AN
MATTHEW 10:27,28
“What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”2
A more full DECLARATION OF THE
FAITH and JUDGEMENT
OF
Baptized Believers:
“ALWAYS being ready”, says the Apostle Peter, “to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” It is therefore, our duty in meekness and love to give an answer to those godly persons, who desire to be fully informed of our judgement concerning Religion and the ways of our God: To those therefore, that have expressed a desire to be informed in this way, I give the following answer.
In a book lately reprinted, titled, “A Confession of faith of seven Congregations or Churches of Christ in London, &C”.3 is a plain and sincere expression of our judgement in the things written in the 52 Articles: If our judgement touching some particulars, where we seem, or are supposed, to differ from some others, does not appear clearly enough in that confession, 1 hope this misunderstanding will be made somewhat clearer in appearance in the following Appendix.
We believe that the punishment due to Adam for his first rebellion, and due to all men for their sins in Adam, and for all their sins against the Law, was not a lying of the whole person of man in the dust, or grave, eternally without life or sense; for then the punishment of man that sinned, should not have differed from the punishment of the brute beast that never sinned. But the punishment due to man, as stated previously was indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish; and that eternal. And consequently, the Redemption which we have by Christ from the curse of the Law, is a Redemption from eternal misery and torment: this we learn from the following places Scriptures when they are compared together. Romans 1:8, 94. Jude 75. Galatians. 3:136. Hebrews 9:127.
We believe that the eternity of the punishment of the reflects of wrath is an absolute eternity, knowing no end; as well as the eternity of the life of the Saints: Matthew 25.468. This we maintain against those that affirm that all men shall be saved at the last.
Although all the power of the creature to act comes from the Creator, and that God's providence always extends to every creature, and to every action of the creature, yet we believe that the sinful corruption of the creature, and the sinfulness of the creature's action is from the creature, and not from God and that it is a great sin to say that God is the author of sin: Ecclesiastes 7:299, Habakkuk 1:1310. James 1:13,14,1511. 1 Corinthians 14:3312. 1 John 2:1613. With regard to Amos 3:6 b, “If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it? & etc.”14 which is used as an objection to what we believe. We consider that it is either to be translated according to the last Translation in the margin; “Shall there be evil in a City and shall not the Lord do somewhat?”15 or else that it is to be understood only of the evil of punishment, and not of the evil of sin.
We teach that they only do, or can believe in Jesus Christ, to whom it is given to believe in him by the special, gracious, and powerful work of his Spirit: and that this is (and shall be) given to the Elect in Gods appointed time when they are effectually called; and to none but the Elect; John 6:64,6516, Philippians 1:2917. Jeremiah 31:33, 3418. Ezekiel 36:2619. Romans, 8:29, 3020. John 10:2621.
This we believe to be true as opposed to those who maintain that all men have freewill and sufficient amity to believe; and do deny Election.
We affirm that as Jesus Christ never intended to give remission of sins and eternal life unto any but his sheep; (John 10:1522. John 17:223. Ephesians 5:25,26,2724. Revelation 5:925.) so these sheep only have their sins washed away in the blood of Christ. The vessels of wrath, as they are not of Christs sheep, nor ever do believe in him, so they do not have the blood of Christ sprinkled upon them, neither are they partakers of him: and therefore, have all their sins remaining upon them, and are not saved by Christ from any of them under any consideration whatsoever; but must lie under the intolerable burthen of them eternally. The truth of this appears to us by the light of these Scriptures compared together: Hebrews 12:2426. 1 Peter 1:227, Hebrews 3:1428. Matthew 7:2329. Ephesians 5:630. 1 Timothy 1:931. John 8:2432.
Though some of our opposers do affirm, that by this doctrine we leave no Gospel to be preached to sinners for their conversion; yet through the goodness of God we know and preach to sinners this precious Gospel; For God so loved the world, (that is has been so loving to mankind), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life; John 3:16. and this faithful saying: It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, I Timothy 1:15b. in other words all those sinners (how vile and shameful they may be) not only which already do, but also which in time to come shall believe on him to life everlasting. 1 Timothy 1:16. and that Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. Acts 10:43 And this is called The Word of the Gospel; Acts 15:7. This is the Gospel which Christ and his Apostles preached, which we have received, and by which we have been converted unto Christ. And we desire to mind what Paul said in Galatians 1:9. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
Though we confess that no man can come to faith by his own good will; John 1:1333. Yet we judge and know that the Spirit of God does not compel a man to believe against his own will, but does powerfully and sweetly create in a man a new heart, and so causes him to believe and obey willingly; Ezekiel 36:2634. Psalm 110:335. God in this way works in us both to will and to do according to his good pleasure; Philippians 2:1336.
Though all our works we do for life are in vain, irregular, and not acceptable to God, (Jesus Christ being our life, who is freely given to us by God,) yet we believe and know that being male partakers of Jesus Christ, we do, and shall, and must, through him, and walking in him, bring forth the fruit of good works, serving God (in true obedience, and love, and thankfulness unto him) in holiness and righteousness, being His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them; Ephesians 2:10. Luke 1:74,7537
Though we that believe in Christ, are not under the law, but under grace; Romans 6:1438. yet we know that we are nor lawless, or left to live without a rule; not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, 1 Corinthians 9.21. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a law, or commanding rule to us; whereby, and in obedience to it, we are taught to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; Titus 2:11,1239. The directions of Christ in his Evangelical word guides us so that we walk in this sober, righteous, and godly way, 1 Timothy 1:10,1140.
Though we be not now sent to the Law as it was in the hand of Moses, to be commanded by it, yet Christ in his Gospel teaches and commands us to walk in the same way of righteousness and holiness that God by Moses commanded the Israelites to walk in, all the Commandments of the second Table being still delivered unto us by Christ, and all the Commandments, of the first Table also (as touching the life and spirit of them), as summarized in this way, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, Matthew 22:37,38,39,4041. Romans 13:8,9,1042.
Though no sin is imputed to those that believe in Christ, nor do any sins totally or fully reign over them, or in them; yet in them the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit; Galatians 5:17a and we all stumble in many ways, lames 3.1a. As where the Apostle speaks of the offences that one believer may take notice of in another. Therefore, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:10, and If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8
Though there is now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, they are nevertheless effectually taught to be ashamed of their sins, Romans 6:2143 and to have a genuine godly sorry for them, 2 Corinthians 7:9,10,1144. yes to loath themselves for them; Ezekiel 36:3145 because sin is such an evil and a filthy thing, and in its own nature tends to provoke and dishonor God, being disobedience against God, and a thing which the most holy GOD declares himself to loath and abhor; so that nothing but the blood of Christ could purge us from our sins, and reconcile us to God, whom by sin we have offended. Therefore, the Saints both are, and must be grieved, and must judge themselves, because they have sinned against their holy and glorious God, and merciful and loving Father, 1 Corinthians 11:3146.
Though nothing is hidden from God, and God does not impute any iniquity to any believer, yet we should confess our sins unto God, and to beseech him to deal with us according to his own promise viz. to be still gracious and merciful unto us even though we have sinned against him, not being angry with us, nor rebuking us, nor ceasing to do good unto us because we have sinned. Isaiah 54:947. Hebrews 8:1248. Daniel 9:18,19,2049. Psalm 32:550. Psalm 25:751. Ezekiel 36:3752. James 5:153. Thus according to Christs direction, we pray unto God to forgive us our sins; Luke 11.454, yet we are still to look upon God as our Father; Luke 11:255, and consequently upon ourselves as his children; and so not lacking justification, or under wrath, but washed in Christs blood from all our sins. By such confessions and petitions we show obedience to god, and in this way exercise faith towards god, and repentance or godly sorrow for sin by which we see and confess that we ourselves have deserved wrath.
Though they which are once really engrafted into Christ shall certainly be protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:5 yet they ought to be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness; 2 Peter 3:17. They ought therefore, to seek continual support from God. Yes, they ought to seek at Gods hand (in prayer, and in the right use and study of his Word, and in the right use of his Ordinances) not only continuance, but also growth in grace; 2 Peter 3.1856. First, because this is Gods Command. Secondly, because God who will establish them, will do it in this way; viz, giving them grace to be obedient to this his Command, and building them in this obedience.
As we remember that our whole salvation is given unto us from the Father by Jesus Christ, and for his sake; so we likewise mind, that the Fathers giving Jesus Christ for us, and to us, and so favoring us in him, and for his sake, is the acting and manifesting of that free love of his towards us which was in himself from all eternity, John 17:2357. Ephesians 1:4, 558.
Although a true believer, whether baptized, or unbaptized, is in the state of salvation and shall certainly be saved, yet in obedience to the Command of Christ every believer ought to desire Baptism, and to yield themselves to be baptized according to the rule of Christ in his Word. And where this obedience is in faith performed there Christ makes this his Ordinance a means of unspeakable benefit to the believing soul: Acts 2:3859. Acts 22:1660. Romans 6:3,461. 1 Peter 3:2162. And a true believer that here sees the command of Christ convicting them of this truth cannot allow themselves to be disobedient to it. Acts 24:1663
17.
Baptized believers ought to agree and join together in constant profession of the same doctrine of the Gospel, and in professed obedience thereunto, and also in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers: Acts 2:4264. And a company of baptized believers who agree and join together in this way are a Church or Congregation of Christ, Acts 2:4765
As is the preaching of the Gospel, both for the conversion of sinners, and the edifying of those that are converted; so also, the right use of Baptism, and of the Lords Supper ought to be continued till the end of the world. Matthew 28:19,2066. 1 Corinthians 11:2667.
A disciple gifted and enabled by the Spirit of Christ to preach the Gospel and motivated for this service by the same Spirit, bringing home to his soul the command of Christ in his word for the doing of this work, is a man authorized and sent by Christ to preach the Gospel, see Luke 19:1268 &c. Mark 16:1569 and Matthew 28:1970. compared with Acts 8.471. Philippians 1:1472. 3 John 1:773. And those gifted disciples which thus preach Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, are to be looked upon as men sent and given of the Lord, 1 John 4.274. Romans 10:1575, Ephesians 4:11,12,1376. And they which are converted from unbelief and false worship, and so brought into Church fellowship by such Preachers according to the will of Christ, are a seal of their ministry; 1 Corinthians 9:277. And such preachers of the Gospel may not only lawfully administer Baptism unto believers and guide the action of a Church in in the use of the Supper; (Matthew 28:1978. Acts 8:5-1279. 1 Corinthians 10:1680) but may also call upon the Churches, and advise with the choice of men fit to be offices, and may settle such offices so chosen by a church, in the places of office to which they are chosen, by imposition of hand and prayer: Acts 6:3-681. Acts 14:2382. Titus 1:583
Though a believers right to the use of the Lords Supper does immediately flow from Jesus Christ, apprehended and received by faith; yet in as much as all things ought not only to done not only decently, but also in order; 1 Corinthians 14:4084, and the word holds forth this order, that disciples should be baptized Matthew 28:1985. Acts 2:3886, and then be taught to observe all things (that is to say, all other things) that Christ commanded the Apostles. Matthew 28:2087, and accordingly the Apostles baptized disciples, and then admitted them to the use of the Supper, Acts 2:4288. We therefore do not admit any to the partake of the Supper nor communicate with any in the use of this ordinance, but disciples that have been baptized, least we should have fellowship with them in their doing contrary to order.
Although we know that in some things we are still without a lot of knowledge, and in all things as yet we know but in part, and do therefore wait upon God for further light; yet we believe that we ought in our practice to obey, and serve, and glorify God in the use of that light which he has given us; and not neglect the good use of that light which God has already given us, under pretense of waiting for more, 1 Corinthians 13:989. Acts 18:2590
As Christ does not teach, nor allow that we should be without out natural affection, or unsociable (see Romans 1:3191) so our being made partakers of Christ does not discharge us from the duties of our relations. Believing servants must perform the duties of servants towards their masters though unbelieving; 1 Timothy 6:192. So believing children must perform the duties of children towards their parents Colossians 3:2093. believing wives, the duties of wives towards their husbands 1 Peter 3:194 and believing subjects must be subject to principalities and powers, and obey Magistrates; Romans 13:195 & etc. Titus 3:196. 1 Peter 2:13,14, 1597. But still they must remember that their fear toward God must not be overruled by the precept of men; Isaiah 29:1398. That they ought to obey God rather than men; Acts 5:2999, and that the submission that must be given to men, must be given to them for the Lords sake: 1 Peter 2:14100
Thus, I conclude with the Apostles words (in 2 Timothy 2:7) a little varied, but not misapplied; Consider what we teach: and the Lord give you understanding in all things.
This version in Modern English is by Richard C. Schadle. The source document was the original published in old English in 1646. Only small edits have been to make this more readable and the old English has been replaced. This version has been placed in the Public Domain and the text is not under copyright. Please note that the Bible text is by the Lockman foundation. Please include this information if you are disturbing this document. Unless otherwise noted all bible, references are in the New American Standard Bible text. “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation" Lockman Foundation Please note that I have removed the additional notes that are part of the NASB text as the plain text is sufficient for the purpose of this document. This confession, (along with the first edition of 1644), is freely available on the internet. I plan to add a Modern English version to the www.surreytabernaclepulpit.com website as soon as possible. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” 29 Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.” 13 Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor. Why do You look with favor On those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up Those more righteous than they? 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.In the King James that Cox is referring to this reads as “shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?”
His exact wording from the King James margin.
64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.
64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65 And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
26 But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.
15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers
24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew.
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers ]and liars ]and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this ]godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter
31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations.
31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.
9 “For this is like the days of Noah to Me, When I swore that the waters of Noah would not flood the earth again; So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you Nor will I rebuke you
12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And I will remember their sins no more.”
18 O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness' sake, O Lord.
37 ‘Thus says the Lord God, “This also I will let the house of Israel ask Me to do for them: I will increase their men like a flock.
5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.
4 ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'”
2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
16 In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. 13 And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.' (To verse 27)
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. 6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.
9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.
16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?
3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;
31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
6 All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.
20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
3 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
13 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (through to the end of verse 7)
3 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
13 Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.