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Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 56
Galatians 4; Galatians
5; Galatians 6
1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child,
he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 He
is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So
also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of
the world. 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his
Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under
law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because
you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who
calls out, ""Abba", Father." 7 So you are
no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an
heir. 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves
to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know
God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those
weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You
are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I
fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. 12 I
plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done
me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that
I first preached the gospel to you. 14 Even though my illness
was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you
welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus
himself. 15 What has happened to all your joy? I can testify
that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given
them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the
truth? 17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no
good. What they want is to alienate you [from us], so that you may be zealous
for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is
good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. 19 My
dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is
formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and
change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! 21 Tell me,
you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For
it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other
by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born in
the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a
promise. 24 These things may be taken figuratively, for the
women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears
children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar
stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of
Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But
the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For
it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break
forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children
of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." 28 Now
you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that
time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of
the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does the Scripture
say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son
will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." 31 Therefore,
brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm,
then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 2 Mark
my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ
will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every
man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole
law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been
alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 But
by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we
hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing
itself through love. 7 You were running a good race. Who cut
in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of
persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 "A
little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." 10 I
am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is
throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11 Brothers,
if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that
case the offense of the cross has been abolished.12 As for those
agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! 13 You,
my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the
sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The
entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as
yourself." 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each
other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So
I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful
nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the
Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in
conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But
if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The
acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and
debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord,
jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and
envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that
those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things
there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since
we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let
us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are
spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be
tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you
will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is
something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one
should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without
comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should
carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the
word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not
be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The
one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap
destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap
eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at
the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore,
as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who
belong to the family of believers.11 See what large letters I use
as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to make
a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The
only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of
Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law,
yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May
I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the
world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.16 Peace
and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. 17 Finally,
let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Romans 16
Romans 16 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 16
Personal Greetings
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3 Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord's people who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [e]
25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[f] faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Romans 16
Personal Greetings
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3 Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord's people who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [e]
25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[f] faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 55
Galatians 1; Galatians
2; Galatians 3
1 Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by
Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- 2 and
all the brothers 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. 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly
deserting the one who called you by 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 him be
eternally condemned! 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 him be eternally condemned! 10 Am I now trying to win the
approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still
trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 I
want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that
man made up. 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 Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous
for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me
apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to
reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not
consult any man, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those
who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later
returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to
Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter 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 Later
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.
1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this
time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.2 I went in response to
a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.
But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was
running or had run 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 brothers 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
remain with you. 6 As for those who seemed to be
important--whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by
external appearance--those men added nothing to my message. 7 On
the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the
gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8 For
God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was
also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James,
Peter and John, those reputed to be 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 Jews. 10 All
they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I
was eager to do. 11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him
to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 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 Peter 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 'Gentile sinners' 16 know that a
man is not justified by observing 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
Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will
be justified. 17 "If, while we seek to be justified in
Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that
Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I
destroyed, I prove that I am 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 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!"
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
observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you
so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your
goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for
nothing--if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his
Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you
believe what you heard? 6 Consider Abraham: "He believed
God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 7 Understand,
then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8 The
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." 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with
Abraham, the man of faith. 10 All who rely on observing the
law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not
continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly
no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will
live by faith."12 The law is not based on faith; on the
contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."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 tree." 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. 15 Brothers, 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. The Scripture does not say "and to
seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," 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 a promise;
but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. 19 What,
then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until
the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect
through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not
represent just 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. 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a
prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus
Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this
faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be
revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ
that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has
come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. 26 You
are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you
who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There
is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one
in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Romans 15
Romans 15 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 15
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name."[c]
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."[d]
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him."[e]
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope."[f]
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."[g]
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God's will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Romans 15
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name."[c]
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."[d]
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him."[e]
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope."[f]
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."[g]
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God's will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Revelation 17
Revelation 17 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 17
Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast
1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
Revelation 17
Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast
1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Revelation 16
Revelation 16 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 16
The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."
2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.
4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were;
6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."
7 And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. 15 "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."
16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds,[a] fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
Revelation 16
The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."
2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.
4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were;
6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."
7 And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. 15 "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."
16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds,[a] fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
Romans 14
Romans 14 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 14
The Weak and the Strong
1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'"[b]
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Romans 14
The Weak and the Strong
1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'"[b]
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Revelation 15
Revelation 15 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 15
Seven Angels With Seven Plagues
1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God's wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb:
"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.[a]
4 Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."[b]
5 After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Revelation 15
Seven Angels With Seven Plagues
1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God's wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb:
"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.[a]
4 Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."[b]
5 After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Romans 13
Romans 13 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 13
Submission to Governing Authorities
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Love Fulfills the Law
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet,"[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Day Is Near
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Romans 13
Submission to Governing Authorities
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Love Fulfills the Law
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet,"[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Day Is Near
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 54
Acts 15:1-41; Acts 16
1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching
the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught
by Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 This brought Paul and
Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were
appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the
apostles and elders about this question. 3The church sent them on
their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how
the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very
glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the
church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done
through them. 5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the
party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be
circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses." 6 The
apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After
much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that
some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my
lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows
the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just
as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them,
for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you
try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we
nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it
is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they
are." 12 The whole assembly became silent as they
listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders
God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they
finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon
has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the
Gentiles a people for himself. 15 The words of the prophets
are in agreement with this, as it is written: 16 " 'After
this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of men may seek the
Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these
things' 18 that have been known for ages.19 "It
is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the
Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to
them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual
immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For
Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in
the synagogues on every Sabbath." 22Then the apostles and
elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send
them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and
Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. 23 With
them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To
the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 We
have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed
you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all
agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas
and Paul-- 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas
to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed
good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the
following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food
sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from
sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. 30 The
men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church
together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and
were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who
themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. 33 After
spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing
of peace to return to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and
Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached
the word of the Lord. 36 Some time later Paul said to
Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we
preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing."37 Barnabas
wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul
did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia
and had not continued with them in the work.39 They had such a
sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for
Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the
brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria
and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
1 He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple
named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father
was a Greek. 2 The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well
of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he
circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew
that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to
town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in
Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened
in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 Paul and his
companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been
kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When
they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit
of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia
and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision
of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia
and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got
ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to
preach the gospel to them. 11 From Troas we put out to sea and
sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From
there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that
district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On
the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to
find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had
gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named
Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper
of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15When
she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.
"If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and
stay at my house." And she persuaded us. 16Once when we were
going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by
which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners
by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of
us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are
telling you the way to be saved." 18 She kept this up for
many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to
the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of
her!" At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When the
owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone,
they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the
authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and
said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by
advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice." 22 The
crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered
them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been
severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to
guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put
them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About
midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other
prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a
violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all
the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The
jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and
was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.28 But
Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself ! We are all here!" 29 The
jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and
Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what
must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in
the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." 32 Then
they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his
house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and
washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were
baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a
meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in
God--he and his whole family. 35 When it was daylight, the
magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release
those men." 36 The jailer told Paul, "The
magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go
in peace." 37 But Paul said to the officers: "They
beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw
us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them
come themselves and escort us out." 38 The officers
reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were
Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease
them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the
city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they
went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them.
Then they left.
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