Study Desk

I tell you that you are Peter,Petros">[fn] and it is on this rockpetra">[fn] that I will build my church, and the forces of hellgates of Hades, a reference to the realm of the dead">[fn] will not overpower it.Job 1:38:17; Psalm 9:13; 107:18; Isaiah 38:10; John 1:42; Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 21:14;">[xr]

If, however, he ignores them, tell it to the congregation.church">[fn] If he also ignores the congregation,church">[fn] regard him as a Gentile and a tax collector.Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14; 2 John 1:1:10;">[xr]

And great fear seized the whole church and everyone else who heard about this.Acts 2:43; 5:5; 19:17;">[xr]

Now Saul heartily approved of putting him to death. That day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all of them, except for the apostles, were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.Acts 7:58; 11:19; 22:20;">[xr]

But Saul kept trying to destroy the church. Going into one house after another, he began dragging off men and women and throwing them in prison.Acts 7:58; 22:4; 26:10-11; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:13;">[xr]

So the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace. As it continued to be built up and to live in the fear of the Lord, it kept increasing in numbers through the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.Acts 8:1;">[xr]

News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and so they sent Barnabas all the way to Antioch.Acts 9:27;">[xr]

When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

About that time, Herod arrested some people who belonged to the church and mistreated them.

So Peter was being kept in prison, but earnest prayer to God for him was being offered by the church.

Now Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul were prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch.Acts 11:22-27; 14:26; 15:35; Romans 16:21;">[xr]

They appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.Titus 1:5;">[xr]

When they arrived, they called the church together and told them everything that God had done with them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.Acts 15:4,12; 21:19; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3; Revelation 3:8;">[xr]

They were sent on their way by the church, and as they were going through Phoenecia and Samaria they told of the conversion of the Gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers.Acts 14:27; Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6,11;">[xr]

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done through them.Acts 14:27; 15:12; 21:19;">[xr]

Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers.Acts 1:23;">[xr]

When he arrived in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem,to Jerusalem">[fn] greeted the church, and then returned to Antioch.

From Miletus he sent messengersmessengers">[fn] to Ephesus to ask the elders of the church to meet with him.

Pay attention to yourselves and to the entire flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to be shepherds of God'sthe Lord's">[fn] church, which he acquired with his own blood.1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 1:7,14; Colossians 1:14; 1 Timothy 4:16; Hebrews 9:12,14; 1 Peter 1:19; 5:2; Revelation 5:9;">[xr]

Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servantdeaconess">[fn] in the church at Cenchreae.Acts 18:18;">[xr]