# verses

book: Luke
contenido:
“The day will come that everything you admire here will be utterly destroyed. It will all become a heap of rubble!”


book: Luke
contenido:
“Master, tell us,” they asked, “when exactly will this happen? Can you tell us what warning sign to look for when it is about to take place?”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus responded, “Deception will run rampant with many who will appear on the scene, saying I have sent them, or saying about themselves, ‘I am the Messiah!’ And the doomsday deceivers will say, ‘The end of the age is now here!’ But listen to me. Don’t be fooled by these imposters.


book: Luke
contenido:
“There will also be many wars and revolutions on every side, with rumors of more wars to come. Don’t panic or give in to your fears, for these things are bound to happen. This is still not the end yet.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus continued, “There will be upheavals of every kind. Nations will go to war against each other and kingdom against kingdom—


book: Luke
contenido:
and there will be terrible earthquakes, seismic events of epic proportion, resulting in famines in one place after another. There will be horrible plagues and epidemics, cataclysmic storms on the earth, and astonishing signs and cosmic disturbances in the heavens. But before all of this happens, you will be hunted down and arrested, persecuted by both civil and religious authorities, and thrown into prison.


book: Luke
contenido:
And because you follow me, you will be on trial before kings and governmental leaders as an opportunity to testify to them in my name.


book: Luke
contenido:
Yet determine in your hearts not to prepare for your own defense. Simply speak with the words of wisdom that I will give you that moment, and none of your persecutors will be able to withstand the grace and wisdom that comes from your mouths.


book: Luke
contenido:
“You can expect betrayal even by your parents, your brothers, your relatives and friends—and yes, some of you will die as martyrs.


book: Luke
contenido:
The Destruction of Jerusalem “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know for sure that its devastation is imminent.


book: Luke
contenido:
At that time all who are living in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those who live inside the city gates, go out and flee, and those who live outside the city must not enter it seeking refuge.


book: Luke
contenido:
It will be extremely difficult for pregnant women and for those nursing little ones in that day, for there will be great persecution and wrath against this nation.


book: Luke
contenido:
Many will be cut down by the sword or scattered as prisoners in many countries. And Jerusalem shall be trampled down by nations until the days of world empires come to an end.”


book: Luke
contenido:
The Coming of the Son of Man “Expect to witness amazing and perplexing signs throughout the universe with the sun, the moon, and the stars. The raging of the sea will bring desperation and turmoil to many nations.


book: Luke
contenido:
Earthquakes will bring panic and disaster. What men see coming to the earth will cause the fear of doom to grip their hearts, for they will even see the powers of the heavenly realm shaken!


book: Luke
contenido:
“And at last, when you see how the Son of Man comes—surrounded with a cloud, with great power and miracles, in the radiance of his splendor, and with great glory and praises—it will make you jump for joy! For the day of your full transformation has arrived.”


book: Luke
contenido:
The Lesson of the Fig Tree Jesus gave his disciples this parable: “Haven’t you observed the fig tree, or any tree, that when it buds and blooms you realize that the season is changing and summer is near?


book: Luke
contenido:
In the same way, when you see these prophetic signs occurring, you realize the earth is yielding to the fullness of God’s kingdom realm.


book: Luke
contenido:
Earth and sky will wear out and fade away before one word I speak loses its power or fails to accomplish its purpose.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Guard Your Hearts “Be careful that you never allow your hearts to grow cold. Remain passionate and free from anxiety and the worries of this life. Then you will not be caught off guard by what happens. Don’t let me come and find you drunk or careless in living like everyone else.


book: Luke
contenido:
For that day will come as a shocking surprise to all, like a downpour that drenches everyone, catching many unaware and un-prepared.


book: Luke
contenido:
Keep a constant watch over your soul, and pray for the courage and grace to prevail over these things that are destined to occur and that you will stand before the presence of the Son of Man with a clear conscience.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Satan Entered into Judas As the celebration of the Passover Lamb was approaching, the Jewish religious leaders and scholars of the law continually schemed to find a way to murder Jesus without starting a riot—for they feared the crowds.


book: Luke
contenido:
He secretly went to the religious hierarchy and the captains of the temple guards to discuss with them how he could betray Jesus and turn him over to their hands.


book: Luke
contenido:
The religious hierarchy was elated over Judas’ treachery, and they agreed to give him a sum of money in exchange for Jesus’ betrayal.


book: Luke
contenido:
Judas vowed that he would find them a suitable opportunity to betray Jesus when he was away from the crowds.


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus Prophesies the Location of the Last Supper On the day the sacrifice of the Passover lambs was to take place, Jesus sent for Peter and John and instructed them, “Go and prepare the Passover supper so we can eat it together.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus gave them this sign: “When you enter the city, you will find a man carrying a jug of water. Follow him home


book: Luke
contenido:
and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher told us to ask you, “Where is the room I may use to have the Passover meal with my disciples?” ’


book: Luke
contenido:
He will then take you to a large, fully furnished upstairs room. Make the preparations for us there.”


book: Luke
contenido:
They went and found everything to be exactly like Jesus had prophesied, and they prepared the Passover meal.


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus and His Disciples Eat the Last Supper When Jesus arrived at the upper room, he took his place at the table along with all the apostles.


book: Luke
contenido:
Then he told them, “I have longed with passion and desire to eat this Passover lamb with you before I endure my sufferings.


book: Luke
contenido:
I promise you that the next time we eat this, we will be together in the banquet of God’s kingdom realm.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Then he raised a cup and gave thanks to God and said to them, “Take this and pass it on to one another and drink.


book: Luke
contenido:
I promise you that the next time we drink this wine, we will be together in the feast of God’s kingdom realm.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Then he lifted up a loaf, and after praying a prayer of thanksgiving to God, he gave each of his apostles a piece of bread, saying, “This loaf is my body, which is now being offered to you. Always eat it to remember me.”


book: Luke
contenido:
After supper was over, he lifted the cup again and said, “This cup is my blood of the new covenant I make with you, and it will be poured out soon for all of you.


book: Luke
contenido:
But I want you to know that the hands of the one who delivers me to be the sacrifice are with mine on the table this very moment.


book: Luke
contenido:
The Son of Man must now go where he will be sacrificed. But there will be great and unending doom for the man who betrays me.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Apostles Argue over Which of Them Will Be the Greatest The disciples bickered over which one of them would be considered the greatest in the kingdom.


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus interrupted their argument, saying, “The kings and men of authority in this world rule oppressively over their subjects, claiming that they do it for the good of the people. They are obsessed with how others see them.


book: Luke
contenido:
But this is not your calling. You will lead by a different model. The greatest one among you will live as one called to serve others without honor. The greatest honor and authority is reserved for the one who has a servant heart.


book: Luke
contenido:
The leaders who are served are the most important in your eyes, but in the kingdom, it is the servants who lead. Am I not here with you as one who serves you?


book: Luke
contenido:
We will celebrate in this kingdom and you will feast with me at my table. And each of you will be given a throne, twelve thrones in all, and you will be made rulers on thrones to judge the tribes of Israel.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus Prophesies Peter’s Denial “Peter, my dear friend, listen to what I’m about to tell you. Satan has demanded to come and sift you like wheat and test your faith.


book: Luke
contenido:
But I have prayed for you, Peter, that you would stay faithful to me no matter what comes. Remember this: after you have turned back to me and have been restored, make it your life mission to strengthen the faith of your brothers.”


book: Luke
contenido:
“But Lord,” Peter replied, “I am ready to stand with you to the very end, even if it means prison or death!”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus looked at him and prophesied, “Before the rooster crows in the morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Then he said to all of them, “When I sent you out empty-handed, did you lack anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. “God provided all we needed.” Jesus said, “But now I say to you: Take what you need.


book: Luke
contenido:
For the prophetic Scripture about me ‘He will be accused of being a criminal’ will now come to pass. All that was prophesied of me will be fulfilled.”


book: Luke
contenido:
The disciples told him, “Lord, we already have two swords!” “You still don’t understand,” Jesus responded.


book: Luke
contenido:
The Garden of Gethsemane Jesus left the upper room with his disciples and, as was his habit, went to the Mount of Olives, his place of secret prayer.


book: Luke
contenido:
There he told the apostles, “Keep praying for strength to be spared from the severe test of your faith that is about to come.”


book: Luke
contenido:
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup of agony away from me. But no matter what, your will must be mine.”


book: Luke
contenido:
He prayed even more passionately, like one being sacrificed, until he was in such intense agony of spirit that his sweat became drops of blood, dripping onto the ground.


book: Luke
contenido:
When Jesus finished praying, he got up and went to his disciples and found them all asleep, for they were exhausted and overwhelmed with sorrow.


book: Luke
contenido:
“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “You need to be alert and pray for the strength to endure the great temptation.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Judas Betrays Jesus No sooner had he finished speaking when suddenly a mob approached, and right in front of the mob was his disciple Judas. He walked up close to Jesus and greeted him with a kiss. For he had agreed to give the religious leaders a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the one to seize.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus looked at him with sorrow and said, “A kiss, Judas? Are you really going to betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”


book: Luke
contenido:
When the other disciples understood what was happening, they asked, “Lord, shall we fight them with our swords?”


book: Luke
contenido:
Just then, one of the disciples swung his sword at the high priest’s servant and slashed off his right ear.


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus stopped the incident from escalating any further by shouting, “Stop! That’s enough of this!” Then he touched the right side of the injured man’s head and the ear grew back—he was healed!


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus turned to those who had come to seize him—the ruling priests, the officers of the temple police, and the religious leaders—and said, “Am I a criminal that you come to capture me with clubs and swords? Wasn’t I with you day after day, teaching in the temple courts?


book: Luke
contenido:
You could have seized me at any time. But in the darkness of night you have now found your time, for it belongs to you and to the prince of darkness.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Peter Denies He Knew Jesus The religious leaders seized Jesus and led him away, but Peter followed from a safe distance. They brought him to the home of the high priest, where people were already gathered out in the courtyard.


book: Luke
contenido:
A girl noticed Peter sitting in the firelight. Staring at him, she pointed him out and said, “This man is one of Jesus’ disciples!”


book: Luke
contenido:
A little while later, someone else spotted Peter and said, “I recognize you. You’re one of his, I know it!” Peter again said, “I’m not one of his disciples.”


book: Luke
contenido:
About an hour later, someone else identified Peter and insisted he was a disciple of Jesus, saying, “Look at him! He’s from Galilee, just like Jesus. I know he’s one of them.”


book: Luke
contenido:
But Peter was adamant. “Listen, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t you understand? I don’t even know him.” While the words were still in his mouth, the rooster crowed.


book: Luke
contenido:
At that moment, the Lord, who was being led through the courtyard by his captors, turned around and gazed at Peter. All at once Peter remembered the words Jesus had prophesied over him, “Before the rooster crows in the morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”


book: Luke
contenido:
They also made fun of him, blindfolding him and slapping his face and saying, “Prove that you are a prophet and tell us which one of us hit you!”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus before the Jewish Council At daybreak the high priests, the experts of the law, and the top religious leaders convened and had Jesus brought before their council.


book: Luke
contenido:
They asked him point blank, “Tell us, are you the Christ, the Messiah, or not?” Jesus responded, “If I tell you the truth, you won’t believe me.


book: Luke
contenido:
But from today on, the Son of Man will be enthroned in the place of honor, power, and authority with Almighty God.”


book: Luke
contenido:
They all shouted, “Then you do claim to be the Son of God?” He said to them, “You are the ones who say I am.”


book: Luke
contenido:
They accused him with false testimony before the governor, saying, “This man tells us we’re not to pay our taxes to Caesar. And he proclaims himself to be Christ the King and Messiah. He’s a deceiver of our nation.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Pilate turned to the high priests and to the gathered crowd and said, “This man has committed no crime. I find nothing wrong with him.”


book: Luke
contenido:
But they yelled and demanded that Pilate do something, saying, “He has stirred up our nation, misleading people from the moment he began teaching in Galilee until he has come here to Jerusalem!”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus before Herod When Pilate heard the word Galilee, he asked if Jesus was a Galilean, as he knew that Antipas, son of Herod, was the ruler over Galilee. When they told him yes, Pilate saw a way out of his problem. Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at that time, so Pilate sent Jesus to Antipas.


book: Luke
contenido:
When Antipas saw Jesus, he was elated, for he had heard a great deal about his ministry and wanted Jesus to perform a miracle in front of him.


book: Luke
contenido:
All the while the high priests and religious leaders stood by, hatefully accusing Jesus of wrongdoing, so that Antipas and his soldiers treated him with scorn and mocking. Antipas put an elegant purple robe on Jesus and sent him back to Pilate.


book: Luke
contenido:
That day, Antipas, son of Herod, and Pilate healed the rift between themselves due to old hostilities and they became good friends.


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus Sentenced to Death Pilate gathered the people together with the high priests and all the religious leaders of the nation and told them, “You have presented this man to me and charged him with stirring a rebellion among the people. But I say to you that I have examined him here in your presence and have put him on trial. My verdict is that none of the charges you have brought against him are true. I find no fault in him.


book: Luke
contenido:
And I sent him to Antipas, son of Herod, who also, after questioning him, has found him not guilty. Since he has done nothing deserving of death, I have decided to punish him with a severe flogging and release him.”


book: Luke
contenido:
When the crowd heard this, they went wild. Erupting with anger, they cried out, “No! Take this one away and release Barabbas!”


book: Luke
contenido:
A third time, Pilate asked the crowd, “What evil crime has this man committed that I should have him crucified? I haven’t found one thing that warrants a death sentence! I will have him flogged severely and then release him.”


book: Luke
contenido:
But the people and the high priests, shouting like a mob, screamed out at the top of their lungs, “No! Crucify him! Crucify him!” Finally their shouts and screams succeeded.


book: Luke
contenido:
Then he released the guilty murderer Barabbas, as they had insisted, and handed Jesus over to be crucified.


book: Luke
contenido:
The Crucifixion of Jesus As the guards led Jesus to be crucified, there was an African man in the crowd named Simon, from Libya. He had just arrived from a rural village to keep the Feast of the Passover. The guards laid Jesus’ cross on Simon’s shoulders and forced him to walk behind Jesus and carry his cross.


book: Luke
contenido:
Massive crowds gathered to follow Jesus, including a number of women, who were wailing with sorrow over him.


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. You should be weeping for yourselves and your children.


book: Luke
contenido:
For the day is coming when it will not be the women with children who are blessed but the childless. Then you will say, ‘The barren women are the most fortunate! Those who have never given birth and never nursed a child—they are more fortunate than we are, for they will never see their children put to death!’


book: Luke
contenido:
And the people will cry out for the mountains and hills to fall on top of them to hide them from all that is to come.


book: Luke
contenido:
When they came to the place that is known as The Skull, the guards crucified Jesus, nailing him on the center cross between the two criminals.


book: Luke
contenido:
While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, he prayed over and over, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” The soldiers, after they crucified him, gambled over his clothing.


book: Luke
contenido:
A great crowd gathered to watch what was happening. The religious leaders sneered at Jesus and mocked him, saying, “Look at this man! What kind of ‘chosen Messiah’ is this? He pretended to save others, but he can’t even save himself!”


book: Luke
contenido:
Over Jesus’ head on the cross was written an inscription in Greek, Latin, and Aramaic: “This man is the king of all the Jews.” And all the soldiers laughed and scoffed at him, saying, “Hey! If you’re the king of Jews, why don’t you save yourself?”


book: Luke
contenido:
One of the criminals hanging on the cross next to Jesus kept ridiculing him, saying, “What kind of Messiah are you? Save yourself and save us from this death!”


book: Luke
contenido:
The criminal hanging on the other cross rebuked the man, saying, “Don’t you fear God? You’re about to die!


book: Luke
contenido:
We deserve to be condemned, for we’re just being repaid for what we’ve done. But this man—he’s done nothing wrong!”


book: Luke
contenido:
Then he said, “I beg of you, my Lord Jesus, show me grace and take me with you into your everlasting kingdom!”


book: Luke
contenido:
The Death of the Savior It was now only midday, yet the whole world became dark for three hours as the light of the sun faded away.


book: Luke
contenido:
Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, I surrender my Spirit into your hands.” And he took his last breath and died.


book: Luke
contenido:
When the Roman captain overseeing the crucifixion witnessed all that took place, he was awestruck and glorified God. Acknowledging what they had done, he said, “I have no doubt; we just killed the righteous one.”


book: Luke
contenido:
The crowds that had gathered to observe this spectacle went back to their homes, overcome with deep sorrow and devastated by what they had witnessed.


book: Luke
contenido:
But standing off at a distance were some who truly knew Jesus, and the women who had followed him all the way from Galilee were keeping vigil.


book: Luke
contenido:
There was also a member of the Jewish council named Joseph, from the village of Ramah, a good-hearted, honorable man who was eager for the appearing of God’s kingdom realm. He had strongly disagreed with the decision of the council to crucify Jesus.


book: Luke
contenido:
He came before Pilate and asked permission to take the body of Jesus and give him a proper burial, and Pilate granted his request.


book: Luke
contenido:
So he took the body from the cross and wrapped it in a winding sheet of linen and placed it in a new, unused tomb chiseled out of solid rock.


book: Luke
contenido:
The women who had been companions of Jesus from the beginning saw all this take place and watched as the body was laid in the tomb.


book: Luke
contenido:
Afterward they returned home and prepared fragrant spices and ointments and were planning to anoint his body after the Sabbath was completed, according to the commandments of the law.


book: Luke
contenido:
The Resurrection of Jesus Very early that Sunday morning, the women made their way to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared.


book: Luke
contenido:
Arriving at the tomb they discovered that the huge stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside,


book: Luke
contenido:
They stood there, stunned and perplexed. Suddenly two men in dazzling white robes shining like lightning appeared above them.


book: Luke
contenido:
Terrified, the women fell to the ground on their faces. The men in white said to them, “Why would you look for the living One in a tomb? He is not here, for he has risen!


book: Luke
contenido:
‘The Son of Man is destined to be handed over to sinful men to be nailed to a cross, and on the third day he will rise again’?”


book: Luke
contenido:
Leaving the tomb, they went to break the news to the Eleven and to all the others of what they had seen and heard.


book: Luke
contenido:
When the disciples heard the testimony of the women, it made no sense, and they were unable to believe what they heard.


book: Luke
contenido:
But Peter jumped up and ran the entire distance to the tomb to see for himself. Stooping down, he looked inside and discovered it was empty! There was only the linen sheet lying there. Staggered by this, he walked away, wondering what it meant.


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus Walks to Emmaus Later that Sunday, two of Jesus’ disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a journey of about seventeen miles.


book: Luke
contenido:
They were in the midst of a discussion about all the events of the last few days when Jesus walked up and accompanied them in their journey.


book: Luke
contenido:
They were unaware that it was Jesus walking alongside them, for God prevented them from recognizing him.


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus said to them, “You seem to be in a deep discussion about something. What are you talking about, so sad and gloomy?” They stopped, and the one named Cleopas answered, “Haven’t you heard? Are you the only one in Jerusalem unaware of the things that have happened over the last few days?”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus asked, “What things?” “The things about Jesus, the Man from Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a mighty prophet of God who performed miracles and wonders. His words were powerful and he had great favor with God and the people.


book: Luke
contenido:
But three days ago the high priest and the rulers of the people sentenced him to death and had him crucified. We all hoped that he was the one who would redeem and rescue Israel.


book: Luke
contenido:
They said they went to the tomb and found it empty. They claimed two angels appeared and told them that Jesus is now alive.


book: Luke
contenido:
Some of us went to see for ourselves and found the tomb exactly like the women said. But no one has seen him.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus said to them, “Why are you so thick-headed? Why do you find it so hard to believe every word the prophets have spoken?


book: Luke
contenido:
Wasn’t it necessary for Christ, the Messiah, to experience all these sufferings and then afterward to enter into his glory?”


book: Luke
contenido:
Then he carefully unveiled to them the revelation of himself throughout the Scripture. He started from the beginning and explained the writings of Moses and all the prophets, showing how they wrote of him and revealed the truth about himself.


book: Luke
contenido:
As they approached the village, Jesus walked on ahead, telling them he was going on to a distant place.


book: Luke
contenido:
They urged him to remain there and pleaded, “Stay with us. It will be dark soon.” So Jesus went with them into the village.


book: Luke
contenido:
Joining them at the table for supper, he took bread and blessed it and broke it, then gave it to them.


book: Luke
contenido:
All at once their eyes were opened and they realized it was Jesus! Then suddenly, in a flash, Jesus vanished from before their eyes!


book: Luke
contenido:
Stunned, they looked at each other and said, “Why didn’t we recognize it was him? Didn’t our hearts burn with the flames of holy passion while we walked beside him? He unveiled for us such profound revelation from the Scriptures!”


book: Luke
contenido:
They left at once and hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples. When they found the Eleven and the other disciples all together,


book: Luke
contenido:
they overheard them saying, “It’s really true! The Lord has risen from the dead. He even appeared to Peter!”


book: Luke
contenido:
Then the two disciples told the others what had happened to them on the road to Emmaus and how Jesus had unveiled himself as he broke bread with them.


book: Luke
contenido:
Jesus Appears to the Disciples While they were still discussing all of this, Jesus suddenly manifested right in front of their eyes! Startled and terrified, the disciples were convinced they were seeing a ghost. Standing there among them he said, “Be at peace. I am the living God. Don’t be afraid.


book: Luke
contenido:
Come and gaze upon my pierced hands and feet. See for yourselves, it is I, standing here alive. Touch me and know that my wounds are real. See that I have a body of flesh and bone.”


book: Luke
contenido:
The disciples were ecstatic yet dumbfounded, unable to fully comprehend it. Knowing that they were still wondering if he was real, Jesus said, “Here, let me show you. Give me something to eat.”


book: Luke
contenido:
Then he said to them, “Don’t you remember the words that I spoke to you when I was still with you? I told you that everything written about me would be fulfilled, including all the prophecies from the law of Moses through the Psalms and the writings of the prophets—that they would all find their fulfillment.”


book: Luke
contenido:
then said to them, “Everything that has happened fulfills what was prophesied of me. Christ, the Messiah, was destined to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.


book: Luke
contenido:
Now you must go into all the nations and preach repentance and forgiveness of sins so that they will turn to me. Start right here in Jerusalem.


book: Luke
contenido:
And I will send the fulfillment of the Father’s promise to you. So stay here in the city until the mighty power of heaven falls upon you and wraps around you.”


book: Luke
contenido:
The Ascension of Jesus Jesus led his disciples out to Bethany. He lifted his hands over them and blessed them in his love.


book: Luke
contenido:
While he was still speaking out words of love and blessing, he floated off the ground into the sky, ascending into heaven before their very eyes!


book: Luke
contenido:
And all they could do was worship him. Overwhelmed and ecstatic with joy, they made their way back to Jerusalem.


book: John
contenido:
The Living Expression In the very beginning the Living Expression was already there. And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God.


book: John
contenido:
And through his creative inspiration this Living Expression made all things, for nothing has existence apart from him!


book: John
contenido:
And this Living Expression is the Light that bursts through gloom— the Light that darkness could not diminish!


book: John
contenido:
John was not that Light but he came to show who is. For he was merely a messenger to speak the truth about the Light.


book: John
contenido:
He came to the very people he created— to those who should have recognized him, but they did not receive him.


book: John
contenido:
But those who embraced him and took hold of his name were given authority to become the children of God!


book: John
contenido:
He was not born by the joining of human parents or from natural means, or by a man’s desire, but he was born of God.


book: John
contenido:
And so the Living Expression became a man and lived among us! And we gazed upon the splendor of his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father overflowing with tender mercy and truth!


book: John
contenido:
John taught the truth about him when he announced to the people, “He’s the One! Set your hearts on him! I told you he would come after me, even though he ranks far above me, for he existed before I was even born.”


book: John
contenido:
No one has ever gazed upon the fullness of God’s splendor except the uniquely beloved Son, who is cherished by the Father and held close to his heart. Now he has unfolded to us the full explanation of who God truly is!


book: John
contenido:
The Ministry of John the Baptizer There were some of the Jewish leaders who sent an entourage of priests and temple servants from Jerusalem to interrogate John. They asked him, “Who are you?”


book: John
contenido:
“Then who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” John replied. So they pressed him further, “Are you the prophet Moses said was coming, the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied.


book: John
contenido:
“Then who are you?” they demanded. “We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something about yourself—anything!”


book: John
contenido:
So, John answered them, “I am fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy: ‘I am an urgent, thundering voice shouting in the desert—clear the way and prepare your hearts for the coming of the Lord Yahweh!’”


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contenido:
John answered them, “I baptize in this river, but the One who will take my place is to be more honored than I, but even when he stands among you, you will not recognize or embrace him! I am not worthy enough to stoop down in front of him and untie his sandals!”


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This all took place at Bethany, where John was baptizing at the place of the crossing of the Jordan River.


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The Lamb of God The very next day John saw Jesus coming to him to be baptized, and John cried out, “Look! There he is—God’s Lamb! He will take away the sins of the world!


book: John
contenido:
I told you that a Mighty One would come who is far greater than I am, because he existed long before I was born!


book: John
contenido:
My baptism was for the preparation of his appearing to Israel, even though I’ve yet to experience him.”


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contenido:
Then, as John baptized Jesus he spoke these words: “I see the Spirit of God appear like a dove descending from the heavenly realm and landing upon him—and it rested upon him from that moment forward!


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contenido:
And even though I’ve yet to experience him, when I was commissioned to baptize with water God spoke these words to me, ‘One day you will see the Spirit descend and remain upon a man. He will be the One I have sent to baptize with the Holy Spirit.’


book: John
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Jesus’ First Followers The very next day John was there again with two of his disciples as Jesus was walking right past them. John, gazing upon him, pointed to Jesus and said, “Look! There’s God’s Lamb!”


book: John
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And as soon as John’s two disciples heard this, they immediately left John and began to follow a short distance behind Jesus.


book: John
contenido:
Then Jesus turned around and saw they were following him and asked, “What do you want?” They responded, “Rabbi (which means, Master Teacher), where are you staying?”


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Jesus answered, “Come and discover for yourselves.” So they went with him and saw where he was staying, and since it was late in the afternoon, they spent the rest of the day with Jesus.


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One of the two disciples who heard John’s words and began to follow Jesus was a man named Andrew. He went and found his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Anointed One!” (Which is translated, the Christ.)


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Then Andrew brought Simon to meet him. When Jesus gazed upon Andrew’s brother, he prophesied to him, “You are Simon and your father’s name is John. But from now on you will be called Cephas” (which means, Peter the Rock).


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Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael The next day Jesus decided to go to the region of Galilee. There he found Philip and said to him, “Come and follow me.”


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Then Philip went to look for his friend, Nathanael, and told him, “We’ve found him! We’ve found the One we’ve been waiting for! It’s Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth, the Anointed One! He’s the One that Moses and the prophets prophesied would come!”


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Nathanael sneered, “Nazareth! What good thing could ever come from Nazareth?” Philip answered, “Come and let’s find out!”


book: John
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When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said, “Now here comes a true son of Israel—an honest man with no hidden motive!”


book: John
contenido:
Nathanael was stunned and said, “But you’ve never met me—how do you know anything about me?” Jesus answered, “Nathanael, right before Philip came to you I saw you sitting under the shade of a fig tree.”


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Jesus answered, “Do you believe simply because I told you I saw you sitting under a fig tree? You will experience even more impressive things than that!


book: John
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I prophesy to you eternal truth: From now on you will see an open heaven and gaze upon the Son of Man like a stairway reaching into the sky with the messengers of God climbing up and down upon him!”


book: John
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Jesus Comes to a Wedding Now on the third day there was a wedding feast in the Galilean village of Cana, and the mother of Jesus was there.


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Jesus and his disciples were all invited to the banquet, but with so many guests in attendance, they ran out of wine. And when Mary realized it, she came to him and asked, “They have no wine, can’t you do something about it?”


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Jesus replied, “My dear one, don’t you understand that if I do this, it won’t change anything for you, but it will change everything for me! My hour of unveiling my power has not yet come.”


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Now there were six stone water pots standing nearby. They were meant to be used for the Jewish washing rituals. Each one held about 20 gallons or more.


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And when they poured out their pitcher for the master of ceremonies to sample, the water became wine! When he tasted the water that became wine, the master of ceremonies was impressed. (Although he didn’t know where the wine had come from, but the servers knew.)


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He called the bridegroom over and said to him, “Every host serves his best wine first until everyone has had a cup or two, then he serves the wine of poor quality. But you, my friend, you’ve reserved the most exquisite wine until now!”


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This miracle in Cana was the first of the many extraordinary miracles Jesus performed in Galilee. This was a sign revealing his glory, and his disciples believed in him.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus at the Temple After this, Jesus, his mother and brothers and his disciples went to Capernaum and stayed there for a few days.


book: John
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As he went into the temple courtyard, he noticed it was filled with merchants selling oxen, lambs, and doves for exorbitant prices, while others were overcharging as they exchanged currency behind their counters.


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So Jesus found some rope and made it into a whip. Then he drove out every one of them and their animals from the courtyard of the temple, and he kicked over their tables filled with money, scattering it everywhere!


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And he shouted at the merchants, “Get these things out of here! Don’t you dare make my Father’s house into a center for merchandise!”


book: John
contenido:
That’s when his disciples remembered the Scripture: “I am consumed with a fiery passion to keep your house pure!”


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But the Jewish religious leaders challenged Jesus, “What authorization do you have to do this sort of thing? If God gave you this kind of authority, what supernatural sign will you show us to prove it?”


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Then the Jewish leaders sneered, “This temple took forty-six years to build, and you mean to tell us that you will raise it up in three days?”


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contenido:
But the disciples remembered his prophecy after Jesus rose from the dead, and believed both the Scripture and what Jesus had said.


book: John
contenido:
While Jesus was at the Passover Feast , the number of his followers began to grow, and many gave their allegiance to him because of all the miraculous signs they had seen him doing!


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He didn’t need anyone to tell him about human nature, for he fully understood what man was capable of doing.


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Nicodemus Now there was a prominent religious leader among the Jews named Nicodemus, who was part of the sect called the Pharisees and a member of the Jewish ruling council.


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One night he discreetly came to Jesus and said, “Master, we know that you are a teacher from God, for no one performs the miracle signs that you do, unless God’s power is with him.”


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Jesus answered, “Nicodemus, listen to this eternal truth: Before a person can perceive God’s kingdom realm, they must first experience a rebirth.”


book: John
contenido:
Nicodemus said, “Rebirth? How can a gray-headed man be reborn? It’s impossible for a man to go back into the womb a second time and be reborn!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus answered, “I speak an eternal truth: Unless you are born of water and Spirit-wind, you will never enter God’s kingdom realm.


book: John
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For the natural realm can only give birth to things that are natural, but the spiritual realm gives birth to supernatural life!


book: John
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For the Spirit-wind blows as it chooses. You can hear its sound, but you don’t know where it came from or where it’s going. So it is within the hearts of those who are Spirit-born!”


book: John
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Jesus answered, “Nicodemus, aren’t you the respected teacher in Israel, and yet you don’t understand this revelation?


book: John
contenido:
I speak eternal truths about things I know, things I’ve seen and experienced—and still you don’t accept what I reveal.


book: John
contenido:
If you’re unable to understand and believe what I’ve told you about the natural realm, what will you do when I begin to unveil the heavenly realm?


book: John
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God’s Love for Everyone “And just as Moses in the desert lifted up the brass replica of a snake on a pole for all the people to see and be healed, so the Son of Man is ready to be lifted up,


book: John
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For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.


book: John
contenido:
“God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!


book: John
contenido:
So now there is no longer any condemnation for those who believe in him, but the unbeliever already lives under condemnation because they do not believe in the name of God’s beloved Son.


book: John
contenido:
And here is the basis for their judgment: The Light of God has now come into the world, but the hearts of people love their darkness more than the Light, because they want the darkness to conceal their evil.


book: John
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So the wicked hate the Light and try to hide from it, for their lives are fully exposed in the Light.


book: John
contenido:
But those who love the truth will come out into the Light and welcome its exposure, for the Light will reveal that their fruitful works were produced by God.”


book: John
contenido:
John, Friend of the Bridegroom Then Jesus and his disciples went out for a length of time into the Judean countryside where they baptized the people.


book: John
contenido:
At this time John was still baptizing people at Aenon, near Salim, where there was plenty of water. And the people kept coming for John to baptize them.


book: John
contenido:
So they went to John and asked him, “Teacher, are you aware that the One you told us about at the crossing place—he’s now baptizing everyone with larger crowds than yours. People are flocking to him! What do you think about that?”


book: John
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You heard me tell you before that I am not the Messiah, but certainly I am the messenger sent ahead of him.


book: John
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He is the Bridegroom, and the bride belongs to him. I am the friend of the Bridegroom who stands nearby and listens with great joy to the Bridegroom’s voice. And because of his words my joy is complete and overflows!


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“For the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks from the natural realm. But the One who comes from above is above everything and speaks of the highest realm of all!


book: John
contenido:
“The One whom God has sent to represent him will speak the words of God, for God has poured out upon him the fullness of the Holy Spirit without limitation.


book: John
contenido:
Those who trust in the Son possess eternal life; but those who don’t obey the Son will not see life, and God’s anger will rise up against them.”


book: John
contenido:
A Thirsty Savior Soon the news reached the Jewish religious leaders known as the Pharisees that Jesus was drawing greater crowds of followers coming to be baptized than John.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus arrived at the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son, Joseph, long ago.


book: John
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Wearied by his long journey, he sat on the edge of Jacob’s well. He sent his disciples into the village to buy food, for it was already afternoon. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink of water.”


book: John
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Jesus replied, “If you only knew who I am and the gift that God wants to give you—you’d ask me for a drink, and I would give to you living water.”


book: John
contenido:
The woman replied, “But sir, you don’t even have a bucket and this well is very deep. So where do you find this ‘living water’?


book: John
contenido:
Do you really think that you are greater than our ancestor Jacob who dug this well and drank from it himself, along with his children and livestock?”


book: John
contenido:
but if anyone drinks the living water I give them, they will never thirst again and will be forever satisfied! For when you drink the water I give you it becomes a gushing fountain of the Holy Spirit, springing up and flooding you with endless life!”


book: John
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The woman replied, “Let me drink that water so I’ll never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to draw water.”


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“for you’ve been married five times and now you’re living with a man who is not your husband. You have told the truth.”


book: John
contenido:
So tell me this: Why do our fathers worship God here on this nearby mountain, but your people teach that Jerusalem is the place where we must worship. Which is right?” Jesus responded,


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“Believe me, dear woman, the time has come when you won’t worship the Father on a mountain nor in Jerusalem, but in your heart.


book: John
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Your people don’t really know the One they worship. We Jews worship out of our experience, for it’s from the Jews that salvation is made available.


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From here on, worshiping the Father will not be a matter of the right place but with the right heart. For God is a Spirit, and he longs to have sincere worshipers who worship and adore him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth.”


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The woman said, “This is all so confusing, but I do know that the Anointed One is coming—the true Messiah. And when he comes, he will tell us everything we need to know.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus said to her, “You don’t have to wait any longer, the Anointed One is here speaking with you—I am the One you’re looking for.”


book: John
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At that moment the disciples returned and were stunned to see Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman. Yet none of them dared to ask him why or what they were discussing.


book: John
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“Come and meet a man at the well who told me everything I’ve ever done! He could be the Anointed One we’ve been waiting for.”


book: John
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The Harvest Is Ready Then the disciples began to insist that Jesus eat some of the food they brought back from the village, saying, “Teacher, you must eat something.”


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Puzzled by this, the disciples began to discuss among themselves, “Did someone already bring him food? Where did he get this meal?”


book: John
contenido:
Then Jesus spoke up and said, “My food is to be doing the will of him who sent me and bring it to completion.”


book: John
contenido:
As the crowds emerged from the village, Jesus said to his disciples, “Why would you say, ‘The harvest is another four months away’? Look at all the people coming—now is harvest time! For their hearts are like vast fields of ripened grain—ready for a spiritual harvest.


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And everyone who reaps these souls for eternal life will receive a reward. And those who plant spiritual seeds and those who reap the harvest will celebrate together with great joy!


book: John
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I have sent you out to harvest a field that you haven’t planted, where many others have labored long and hard before you. And now you are privileged to profit from their labors and reap the harvest.”


book: John
contenido:
So there were many from the Samaritan village who became believers in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony: “He told me everything I ever did!”


book: John
contenido:
Then the Samaritans said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you told us, but now we’ve heard him ourselves and are convinced that he really is the true Savior of the world!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Returns to Galilee On the third day Jesus left there and walked to the province of Galilee, where he was raised.


book: John
contenido:
Even so, as Jesus arrived in the province of Galilee, he was welcomed by the people with open arms. Many of them had been in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival and had witnessed firsthand the miracles he had performed.


book: John
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Jesus entered the village of Cana of Galilee where he had transformed water into wine. And there was a governmental official in Capernaum who had a son who was very sick and dying. When he heard that Jesus had left Judea and was staying in Cana of Galilee, he decided to make the journey to Cana. When he found Jesus he begged him, “You must come with me to Capernaum and heal my son!”


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Then Jesus looked him in the eyes and said, “Go back home now. I promise you, your son will live and not die.” The man believed in his heart the words of Jesus and set off for home.


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When he was still a distance from Capernaum, his servants met him on the road and told him the good news, “Your son is healed! He’s alive!”


book: John
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Overjoyed, the father asked his servants, “When did my son begin to recover?” “Yesterday,” they said, “at one in the afternoon. All at once his fever broke—and now he’s well!”


book: John
contenido:
Then the father realized that it was at that very same hour that Jesus spoke the words to him, “Your son will live and not die.” So from that day forward, the man and all his family and servants believed.


book: John
contenido:
The Healing at Bethesda Then Jesus returned to Jerusalem to observe one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city near the Sheep Gate there is a pool called in Aramaic, The House of Loving Kindness. And this pool is surrounded by five covered porches.


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Hundreds of sick people were lying there on the porches—the paralyzed, the blind, and the crippled, all of them waiting for their healing.


book: John
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For an angel of God would periodically descend into the pool to stir the waters, and the first one who stepped into the pool after the waters swirled would instantly be healed.


book: John
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Now there was a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years lying among the multitude of the sick.


book: John
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When Jesus saw him lying there, he knew that the man had been crippled for a long time. So Jesus said to him, “Do you truly long to be healed?”


book: John
contenido:
The sick man answered him, “Sir, there’s no way I can get healed, for I have no one who will lower me into the water when the angel comes. As soon as I try to crawl to the edge of the pool, someone else jumps in ahead of me.”


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Immediately he stood up—he was healed! So he rolled up his mat and walked again! Now this miracle took place on the Jewish Sabbath.


book: John
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When the Jewish leaders saw the man walking along carrying his sleeping mat, they objected and said, “What are you doing carrying that? Don’t you know it’s the Sabbath? It’s not lawful for you to carry things on the Sabbath!”


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But the healed man couldn’t give them an answer, for he didn’t yet know who it was since Jesus had already slipped away into the crowd.


book: John
contenido:
A short time later, Jesus found the man at the temple and said to him, “Look at you now! You’re healed! Walk away from your sin so that nothing worse will happen to you.”


book: John
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So from that day forward the Jewish leaders began to persecute Jesus because of the things he did on the Sabbath.


book: John
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Jesus Responds to the Jewish Leaders Jesus answered his critics by saying, “Everyday my Father is at work, and I will be too!”


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This infuriated them and made them all the more eager to devise a plan to kill him. For not only did he break their Sabbath rules, but he called God “my Father,” which made him equal to God.


book: John
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So Jesus said, “I speak to you timeless truth. The Son is not able to do anything from himself or through my own initiative. I only do the works that I see the Father doing, for the Son does the same works as his Father.


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“Because the Father loves his Son so much, he always reveals to me everything that he is about to do. And you will all be amazed when he shows me even greater works than what you’ve seen so far!


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For just like the Father has power to raise the dead, the Son will raise the dead and give life to whomever he wants.


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so that the honor that belongs to the Father will now be shared with his Son. So if you refuse to honor the Son, you are refusing to honor the Father who sent him.


book: John
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“I speak to you an eternal truth: if you embrace my message and believe in the One who sent me, you will never face condemnation, for in me, you have already passed from the realm of death into the realm of eternal life!”


book: John
contenido:
Two Resurrections “I speak to you eternal truth: Soon the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who listen will arise with life!


book: John
contenido:
“So don’t be amazed when I tell you these things, for there is a day coming when all who have ever died will hear my voice calling them back to life,


book: John
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and they will come out of their graves! Those who have done what is good will experience a resurrection to eternal life. And those who have practiced evil will taste the resurrection that brings them to condemnation!


book: John
contenido:
“Nothing I do is from my own initiative, for as I hear the judgment passed by my Father, I execute judgment. And my judgments will be perfect, because I can do nothing on my own, except to fulfill the desires of my Father who sent me.


book: John
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But there is another who bears witness on my behalf, and I know that what he testifies of me is true.”


book: John
contenido:
I have no need to be validated by men, but I’m saying these things so that you will believe and be rescued.


book: John
contenido:
But I can provide a more substantial proof of who I am that exceeds John’s testimony—my miracles! These works which the Father destined for me to complete—they prove that the Father has sent me!


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And my Father himself, who gave me this mission, has also testified that I am his Son. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his face,


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contenido:
nor does his Word truly live inside of you, for you refuse to believe in me or to embrace me as God’s messenger.


book: John
contenido:
“You are busy analyzing the Scriptures, frantically poring over them in hopes of gaining eternal life. Everything you read points to me,


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for I know what kind of people you really are, and I can see that the love of God has found no home in you.


book: John
contenido:
I have come to represent my Father, yet you refuse to embrace me in faith. But when someone comes in their own name and with their own agenda, you readily accept him.


book: John
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Of course you’re unable to believe in me. For you live for the praises of others and not for the praise that comes from the only true God.


book: John
contenido:
“I won’t be the one who accuses you before the Father. The one who will incriminate you is Moses, the very one you claim to obey, the one in whom you trust!


book: John
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Jesus Multiplies Food After this Jesus went to the other side of the Lake of Tiberias, which is also known as Lake Galilee.


book: John
contenido:
And a massive crowd of people followed him everywhere. They were attracted by his miracles and the healings they watched him perform.


book: John
contenido:
Now it was approaching the time of the Jewish celebration of Passover, and there were many pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem in the crowd.


book: John
contenido:
As Jesus sat down, he looked out and saw the massive crowd of people scrambling up the hill, for they wanted to be near him. So he turned to Philip and said, “Where will we buy enough food to feed all these people?”


book: John
contenido:
Philip answered, “Well, I suppose if we were to give everyone only a snack, it would cost thousands of dollars to buy enough food!”


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contenido:
“Look! Here’s a young person with five barley loaves and two small fish . . . but how far would that go with this huge crowd?”


book: John
contenido:
“Have everyone sit down,” Jesus said to his disciples. So on the vast grassy slope, more than five thousand hungry people sat down.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus then took the barley loaves and the fish and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to the disciples to distribute to the people. Miraculously, the food multiplied, with everyone eating as much as they wanted!


book: John
contenido:
When everyone was satisfied, Jesus told his disciples, “Now go back and gather up the pieces left over so that nothing will be wasted.”


book: John
contenido:
All the people were astounded as they saw with their own eyes the incredible miracle Jesus had performed! They began to say among themselves, “He really is the One—the true prophet we’ve been expecting!”


book: John
contenido:
So Jesus, knowing that they were about to take him and make him their king by force, quickly left and went up the mountainside alone.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Walks on Water After waiting until evening for Jesus to return, the disciples went down to the lake. But as darkness fell, he still hadn’t returned, so the disciples got into a boat and headed across the lake to Capernaum.


book: John
contenido:
The disciples had rowed about halfway across the lake when all of a sudden they caught sight of Jesus walking on top of the waves, coming toward them. The disciples panicked,


book: John
contenido:
They were relieved to take him in, and the moment Jesus stepped into the boat, they were instantly transported to the other side!


book: John
contenido:
Jesus, the Living Bread The next morning, the crowds were still on the opposite shore of the lake, near the place where they had eaten the bread he had multiplied after he had given thanks to God. Yet Jesus was nowhere to be found. They realized that only one boat had been there and that Jesus’ hadn’t boarded, and they concluded that his disciples had left him behind.


book: John
contenido:
So when the people saw on the shoreline a number of small boats from Tiberias and realized Jesus and the disciples weren’t there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to search for him.


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contenido:
Jesus replied, “Let me make this very clear, you came looking for me because I fed you by a miracle, not because you believe in me.


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Why would you strive for food that is perishable and not be passionate to seek the food of eternal life, which never spoils? I, the Son of Man, am ready to give you what matters most, for God the Father has destined me for this purpose.”


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They replied, “Show us a miracle so we can see it, and then we’ll believe in you. Moses took care of our ancestors who were fed by the miracle of manna every day in the desert, just like the Scripture says, ‘He fed them with bread from heaven.’ What sign will you perform for us?”


book: John
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“The truth is,” Jesus said, “Moses didn’t give you the bread of heaven. It’s my Father who offers bread that comes as a dramatic sign from heaven.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. Believe in me and you will never be thirsty.


book: John
contenido:
But everyone my Father has given to me, they will come. And all who come to me, I will embrace and will never turn them away.


book: John
contenido:
And I have come out of heaven not for my own desires, but for the satisfaction of my Father who sent me.


book: John
contenido:
My Father who sent me has determined that I will not lose even one of those he has given to me, and I will raise them up in the last day.


book: John
contenido:
For the longing of my Father is that everyone who embraces the Son and believes in him will experience eternal life and I will raise them up in the last day!”


book: John
contenido:
When the Jews who were hostile to Jesus heard him say, “I am the bread that came down from heaven,” they immediately began to complain,


book: John
contenido:
“How can he say these things about himself? We know him, and we know his parents. How dare he say, ‘I have come down from heaven?’”


book: John
contenido:
The only way people come to me is by the Father who sent me—he pulls on their hearts to embrace me. And those who are drawn to me, I will certainly raise them up in the last day.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus continued, “It has been written by the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God himself.’ If you are really listening to the Father and learning directly from him, you will come to me.


book: John
contenido:
“I speak to you living truth: Unite your heart to me and believe—and you will experience eternal life!


book: John
contenido:
But standing here before you is the true Bread that comes out of heaven, and when you eat this Bread you will never die.


book: John
contenido:
I alone am this living Bread that has come to you from heaven. Eat this Bread and you will live forever. The living Bread I give you is my body, which I will offer as a sacrifice so that all may live.”


book: John
contenido:
These words of Jesus sparked an angry outburst among the Jews. They protested, saying, “Does this man expect us to eat his body?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied to them, “Listen to this eternal truth: Unless you eat the body of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have eternal life.


book: John
contenido:
Eternal life comes to the one who eats my body and drinks my blood, and I will raise him up in the last day.


book: John
contenido:
The Father of life sent me, and he is my life. In the same way, the one who feeds upon me, I will become his life.


book: John
contenido:
I am not like the bread your ancestors ate and later died. I am the living Bread that comes from heaven. Eat this Bread and you will live forever!”


book: John
contenido:
Many Disciples Became Offended And when many of Jesus’ followers heard these things, it caused a stir. “That’s disgusting!” they said. “How could anybody accept it?”


book: John
contenido:
Without anyone telling him, Jesus knew they were outraged and told them, “Are you offended over my teaching?


book: John
contenido:
“The Holy Spirit is the one who gives life, that which is of the natural realm is of no help. The words I speak to you are Spirit and life. But there are still some of you who won’t believe.”


book: John
contenido:
He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one embraces me unless the Father has given you to me.”


book: John
contenido:
Peter’s Confession of Faith And so from that time on many of the disciples turned their backs on Jesus and refused to be associated with him.


book: John
contenido:
Peter spoke up and said, “But Lord, where would we go? No one but you gives us the revelation of eternal life.


book: John
contenido:
We’re fully convinced that you are the Anointed One, the Son of the Living God, and we believe in you!”


book: John
contenido:
Then Jesus shocked them with these words: “I have hand-picked you to be my twelve, knowing that one of you is the devil.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus was referring to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, for he knew that Judas, one of his chosen disciples, was getting ready to betray him.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles After this Jesus traveled extensively throughout the province of Galilee, but he avoided the province of Judea, for he knew the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were plotting to have him killed.


book: John
contenido:
So Jesus’ brothers came to advise him, saying, “Why don’t you leave the countryside villages and go to Judea where the crowds are, so that your followers can see your miracles?


book: John
contenido:
No one can see what you’re doing here in the backwoods of Galilee. How do you expect to be successful and famous if you do all these things in secret? Now is your time—go to Jerusalem, come out of hiding, and show the world who you are!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus responded, “My time of being unveiled hasn’t yet come, but any time is a suitable opportunity for you to gain man’s approval.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus lingered in Galilee until his brothers had left for the feast in Jerusalem. Then later, Jesus took a back road and went into Jerusalem in secret.


book: John
contenido:
During the feast, the Jewish leaders kept looking for Jesus and asking around, “Where is he? Have you seen him?”


book: John
contenido:
A controversy was brewing among the people, with so many differing opinions about Jesus. Some were saying, “He’s a good man!” While others weren’t convinced and insisted, saying, “He’s just a demagogue.”


book: John
contenido:
The Jewish leaders were astonished by what he taught and said, “How did this man acquire such knowledge? He wasn’t trained in our schools—who taught him?”


book: John
contenido:
So Jesus responded, “I don’t teach my own ideas, but the truth revealed to me by the One who sent me.


book: John
contenido:
If you want to test my teachings and discover where I received them, first be passionate to do God’s will, and then you will be able to discern if my teachings are from the heart of God or from my own opinions.


book: John
contenido:
Charlatans praise themselves and seek honor from men, but my Father sent me to speak truth on his behalf. And I have no false motive, because I seek only the glory of God.


book: John
contenido:
Moses has given you the law, but not one of you is faithful to keep it. So if you are all law-breakers, why then would you seek to kill me?”


book: John
contenido:
Yet isn’t it true that Moses and your forefathers ordered you to circumcise your sons even if the eighth day fell on a Sabbath?


book: John
contenido:
So if you cut away part of a man on the Sabbath and that doesn’t break the Jewish law, why then would you be indignant with me for making a man completely healed on the Sabbath?


book: John
contenido:
Then some of the residents of Jerusalem spoke up and said, “Isn’t this the one they’re trying to kill?


book: John
contenido:
So why is he here speaking publicly and not one of the Jewish leaders is doing anything about it? Are they starting to think that he’s the Anointed One?


book: John
contenido:
But how could he be, since we know this man is from Galilee, but no one will know where the true Messiah comes from, he’ll just appear out of nowhere.”


book: John
contenido:
Knowing all of this, Jesus one day preached boldly in the temple courts, “So, you think you know me and where I come from? But you don’t know the One who sent me—the Father who is always faithful. I have not come simply on my own initiative.


book: John
contenido:
His words caused many to want to arrest him, but no man was able to lay a hand on him, for it wasn’t yet his appointed time.


book: John
contenido:
And there were many people who thought he might be the Messiah. They said, “After all, when the Anointed One appears, could he possibly do more signs and wonders than this man has done?”


book: John
contenido:
So when the Pharisees heard these rumors circulating about Jesus, they went with the leading priests and the temple guards to arrest him.


book: John
contenido:
When the Jewish leaders heard this, they discussed among themselves, “Where could he possibly go that we won’t be able to find him? Is he going to minister in a different land where our people live scattered among the nations? Is he going to teach those who are not Jews?


book: John
contenido:
What did he really mean by his statement, ‘You will search for me and won’t be able to find me. And where I am you can’t come’?”


book: John
contenido:
Rivers of Living Water Then on the most important day of the feast, the last day, Jesus stood and shouted out to the crowds—“All you thirsty ones, come to me! Come to me and drink!


book: John
contenido:
Believe in me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus was prophesying about the Holy Spirit that believers were being prepared to receive. But the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out upon them, because Jesus had not yet been unveiled in his full splendor.


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Divided Opinions about Jesus When the crowd heard Jesus’ words, some said, “This man really is a prophet!”


book: John
contenido:
Others said, “He’s the Messiah!” But others said, “How could he be the Anointed One since he’s from Galilee?


book: John
contenido:
Don’t the Scriptures say that he will be one of David’s descendants and be born in Bethlehem, the city of David?”


book: John
contenido:
The Unbelief of Religious Leaders So when the temple guards returned to the Pharisees and the leading priests without Jesus, they were questioned, “Where is he? Why didn’t you bring that man back with you?”


book: John
contenido:
This ignorant rabble swarms around him because none of them know anything about the Law! They’re all cursed!”


book: John
contenido:
Just then, Nicodemus, who had secretly spent time with Jesus, spoke up, for he was a respected voice among them.


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contenido:
He cautioned them, saying, “Does our law decide a man’s guilt before we first hear him and allow him to defend himself?”


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contenido:
They argued, “Oh, so now you’re an advocate for this Galilean! Search the Scriptures, Nicodemus, and you’ll see that there’s no mention of a prophet coming out of Galilee!” So with that their debate ended,


book: John
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Then at dawn Jesus appeared in the temple courts again, and soon all the people gathered around to listen to his words, so he sat down and taught them.


book: John
contenido:
Then in the middle of his teaching, the religious scholars and the Pharisees broke through the crowd and brought a woman who had been caught in the act of committing adultery and made her stand in the middle of everyone.


book: John
contenido:
Doesn’t Moses’ law command us to stone to death a woman like this? Tell us, what do you say we should do with her?”


book: John
contenido:
They were only testing Jesus because they hoped to trap him with his own words and accuse him of breaking the laws of Moses. But Jesus didn’t answer them. Instead he simply bent down and wrote in the dust with his finger.


book: John
contenido:
Angry, they kept insisting that he answer their question, so Jesus stood up and looked at them and said, “Let’s have the man who has never had a sinful desire throw the first stone at her.”


book: John
contenido:
Upon hearing that, her accusers slowly left the crowd one at a time, beginning with the oldest to the youngest, with a convicted conscience.


book: John
contenido:
Until finally, Jesus was left alone with the woman still standing there in front of him. So he stood back up and said to her, “Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?”


book: John
contenido:
Looking around, she replied, “I see no one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus, the Light of the World Then Jesus said, “I am light to the world and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.”


book: John
contenido:
The Pharisees were immediately offended and said, “You’re just boasting about yourself! Since we only have your word on this, it makes your testimony invalid!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus responded, “Just because I am the one making these claims doesn’t mean they’re invalid. For I absolutely know who I am, where I’ve come from, and where I’m going. But you Pharisees have no idea about what I’m saying.


book: John
contenido:
For you’ve set yourselves up as judges of others based on outward appearances, but I certainly never judge others in that way.


book: John
contenido:
For I discern the truth. And I am not alone in my judgments, for my Father and I have the same understanding in all things, and he has sent me to you.


book: John
contenido:
Then what I say about who I am is true, for I am not alone in my testimony—my Father is the other witness, and we testify together of the truth.”


book: John
contenido:
Then they asked, “Just who is this ‘Father’ of yours? Where is he?” Jesus answered, “You wouldn’t ask that question if you knew who I am, or my Father. For if you knew me, you would recognize my Father too.”


book: John
contenido:
(Jesus taught all these things while standing in the treasure room of the temple. And no one dared to arrest him, for it wasn’t yet his time to surrender to men.)


book: John
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“I Am Not from This World” One day Jesus said again, “I am about to leave you. You will want to find me, but you will still die in your sins. You won’t be able to come where I am going.”


book: John
contenido:
This so confused the Jewish leaders that they began to say, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What’s he talking about—‘You won’t be able to come where I am going’?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus spoke up and said, “You are all from the earth; I am from above. I am not from this world like you are.


book: John
contenido:
That’s why I’ve told you that you will all die in your sins if you fail to believe that I AM who I AM.”


book: John
contenido:
“And I still have many more things to pronounce in judgment about you. For I will testify to the world of the truths that I have heard from my Father, and the Father who sent me is trustworthy.”


book: John
contenido:
“You will know me as ‘I AM’ after you have lifted me up from the earth as the Son of Man. Then you will realize that I do nothing on my own initiative, but I only speak the truth that the Father has revealed to me.


book: John
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The Son Gives Freedom Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “When you continue to embrace all that I teach, you prove that you are my true followers.


book: John
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Surprised by this, they said, “But we’re the descendants of Abraham and we’re already free. We’ve never been in bondage to anyone. How could you say that we will be released into more freedom?”


book: John
contenido:
“I speak eternal truth,” Jesus said. “When you sin you are not free. You’ve become a slave in bondage to your sin.


book: John
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And slaves have no permanent standing in a family, like a son does, for a son is a part of the family forever.


book: John
contenido:
Even though you are descendants of Abraham, you desire to kill me because the message I bring has not found a home in your hearts.


book: John
contenido:
Yet the truths I speak I’ve seen and received in my Father’s presence. But you are doing what you’ve learned from your father!”


book: John
contenido:
“What do mean?” they replied. “Abraham is our father!” Jesus said, “If you are really Abraham’s sons, then you would follow in the steps of Abraham.


book: John
contenido:
I’ve only told you the truth that I’ve heard in my Father’s presence, but now you are wanting me dead—is that how Abraham acted?


book: John
contenido:
No, you people are doing what your father has taught you!” Indignant, they responded, “What are you talking about? We only have one Father, God himself! We’re not illegitimate!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus said, “Then if God were really your father, you would love me, for I’ve come from his presence. I didn’t come here on my own, but God sent me to you.


book: John
contenido:
Why don’t you understand what I say? You don’t understand because your hearts are closed to my message!


book: John
contenido:
“You are the offspring of your father, the devil, and you serve your father very well, passionately carrying out his desires. He’s been a murderer right from the start! He never stood with the One who is the true Prince, for he’s full of nothing but lies—lying is his native tongue. He is a master of deception and the father of lies!


book: John
contenido:
But I am the true Prince who speaks nothing but the truth, yet you refuse to believe and you want nothing to do with me.


book: John
contenido:
Can you name one sin that I’ve committed? Then if I am telling you only the truth, why don’t you believe me?


book: John
contenido:
If you really knew God, you would listen, receive, and respond with faith to his words. But since you don’t listen and respond to what he says, it proves you don’t belong to him and you have no room for him in your hearts.”


book: John
contenido:
“See! We were right all along!” some of the Jewish leaders shouted. “You’re nothing but a demon-possessed Samaritan!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “It is not a demon that would cause me to honor my Father. I live my life for his honor, even though you insult me for it.


book: John
contenido:
I never have a need to seek my own glory, for the Father will do that for me, and he will judge those who do not.


book: John
contenido:
I speak to you this eternal truth: whoever cherishes my words and keeps them will never experience death.”


book: John
contenido:
This prompted the Jewish leaders to say, “Now we know for sure that you’re demon possessed! You just said that those who keep watch over your words will never experience death, but Abraham and all the prophets have died!


book: John
contenido:
Do you think you’re greater than our father Abraham and all the prophets? You are so delusional about yourself that you make yourself greater than you are!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus answered them, “If I were to tell you how great I am, it would mean nothing. But my Father is the One who will prove it and will glorify me. Isn’t he the One you claim is your God?


book: John
contenido:
But in reality, you’ve never embraced him as your own. I know him, and I would be a liar, like yourselves, if I told you anything less than that. I have fully embraced him, and I treasure his every word.


book: John
contenido:
And not only that, Abraham, your ancestor, was overjoyed when he received the revelation of my coming to earth. Yes, he foresaw me coming and was filled with delight!”


book: John
contenido:
But many of the Jewish leaders doubted him and said, “What are you talking about? You’re not even fifty years old yet. You talk like you’ve seen Abraham!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus said to them, “I give you this eternal truth: I have existed long before Abraham was born, for I AM!”


book: John
contenido:
When they heard this, they picked up rocks to stone him, but Jesus concealed himself as he passed through the crowd and went away from there.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Healed a Man Born Blind Afterward, as Jesus walked down the street, he noticed a man blind from birth.


book: John
contenido:
His disciples asked him, “Teacher, whose sin caused this guy’s blindness, his own, or the sin of his parents?”


book: John
contenido:
While I am with you, it is daytime and we must do the works of God who sent me while the light shines. For there is coming a dark night when no one will be able to work.


book: John
contenido:
Then Jesus spat on the ground and made some clay with his saliva. Then he anointed the blind man’s eyes with the clay.


book: John
contenido:
And he said to the blind man, “Now go and wash the clay from your eyes in the ritual pool of Siloam.” So he went and washed his face and as he came back, he could see for the first time in his life!


book: John
contenido:
This caused quite a stir among the people of the neighborhood, for they noticed the blind beggar was now seeing! They began to say to one another, “Isn’t this the blind man who once sat and begged?”


book: John
contenido:
Some said, “No, it can’t be him!” Others said, “But it looks just like him—it has to be him!” All the while the man kept insisting, “I’m the man who was blind!”


book: John
contenido:
He replied, “I met the man named Jesus! He rubbed clay on my eyes and said, ‘Go to the pool named Siloam and wash.’ So I went and while I was washing the clay from my eyes I began to see for the very first time ever!”


book: John
contenido:
They were concerned because the miracle Jesus performed by making clay with his saliva and anointing the man’s eyes happened on a Sabbath day, a day that no one was allowed to “work.”


book: John
contenido:
Then the Pharisees asked the man, “How did you have your sight restored?” He replied, “A man anointed my eyes with clay, then I washed, and now I can see for the first time in my life!”


book: John
contenido:
Then an argument broke out among the Pharisees over the healing of the blind man on the Sabbath. Some said, “This man who performed this healing is clearly not from God! He doesn’t even observe the Sabbath!” Others said, “If Jesus is just an ordinary sinner, how could he perform a miracle like that?”


book: John
contenido:
This prompted them to turn on the man healed of blindness, putting him on the spot in front of them all, demanding an answer. They asked, “Who do you say he is—this man who opened your blind eyes?” “He’s a prophet of God!” the man replied.


book: John
contenido:
Still refusing to believe that the man had been healed and was truly blind from birth, the Jewish leaders called for the man’s parents to be brought to them.


book: John
contenido:
So they asked his parents, “Is this your son?” “Yes,” they answered. “Was he really born blind?” “Yes, he was,” they replied. So they pressed his parents to answer, “Then how is it that he’s now seeing?”


book: John
contenido:
“We have no idea,” they answered. “We don’t know what happened to our son. Ask him, he’s a mature adult. He can speak for himself.”


book: John
contenido:
(Now the parents were obviously intimidated by the Jewish religious leaders, for they had already announced to the people that if anyone publicly confessed Jesus as the Messiah, they would be excommunicated.


book: John
contenido:
So once again they summoned the man who was healed of blindness and said to him, “Swear to God to tell us the truth! We know the man who healed you is a sinful man! Do you agree?”


book: John
contenido:
The healed man replied, “I have no idea what kind of man he is. All I know is that I was blind and now I can see for the first time in my life!”


book: John
contenido:
The man responded, “I told you once and you didn’t listen to me. Why do you make me repeat it? Are you wanting to be his followers too?”


book: John
contenido:
This angered the Jewish leaders. They heaped insults on him, “We can tell you are one of his followers—now we know it! We are true followers of Moses,


book: John
contenido:
for we know that God spoke to Moses directly. But as for this one, we don’t know where he’s coming from!”


book: John
contenido:
“Well, what a surprise this is!” the man said. “You don’t even know where he comes from, but he healed my eyes and now I can see!


book: John
contenido:
Some of the Jewish leaders were enraged and said, “Just who do you think you are to lecture us! You were born a blind, filthy sinner!” So they threw the man out in the street.


book: John
contenido:
When Jesus learned they had thrown him out, he went to find him and said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”


book: John
contenido:
The man whose blind eyes were healed answered, “Who is he, Master? Tell me so that I can place all my faith in him.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “You’re looking right at him. He’s speaking with you. It’s me, the one in front of you now.”


book: John
contenido:
And Jesus said, “I have come to judge those who think they see and make them blind. And for those who are blind, I have come to make them see.”


book: John
contenido:
Some of the Pharisees were standing nearby and overheard these words. They interrupted Jesus and said, “You mean to tell us that we are blind?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus told them, “If you would acknowledge your blindness, then your sin would be removed. But now that you claim to see, your sin remains with you!”


book: John
contenido:
The Parable of the Kind Shepherd Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Listen to this eternal truth: The person who sneaks over the wall to enter into the sheep pen, rather than coming through the gate, reveals himself as a thief coming to steal.


book: John
contenido:
and because the gatekeeper knows who he is, he opens the gate to let him in. And the sheep recognize the voice of the true Shepherd, for he calls his own by name and leads them out, for they belong to him.


book: John
contenido:
And when he has brought out all his sheep, he walks ahead of them and they will follow him, for they are familiar with his voice.


book: John
contenido:
But they will run away from strangers and never follow them because they know it’s the voice of a stranger.”


book: John
contenido:
All those who broke in before me are thieves who came to steal, but the sheep never listened to them.


book: John
contenido:
A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance,  more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!


book: John
contenido:
But the worker who serves only for wages is not a real shepherd. Because he has no heart for the sheep he will run away and abandon them when he sees the wolf coming. And then the wolf mauls the sheep, drags them off, and scatters them.


book: John
contenido:
“I alone am the Good Shepherd, and I know those whose hearts are mine, for they recognize me and know me,


book: John
contenido:
just as my Father knows my heart and I know my Father’s heart. I am ready to give my life for the sheep.


book: John
contenido:
“And I have other sheep that I will gather which are not of this Jewish flock. And I, their shepherd, must lead them too, and they will follow me and listen to my voice. And I will join them all into one flock with one shepherd.


book: John
contenido:
I surrender my own life, and no one has the power to take my life from me. I have the authority to lay it down and the power to take it back again. This is the destiny my Father has set before me.”


book: John
contenido:
Many of them said, “This man is a demon-possessed lunatic! Why would anyone listen to a word he says?”


book: John
contenido:
But then there were others who weren’t so sure: “His teaching is full of insight. These are not the ravings of a madman! How could a demonized man give sight to one born blind?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus at the Feast of Renewal The time came to observe the winter Feast of Renewal in Jerusalem. Jesus walked into the temple area under Solomon’s covered walkway


book: John
contenido:
when the Jewish leaders encircled him and said, “How much longer will you keep us in suspense? Tell us the truth and clarify this for us once and for all. Are you really the Messiah, the Anointed One?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus answered them, “I have told you the truth already and you did not believe me. The proof of who I am is revealed by all the miracles that I do in the name of my Father.


book: John
contenido:
I give to them the gift of eternal life and they will never be lost and no one has the power to snatch them out of my hands.


book: John
contenido:
My Father, who has given them to me as his gift, is the mightiest of all, and no one has the power to snatch them from my Father’s care.


book: John
contenido:
When they heard this, the Jewish leaders were so enraged that they picked up rocks to stone him to death.


book: John
contenido:
But Jesus said, “My Father has empowered me to work many miracles and acts of mercy among you. So which one of them do you want to stone me for?”


book: John
contenido:
The Jewish leaders responded, “We’re not stoning you for anything good you did—it’s because of your blasphemy! You’re just a son of Adam, but you’ve claimed to be God!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus answered, “Isn’t it written in your Scriptures that God said, ‘You are gods?’ The Scriptures cannot be denied or found to be in error.


book: John
contenido:
So if those who have the message of the Scriptures are said to be ‘gods,’ then why would you accuse me of blasphemy?


book: John
contenido:
For I have been uniquely chosen by God and he is the one who sent me to you. How then could it be blasphemy for me to say, ‘I am the Son of God!’


book: John
contenido:
But if you see me doing the beautiful works of God upon the earth, then you should at least believe the evidence of the miracles, even if you don’t believe my words! Then you would come to experience me and be convinced that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”


book: John
contenido:
Many came out to where he was and said about him, “Even though John didn’t perform any miracles, everything he predicted about this man is true!”


book: John
contenido:
Lazarus Raised from the Dead In the village of Bethany there was a man named Lazarus, and his sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary was the one who would anoint Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and dry his feet with her long hair. One day Lazarus became very sick to the point of death.


book: John
contenido:
So his sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, our brother Lazarus, the one you love, is very sick. Please come!”


book: John
contenido:
When he heard this, he said, “This sickness will not end in death for Lazarus, but will bring glory and praise to God. This will reveal the greatness of the Son of God by what takes place.”


book: John
contenido:
“But Teacher,” they said to him, “do you really want to go back there? It was just a short time ago the people of Judea were going to stone you!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight in every day? You can go through a day without the fear of stumbling when you walk in the One who gives light to the world. But you will stumble when the light is not in you, for you’ll be walking in the dark.”


book: John
contenido:
Then Jesus added, “Lazarus, our friend, has just fallen asleep. It’s time that I go and awaken him.”


book: John
contenido:
When they heard this, the disciples replied, “Lord, if he has just fallen asleep, then he’ll get better.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus was speaking about Lazarus’ death, but the disciples presumed he was talking about natural sleep.


book: John
contenido:
And for your sake, I’m glad I wasn’t there, because now you have another opportunity to see who I am so that you will learn to trust in me. Come, let’s go and see him.”


book: John
contenido:
So Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, remarked to the other disciples, “Let’s go so that we can die with him.”


book: John
contenido:
Now when they arrived at Bethany, which was only about two miles from Jerusalem, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.


book: John
contenido:
Many friends of Mary and Martha had come from the region to console them over the loss of their brother.


book: John
contenido:
And when Martha heard that Jesus was approaching the village, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed in the house.


book: John
contenido:
“Martha,” Jesus said, “You don’t have to wait until then. I am the Resurrection, and I am Life Eternal. Anyone who clings to me in faith, even though he dies, will live forever.


book: John
contenido:
Then Martha replied, “Yes, Lord, I do! I’ve always believed that you are the Anointed One, the Son of God who has come into the world for us!”


book: John
contenido:
Then she left and hurried off to her sister, Mary, and called her aside from all the mourners and whispered to her, “The Master is here and he’s asking for you.”


book: John
contenido:
Now when Mary’s friends who were comforting her noticed how quickly she ran out of the house, they followed her, assuming she was going to the tomb of her brother to mourn.


book: John
contenido:
When Mary finally found Jesus outside the village, she fell at his feet in tears and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”


book: John
contenido:
When Jesus looked at Mary and saw her weeping at his feet, and all her friends who were with her grieving, he shuddered with emotion and was deeply moved with tenderness and compassion.


book: John
contenido:
Yet others said, “Isn’t this the One who opens blind eyes? Why didn’t he do something to keep Lazarus from dying?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus told them, “Roll away the stone.” Then Martha said, “But Lord, it’s been four days since he died—by now his body is already decomposing!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus looked at her and said, “Didn’t I tell you that if you will believe in me, you will see God unveil his power?”


book: John
contenido:
So they rolled away the heavy stone. Jesus gazed into heaven and said, “Father, thank you that you have heard my prayer,


book: John
contenido:
for you listen to every word I speak. Now, so that these who stand here with me will believe that you have sent me to the earth as your messenger, I will use the power you have given me.”


book: John
contenido:
Then in front of everyone, Lazarus, who had died four days earlier, slowly hobbled out—he still had grave clothes tightly wrapped around his hands and feet and covering his face! Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.”


book: John
contenido:
From that day forward many of those who had come to visit Mary believed in him, for they had seen with their own eyes this amazing miracle!


book: John
contenido:
So the Pharisees and the chief priests called a special meeting of the High Council and said, “So what are we going to do about this man? Look at all the great miracles he’s performing!


book: John
contenido:
If we allow him to continue like this, everyone will believe in him. And the Romans will take action and destroy both our country and our people!”


book: John
contenido:
Don’t you realize we’d be much better off if this one man were to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish?”


book: John
contenido:
(This prophecy that Jesus was destined to die for the Jewish people didn’t come from Caiaphas himself, but he was moved by God to prophesy as the chief priest.


book: John
contenido:
And Jesus’ death would not be for the Jewish people only, but to gather together God’s children scattered around the world and unite them as one.)


book: John
contenido:
For this reason Jesus no longer went out in public among the Jews. But he went in the wilderness to a village called Ephraim, where he secluded himself with his disciples.


book: John
contenido:
Now the time came for the Passover preparations, and many from the countryside went to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the feast began.


book: John
contenido:
And all the people kept looking out for Jesus, expecting him to come to the city. They said to themselves while they waited in the temple courts, “Do you think that he will dare come to the feast?”


book: John
contenido:
For the leading priests and the Pharisees had given orders that they be informed immediately if anyone saw Jesus, so they could seize and arrest him.


book: John
contenido:
Mary Anoints Jesus Six days before the Passover began, Jesus went back to Bethany, the town where he raised Lazarus from the dead.


book: John
contenido:
They had prepared a supper for Jesus. Martha served, and Lazarus and Mary were among those at the table.


book: John
contenido:
Mary picked up an alabaster jar filled with nearly a liter of extremely rare and costly perfume—the purest extract of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet. Then she wiped them dry with her long hair. And the fragrance of the costly oil filled the house.


book: John
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(In fact, Judas had no heart for the poor. He only said this because he was a thief and in charge of the money case. He would steal money whenever he wanted from the funds given to support Jesus’ ministry.)


book: John
contenido:
When the word got out that Jesus was not far from Jerusalem, a large crowd came out to see him, and they also wanted to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.


book: John
contenido:
for his miracle testimony was incontrovertible and was persuading many of the Jews living in Jerusalem to believe in Jesus.


book: John
contenido:
The next day the news that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem swept through the massive crowd gathered for the feast.


book: John
contenido:
So they took palm branches and went out to meet him. Everyone was shouting, “Lord, be our Savior! Blessed is the one who comes to us sent from Jehovah-God, the King of Israel!”


book: John
contenido:
Now Jesus’ disciples didn’t fully understand the importance of what was taking place, but after he was raised and exalted into glory, they understood how Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies in the Scriptures that were written about him.


book: John
contenido:
All the eyewitnesses of the miracle Jesus performed when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead kept spreading the news about Jesus to everyone.


book: John
contenido:
The news of this miracle of resurrection caused the crowds to swell as great numbers of people welcomed him into the city with joy.


book: John
contenido:
But the Pharisees were disturbed by this and said to each other, “We won’t be able to stop this. The whole world is going to run after him!”


book: John
contenido:
True Seekers Now there were a number of foreigners from among the nations who were worshipers at the feast.


book: John
contenido:
They went to Philip (who came from the village of Bethsaida in Galilee) and they asked him, “Would you take us to see Jesus? We want to see him.”


book: John
contenido:
Let me make this clear: A single grain of wheat will never be more than a single grain of wheat unless it drops into the ground and dies. Because then it sprouts and produces a great harvest of wheat—all because one grain died.


book: John
contenido:
“The person who loves his life and pampers himself will miss true life! But the one who detaches his life from this world and abandons himself to me, will find true life and enjoy it forever!


book: John
contenido:
If you want to be my disciple, follow me and you will go where I am going. And if you truly follow me as my disciple, the Father will shower his favor upon your life.


book: John
contenido:
“Even though I am torn within, and my soul is in turmoil, I will not ask the Father to rescue me from this hour of trial. For I have come to fulfill my purpose—to offer myself to God.


book: John
contenido:
So, Father, bring glory to your name!” Then suddenly a booming voice was heard from the sky, “I have glorified my name! And I will glorify it through you again!”


book: John
contenido:
The audible voice of God startled the crowd standing nearby. Some thought it was only thunder, yet others said, “An angel just spoke to him!”


book: John
contenido:
Then Jesus told them, “The voice you heard was not for my benefit, but for yours—to help you believe.


book: John
contenido:
From this moment on, everything in this world is about to change, for the ruler of this dark world will be overthrown.


book: John
contenido:
And I will do this when I am lifted up off the ground and when I draw the hearts of people to gather them to me.”


book: John
contenido:
People from the crowd spoke up and said, “Die? How could the Anointed One die? The Word of God says that the Anointed One will live with us forever, but you just said that the Son of Man must be lifted up from the earth. And who is this Son of Man anyway?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “You will have the light shining with you for only a little while longer. While you still have me, walk in the light, so that the darkness doesn’t overtake you. For when you walk in the dark you have no idea where you’re going.


book: John
contenido:
So believe and cling to the light while I am with you, so that you will become children of light.” After saying this, Jesus then entered into the crowd and hid himself from them.


book: John
contenido:
The Unbelief of the Crowd Even with the overwhelming evidence of all the many signs and wonders that Jesus had performed in front of them, his critics still refused to believe.


book: John
contenido:
This fulfilled the prophecy given by Isaiah: Lord, who has believed our message? Who has seen the unveiling of your great power?


book: John
contenido:
God has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts to the truth. So with their eyes and hearts closed they cannot understand the truth nor turn to me so that I could instantly cleanse and heal them.


book: John
contenido:
Isaiah said these things because he had seen and experienced the splendor of Jesus and prophesied about him.


book: John
contenido:
Yet there were many Jewish leaders who believed in Jesus, but because they feared the Pharisees they kept it secret, so they wouldn’t be ostracized by the assembly of the Jews.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus’ Last Public Teaching Jesus shouted out passionately, “To believe in me is to also believe in God who sent me.


book: John
contenido:
I have come as a light to shine in this dark world so that all who trust in me will no longer wander in darkness.


book: John
contenido:
If you hear my words and refuse to follow them, I do not judge you. For I have not come to judge you but to save you.


book: John
contenido:
If you reject me and refuse to follow my words, you already have a judge. The message of truth I have given you will rise up to judge you at the Day of Judgment.


book: John
contenido:
For I’m not speaking as someone who is self-appointed, but I speak by the authority of the Father himself who sent me, and who instructed me what to say.


book: John
contenido:
And I know that the Father’s commands result in eternal life, and that’s why I speak the very words I’ve heard him speak.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Washes Feet Jesus knew that the night before Passover would be his last night on earth before leaving this world to return to the Father’s side. All throughout his time with his disciples, Jesus had demonstrated a deep and tender love for them. And now he longed to show them the full measure of his love.


book: John
contenido:
Before their evening meal had begun, the accuser had already planted betrayal into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.


book: John
contenido:
Now Jesus was fully aware that the Father had placed all things under his control, for he had come from God and was about to go back to be with him.


book: John
contenido:
So he got up from the meal and took off his outer robe, and took a towel and wrapped it around his waist.


book: John
contenido:
Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ dirty feet and dry them with his towel.


book: John
contenido:
But when Jesus got to Simon Peter, he objected and said, “I can’t let you wash my dirty feet—you’re my Lord!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “You don’t understand yet the meaning of what I’m doing, but soon it will be clear to you.”


book: John
contenido:
Peter looked at Jesus and said, “You’ll never wash my dirty feet—never!” “But Peter, if you don’t allow me to wash your feet,” Jesus responded, “then you will not be able to share life with me.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus said to him, “You are already clean. You’ve been washed completely and you just need your feet to be cleansed—but that can’t be said of all of you.” For Jesus knew which one was about to betray him,


book: John
contenido:
After washing their feet, he put his robe on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I just did?” Jesus said.


book: John
contenido:
So if I’m your teacher and lord and have just washed your dirty feet, then you should follow the example that I’ve set for you and wash one another’s dirty feet. Now do for each other what I have just done for you.


book: John
contenido:
I speak to you timeless truth: a servant is not superior to his master, and an apostle is never greater than the one who sent him.


book: John
contenido:
So now put into practice what I have done for you, and you will experience a life of happiness enriched with untold blessings!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal “I don’t refer to all of you when I tell you these things, for I know the ones I’ve chosen—to fulfill the Scripture that says, ‘The one who shared supper with me treacherously betrays me.’


book: John
contenido:
I am telling you this now, before it happens, so that when the prophecy comes to pass you will be convinced that I AM.


book: John
contenido:
“Listen to this timeless truth: whoever receives the messenger I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives the Father who sent me.”


book: John
contenido:
Then Jesus was moved deeply in his spirit. Looking at his disciples, he announced, “I tell you the truth—one of you is about to betray me.”


book: John
contenido:
The disciple that Jesus dearly loved was at the right of him at the table and was leaning his head on Jesus.


book: John
contenido:
“The one I give this piece of bread to after I’ve dipped it in the bowl,” Jesus replied. Then he dipped the piece of bread into the bowl and handed it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.


book: John
contenido:
And when Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus looked at Judas and said, “What you are planning to do, go do it now.”


book: John
contenido:
Some thought that Judas, their trusted treasurer, was being told to go buy what was needed for the Passover celebration, or perhaps to go give something to the poor.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial After Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the glory of God to surround the Son of Man, and God will be greatly glorified through what happens to me.


book: John
contenido:
“My dear friends, I only have a brief time left to be with you. And then you will search and long for me. But I tell you what I told the Jewish leaders: you’ll not be able to come where I am.


book: John
contenido:
For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.”


book: John
contenido:
Peter interjected, “But, Master, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going you won’t be able to follow, but one day you will follow me there.”


book: John
contenido:
Peter said, “What do you mean I’m not able to follow you now? I would sacrifice my life to die for you!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus answered, “Would you really lay down your life for me, Peter? Here’s the absolute truth: Before the rooster crows in the morning, you will say three times that you don’t even know me!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Comforts His Disciples “Don’t worry or surrender to your fear. For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also.


book: John
contenido:
My Father’s house has many dwelling places. If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go to prepare a place for you to rest.


book: John
contenido:
And when everything is ready, I will come back and take you to myself so that you will be where I am.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father except through union with me. To know me is to know my Father too.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “Philip, I’ve been with you all this time and you still don’t know who I am? How could you ask me to show you the Father, for anyone who has looked at me has seen the Father.


book: John
contenido:
Don’t you believe that the Father is living in me and that I am living in the Father? Even my words are not my own but come from my Father, for he lives in me and performs his miracles of power through me.


book: John
contenido:
Believe that I live as one with my Father and that my Father lives as one with me—or at least, believe because of the mighty miracles I have done.


book: John
contenido:
“I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father!


book: John
contenido:
For I will do whatever you ask me to do when you ask me in my name. And that is how the Son will show what the Father is really like and bring glory to him.


book: John
contenido:
And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. The world won’t receive him because they can’t see him or know him. But you will know him intimately, because he will make his home in you and will live inside you.


book: John
contenido:
Soon I will leave this world and they will see me no longer, but you will see me, because I will live again, and you will come alive too.


book: John
contenido:
So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you.


book: John
contenido:
Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love you in return and will manifest my life within you.”


book: John
contenido:
Then one of the disciples named Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “Lord, why is it you will only reveal your identity to us and not to everyone?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “Loving me empowers you to obey my word. And my Father will love you so deeply that we will come to you and make you our dwelling place.


book: John
contenido:
But those who don’t love me will not obey my words. The Father did not send me to speak my own revelation, but the words of my Father.


book: John
contenido:
But when the Father sends the Spirit of Holiness, the One like me who sets you free, he will teach you all things in my name. And he will inspire you to remember every word that I’ve told you.


book: John
contenido:
“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!


book: John
contenido:
“Remember what I’ve told you, that I must go away, but I promise to come back to you. So if you truly love me, you will be glad for me, since I’m returning to my Father, who is greater than I.


book: John
contenido:
I won’t speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this dark world is coming. But he has no power over me, for he has nothing to use against me.


book: John
contenido:
I am doing exactly what the Father destined for me to accomplish, so that the world will discover how much I love my Father. Now come with me.”


book: John
contenido:
He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest.


book: John
contenido:
So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.


book: John
contenido:
“I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless.


book: John
contenido:
If a person is separated from me, he is discarded; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned.


book: John
contenido:
But if you live in life-union with me and if my words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done.


book: John
contenido:
When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are my mature disciples who glorify my Father!


book: John
contenido:
“I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts.


book: John
contenido:
If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands, for I continually live nourished and empowered by his love.


book: John
contenido:
My purpose for telling you these things is so that the joy that I experience will fill your hearts with overflowing gladness!


book: John
contenido:
For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends.


book: John
contenido:
I have never called you ‘servants,’ because a master doesn’t confide in his servants, and servants don’t always understand what the master is doing. But I call you my most intimate friends, for I reveal to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father.


book: John
contenido:
You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, he will give it to you!


book: John
contenido:
True Disciples Can Expect Persecution “Just remember, when the unbelieving world hates you, they first hated me.


book: John
contenido:
If you were to give your allegiance to the world, they would love and welcome you as one of their own. But because you won’t align yourself with the values of this world, they will hate you. I have chosen you and taken you out of the world to be mine.


book: John
contenido:
So remember what I taught you, that a servant isn’t superior to his master. And since they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. And if they obey my teachings, they will also obey yours.


book: John
contenido:
“If I had not come and revealed myself to the unbelieving world, they would not feel the guilt of their sin, but now their sin is left uncovered.


book: John
contenido:
If I had not performed miracles in their presence like no one else has done, they would not feel the guilt of their sins. But now, they have seen and hated both me and my Father.


book: John
contenido:
And all of this has happened to fulfill what is written in their Scriptures: They hated me for no reason.


book: John
contenido:
“And I will send you the Divine Encourager from the very presence of my Father. He will come to you, the Spirit of Truth, emanating from the Father, and he will speak to you about me.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Warns His Disciples “I have told you this so that you would not surrender to confusion or doubt.


book: John
contenido:
For you will be excommunicated from the synagogues, and a time is coming when you will be put to death by misguided ones who will presume to be doing God a great service by putting you to death.


book: John
contenido:
I’m telling you this now so that when their time comes you will remember that I foretold it. I didn’t tell you this in the beginning because I was still with you.


book: John
contenido:
But now that I’m about to leave you and go back to join the One who sent me, you need to be told. Yet, not one of you are asking me where I’m going.


book: John
contenido:
But here’s the truth: It’s to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away the Divine Encourager will not be released to you. But after I depart, I will send him to you.


book: John
contenido:
And when he comes, he will expose sin and prove that the world is wrong about God’s righteousness and his judgments.


book: John
contenido:
But when the truth-giving Spirit comes, he will unveil the reality of every truth within you. He won’t speak his own message, but only what he hears from the Father, and he will reveal prophetically to you what is to come.


book: John
contenido:
Everything that belongs to the Father belongs to me—that’s why I say that the Divine Encourager will receive what is mine and reveal it to you.


book: John
contenido:
Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean, ‘Soon you won’t see me,’ and, ‘A little while after that and you will see me in a new way’? And what does he mean, ‘Because I’m going to my Father’?”


book: John
contenido:
So they kept on repeating, “What’s the meaning of ‘a little while’? We have no clue what he’s talking about!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and it was obvious that they were anxious to ask him what he had meant, so he spoke up and said,


book: John
contenido:
“Let me make it quite clear: You will weep and be overcome with grief over what happens to me. The unbelieving world will be happy, while you will be filled with sorrow. But know this, your sadness will turn into joy when you see me again!


book: John
contenido:
Just like a woman giving birth experiences intense labor pains in delivering her baby, yet after the child is born she quickly forgets what she went through because of the overwhelming joy of knowing that a new baby has been born into the world.


book: John
contenido:
“So will you also pass through a time of intense sorrow when I am taken from you, but you will see me again! And then your hearts will burst with joy, with no one being able to take it from you!


book: John
contenido:
For here is eternal truth: When that time comes you won’t need to ask me for anything, but instead you will go directly to the Father and ask him for anything you desire and he will give it to you, because of your relationship with me.


book: John
contenido:
Until now you’ve not been bold enough to ask the Father for a single thing in my name, but now you can ask, and keep on asking him! And you can be sure that you’ll receive what you ask for, and your joy will have no limits!


book: John
contenido:
“I have spoken to you using figurative language, but the time is coming when I will no longer teach you with veiled speech, but I will teach you about the Father with your eyes unveiled.


book: John
contenido:
And I will not need to ask the Father on your behalf, for you’ll ask him directly because of your new relationship with me.


book: John
contenido:
I came to you sent from the Father’s presence, and I entered into the created world, and now I will leave this world and return to the Father’s side.”


book: John
contenido:
His disciples said, “At last you’re speaking to us clearly and not using veiled speech and metaphors!


book: John
contenido:
Now we understand that you know everything there is to know, and we don’t need to question you further. And everything you’ve taught us convinces us that you have come directly from God!”


book: John
contenido:
And the time has come when you will all be scattered, and each one of you will go your own way, leaving me alone! Yet I am never alone, for the Father is always with me.


book: John
contenido:
And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Finished the Father’s Work This is what Jesus prayed as he looked up into heaven, “Father, the time has come. Unveil the glorious splendor of your Son so that I will magnify your glory!


book: John
contenido:
You have already given me authority over all people so that I may give the gift of eternal life to all those that you have given to me.


book: John
contenido:
Eternal life means to know and experience you as the only true God, and to know and experience Jesus Christ, as the Son whom you have sent.


book: John
contenido:
So my Father, restore me back to the glory that we shared together when we were face-to-face before the universe was created.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Prays for His Disciples “Father, I have manifested who you really are and I have revealed you to the men and women that you gave to me. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have fastened your Word firmly to their hearts.


book: John
contenido:
And the very words you gave to me to speak I have passed on to them. They have received your words and carry them in their hearts. They are convinced that I have come from your presence, and they have fully believed that you sent me to represent you.


book: John
contenido:
So with deep love, I pray for my disciples. I’m not asking on behalf of the unbelieving world, but for those who belong to you, those you have given me.


book: John
contenido:
For all who belong to me now belong to you. And all who belong to you now belong to me as well, and my glory is revealed through their surrendered lives.


book: John
contenido:
“Holy Father, I am about to leave this world to return and be with you, but my disciples will remain here. So I ask that by the power of your name, protect each one that you have given me, and watch over them so that they will be united as one, even as we are one.


book: John
contenido:
While I was with these that you have given me, I have kept them safe by your name that you have given me. Not one of them is lost, except the one that was destined to be lost, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.


book: John
contenido:
“But now I am returning to you so Father, I pray that they will experience and enter into my joyous delight in you so that it is fulfilled in them and overflows.


book: John
contenido:
I have given them your message and that is why the unbelieving world hates them. For their allegiance is no longer to this world because I am not of this world.


book: John
contenido:
I am not asking that you remove them from the world, but I ask that you guard their hearts from evil,


book: John
contenido:
And now I dedicate myself to them as a holy sacrifice so that they will live as fully dedicated to God and be made holy by your truth.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Prays for You “And I ask not only for these disciples, but also for all those who will one day believe in me through their message.


book: John
contenido:
I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me.


book: John
contenido:
For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy.


book: John
contenido:
You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me.


book: John
contenido:
“Father, I ask that you allow everyone that you have given to me to be with me where I am! Then they will see my full glory— the very splendor you have placed upon me because you have loved me even before the beginning of time.


book: John
contenido:
“You are my righteous Father, but the unbelieving world has never known you in the perfect way that I know you! And all those who believe in me also know that you have sent me!


book: John
contenido:
I have revealed to them who you are and I will continue to make you even more real to them, so that they may experience the same endless love that you have for me, for your love will now live in them, even as I live in them!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane After Jesus finished this prayer; he left with his disciples and went across the Kidron Valley to a place where there was a garden.


book: John
contenido:
The Pharisees and the leading priests had given Judas a large detachment of Roman soldiers and temple police to seize Jesus. Judas guided them to the garden, all of them carrying torches and lanterns and armed with swords and spears.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus, knowing full well what was about to happen, went out to the garden entrance to meet them. Stepping forward, he asked, “Who are you looking for?”


book: John
contenido:
So once more, Jesus asked them, “Who are you looking for?” As they stood up, they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “I told you that I am the one you’re looking for, so if you want me, let these men go home.”


book: John
contenido:
He said this to fulfill the prophecy he had spoken, “Father, not one of those you have given me has been lost.”


book: John
contenido:
Suddenly, Peter took out his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, slashing off his right ear! The servant’s name was Malchus.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus ordered Peter, “Put your sword away! Do you really think I will avoid the suffering which my Father has assigned to me?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Is Taken before Annas Then the soldiers and their captain, along with the Jewish officers, seized Jesus and tied him up.


book: John
contenido:
Caiaphas was the one who had persuaded the Jewish leaders that it would be better off to have one person die for the sake of the people.


book: John
contenido:
Peter’s First Denial Peter and another disciple followed along behind them as they took Jesus into the courtyard of Annas’ palace. Since the other disciple was well known to the high priest, he entered in,


book: John
contenido:
but Peter was left standing outside by the gate. Then the other disciple came back out to the servant girl who was guarding the gate and convinced her to allow Peter inside.


book: John
contenido:
As he passed inside, the young servant girl guarding the gate took a look at Peter and said to him, “Aren’t you one of his disciples?” He denied it, saying, “No! I’m not!”


book: John
contenido:
Now because it was cold, the soldiers and guards made a charcoal fire and were standing around it to keep warm. So Peter huddled there with them around the fire.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Interrogated by Annas The high priest interrogated Jesus concerning his disciples and his teachings.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus answered Annas’ questions by saying, “I have said nothing in secret. At all times I have taught openly and publicly in a synagogue, in the temple courts, and wherever the people assemble.


book: John
contenido:
Why would you ask me for evidence to condemn me? Ask those who have heard what I’ve taught. They can tell you.”


book: John
contenido:
Just then one of the guards standing near Jesus punched him in the face with his fist and said, “How dare you answer the high priest like that!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “If my words are evil, then prove it. But if I haven’t broken any laws, then why would you hit me?”


book: John
contenido:
Peter’s Second and Third Denials Meanwhile, Peter was still standing in the courtyard by the fire. And one of the guards standing there said to him, “Aren’t you one of his disciples? I know you are!” Peter swore and said, “I am not his disciple!”


book: John
contenido:
But one of the servants of the high priest, a relative to the man whose ear Peter had cut off, looked at him and said, “Wait! Didn’t I see you out there in the garden with Jesus?”


book: John
contenido:
Then Peter denied it the third time and said, “No!”—and at that very same moment, a rooster crowed nearby.


book: John
contenido:
Pilate Questions Jesus’ Arrest Before dawn they took Jesus from his trial before Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s palace. Now the Jews refused to go into the Roman governor’s residence to avoid ceremonial defilement before eating the Passover meal.


book: John
contenido:
So Pilate came outside where they waited and asked them pointedly, “Tell me, what exactly is the accusation that you bring against this man? What has he done?”


book: John
contenido:
They answered, “We wouldn’t be coming here to hand over this ‘criminal’ to you if he wasn’t guilty of some wrongdoing!”


book: John
contenido:
Pilate said, “Very well, then you take him yourselves and go pass judgment on him according to your Jewish laws!” But the Jewish leaders complained and said, “We don’t have legal authority to put anyone to death. You should have him crucified!”


book: John
contenido:
Pilate Interrogates Jesus Upon hearing this, Pilate went back inside his palace and summoned Jesus. Looking him over, Pilate asked him, “Are you really the king of the Jews?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “Are you asking because you really want to know, or are you only asking this because others have said it about me?”


book: John
contenido:
Pilate responded, “Only a Jew would care about this; do I look like a Jew? It’s your own people and your religious leaders that have handed you over to me. So tell me, Jesus, what have you done wrong?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus looked at Pilate and said, “The royal power of my kingdom realm doesn’t come from this world. If it did, then my followers would be fighting to the end to defend me from the Jewish leaders. My kingdom realm authority is not from this realm.”


book: John
contenido:
Then Pilate responded, “Oh, so then you are a king?” “You are right.” Jesus said, “I was born a King, and I have come into this world to prove what truth really is. And everyone who loves the truth will receive my words.”


book: John
contenido:
Pilate looked at Jesus and said, “What is truth?” As silence filled the room, Pilate went back out to where the Jewish leaders were waiting and said to them, “He’s not guilty. I couldn’t even find one fault with him.


book: John
contenido:
Now, you do know that we have a custom that I release one prisoner every year at Passover—shall I release your king—the king of the Jews?”


book: John
contenido:
They shouted out over and over, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was a robber and a troublemaker.)


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Is Flogged Then Pilate ordered Jesus to be brutally beaten with a whip of leather straps embedded with metal.


book: John
contenido:
And the soldiers also wove thorn-branches into a crown and set it on his head and placed a purple robe over his shoulders.


book: John
contenido:
Then, one by one, they came in front of him to mock him by saying, “Hail, to the king of the Jews!” And one after the other, they repeatedly punched him in the face.


book: John
contenido:
Once more Pilate went out and said to the Jewish officials, “I will bring him out once more so that you know that I’ve found nothing wrong with him.”


book: John
contenido:
So when Jesus emerged, bleeding, wearing the purple robe and the crown of thorns on his head, Pilate said to them, “Look at him! Here is your man!”


book: John
contenido:
No sooner did the high priests and the temple guards see Jesus that they all shouted in a frenzy, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate replied, “You take him then and nail him to a cross yourselves! I told you—he’s not guilty! I find no reason to condemn him.”


book: John
contenido:
The Jewish leaders shouted back, “But we have the Law! And according to our Law, he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God!”


book: John
contenido:
So he took Jesus back inside and said to him, “Where have you come from?” But once again, silence filled the room.


book: John
contenido:
Perplexed, Pilate said, “Are you going to play deaf? Don’t you know that I have the power to grant you your freedom or nail you to a tree?”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. This is why the one who betrayed me is guilty of an even greater sin.”


book: John
contenido:
From then on Pilate tried to find a way out of the situation and to set him free, but the Jewish authorities shouted him down: “If you let this man go, you’re no friend of Caesar! Anyone who declares himself a king is an enemy of the emperor!”


book: John
contenido:
So when Pilate heard this threat, he relented and had Jesus, who was torn and bleeding, brought outside. Then he went up the elevated stone platform and took his seat on the judgment bench—which in Aramaic is called Gabbatha, or “The Bench.”


book: John
contenido:
And it was now almost noon. And it was the same day they were preparing to slay the Passover lambs. Then Pilate said to the Jewish officials, “Look! Here is your king!”


book: John
contenido:
But they screamed out, “Take him away! Take him away and crucify him!” Pilate replied, “Shall I nail your king to a cross?” The high priests answered, “We have no other king but Caesar!”


book: John
contenido:
Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them. So the soldiers seized him and took him away to be crucified.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Is Crucified Jesus carried his own cross out of the city to the place called “The Skull,” which in Aramaic is Golgotha.


book: John
contenido:
And there they nailed him to the cross. He was crucified, along with two others, one on each side with Jesus in the middle.


book: John
contenido:
Pilate had them post a sign over the cross, which was written in three languages—Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. Many of the people of Jerusalem read the sign, for he was crucified near the city. The sign stated: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”


book: John
contenido:
But the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “You must change the sign! Don’t let it say, ‘King of the Jews,’ but rather—‘he claimed to be the King of the Jews!’”


book: John
contenido:
Now when the soldiers crucified Jesus, they divided up his clothes into four shares, one for each of them. But his tunic was seamless, woven from the top to the bottom as a single garment.


book: John
contenido:
So the soldiers said to each other, “Don’t tear it—let’s throw dice to see who gets it!” The soldiers did all of this not knowing they fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among them and gambled for my garment.”


book: John
contenido:
Mary, Jesus’ mother, was standing next to his cross, along with Mary’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.


book: John
contenido:
So when Jesus looked down and saw the disciple he loved standing with her, he said, “Mother, look—John will be a son to you.”


book: John
contenido:
Then he said, “John, look—she will be a mother to you!” From that day on, John accepted Mary into his home as one of his own family.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus’ Death on the Cross Jesus knew that his mission was accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said: “I am thirsty.”


book: John
contenido:
A jar of sour wine was sitting nearby, so they soaked a sponge with it and put it on the stalk of hyssop and raised it to his lips.


book: John
contenido:
When he had sipped the sour wine, he said, “It is finished, my bride!” Then he bowed his head and surrendered his spirit to God.


book: John
contenido:
The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies of the victims to remain on the cross through the next day, since it was the day of preparation for a very important Sabbath. So they asked Pilate’s permission to have the victims’ legs broken to hasten their death and their bodies taken down before sunset.


book: John
contenido:
But when they came to Jesus, they realized that he had already died, so they decided not to break his legs.


book: John
contenido:
(I, John, do testify to the certainty of what took place, and I write the truth so that you might also believe.)


book: John
contenido:
For all these things happened to fulfill the prophecies of the Scriptures: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus’ Burial After this, Joseph from the city of Ramah, who was a secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jewish authorities, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. So Pilate granted him permission to remove the body from the cross.


book: John
contenido:
Now Nicodemus, who had once come to Jesus privately at night, accompanied Joseph, and together they carried a significant amount of myrrh and aloes to the cross.


book: John
contenido:
Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in strips of linen with the embalming spices according to the Jewish burial customs.


book: John
contenido:
Near the place where Jesus was crucified was a garden, and in the garden there was a new tomb where no one had yet been laid to rest.


book: John
contenido:
And because the Sabbath was approaching, and the tomb was nearby, that’s where they laid the body of Jesus.


book: John
contenido:
The Empty Tomb Very early Sunday morning, before sunrise, Mary Magdalene made her way to the tomb. And when she arrived she discovered that the stone that sealed the entrance to the tomb was moved away!


book: John
contenido:
So she went running as fast as she could to go tell Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. She told them, “They’ve taken the Lord’s body from the tomb, and we don’t know where he is!”


book: John
contenido:
Then Peter came behind him and went right into the tomb. He too noticed the linen cloths lying there,


book: John
contenido:
but the burial cloth that had been on Jesus’ head had been rolled up and placed separate from the other cloths.


book: John
contenido:
For until then they hadn’t understood the Scriptures that prophesied that he was destined to rise from the dead.


book: John
contenido:
Mary arrived back at the tomb, broken and sobbing. She stooped to peer inside, and through her tears


book: John
contenido:
she saw two angels in dazzling white robes, sitting where Jesus’ body had been laid—one at the head and one at the feet!


book: John
contenido:
“Dear woman, why are you crying?” they asked. Mary answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve laid him.”


book: John
contenido:
Then she turned around to leave, and there was Jesus standing in front of her, but she didn’t realize that it was him!


book: John
contenido:
He said to her, “Dear woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Mary answered, thinking he was only the gardener, “Sir, if you have taken his body somewhere else, tell me, and I will go and . . .”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus cautioned her, “Mary, don’t hold on to me now, for I haven’t yet ascended to God, my Father. And he’s not only my Father and God, but now he’s your Father and your God! Now go to my brothers and tell them what I’ve told you, that I am ascending to my Father—and your Father, to my God—and your God!”


book: John
contenido:
Then Mary Magdalene left to inform the disciples of her encounter with Jesus. “I have seen the Lord!” she told them. And she gave them his message.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Appears to His Disciples That evening, the disciples gathered together. And because they were afraid of reprisals from the Jewish leaders, they had locked the doors to the place where they met. But suddenly Jesus appeared among them and said, “Peace to you!”


book: John
contenido:
Then he showed them the wounds of his hands and his side—they were overjoyed to see the Lord with their own eyes!


book: John
contenido:
Jesus repeated his greeting, “Peace to you!” And he told them, “Just as the Father has sent me, I’m now sending you.”


book: John
contenido:
I send you to preach the forgiveness of sins—and people’s sins will be forgiven. But if you don’t proclaim the forgiveness of their sins, they will remain guilty.”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Appears to Thomas One of the twelve wasn’t present when Jesus appeared to them—it was Thomas, whose nickname was “the Twin.”


book: John
contenido:
So the disciples informed him, “We have seen the Lord with our own eyes!” Still unconvinced, Thomas replied, “There’s no way I’m going to believe this unless I personally see the wounds of the nails in his hands, touch them with my finger, and put my hand into the wound of his side where he was pierced!”


book: John
contenido:
Then eight days later, Thomas and all the others were in the house together. And even though all the doors were locked, Jesus suddenly stood before them! “Peace to you,” he said.


book: John
contenido:
Then, looking into Thomas’ eyes, he said, “Put your finger here in the wounds of my hands. Here—put your hand into my wounded side and see for yourself. Thomas, don’t give in to your doubts any longer, just believe!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus responded, “Thomas, now that you’ve seen me, you believe. But there are those who have never seen me with their eyes but have believed in me with their hearts, and they will be blessed even more!”


book: John
contenido:
Jesus went on to do many more miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not even included in this book.


book: John
contenido:
But all that is recorded here is so that you will fully believe that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you will experience eternal life by the power of his name!


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Appears at Lake Galilee Later, Jesus appeared once again to a group of his disciples by Lake Galilee.


book: John
contenido:
It happened one day while Peter, Thomas (the Twin), Nathanael (from Cana in Galilee), Jacob, John, and two other disciples were all together.


book: John
contenido:
Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.” And they all replied, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and fished through the night, but caught nothing.


book: John
contenido:
Then at dawn, Jesus was standing there on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize that it was him!


book: John
contenido:
Jesus shouted to them, “Throw your net over the starboard side, and you’ll catch some!” And so they did as he said, and they caught so many fish they couldn’t even pull in the net!


book: John
contenido:
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Peter heard him say that, he quickly wrapped his outer garment around him, and because he was athletic, he dove right into the lake to go to Jesus!


book: John
contenido:
The other disciples then brought the boat to shore, dragging their catch of fish. They weren’t far from land, only about a hundred meters.


book: John
contenido:
So Peter waded into the water and helped pull the net to shore. It was full of many large fish, exactly one hundred and fifty-three, but even with so many fish, the net was not torn.


book: John
contenido:
“Come, let’s have some breakfast,” Jesus said to them. And not one of the disciples needed to ask who it was, because every one of them knew it was the Lord.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus Restores Peter After they had breakfast, Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you burn with love for me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my lambs,” Jesus said.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus repeated his question the second time, “Simon, son of John, do you burn with love for me?” Peter answered, “Yes, my Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.


book: John
contenido:
Then Jesus asked him again, “Peter, son of John, do you have great affection for me?” Peter was saddened by being asked the third time and said, “My Lord, you know everything. You know that I burn with love for you!” Jesus replied, “Then feed my lambs!


book: John
contenido:
Peter, listen, when you were younger you made your own choicesand you went where you pleased. But one day when you are old, others will tie you up and escort you where you would not choose to go—and you will spread out your arms.”


book: John
contenido:
(Jesus said this to Peter as a prophecy of what kind of death he would die, for the glory of God.) And then he said, “Peter, follow me!”


book: John
contenido:
Then Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the disciple who sat close to Jesus at the Last Supper and had asked him, “Lord, who is the one that will betray you?”)


book: John
contenido:
Jesus replied, “If I decide to let him live until I return, what concern is that of yours? You must still keep on following me!”


book: John
contenido:
So the rumor started to circulate among the believers that this disciple wasn’t going to die. But Jesus never said that, he only said, “If I let him live until I return, what concern is that of yours?”


book: John
contenido:
Conclusion I, John, am that disciple who has written these things to testify of the truth, and we know that what I’ve documented is accurate.


book: John
contenido:
Jesus did countless things that I haven’t included here. And if every one of his works were written down and described one by one, I suppose that the world itself wouldn’t have enough room to contain the books that would have to be written!


book: Acts
contenido:
To Theophilus, the lover of God. I write to you again, my dear friend, to give you further details about the life of our Lord Jesus and all the things that he did and taught.


book: Acts
contenido:
Just before he ascended into heaven, he left instructions for the apostles he had chosen by the Holy Spirit.


book: Acts
contenido:
After the sufferings of his cross, Jesus appeared alive many times to these same apostles over a forty-day period. Jesus proved to them with many convincing signs that he had been resurrected. During these encounters, he taught them the truths of God’s kingdom realm


book: Acts
contenido:
and shared meals with them. Jesus instructed them, “Don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait here until you receive the gift I told you about, the gift the Father has promised.


book: Acts
contenido:
For John baptized you in water, but in a few days from now you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit!”


book: Acts
contenido:
Every time they were gathered together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is it the time now for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”


book: Acts
contenido:
He answered, “The Father is the one who sets the fixed dates and the times of their fulfillment. You are not permitted to know the timing of all that he has prepared by his own authority.


book: Acts
contenido:
But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be filled with power. And you will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces—even to the remotest places on earth!”


book: Acts
contenido:
Right after he spoke those words, the disciples saw Jesus lifted into the sky and disappear into a cloud!


book: Acts
contenido:
As they stared into the sky, watching Jesus ascend, two men in white robes suddenly appeared beside them.


book: Acts
contenido:
They told the startled disciples, “Galileans, why are you staring up into the sky? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but he will come back the same way that you saw him ascend.”


book: Acts
contenido:
A New Apostle Is Chosen The disciples left the Mount of Olives and returned to Jerusalem, less than a mile away.


book: Acts
contenido:
Arriving there, they went into a large second-floor room to pray. Those present were Peter, John, Jacob, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, Jacob (the son of Alpheus), Simon (the zealot), Judas (the son of Jacob), and a number of women, including Mary, Jesus’ mother. His brothers were there as well. All of them were united in prayer, gripped with one passion, interceding night and day.


book: Acts
contenido:
“Fellow believers, the Scripture David prophesied by the Holy Spirit concerning Judas had to be fulfilled. Judas betrayed our Lord Jesus and led the mob to the garden to arrest him.


book: Acts
contenido:
He earned the wages of his sin, for he fell headfirst, and his belly split open, spilling his intestines on the ground.


book: Acts
contenido:
Everyone in Jerusalem knows what happened to him. That’s why the field where he died is called in Aramaic ‘Haqel Dama,’ that is, ‘The Bloody Field.’


book: Acts
contenido:
For it is written in the Psalms: ‘Let his house be deserted and become a wasteland. No one will live there.’ And also: ‘Let another take his ministry.’


book: Acts
contenido:
“So then, we must choose his replacement from among those who have been with us from the very beginning,


book: Acts
contenido:
from John’s baptism until Jesus’ ascension. And, like us, he must be a witness of his resurrection.”


book: Acts
contenido:
They all prayed, “Lord Yahweh, you know the heart of every man. Please give us clear revelation to know which of these two men you have chosen


book: Acts
contenido:
to be an apostle and take Judas’ place because he renounced his apostleship to go where he belonged.”


book: Acts
contenido:
They cast lots and determined that Matthias was the Lord’s choice, so he was added to the eleven apostles.


book: Acts
contenido:
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled, all the disciples were gathered in one place.


book: Acts
contenido:
Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear!


book: Acts
contenido:
Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them.


book: Acts
contenido:
They were all filled and equipped with the Holy Spirit and were inspired to speak in tongues—empowered by the Spirit to speak in languages they had never learned!


book: Acts
contenido:
Now, at that time there were Jewish worshipers who had emigrated from many different lands to live in Jerusalem.


book: Acts
contenido:
When the people of the city heard the roaring sound, crowds came running to where it was coming from, stunned over what was happening, because each one could hear the disciples speaking in his or her own language.


book: Acts
contenido:
We are northeastern Iranians, northwestern Iranians, Elamites, and those from Mesopotamia, Judea, east central Turkey, the coastal areas of the Black Sea, Asia,


book: Acts
contenido:
north central Turkey, southern Turkey, Egypt, Libyans who are neighbors of Cyrene, visitors from all over the Roman Empire, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs.


book: Acts
contenido:
Peter’s Pentecost Sermon Peter stood up with the eleven apostles and shouted to the crowd. “Listen carefully, my fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem. You need to clearly understand what’s happening here.


book: Acts
contenido:
‘This is what I will do in the last days—I will pour out my Spirit on everybody and cause your sons and daughters to prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will experience dreams from God.


book: Acts
contenido:
I will reveal startling signs and wonders in the sky above and mighty miracles on the earth below. Blood and fire and pillars of clouds will appear.


book: Acts
contenido:
For the sun will be turned dark and the moon blood-red before that great and awesome appearance of the day of the Lord.


book: Acts
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Peter continued, “People of Israel, listen to the facts. Jesus, the Victorious, was a Man on a divine mission whose authority was clearly proven. For you know how God performed many powerful miracles, signs, and wonders through him.


book: Acts
contenido:
This Man’s destiny was prearranged, for God knew that Jesus would be handed over to you to be crucified and that you would execute him on a cross by the hands of lawless men. Yet it was all part of his predetermined plan.


book: Acts
contenido:
God destroyed the cords of death and raised him up, because it was impossible for death’s power to hold him prisoner.


book: Acts
contenido:
This is the very thing David prophesied about him: ‘I continually see the Lord in front of me. He’s at my right hand, and I am never shaken.


book: Acts
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No wonder my heart is glad and my glory celebrates! My mouth is filled with his praises, and I have hope that my body will live


book: Acts
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because you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor will you allow your sacred one to experience decay.


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contenido:
“My fellow Jews, I can tell you there is no doubt that our noted patriarch has both died and been buried in his tomb, which remains to this day. So you can see that he was not referring to himself with those words.


book: Acts
contenido:
But as a prophet, he knew God’s faithful promise, made with God’s unbreakable oath, that one of his descendants would take his throne.


book: Acts
contenido:
So when peering into the future, David prophesied of the Messiah’s resurrection. And God revealed to him that the Messiah would not be abandoned to the realm of death, nor would his body experience decay.


book: Acts
contenido:
“Then God exalted him to his right hand upon the throne of highest honor. And the Father gave him the authority to send the promised Holy Spirit, which is being poured out upon us today. This is what you’re seeing and hearing!


book: Acts
contenido:
“David wasn’t the one who ascended into heaven, but the one who prophesied: ‘The Lord Jehovah said to my Lord, I honor you by enthroning you beside me,


book: Acts
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“Now everyone in Israel can know for certain that Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one God has made both Lord and the Messiah.”


book: Acts
contenido:
The Crowd Responds to Peter’s Words When they heard this they were crushed and realized what they had done to Jesus. Deeply moved, they said to Peter and the other apostles, “What do we need to do, brothers?”


book: Acts
contenido:
Peter replied, “Repent and return to God, and each one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to have your sins removed. Then you may take hold of the gift of the Holy Spirit.


book: Acts
contenido:
For God’s promise of the Holy Spirit is for you and your families, for those yet to be born and for everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”


book: Acts
contenido:
Peter preached to them and warned them with these words: “Be rescued from the wayward and perverse culture of this world!”


book: Acts
contenido:
Those who believed the word that day numbered three thousand. They were all baptized and added to the church.


book: Acts
contenido:
The Community of Believers Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer.


book: Acts
contenido:
A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.


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contenido:
All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had.


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Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them.


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Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility.


book: Acts
contenido:
They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.


book: Acts
contenido:
Healing at the Beautiful Gate One afternoon Peter and John went to the temple for the three o’clock prayer.


book: Acts
contenido:
As they came to the entrance called the Beautiful Gate, they were captured by the sight of a man crippled from birth being carried and placed at the entrance to the temple. He was often brought there to beg for money from those going in to worship.


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Then Peter said, “I don’t have money, but I’ll give you this—by the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk!”


book: Acts
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Peter held out his right hand to the crippled man. As he pulled the man to his feet, suddenly power surged into his crippled feet and ankles. The man jumped up, stood there for a moment stunned, and then began to walk around! As he went into the temple courts with Peter and John, he leapt for joy and shouted praises to God.


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they realized it was the crippled beggar they had passed by in front of the Beautiful Gate. Astonishment swept over the crowd, for they were amazed over what had happened to him.


book: Acts
contenido:
Peter Preaches to the Crowd Dumbfounded over what they were witnessing, the crowd ran over to Peter and John, who were standing under the covered walkway called Solomon’s Porch. Standing there also was the healed beggar, clinging to Peter and John.


book: Acts
contenido:
With the crowd surrounding him, Peter said to them all, “People of Israel, listen to me! Why are you so amazed by this healing? Why do you stare at us? We didn’t make this crippled man walk by our own power or authority.


book: Acts
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The God of our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has done this. For he has glorified his Servant Jesus, the one you denied to Pilate’s face when he decided to release him—and you insisted that he be crucified.


book: Acts
contenido:
You killed the Prince of Life! But God raised him from the dead, and we stand here as witnesses to that fact.


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contenido:
Faith in Jesus’ name has healed this man standing before you. It is the faith that comes through believing in Jesus’ name that has made the crippled man walk right in front of your eyes!


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contenido:
But in spite of what you’ve done, God has fulfilled what he foretold through the prophets long ago about the sufferings of his Anointed One.


book: Acts
contenido:
And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence.


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For he must remain in heaven until the restoration of all things has taken place, fulfilling everything that God said long ago through his holy prophets.


book: Acts
contenido:
For has not Moses told us: ‘The Lord your God will raise up a prophet from among you who is like me. Listen to him and follow everything he tells you.


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And you are heirs of their prophecies and of the covenants God made with your fathers when he promised Abraham, ‘Your descendant will bring blessing to all the people on the earth.’


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“Now that God raised up his Son, he has chosen to send him first to you that he might bless you by turning each one of you from your wickedness.”


book: Acts
contenido:
Peter and John Arrested The teaching and preaching of Peter and John angered the priests, the captain of the temple police, and representatives of the Jewish sect of the Sadducees. They were furious that the people were being taught that in Jesus there is a resurrection from the dead. So while Peter and John were still speaking, the Jewish authorities came to the temple courts to oppose them.


book: Acts
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They had them arrested, and since it was already evening they kept them in custody until the next day.


book: Acts
contenido:
Yet there were many in the crowd who believed the message, bringing the total number of men who believed to nearly five thousand!


book: Acts
contenido:
The next day many Jewish leaders, religious scholars, and elders of the people convened a meeting in Jerusalem.


book: Acts
contenido:
Annas the high priest was there with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others who were members of the high priest’s family.


book: Acts
contenido:
They made Peter and John stand in front of the council as they questioned them, saying, “Tell us, by what power and authority have you done these things?”


book: Acts
contenido:
Are we being put on trial today for doing an act of kindness by healing a frail, crippled man? Well then,


book: Acts
contenido:
you and everyone else in Israel should know that it is by the power of the name of Jesus that the crippled man stands here today completely healed! You crucified Jesus Christ of Nazareth, but God raised him from the dead.


book: Acts
contenido:
This Jesus is ‘the stone that you, the builders, have rejected, and now he has become the cornerstone!’ 12 There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus.”


book: Acts
contenido:
The council members were astonished as they witnessed the bold courage of Peter and John, especially when they discovered that they were just ordinary men who had never had religious training. Then they began to understand the effect Jesus had on them simply by spending time with him.


book: Acts
contenido:
So they ordered them to leave the room while they discussed the matter. Among themselves, they said,


book: Acts
contenido:
“What should we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem can clearly see that they’ve performed a notable sign and wonder—we can’t deny that.


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But to keep this propaganda from spreading any further among the people, let’s threaten them severely and warn them to never speak to anyone in this name again.”


book: Acts
contenido:
So they had them brought back in before the council, and they commanded them to never teach the people or speak again using the name of Jesus.


book: Acts
contenido:
Since the members of the council couldn’t come up with a crime they could punish them for, they threatened them once more and let them go. All the people praised God, thrilled over the miraculous healing of the crippled man.


book: Acts
contenido:
The Church Prays As soon as they were released from custody, Peter and John went to the other believers and explained all that had happened with the high priest and the elders.


book: Acts
contenido:
When the believers heard their report, they raised their voices in unity and prayed, “Lord Yahweh, you are the Lord of all! You created the universe—the earth, the sky, the sea, and everything that is in them.


book: Acts
contenido:
And you spoke by the Holy Spirit through your servant David, our forefather, saying: ‘How dare the nations plan a rebellion, ranting and raging against the Lord Most High? Their foolish plots are futile!


book: Acts
contenido:
Look at how the kings of the earth take their stand, with the rulers scheming and conspiring together against God and his anointed Messiah!’


book: Acts
contenido:
“In fact, Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with Jews and non-Jews, met together to take their stand against your holy servant, Jesus the Messiah.


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They did to him all that your purpose and will had determined, according to the destiny you had marked out for him.


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So now, Lord, listen to their threats to harm us. Empower us, as your servants, to speak the word of God freely and courageously.


book: Acts
contenido:
Stretch out your hand of power through us to heal, and to move in signs and wonders by the name of your holy Son, Jesus!”


book: Acts
contenido:
At that moment the earth shook beneath them, causing the building they were in to tremble. Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness.


book: Acts
contenido:
All the believers were one in mind and heart. Selfishness was not a part of their community, for they shared everything they had with one another.


book: Acts
contenido:
The apostles gave powerful testimonies about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great measures of grace rested upon them all.


book: Acts
contenido:
Some who owned houses or land sold them and brought the proceeds before the apostles to distribute to those without. Not a single person among them was needy.


book: Acts
contenido:
For example, there was a Levite from Cyprus named Joseph, who sold his farmland and placed the proceeds at the feet of the apostles. They nicknamed him Barnabas (or “Encourager”).


book: Acts
contenido:
The Judgment of Ananias and Sapphira Now, a man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, likewise sold their farm.


book: Acts
contenido:
They conspired to secretly keep back for themselves a portion of the proceeds. So when Ananias brought the money to the apostles, it was only a portion of the entire sale.


book: Acts
contenido:
God revealed their secret to Peter, so he said to him, “Ananias, why did you let Satan fill your heart and make you think you could lie to the Holy Spirit? You only pretended to give it all, yet you hid back part of the proceeds from the sale of your property to keep for yourselves.


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Before you sold it, wasn’t it yours to sell or to keep? And after you sold it, wasn’t the money entirely at your disposal? How could you plot such a thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to people; you’ve lied to God!”


book: Acts
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The moment Ananias heard those words, he fell over dead. Everyone was terrified when they heard what had happened.


book: Acts
contenido:
Peter said to her, “Tell me, were the two of you paid this amount for the sale of your land?” Sapphira said, “Yes, that’s how much it was.”


book: Acts
contenido:
Peter told her, “Why have you agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? I hear the footsteps of those who buried your husband at the door—they’re coming here to bury you too!”


book: Acts
contenido:
At that moment she dropped dead at Peter’s feet. When the young men came in, she was already dead, so they carried her out and buried her next to her husband.


book: Acts
contenido:
The entire church was seized with a powerful sense of the fear of God, which came over all who heard what had happened.


book: Acts
contenido:
The Apostles Perform Miracles, Signs, and Wonders The apostles performed many signs, wonders, and miracles among the people.


book: Acts
contenido:
And the believers were wonderfully united as they met regularly in the temple courts in the area known as Solomon’s Porch. No one dared harm them, for everyone held them in high regard.


book: Acts
contenido:
Continually more and more people believed in the Lord and were added to their number—great crowds of both men and women.


book: Acts
contenido:
In fact, when people knew Peter was going to walk by, they carried the sick out to the streets and laid them down on cots and mats, knowing the incredible power emanating from him would overshadow them and heal them.


book: Acts
contenido:
Great numbers of people swarmed into Jerusalem from the nearby villages. They brought with them the sick and those troubled by demons—and everyone was healed!


book: Acts
contenido:
The Apostles Persecuted The high priest and his officials, who formed the party of the Sadducees, became extremely jealous over all that was happening,


book: Acts
contenido:
But during the night, the Lord sent an angel who appeared before them. He supernaturally opened their prison doors and brought the apostles outside.


book: Acts
contenido:
So early that morning they entered the temple courts and taught the people. The high priest and his officials, unaware of their supernatural release from prison, convened the members of the supreme council. They sent for the apostles to be brought to them from prison.


book: Acts
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But when the officers came to the prison cell, it was empty! They returned to the council and informed them,


book: Acts
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“We found the jail securely locked and the guards standing by their cell, but when we opened the door, there was no one inside!”


book: Acts
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When the captain of the temple guard and the leading priests heard this report, they were perplexed and at a loss over what to make of it.


book: Acts
contenido:
Someone came and informed them, “The men you put in prison are out there standing in the temple courts, teaching the people!”


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So the captain of the temple guard and his officers went to arrest them once again, but without using force, for they were afraid the people would stone them.


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saying, “Didn’t we strictly warn you that you were to never again teach in this name? But instead you have now filled all of Jerusalem with this doctrine and are committed to holding us responsible for this man’s death!”


book: Acts
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Peter and the apostles replied, “We must listen to and obey God more than pleasing religious leaders.


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He’s the one God has exalted and seated at his right hand as our Savior and Champion. He is the provider of grace as the Redeemer of Israel.


book: Acts
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We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God freely gives to all who believe in him.”


book: Acts
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But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a noted religious professor who was highly respected by all, stood up. He gave orders to send the apostles outside.


book: Acts
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Then he said to the council, “Men of Israel, you need to be very careful about how you deal with these men.


book: Acts
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Some time ago there was a man named Theudas who rose up claiming to be somebody. He had a following of about four hundred men, but when he was killed, all of his followers were scattered, and nothing came of it.


book: Acts
contenido:
“After him, in the days of the census, another man rose up, Judas the Galilean, who got people to follow him in a revolt. He too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.


book: Acts
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So in this situation, you should just leave these men to themselves. For if this plan or undertaking originates with men, it will fade away and come to nothing.


book: Acts
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But if this movement is of God, you won’t be able to stop it. And you might discover that you were fighting God all along!” Gamaliel’s words convinced the council.


book: Acts
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So they brought the apostles back in and had them severely beaten. They ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus and then let them go.


book: Acts
contenido:
The apostles left there rejoicing, thrilled that God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.


book: Acts
contenido:
And nothing stopped them! They kept preaching every day in the temple courts and went from house to house, preaching the gospel of Jesus, God’s Anointed One!


book: Acts
contenido:
Servant Leaders During those days the number of Jesus’ followers kept multiplying greatly. But a complaint was brought against those who spoke Aramaic by the Greek-speaking Jews, who felt their widows were being overlooked during the daily distribution of food.


book: Acts
contenido:
The twelve apostles called a meeting of all the believers and told them, “It is not advantageous for us to be pulled away from the word of God to wait on tables.


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We want you to carefully select from among yourselves seven godly men. Make sure they are honorable, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and we will give them the responsibility of this crucial ministry of serving.


book: Acts
contenido:
Everyone in the church loved this idea. So they chose seven men. One of them was Stephen, who was known as a man full of faith and overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Along with him they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas from Antioch, who had converted to Judaism.


book: Acts
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All seven stood before the apostles, who laid their hands on them and prayed for them, commissioning them to this ministry.


book: Acts
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God’s word reigned supreme and kept spreading. The number of Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem quickly grew and increased by the day. Even a great number of Jewish priests became believers and were obedient to the faith!


book: Acts
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Stephen, who was a man full of grace and supernatural power, performed many astonishing signs and wonders and mighty miracles among the people.


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This upset some men belonging to a sect who called themselves the Men Set Free. They were Libyans, Egyptians, and Turks. They all confronted Stephen to argue with him.


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But the Holy Spirit gave Stephen remarkable wisdom to answer them. His words were prompted by the Holy Spirit, and they could not refute what he said.


book: Acts
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So the Men Set Free conspired in secret to find those who would bring false accusations against Stephen and lie about him by saying, “We heard this man speak blasphemy against Moses and God.”


book: Acts
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The Men Set Free agitated the crowd, the elders, and the religious scholars, then seized Stephen and forcefully took him before the supreme council.


book: Acts
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One after another, false witnesses stepped forward and accused Stephen, saying, “This man never stops denigrating our temple and our Jewish law.


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For we have heard him teach that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the temple and change the traditions and customs that Moses handed down to us.”


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Every member of the supreme council focused his gaze on Stephen, for right in front of their eyes, while being falsely accused, his face glowed as though he had the face of an angel!


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Stephen replied, “My fellow Jews and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham while he was living in Iraq and before he moved to Haran in Syria.


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God said to him, ‘Go! Leave behind your country and your relatives. Begin your journey and come to the land that I will show you.’


book: Acts
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“So Abraham left southeastern Iraq and began his journey. He settled in Haran in Syria and stayed there until his father passed away. Then God had him move to the land of Israel with only a promise.


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Although God gave him no parcel of land he could call his own, not even a footprint, yet he promised Abraham that he and his descendants would one day have it all. And even though as yet Abraham had no child,


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God spoke with him and gave him this promise: ‘Your descendants will live in a foreign land with a people who will make slaves of them and oppress them for four hundred years.


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But I will judge the nation that enslaves them, and your descendants will be set free to return to this land to serve and worship me.’


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“Then God entered into covenant with Abraham, which included the requirement of circumcision. So when he became the father of Isaac, he circumcised him eight days after his birth.


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“Isaac then became the father of Jacob, who was the father of our twelve patriarchs. Jacob’s sons became jealous of their brother Joseph and sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God’s favor and blessing rested upon Joseph, and in time,


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God rescued him from all his oppression and granted him extraordinary favor before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh appointed him as the overseer of his nation and even of his own palace.


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“Then a devastating famine came over all of Egypt and Canaan, bringing great misery to the people, including our ancestors, who couldn’t find food.


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But when Jacob learned that there was food in Egypt, he sent his sons, our ancestors, on their first trip to purchase grain for their family.


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On their second trip to Egypt, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and because of this, Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family and where he came from.


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“Joseph sent for his father, Jacob, and his entire family, a total of seventy-five people, to come and reside in Egypt.


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Their bones were later carried back to the promised land and buried in Shechem, in the tomb Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor.


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“The time drew near for God to fulfill the prophetic promise he had made to Abraham. Our Jewish people had increased greatly in number, multiplying many times over while in Egypt.


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He was an abusive king who exploited our people with his smooth talk. With cruelty he forced our ancestors to give up their little boys as he committed infanticide!


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“Then Moses came on the scene—a child of divine beauty. His parents hid him from Pharaoh as long as they could to spare his life. After three months they could conceal him no longer,


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so they had to abandon him to his fate. But God arranged that Pharaoh’s daughter would find him, take him home, and raise him as her own son.


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So Moses was fully trained in the royal courts and educated in the highest wisdom Egypt had to offer, until he arose as a powerful prince and an eloquent orator.


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One day he saw one of our people being violently mistreated, so he came to his rescue, and with his own hands Moses murdered the abusive Egyptian.


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Moses hoped that when the people realized how he had rescued one of their own, they would recognize him as their deliverer. How wrong he was!


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The next day he came upon two of our people engaged in a fist fight, and he tried to break it up by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers! Why would you want to hurt each other?’


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“But the perpetrator pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who do you think you are? Who appointed you to be our ruler and judge?


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“Shaken by this, Moses fled Egypt and lived as an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.


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After forty years had passed, while he was in the desert near Mount Sinai, the Messenger of Yahweh appeared to him in the midst of a flaming thorn bush.


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Moses was astonished and stunned by what he was seeing, so he drew closer to observe this marvel. Then the Lord Yahweh spoke to him out of the flames:


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‘I am the living God, the God of your ancestors. I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ “Trembling in God’s presence and overwhelmed with awe, Moses didn’t even dare to look into the fire.


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“Out of the flames the Lord Yahweh said to him: ‘Take the sandals off your feet, for you are standing in the realm of holiness.


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I have watched and seen how my people have been mistreated in Egypt. I have heard their painful groaning, and now I have come down to set them free. So come to me, Moses, for I am sending you to Egypt to represent me.’


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“So God sent back to Egypt the man our people rejected and refused to recognize by saying, ‘Who appointed you to be our ruler and judge?’ God sent this man back to be their ruler and deliverer, commissioned with the power of the messenger who appeared to him in the flaming thorn bush.


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This man brought the people out from their Egyptian bondage with many astonishing wonders and miracle signs—miracles in Egypt, miracles at the Red Sea, and miracles during their forty-year journey through the wilderness.


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This is the same Moses who said to our ancestors, ‘The Lord God will raise up one from among you who will be a prophet to you, like I have been. Listen to everything he will say!’


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“Moses led the congregation in the wilderness and he spoke face-to-face with the angel who spoke with him on the top of Mount Sinai. Along with our ancestors, he received the living oracles of God that were passed down to us.


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But our forefathers refused to obey. They pushed him away, and their hearts longed to return to Egypt.


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“While Moses was on the mountain, our forefathers said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to lead us, because we don’t know what has become of this Moses who brought us out of Egypt.’


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“So they made a god, an idol in the form of a bull calf. They offered sacrifices to it and celebrated with delight what their own hands had made.


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“When God saw what they had done, he turned away from them and handed them over to the worship of the stars of heaven, as recorded in the prophetic writings: ‘People of Israel, you failed to worship me when you offered animal sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness.


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Instead you worshiped the god Moloch, and you carried his tabernacle, not mine. You worshiped your star-god, Rephan. You made idols with your hands and worshiped them instead of me. So now I will cast you into exile beyond Babylon.’


book: Acts
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“God gave Moses the revelation of the pattern of the tabernacle of the testimony. By God’s command, he made it exactly according to the specifications given to him for our ancestors in the wilderness.


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The next generation received possession of it, and under Joshua’s leadership they took possession of the land of the nations, which God drove out in front of them. The tabernacle was carried about until


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‘Heaven is my throne room and the earth is but a footstool for my feet. How could you possibly build a house that could contain me?’ says the Lord Yahweh. ‘And where could you find a place where I could live?


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“Why would you be so stubborn as to close your hearts and your ears to me? You are always opposing the Holy Spirit, just like your forefathers!


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Which prophet was not persecuted and murdered by your ancestors? Name just one! They killed them all—even the ones who prophesied long ago of the coming of the Righteous One! Now you follow in their steps and have become his betrayers and murderers.


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Stephen Is Stoned to Death When they heard these things, they were overtaken with violent rage filling their souls, and they gnashed their teeth at him.


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But Stephen, overtaken with great faith, was full of the Holy Spirit. He fixed his gaze into the heavenly realm and saw the glory and splendor of God—and Jesus, who stood up at the right hand of God.


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“Look!” Stephen said. “I can see the heavens opening and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God to welcome me home!”


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His accusers covered their ears with their hands and screamed at the top of their lungs to drown out his voice.


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Then they pounced on him and threw him outside the city walls to stone him. His accusers, one by one, placed their outer garments at the feet of a young man named Saul of Tarsus.


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As they hurled stone after stone at him, Stephen prayed, “Our Lord Jesus, accept my spirit into your presence.”


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He crumpled to his knees and shouted in a loud voice, “Our Lord, don’t hold this sin against them.” And then he died.


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Saul Persecutes the Believers Now, Saul agreed to be an accomplice to Stephen’s stoning and participated in his execution. From that day on, a great persecution of the church in Jerusalem began. All the believers scattered into the countryside of Judea and among the Samaritans, except the apostles who remained behind in Jerusalem.


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Then Saul mercilessly persecuted the church of God, going from house to house into the homes of believers to arrest both men and women and drag them off to prison.


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The Gospel Spreads to Samaria Although the believers were scattered by persecution, they preached the wonderful news of the word of God wherever they went.


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The crowds were eager to receive Philip’s message and were persuaded by the many miracles and wonders he performed.


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Many demon-possessed people were set free and delivered as evil spirits came out of them with loud screams and shrieks, and many who were lame and paralyzed were also healed.


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Simon the Sorcerer Converted Now, there was a man who lived there who was steeped in sorcery. For some time he had astounded the people of Samaria with his magic, boasting to be someone great.


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Everyone, from the least to the greatest among them, was dazzled by his sorcery, saying, “This man is the greatest wizard of all! The divine power of God walks among us!”


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But as Philip preached the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm, and the name of Jesus the Anointed One, many believed his message and were baptized, both men and women.


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Even Simon believed and was baptized! Wherever Philip went, Simon was right by his side, astounded by all the miracles, signs, and enormous displays of power that he witnessed.


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When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted God’s message of life, they sent Peter and John


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For they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and were yet to have the Holy Spirit fall upon them.


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As soon as Peter and John arrived, they laid their hands on the Samaritan believers, one after another, and the Holy Spirit fell and filled each one of them!


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When Simon saw how the Holy Spirit was released through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he approached them and offered them money,


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saying, “I want this power too. I’m willing to pay you for the anointing that you have, so that I also can lay my hands on everyone to receive the Holy Spirit.”


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Peter rebuked him and said, “Your money will go with you to destruction! How could you even think that you could purchase God’s supernatural gift with money?


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Repent this moment for allowing such wickedness to fill you. Plead with the Lord that perhaps he would forgive you the treachery of your heart.


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Simon begged, “Peter, please pray to God for me. Plead with him so that nothing you just said over me may come to pass!”


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Philip and the Ethiopian After Peter and John had testified and taught the word of God in that city, they returned to Jerusalem, stopping at many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the hope of the gospel.


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He left immediately on his assignment. Along the way he encountered an Ethiopian who believed in the God of the Jews, who was the minister of finance for Candace, queen of Ethiopia. He was on his way home from worshiping God in Jerusalem.


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So Philip ran to catch up. As he drew closer he overheard the man reading from the scroll of Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked him, “Sir, do you understand what you’re reading?”


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The man answered, “How can I possibly make sense of this without someone explaining it to me?” So he invited Philip up into his chariot to sit with him.


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The portion from Isaiah he was reading was this: He was led away to the slaughter like a lamb to be offered. He was like a lamb that is silent before those who sheared him— he never even opened his mouth.


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In his lowliness justice was stripped away from him. And who could fully express his struggles? For his life was taken from the earth.


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The Ethiopian asked Philip, “Please, can you tell me who the prophet is speaking of? Is it himself or another man?”


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As they were traveling down the road, the man said, “Look, here’s a pool of water. Why don’t I get baptized right now?”


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Philip replied, “If you believe with all your heart, I’ll baptize you.” The man answered, “I believe that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Son of God.”


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When they came up out of the water, Philip was suddenly snatched up by the Spirit of the Lord and instantly carried away to the city of Ashdod, where he reappeared, preaching the gospel in that city. The man never saw Philip again. He returned to Ethiopia full of great joy. Philip, however, traveled on to all of the towns of that region, bringing them the good news, until he arrived at Caesarea.


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Saul Encounters Jesus During those days, Saul, full of angry threats and rage, wanted to murder the disciples of the Lord Jesus. So he went to ask the high priest


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and requested a letter of authorization he could take to the Jewish leaders in Damascus, requesting their cooperation in finding and arresting any who were followers of the Way. Saul wanted to capture all of the believers he found, both men and women, and drag them as prisoners back to Jerusalem.


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So he obtained the authorization and left for Damascus. Just outside the city, a brilliant light flashing from heaven suddenly exploded all around him.


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Falling to the ground, he heard a booming voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”


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The men accompanying Saul were stunned and speechless, for they heard a heavenly voice but could see no one. Saul replied, “Who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus, the Victorious, the one you are persecuting. Now, get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you are to do.”


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Saul stood to his feet, and even though his eyes were open he could see nothing—he was blind. So the men had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus.


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Living in Damascus was a believer named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling his name. “Ananias.” “Yes, Lord,” Ananias answered. The Lord said, “Go at once to the street called Abundance and look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. You will find him at Judah’s house. While he was praying, he saw in a supernatural vision a man named Ananias coming to lay hands upon him to restore his sight.”


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“But Lord,” Ananias replied, “many have told me about his terrible persecution of those in Jerusalem who are devoted to you.


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In fact, the high priest has authorized him to seize and imprison all those in Damascus who call on your name.”


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The Lord Yahweh answered him, “Arise and go! I have chosen this man to be my special messenger. He will be brought before kings, before many nations, and before the Jewish people to give them the revelation of who I am.


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Ananias left and found the house where Saul was staying. He went inside and laid hands on him, saying, “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me to pray for you so that you might see again and be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.”


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All at once, the crusty substance that was over Saul’s eyes disappeared and he could see perfectly. Immediately, he got up and was baptized.


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Within the hour he was in the synagogues, preaching about Jesus and proclaiming, “Jesus is the Son of God!”


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Those who heard him were astonished, saying among themselves, “Isn’t this the Saul who furiously persecuted those in Jerusalem who called on the name of Jesus? Didn’t he come here with permission from the high priest to drag them off and take them as prisoners?”


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Saul’s power increased greatly as he became more and more proficient in proving that Jesus was the anointed Messiah. Saul remained there for several days with the disciples, even though it agitated the Jews of Damascus.


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but it was revealed to him what they were about to do. They closely guarded the gates of the city and tracked his every movement so they could kill him.


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But during the night, some of Saul’s converts helped him escape by lowering him down through an opening in the wall, hiding him in a woven basket.


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Saul Returns to Jerusalem When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to introduce himself to the fellowship of the believers, but everyone was afraid of him because they doubted he was a true disciple.


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Barnabas came to his defense and brought him before the apostles. Saul shared with them his supernatural experience of seeing the Lord, who spoke with him on the road to Damascus. Barnabas also told them how boldly Saul preached throughout the city in Jesus’ mighty name.


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Then they accepted him as a brother and he remained with them, joining them wherever they went in Jerusalem, boldly preaching in the power and authority of Jesus.


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He openly debated with some of the Jews who had adopted the Greek culture, yet they were secretly plotting to murder him.


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When the believers discovered their scheme, they smuggled him out of the city and took him to Caesarea and then sent him on to Tarsus.


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After this, the church all over Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a season of peace. The congregations grew larger and larger, with the believers being empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. They worshiped God in wonder and awe, and walked in the fear of the Lord.


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Peter Heals Aeneas As Peter was ministering from place to place, he visited God’s devoted ones in the village of Lydda.


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Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Anointed One instantly and divinely heals you. Now, get up and make your bed.”


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All at once he stood to his feet. And when all the people of Lydda and Sharon saw him, they became believers in the Lord.


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Peter Raises the Dead Now, there was a follower of Jesus who lived in Joppa. Her Aramaic name, Tabitha, means “gazelle.” She lived her life doing kind things for others and serving the poor.


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But then she became very ill and died. After the disciples prepared her body for burial, they laid her in an upstairs room.


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When the believers heard that Peter was nearby in Lydda, they sent two men with an urgent message for him to come without delay.


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So Peter went with them back to Joppa, and upon arriving they led him to the upper room. There were many widows standing next to Peter, weeping. One after another showed him the tunics and other garments that Tabitha had made to bless others.


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Peter made them all leave the room. Then he knelt down and prayed. Turning to the dead body, he said, “Tabitha, rise up!” At once she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.


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He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers and all the widows to come and see that she was alive!


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An Angel Comes to Cornelius At that time there was a Roman military officer, Cornelius, who was in charge of one hundred men stationed in Caesarea. He was the captain of the Italian regiment,


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a devout man of extraordinary character who worshiped God and prayed regularly, together with all his family. He also had a heart for the poor and gave generously to help them.


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One afternoon about three o’clock, he had an open vision and saw the angel of God appear right in front of him, calling out his name, “Cornelius!”


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Startled, he was overcome with fear by the sight of the angel. He asked, “What do you want, Lord?” The angel said, “All of your prayers and your generosity to the poor have ascended before God as an eternal offering.


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After the angel left, Cornelius called for two of his servants and a trusted, godly soldier who was his personal attaché.


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Peter’s Trance The next day around noon, as Cornelius’ men were approaching Joppa, Peter went up to the flat roof of the house to pray.


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He was hungry and wanted to eat, but while lunch was being prepared he fell into a trance and entered into another realm.


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As the heavenly realm opened up, he saw something resembling a large linen tablecloth that descended from above, being let down to the earth by its four corners.


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Peter replied, “There’s no way I could do that, Lord, for I’ve never eaten anything forbidden or impure according to our Jewish laws.”


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The vision was repeated three times. Then suddenly the linen sheet was snatched back up into heaven.


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Peter was so stunned by the vision that he couldn’t stop wondering about what all it meant. Meanwhile, Cornelius’ men had learned where Peter was staying and at that same moment were standing outside the gate.


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As Peter was in deep thought, trying to interpret the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Go downstairs now, for three men are looking for you. Don’t hesitate to go with them, because I have sent them.”


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Peter went downstairs to the men and said, “I believe I’m the one you’re looking for. What brings you here?”


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They answered, “We serve Cornelius, a Roman military captain, who sent us to find you. He is a devout man of the highest integrity who worships God and is respected throughout the Jewish community. He was divinely instructed through the appearance of an angel to summon you to his home and to listen to the message that you would bring him.”


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Peter invited them to stay for the night as his guests. The next morning they departed, accompanied by some of the believers from Joppa.


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The next day they arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was waiting anxiously for them and had gathered together all of his relatives and close friends.


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But Peter pulled him to his feet and said, “Stand up, for I’m only a man and no different from you.”


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They talked together and then went inside, where Peter found a large gathering waiting to hear his words.


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Peter said to them, “You all know that it is against the Jewish laws for me to associate with or even visit the home of one who is not a Jew. Yet God has shown me that I should never view anyone as inferior or ritually unclean.


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Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was fasting and praying here in my home at this very hour, three o’clock in the afternoon, when a man in glistening clothing suddenly appeared in front of my eyes.


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He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayers. Your generosity to the poor has been recorded and remembered in God’s presence.


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However, you must send for a man named Simon, the Rock, who is staying in Joppa as a guest of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’


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So I immediately sent my men to bring you here—and you were kind enough to come. And now, here we are, all of us in God’s presence, anxious to hear the message that God has put into your heart to share with us.”


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Peter said, “Now I know for certain that God doesn’t show favoritism with people but treats everyone on the same basis.


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It makes no difference what race of people one belongs to. If they show deep reverence for God, and are committed to doing what’s right, they are acceptable before him.


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God sent his word to the Jewish people first, announcing the wonderful news of hope and peace through Jesus, the Anointed One, the Lord of all.


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You are well aware of all that began in Galilee and spread throughout the land of Israel immediately after John preached his message of baptism.


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“Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with great power. He did wonderful things for others and divinely healed all who were under the tyranny of the devil, for God had anointed him.


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We apostles were eyewitnesses to all the miracles that he performed throughout the land of Israel. Finally, in Jerusalem, he was crucified on a cross,


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He didn’t appear to everyone, but he appeared to us, his chosen witnesses. He actually ate and drank with us after he rose from the dead!


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“Jesus ordered us to preach and warn the people that God had appointed him to be the judge of the living and the dead.


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And not only us, but all of the prophets agree in their writings that everyone who believes in him receives complete forgiveness of sins through the power of his name.”


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The Holy Spirit Falls While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit cascaded over all those listening to his message.


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The Jewish brothers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on people who weren’t Jews,


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Peter said, “How could anyone object to these people being baptized? For they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”


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So he instructed them to be baptized in the power of the name of Jesus, the Anointed One. After their baptism, they asked Peter to stay with them for a few more days.


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Ethnic Barriers Broken The news traveled fast and soon reached the apostles and the believers living in Judea that non-Jewish people were also receiving God’s message of new life.


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“One day when I was in the city of Joppa, while I was praying I fell into an ecstatic trance and I went into another realm. I saw in a vision something like a linen tablecloth descending out of heaven, being let down by its four corners, and it got close to me.


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“I said, ‘I can’t do that, Lord! For I’ve never eaten anything that is forbidden or impure according to our Jewish laws.’


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“The vision repeated itself three times. Then suddenly the linen sheet was snatched back up into heaven.


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At that moment three men from Caesarea, who had been sent for me, approached the house where I was staying.


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The Spirit told me to accompany them with no questions asked. These six brothers here with me made the trip, and we entered into the home of the man who had sent for me.


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He shared with us about the angel who appeared to him and told him to send messengers to Joppa to find Simon, the Rock. The angel had told him,


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“Shortly after I began to speak, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them, just like what happened to us at the beginning.


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And I remembered the words the Lord had told us: ‘John immersed you in water, but you will be immersed in the Holy Spirit.’


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So I concluded that if God is pleased to give them the same gift of the Holy Spirit that he gave us after they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who am I to stand in the way of God?”


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When they heard this, their objections were put to rest and they all glorified God, saying, “Look what God has done! He’s giving the gift of repentance that leads to life to people who aren’t even Jews.”


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The Church at Antioch Because of the persecution triggered by Stephen’s death in Jerusalem, many of the believers were scattered. Some reached as far as the coast of Lebanon, the island of Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria, but they were still only preaching the word to Jews.


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However, some of the believers from Cyprus and Cyrene, who had come to Antioch in Syria, preached to the non-Jews living there, proclaiming the message of salvation in the Lord Jesus.


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The mighty power of the Lord was with them as they ministered, and a large number of people believed and turned their hearts to the Lord.


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News of what was happening in Antioch reached the church of Jerusalem, so the apostles sent Barnabas to Antioch as their emissary.


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When he got there and witnessed for himself God’s marvelous grace, he was enthused and overjoyed. He encouraged the believers to remain faithful and cling to the Lord with passionate hearts.


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Barnabas was a good man, full of the Spirit of holiness, and he exuded a life of faith. Because of his ministry even more crowds of people were brought to the Lord!


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Together Saul and Barnabas ministered there for a full year, equipping the growing church and teaching the vast number of new converts. It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first revealed as “anointed ones.”


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Agabus Prophesies a Coming Famine At that time there were prophets in the church of Jerusalem, and some of them came to Antioch.


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One of them, named Agabus, stood up in one of the meetings and prophesied by the Holy Spirit that a severe famine was about to come over Israel. (This prophecy was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius Caesar.)


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So they determined that each believer, according to his or her ability, would give an offering to send as relief to the brothers living in Judea.


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They set aside the gifts and entrusted the funds to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.


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Peter’s Miraculous Escape from Prison During this period King Herod incited persecution against the church, causing great harm to the believers.


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When Herod realized how much this pleased the Jewish leaders, he had Peter arrested and thrown into prison during the Feast of Passover. Sixteen soldiers were assigned to guard him until Herod could bring him to public trial, immediately after the Passover celebrations were over.


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The night before Herod planned to bring him to trial, he made sure that Peter was securely bound with two chains. Peter was sound asleep between two soldiers, with additional guards stationed outside his cell door,


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when all at once an angel of the Lord appeared, filling his prison cell with a brilliant light. The angel struck Peter on the side to awaken him and said, “Hurry up! Let’s go!” Instantly the chains fell off his wrists.


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Peter quickly left the cell and followed the angel, even though he thought it was only a dream or a vision, for it seemed unreal—he couldn’t believe it was really happening!


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They walked unseen past the first guard post and then the second before coming to the iron gate that leads to the city—and the gate swung open all by itself right in front of them! They went out into the city and were walking down a narrow street when all of a sudden the angel disappeared.


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That’s when Peter realized that he wasn’t having a dream! He said to himself, “This is really happening! The Lord sent his angel to rescue me from the clutches of Herod and from what the Jewish leaders planned to do to me.”


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When he realized this, he decided to go to the home of Mary and her son John Mark. The house was filled with people praying.


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When he knocked on the door to the courtyard, a young servant girl named Rose got up to see who it was.


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When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so excited that she forgot to open the door, but ran back inside the house to announce, “Peter is standing outside!”


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“Are you crazy?” they said to her. But when she kept insisting, they answered, “Well, it must be his angel.”


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Meanwhile, Peter was still outside, knocking on the door. When they finally opened it, they were shocked to find Peter standing there.


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He signaled for them to be quiet as he shared with them the miraculous way the Lord brought him out of prison. Before he left he said, “Make sure you let Jacob and all of the other believers know what has happened.”


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At the first sign of daylight, the prison guards were in a tremendous uproar because of Peter’s disappearance. Herod ordered a thorough search for him, but no one could find him.


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After he interrogated the guards, he ordered them executed. Then Herod left the province of Judea for Caesarea and stayed there for a period of time.


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Now, during those days, Herod was engaged in a violent dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a united delegation to Caesarea to appeal to him and reconcile their differences with the king, for Herod controlled their food supply. First they enlisted the support of his trusted personal assistant, Blastus, who secured them an appointment with the king.


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On the chosen day, Herod came before them, arrayed in his regal robes. Sitting on his elevated throne, he delivered a stirring public address to the people.


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At its conclusion the people gave him a round of applause. The crowd shouted, “These are the words of a god, not a man!”


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Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, an infestation of worms, because he accepted the people’s worship and didn’t give the glory to God, and he died.


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After Barnabas and Saul had delivered the charitable offering for relief, they left Jerusalem, bringing with them a disciple named Mark (who was also known as John).


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Saul and Barnabas Sent Out as Apostles In the church at Antioch there were a number of prophets and teachers of the Word, including Barnabas, Simeon from Niger, Lucius the Libyan, Manean (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.


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While they were worshiping as priests before the Lord in prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “I have called Barnabas and Saul to do an important work for me. Now, release them to go and fulfill it.”


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So Saul and Barnabas, and their assistant Mark (known as John), were directed by the Holy Spirit to go to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they went to the synagogues and preached the manifestation of our Lord.


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From there they crossed the island as far as Paphos, where they encountered a Jewish false prophet, a sorcerer named Elymas, who also went by the name of “son of Jesus.”


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He had gained influence as the spiritual advisor to the regional governor, Sergius Paulus, considered by many to be a wise and intelligent leader. The governor requested a meeting with Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the message of God’s word.


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But Elymas, whose name means “sorcerer,” stood up against them and tried to prevent the governor from believing their message.


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Saul, also known as Paul, stared into his eyes and rebuked him. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he said,


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“You son of the devil! You are full of every form of fraud and deceit and an enemy of all that is right. When will you stop perverting the truth of God into lies?


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At this very moment the hand of God’s judgment comes down upon you and you will be blind—so blind you won’t even be able to see the light of the sun.” As Paul spoke these words, a shadowy mist and darkness came over the sorcerer, leaving him blind and groping about, begging someone to lead him around by the hand.


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When the governor witnessed this, he believed and was awestruck by the power of the message of the Lord.


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Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Turkey Paul and his companions sailed from the Cyprus port of Paphos to Perga in southern Turkey. John left them there and returned to Jerusalem


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as they journeyed on to the city of Antioch in the region of Pisidia. On the Sabbath they went into the synagogue and took their seats.


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After the reading from the scrolls of the books of Moses and the prophets, the leader of the meeting sent Paul and Barnabas a message, saying, “Brothers, do you have a word of encouragement to share with us? If so, please feel free to give it.”


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Paul stood and motioned that he had something to say. He said, “Listen, all of you Jews and non-Jews who worship God.


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The God of Israel divinely chose our ancestors to be his people. While they were enslaved in Egypt, he made them great, both in numbers and in strength, until he unveiled his mighty power and led them out of bondage.


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He was the one who destroyed the seven nations inhabiting the land of Canaan and afterward gave the land to his people as their inheritance.


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This took about four hundred and fifty years. “Then God raised up deliverers for the people until the time of the prophet Samuel.


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The people craved for a king, so God gave them one from the tribe of Benjamin: Saul, the son of Kish, who ruled for forty years.


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After removing him, God raised up David to be king, for God said of him, ‘I have found in David, son of Jesse, a man who always pursues my heart and will accomplish all that I have destined him to do.’


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So before Jesus appeared, John preached the message of a baptism of repentance to prepare all of Israel.


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As John was about to finish his mission, he said repeatedly, ‘If you think that I am the one to come, you’re mistaken. He will come after me, and I don’t even deserve to stoop down and untie his sandals!’


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“Fellow Jews, Abraham’s descendants, and all those among you who worship and reverence God, this message of life has been sent for us all to hear.


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But the people of Jerusalem and their leaders didn’t realize who he was, nor did they understand the prophecies written of him. Yet they fulfilled those very prophecies, which they read week after week in their meetings, by condemning him to death.


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Even though they could come up with no legal grounds for the death sentence, they pleaded with Pilate to have him executed.


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And they did to him all that was prophesied they would do. “Then they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.


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And for many days afterward he appeared on numerous occasions to his disciples who knew him well and had followed him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Those disciples are now his witnesses, telling the people the truth about him.


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has now been fulfilled for us, their children. For God has raised Jesus from the dead, as it says in Psalms: ‘Today I reveal you as my Son, and I as your Father.’


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“God had promised to not let him decay in the tomb or face destruction again, so God raised him from the dead. He gave this promise in the Psalms: ‘I will give to you what I gave to David: Faithful mercies that you can trust.’


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“He explains it further in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow your holy one to experience bodily decay.’


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“This cannot be a reference to David, for after he passionately served God’s desires for his generation, he died. He was buried with his ancestors and his body experienced decay.


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Everyone who believes in him is set free from sin and guilt—something the law of Moses had no power to do.


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‘Be amazed and in agony, you scoffers! For in your day I will do something so wonderful that when I perform mighty deeds among you, you won’t even believe that it was I who did it!’ ”


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As Paul and Barnabas started to leave, the people pleaded with them to share more about these things on the next Sabbath day.


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When the meeting had finally broken up, many of those in attendance, both Jews and converts to Judaism, tagged along with Paul and Barnabas, who continued to persuade them to go deeper in their understanding of God’s grace.


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When the Jewish leaders saw the size of the crowds, vicious jealousy filled their hearts and they rose up to oppose what Paul was teaching. They insulted him and argued with him over everything he said.


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Yet Paul and Barnabas did not back down. Filled with courage, they boldly replied, “We were compelled to bring God’s message first to you Jews. But seeing you’ve rejected this message and refuse to embrace eternal life, we will focus instead on the nations and offer it to them.


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This will fulfill what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have destined you to become a beacon light for the nations and release salvation to the ends of the earth!’ ”


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When the non-Jewish people in the crowd heard these words, they were thrilled and they honored the word of the Lord. All who believed that they were destined to experience eternal life received the message.


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The Jewish leaders stirred up a violent mob against Paul and Barnabas, including many prominent and wealthy people of the city. They persecuted them and ran them out of town.


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As they left, they shook the dust off their feet as a sign of protest against them, and they went on to the city of Iconium.


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Miracles and Revival in Iconium When Paul and Barnabas arrived at Iconium, the same thing happened there. They went, as they always did, to the synagogue and preached to the people with such power that a large crowd of both Jews and non-Jews believed.


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Some of the Jews refused to believe, and they began to poison the minds of the non-Jews to discredit the believers.


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Yet Paul and Barnabas stayed there for a long time, preaching boldly and fearlessly about the Lord. Many trusted in the Lord, for he backed up his message of grace with miracles, signs, and wonders performed by the apostles.


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The people of the city were split over the issue. Some sided with the apostles, and others with the Jews who refused to believe.


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Eventually, all the opposition factions came together, with their leaders devising a plot to harm Paul and Barnabas and stone them to death.


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When the apostles learned about this, they escaped to the region of Lyconia, to the cities of Lystra and Derbe and the nearby villages.


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Paul and Barnabas Preach at Lystra In Lystra, Paul and Barnabas encountered a man who from birth had never walked, for he was crippled in his feet.


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He listened carefully to Paul as he preached. All of a sudden, Paul discerned that this man had faith in his heart to be healed.


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So he shouted, “You! In the name of our Lord Jesus, stand up on your feet!” The man instantly jumped to his feet, stood for the first time in his life, and walked!


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When the crowds saw the miracle Paul had done, they shouted in their own language, “The gods have come down to us as men!”


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Now, outside of the city stood the temple of Zeus. The priest of the temple, in order to honor Paul and Barnabas, brought bulls with wreaths of flowers draped on them to the gates of the courtyard where they were staying. The crowds clamored to offer them as sacrifices to the apostles. He even brought flower wreaths as crowns to place on their heads.


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When the apostles understood what was happening, they were mortified and tore their clothes as a sign of dismay. They rushed into the crowd and shouted,


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“People, what are you doing? We’re only weak human beings like everyone else. This is why we’ve come to tell you the good news, so that you would turn away from these worthless myths and turn to the living God. He is the Creator of all things: the earth, the heavens, the sea, and everything they contain.


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yet he has never left himself without clear evidence of his goodness. For he blesses us with rain from heaven and seasons of fruitful harvests, and he nourishes us with food to meet our needs. He satisfies our lives, and euphoria fills our hearts.”


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Even after saying these things, they were barely able to restrain the people from offering sacrifices to them.


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Some of the Jews who had opposed Paul and Barnabas in Antioch and Iconium arrived and stirred up the crowd against them. They stoned Paul and dragged his body outside the city and left him for dead.


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When the believers encircled Paul’s body, he miraculously stood up! Paul stood and immediately went back into the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.


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After preaching the wonderful news of the gospel there and winning a large number of followers to Jesus, they retraced their steps and revisited Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.


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At each place they went, they strengthened the lives of the believers and encouraged them to go deeper in their faith. And they taught them, “It is necessary for us to enter into the realm of God’s kingdom, because that’s the only way we will endure our many trials and persecutions.”


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Paul and Barnabas ordained leaders, known as elders, from among the congregations in every church they visited. After prayer and fasting, they publicly committed them into the care and protection of the Lord of their faith.


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they went to the city of Perga, preaching the life-giving message of the Lord. Afterward they journeyed down to the coast at Antalya,


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and from there they sailed back to Antioch. With their mission complete, they returned to the church where they had originally been sent out as missionaries, for it was in Antioch where they had been handed over to God’s powerful grace.


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When they arrived in Antioch, they gathered the church together and shared with them all of the wonderful works God had done through them and how God had opened the door of faith for the non-Jews to enter in.


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The Jerusalem Council of Apostles While Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch, some false teachers came from Judea to trouble the believers. They taught, “Unless you are circumcised, as the law of Moses requires, you cannot be saved.”


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This sparked a fierce argument between the false teachers and Paul and Barnabas. So the church appointed a delegation of believers, including Paul and Barnabas, to go to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders of the church and resolve this issue.


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So the church sent them on their way. As they passed through Lebanon and Samaria, they stopped to share with the believers how God was converting many from among the non-Jewish people. Hearing this report brought great joy to all the churches.


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When they finally arrived in Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders. They explained to them everything God had done among them.


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But some of the believers who were of the religious group called “separated ones” were insistent, saying, “We must continue the custom of circumcision and require that the people keep the law of Moses.”


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After a lengthy debate, Peter rose to his feet and said to them, “Brothers, you know how God has chosen me from the beginning to preach the wonderful news of the gospel to the non-Jewish nations.


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God, who knows the hearts of every person, confirmed this when he gave them the Holy Spirit, just like he has given the Spirit to us.


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So now, not one thing separates us as Jews and gentiles, for when they believe he makes their hearts pure.


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So why on earth would you now limit God’s grace by placing a yoke of religious duties on the shoulders of the believers that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?


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Don’t you believe that we are introduced to eternal life through the grace of our Lord Jesus—the same grace that has brought these people new life?”


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Everyone became silent and listened carefully as Paul and Barnabas shared with the council at length about the signs and wonders and miracles God had worked through them while ministering to the non-Jewish people.


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Peter has explained thoroughly that God has determined to win a people for himself from among the non-Jewish nations.


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‘After these things I will return to you and raise up the tabernacle of David that has fallen into ruin. I will restore and rebuild what David experienced


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so that all of humanity will be able to encounter the Lord including the gentiles whom I have called to be my very own,’ says the Lord.


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“So, in my judgment, we should not add any unnecessary burden upon the non-Jewish converts who are turning to God.


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We will go to them as apostles and teach them to be set free from offering sacrifices to idols, sexual immorality, and eating anything strangled or with any blood.


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For many generations these words of Moses have been proclaimed every Sabbath day in the synagogues.”


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The Apostles’ Letter to the Non-Jewish People The apostles and elders and the church of Jerusalem chose delegates to go to Antioch in Syria. They chose Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leaders in the church, to accompany Paul and Barnabas.


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They sent with them this letter: “Greetings from the apostles and pastors, and from your fellow believers—to our non-Jewish brothers and sisters living in Antioch in Syria and the nearby regions.


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“We are aware that some have come to you from the church of Jerusalem. These men were not sent by us, but came with false teachings that have brought confusion and division, telling you to keep the law and be circumcised—things we never commanded them to teach. 25–27 So after deliberation, we’re sending you our beloved brothers Paul and Barnabas, who have risked their lives for the glory of the name of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. They are accompanied by Judas and Silas, whom we have unanimously chosen to send as our representatives to you. They will validate all that we’re wanting to share with you.


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“For it pleases the Holy Spirit and us that we not place any unnecessary burden on you, except for the following restrictions:


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Stay away from anything sacrificed to a pagan idol, from eating what is strangled or with any blood, and from any form of sexual immorality. You will be beautiful believers if you keep your souls from these things, and you will be true and faithful to our Lord Jesus. May God bless you!”


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They sent the four men off for Antioch, and after gathering the regional church together, they delivered the letter.


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When the people heard the letter read out loud, they were overjoyed and delighted by its encouraging message.


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Then Judas and Silas, who were both prophets, spoke to them affirming words that strengthened the believers.


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After the four men spent some time there, the church sent them off in peace to return to the apostles in Jerusalem.


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However, only Judas departed; Paul, Barnabas, and Silas stayed in Antioch, where they and many others preached and taught the wonderful message of the word of God.


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Paul and Barnabas Disagree After some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s travel to the regions where we’ve preached the word of God and see how the believers are getting along.”


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but Paul disagreed. He didn’t think it was proper to take the one who had deserted them in south-central Turkey, leaving them to do their missionary work without him.


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It became a heated argument between them, a disagreement so sharp that they parted from each other. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.


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And Paul chose Silas as his partner. After the believers prayed for them, asking for the Lord’s favor on their ministry, they left


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for Syria and southeast Turkey. Every place they went, they left the church stronger and more encouraged than before.


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Timothy Joins Paul and Silas Paul and Silas came to the city of Derbe and then went on to Lystra, the hometown of a believer named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish follower of Jesus, but his father was not a Jew.


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Paul recognized God’s favor on Timothy’s life and wanted him to accompany them in ministry, but Paul had Timothy circumcised first because of the significant Jewish community living in the region, and everyone knew that Timothy’s father wasn’t a Jew.


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They went out together as missionaries, traveling to different cities where they preached and informed the churches of the decrees of the apostolic council of Jerusalem for the non-Jewish converts to observe.


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Paul’s Vision of the Man from Macedonia The Holy Spirit had forbidden Paul and his partners to preach the word in the southwestern provinces of Turkey, so they ministered throughout the region of central and west-central Turkey.


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When they got as far west as the borders of Mysia, they repeatedly attempted to go north into the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to enter.


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While staying there Paul experienced a supernatural, ecstatic vision during the night. A man from Macedonia appeared before him, pleading with him, “You must come across the sea to Macedonia and help us!”


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After Paul had this vision, we immediately prepared to cross over to Macedonia, convinced that God himself was calling us to go and preach the wonderful news of the gospel to them.


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Paul Arrives at Philippi From Troas we sailed a straight course to the island of Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis.


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Finally we reached Philippi, a major city in the Roman colony of Macedonia, and we remained there for a number of days.


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When the Sabbath day came, we went outside the gates of the city to the nearby river, for there appeared to be a house of prayer and worship there. Sitting on the riverbank we struck up a conversation with some of the women who had gathered there.


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One of them was Lydia, a businesswoman from the city of Thyatira who was a dealer of exquisite purple cloth and a Jewish convert. While Paul shared the good news with her, God opened her heart to receive Paul’s message.


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She devoted herself to the Lord, and we baptized her and her entire family. Afterward she urged us to stay in her home, saying, “Since I am now a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” So we were persuaded to stay there.


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The Python Spirit One day, as we were going to the house of prayer, we encountered a young slave girl who had an evil spirit of divination, the spirit of Python. She had earned great profits for her owners by being a fortune-teller.


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She kept following us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Great High God, and they’re telling us how to be saved!”


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Day after day she continued to do this, until Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit indwelling her, “I command you in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to come out of her, now!” At that very moment, the spirit came out of her!


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When her owners realized that their potential of making profit had vanished, they forcefully seized Paul and Silas and dragged them off to the city square to face the authorities.


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When they appeared before the Roman soldiers and magistrates, the slave owners leveled accusations against them, saying, “These Jews are troublemakers. They’re throwing our city into confusion.


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They’re pushing their Jewish religion down our throats. It’s wrong and unlawful for them to promote these Jewish ways, for we are Romans living in a Roman colony.”


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A great crowd gathered, and all the people joined in to come against them. The Roman officials ordered that Paul and Silas be stripped of their garments and beaten with rods on their bare backs.


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Miracles Can Come Out of Painful Places After they were severely beaten, they were thrown into prison and the jailer was commanded to guard them securely.


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Paul and Silas, undaunted, prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship.


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Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once every prison door flung open and the chains of all the prisoners came loose.


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Startled, the jailer awoke and saw every cell door standing open. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself


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The jailer called for a light. When he saw that they were still in their cells, he rushed in and fell trembling at their feet.


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Even though the hour was late, he washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized. He took Paul and Silas into his home and set them at his table and fed them.


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At daybreak, the magistrates sent officers to the prison with orders to tell the jailer, “Let those two men go.”


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The jailer informed Paul and Silas, “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. So you’re free to go now.”


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But Paul told the officers, “Look, they had us beaten in public, without a fair trial—and we are Roman citizens. Do you think we’re just going to quietly walk away after they threw us in prison and violated all of our rights? Absolutely not! You go back and tell the magistrates that they need to come down here themselves and escort us out!”


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When the officers went back and reported what Paul and Silas had told them, the magistrates were frightened, especially upon hearing that they had beaten two Roman citizens without due process.


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So they went to the prison and apologized to Paul and Silas, begging them repeatedly, saying, “Please leave our city.”


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So Paul and Silas left the prison and went back to Lydia’s house, where they met with the believers and comforted and encouraged them before departing.


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A Riot Breaks Out in Thessalonica After passing through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia, Paul and Silas arrived at Thessalonica.


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As they customarily did, they went to the synagogue to speak to the Jews from the Torah scrolls. For three weeks


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Paul challenged them by explaining the truth and proving to them the reality of the gospel—that the Messiah had to suffer and die, then rise again from among the dead. He made it clear to them, saying, “I come to announce to you that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Messiah!”


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Some of the Jews were convinced that their message was true, so they joined Paul and Silas, along with quite a few prominent women and a large number of Greeks who worshiped God.


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But many of the Jews were motivated by bitter jealousy and formed a large mob out of the troublemakers, unsavory characters, and street gangs to incite a riot. They set out to attack Jason’s house, for he had welcomed the apostles into his home. The mob was after Paul and Silas and sought to take them by force and bring them out to the people.


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When they couldn’t find them, they took Jason instead, along with some of the brothers in his house church, and dragged them before the city council. Along the way they screamed out, “Those troublemakers who have turned the world upside down have come here to our city.


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And now Jason and these men have welcomed them as guests. They’re traitors to Caesar, teaching that there is another king named Jesus.”


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So when Paul and Silas came before the leaders of the city, they refused to let them go until Jason and his men posted bail.


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The Gospel Received in Berea That night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to the city of Berea, where they once again went into the synagogue.


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They found that the Jews of Berea were of more noble character and much more open minded than those of Thessalonica. They were hungry to learn and eagerly received the word. Every day they opened the scrolls of Scripture to search and examine them, to verify that what Paul taught them was true.


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A large number of Jews became believers in Jesus, along with quite a few influential Greek women and men.


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When the news reached the Jews in Thessalonica that Paul was now in Berea, preaching the word of God, the troublemakers went there too and they agitated and stirred up the crowds against him.


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The fellow believers helped Paul slip away to the coast of the Aegean Sea, while Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.


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Those who accompanied Paul sailed with him as far as Athens. Then Paul sent them back to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.


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The Apostle Paul in Athens While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was deeply troubled when he realized that the entire city was full of idols.


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He argued the claims of the gospel with the Jews in their synagogue, and with those who were worshipers of God, and every day he preached in the public square to whomever would listen.


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Philosophers of the teachings of Epicurus, and others called Stoics, debated with Paul. When they heard him speak about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What strange ideas is this babbler trying to present?” Others said, “He’s peddling some kind of foreign religion.”


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So they brought him for a public dialogue before the leadership council of Athens, known as the Areopagus. “Tell us,” they said, “about this new teaching that you’re bringing to our city.


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You’re presenting strange and astonishing things to our ears, and we want to know what it all means.”


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Now, it was the favorite pastime of the Athenians and visitors to Athens to discuss the newest ideas and philosophies.


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Paul Speaks to the Leaders of Athens So Paul stood in the middle of the leadership council and said, “Respected leaders of Athens, it is clear to me how extravagant you are in your worship of idols.


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For as I walked through your city, I was captivated by the many shrines and objects of your worship. I even found an inscription on one altar that read, ‘To the Unknown God.’ I have come to introduce to you this God whom you worship without even knowing anything about him.


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“The true God is the Creator of all things. He is the owner and Lord of the heavenly realm and the earthly realm, and he doesn’t live in man-made temples.


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He supplies life and breath and all things to every living being. He doesn’t lack a thing that we mortals could supply for him, for he has all things and everything he needs.


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From one man, Adam, he made every man and woman and every race of humanity, and he spread us over all the earth. He sets the boundaries of people and nations, determining their appointed times in history.


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He has done this so that every person would long for God, feel their way to him, and find him—for he is the God who is easy to discover!


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It is through him that we live and function and have our identity; just as your own poets have said, ‘Our lineage comes from him.’


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“Since our lineage can be traced back to God, how could we even think that the divine image could be compared to something made of gold, silver, or stone, sculpted by man’s artwork and clever imagination?


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“In the past God tolerated our ignorance of these things, but now the time of deception has passed away. He commands us all to repent and turn to God.


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For the appointed day has risen, in which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man he has designated. And the proof given to the world that God has chosen this Man is this: he resurrected him from among the dead!”


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The moment they heard Paul bring up the topic of resurrection, some of them ridiculed him, then got up and left. But others said, “We want to hear you again later about these things.”


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But there were some who believed the message and joined him from that day forward. Among them were Dionysius, a judge on the leadership council, and a woman named Damaris.


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where he met a Jewish man named Aquila, who was originally from northeastern Turkey. He and his wife, Priscilla, had recently emigrated from Italy to Corinth because Emperor Claudius had expelled all the Jews from Rome.


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Since Paul and Aquila were both tentmakers by trade, Paul moved in with them and they became business partners.


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Every Sabbath day Paul spoke openly in the synagogue, to both Jews and non-Jews, attempting to persuade them to believe the message of Jesus.


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When Silas and Timothy finally arrived from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word of God, trying to convince the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.


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When they viciously slandered him and hurled abuse on him, he symbolically shook the dust off his clothes in protest against them. He said to them, “Have it your way then! I am guiltless as to your fate, for the blood-guilt of your actions will be on your own heads, and from now on I will preach to the non-Jews.”


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Leaving the synagogue, Paul went to the home of Titus, a convert to Judaism, for he and his family attended the Jewish meetings and they had all become believers in Jesus.


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Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire family, and many of the Corinthians who heard what had happened believed in the Lord and were baptized.


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One night, the Lord spoke to Paul in a supernatural vision and said, “Don’t ever be afraid. Speak the words that I give you and don’t be intimidated,


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because I am with you. No one will be able to hurt you, for there are many in this city whom I call my own.”


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Paul Brought before the Roman Official Gallio Now, at that time, Gallio was the regional governor who ruled over the Roman province of Achaia, and the Jews turned against Paul and came together to seize him and bring him publicly before the governor’s court.


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They accused him before Gallio, saying, “This man is creating a disturbance by persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our laws.”


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Just as Paul was about to speak in his defense, Gallio interrupted and said, “Wait! If this involved some major crime or fraud, it would be my responsibility to hear the case.


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But this is nothing more than a disagreement among yourselves over semantics and personalities and traditions of your own Jewish laws. Go and settle it yourselves! I refuse to be the judge of these issues.”


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Immediately the crowd turned on Sosthenes, one of the leaders of the synagogue who sided with Paul. They seized him and beat him up right there in the courtroom! But Gallio showed no concern at all over what was happening.


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Priscilla and Aquila After remaining in Corinth several more days, Paul finally bid shalom to the believers and sailed away for the coast of Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before they left, Paul had his head shaved at Cenchrea, because he had taken a vow of dedication.


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When they reached Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila behind, then he went into the synagogue and spoke to the Jews.


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and said farewell to them, adding, “I will come back to you, if it is God’s will, after I go to Jerusalem to observe the feast.” Then he set sail from Ephesus for Caesarea.


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When he arrived there he traveled on to Jerusalem to visit the church and pray for them, then he left for Antioch.


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After spending some time there, Paul continued on through the region of Galatia and Phyrgia in central Turkey. And wherever he went he encouraged and strengthened the believers.


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The Ministry of Apollos A Jewish man by the name of Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He was a native of Alexandria and was recognized as an educated and cultured man. He was powerful in the Scriptures,


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had accepted Jesus, and had been taught about the Lord. He was spiritually passionate for Jesus and a convincing teacher, although he only knew about the baptism of John.


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He fearlessly preached in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos’ teachings, they met with him privately and revealed to him the ways of God more completely.


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Then Apollos, with the encouragement of the believers, went to the province of Achaia. He took a letter of recommendation from the brothers of Ephesus so his ministry would be welcomed in the region. He was a tremendous help to the believers and caused them to increase in grace.


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Apollos boldly and publicly confronted the Jews, vigorously debating them, proving undeniably from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.


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The Apostle Paul in Ephesus While Apollos was ministering in Corinth, Paul traveled on through the regions of Turkey until he arrived in Ephesus, where he found a group of twelve followers of Jesus.


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The first thing he asked them was “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they replied. “We’ve not even heard of a holy spirit.”


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Paul asked, “Then what was the meaning of your baptism?” They responded, “It meant that we would follow John’s teaching.”


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Paul said, “John’s baptism was for those who were turning from their sins, and he taught you to believe in and follow the one who was coming after him: Jesus the Anointed One.”


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And when Paul laid his hands on each of the twelve, the Holy Spirit manifested and they immediately spoke in tongues and prophesied.


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For three months Paul taught openly and fearlessly in the synagogue, arguing persuasively for them to enter into God’s kingdom realm.


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But some of them hardened their hearts and stubbornly refused to believe. When they spoke evil of the Way in front of the congregation, Paul withdrew from them and took the believers with him.


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Every day for over two years, he taught them in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, which resulted in everyone living in the province of Asia, Jews and non-Jews, hearing the prophetic word of the Lord.


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Extraordinary Miracles in Ephesus God kept releasing a flow of extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul.


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Because of this, people took Paul’s handkerchiefs and articles of clothing, even pieces of cloth that had touched his skin, laying them on the bodies of the sick, and diseases and demons left them and they were healed.


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Now, there were seven itinerant Jewish exorcists, sons of Sceva the high priest, who took it upon themselves to use the name and authority of Jesus over those who were demonized. They would say, “We cast you out in the name of the Jesus that Paul preaches!”


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One day, when they said those words, the demon in the man replied, “I know about Jesus, and I recognize Paul, but who do you think you are?”


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Then the demonized man jumped on them and threw them to the ground, beating them mercilessly. He overpowered the seven exorcists until they all ran out of the house naked and badly bruised.


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Revival Breaks Out All of the people in Ephesus were awestruck, both Jews and non-Jews, when they heard about what had happened. Great fear fell over the entire city, and the authority of the name of Jesus was exalted.


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Large numbers of those who had been practicing magic took all of their books and scrolls of spells and incantations and publicly burned them. When the value of all the books and scrolls was calculated, it all came to several million dollars.


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A Riot Breaks Out Paul had it in his heart to go to Jerusalem and, on his way there, to revisit the places in Greece where he had ministered. “After that,” he said, “I have to go to Rome also.”


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So he sent ahead into Macedonia two of his ministry assistants, Timothy and Erastus, while he remained in western Turkey.


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It began with a wealthy man named Demetrius, who had built a large business and enriched many craftsmen by manufacturing silver shrines for the Greek goddess Artemis.


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Demetrius called a meeting of his employees, along with all the various tradespeople of Ephesus, and said, “You know that our prosperous livelihood is being threatened by this Paul, who is persuading crowds of people to turn away from our gods. We make a good living by doing what we do, but everywhere Paul goes, not only here in Ephesus but throughout western Turkey, he convinces people that there’s no such thing as a god made with hands.


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Our businesses are in danger of being discredited. And not only that, but the temple of our great goddess Artemis is being dishonored and seen as worthless. She is the goddess of all of western Turkey and is worshiped in all the world. But if this outrage continues, everyone everywhere will suffer the loss of her magnificent greatness.”


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When the people heard this, they were filled with boiling rage. They shouted over and over, “Artemis, the great goddess of the Ephesians!”


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The entire city was thrown into chaos as everyone rushed into the stadium together, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.


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Some of the high-ranking governmental officials of the region, because they loved him, sent Paul an urgent message, saying, “Whatever you do, don’t step foot into that stadium!”


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The frenzied crowd shouted out one thing, and others shouted something else, until they were all in mass confusion, with many not even knowing why they were there!


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Some of the Jews pushed forward a Jewish man named Alexander to be their spokesman, and different factions of the crowd shouted instructions at him. He stood before the people and motioned for everyone to be quiet so he could be heard.


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But when he began to speak, they realized that he was a Jew, so they shouted him down. For nearly two hours they shouted over and over, “Great is Artemis, the goddess of the Ephesians!”


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Eventually the mayor of the city was able to quiet them down. He said, “Fellow citizens! Who in the world doesn’t know that we are devoted to the great temple of Artemis and to her image that fell from Zeus out of heaven?


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For you have brought these men before us who aren’t guilty of any crime. They are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.


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So if Demetrius and the men of his trade have a case against someone, the courts are open. They can appear before the judge and press charges.


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But if you’re looking for anything further to bring up, it must be argued before the court and settled there, not here.


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Don’t you realize we’re putting our city in danger of being accused of a riot by the Roman authorities? There’s no good explanation we can give them for all this commotion!”


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The Apostle Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece When the uproar finally died down, Paul gathered the believers and encouraged their hearts. He kissed them, said good-bye, and left for Macedonia.


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At every place he passed through, he brought words of great comfort and encouragement to the believers. Then he went on to Greece


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and stayed there for three months. Just as Paul was about to sail for Syria, he learned of a plot against him by the Jews, so he decided to return by going through Macedonia.


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Seven men accompanied him as far as western Turkey. They were Sopater, son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, and Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus from western Turkey.


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As soon as all of the Passover celebrations were over, we sailed from Philippi. After five days we joined the others in Troas, where we stayed another week.


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On Sunday we gathered to take communion and to hear Paul preach. Because he was planning to leave the next day, he continued speaking until past midnight.


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Sitting in an open window listening was a young man named Eutychus. As Paul’s sermon dragged on, Eutychus became drowsy and fell into a deep slumber. Sound asleep, he fell three stories to his death below.


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Paul went downstairs, bent over the boy, and embraced him. Taking him in his arms, he said to all the people gathered, “Stop your worrying. He’s come back to life!”


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Paul went back upstairs, served communion, and ate a meal with them. Then he picked back up where he left off and taught until dawn.


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Paul’s Voyage to Miletus Continuing our journey, we made our way to the ship and sailed for Assos. Paul had previously arranged to meet us there as he traveled overland by foot.


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The next day we crossed over to Chios, and the following day we arrived at the island of Samos. We stayed at Trogyllium, and on the day after that we reached Miletus.


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Paul was in a hurry to arrive in Jerusalem, hoping to make it in time for the Feast of Pentecost, so he decided to bypass Ephesus and not spend any time in that region.


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However, from Miletus Paul had sent a message to the elders of the church in Ephesus and asked them to come meet with him.


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When they arrived, he said to them, “All of you know how I’ve lived and conducted myself while I was with you. From the first day I set foot in western Turkey


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I’ve operated in God’s miracle power with great humility and served you with many tears. I’ve endured numerous ordeals because of the plots of the Jews.


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You know how I’ve taught you in public meetings and in your homes, and that I’ve not held anything back from you that would help you grow.


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And now I am being compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, without really knowing what will happen to me there.


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Yet I know that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after town, saying, ‘Chains and afflictions are prepared for you.’


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“But whether I live or die is not important, for I don’t esteem my life as indispensable. It’s more important for me to fulfill my destiny and to finish the ministry my Lord Jesus has assigned to me, which is to faithfully preach the wonderful news of God’s grace.


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I’ve been a part of your lives and shared with you many times the message of God’s kingdom realm. But now I leave you, and you will not see my face again.


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So guard your hearts. Be true shepherds over all the flock and feed them well. Remember, it was the Holy Spirit who appointed you to guard and oversee the churches that belong to Jesus, the Anointed One, which he purchased and established by his own blood.


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“I know that after I leave, imposters who have no loyalty to the flock will come among you like savage wolves.


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Even some from among your very own ranks will rise up, twisting the truth to seduce people into following them instead of Jesus.


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So be alert and discerning. Remember that for three years, night and day, I’ve never stopped warning each of you, pouring out my heart to you with tears.


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“And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which he provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones.


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You all know that I’ve worked with my hands to meet my own needs and the needs of those who’ve served with me.


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I’ve left you an example of how you should serve and take care of those who are weak. For we must always cherish the words of our Lord Jesus, who taught, ‘Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.’”


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What broke their hearts the most were his words “You will not see my face again.” Then they tearfully accompanied Paul back to the ship.


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Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem After we tore ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed a direct course for the island of Kos, and on the next day to the island of Rhodes, and from there to Patara.


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After we sighted Cyprus and sailed south of it, we docked at Tyre in Syria, where the ship unloaded its cargo.


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When we went ashore we found a number of believers and stayed with them for a week. They prophesied to Paul repeatedly, warning him by the Holy Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.


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When it was time for us to leave and be on our way, everyone—men, women, and children—accompanied us out of the city down to the beach. After we all knelt in the sand and prayed together,


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we kissed one another, said our good-byes, and boarded the ship, while the believers went back to their homes.


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From Tyre we sailed on to the town of Akko and greeted the believers there with peace. We stayed with them for a day.


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Then we went on to Caesarea and stayed for several days in the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven deacons and


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As a prophetic gesture, he took Paul’s belt and tied his own hands and feet with it as he prophesied, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘The one who owns this belt will be tied up in this same way by the Jews and they will hand him over to those who are not Jews.’”


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But Paul replied, “Why do you cry and break my heart with your tears? Don’t you know that I’m prepared not only to be imprisoned but to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the wonder of the name of our Lord Jesus?”


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Because we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said nothing more except “May the will of the Lord be done.”


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with some of the believers from Caesarea accompanying us. They brought us to a village where they introduced us to Mnason, a Cypriot, one of the original disciples, and he offered us hospitality.


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After greeting everyone, Paul explained in detail what God had accomplished through his ministry among the non-Jewish people.


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When they heard Paul’s report, they praised God. And they said to him, “You should know, brother, that there are many tens of thousands of Jews who have also embraced the faith and are passionately keeping the law of Moses.


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But they’ve heard a rumor that you’ve been instructing the Jews everywhere to abandon Moses by telling them they don’t need to circumcise their children or keep our Jewish customs.


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We urge you to follow our suggestion. We have four men here who have taken a vow and are ready to have their heads shaved.


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Now go with them to the temple and sponsor them in their purification ceremony, and pay all their required expenses. Then everyone will know that the rumors they’ve heard are false. They’ll see that you are one who lives according to the law of Moses.


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But in reference to the non-Jewish believers, we’ve sent them a letter with our decision, stating that they should avoid eating meat that has been offered to an idol, or eating blood or any animal that has been strangled, and to avoid sexual immorality.”


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Paul Arrested in Jerusalem The next day, Paul took the four men to the temple and ceremonially purified himself along with them. He publicly gave notice of the date when their vows would end and when sacrifices would be offered for each of them.


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When the seven-day period was almost over, a number of Jews from western Turkey who had seen him in the temple courts stirred up the whole crowd against him. Seizing him,


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they shouted, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everywhere what is contrary to our nation, our law, and this temple. And not only that, but now he brings these non-Jewish men with him into the inner courts of our temple! They have made this sacred place ritually unclean.”


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(For Trophimus, an Ephesian, had been seen previously with him, and they assumed that he entered the inner courts with Paul.)


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This ignited a huge riot in the city as all the people came together to seize Paul and drag him out of the temple courts, closing the gates behind him.


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But as they were about to kill Paul, the news reached the commander of the Roman garrison that the entire city was in an uproar.


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He immediately ran out to the crowd with a large number of his officers and soldiers. When the crowd saw them coming, they stopped beating Paul.


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The commander arrested him and ordered that he be bound with two chains. He then asked, “Who is he and what has he done wrong?”


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Some in the crowd shouted one thing and others something else, just adding to the confusion. Since the commander was unable to get to the truth because of the disturbance, he ordered that Paul be brought back to their headquarters.


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When they reached the steps leading up to the fortress, they had to protect Paul and carry him up because of the violent mob following them,


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As Paul was being led to the entrance of the compound, he said to the commander in Greek, “May I have a word with you?” The commander replied, “So you know Greek, do you?


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Aren’t you that Egyptian fanatic who started a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”


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Paul answered, “I am, in fact, a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a well-known city of southern Turkey where I was born. I beg you, sir, please give me a moment to speak to these people.”


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When the commander gave his permission, Paul stood on the steps and gestured with his hands for the people to listen. When the crowd quieted down, Paul addressed them in Aramaic and said:


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Paul’s Defense “Ladies and gentlemen, fellow believers and elders—please listen to me as I offer my defense.”


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(Now, when everyone realized he was speaking to them in their Judean Aramaic language, the crowd became all the more attentive.)


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Then Paul said, “I am a Jewish man who was born in Tarsus, a city of Turkey. However, I grew up in this city and was properly trained in the Mosaic law and tutored by Rabbi Gamaliel according to our ancestral customs. I’ve been extremely passionate in my desire to please God, just as all of you are today.


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I’ve hunted down and killed the followers of this Way. I have seized them and thrown them into prison, both men and women.


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All of this can be verified by the high priest and the Supreme Council of Elders. For they even wrote letters to our fellow Jews of Damascus, authorizing me to arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.


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“As I was on the road approaching Damascus, about noon, a brilliant heavenly light suddenly appeared, flashing all around me.


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“I answered, ‘Who are you, my Lord?’ “He said to me, ‘I am Jesus, the Victorious. I am the one you are persecuting.’


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“Those who were with me saw the brilliant light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the one who spoke to me.


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“So I asked, ‘Lord, what am I to do?’ “And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about all that you are destined to do.’


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“Because of the dazzling glory of the light, I couldn’t see—I was left blind. So they had to lead me by the hand the rest of the way into Damascus.


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“A Jewish man living there named Ananias came to see me. He was a godly man who lived according to the law of Moses and was highly esteemed by the Jewish community.


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He stood beside me and said, ‘Saul! My brother, Saul—open your eyes and see again!’ At that very instant I opened my eyes and I could see!


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Then he said to me, ‘The God of our ancestors has destined you to know his plan and for you to see the Holy One and to hear his voice.


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For you will be his witness to every race of people and will share with them everything that you’ve seen and heard.


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So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call upon his name.’


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and saw him. He said to me, ‘Hurry and depart from Jerusalem quickly, for the people here will not receive the truths you share about me.’


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“‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they all know that I’m the one who went into our Jewish meetings to find those who believe in you and had them beaten and imprisoned.


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When the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I stood nearby in full approval of what was happening. I even guarded the cloaks of those who stoned him to death.’


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The crowd listened attentively to Paul up to this point. But when they heard this, all at once they erupted with loud shouts, saying, “Get rid of this man! Kill him! He doesn’t deserve to live!”


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The Roman Commander Interrogates Paul While the crowd was screaming and yelling, removing their outer garments, and throwing handfuls of dust in the air in protest,


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the commander had Paul brought back into the compound. He ordered that he be whipped with a lash and interrogated to find out what he said that so infuriated the crowd.


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When the soldiers stretched Paul out with ropes, he said to the captain, who was standing nearby, “Is it legal for you to torture a Roman citizen like this, without a proper trial?”


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When the officer heard this, he immediately went to his commander and reported it, saying, “This man is a Roman citizen. What should we do now?”


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The commander came to Paul and asked him, “Tell me the truth, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes I am,” he replied.


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The commander said, “I had to purchase my citizenship with a great sum of money.” Paul replied, “I was born as a citizen!”


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All of the soldiers who were about to whip Paul backed away, because they were afraid of the consequences for tying up and holding a Roman citizen against his will.


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The next day the commander ordered that the high priest and the supreme Jewish council be convened, because he wanted to find out exactly why the Jews were accusing Paul. So he had him untied and brought out to stand before them all.


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Paul before the Supreme Council Paul fixed his eyes on the members of the council and said, “My brothers, up to this day I have lived my life before God with a perfectly clear conscience.”


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At that moment, Ananias the high priest ordered those standing near Paul to strike him in the mouth.


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Paul responded, “God is going to strike you, you corrupt pretender! For you sit there judging me according to the law, yet you broke the law when you ordered me to be struck.”


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Paul answered, “I had no idea, brothers, that he was the high priest. For the Scriptures say, ‘Do not curse the ruler of your people.’”


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Just then Paul realized that part of the council were Sadducees, who deny the resurrection of the dead, and others were of the separated ones. So he shouted, “My fellow Jews, I am a separated one, and the son of a separated one. That’s why I’m on trial here. It’s because of the hope I have that the dead will rise to live again.”


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When he said this, a heated argument started among them, dividing the council between the Sadducees and the separated ones.


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Paul knew that the Sadducees teach there is no resurrection and do not believe in angels or spirits, but the separated ones believe in them all.


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This sparked an even greater uproar among them. Finally, some of the separated ones who were religious scholars stood up and protested strongly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man. It could be that the Spirit has spoken to him or an angel came to him.”


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When the shouting match became intense, the commander, fearing they would tear Paul to pieces, intervened and ordered his soldiers to go in to their meeting and seize him and take him back to their headquarters.


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That night our Lord appeared to Paul and stood before him and said, “Receive miracle power. For just as you have spoken for me in Jerusalem, you will also speak for me in Rome.”


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The Plot to Kill Paul The next day, more than forty Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath to have no food or water until they had killed Paul.


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They went to the high priest and the elders to divulge their plans and said to them, “We have united in a solemn oath not to eat or drink until Paul is dead.


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So we urge you to have the commander bring him to you as though you were to determine his case with a more thorough inquiry. And we will kill him before he even gets here!”


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When Paul’s nephew, his sister’s son, overheard their plot to kill him, he came to the headquarters and informed him of their plans.


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Paul called for one of the captains and said, “Take this boy to the commander, for he has something important to report to him.”


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The captain took him to the commander and informed him, “Paul the prisoner asked me to bring this boy to you because he has something important for you to know.”


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The commander took him by the arm and led him aside in private and asked him, “What do you have to tell me?”


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He replied, “The Jews have plotted to kill Paul. Tomorrow they will ask you to bring him again to the supreme council under the pretense of wanting to question him further.


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Don’t believe them, because they have forty men lying in wait to ambush Paul. These men have sworn an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They’re all waiting for you to agree to their request so they can carry out their plot.”


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The commander dismissed Paul’s nephew after directing him, “Tell no one that you’ve reported these things to me.”


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Then he summoned two of his captains and said to them, “I want you to take Paul by horseback to Caesarea tonight at nine o’clock. Dispatch two hundred infantrymen, seventy horsemen, and another two hundred spearmen to provide security and deliver him safely to Governor Felix.”


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I rescued this man, who was seized by the Jews as they were about to put him to death. I intervened with my troops because I understand that he is a Roman citizen.


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I was determined to learn exactly what charge they were accusing him of, so I brought him to stand before the Jewish supreme council.


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I discovered that he was being accused with reference to violating controversial issues about their law, but I found no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.


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When I was informed of an imminent plot to kill him, I sent him to you at once, and I have ordered his accusers to also come before you and state their charges against him. Sincerely, Claudius Lysias


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The soldiers carried out their orders and escorted Paul during the night until they reached the city of Antipatris.


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The next day the horsemen continued on with Paul and the rest of the soldiers were dismissed to return to their headquarters.


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Upon their arrival in Caesarea, they presented the letter to the governor and brought Paul before him.


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After reading the letter, he asked Paul what province he was from. Paul answered, “Southeast Turkey.”


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The governor said, “I will give you a full hearing when your accusers arrive here also.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.


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Paul’s Trial before Felix Five days later, Ananias the high priest arrived in Caesarea, accompanied by some Jewish elders and Tertullus, their prosecuting attorney. They were brought before the governor to present formal charges against Paul.


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“Your Excellency Felix, under the shadow of your wise leadership we Jews have experienced a long period of peace. Because of your wise foresight, many reforms are coming to pass in our nation because of you, Most Honorable Felix. We deeply appreciate this and thank you very much.


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“So that I won’t weary you with a lengthy presentation, I beg you to hear our brief summary, with your customary graciousness.


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For we have found this man to be a contagious plague, a seditious man who continually stirs up riots among the Jews all over the world. He has become a ringleader of the sect known as the Nazarenes.


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He has even attempted to desecrate our temple, which is why we had him arrested. We sought to judge him according to our law,


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but Commander Lysias came with great force, snatched him away from our hands, and sent him here to you.


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He has ordered his accusers to come to you so that you could interrogate him and ascertain for yourself that all these charges we are bringing against him are true.”


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Paul’s Defense before Felix The governor motioned that it was Paul’s turn to speak, so he began to answer the accusations. “Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly respond in my defense.


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No one found me arguing with anyone or causing trouble among the people in the synagogues or in the temple or anywhere in the city.


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“But I do confess this to you: I worship the God of our Jewish ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. For I believe everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets.


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And my hope is in God, the same hope that even my accusers have embraced, the hope of a resurrection from the dead of both the righteous and the unrighteous.


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“After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I returned to bring to my people gifts for the poor.


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I was in the temple, ritually purified and presenting my offering to God, when they seized me. I had no noisy crowd around me, and I wasn’t causing trouble or making any kind of disturbance whatsoever.


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It was a group of Jews from western Turkey who were being unruly; they are the ones who should be here now to bring their charges if they have anything against me.


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Or at least these men standing before you should clearly state what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the Jewish supreme council,


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unless it’s the one thing I passionately spoke out when I stood among them. I am on trial today only because of my belief in the resurrection of the dead.”


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Felix, who was well acquainted with the facts about the Way, concluded the hearing with these words: “I will decide your case after Commander Lysias arrives.”


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He then ordered the captain to keep Paul in protective custody, but to give him a measure of freedom, he allowed any of his friends to visit him and help take care of his needs.


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Paul Speaks to Felix and Drusilla Several days later, Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. They sent for Paul and listened as he shared with them about faith in Jesus, the Anointed One.


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As Paul spoke about true righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified and said, “Leave me for now. I’ll send for you later when it’s more convenient.”


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He expected to receive a bribe from Paul for his release, so for that reason he would send for Paul from time to time to converse with him.


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Two years later, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Before he left office he decided to leave Paul in prison as a political favor to the Jews.


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Paul Appeals to Caesar Three days after Festus assumed his duties in Caesarea, he made the journey to Jerusalem.


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Religious authorities and prominent leaders among the Jews brought formal charges against Paul before Festus.


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They came asking him for a favor—that he would transfer Paul from Caesarea to Jerusalem—all the while plotting to ambush and kill Paul along the way.


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He told them, “Your leaders can come with me to Caesarea. If this man has broken any laws, you can bring charges against him there.”


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After Festus had stayed in Jerusalem no more than eight to ten days, he left for Caesarea. The day after he arrived, he convened the court and took his seat on the bench as judge over the proceedings. After he ordered Paul brought into the courtroom,


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the Jewish leaders who came from Jerusalem encircled him and leveled against him many serious charges, which they were unable to substantiate.


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In his defense, Paul said by the Holy Spirit, “I have done nothing wrong. I’ve committed no offense against Jewish law, or against the temple, or against Caesar.”


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Festus, because he wanted to curry favor with the Jews, asked Paul, “Are you willing to go with me to Jerusalem and be tried for these charges?”


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Paul replied, “I am standing here before Caesar’s tribunal. This is where I should be tried. As you well know, I have done no harm to the Jews.


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If I have committed a crime worthy of death, I won’t seek to escape the death penalty. But if none of their charges are true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”


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After conferring with the members of his council, Festus replied, “Since you have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you will go!”


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Festus and King Agrippa Several days later, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea for a visit with Festus.


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During their stay of many days, Festus explained Paul’s situation to the king to get his opinion on the matter, saying, “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.


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When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and demanded that I issue a guilty verdict against him.


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I explained to them that it is not our Roman custom to condemn any man before he has an opportunity to face his accusers and present his defense.


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So they returned here with me. I didn’t postpone the trial, but convened the court the very next day and ordered the man to be brought before me.


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I listened to their accusations against him, but they were not what I expected to hear, for he had committed no crime.


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Rather, their issues centered around disagreements with him over their religion, and about a dead man named Jesus, who Paul claimed was alive.


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Because I was perplexed about how to proceed, I asked him if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to stand trial on these charges.


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When Paul appealed his case to the emperor for a decision, I ordered him to be held in custody until I could send him to Caesar.”


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King Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to listen to this man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he replied, “you will have that opportunity.”


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Paul before King Agrippa The next day King Agrippa and Bernice entered the audience hall with much pomp and pageantry. Accompanying them were the senior military officers and prominent citizens. Festus ordered that Paul be brought before them all.


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Then Festus said, “King Agrippa, and esteemed guests, here is the man whom the entire Jewish community, both here and in Jerusalem, has asked me to condemn to death. They have screamed and shouted at me, demanding that I end his life.


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Yet upon investigation I couldn’t find one thing that he has done to deserve the death penalty. When he appealed to His Majesty the emperor, I determined to send him.


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But I have nothing concrete to write to His Majesty, so I have now brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa. After this preliminary hearing I should have something to write,


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Paul’s Defense before King Agrippa King Agrippa said to Paul, “You may now state your case.” Paul motioned with his hand for silence, then began his defense.


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“King Agrippa, I consider myself highly favored to stand before you today and answer the charges made against me by the Jews.


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Because you, more than anyone else, are very familiar with the customs and controversies among the Jewish people, I now ask for your patience as I state my case.


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“All the Jews know how I have been raised as a young man, living among my own people from the beginning and in Jerusalem.


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If my accusers are willing to testify, they must admit that they’ve known me all along as a Pharisee, a member of the most strict and orthodox sect within Judaism.


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This is the promise the twelve tribes of our people hope to see fulfilled as they sincerely strive to serve God with prayers night and day. “So, Your Highness, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me.


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And how should you judge this matter? Why is it that any of you think it unbelievable that God raises the dead?


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And that’s exactly what I did in Jerusalem, for I not only imprisoned many of the holy believers by the authority of the chief priests, I also cast my vote against them, sentencing them to death.


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I punished them often in every Jewish meeting hall and attempted to force them to blaspheme. I boiled with rage against them, hunting them down in distant foreign cities to persecute them.


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While traveling on the road at noon, Your Highness, I saw a light brighter than the sun flashing from heaven all around me and those who were with me.


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We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? You are only hurting yourself when you resist your calling.’


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Get up and stand to your feet, for I have appeared to you to reveal your destiny and to commission you as my assistant. You will be a witness to what you have seen and to the things I will reveal whenever I appear to you.


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I will rescue you from the persecution of your own people and from the hostility of the other nations that I will send you to.


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And you will open their eyes to their true condition, so that they may turn from darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan to the power of God. By placing their faith in me they will receive the total forgiveness of sins and be made holy, taking hold of the inheritance that I give to my children!’


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For it was in Damascus that I first declared the truth. And then I went to Jerusalem and throughout our nation, and even to other nations, telling people everywhere that they must repent and turn to God and demonstrate it with a changed life.


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“But in spite of all this, I have experienced the supernatural help of God up to this very moment. So I’m standing here saying the same thing that I’ve shared with everyone, from the least to the greatest. For I teach nothing but what


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Moses and the prophets have said was destined to happen: that our Messiah had to suffer and die and be the first to rise from the dead, to release the bright light of truth both to our people and to the non-Jewish nations.”


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Festus interrupted Paul’s defense, blurting out, “You’re out of your mind! All this great learning of yours is driving you crazy.”


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King Agrippa, I know I can speak frankly and freely with you, for you understand these matters well, and none of these things have escaped your notice. After all, it’s not like it was a secret!


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Paul replied, “I pray to God that both you and those here listening to me would one day become the same as I am, except, of course, without these chains.”


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As they were leaving the chamber, they commented to one another, “This man has done nothing that deserves death or even imprisonment.”


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Paul Sails to Italy When it was decided that we were to sail for Italy, Festus handed over Paul and a number of other prisoners to the custody of a Roman officer named Julius, a member of the imperial guard.


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We went on board a ship from the port of Adramyttium that was planning to stop at various ports along the coast of southwestern Turkey. We put out to sea and were accompanied by Aristarchus from Thessalonica in Macedonia.


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The next day we docked at Sidon, and Julius, being considerate of Paul, allowed him to disembark and be refreshed by his friends living there.


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From there we put out to sea, but because the winds were against us, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus.


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After sailing across the open sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we docked at the port of Myra in Lycia.


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While we were there, the commanding officer found an Egyptian ship from Alexandria that was bound for Italy, and he put us on board.


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We made little headway for several days, and with difficulty we made it to Knidus. The strong winds kept us from holding our course, so from there we sailed along the lee of Crete, opposite Cape Salome.


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We remained there a long time, until we passed the day of the Jewish fast. Paul advised the frightened sailors that they should not put out to sea in such dangerous weather, saying,


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“Men, I can see that our voyage would be disastrous for us and bring great loss, not only to our ship and cargo but also to our own lives. We should remain here.”


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But the officer in charge was persuaded more by the ship’s helmsman and captain than he was by Paul.


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So the majority decided to put out to sea, since Fair Haven was an exposed harbor and not suitable to winter in. They had hoped to somehow reach the Cretan port of Phineka, which was a more suitable port because it was facing south.


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When a gentle south breeze began to blow, they assumed they could make it, so they pulled up anchor and sailed close to Crete.


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But it wasn’t long before the weather abruptly worsened and a storm of hurricane force called the Nor’ easter tore across the island and blew us out to sea.


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The sailors weren’t able to turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it be driven by the gale winds.


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As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were barely able to get the ship’s lifeboat under control,


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so the crew hoisted the dinghy aboard. The sailors used ropes and cables to undergird the ship, fearing they would run aground on the shoals of Syrtis. They lowered the drag anchor to slow its speed and let the ship be driven along.


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After many days of seeing neither the sun nor the stars, and with the violent storm continuing to rage against us, all hope of ever getting through it alive was abandoned.


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After being without food for a long time, Paul stepped before them all and said, “Men, you should have obeyed me and avoided all of this pain and suffering by not leaving Crete.


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contenido:
For God’s angel visited me last night, the angel of my God, the God I passionately serve. He came and stood in front of me


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and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You are destined to stand trial before Caesar. And because of God’s favor on you, he has given you the lives of everyone who is sailing with you.’


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On the fourteenth night of being tossed about the Adriatic Sea, about midnight, the sailors sensed we were approaching land.


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So they took soundings and discovered that the water was about 120 feet deep. After sailing a short distance, they again took soundings and found it was only ninety feet deep.


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Fearing we would be dashed against a rocky coast, they dropped four anchors from the stern and waited for morning to come.


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Some sailors pretended to go down to drop anchors from the bow when in fact they wanted to lower the lifeboat into the sea and escape, abandoning ship.


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Paul said to the Roman officer and his soldiers, “Unless you all stay together onboard the ship, you have no chance of surviving.”


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Just before daybreak, Paul urged everyone to eat. He said, “Today makes two full weeks that you’ve been in fearful peril and hunger, unable to eat a thing.


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Paul Is Shipwrecked When daylight came, the sailors didn’t recognize the land, but they noticed a cove with a sandy beach, so they decided to run the ship ashore.


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They cut away the anchors, leaving them in the sea, untied the ropes holding the rudders, and hoisted the foresail to the breeze to head for the beach.


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But they drifted into the rocky shoals between two depths of the sea, causing the ship to flounder still a distance from shore. The bow was stuck fast, jammed on the rocks, while the stern was being smashed by the pounding of the surf.


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But the Roman officer was determined to bring Paul safely through, so he foiled their attempts. He commanded the prisoners and crew who could swim to jump overboard and swim ashore.


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The rest all managed to survive by clinging to planks and broken pieces of the ship, so that everyone scrambled to the shore uninjured.


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Paul on the Island of Malta After we had safely reached land, we discovered that the island we were on was Malta.


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The people who lived there showed us extraordinary kindness, for they welcomed us around the fire they had built because it was cold and rainy.


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When Paul had gathered an armful of brushwood and was setting it on the fire, a venomous snake was driven out by the heat and latched onto Paul’s hand with its fangs.


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When the islanders saw the snake dangling from Paul’s hand, they said to one another, “No doubt about it, this guy is a murderer. Even though he escaped death at sea, Justice has now caught up with him!”


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contenido:
Everyone watched him, expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After observing him for a long time and seeing that nothing unusual happened, they changed their minds and said, “He must be a god!”


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The Roman governor of the island, named Publius, had his estate nearby. He graciously welcomed us as his houseguests and showed us hospitality for the three days that we stayed with him.


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His father lay sick in bed, suffering from fits of high fever and dysentery. So Paul went into his room, and after praying, placed his hands on him. He was instantly healed.


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When the people of the island heard about this miracle, they brought all the sick to Paul, and they were also healed.


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The islanders honored us greatly, and when we were preparing to set sail again, they gave us all the supplies we needed for our journey.


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Paul Reaches Rome After three months we put out to sea on an Egyptian ship from Alexandria that had wintered at the island. The ship had carved on its prow as its emblem the “Heavenly Twins.”


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From there we set sail for the Italian city of Rhegium. The day after we landed, a south wind sprang up that enabled us to reach Puteoli in two days.


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There we found some believers, who begged us to stay with them for a week. Afterward, we made our way to Rome.


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When the believers were alerted we were coming, they came out to meet us at the Forum of Appius while we were still a great distance from Rome. Another group met us at the Three Taverns. When Paul saw the believers, his heart was greatly encouraged and he thanked God.


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When we finally entered Rome, Paul was turned over to the authorities and was allowed to live where he pleased, with one soldier assigned to guard him.


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Paul Speaks to Prominent Jews of Rome After three days Paul called together all the prominent members of the Jewish community of Rome. When they had all assembled, Paul said to them, “My fellow Jews, while I was in Jerusalem, I was handed over as a prisoner of the Romans for prosecution, even though I had done nothing against any of our people or our Jewish customs.


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After hearing my case, the Roman authorities wanted to release me since they found nothing that deserved a death sentence.


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When the Jews objected to this, I felt it necessary, with no malice against them, to appeal to Caesar.


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This, then, is the reason I’ve asked to speak with you, so that I could explain these things. It is only because I believe in the Hope of Israel that I am in chains before you.”


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They replied, “We haven’t received any letters from the Jews of Judea, nor has anyone come to us with a bad report about you.


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But we are anxious to hear you present your views regarding this Christian sect we’ve been hearing about, for people everywhere are speaking against it.”


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So they set a time to meet with Paul. On that day an even greater crowd gathered where he was staying. From morning until evening Paul taught them, opening up the truths of God’s kingdom realm. With convincing arguments from both the Law and the Prophets, he tried to persuade them about Jesus.


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still unable to agree among themselves. They were about to leave when Paul made one last statement to them: “The Holy Spirit stated it well when he spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah:,


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‘I send you to this people to say to them, “You will keep learning, but not understanding. You will keep staring at truth but not perceiving it.


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For your hearts are hard and insensitive to me—you must be hard of hearing! For you’ve closed your eyes so that you won’t be troubled by the truth, and you’ve covered your ears so that you won’t have to listen and be pierced by what I say. For then you would have to respond and repent, so that I could heal your hearts.”’


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“So listen well. This wonderful salvation given by God is now being presented to the non-Jewish nations, and they will believe and receive it!”


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He continued to proclaim to all the truths of God’s kingdom realm, teaching them about the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, speaking triumphantly and without any restriction.


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Paul, a loving and loyal servant of the Anointed One, Jesus. He called me to be his apostle and set me apart with a mission to reveal God’s wonderful gospel.


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I write this letter to all his beloved chosen ones in Rome, for you have been divinely summoned to be holy in his eyes. May his joyous grace and total well-being, flowing from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, rest upon you.


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My commission is to preach the good news. Yet it is not entirely new, but the fulfillment of the hope promised to us through the many prophecies found in the sacred Scriptures.


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but as the mighty Son of God he was raised from the dead and miraculously set apart with a display of triumphant power supplied by the Spirit of Holiness. And now Jesus is our Lord and our Messiah.


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Through him a joy-producing grace cascaded into us, empowering us with the gift of apostleship, so that we can win people from every nation into a faithful commitment to Jesus, to bring honor to his name.


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Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome I give thanks to God for all of you, because it’s through your conversion to Jesus Christ, that the testimony of your strong, persistent faith is spreading throughout the world.


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And God knows that I pray for you continually and at all times. For I passionately serve and worship him with my spirit in the gospel of his Son.


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contenido:
My desire and constant prayer is that I would be able to come and visit you, according to the plan and timing of God.


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contenido:
I yearn to come and be face-to-face with you and get to know you. For I long to impart to you the gift of the Spirit that will empower you to stand strong in your faith.


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Now, this means that when we come together and are side by side, something wonderful will be released. We can expect to be co-encouraged and co-comforted by each other’s faith!


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So, my dear brothers and sisters, please don’t interpret my failure to visit you as indifference, because many times I’ve intended to come but have not been released to do so up to now. For I long to enjoy a harvest of spiritual fruit among you, like I have experienced among the nations.


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Love obligates me to preach to everyone, to those who are among the elite and those who are among the outcasts, to those who are wise and educated as well as to those who are foolish and unlearned.


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contenido:
The Gospel of Power I refuse to be ashamed of sharing the wonderful message of God’s liberating power unleashed in us through Christ! For I am thrilled to preach that everyone who believes is saved—the Jew first, and then people everywhere!


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contenido:
This gospel unveils a continual revelation of God’s righteousness—a perfect righteousness given to us when we believe. And it moves us from receiving life through faith, to the power of living by faith. This is what the Scripture means when it says: “We are right with God through life-giving faith!”


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God Reveals His Wrath For God in heaven unveils his holy anger breaking forth against every form of sin, both toward ungodliness that lives in hearts and evil actions. For the wickedness of humanity deliberately smothers the truth and keeps people from acknowledging the truth about God.


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In reality, the truth of God is known instinctively, for God has embedded this knowledge inside every human heart.


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contenido:
Opposition to truth cannot be excused on the basis of ignorance, because from the creation of the world, the invisible qualities of God’s nature have been made visible, such as his eternal power and transcendence. He has made his wonderful attributes easily perceived, for seeing the visible makes us understand the invisible. So then, this leaves everyone without excuse.


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Throughout human history the fingerprints of God were upon them, yet they refused to honor him as God or even be thankful for his kindness. Instead, they entertained corrupt and foolish thoughts about what God was like. This left them with nothing but misguided hearts, steeped in moral darkness.


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For only a fool would trade the unfading splendor of the immortal God to worship the fading image of other humans, idols made to look like people, animals, birds, and even creeping reptiles!


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contenido:
This is why God lifted off his restraining hand and let them have full expression of their sinful and shameful desires. They were given over to moral depravity, dishonoring their bodies by sexual perversion among themselves—


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contenido:
all because they traded the truth of God for a lie. They worshiped and served the things God made rather than the God who made all things—glory and praises to him for eternity of eternities! Amen!


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contenido:
For this reason God gave them over to their own disgraceful and vile passions. Enflamed with lust for one another, men and women ignored the natural order and exchanged normal sexual relations for homosexuality. Women engaged in lesbian conduct, and men committed shameful acts with men, receiving in themselves the due penalty for their deviation.


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And because they thought it was worthless to embrace the true knowledge of God, God gave them over to a worthless mind-set, to break all rules of proper conduct.


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Their sinful lives became full of every kind of evil, wicked schemes, greed, and cruelty. Their hearts overflowed with jealous cravings, and with conflict and strife, which drove them into hateful arguments and murder. They are deceitful liars full of hostility. They are gossips


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who love to spread malicious slander. With inflated egos they hurl hateful insults at God, yet they are nothing more than arrogant boasters. They are rebels against their parents and totally immoral.


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Although they are fully aware of God’s laws and proper order, and knowing that those who do all of these things deserve to die, yet they still go headlong into darkness, encouraging others to do the same and applauding them when they do!


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God Judges Sin No matter who you are, before you judge the wickedness of others, you had better remember this: you are also without excuse, for you too are guilty of the same kind of things! When you judge others, and then do the same things they do, you condemn yourself.


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We know that God’s judgment falls upon those who practice these things. God is always right, because he has all the facts.


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And no matter who you think you are, when you judge others who do these things and then do the same things yourself, what makes you think that you will escape God’s judgment?


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Do the riches of his extraordinary kindness make you take him for granted and despise him? Haven’t you experienced how kind and understanding he has been to you? Don’t mistake his tolerance for acceptance. Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance?


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But because of your calloused heart and refusal to change direction, you are piling up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.


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For those living in constant goodness and doing what pleases him, seeking an unfading glory and honor and imperishable virtue, will experience eternal life.


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But those governed by selfishness and self-promotion, whose hearts are unresponsive to God’s truth and would rather embrace unrighteousness, will experience the fullness of wrath.


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But when we do what pleases God, we can expect unfading glory, true honor, and a continual peace—to the Jew first and also to the non-Jew,


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When people who have never been exposed to the laws of Moses commit sin, they will still perish for what they do. And those who are under the law of Moses and fail to obey it are condemned by the law.


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For it’s not merely knowing the law that makes you right with God, but doing all that the law says that will cause God to pronounce you innocent.


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God’s Judgment For example, whenever people who don’t possess the law as their birthright commit sin, it still confirms that a “law” is present in their conscience. For when they instinctively do what the law requires, that becomes a “law” to govern them, even though they don’t have Mosaic law.


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It demonstrates that the requirements of the law are woven into their hearts. They know what is right and wrong, for their conscience validates this “law” in their heart. Their thoughts correct them in one instance and commend them in another.


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So this judgment will be revealed on the day when God, through Jesus the Messiah, judges the hidden secrets of people’s hearts. And their response to the gospel I preach will be the standard of judgment used in that day.


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The Jewish Religion Will Not Save You Now, you claim to be a Jew because you lean upon your trust in the law and boast in your relationship with God.


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And you claim to know the will of God, and to have the moral high ground because you’ve been taught the law of Moses.


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You are also confident that you are a qualified guide to those who are “blind,” a shining light to those who live in darkness.


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You are confident that you are a true teacher of the foolish and immature, all because you have the treasury of truth and knowledge in the law of Moses.


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So let me ask you this: Why don’t you practice what you preach? You preach, “Don’t steal!” but are you a thief?


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You are swift to tell others, “Don’t commit adultery!” but are you guilty of adultery? You say, “I hate idolatry and false gods!” but do you withhold from the true God what is due him?


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For your actions seem to fulfill what is written: “God’s precious name is cursed among the nations because of you.”


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You trust in the covenant sign of circumcision, yet circumcision only has value if you faithfully keep the teachings of the law. But if you violate the law, you have invalidated your circumcision.


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And if the uncircumcised one faithfully keeps the law, won’t his obedience make him more “Jewish” than the actual rite of circumcision?


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And won’t the one who has never had the knife cut his foreskin be your judge when you break the law?


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You are not a Jew if it’s only superficial—for it’s more than the surgical cut of a knife that makes you Jewish.


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But you are Jewish because of the inward act of spiritual circumcision—a radical change that lays bare your heart. It’s not by the principle of law, but by power of the Holy Spirit. For then your praise will not come from people, but from God himself!


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God’s Righteousness So then what is the importance of circumcision, and what advantage is there of being a Jew?


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Actually, there are numerous advantages. Most important, God distinguished the Jews from all other people by entrusting them with the revelation of his prophetic promises.


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But what if some were unfaithful to their divine calling? Does their unbelief weaken God’s faithfulness?


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Absolutely not! God will always be proven faithful and true to his word, while people are proven to be liars. This will fulfill what was written in the Scriptures: Your words will always be vindicated and you will rise victorious when you are being tried by your critics!


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But what if our wrong shows how right God is? Doesn’t our bad serve the purpose of making God look good? (Of course, I’m only speaking from a human viewpoint.) Would that infer that God is unfair when he displays his anger against wrongdoing?


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So, if my lie brings into sharp contrast the brightness of God’s truth, and if my lie accentuates his glory, then why should I be condemned as a sinner?


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Is it proper for us to sin, just so we can be forgiven? May it never be! Yet there are some who slander us and claim that is what we teach. They deserve to be condemned for even saying it!


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Universal Sinfulness So, are we to conclude then that we Jews are superior to all others? Certainly not! For we have already proven that both Jews and gentiles are all under the bondage of sin.


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And the Scriptures agree, for it is written: There is no one who always does what is right, no, not even one!


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All have deliberately wandered from God’s ways. All have become depraved and unfit. Kindness has disappeared from them all, not even one is good.


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Their words release a stench, like the smell of death—foul and filthy! Deceitful lies roll off their tongues. The venom of a viper drips from their lips.


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Now, we realize that everything the law says is addressed to those who are under its authority. This is for two reasons: So that every excuse will be silenced, with no boasting of innocence. And so that the entire world will be held accountable to God’s standards.


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For by the merit of observing the law no one earns the status of being declared righteous before God, for it is the law that fully exposes and unmasks the reality of sin.


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The Gospel Reveals God’s Righteousness But now, independently of the law, the righteousness of God is tangible and brought to light through Jesus, the Anointed One. This is the righteousness that the Scriptures prophesied would come. It is God’s righteousness made visible through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And now all who believe in him receive that gift. For there is really no difference between us,


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Yet through his powerful declaration of acquittal, God freely gives away his righteousness. His gift of love and favor now cascades over us, all because Jesus, the Anointed One, has liberated us from the guilt, punishment, and power of sin!


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Jesus’ God-given destiny was to be the sacrifice to take away sins, and now he is our mercy seat because of his death on the cross. We come to him for mercy, for God has made a provision for us to be forgiven by faith in the sacred blood of Jesus. This is the perfect demonstration of God’s justice, because until now, he had been so patient—holding back his justice out of his tolerance for us. So he covered over the sins of those who lived prior to Jesus’ sacrifice.


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And when the season of tolerance came to an end, there was only one possible way for God to give away his righteousness and still be true to both his justice and his mercy—to offer up his own Son. So now, because we stand on the faithfulness of Jesus, God declares us righteous in his eyes!


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Where, then, is there room for boasting? Do our works bring God’s acceptance? Not at all! It was not our works of keeping the law but our faith in his finished work that makes us right with God.


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So our conclusion is this: God’s wonderful declaration that we are righteous in his eyes can only come when we put our faith in Christ, and not in keeping the law.


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The God of All the People After all, is God the God of the Jews only, or is he equally the God for all of humanity? Of course, he’s the God of all people!


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Since there is only one God, he will treat us all the same—he eliminates our guilt and makes us right with him by faith no matter who we are.


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Does emphasizing our faith invalidate the law? Absolutely not. Instead, our faith establishes the role the law should rightfully have.


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Abraham’s Faith Let me use Abraham as an example. It is clear that humanly speaking, he was the founder of Judaism. What was his experience of being made right with God?


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Was it by his good works of keeping the law? No. For if it was by the things he did, he would have something to boast about, but no one boasts before God.


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Listen to what the Scriptures say: Because Abraham believed God’s words, his faith transferred God’s righteousness into his account.


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But no one earns God’s righteousness. It can only be transferred when we no longer rely on our own works, but believe in the one who powerfully declares the ungodly to be righteous in his eyes. It is faith that transfers God’s righteousness into your account!


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David’s Faith Even King David himself speaks to us regarding the complete wholeness that comes inside a person when God’s powerful declaration of righteousness is heard over our life. Apart from our works, God’s work is enough.


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Here’s what David says: What happy fulfillment is ahead for those whose rebellion has been forgiven and whose sins are covered by blood.


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What happy progress comes to them when they hear the Lord speak over them, “I will never hold your sins against you!”


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Now, think about it. Does this happiness come only to the Jews, or is it available to all who believe? Our answer is this: faith was credited to Abraham as God’s righteousness!


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How did he receive this gift of righteousness? Was he circumcised at the time God accepted him, or was he still uncircumcised? Clearly, he was an uncircumcised gentile when God said this of him!


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It was later that he received the external sign of circumcision as a seal to confirm that God had already transferred his righteousness to him by faith, while he was still uncircumcised. So now this qualifies him to become the father of all who believe among the non-Jewish people. And like their “father of faith,” Abraham, God also transfers his righteousness to them by faith.


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Yes, Abraham is obviously the true father of faith for the Jewish people who are not only circumcised but who walk in the way of faith that our father Abraham displayed before his circumcision.


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The Promise of Faith versus Keeping the Law God promised Abraham and his descendants that they would have an heir who would reign over the world. This royal promise was not fulfilled because Abraham kept all the law, but through the righteousness that was transferred by faith.


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For if keeping the law earns the inheritance, then faith is robbed of its power and the promise becomes useless.


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The promise depends on faith so that it can be experienced as a grace-gift, and now it extends to all the descendants of Abraham. This promise is not only meant for those who obey the law, but also to those who enter into the faith of Abraham, the father of us all.


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That’s what the Scripture means when it says: “I have made you the father of many nations.” He is our example and father, for in God’s presence he believed that God can raise the dead and call into being things that don’t even exist yet.


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Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word, and as a result he became the father of many nations. God’s declaration over him came to pass: “Your descendants will be so many that they will be impossible to count!”


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In spite of being nearly one hundred years old when the promise of having a son was made, his faith was so strong that it could not be undermined by the fact that he and Sarah were incapable of conceiving a child.


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He never stopped believing God’s promise, for he was made strong in his faith to father a child. And because he was mighty in faith and convinced that God had all the power needed to fulfill his promises, Abraham glorified God!


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but also over us. For when we believe and embrace the one who brought our Lord Jesus back to life, perfect righteousness will be credited to our account as well.


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Jesus was handed over to be crucified for the forgiveness of our sins and was raised back to life to prove that he had made us right with God!


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Our New Life Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us.


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Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!


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But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance.


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And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!


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For when the time was right, the Anointed One came and died to demonstrate his love for sinners who were entirely helpless, weak, and powerless to save themselves.


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Now, who of us would dare to die for the sake of a wicked person? We can all understand if someone was willing to die for a truly noble person.


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But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!


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And there is still much more to say of his unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in my sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God.


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So if while we were still enemies, God fully reconciled us to himself through the death of his Son, then something greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion!


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And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living in harmony with God—all because of Jesus Christ!


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The Gift of Grace Greater Than Sin When Adam sinned, the entire world was affected. Sin entered human experience, and death was the result. And so death followed this sin, casting its shadow over all humanity, because all have sinned.


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Sin was in the world before Moses gave the written law, but it was not charged against them where no law existed.


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Yet death reigned as king from Adam to Moses even though they hadn’t broken a command the way Adam had. The first man, Adam, was a picture of the Messiah, who was to come.


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Now, there is no comparison between Adam’s transgression and the gracious gift that we experience. For the magnitude of the gift far outweighs the crime. It’s true that many died because of one man’s transgression, but how much greater will God’s grace and his gracious gift of acceptance overflow to many because of what one Man, Jesus, the Messiah, did for us!


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And this free-flowing gift imparts to us much more than what was given to us through the one who sinned. For because of one transgression, we are all facing a death sentence with a verdict of “Guilty!” But this gracious gift leaves us free from our many failures and brings us into the perfect righteousness of God—acquitted with the words “Not guilty!”


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Death once held us in its grip, and by the blunder of one man, death reigned as king over humanity. But now, how much more are we held in the grip of grace and continue reigning as kings in life, enjoying our regal freedom through the gift of perfect righteousness in the one and only Jesus, the Messiah!


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In other words, just as condemnation came upon all people through one transgression, so through one righteous act of Jesus’ sacrifice, the perfect righteousness that makes us right with God and leads us to a victorious life is now available to all.


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One man’s disobedience opened the door for all humanity to become sinners. So also one man’s obedience opened the door for many to be made perfectly right with God and acceptable to him.


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So then, the law was introduced into God’s plan to bring the reality of human sinfulness out of hiding. And yet, wherever sin increased, there was more than enough of God’s grace to triumph all the more!


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And just as sin reigned through death, so also this sin-conquering grace will reign as king through righteousness, imparting eternal life through Jesus, our Lord and Messiah!


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The Triumph of Grace over Sin So what do we do, then? Do we persist in sin so that God’s kindness and grace will increase?


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What a terrible thought! We have died to sin once and for all, as a dead man passes away from this life. So how could we live under sin’s rule a moment longer?


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Or have you forgotten that all of us who were immersed into union with Jesus, the Anointed One, were immersed into union with his death?


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Sharing in his death by our baptism means that we were co-buried and entombed with him, so that when the Father’s glory raised Christ from the dead, we were also raised with him. We have been co-resurrected with him so that we could be empowered to walk in the freshness of new life.


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For since we are permanently grafted into him to experience a death like his, then we are permanently grafted into him to experience a resurrection like his and the new life that it imparts.


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Could it be any clearer that our former identity is now and forever deprived of its power? For we were co-crucified with him to dismantle the stronghold of sin within us, so that we would not continue to live one moment longer submitted to sin’s power.


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And if we were co-crucified with the Anointed One, we know that we will also share in the fullness of his life.


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And we know that since the Anointed One has been raised from the dead to die no more, his resurrection life has vanquished death and its power over him is finished.


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For by his sacrifice he died to sin’s power once and for all, but he now lives continuously for the Father’s pleasure.


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So let it be the same way with you! Since you are now joined with him, you must continually view yourselves as dead and unresponsive to sin’s appeal while living daily for God’s pleasure in union with Jesus, the Anointed One.


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Sin’s Reign Is Over Sin is a dethroned monarch; so you must no longer give it an opportunity to rule over your life, controlling how you live and compelling you to obey its desires and cravings.


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So then, refuse to answer its call to surrender your body as a tool for wickedness. Instead, passionately answer God’s call to keep yielding your body to him as one who has now experienced resurrection life! You live now for his pleasure, ready to be used for his noble purpose.


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Remember this: sin will not conquer you, for God already has! You are not governed by law but governed by the reign of the grace of God.


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Grace Frees Us to Serve God What are we to do, then? Should we sin to our hearts’ content since there’s no law to condemn us anymore? What a terrible thought!


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Don’t you realize that grace frees you to choose your own master? But choose carefully, for you surrender yourself to become a servant—bound to the one you choose to obey. If you choose to love sin, it will become your master, and it will own you and reward you with death. But if you choose to love and obey God, he will lead you into perfect righteousness.


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And God is pleased with you, for in the past you were servants of sin, but now your obedience is heart deep, and your life is being molded by truth through the teaching you are devoted to.


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And now you celebrate your freedom from your former master—sin. You’ve left its bondage, and now God’s perfect righteousness holds power over you as his loving servants.


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I’ve used the familiar terms of a “servant” and a “master” to compensate for your weakness to understand. For just as you surrendered your bodies and souls to impurity and lawlessness, which only brought more lawlessness into your lives, so now surrender yourselves as servants of righteousness, which brings you deeper into true holiness.


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For when you were bound as servants to sin, you lived your lives free from any obligation to righteousness.


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So tell me, what benefit ensued from doing those things that you’re now ashamed of? It left you with nothing but a legacy of shame and death.


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But now, as God’s loving servants, you live in joyous freedom from the power of sin. So consider the benefits you now enjoy—you are brought deeper into the experience of true holiness that ends with eternal life!


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For sin’s meager wages is death, but God’s lavish gift is life eternal, found in your union with our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.


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Joined to God’s Anointed One I write to you, dear brothers and sisters, who are familiar with the law. Don’t you know that when a person dies, it ends his obligation to the law?


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For example, a married couple is bound by the law to remain together until separated by death. But when one spouse dies, the other is released from the law of the marriage.


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So then if a wife is joined to another man while still married, she commits adultery. But if her husband dies, she is obviously free from the marriage contract and may marry another man without being charged with adultery.


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So, my dear brothers and sisters, the same principle applies to your relationship with God. For you died to your first husband, the law, by being co-crucified with the body of the Messiah. So you are now free to “marry” another—the one who was raised from the dead so that you may now bear spiritual fruit for God.


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When we were merely living natural lives, the law, through defining sin, actually awakened sinful desires within us, which resulted in bearing the fruit of death.


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But now that we have been fully released from the power of the law, we are dead to what once controlled us. And our lives are no longer motivated by the obsolete way of following the written code, so that now we may serve God by living in the freshness of a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit.


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The Purpose of the Law So, what shall we say about all this? Am I suggesting that the law is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that gave us the clear definition of sin. For example, when the law said, “Do not covet,” it became the catalyst to see how wrong it was for me to crave what belongs to someone else.


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It was through God’s commandment that sin was awakened in me and built its base of operation within me to stir up every kind of wrong desire. For in the absence of the law, sin hides dormant.


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I once lived without a clear understanding of the law, but when I heard God’s commandments, sin sprang to life and brought with it a death sentence. The commandment that was intended to bring life brought me death instead.


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Sin, by means of the commandment, built a base of operation within me, to overpower me and put me to death.


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So then, we have to conclude that the problem is not with the law itself, for the law is holy and its commandments are correct and for our good.


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Life under the Law So, did something meant to be good become death to me? Certainly not! It was not the law but sin unmasked that produced my spiritual death. The sacred commandment merely uncovered the evil of sin so it could be seen for what it is.


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For we know that the law is divinely inspired and comes from the spiritual realm, but I am a human being made of flesh and trafficked as a slave under sin’s authority.


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I’m a mystery to myself, for I want to do what is right, but end up doing what my moral instincts condemn.


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And if my behavior is not in line with my desire, my conscience still confirms the excellence of the law.


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And now I realize that it is no longer my true self doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin in my humanity.


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For I know that nothing good lives within the flesh of my fallen humanity. The longings to do what is right are within me, but will-power is not enough to accomplish it.


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So if my behavior contradicts my desires to do good, I must conclude that it’s not my true identity doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin hindering me from being who I really am.


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Through my experience of this principle, I discover that even when I want to do good, evil is ready to sabotage me.


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But I discern another power operating in my humanity, waging a war against the moral principles of my conscience and bringing me into captivity as a prisoner to the “law” of sin—this unwelcome intruder in my humanity.


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What an agonizing situation I am in! So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death?


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I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally provided a way out through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to God’s righteous principles.


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Living by the Power of the Holy Spirit So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One.


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For the “law” of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us from the “law” of sin and death.


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For God achieved what the law was unable to accomplish, because the law was limited by the weakness of human nature. Yet God sent us his Son in human form to identify with human weakness. Clothed with humanity, God’s Son gave his body to be the sin-offering so that God could once and for all condemn the guilt and power of sin.


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So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!


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Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities.


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For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.


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In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to his direction, because it cannot!


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But when the Spirit of Christ empowers your life, you are not dominated by the flesh but by the Spirit. And if you are not joined to the Spirit of the Anointed One, you are not of him.


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Now Christ lives his life in you! And even though your body may be dead because of the effects of sin, his life-giving Spirit imparts life to you because you are fully accepted by God.


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Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!


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So then, beloved ones, the flesh has no claims on us at all, and we have no further obligation to live in obedience to it.


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For when you live controlled by the flesh, you are about to die. But if the life of the Spirit puts to death the corrupt ways of the flesh, we then taste his abundant life.


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Sons and Daughters Destined for Glory The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit.


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And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!”


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For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!”


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And since we are his true children, we qualify to share all his treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit all that he is and all that he has. We will experience being co-glorified with him provided that we accept his sufferings as our own.


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A Glorious Destiny I am convinced that any suffering we endure is less than nothing compared to the magnitude of glory that is about to be unveiled within us.


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The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters!


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For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation,


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all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children.


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To this day we are aware of the universal agony and groaning of creation, as if it were in the contractions of labor for childbirth.


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And it’s not just creation. We who have already experienced the firstfruits of the Spirit also inwardly groan as we passionately long to experience our full status as God’s sons and daughters—including our physical bodies being transformed.


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For this is the hope of our salvation. But hope means that we must trust and wait for what is still unseen. For why would we need to hope for something we already have?


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So because our hope is set on what is yet to be seen, we patiently keep on waiting for its fulfillment.


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And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.


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God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny.


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So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.


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For he knew all about us before we were born and he destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like him.


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Having determined our destiny ahead of time, he called us to himself and transferred his perfect righteousness to everyone he called. And those who possess his perfect righteousness he co-glorified with his Son!


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The Triumph of God’s Love So, what does all this mean? If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us?


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For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.


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Who then would dare to accuse those whom God has chosen in love to be his? God himself is the judge who has issued his final verdict over them—“Not guilty!”


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Who then is left to condemn us? Certainly not Jesus, the Anointed One! For he gave his life for us, and even more than that, he has conquered death and is now risen, exalted, and enthroned by God at his right hand. So how could he possibly condemn us since he is continually praying for our triumph?


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Who could ever separate us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love,


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even though it is written: All day long we face death threats for your sake, God. We are considered to be nothing more than sheep to be slaughtered!


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Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!


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So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love.


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There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!


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Paul’s Love for the Jewish People O Israel, my Jewish family, I feel such great sorrow and heartache for you that never leaves me! God knows these deep feelings within me as I long for you to come to faith in the Anointed One. My conscience will not let me speak anything but the truth.


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For my grief is so intense that I wish that I would be accursed, cut off from the Messiah, if it would mean that you, my people, would come to faith in him! You are Israelites, my fellow citizens, and God’s chosen people. To you belong God’s glorious presence, the covenants, the Torah, the temple with its required sacrifices, and the promises of God.


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We trace our beginnings back to the patriarchs, and through their bloodline is the genealogy of the Messiah, who is God over everything. May he be praised through endless ages! Amen!


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Clearly, God has not failed to fulfill his promises to Israel, for that will never happen! But not everyone who has descended from Israel belongs to Israel.


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Physical descent from Abraham doesn’t guarantee the inheritance, because God has said: “Through Isaac your descendants will be counted as part of your lineage.”


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This confirms that it is not merely the natural offspring of Abraham who are considered the children of God; rather, the children born because of God’s promise are counted as descendants.


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God’s Freedom of Choice Now, this son was our ancestor, Isaac, who, with his wife, Rebekah, conceived twins.


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And before her twin sons were born, God spoke to Rebekah and said: “The oldest will serve the younger.” God spoke these words before the sons had done anything good or bad, which proves that God calls people not on the basis of their good or bad works, but according to his divine purpose.


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He had every right to say to Moses: “I will be merciful to whomever I choose and I will show compassion to whomever I wish.”


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Again, this proves that God’s choice doesn’t depend on how badly someone wants it or tries to earn it, but it depends on God’s kindness and mercy.


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For just as God said to Pharaoh: “I raised you up as ruler of Egypt for this reason, that I might make you an example of how I demonstrate my miracle power. For by the example of how I deal with you, my powerful name will be a message proclaimed throughout the earth!”


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So again we see that it is entirely up to God to show mercy or to harden the hearts of whomever he chooses.


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Well then, one might ask, “If God is in complete control, how could he blame us? For who can resist whatever he wants done?”


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But who do you think you are to second-guess God? How could a human being molded out of clay say to the one who molded him, “Why in the world did you make me this way?”


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Or are you denying the right of the potter to make out of clay whatever he wants? Doesn’t the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay an elegant vase or an ordinary pot?


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And in the same way, although God has every right to unleash his anger and demonstrate his power, yet he is extremely patient with those who deserve wrath—vessels prepared for destruction.


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And doesn’t he also have the right to release the revelation of the wealth of his glory to his vessels of mercy, whom God prepared beforehand to receive his glory?


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Remember the prophecy God gave in Hosea: “To those who were rejected and not my people, I will say to them: ‘You are mine.’ And to those who were unloved I will say: ‘You are my darling.’ ”


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And: “In the place where they were told, ‘You are nobody,’ this will be the very place where they will be renamed ‘Children of the living God.’ ”


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And the prophet Isaiah cries out to Israel: Though the children of Israel are as many as the sands of the seashore, only a remnant will be saved.


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For the Lord Yahweh will act and carry out his word on the earth, and waste no time to accomplish it!


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Just as Isaiah saw it coming and prophesied: If the Lord God of angel armies had not left us a remnant, we would have been destroyed like Sodom and left desolate like Gomorrah!


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Israel’s Unbelief So then, what does all this mean? Here’s the irony: The non-Jewish people, who weren’t even pursuing righteousness, were the ones who seized it—a perfect righteousness that is transferred by faith.


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And why was that? Because they did not pursue the path of faith but insisted on pursuing righteousness by works, as if it could be seized another way. They were offended by the means of obtaining it and stumbled over the stumbling stone,


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just as it is written: “Be careful! I am setting in Zion a stone that will cause people to stumble, a rock of offense that will make them fall, but believers in him will not experience shame.”


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Faith-Righteousness My beloved brothers and sisters, the passionate desire of my heart and constant prayer to God is for my fellow Israelites to experience salvation.


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And since they’ve ignored the righteousness God gives, wanting instead to be acceptable to God because of their own works, they’ve refused to submit to God’s faith-righteousness.


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For the Christ is the end of the law. And because of him, God has transferred his perfect righteousness to all who believe.


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Moses wrote long ago about the need to obey every part of the law in order to be declared right with God: “The one who obeys these things must always live by them.”


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But we receive the faith-righteousness that speaks an entirely different message: “Don’t for a moment think you need to climb into the heavens to find the Messiah and bring him down,


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But the faith-righteousness we receive speaks to us in these words of Moses: “God’s living message is very close to you, as close as your own heart beating in your chest and as near as the tongue in your mouth.”


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And what is God’s “living message”? It is the revelation of faith for salvation, which is the message that we preach. For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will experience salvation.


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The heart that believes in him receives the gift of the righteousness of God—and then the mouth gives thanks to salvation.


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For the Scriptures encourage us with these words: “Everyone who believes in him will never be disappointed.”


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Good News for All People So then faith eliminates the distinction between Jew and non-Jew, for he is the same Lord Jehovah for all people. And he has enough treasures to lavish generously upon all who call on him.


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And it’s true: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Yahweh will be rescued and experience new life.”


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But how can people call on him for help if they’ve not yet believed? And how can they believe in one they’ve not yet heard of? And how can they hear the message of life if there is no one there to proclaim it?


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And how can the message be proclaimed if messengers have yet to be sent? That’s why the Scriptures say: How welcome is the arrival of those proclaiming the joyful news of peace and of good things to come!


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But not everyone welcomes the good news, as Isaiah said: Lord, is there anyone who hears and believes our message?


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Can it be that Israel hasn’t heard the message? No, they have heard it, for: The voice has been heard throughout the world, and its message has gone to the ends of the earth!


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So again I ask, didn’t Israel already understand that God’s message was for others as well as for themselves? Yes, they certainly did understand, for Moses was the first to state it: “I will make you jealous of a people who are ‘nobodies.’ And I will use people with no understanding to provoke you to anger.”


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And Isaiah the fearless prophet dared to declare: “Those who found me weren’t even seeking me. I manifested myself before those who weren’t even asking to know me!”


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Yet regarding Israel Isaiah says: “With love I have held out my hands day after day, offering myself to this unbelieving and stubborn people!”


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God Will Not Forget His Promises to Israel So then I ask you this question: did God really push aside and reject his people? Absolutely not! For I myself am a Jew, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.


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God has not rejected his chosen, destined people! Haven’t you heard Elijah’s testimony in the Scriptures, and how he prays to God, agonizing over Israel?


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“Lord, they’ve murdered your prophets; they’ve demolished your altars. Now I’m the only one left and they want to kill me!”


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But what was the revelation God spoke to him in response? “You are not alone. For I have preserved a remnant for myself—seven thousand others who are faithful and have refused to worship Baal.”


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And that is but one example of what God is doing in this age of fulfillment, for God’s grace empowers his chosen remnant.


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And since it is by God’s grace, it can’t be a matter of their good works; otherwise, it wouldn’t be a gift of grace, but earned by human effort.


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So then, Israel failed to achieve what it had strived for, but the divinely chosen remnant receives it by grace, while the rest were hardened and unable to receive the truth.


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Just as it is written: God granted them a spirit of deep slumber. He closed their eyes to the truth and prevented their ears from hearing up to this very day.


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And King David also prophesied this: May their table prove to be a snare and a trap to cause their ruin. Bring them the retribution they deserve.


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The Restoration of Israel So, am I saying that Israel stumbled so badly that they will never get back up? Certainly not! Rather, it was because of their stumble that salvation now extends to all the non-Jewish people, in order to make Israel jealous and desire the very things that God has freely given them.


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So if all the world is being greatly enriched through their failure, and through their fall great spiritual wealth is given to the non-Jewish people, imagine how much more will Israel’s awakening bring to us all!


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Now, I speak to you who are not Jewish, since I am an apostle to reach the non-Jewish people. And I draw attention to this ministry as much as I can when I am among the Jews,


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hoping to make them jealous of what God has given to those who are not Jews, winning some of my people to salvation.


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For if their temporary rejection released the reconciling power of grace into the world, what will happen when Israel is reinstated and reconciled to God? It will unleash resurrection power throughout the whole earth!


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A Warning to Non-Jewish Believers Since Abraham and the patriarchs are consecrated and set apart for God, so also will their descendants be set apart. If the roots of a tree are holy and set apart for God, so too will be the branches.


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However, some of the branches have been pruned away. And you, who were once nothing more than a wild olive branch in the desert, God has grafted in—inserting you among the remaining branches as a joint partner to share in the wonderful richness of the cultivated olive stem.


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So don’t be so arrogant as to believe that you are superior to the natural branches. There’s no reason to boast, for the new branches don’t support the root, but you owe your life to the root that supports you!


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Yes, that’s true. They were removed because of their unbelief. But remember this: you are only attached by your faith. So don’t be presumptuous, but stand in awe and reverence.


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Since God didn’t spare the natural branches that fell into unbelief, perhaps he won’t spare you either!


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So fix your gaze on the simultaneous kindness and strict justice of God. How severely he treated those who fell into unbelief! Yet how tender and kind is his relationship with you. So keep on trusting in his kindness; otherwise, you also will be cut off.


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God is more than ready to graft back in the natural branches when they turn from clinging to their unbelief to embracing faith.


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For if God grafted you in, even though you were taken from what is by nature a wild olive tree, how much more can he reconnect the natural branches by inserting them back into their own cultivated olive tree!


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The Mystery of Israel’s Restoration My beloved brothers and sisters, I want to share with you a mystery concerning Israel’s future. For understanding this mystery will keep you from thinking you already know everything. A partial and temporary hardening to the gospel has come over Israel, which will last until the full number of non-Jews has come into God’s family.


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And then God will bring all of Israel to salvation! The prophecy will be fulfilled that says: “Coming from Zion will be the Savior, and he will turn Jacob away from evil.


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Now, many of the Jews are opposed to the gospel, but their opposition has opened the door of the gospel to you who are not Jewish. Yet they are still greatly loved by God because their ancestors were divinely chosen to be his.


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You who are not Jews were once rebels against God, but now, because of their disobedience, you have experienced God’s tender mercies.


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And now they are the rebels, and because of God’s tender mercies to you, you can open the door to them to share in and enjoy what God has given to us!


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Actually, God considers all of humanity to be prisoners of their unbelief, so that he can unlock our hearts and show his tender mercies to all who come to him.


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Who could ever wrap their minds around the riches of God, the depth of his wisdom, and the marvel of his perfect knowledge? Who could ever explain the wonder of his decisions or search out the mysterious way he carries out his plans?


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For who has discovered how the Lord thinks or is wise enough to be the one to advise him in his plans?


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And because God is the source and sustainer of everything, everything finds fulfillment in him. May all praise and honor be given to him forever! Amen!


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The Transforming Power of the Gospel Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.


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Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.


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Your Proper Role in the Body of Christ God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem.


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And so it is in the body of Christ. For though we are many, we’ve all been mingled into one body in Christ. This means that we are all vitally joined to one another, with each contributing to the others.


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God’s marvelous grace imparts to each one of us varying gifts and ministries that are uniquely ours. So if God has given you the grace-gift of prophecy, you must activate your gift by using the proportion of faith you have to prophesy.


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If your grace-gift is serving, then thrive in serving others well. If you have the grace-gift of teaching, then be actively teaching and training others.


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If you have the grace-gift of encouragement, then use it often to encourage others. If you have the grace-gift of giving to meet the needs of others, then may you prosper in your generosity without any fanfare. If you have the gift of leadership, be passionate about your leadership. And if you have the gift of showing compassion, then flourish in your cheerful display of compassion.


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Transformed Relationships Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous.


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Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another.


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Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him.


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Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.


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Take a constant interest in the needs of God’s beloved people and respond by helping them. And eagerly welcome people as guests into your home.


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Live happily together in a spirit of harmony, and be as mindful of another’s worth as you are your own. Don’t live with a lofty mind-set, thinking you are too important to serve others, but be willing to do menial tasks and identify with those who are humble minded. Don’t be smug or even think for a moment that you know it all.


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Never hold a grudge or try to get even, but plan your life around the noblest way to benefit others.


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Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice. For the Scriptures say: “If you don’t take justice in your own hands, I will release justice for you,” says the Lord.


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And: If your enemy is hungry, buy him lunch! Win him over with kindness. For your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience, and God will reward you with favor.


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Our Relationship to Civil Authorities Every person must submit to and support the authorities over him. For there can be no authority in the universe except by God’s appointment, which means that every authority that exists has been instituted by God.


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For civil authorities don’t intimidate those who are doing good, but those who are doing evil. So do what is right and you’ll never need to fear those in authority. They will commend you for your good citizenship.


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Those in authority are God’s servants for the good of society. But if you break the law, you have reason to be alarmed, for they are God’s agents of punishment to bring criminals to justice. Why do you think they carry weapons?


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You are compelled to obey them, not just to avoid punishment, but because you want to live with a clean conscience.


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This is also the reason you pay your taxes, for governmental authorities are God’s officials who oversee these things.


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So it is your duty to pay all the taxes and fees that they require and to respect those who are worthy of respect, honoring them accordingly.


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Don’t owe anything to anyone, except your outstanding debt to continually love one another, for the one who learns to love has fulfilled every requirement of the law.


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For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” and every other commandment can be summed up in these words: “Love and value others the same way you love and value yourself.”


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Living in the Light To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time for us to wake up! For our full salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.


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Night’s darkness is dissolving away as a new day of destiny dawns. So we must once and for all strip away what is done in the shadows of darkness, removing it like filthy clothes. And once and for all we clothe ourselves with the radiance of light as our weapon.


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We must live honorably, surrounded by the light of this new day, not in the darkness of drunkenness and debauchery, not in promiscuity and sensuality, not being argumentative or jealous of others.


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Instead fully immerse yourselves into the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, and don’t waste even a moment’s thought on your former identity to awaken its selfish desires.


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Unity in the Midst of Diversity Offer an open hand of fellowship to welcome every true believer, even though their faith may be weak and immature. And refuse to engage in debates with them concerning nothing more than opinions.


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For example, one believer has no problem with eating all kinds of food, but another with weaker faith will eat only vegetables.


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The one who eats freely shouldn’t judge and look down on the one who eats only vegetables. And the vegetarian must not judge and look down on the one who eats everything. Remember, God has welcomed him and taken him as his partner.


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Who do you think you are to sit in judgment of someone else’s household servant? His own master is the one to evaluate whether he succeeds or fails. And God’s servants will succeed, for God’s power supports them and enables them to stand.


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In the same way, one person regards a certain day as more sacred than another, and another person regards them all alike. There is nothing wrong with having different personal convictions about such matters.


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For the person who observes one day as especially sacred does it to honor the Lord. And the same is true regarding what a person eats. The one who eats everything eats to honor the Lord, because he gives thanks to God, and the one who has a special diet does it to honor the Lord, and he also gives thanks to God.


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While we live, we must live for our Master, and in death we must bring honor to him. So dead or alive we belong to our Master.


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For this very reason the Anointed One died and was brought back to life again, so that he would become the Lord God over both the dead and the living.


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Why would you judge your brothers or sisters because of their diet, despising them for what they eat or don’t eat? For we each will have our turn to stand before God’s judgment seat.


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Just as it is written: “As surely as I am the Living God, I tell you: ‘Every knee will bow before me and every tongue will confess the truth and glorify me!’ ”


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Walking in Love So stop being critical and condemning of other believers, but instead determine to never deliberately cause a brother or sister to stumble and fall because of your actions.


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I know and am convinced by personal revelation from the Lord Jesus that there is nothing wrong with eating any food. But to the one who considers it to be unclean, it is unacceptable.


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If your brother or sister is offended because you insist on eating what you want, it is no longer love that rules your conduct. Why would you wound someone for whom the Messiah gave his life, just so you can eat what you want?


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For the kingdom of God is not a matter of rules about food and drink, but is in the realm of the Holy Spirit, filled with righteousness, peace, and joy.


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Serving the Anointed One by walking in these kingdom realities pleases God and earns the respect of others.


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So then, make it your top priority to live a life of peace with harmony in your relationships, eagerly seeking to strengthen and encourage one another.


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Stop ruining the work of God by insisting on your own opinions about food. You can eat anything you want, but it is wrong to deliberately cause someone to be offended over what you eat.


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Consider it an act of love to refrain from eating meat or drinking wine or doing anything else that would cause a fellow believer to be offended or tempted to be weakened in his faith.


book: Rom
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Keep the convictions you have about these matters between yourself and God, and don’t impose them upon others. You’ll be happy when you don’t judge yourself in doing what your conscience approves.


book: Rom
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But the one who has misgivings feels miserable if he eats meat, because he doubts and doesn’t eat in faith. For anything we do that doesn’t spring from faith is, by definition, sinful.


book: Rom
contenido:
Love Is the Key to Unity Now, those who are mature in their faith can easily be recognized, for they don’t live to please themselves but have learned to patiently embrace others in their immaturity.


book: Rom
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Our goal must be to empower others to do what is right and good for them, and to bring them into spiritual maturity.


book: Rom
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For not even the most powerful one of all, the Anointed One, lived to please himself. His life fulfilled the Scripture that says: All the insults of those who insulted you fall upon me.


book: Rom
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Whatever was written beforehand is meant to instruct us in how to live. The Scriptures impart to us encouragement and inspiration so that we can live in hope and endure all things.


book: Rom
contenido:
Now may God, the source of great endurance and comfort, grace you with unity among yourselves, which flows from your relationship with Jesus, the Anointed One.


book: Rom
contenido:
Then, with a unanimous rush of passion, you will with one voice glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.


book: Rom
contenido:
You will bring God glory when you accept and welcome one another as partners, just as the Anointed One has fully accepted you and received you as his partner.


book: Rom
contenido:
The God of Hope for Jews and Non-Jews I am convinced that Jesus, the Messiah, was sent as a servant to the Jewish people to fulfill the promises God made to our ancestors and to prove God’s faithfulness.


book: Rom
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And now, because of Jesus, the non-Jewish people of the world can glorify God for his kindness to them, fulfilling the prophecy of Scripture: Because of this I will proclaim you among the nations and they will hear me sing praises to your name.


book: Rom
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And in another place it says: “You who are not Jewish, celebrate life right alongside his Jewish people.”


book: Rom
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And again: Praise the Lord Yahweh, all you who are not Jews, and let all the people of the earth raise their voices in praises to him.


book: Rom
contenido:
And Isaiah prophesied: “An heir to David’s throne will emerge, and he will rise up as ruler over all the non-Jewish nations, for all their hopes will be met in him.”


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Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!


book: Rom
contenido:
Paul’s Ministry and His Plans My dear brothers and sisters, I am fully convinced of your genuine spirituality. I know that each of you is stuffed full of God’s goodness, that you are richly supplied with all kinds of revelation-knowledge, and that you are empowered to effectively instruct one another.


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And because of the outpouring of God’s grace on my life to be his minister and to preach Jesus, the Anointed One, to the non-Jewish people, I have written rather boldly to you on some themes, reminding you of their importance.


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For this grace has made me a servant of the gospel of God, constantly doing the work of a priest, for I endeavor to present an acceptable offering to God; so that the non-Jewish people of the earth may be set apart and made holy by the Spirit of holiness.


book: Rom
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Now then, it is through my union with Jesus Christ, that I enjoy an enthusiasm and confidence in my ministry for God.


book: Rom
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And I will not be presumptuous to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me. For many non-Jewish people are coming into faith’s obedience by the power of the Spirit of God, which is displayed through mighty signs and amazing wonders, both in word and deed. Starting from Jerusalem I went from place to place as far as the distant Roman province of Illyricum, fully preaching the wonderful message of Christ.


book: Rom
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It is my honor and constant passion to be a pioneer who preaches where no one has ever even heard of the Anointed One, instead of building upon someone else’s foundation.


book: Rom
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As the Scriptures say: Those who know nothing about him will clearly see him, and those who have not heard will respond.


book: Rom
contenido:
Paul’s Intention to Visit Rome My pursuit of this mission has prevented me many times from visiting you,


book: Rom
contenido:
but there is now nothing left to keep me in these regions. So many years I have longed to come and be with you!


book: Rom
contenido:
So on my way to Spain I hope to visit you as I pass through Rome. And after I have enjoyed fellowship with you for a while, I hope that you would help me financially on my journey.


book: Rom
contenido:
I am pleased to inform you that the believers of Macedonia and Greece have made a generous contribution for the poor among the holy believers in Jerusalem.


book: Rom
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They were thrilled to have an opportunity to give back to the believers in Jerusalem. For indeed, they are deeply grateful for them and feel indebted because they brought them the gospel. Since the ethnic multitudes have shared in the spiritual wealth of the Jewish people, it is only right that the non-Jewish people share their material wealth with them.


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So, when I have completed this act of worship and safely delivered the offering to them in Jerusalem, I will set out for Spain and visit you on my way there.


book: Rom
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I am convinced that when I come to you, I will come packed full and loaded with the blessings of the Anointed One!


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That’s why I plead with you, because of our union with our Lord Jesus Christ, to be partners with me in your prayers to God. My dear brothers and sisters in the faith, with the love we share in the Holy Spirit, fight alongside me in prayer.


book: Rom
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Ask the Father to deliver me from the danger I face from the unbelievers in Judea. For I want to make sure that the contribution I carry for Jerusalem will be favorably received by God’s holy ones.


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Then he will send me to you with great joy in the pleasure of God’s will, and I will be spiritually refreshed by your fellowship.


book: Rom
contenido:
Paul Sends His Loving Greetings Now, let me introduce to you our dear and beloved sister in the faith, Phoebe, a shining minister of the church in Cenchrea.


book: Rom
contenido:
I am sending her with this letter and ask that you shower her with your hospitality when she arrives. Embrace her with honor, as is fitting for one who belongs to the Lord and is set apart for him. I am entrusting her to you, so provide her whatever she may need, for she’s been a great leader and champion for many—I know, for she’s been that for even me!


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for they’ve risked their own lives to save mine. I’m so thankful for them, and not just I, but all the congregations among the non-Jewish people respect them for their ministry.


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Also give my loving greetings to all the believers in their house church. And greet Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the Roman province of Asia, for I love him dearly.


book: Rom
contenido:
Make sure that my relatives Andronicus and Junia are honored, for they’re my fellow captives who bear the distinctive mark of being outstanding and well-known apostles, and who were joined into the Anointed One before me.


book: Rom
contenido:
And give my loving greetings to Urbanus, our partner in ministry serving the Anointed One, and also to Stachus, whom I love.


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contenido:
Don’t forget to greet Apelles for me, for he’s been tested and found to be approved by the Anointed One. And extend warm greetings to all those of Aristobolos’s house church.


book: Rom
contenido:
Give my love to my relative Herodion, and also to all those of the house church of Narcissus, for they too are joined into the Lord.


book: Rom
contenido:
Please greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, for they are women who have diligently served the Lord. To Persis, who is much loved and faithful in her ministry for the Lord, I send my greetings.


book: Rom
contenido:
And Rufus, for he is especially chosen by the Lord. And I greet his mother, who was like a mother to me.


book: Rom
contenido:
I cannot forget to mention my esteemed friends Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and all the brothers and sisters who meet with them.


book: Rom
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Give my regards to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and also Olympas and all the holy believers who meet with them.


book: Rom
contenido:
Greet each other with a holy kiss of God’s love. All the believers in all the congregations of the Messiah send their greetings to all of you.


book: Rom
contenido:
Paul’s Final Instructions And now, dear brothers and sisters, I’d like to give one final word of caution: Watch out for those who cause divisions and offenses among you. When they antagonize you by speaking of things that are contrary to the teachings that you’ve received, don’t be caught in their snare!


book: Rom
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For people like this are not truly serving the Lord, our Messiah, but are being driven by their own desires for a following. Utilizing their smooth words and well-rehearsed blessings, they seek to deceive the hearts of innocent ones.


book: Rom
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I’m so happy when I think of you, because everyone knows the testimony of your deep commitment of faith. So I want you to become scholars of all that is good and beautiful, and stay pure and innocent when it comes to evil.


book: Rom
contenido:
And the God of peace will swiftly pound Satan to a pulp under your feet! And the wonderful favor of our Lord Jesus will surround you.


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contenido:
My ministry partner, Timothy, sends his loving greetings, along with Luke, Jason, and Sosipater, my Jewish kinsmen.


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(I, Tertius, am the one transcribing this letter for Paul, and I too send my greetings to all of you, as a follower of the Lord.)


book: Rom
contenido:
My kind host here in Corinth, Gaius, likewise greets you, along with the entire congregation of his house church. Also, the city administrator Erastus and our brother Quartus send their warm greetings.


book: Rom
contenido:
Paul Praises God I give all my praises and glory to the one who has more than enough power to make you strong and keep you steadfast through the promises found in the wonderful news that I preach; that is, the proclamation of Jesus, the Anointed One. This wonderful news includes the unveiling of the mystery kept secret from the dawn of creation until now.


book: Rom
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This mystery is understood through the prophecies of the Scripture and by the decree of the eternal God. And it is now heard openly by all the nations, igniting within them a deep commitment of faith.


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Now to God, the only source of wisdom, be glorious praises for endless ages through Jesus, the Anointed One! Amen! (Paul’s letter was transcribed by Tertius in Corinth and sent from Corinth and carried to Rome by Phoebe.)


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Paul’s Greeting From Paul, divinely appointed according to the plan of God, to be an apostle of the Anointed One, Jesus. Our fellow believer Sosthenes joins me


book: 1Cor
contenido:
in writing you this letter addressed to the community of God throughout the city of Corinth. For you have been made pure, set apart in the Anointed One, Jesus. And God has invited you to be his devoted and holy people, and not only you, but everyone everywhere who calls on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord, and ours also.


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May joyous grace and endless peace be yours continually from our Father God and from our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Made Wonderfully Rich I am always thanking my God for you because he has given you such free and open access to his grace through your union with Jesus, the Messiah.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
In him you have been made extravagantly rich in every way. You have been endowed with a wealth of inspired utterance and the riches that come from your intimate knowledge of him.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
For the reality of the truth of Christ is seen among you and strengthened through your experience of him.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
So now you aren’t lacking any spiritual gift as you eagerly await the unveiling of the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
He will keep you steady and strong to the very end, making your character mature so that you will be found innocent on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
God is forever faithful and can be trusted to do this in you, for he has invited you to co-share the life of his Son, Jesus, the Anointed One, our King!


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Paul Addresses Divisions in the Church I urge you, my brothers and sisters, for the sake of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree to live in unity with one another and put to rest any division that attempts to tear you apart. Be restored as one united body living in perfect harmony. Form a consistent choreography among yourselves, having a common perspective with shared values.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
My dear brothers and sisters, I have a serious concern I need to bring up with you, for I have been informed by those of Chloe’s house church that you have been destructively arguing among yourselves.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
And I need to bring this up because each of you is claiming loyalty to different preachers. Some are saying, “I am a disciple of Paul,” or, “I follow Apollos,” or, “I am a disciple of Peter the Rock,” and some, “I belong only to Christ.”


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But let me ask you, is Christ divided up into groups? Did I die on the cross for you? At your baptism did you pledge yourselves to follow Paul?


book: 1Cor
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(Yes, I also baptized Stephanus and his family. Other than that, I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.)


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For the Anointed One has sent me on a mission, not to see how many I could baptize, but to proclaim the good news. And I declare this message stripped of all philosophical arguments that empty the cross of its true power. For I trust in the all-sufficient cross of Christ alone.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
The True Power of the Cross To preach the message of the cross seems like sheer nonsense to those who are on their way to destruction, but to us who are on our way to salvation, it is the mighty power of God released within us.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
For it is written: I will dismantle the wisdom of the wise and I will invalidate the intelligence of the scholars.


book: 1Cor
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So where is the wise philosopher who understands? Where is the expert scholar who comprehends? And where is the skilled debater of our time who could win a debate with God? Hasn’t God demonstrated that the wisdom of this world system is utter foolishness?


book: 1Cor
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For in his wisdom, God designed that all the world’s wisdom would be insufficient to lead people to the discovery of himself. He took great delight in baffling the wisdom of the world by using the simplicity of preaching the story of the cross in order to save those who believe it.


book: 1Cor
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For the Jews constantly demand to see miraculous signs, while those who are not Jews constantly cling to the world’s wisdom,


book: 1Cor
contenido:
but we preach the crucified Messiah. The Jews stumble over him and the rest of the world sees him as foolishness.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
But for those who have been chosen to follow him, both Jews and Greeks, he is God’s mighty power, God’s true wisdom, and our Messiah.


book: 1Cor
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For the “foolish” things of God have proven to be wiser than human wisdom. And the “feeble” things of God have proven to be far more powerful than any human ability.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
God’s Calling Brothers and sisters, consider who you were when God called you to salvation. Not many of you were wise scholars by human standards, nor were many of you in positions of power. Not many of you were considered the elite when you answered God’s call.


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But God chose those whom the world considers foolish to shame those who think they are wise, and God chose the puny and powerless to shame the high and mighty.


book: 1Cor
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He chose the lowly, the laughable in the world’s eyes—nobodies—so that he would shame the somebodies. For he chose what is regarded as insignificant in order to supersede what is regarded as prominent,


book: 1Cor
contenido:
For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.


book: 1Cor
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And this fulfills what is written: If anyone boasts, let him only boast in all that the Lord has done!


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Paul’s Reliance on Spiritual Power My brothers and sisters, when I first came to proclaim to you the secrets of God, I refused to come as an expert, trying to impress you with my eloquent speech and lofty wisdom.


book: 1Cor
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For while I was with you I was determined to be consumed with one topic—Jesus, the crucified Messiah.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
I stood before you feeling inadequate, filled with reverence for God, and trembling under the sense of the importance of my words.


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The message I preached and how I preached it was not an attempt to sway you with persuasive arguments but to prove to you the almighty power of God’s Holy Spirit.


book: 1Cor
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For God intended that your faith not be established on man’s wisdom but by trusting in his almighty power.


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Wisdom from God However, there is a wisdom that we continually speak of when we are among the spiritually mature. It’s wisdom that didn’t originate in this present age, nor did it come from the rulers of this age who are in the process of being dethroned.


book: 1Cor
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Instead, we continually speak of this wonderful wisdom that comes from God, hidden before now in a mystery. It is his secret plan, destined before the ages, to bring us into glory.


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None of the rulers of this present world order understood it, for if they had, they never would have crucified the Lord of shining glory.


book: 1Cor
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This is why the Scriptures say: Things never discovered or heard of before, things beyond our ability to imagine— these are the many things God has in store for all his lovers.


book: 1Cor
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But God now unveils these profound realities to us by the Spirit. Yes, he has revealed to us his inmost heart and deepest mysteries through the Holy Spirit, who constantly explores all things.


book: 1Cor
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After all, who can really see into a person’s heart and know his hidden impulses except for that person’s spirit? So it is with God. His thoughts and secrets are only fully understood by his Spirit, the Spirit of God.


book: 1Cor
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For we did not receive the spirit of this world system but the Spirit of God, so that we might come to understand and experience all that grace has lavished upon us.


book: 1Cor
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And we articulate these realities with the words imparted to us by the Spirit and not with the words taught by human wisdom. We join together Spirit-revealed truths with Spirit-revealed words.


book: 1Cor
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Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit.


book: 1Cor
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Those who live in the Spirit are able to carefully evaluate all things, and they are subject to the scrutiny of no one but God.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
For Who has ever intimately known the mind of the Lord Yahweh well enough to become his counselor? Christ has, and we possess Christ’s perceptions.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
A Call to Spiritual Maturity Brothers and sisters, when I was with you I found it impossible to speak to you as those who are spiritually mature people, for you are still dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. And because you are immature infants in Christ,


book: 1Cor
contenido:
I had to nurse you and feed you with “milk,” not with the solid food of more advanced teachings, because you weren’t ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready to be fed solid food,


book: 1Cor
contenido:
for you are living your lives dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. Ask yourselves: Is there jealousy among you? Do you compare yourselves with others? Do you quarrel like children and end up taking sides? If so, this proves that you are living your lives centered on yourselves, dominated by the mind-set of the flesh, and behaving like unbelievers.


book: 1Cor
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For when you divide yourselves up in groups—a “Paul group” and an “Apollos group”—you’re acting like people without the Spirit’s influence.


book: 1Cor
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Who is Apollos, really? Or who is Paul? Aren’t we both just servants through whom you believed our message? Aren’t each of us doing the ministry the Lord has assigned to us?


book: 1Cor
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I was the one who planted the church and Apollos came and cared for it, but it was God who caused it to grow.


book: 1Cor
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This means the one who plants is not anybody special, nor the one who waters, for God is the one who brings the supernatural growth.


book: 1Cor
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Now, the one who plants and the one who waters are equally important and on the same team, but each will be rewarded for his own work.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
God has given me unique gifts as a skilled master builder who lays a good foundation. Afterward another craftsman comes and builds on it. So builders beware! Let every builder do his work carefully, according to God’s standards.


book: 1Cor
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For no one is empowered to lay an alternative foundation other than the good foundation that exists, which is Jesus Christ!


book: 1Cor
contenido:
The quality of materials used by anyone building on this foundation will soon be made apparent, whether it has been built with gold, silver, and costly stones, or wood, hay, and straw. Their work will soon become evident, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by blazing fire! And the fire will test and prove the workmanship of each builder.


book: 1Cor
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If his work is consumed by the fire, he will suffer great loss. Yet he himself will barely escape destruction, like one being rescued out of a burning house.


book: 1Cor
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The Church, God’s Inner Sanctuary Don’t you realize that together you have become God’s inner sanctuary and that the Spirit of God makes his permanent home in you?


book: 1Cor
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Now, if someone desecrates God’s inner sanctuary, God will desecrate him, for God’s inner sanctuary is holy, and that is exactly who you are.


book: 1Cor
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True Wisdom So why fool yourself and live under an illusion? Make no mistake about it, if anyone thinks he is wise by the world’s standards, he will be made wiser by being a fool for God!


book: 1Cor
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For what the world says is wisdom is actually foolishness in God’s eyes. As it is written: The cleverness of the know-it-alls becomes the trap that ensnares them.


book: 1Cor
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And again: The Lord sees right through the clever reasonings of the wise and knows that it’s all a sham.


book: 1Cor
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So don’t be proud of your allegiance to any human leader. For actually, you already have everything! It has all been given for your benefit,


book: 1Cor
contenido:
whether it is Paul or Apollos or Peter the Rock, or whether it’s the world or life or death, or whether it’s the present or the future—everything belongs to you!


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Apostolic Ministry So then you must perceive us—not as leaders of factions, but as servants of the Anointed One, those who have been entrusted with God’s mysteries.


book: 1Cor
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The most important quality of one entrusted with such secrets is that they are faithful and trustworthy.


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But personally, I’m not the least bit concerned if I’m judged by you or any verdict I receive from any human court. In fact, I don’t even assume to be my own judge,


book: 1Cor
contenido:
even though my conscience is clear. But that doesn’t mean I stand acquitted before the Lord, for the only judge I care about is him!


book: 1Cor
contenido:
So resist the temptation to pronounce premature judgment on anything before the appointed time when all will be fully revealed. Instead, wait until the Lord makes his appearance, for he will bring all that is hidden in darkness to light and unveil every secret motive of everyone’s heart. Then, when the whole truth is known, each will receive praise from God.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
The Ministry of True Apostles Dear brothers and sisters, I’ve been referring allusively to myself and Apollos in order to illustrate what I’ve been saying. It is futile to move beyond what is written in the Scriptures and be inflated with self-importance by following and promoting one leader in competition with another.


book: 1Cor
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For what makes a distinction between you and someone else? And what do you have that grace has not given you? And if you received it as a gift, why do you boast as though there is something special about you?


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Oh, I know, you already have all you need! Since when did you become so content and rich without us? You’ve already crowned yourselves as royalty, reigning on your thrones, leaving us lowly apostles far behind! How I wish indeed that you really were reigning as kings already, for that would mean we would be reigning as kings alongside of you.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Apostolic Model of Ministry It seems to me that God has appointed us apostles to be at the end of the line. We are like those on display at the end of the procession, as doomed gladiators soon to be killed. We have become a theatrical spectacle to all creation, both to people and to angels.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are the frail; you are the powerful. You are celebrated; we are humiliated.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
If you could see us now, you’d find that we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and with no roof over our heads.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
We work hard, toiling with our own hands. When people abuse and insult us, we respond with a blessing, and when severely persecuted, we endure it with patience.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
When we are slandered incessantly, we always answer gently, ready to reconcile. Even now, in the world’s opinion, we are nothing but filth and the lowest scum.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
A Father’s Warning I’m not writing this to embarrass you or to shame you, but to correct you as the children I love.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
For although you could have countless babysitters in Christ telling you what you’re doing wrong, you don’t have many fathers who correct you in love. But I’m a true father to you, for I became your father when I gave you the gospel and brought you into union with Jesus, the Anointed One.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
That’s why I’ve sent my dear son Timothy, whom I love. He is faithful to the Lord Yahweh and will remind you of how I conduct myself as one who lives in union with Jesus, the Anointed One, and of the teachings that I bring to every church everywhere.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
But I will come soon, if it pleases the Lord, and I will find out not only what these arrogant ones are saying, but also if they have power to back up their words!


book: 1Cor
contenido:
So which would you prefer? Shall I come carrying the rod of authority to discipline or with an embrace in love with a gentle spirit?


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Immorality in the Church It’s been widely reported that there is gross sexual immorality among you—the kind of immorality that’s so revolting it’s not even tolerated by the social norms of unbelievers. Are you proud of the fact that one of your men is having sex with his stepmother? Shouldn’t this heartbreaking scandal bring you to your knees in tears? You must remove the offender from among you!


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Even though I am physically far away from you, my spirit is present with you. And as one who is present with you, I have already evaluated and judged the perpetrator.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
So call a meeting, and when you gather together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and you know my spirit is present with you in the infinite power of our Lord Jesus,


book: 1Cor
contenido:
release this man over to Satan for the destruction of his rebellious flesh, in hope that his spirit may be rescued and restored in the day of the Lord.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Boasting over your tolerance of sin is inappropriate. Don’t you understand that even a small compromise with sin permeates the entire fellowship, just as a little leaven permeates a batch of dough?


book: 1Cor
contenido:
So remove every trace of your “leaven” of compromise with sin so that you might become new and pure again. For indeed, you are clean because Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
So now we can celebrate our continual feast, not with the old “leaven,” the yeast of wickedness or bitterness, but we will feast on the freshly baked bread of innocence and holiness.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Correcting a Misunderstanding I wrote you in my previous letter asking you not to associate with those who practice sexual immorality.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
Yet in no way was I referring to avoiding contact with unbelievers who are immoral, or greedy, or swindlers, or those who worship other gods—for that would mean you’d have to isolate yourself from the world entirely!


book: 1Cor
contenido:
But now I’m writing to you so that you would exclude from your fellowship anyone who calls himself a fellow believer and practices sexual immorality, or is consumed with greed, or is an idolater, or is verbally abusive or a drunkard or a swindler. Don’t mingle with them or even have a meal with someone like that.


book: 1Cor
contenido:
What right do I have to pronounce judgment on unbelievers? That’s God’s responsibility. But those who are inside the church family are our responsibility to discern and judge. So it’s your duty to remove that wicked one from among you.


