Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 50
Acts 9; Acts 10
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats
against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and
asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any
there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as
prisoners to Jerusalem.3 As he neared Damascus on his journey,
suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to
the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute
me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I
am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now
get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 7 The
men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did
not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he
opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into
Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or
drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named
Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes,
Lord," he answered. 11 The Lord told him, "Go to the
house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for
he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias
come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." 13 "Lord,"
Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the
harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has
come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your
name." 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This
man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their
kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how
much he must suffer for my name." 17 Then Ananias went to
the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother
Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming
here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy
Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from
Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and
after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with
the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the
synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who
heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in
Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take
them as prisoners to the chief priests?" 22 Yet Saul grew
more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that
Jesus is the Christ. 23 After many days had gone by, the Jews
conspired to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day
and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But
his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening
in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the
disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a
disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the
apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the
Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the
name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about
freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He
talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When
the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off
to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and
Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the
Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. 32 As
Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. 33 There
he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight
years. 34 "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus
Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Immediately Aeneas
got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and
turned to the Lord. 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named
Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas ), who was always doing good and
helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died,
and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda
was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent
two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" 39 Peter
went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the
widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing
that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter
sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed.
Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened
her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the
hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows
and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over
Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed
in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion
in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his
family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and
prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the
afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him
and said, "Cornelius!" 4 Cornelius stared at him in
fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your
prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now
send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He
is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea." 7 When
the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a
devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them
everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. 9 About
noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city,
Peter went up on the roof to pray.10 He became hungry and wanted
something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He
saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by
its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed
animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then
a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." 14 "Surely
not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or
unclean." 15 The voice spoke to him a second time,
"Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." 16 This
happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While
Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius
found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They
called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While
Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon,
three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs.
Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." 21 Peter
went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have
you come?" 22 The men replied, "We have come from
Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is
respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to
his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23 Then
Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter
started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. 24 The
following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had
called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter
entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But
Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man
myself." 27 Talking with him, Peter went inside and found
a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: "You are
well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or
visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or
unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any
objection. May I ask why you sent for me?" 30 Cornelius
answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three
in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and
said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the
poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a
guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33 So
I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here
in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to
tell us." 34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now
realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but
accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You
know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of
peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know
what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that
John preached-- 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who
were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 "We
are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised
him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He
was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already
chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He
commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God
appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the
prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives
forgiveness of sins through his name." 44 While Peter was
still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The
circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of
the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For
they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can
anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the
Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with
them for a few days.
Galatians 3
Galatians 3 (New International Version, ©2010)
Galatians 3
Faith or Works of the Law
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[a] 4 Have you experienced[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[c]
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."[d] 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."[e] 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith."[f] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, "The person who does these things will live by them."[g] 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole."[h] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
The Law and the Promise
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed,"[i] meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3
Faith or Works of the Law
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[a] 4 Have you experienced[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[c]
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."[d] 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."[e] 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith."[f] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, "The person who does these things will live by them."[g] 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole."[h] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
The Law and the Promise
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed,"[i] meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Revelation 14
Revelation 14 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 14
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
The Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
8 A second angel followed and said, "'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,'[a] which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name." 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man[b] with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
Revelation 14
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
The Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
8 A second angel followed and said, "'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,'[a] which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name." 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man[b] with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 49
Acts 7; Acts 8:1-40
1 Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges
true?" 2 To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers,
listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was
still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. 3 'Leave your
country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.'4 "So
he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his
father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. 5 He
gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him
that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at
that time Abraham had no child. 6 God spoke to him in this
way: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they
will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 7 But I
will punish the nation they serve as slaves,' God said, 'and afterward they
will come out of that country and worship me in this place.' 8 Then
he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of
Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the
father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. 9 "Because
the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But
God was with him 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He
gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of
Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. 11 "Then
a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers
could not find food. 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain
in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. 13 On
their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned
about Joseph's family. 14 After this, Joseph sent for his
father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. 15 Then
Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. 16Their
bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had
bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. 17 "As
the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our
people in Egypt greatly increased. 18 Then another king, who
knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. 19 He dealt
treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to
throw out their newborn babies so that they would die. 20"At
that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was
cared for in his father's house. 21 When he was placed
outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22 Moses
was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and
action. 23 "When Moses was forty years old, he decided to
visit his fellow Israelites. 24 He saw one of them being
mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing
the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would
realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26 The
next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to
reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each
other?' 27 "But the man who was mistreating the other
pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us?28 Do
you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' 29 When
Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had
two sons. 30 "After forty years had passed, an angel
appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount
Sinai. 31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he
went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: 32 'I
am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses
trembled with fear and did not dare to look. 33 "Then the
Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is
holy ground. 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people
in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now
come, I will send you back to Egypt.' 35 "This is the
same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and
judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the
angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He led them out of
Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for
forty years in the desert. 37 "This is that Moses who
told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own
people.' 38 He was in the assembly in the desert, with the
angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received
living words to pass on to us. 39 "But our fathers
refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back
to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go before
us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt--we don't know what has
happened to him!' 41 That was the time they made an idol in
the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in
honor of what their hands had made. 42 But God turned away and
gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies. This agrees with what is
written in the book of the prophets: " 'Did you bring me sacrifices and
offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?43 You have
lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you
made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile' beyond Babylon. 44 "Our
forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had
been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 Having
received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when
they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in
the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God's favor
and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But
it was Solomon who built the house for him. 48 "However,
the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: 49 "
'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will
you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?50 Has
not my hand made all these things?' 51 "You stiff-necked
people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You
always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet
your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming
of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him-- 53 you
who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not
obeyed it." 54 When they heard this, they were furious
and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the
Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing
at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said,
"I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of
God." 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at
the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged
him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their
clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they
were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then
he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against
them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that
day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all
except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2Godly
men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul
began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and
women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered
preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a
city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the
crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close
attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came
out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So
there was great joy in that city. 9 Now for some time a man
named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of
Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the
people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This
man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11 They
followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12 But
when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God
and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon
himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere,
astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 14 When the
apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they
sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed
for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because
the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been
baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and
John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When
Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he
offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this
ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy
Spirit." 20 Peter answered: "May your money perish
with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You
have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before
God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.
Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For
I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." 24 Then
Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may
happen to me." 25 When they had testified and proclaimed
the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the
gospel in many Samaritan villages. 26Now an angel of the Lord said
to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from
Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and on his way
he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury
of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and
on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the
prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot
and stay near it." 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot
and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you
are reading?" Philip asked. 31 "How can I," he
said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to
come up and sit with him. 32 The eunuch was reading this
passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a
lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In
his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth."34 The eunuch asked
Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or
someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very
passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As
they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said,
"Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And
he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down
into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up
out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the
eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip,
however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the
towns until he reached Caesarea.
Galatians 2
Galatians 2 (New International Version, ©2010)
Galatians 2
Paul Accepted by the Apostles
1 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[a] just as Peter had been to the circumcised.[b] 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Cephas[c] and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
Paul Opposes Cephas
11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
15 "We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[d] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
17 "But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn't that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
19 "For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Galatians 2
Paul Accepted by the Apostles
1 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[a] just as Peter had been to the circumcised.[b] 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Cephas[c] and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
Paul Opposes Cephas
11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
15 "We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[d] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
17 "But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn't that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
19 "For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Monday, July 13, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 48
Acts 4; Acts 5; Acts 6
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the
Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They
were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and
proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They
seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until
the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and
the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day
the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas
the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other
men of the high priest's family. 7 They had Peter and John
brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what
name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy
Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If
we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple
and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and
all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom
you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before
you healed. 11 He is " 'the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the capstone. ' 12 Salvation is found in no
one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must
be saved." 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John
and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and
they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But
since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them,
there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to
withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What
are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in
Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But
to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn
these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18 Then
they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in
the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge
for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For
we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 After
further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them,
because all the people were praising God for what had happened.22 For
the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. 23 On
their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all
that the chief priests and elders had said to them.24 When they
heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign
Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and
everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through
the mouth of your servant, our father David: " 'Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take
their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his
Anointed One. ' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met
together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire
against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what
your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now,
Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with
great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform
miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."31 After
they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32 All
the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his
possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With
great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no
needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses
sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at
the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph,
a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of
Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money
and put it at the apostles' feet.
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira,
also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full
knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and
put it at the apostles' feet. 3 Then Peter said,
"Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied
to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received
for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold?
And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think
of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When
Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard
what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped
up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three
hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter
asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the
land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." 9 Peter
said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look!
The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will
carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at
his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried
her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear
seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. 12 The
apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all
the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No
one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14Nevertheless,
more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their
number. 15As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and
laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some
of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the
towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil
spirits, and all of them were healed.17 Then the high priest and
all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled
with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in
the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord
opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 "Go,
stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full
message of this new life." 21 At daybreak they entered
the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When
the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the
Sanhedrin--the full assembly of the elders of Israel--and sent to the jail for
the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did
not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 "We
found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when
we opened them, we found no one inside." 24 On hearing
this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were
puzzled, wondering what would come of this. 25 Then someone
came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple
courts teaching the people." 26 At that, the captain went
with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because
they feared that the people would stone them. 27 Having
brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be
questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict
orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled
Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's
blood." 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We
must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers
raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God
exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give
repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are
witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to
those who obey him." 33 When they heard this, they were
furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee
named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood
up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then
he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to
do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming
to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all
his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After
him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of
people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore,
in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if
their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But
if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find
yourselves fighting against God." 40 His speech persuaded
them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them
not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The
apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of
suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the
temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and
proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,
the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their
widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So
the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be
right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on
tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are
known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility
over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the
ministry of the word." 5 This proposal pleased the whole
group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also
Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert
to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who
prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God
spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large
number of priests became obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen,
a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs
among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of
the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria
as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with
Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or
the Spirit by whom he spoke. 11 Then they secretly persuaded
some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against
Moses and against God." 12 So they stirred up the people
and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him
before the Sanhedrin.13 They produced false witnesses, who
testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and
against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus
of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to
us." 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked
intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Galatians 1
Galatians 1 (New International Version, ©2010)
Galatians 1
1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers and sisters[a] with me, To the churches in Galatia:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul Called by God
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas[b] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24 And they praised God because of me.
Galatians 1
1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers and sisters[a] with me, To the churches in Galatia:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul Called by God
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas[b] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24 And they praised God because of me.
Revelation 12
Revelation 12 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 12
The Woman and the Dragon
1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who "will rule all the nations with an iron scepter."[a] And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Revelation 12
The Woman and the Dragon
1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who "will rule all the nations with an iron scepter."[a] And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Ephesians 6
Ephesians 6 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."[a]
4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Final Greetings
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."[a]
4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Final Greetings
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Revelation 11
Revelation 11 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 11
The Two Witnesses
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth."[a] 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
11 But after the three and a half days the breath[b] of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
The Seventh Trumpet
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry, and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name, both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
Revelation 11
The Two Witnesses
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth."[a] 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
11 But after the three and a half days the breath[b] of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
The Seventh Trumpet
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry, and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name, both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Ephesians 5
Ephesians 5 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 5
1 Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Instructions for Christian Households
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5
1 Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Instructions for Christian Households
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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