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the world.

But do you, dear friends, build up your characters on the foundation of your most holy Faith, pray under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and keep within the love of God, while waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to bring you to Immortal Life.

Yes, and for this very reason do your best to supplement your faith by goodness, goodness by knowledge, knowledge by self-control, self-control by endurance, endurance by piety, piety by brotherly affection, and brotherly affection by love. read more.
For, when these virtues are yours, in increasing measure, they prevent your being indifferent to, or destitute of, a fuller knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Surely the man who has not these virtues is shortsighted even to blindness, and has chosen to forget that he has been purified from his sins of the past!

"Teacher, what is the great commandment in the Law?" His answer was: "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.' This is the great first commandment. read more.
The second, which is like it, is this--'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thou dost thyself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

the whole system being concerned only with food and drink and various ablutions--external ceremonials imposed until the coming of the New Order.

Circumcision is nothing; the want of it is nothing; but to keep the commands of God is everything.

They profess to know God, but by their actions they disown him. They are degraded and self-willed; and, as far as anything good is concerned, they are utterly worthless.

Not every one who says to me 'Master! Master!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.

Why do you call me 'Master! Master!' and yet fail to do what I tell you?

and while they retain the outward form of religion, they will not allow it to influence them. Turn your back on such men as these.

Alas for you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You pay tithes on mint, fennel, and caraway seed, and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law--justice, mercy, and good faith. These last you ought to have put into practice, without neglecting the first.

Since, with Christ, you became dead to the puerile teaching of this world, why do you submit, as though your life were still that of the world,

"You hypocrites!" the Master answered him. "Does not every one of you let his ox or his ass loose from its manger, and take it out to drink, on the Sabbath?

He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and, being in charge of the purse, used to take what was put in it.

For such persons are not serving Christ, our Master, but are slaves to their own appetites; and, by their smooth words and flattery, they deceive simple-minded people.

Perceiving their malice, Jesus answered: "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?

Hypocrites! You know how to judge of the earth and the sky; how is it, then, that you cannot judge of this time?

"I am a Jew, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, but I was brought up in this city under the teaching of Gamaliel, and educated in accordance with the strict system of our ancestral Law. I was as zealous in God's service as any of you who are here to-day.

Wishing to take this man with him on his journey, Paul caused him to be circumcised on account of the Jews in that neighborhood, for they all knew that his father had been a Greek.

And, when they had heard it, they began praising God, and said to Paul: "You see, Brother, that the Jews who have become believers in Christ may be numbered by tens of thousands, and they are all naturally earnest in upholding the Jewish Law.

"Why are you doing what it is not allowable to do on the Sabbath?" asked some of the Pharisees.

And how, in my devotion to Judaism, I surpassed many of my contemporaries among my own people in my intense earnestness in upholding the traditions of my ancestors.

Until you are able to appreciate all moral distinctions. And I pray, too, that you may be kept pure and blameless against the Day of Christ,

Therefore let us keep our festival, not with the leaven of former days, nor with the leaven of vice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Indeed, our main ground for satisfaction is this--Our conscience tells us that our conduct in the world, and still more in our relations with you, was marked by a purity of motive and a sincerity that were inspired by God, and was based, not on worldly policy, but on the help of God.

Unlike many people, we are not in the habit of making profit out of God's Message; but in all sincerity, and bearing God's commission, we speak before him in union with Christ.

And to 'love him with all one's heart, and with all one's understanding, and with all one's strength,' and to 'love one's neighbor as one loves oneself' is far beyond all 'burnt-offerings and sacrifices.'"

That religious observance which is pure and spotless in the eyes of God our Father is this--to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the world.

Meanwhile the people had gathered in thousands, so that they trod upon one another, when Jesus, addressing himself to his disciples, began by saying to them: "Be on your guard against the leaven--that is, the hypocrisy--of the Pharisees.

They profess to know God, but by their actions they disown him. They are degraded and self-willed; and, as far as anything good is concerned, they are utterly worthless.

who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These men's consciences are seared,

It is the same with you. Outwardly, and to others, you have the look of religious men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and sin.

But now that you have found God--or, rather, have been found by him--how is it that you are turning back to that poor and feeble puerile teaching, to which yet once again you are wanting to become slaves?

When they come from market, they will not eat without first sprinkling themselves; and there are many other customs which they have inherited and hold to, such as the ceremonial washing of cups, and jugs, and copper pans).

Why, then, do you now provoke God, by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our ancestors nor we were able to bear?

It is for freedom that Christ set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not again be held under the yoke of slavery.

Since, with Christ, you became dead to the puerile teaching of this world, why do you submit, as though your life were still that of the world,

Yet he has not failed to give you, in the good he does, some revelation of himself--sending you from heaven rain and fruitful seasons, and gladdening your hearts with plenty and good cheer."

For as I was going about, looking at your sacred shrines, I came upon an altar with this inscription--'To an Unknown God.' What, therefore, you worship in ignorance, that I am now proclaiming to you. The God who made the world and all things that are in it-- he, Lord as he is of Heaven and Earth, does not dwell in temples made by hands, Nor yet do human hands minister to his wants, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives, to all, life, and breath, and all things. read more.
He made all races of the earth's surface--fixing a time for their rise and fall, and the limits of their settlements-- That they might search for God, if by any means they might feel their way to him and find him. And yet he is not really far from any one of us; For in him we live and move and are. To use the words of some of your own poets--'His offspring, too, are we.'

But, when I saw that they were not dealing straightforwardly with the Truth of the Good News, I said to Peter, before them all, "If you, who were born a Jew, adopt Gentile customs, instead of Jewish, why are you trying to compel the Gentile converts to adopt Jewish customs?"

Why, then, you teacher of others, do not you teach yourself? Do you preach against stealing, and yet steal?

And why do you look at the straw in your brother's eye, while you pay no attention at all to the beam in yours?

Therefore practice and lay to heart everything that they tell preach but do not practice.

The man who says 'I know Jesus,' but does not lay his commands to heart, is a liar, and the Truth has no place in him;

From the very same mouth come blessings and curses! My Brothers, it is not right that this should be so.

Faith made the sacrifice which Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain's, and won him renown as a righteous man, God himself establishing his renown by accepting his gifts; and it is by the example of his faith that Abel, though dead, still speaks.

but, if a widow has children or grand-children, let them learn to show proper regard for the members of their own family first, and to make some return to their parents; for that is pleasing in God's sight.

Suppose some Brother or Sister should be in want of clothes and of daily bread, And one of you were to say to them--"Go, and peace be with you; find warmth and food for yourselves," and yet you were not to give them the necessaries of life, what good would it be to them?

But the angel said to him: " Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall call by the name John.

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said: "Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance, And has raised up for us the Strength of our Salvation In the House of his servant David-- read more.
As he promised by the lips of his Holy Prophets of old-- Salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all that hate us, Showing mercy to our forefathers, And mindful of his sacred Covenant. This was the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham-- That we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies, And should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, In his presence all our days. And thou, Child, shalt be called Prophet of the Most High, For thou shalt go before the Lord to make ready his way, To give his people the knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the Dawn will break on us from Heaven, To give light to those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, And guide our feet into the way of peace."

Alas for you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You destroy widow's houses, even while pretending to make long prayers; therefore you shall receive greater condemnation.

now that I have been reminded of the sincere faith that you have shown. That faith was seen first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and is now, I am convinced, in you also.

"Master, take pity on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers terribly; indeed, he often falls into the fire and into the water;

now that I have been reminded of the sincere faith that you have shown. That faith was seen first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and is now, I am convinced, in you also.

And, when you pray, you are not to behave as hypocrites do. They like to pray standing in the Synagogues and at the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. There, I tell you, is their reward!

And that very hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds, and he himself and every one belonging to him were baptized without delay.

She had a sister called Mary, who seated herself at the Master's feet, and listened to his teaching;

And, when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us to become her guests. "Since you have shown your conviction," she said, "that I really am a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house." And she insisted on our doing so.

For Barnabas was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith--and a large number of people took their stand on the Lord's side.

They profess to know God, but by their actions they disown him. They are degraded and self-willed; and, as far as anything good is concerned, they are utterly worthless.

Therefore you have nothing to say in your own defense, whoever you are who set yourself up as a judge. In judging others you condemn yourself, for you who set yourself up as a judge do the very same things.

There was also a Prophetess named Hannah, a daughter of Phanuel and of the tribe of Asher. She was far advanced in years, having lived with her husband for seven years after marriage, And then a widow, till she had reached the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple Courts, but, fasting and praying, worshiped God night and day.

There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who lived in constant expectation of the Consolation of Israel, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, Simeon came into the Temple Courts, and, when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the Law, read more.
Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said: "Now, Lord, thou wilt let thy servant go, According to thy word, in peace, For my eyes have seen the Salvation Which thou hast prepared in the sight of all nations-- A Light to bring light to the Gentiles, And to be the Glory of thy people Israel." While the child's father and mother were wondering at what was said about him, Simeon gave them his blessing, and said to Mary, the child's mother: "This child is appointed to be the cause of the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign much spoken against-- Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart--and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed."

There a man named Ananias, a strict observer of our Law, well spoken of by all the Jewish inhabitants, came to see me.

By this the father knew that it was at the very time when Jesus had said to him 'Your son is living'; and he himself, with all his household, believed in Jesus.

He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him: "We have found the Messiah!" (a word which means 'Christ,' or 'Consecrated'.)

A religious man and one who reverenced God, with all his household. He was liberal in his charities to the people, and prayed to God constantly.

Why do you call me 'Master! Master!' and yet fail to do what I tell you?

When a man receives circumcision on a Sabbath to prevent the Law of Moses from being broken, how can you be angry with me for making a man sound and well on a Sabbath?

When Jesus had brought to a conclusion all that he had then had to say to the people, he entered Capernaum. A Captain in the Roman army had a slave whom he valued, and who was seriously ill--almost at the point of death. And, hearing about Jesus, he sent some Jewish Councillors to him, with the request that he would come and save his slave's life. read more.
When they found Jesus, they earnestly implored him to do so. "He is a man who deserves that you should show him this favor," they said, "For he is devoted to our nation, and himself built our Synagogue for us." So Jesus went with them. But, when he was no great distance from the house, the Captain sent some friends with the message-- "Do not trouble yourself, Sir; for I am unworthy to receive you under my roof. That was why I did not even venture to come to you myself; but speak, and let my manservant be cured. For I myself am a man under the orders of others, with soldiers under me; and if I say to one of them 'Go,' he goes, and to another 'Come,' he comes, and to my slave 'Do this,' he does it." Jesus was surprised to hear these words from him; and, turning to the crowd which was following him, he said: "I tell you, nowhere in Israel have I met with such faith as this!" And, when the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave recovered.

"Go back to your home," he said, "and relate the story of all that God has done for you." So the man went through the whole town and proclaimed, as he went, all that Jesus had done for him.

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said: "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit!"

Moreover, he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone; for I always do what pleases him."

There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who lived in constant expectation of the Consolation of Israel, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

And then a widow, till she had reached the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple Courts, but, fasting and praying, worshiped God night and day.

The woman was a foreigner, a native of Syrian Phoenicia--and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit,

And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord,

now that I have been reminded of the sincere faith that you have shown. That faith was seen first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and is now, I am convinced, in you also.