rules

Fear or love?

The apostles and the brothers and sisters throughout Judea heard that even the Gentiles had welcomed God’s word. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him.3 They accused him, “You went into the home of the uncircumcised and ate with them!” 4 Step-by-step, Peter explained what had happened. 5 “I was in the city of Joppa prayingContinue reading “Fear or love?”

Then Pharisees and legal experts came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why are your disciples breaking the elders’ rules handed down to us? They don’t ritually purify their hands by washing before they eat.” 3 Jesus replied, “Why do you break the command of God by keeping the rules handed down to you? 4 For God said, Honor your fatherContinue reading “Rules”

God’s righteousness through the faithfulness of Christ

19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, in order to shut every mouth and make it so the whole world has to answer to God. 20 It follows that no human being will be treated as righteous in his presence by doing what the Law says, becauseContinue reading “God’s righteousness through the faithfulness of Christ”

Who is first?

9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, doesn’t welcome us. 10 Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what he has done—making unjustified and wicked accusations against us. And as if that were not enough, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers and sisters but stopsContinue reading “Who is first?”

Parable of the tenant farmers

33 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it to tenant farmers and took a trip. 34 When it was time for harvest, he sent his servants to the tenant farmers to collect his fruit. 35 ButContinue reading “Parable of the tenant farmers”

Power

This is the third time that I’m coming to visit you. Every matter is settled on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 When I was with you on my second visit, I already warned those who continued to sin. Now I’m repeating that warning to all the rest of you while I’m at a safeContinue reading “Power”

create problems

15 The prophets’ words agree with this; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and I will rebuild David’s fallen tent; I will rebuild what has been torn down. I will restore it 17so that the rest of humanity will seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who belong to me. The Lord says this, the one who does these things 18knownContinue reading “create problems”

A Sabbath Healing

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” 4Then he said to them, “Is it lawfulContinue reading “A Sabbath Healing”

Grain on the Sabbath

23One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” 25And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and hisContinue reading “Grain on the Sabbath”

Woes

13“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. 15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make theContinue reading “Woes”