Below are links to the Lessons and Messages found on this page which have been used or are currently being used in our adult Sunday School.
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas is a well-known Reformed pastor, theologian, and author. He is currently the Chancellor's Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and a Teaching Fellow with Ligonier Ministries, while also serving as a visiting professor at Reformation Bible College. He previously served as the Senior Minister at First Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Book of Job
He Gives and Takes Away
Why does God permit suffering? It's a question all of us have asked, and the book of Job points us toward the answer. Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas walks us through the book of Job and considers what the Bible says about our darkest moments. He addresses the difficult question of the relationship between God's sovereignty and the existence of evil, sin, and suffering. In the end, as Dr. Thomas shows, it's in our trials that we learn to trust God and say with Job, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."
1. Job, Satan, & God
2. Pain & Suffering
3. The Dark Night of the Soul
4. Miserable Comforters
5. Contending with God
6. My Redeemer Lives
7. The Wisdom of God
8. The Sovereignty of God
9. Out of the Whirlwind
10. Behemoth & Leviathan
11. Repentance & Restoration
12. The Patience of Job
Job
1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God, and turned away from evil.
1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 1:7 The Lord said to Satan, "Whence have you come?" Satan answered the Lord, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." 1:8 And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered by servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" 1:9 Then Satan answered the Lord, "Does Job fear God for nought?
1:21 And he said, "Naked I come from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Job
2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2:2 And the Lord said to Satan, "Whence have you come?" Satan answered the Lord, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." 2:3 And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you moved me against him, to destroy him without cause." 2:4 Then Satan answered the Lord, "Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 2:5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face." 2:6 And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your power; only spare his life." 2:7 So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord, and afflicted Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 2:8 And he took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes. 2:9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God, and die." 2:10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good at the hand of god, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Job
3:1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 3:2 And Job said: 3:3 "Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night which said, 'A man-child is conceived.' 3:4 Let that day be darkness! May God above not speak it, nor light shine upon it. 3:5 Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. Let clouds dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. 3:6 That night --- let thick darkness seize it! let it not rejoice among the days of this year, let it not come into the number of the months. 3:7 Yea, let that night be barren; let no joyful cry be heard in it. 3:8 Let those curse it who curse the day, who are killed to rouse up Leviathan. 3:9 Let the stars of its dawn be dark; let it hope for light, but have none, nor see the eyelids of the morning; 3:10 because it did not shut the doors of my mother's womb, nor hide trouble from my eyes. 3:11 "Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? 3:12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should suck? 3:13 for then I should have lain down and been quiet; I should have slept; then I should have been at rest, 3:14 with kings and counselors of the earth who rebuilt ruins for themselves, 3:15 or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver.
Psalms 88:18 Thou hast caused lover and friend to shun me; my companions are in darkness.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning.
Job
4:2 "If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended? Yet who can keep from speaking? 4:6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?" 4:7 "Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?
5:6 For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground; 5:7 but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Hebrews 12:6 For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Job
6:14 "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 6:15 My brethren are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as freshets that pass away, 6:16 which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself. 6:17 In time of heat they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place. 6:18 The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste, and perish. 6:19 The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope. 6:20 They are disappointed because they were confident; they came thither and are confounded. 6:21 Such you have not become to me;"
7:19 How long wilt thou not look away from me, nor let me alone till I swallow my spittle? 7:20 If I sin, what do I do to thee, thou watcher of men? Why hast thou made me thy mark? Why have I become a burden to thee? 7:21 Why dost thou not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For now I shall lie in the earth; thou wilt seek me, but I shall not be."
Job
8:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: 8:2 "How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind?" 8:3 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? 8:6 of you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and reward you with a rightful habitation. 8:20 "Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, nor take the hand of evildoers."
9:2 "Truly I know that it is so: But now can a man be just before God? 9:3 If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times. 9:4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength --- who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded? --- 9:5 he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger; 9:6 who shakes the earth out of his place, and its pillars tremble;
9:12 Behold, he snatches away; who can hinder him? who will say to him. 'What doest thou'? 9:13 "God will not turn back his anger; beneath him bowed the helpers of Rahab. 9:14 How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him? 9:15 Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.
9:20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.
9:24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of his judges --- if it is not he, who then is it?
9:33 There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand upon us both. 9:34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him terrify me, 9:35 Then I would speak without fear of him, for I am not so in myself.
10:1 "I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 10:20 Are not the days of my life few? Let me alone, that I may find a little comfort 10:21 before I go whence I shall not return, to the land of gloom and deep darkness, 10:22 the land of gloom and chaos, where light is as darkness."
Job
19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth; 19:26 and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then without my flesh I shall see God, 19:27 whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
9:33 There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand upon us both.
16:18 "O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry find no resting place. 16:19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he that vouches for me is on high. 16:20 My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God, 16:21 that he would maintain the right of a man with God, like that of a man with his neighbor.
18:2 "How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and then we will speak. 18:3 Why are we counted as cattle? Why are we stupid in your sight? 18:4 You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you, or the rock be removed out of its place? 18:5 "Yea, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine. 18:6 The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp above him is put out. 18:7 His strong steps are shortened and his own schemes throw him down. 18:8 for he is cast into a net by his won feet, and he walks on a pitfall. 18:9 A trap seizes him by the heal, a snare lays hold of him. 18:10 A rope is hid for him in the ground, a trap for him in the path. 18:11 Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels. 18:12 His strength is hunger-bitten, and calamity is ready for his stumbling. 18:13 By disease his skin is consumed, the first-born of death consumes his limbs. 18:14 He is torn from the tent in which he trusted, and is brought to the king of terrors. 18:15 In his tent dwells that which is none of his; brimstone is scattered upon his habitation.
18:21 Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly, such is the place of him who knows not God."
19:1 Then Job answered: 19:2 "How long will you torment me, and break me in pieces with words? 19:3 These ten times you have cast reproach upon me; and you not ashamed to wrong me? 19:4 And even if it be true that I have erred, my error remains with yourself.
19:19 All my intimate friends abhor me, and those whom I loved have turned against me.
19:6 know then that God has put me in the wring, and closed his net about me.
19:23 "Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! 19:24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were graven in the rock for ever! 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth; 19:26 and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then without my flesh I shall see God, 19:27 whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
Job
28:1 "Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold which they refine. 28:2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore. 28:3 Men put an end to darkness, and search out to the farthest bound the ore in gloom and deep darkness. 18:4 They open shafts in a valley away from where men live; they are forgotten by travelers, they hang afar from men, they swing to and fro. 28:5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread; but underneath it is turned up as by fire. 28:6 Its stones are the place of sapphires, and it has dust of gold. 28:7 "That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it. 28:8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 28:9 "Man puts his hand to the flinty rock, and overturns mountains by the roots. 28:10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his wye sees every precious thing. 28:11 He binds up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hid he brings forth to light. 28:12 "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
7:17 What is man, that thou dost make so much of him, and that thou dost set thy mind upon him, 7:18 dost visit him every morning, and test him every moment? 7:19 How long wilt thou not look away from me, nor let me alone till I swallow my spittle? 7:20 If I sin, what do I do to thee, thou watcher of men? Why hast thou make me thy mark? Why have I become a burden to thee?
27:6 I hold fast by righteousness, and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days.
18:13 The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 28:14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. 28:15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. 18:16 I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. 18:17 I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, and made him drop his prey from his teeth.
18:23 They waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain.
Job
32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 32:2 Then Eli'hu the son of Bar'achel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God; 32:3 he was angry also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.
34:12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
33:1 "But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words. 33:2 Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks. 22:3 My words declare the uprightness of my heart, 33:4 the spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 33:5 Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. 33:6 Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was formed from a piece of clay. 33:7 Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 33:8 "Surely, you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words. 33:9 You say, 'I am clean, without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me. 33:10 Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy; 33:11 he puts my feet in the stocks, and watches all my paths,' 33:12 "Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you. God is greater than man. 33:13 Why do you contend against him, saying, 'He will answer none of my words'? 33:14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, thought man does not perceive it. 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon man, while they slumber on their beds, 33:16 then he opens the ears of men, and terrifies them with warnings, 33:17 that he may turn man aside from his deed, and cut off pride from man;
36:5 "Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding.
Hebrews 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted. 12:4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 12:5 And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? --- "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. 12:6 For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Job
34:16 "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. 34:17 Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, 34:18 who says to a king, 'Wicked man'; 34:19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? 34:20 In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 34:21 "For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. 34:22 There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves. 34:23 For he has not appointed a time for any man to go before God in judgement. 34:24 He shatters the mighty without investigation, and sets others in their place. 34:25 Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
36:26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable. 36:27 For he draws up the drops of water, he distils his mist in rain 36:28 which the skies pour down, and drop upon man abundantly. 36:29 Can any one understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? 36:30 Behold, he scatters his lightening about him, and covers the roots of the sea.
Job
38:1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 38:2 "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 38:3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. 38:4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 38:5 Who determined its measurements --- surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 38:6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 38:7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God Shouted for joy?
38:28 "Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? 38:31 "Can you bind the chains of the Plei'ades, or loose the cords of Orion? 38:32 Can you lead forth the Maz'zaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? 38:33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?
39:1 "Do you know when the mountain goats bring forth? Do you observe the calving of the hinds? 39:5 "Who has let the wild ass go free? Who has loosed the bonds of the swift ass, 39:6 to whom I have given the steppe for his home, and the salt land for his dwelling place?
39:26 "It is by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and spreads his wings toward the south?
40:2 "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." 40:3 Then Job answered the Lord: 40:4 "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer thee? I lay my hand on my mouth. 40:5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further."
Job
40:6 Then God answered Job out of the whirlwind;
40:15 "Behold, Be'hemoth, which I made as I mad you; he eats grass like an ox. 40:16 Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. 40:17 He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. 40:18 His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron.
41:1 "Can you draw out Levi'athan with a fishhook, or press down his tongue with a cord? 41:2 Can you put a rope in his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook? 41:3 Will he make many supplications to you? Will he speak to you soft words? 41:4 Will he make a covenant with you to take him for your servant for ever?
Job
42:1 Then Job answered the Lord: 42:2 "I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of thine can be thwarted. 42:3 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things to wonderful for me, which I did not know. 42:4 'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.' 42:5 I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee; 42:6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." 42:7 After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eli'phaz the Te'manite: "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 42:8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." 42:9 So Eli'phaz and Te'manite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Na'amathite went and did what the Lord had told them; and the Lord accepted Job's prayer.
42:12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses, 42:14 And he called the name of the first Jemi'mah; and the name of the second Kezi'ah; and the name of the third Ker'en-hap'puch. 42:16 And after this Job lived a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations.
James
1:2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 5:11 Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Romans 8
In this twelve-part teaching series, Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas exegetes this stunning passage of Scripture verse by verse and explains why he considers it to be the greatest chapter in the entire Bible.
1. No Condemnation
2. A New Mind-Set
3. The Indwelling of the Spirit
4. Putting Sin to Death
5. The Spirit of Adoption
6. Hope in the Midst of Futility
7. Praying with the Spirit
8. The Ultimate Promise
9. The Golden Chain
10. No Expense Spared
11. Silencing the Accuser
12. No Separation
8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 8:3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 8:4 in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 8:6 To set the mind of the flesh is death, but to set mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot; 8:8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
8:9 But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God really dwells in you. Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 8:10 But if Christ is in y9ou, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness. 8:11 If the Spirt of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.
8:12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -- 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.
8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 8:16 it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 8:17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and follow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him
8:18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 8:19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; 8:20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; 8:21 because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; 8:23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs to deep for words, 8:27 And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
8:28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, in order that he might be the first born among many brethren. 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
8:31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?
8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; 8:34 Who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who indeed intercedes for us?
8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or Sword? 8:36 As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheepo to be slaughtered." 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. 8:38 For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor powers, 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Life of Peter
Simon Peter was a man with two names and two opposite inclinations. Many Christians see themselves in this wavering between faith and failure. But as we trace the trajectory of Peter's life, we also see a man powerfully renewed in this walk with Jesus Christ. In this teaching series, Dr. Derek Thomas surveys the story of Peter from his first encounter with the Lord to his defining moments in the book of Acts. Understanding Peter's transformation from the brash fisherman into the bold Apostle can guide us in pursuit of our own growth in grace.
1. First Encounter
2. A New Calling
3. Walking on Water
4. The Words of Eternal Life
5. The Confession at Caesarea Philippi
6. The Call to take Up the Cross
7. On the Mount of Transfiguration
8. Overconfidence
9. The Threefold Denial
10. The Power of the Resurrection
11. The Need for Restoration
12. Preaching Christ's Resurrection
13. Preaching Christ's Restoration of All Things
14. Bold, Spirit-Filled Preaching
15. The Essence of the Gospel
16. The Gospel Goes to the Gentiles
17. Moving beyond Jerusalem
18. Confrontation in Antioch
19. Rescued by an Angel
John 1: 34 "And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." 1:35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; 1:36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 1:37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 1:38 Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying?" 1:39 He said to them, "Come and see." They come and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 1:40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 1:41 He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). 1:42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).
Luke 5:1 While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennes'aret. 5:2 And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 5:3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 5:4 And then he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5:5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 5:6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, 5:7 they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 5:8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 5:9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken, 5:10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zeb'edee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." 5:11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Matthew 14:22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. when evening came, he was there alone, 14:24 but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 14:26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. 14:27 But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 14:28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water," 14:29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 14:30 but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 14:31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 14:32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 14:33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
John 6:60 Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 6:61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "do you take offense at this? 6:62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? 6:63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 6:64 But there are some of you that do not believe." for Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that should betray him. 6:65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." 6:66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. 6:67 Jesus said to the twelve, "will you also go away?" 6:68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 6:69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." 6:70 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" 6:71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was to betray him.
Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" 16:14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets," 16:15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16:16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 16:17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 16:20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 16:22 And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you." 16:23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men." 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 16:25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 16:26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? 16:27 For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done. 16:28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."
Luke 9:28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 9:29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 9:30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, 6:31 who appeared in glory and spoke of this departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 6:32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep but kept awake, and they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 6:33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah" ...not knowing what he said. 6:34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 6:25 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 6:36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 22:32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren." 22:33 And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." 22:34 He said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you three times deny that you know me."
Mark 14:66 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest came; 14:67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus." 14:68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you mean." And he went out into the gateway. 14:69 And the maid saw him, and began again to say to bystanders, "This man is one of them." 14:70 But again he denied it. And after a little while again the bystanders said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." 14:71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know this man of whom you speak." 14:72 And immediately the cock crowed a second time, And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.
John 20:1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 20:2 So She ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the on whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him" 20:3 Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 20:4 they both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; 20:5 and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 20:6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and he went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 20:7 and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 20:8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 20:9 for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 20:10 Then the disciples went back to their homes. 1 Corinthians 15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
John 21:1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'rias; and he revealed himself in this way. 21:2 Simon Peter. Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. 21:4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 21:5 Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." 21:6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. 21:7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. 21:8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 21:9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 21:10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught. " 21:11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 21:12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 21:13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 21:14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you," He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 21:16 A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 21:17 He said to him a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 21:18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." 21:19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me." 21:20 Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you? 21:21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 21:22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" 21:22 The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" 21:24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 21:25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 2:15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; 2:16 but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
2:17'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 2:18yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 2:19And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 2:20the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. 2:21And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'
2:22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know --- 2:23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 2:24 But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 2:25 for David says concerning him,
'I saw the Lord always before me, for his is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 2:26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. 2:27For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. 2:28Thou hast made known to be the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.'
2:29 "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 2:30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 2:31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 2:32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 2:33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear. 2:34 For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,2:35till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.' 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 2:38 And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 2:39 for the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." 2:40 And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save ourselves from this crooked generation." 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 3:2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. 3:3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. 3:4 And Peter directed his gaze to him, with John, and said, Look at us." 3:5 And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. 3:6 But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 3:7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 3:8 and leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 3:10 and recognized him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 3:11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them inn the portico called Solomon's, astounded. 3:12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people, "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?" 3:13 the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilot, when he had decided to release him. 3:14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 3:15 and killed the author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 3:16 And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
3:17 "And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 3:18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. 2:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 2:20 and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 3:21 whom heaven just receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. 3:22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 3:23And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.' 3:24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards, also proclaimed these days. 3:25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' 3:26 God, having raised up his servant sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness."
Acts 4:1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sad'ducees came upon them, 4:2 annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the Dead. 4:3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the morrow, for it was already evening. 4:4 But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 4:5 On the morrow their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, 4:6 with Annas the high priest and Ca'iaphas and John and alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this? 4.8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 4:9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, 4:10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. 4:11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner. 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 4:13 Now when they saw the goodness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 4:14 But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred with on another, 4:16 saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 4:17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name." 4:18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 4:19 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 4:20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." 4.21 and when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all men praised God for what had happened. 4:22 for the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. 4:23 When they were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 4:24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God, and said, "Sovereign Lord, who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them 4:25 who by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, didst say by the Holy Spirit,
'Why did the gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? 4:26 the kings of the earth set themselves in array, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his anointed' ---
4:27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilot, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 4:28 to do whatever thy hand and thy plan had predestined to take place. 4:29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, 4:30 while thou stretchest our thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy holy servant Jesus." 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness. 4:32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 4:34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold 4:35 and laid it at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. 4:36 Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 4:37 sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Acts 5:17 But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sad'ducees, and filled with jealousy 5:18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. 5:19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, 5:20 "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life." 5:21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and taught. Now the high priest came and those who were with him and called together the council and all the senate of Israel, and sent to the prison to have the brought. 5:22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, and they returned an reported, 5:23 "We found the prison securely locked and the sentries standing at the doors, but when we opened it we found no one inside." 5:24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 5:25 And some one came and told them, "The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people." 5:26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 5:28 saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than man. 5:20 the God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 5:31 God exalted him at this right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 5:32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." 5:33 When they hard this they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 5:34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gama'li-el, a teacher of the law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a while. 5:25 And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men. 5:26 For before these days Theu'das arose, giving himself out to be somebody, and number of men, about four hundred joined him; but he was slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 5:37 After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 5:38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; 5:39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" 5:40 So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 5:41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 5:42 And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Acts 10:1 At Caesare'a there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 10:2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God. 10:3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius." 10:4 And he stared at him in terror, and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 10:5 And now send men to Joppa, and bring one Simon who is called Peter; 10:6 he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside." 10:7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout solder from among those that waited on him, 10:8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 10:9 The next day, as they were on their journey and coming near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10:10 And he became hungry and desired something to eat; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 10:11 and saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth. 10:12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 10:13 And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 10:14 But Peter said, "No Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." 10:15 And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." 10:16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. 10:17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate 10:18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 10:19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. 10:20 Rise and go down, and accompany them without hesitation; for I have sent them." 10:21 And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking fore; what is the reason for your coming?" 10:22 And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to hear what you have to say." 10:23 So he called them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went off with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 10:24 and on the following day they entered Caesare'a. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his kinsmen and close friends. 10:25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worship him. 10:26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man." 10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered; 10:28 and he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit any one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 10:29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me." 10:30 And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, about this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, 10:31 saying, 'Cornelius, your alms have been remembered before God. 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the seaside.' 10:33 So I sent to you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." 10:34 And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, 10:35 but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 10:36 You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 10:37 the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 10:39 And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 10:40 but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; 10:41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dad. 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 10:44 While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 10:45 And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 10:46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 10:47 "Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Acts 11:1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of god. 11:2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 11:32 saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them? 11:4 But Peter began and explained to them in order: 11:5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me. 11:6 Looking at it closely I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 11:7 And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' 11:8 But I said, 'No, Lord: for nothing common or unclean has ever entered by mouth.' 11:9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.' 11:10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11:11 At that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesare'a. 11:12 And the Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation. These six brethren also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 11:13 And he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon called Peter; 11:14he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' 11:15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 11:16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 11:17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" 11:18 When they heard this they were silenced. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life."
Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoeni'cia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. 11:20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyre'ne, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. 11:22 News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 11:23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; 11:24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. 11:25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. 11:27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 11:28 And one of them named Ag'abus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. 11:29 And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea; 11:30 and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Galatians 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 2:12 For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the sircumcision party. 2:13 And with him the rest of the Jews acted insincerely, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity. 2:14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" 2:15 We ourselves, who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, 2:16 yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. 2:17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! 2:18 But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. 2:19 for I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose.
Acts 12:1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 12:2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword; 12:3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 12:4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 12:6 The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with the chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; 12:7 and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. 12:8 And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on our sandals." And he did so. And he said to him. "Wrap your mantle around you and follow me." 12:9 And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but though he was seeing a vision. 12:10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. 12:11 And Peter came to himself, and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." 12:12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 12:13 and when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 12:14 Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and told that Peter was standing at the gate. 12:15 They said to her, "You are mad." But she insisted that it was so. They said, "It is his angel!" 12:16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 12:17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell this to James and to the brethren." Then he departed and went to another place. 12:18 Now when day came, there was no small stir among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 12:19 And when Herod had sought for him and could not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesare'a, and remained there.
Paul's Letter to the Galatians
We Must Not Compromise
If you get the gospel wrong, you get everything wrong. In first-century Galatia, false teachers infiltrated the church, claiming that faith in Jesus Christ is not enough to be justified in God's sight. Responding to this distortion of the gospel, the Apostle Paul wrote a passionate letter defending the doctrine of justification by faith alone, for he knew what was truly at stake. In this teaching series, Dr. Derek Thomas walks us through the background, teaching, and importance of Paul's letter to the Galatians. While false gospels drive people to despair, the true gospel frees us to rest in Christ alone for our salvation.
1. The Only Gospel
2. The Apostle's Defense
3. Threats to the Gospel
4. Paul Opposes Peter
5. The Heart of Galatians
6. Law & Promise
7. Sons & Heirs
8. The Cost of Legalism
9. Set Free in Christ
10. Standing in Freedom
11. Walking by the Spirit
12. Gracious Restoration
13. Stewards of Grace
14. Boasting in the Cross
Galatians 1:1 Paul an apostle -- not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead 1:2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father; 1:5 to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel 1:7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. 1:9 As we have said before, so not I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. 1:12 For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 1:13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; 1:14 and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 1:15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, 1:16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus.
1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. 1:19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 1:20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 1:21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cili'cia. 1:22 And I was still not known by sight to the churches of Christ in Judea; 1:23 they only heard it said, "He who once persecuted us is not preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 1:24 And they glorified God because of me.
Galatians 2:1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2:2 I went up by revelation; and I laid before them (but privately before those who were of repute) the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, lest somehow I should be running or had run in vain. 2:3 but even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 2:4 But because of false brethren secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage 2:5 to when we did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 2:6 And from those who were reputed to be something (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) -- those, I say, who were of repute added nothing to me; 2:7 but on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised. 2:8 (for he who worked through Peter for the mission to the circumcised worked through me also for the Gentiles), 2:9 and when thy perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should be to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; 2:10 only they would have us remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do.
Galatians 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 2:12 For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 2:13 And with him the rest of the Jews acted insincerely, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity. 2:14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" 2:15 We ourselves, who are Jews by birth and not gentile sinners, 2:16 yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. 2:17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! 2:18 But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. 2:19 for I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose.
Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? 3:4 did you experience so many things in vain? -- if it really is in vain. 3:5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
3:6 Thus Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." 3:7 So you see that it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 3:8 and the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all the nations be blessed." 3:9 So then, those who are men of faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith.
3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them." 3:11 Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for "He who through faith is righteous shall live"; 3:12 but the law does not rest on faith, for "He who does them shall live by them." 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us -- for it is written, "Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree" -- 3:14 that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:15 To give a human example, brethren: no one annuls even a man's will, or adds to it, once it has been ratified. 3:16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offspring," referring to many; but, referring to one, "And to your offspring," which is Christ. 3:17 this is what I mean: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 3:18 for if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
3:19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained by angels through an intermediary. 3:20 Now an intermediary implies more than one; but God is one.
3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not; for if a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 3:22 But the scripture consigned all things to sin, that what was promised to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
3:23 Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. 3:24 So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; 3:26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
4:1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; 4:2 but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. 4:3 So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 4:7 so through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.
Galatians 4:7 So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir. 4:8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were in bondage to beings that by nature are no gods; 4:9 but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits, whose slaves you want to be once more? 4:10 You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years! 4:11 I am afraid I have labored over you in vain.
4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong; 4:12 you know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first; 4:14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 4:15 What has become of the satisfaction you felt? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 4:16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 4:17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 4:18 For a good purpose it is always good to be made much of, and not only when I am present with you. 4:19 My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you! 4:20 I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
4:21 Tell me, you who desire to be under law, do you not hear the law? 4:22 for it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. 4:23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. 4:24 Now this is a allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 4:25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 4:27 for it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one that dost not bear; break forth and shout, thou who art not in travail; for the desolate hath more children than the who hath a husband." 4:28 Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now. 4:30 But what does the scripture say? "Cast out the slave and her son; for the son of the slave shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." 4:31 So, brethren, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 5:2 Now I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 5:3 I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole law. 5:4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5:5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love. 5:7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 5:8 This persuasion is not from him who called you. 5:9 A little yeast leavens the whole lump. 5:10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine; and he who is troubling you will bear his judgement, whoever he is. 5:11 But if I, brethren, still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that cast the stumbling-block of the cross has been removed. 5:12 I wish those who unsettle you would mutilate themselves!
5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another.
Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 5:17 for the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are plain; immortality, impurity, licentiousness, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissention, party spirit, 5:21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control; against such there is no law. 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
5:25 If we live by the spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 5:26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no enby of one another.
Galatians 5:26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.
6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, least you too be tempted. 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 6:3 For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 6:4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 6:5 For each man will have to bear his own load.
Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.
6:7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 6:8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal live. 6:9 And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 6:12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 6:13 for even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. 6:14 But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 6:15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 6:16 Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.
6:17 Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren.
Amen.
The Pilgrim's Progress
The Pilgrim's Progress, written by John Bunyan over 300 years ago, is one of the most widely-circulated books ever to be published in the English language. In spite of its popularity in the past, many people today are not familiar with this masterpiece. Join Dr. Derek Thomas as he leads a guided tour of this allegorical work, showing that Christians have as much to gain from this book today as they did hundreds of years ago.
1. The City of Destruction
2. The Wicket Gate
3. The Interpreter's House
4. The Cross & the Sepulcher
5. The Hill Difficulty
6. The Place Beautiful
7. The Valley of Humiliation
8. The Valley of the Shadow of Death
9. The Godless City: Vanity Fair
10. The Castle of Giant Despair
11. The Delectable Mountains
12. The Celestial City
13. A New Journey Begins
14. Foes & Friends: The Road to Interpreter's House
15. The Trek to the Palace
16. The Road to Vanity & Vanity Fair
17. From Vanity to Doubting Castle
18. On to Enchanted Ground
19. On to the Celestial City
Introduction
Dr. W. Robert Godfrey is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He is president emeritus and professor emeritus of church history at Westminster Seminary California. He is featured teacher for the six-part Ligonier teaching series A Survey of Church History. His many books include God's Pattern for Creation, Reformation Sketches, An Unexpected Journey, and Learning to Love the Psalms.
Praise the Lord!
The book of Psalms is one of the greatest treasures the Lord has given to His people. Through these sacred poems, God has given us a rich songbook and a divinely inspired guide for our prayers. In this teaching series, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey provides an overview of the Psalms with the specific goal of learning to love them through a study of their themes, structure, and beauty.
1. Introduction (Part 1): Attractions & Difficulties
2. Introduction (Part 2): Solving Difficulties
3. Psalm 11: The Power of Poetry
4. Psalms 26 & 39: Peculiar Psalms
5. Psalms 49 & 50: All the World & All the People
6. Psalm 52: the Psalms & History
7. Psalm 77: Questions in Grief
8. Psalm81: The Word at the Center
9. Psalms 91 & 93: God is Protector & King
10. Psalm 94: Comfort from the Future
11. Psalm 127: The Lord's Beloved
12. Psalm 145: God is All
Introduction Part 1
Introduction Part 2
Psalm 11
1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, "Flee like a bird to the mountains; 2 for lo, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do"? 4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids test, the children of men. 5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates him that loves violence. 6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and brimstone; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the Lord is righteous, he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face
Psalms 26 & 39
26:1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For thy steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to thee. 4 I do not sit with false men, nor do I consort with dissemblers; 5 I hate the company of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence, and go about thy altar, O Lord, 7 singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all thy wondrous deeds. 8 O Lord, I love the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy glory dwells, 9 Sweep me not away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 men is whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.
39:1 I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will bridle my mouth, so long as the wicked are in my presence." 2 I was dumb and silent, I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse, 3 my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 "Lord, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is! 5 Behold, thou hast made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in thy sight. surely every man stands as a mere breath! 6 Surely man goes about as a shadow! Surely for naught are they in turmoil; man heaps up, and knows not who will gather! 7 "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in thee. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions Make me not the scorn of the fool! 9 I am dumb, I do not open my mouth; for it is thou who hast done it. 10 Remove thy stroke from me; I am spent y the blows of thy hand. 11 When thou dost chasten man with rebukes of sin, thou dost consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely every man is a mere breath! 12 "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears! For I am thy passing guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers. 13 Look away from me, that I may know gladness, before I depart and be no more!"
Pslms 49 & 50
49:1 Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together! 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my prosecutors surrounds me, 6 men who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, 8 for ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice, 9 that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit. 10 Yea, he shall see that even the wise die, the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their graves are their homes for ever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. 12 Man cannot abide in this pomp, he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence, the end of those who are pleased with their portion. 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home. 15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. 16 Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 18 though, while he lives, he counts himself happy, and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself, 19 he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never more see the light, 20 Man cannot abide in this pomp, he is like the beasts that perish.
50:1 The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes, he does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, round about him a mighty tempest. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!" 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! 7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8 I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9 I will accept no bull from your house, nor he-goat from your folds. 10 for every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world and all that is in it is mine. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most Hight; 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." 16 But the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18 If you see a thief, you are a friend of his; and you keep company with adulterers. 19 You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you. 22 Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I rend, and there be none to deliver! 23 He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!"
Psalm 52
1 Why do you boast, O mighty man, of mischief done against the godly? All the day you are plotting destruction. 2 Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery. 3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking the truth. 4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. 5 But God will break you down for ever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. 6 The righteous shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, 7 "See the man who would not make god his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and sought refuge in his wealth!" 8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in steadfast love of God for ever and ever. 9 I will thank thee for ever, because thou hast done it. I will proclaim thy name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.
Psalm 77
1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that he may hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 I think of God, and I moan; I meditate, and my spirit faints. 4 Thou dost hold my eyelids from closing; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I consider the days of old, I remember the years long ago. 6 I commune with my heart in the night; I meditate and search by spirit: 7 "Will the lord spurn for ever, and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love for ever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" 10 And I say. "It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed." 11 I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; yea, I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate on all thy work, and muse on thy mighty deeds, 13 Thy way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14 Thou art the God who workest wonders, who hast manifested thy might among the peoples. 15 Thou didst with thy arm redeem thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. 16 When the waters saw thee, O god, when the waters saw thee, they were afraid, yea, the deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; thy arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of thy thunder was in the whirlwind; thy lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Thy way was through the sea, thy path through the great waters; yet thy footprints were uneven. 20 Thou didst lead thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Psalm 81
1 Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! 2 Raise a song, sound the timbrel, the sweet lyre with the harp. 3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day. 4 For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 He made it a decree in Joseph, when he went out over the land of Egypt. I hear a force I had not known: 6 "I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket. 7 In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Mer'ibah. 8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me! 9 There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god. 10 I am the Lord your god, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 "But my people did not listen to by voice; Israel would have done of me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. 13 O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their foes. 15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him, and their fate would last for ever. 16 I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."
Psalms 91 & 93
91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation, 10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. 11 for he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. 14 Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
93:1 The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength. Yea, the world is established; it shall never be moved; 2 thy throne is established from of old; thou art from everlasting. 3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their roaring. 4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty! 5 thy decrees are very sure; holiness befits thy house, O Lord, for evermore.
Psalm 94
1 O lord, thou God of vengeance, thou God of vengeance, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O judge of earth; render to the proud their deserts! 3 O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? 4 They pour out their arrogant words, they boast, all the evildoers. 5 They crush thy people, O Lord, and afflict thy heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; 7 and they say. "The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive." 8 Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? 9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? 10 He who chastens the nations, does he not chastise? He who teaches men knowledge, the Lord, 11 the Lord, knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. 12 Blessed is the man whom thou dost chasten, O Lord, and whom thou dost teach out of they law 13 to give him respite from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 for the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; 15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. 16 Who rises up for me against the wicked? who stands up for me against evildoers? 17 If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence. 18 When I thought, "My foot slips," thy steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. 19 When the cares of my heart are many, thy consolations cheer my soul. 20 Can wicked rulers be allied with thee, who frame mischief by statute? 21 They band together against the life of the righteous, and condemn the innocent to death. 22 But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. 23 He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out.
Psalm 127
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early, to go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved in sleep. 3 Lo, sons are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalm 145
1 I will extol thee, my God and King, and bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless thee, and praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall laud thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 5 Of the glorious splendor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works, I will mediate. 6 Men shall proclaim the might of thy terrible acts, and I will declare thy greatness. 7 Thy shall pour forth the fame of thy abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. 10 All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O Lord, and all thy saints shall bless thee! 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power, 12 to make known to the sons of men thy mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of thy kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. 14 The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to thee, and thou givest them their food in due season. 16 Thou openest thy hand, thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. 19 He fulfils the desire of all who fear him, he also hears their cry, and saves them. 20 The Lord preserves all who love him; but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Amy-Jill Levine is a University Professsor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Sciences. An internationally renowned scholar and teacher, she is the author of numerous books including Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week, Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent, and Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven. She is also the coeditor of the Jewish Annotated New Testament. Professor Levine has done more than 500 programs for churches, clergy groups, and seminars.
The Difficult Words of Jesus
Amy-Jill Levine models responsible biblical interpretation. This time with skill, humor, and autobiographical insights, she shows how to contend with biblical texts that seem too hard for us. As always, with wisdom and grace, she shows us a way through. --- Carolyn Osiek, Professor of New Testament Emerita, Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, Texas
In The Difficult Words of Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine shows how Jesus's most challenging teachings would have sounded to the people who first heard them, how they have been understood over time, and how we might interpret them in the context of the gospel of love and reconciliation.
1. Sell What You Own (13:07)
2. Hate Father and Mother (12:48)
3. Slave of All (12:47)
4. Nowhere Among the Gentiles (13:58)
5. Outer Darkness (11:59)
6. Your Father the Devil (11:37)
Mark 10:21 Jesus looking at him, loved his and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
Luke 14: 26-27 Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be by disciple.
Mark 10:44 And whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave to all.
Matthew 10:5b-6 Go nowhere among Gentiles, and enter no town of Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 25:30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 8:44a You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your fathers desires.
The Moses Controversy
Did Moses write the first books of the Bible? Many mainstream scholars say NO! But the Bible states YES! Award-winning filmmaker Timothy Mahoney (Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus) is back again, bringing new evidence to light in his latest documentary: Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy.
What Mahoney's investigation leads to is groundbreaking discovery that the world's first alphabet actually originated in Egypt. Did the Israelites invent this alphabet in time for Moses to write the Bible?
This thought-provoking and controversial film asks hard questions of some of the world's leading experts in Egyptology, ancient Hebrew and early languages. Filmed in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Europe and the USA with stunning cinematography and life-like Biblical recreations, Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy will captivate audiences of all ages.