A. Introduction
The Resurrected Jesus appointed and commissioned Paul the Apostle as His chosen instrument and witness to proclaim His Gospel (Good News) message to all the world.[1] The Gospel message was that the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth has given His Son Jesus to the world as Savior and that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and He rose again on the third day.[2] Jesus died and sacrificed His life as the Passover Lamb of God to bring His Holy Father’s salvation, healing, peace, forgiveness, and grace to ALL PEOPLE through faith in Him.[3] Every person – Jews and Gentiles – that wholeheartedly REPENTS (turn from Satan’s sin and evildoing), BELIEVES, and ACCEPTS Jesus by faith as Lord and God’s Son is forgiven of their sins, declared righteous (justified), holy (sanctified), saved from eternal condemnation, and adopted into the Sovereign LORD God’s family as Abraham’s descendants (seeds).[4] Circumcision and other rituals are not required for new life and salvation but only faith in the Sovereign LORD God’s Son, Jesus.[5] Jesus was the Suffering Servant and Lion of Judah that paid the ransom price with His own life to free and redeem EVERYONE that believes in Him from slavery to Satan’s sin and darkness as predicted by Old Testament prophecy.[6]
B. Paul’s Background
The Apostle Paul is first introduced by Luke as a young man named Saul approving the stoning death of Stephen.[7] Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Stephen was a spirit-filled deacon of God and a devoted Jewish follower of Jesus that was martyred and stoned to death by other Jews who rejected his Good News message about Jesus and His Holy Father.[8] Before his death, Stephen gave the early church a history lesson on the Old Testament and Israel’s rejection of the Righteous One – Jesus the Messiah – as predicted by the Old Testament prophecies.[9]
Luke introduced Saul (later known as Paul) as a persecutor of the early church.[10] Saul went from one Jewish synagogue to another and surrounding regions to imprison, beat, persecute, and even murder believers of Jesus and destroy Jesus’s church.[11] He tormented and killed followers of Jesus – the Way.[12] Saul was one of the fiercest opponents of the early church as he believed followers of Jesus acted contrary to the Law of God and the Prophets.[13] As Saul, he even obtained letters from the High Council of the Jews to persecute and imprison followers of Jesus.[14] Everyone in Jerusalem knew that Saul raised havoc against the church that accepted Jesus as their Messiah (Christ) and the Son of the living God.[15] Saul did everything possible to persecute and oppose everyone that called upon the Name of Jesus.[16]Despite Saul’s persecution, Jewish believers of Jesus were persecuted and continued to proclaim the Gospel message about Jesus outside of Jerusalem into Judea, Galilee, Samaria, and the Gentile world. The church expanded and strengthened through the church the Holy Spirit of God.[17]
Before coming to the Resurrected Jesus, Paul the Apostle was known as Saul.[18] Saul was a devout Jew, a Pharisee, and son of a Pharisee – the strictest party of the Jews.[19] He was an Israelite (a Hebrew) and a seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (also known as Israel) from the tribe of Benjamin.[20] Saul spoke Hebrew (Aramaic) – the language of the Jews.[21] He was born in Tarsus located in Cilicia.[22] As required by the Law of God, Saul was circumcised on the eighth day, just like Jesus and his cousin John the Baptist.[23] Notably, Saul was both a Roman and a Jew citizen by birth.[24]From the New Testament teaching, Paul never married but maintained a celibate lifestyle for the Gospel’s mission.[25]However, Paul had a sister and a nephew, and Paul’s nephew told him about the Jews’ plot to murder him. [26]
C. Paul’s Meets the Resurrected Jesus
One day about noon, Saul was on the road heading towards Damascus, which was the capital of Syria, to continue his murderous torment, threats, and persecution of followers (disciples) of Jesus (known as the Way) and return Jesus’s followers both men and women alike to Jerusalem for imprisonment.[27] As Saul neared Damascus, suddenly Jesus’s majestic and glorious Light appeared and blazed around Saul and his traveling companions from heaven.[28] The Light of Jesus was the Shekinah glory, and Jesus was brighter than the sun.[29] Saul and his traveling companions fell to the ground after seeing the glorious Light of the Resurrected Jesus.[30] The men traveling with Saul were terrified and heard the sound from heaven, but only Saul saw the Resurrected Jesus in His glorious and majestic Light.[31]
The Shekinah glory of God surrounded Saul, and this Shekinah glory was the divine Presence of Jesus.[32] Jesus is the glorious Light and Life of the world just like His Holy Father – the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth – and He is the Bright and Morning Star.[33] The Apostle Paul and many others, such as Isaiah and Daniel of the Old Testament and Peter, James, and John of the New Testament, have witnessed the Shekinah glory of Jesus.[34] Notably, everyone that accepts and obeys the Sovereign LORD and His Son Jesus also shines with Light of God.[35]
After Saul saw the Light of Jesus, the Resurrected Jesus spoke to Saul from His glorious Light, and He questioned Saul from heaven in the Hebrew dialect (Jewish Aramaic) on why he was persecuting Him.[36] Persecuting Jesus’s followers (believers, saints, disciples) is persecution against Jesus.[37] The Resurrected Jesus informed Saul that his persecution of His followers (the Way) was useless, literally, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”[38] Saul asked the Resurrected Jesus what he must do, and the Resurrected Jesus commanded Saul to continue into Damascus.[39] The glorious Light of the Resurrected Jesus blinded Saul, and Saul reminded blind for three days.[40]
Afterward, the Resurrected Jesus called His faithful disciple Ananias who lived in Damascus in a vision to lay hands on Saul and heal Saul of his blindness and restore Saul’s sight.[41] Ananias was a devout observer of Jewish law and highly respected amongst the Jewish people.[42] At first, Ananias hesitated to heal Saul because he had heard of Saul’s persecution and harm to followers of Jesus – people of the Way.[43] The Resurrected Jesus informed Ananias that He had called Saul as His chosen instrument and witness to carry His Gospel message into all the world – to Jews, Gentiles, and kings.[44] Later, Paul based his authority to being an apostle of Jesus because the Resurrected Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus Road and commissioned him for His special mission.[45] The Resurrected Jesus informed Saul that He had appointed him as His servant (minister) and witness to open the eyes of ALL PEOPLE and announce that they must REPENT and TURN away from Satan’s darkness and evildoing and turn to the Light of God so that they may receive forgiveness of sins, salvation, and a place amongst those who are sanctified (cleansed) by faith.[46] Ananias obeyed the Resurrected Jesus, and he healed Saul of his blindness and blessed Saul with the Holy Spirit of God so that Saul can proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus.[47] Then, Saul was baptized to wash away his sins and called upon the Lord's Name for salvation.[48]
After his baptism, Saul was not disobedient to the Resurrected Jesus’s commission given in his heavenly vision.[49] As instructed by the Resurrected Jesus, Saul proclaimed first in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles that they must REPENT (change) and TURN to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus andprove their repentance by their good deeds and actions for God’s glory.[50] Saul began to preach and proclaim in the Jewish synagogue at Damascus that Jesus is ALIVE and that Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (Christ, Anointed One) and the Son of the living God.[51] Indeed, Jesus is ALIVE at the right hand of His Holy Father.[52]
At first, those who heard Saul proclaiming and confessing Jesus in Damascus were amazed but also confused because of Saul’s former life as a persecutor of the Jews that accepted Jesus as their Messiah.[53] In Damascus, Saul increased in strength by the Holy Spirit of God and preached to his fellow Jews for some time (three years) that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah, Anointed One of God), and He is the Son of the living God.[54] After three years, some Jews plotted to kill Saul in Damascus, but followers of Jesus lowered Saul into a basket to escape.[55] In the book of Galatians, Paul added that he went into to Arabia and then returned to Damascus.[56]
After three years, Saul went to Jerusalem to meet Simon Peter (Cephas) and the other apostles of Jesus.[57] At first, the Jerusalem believers were suspicious of Saul and his preaching about Jesus.[58] Many followers of Jesus were afraid of Saul, and they did not accept Saul’s teaching of Jesus because of Saul’s former actions of persecution and harassment against them.[59] However, Barnabas took Saul to Jesus’s apostles, and he explained to Jesus’s apostles how Saul had seen the Resurrected Jesus and that Saul had faithfully proclaimed the Gospel message about Jesus in Damascus.[60]Barnabas encouraged the Jewish believers in Jerusalem to accept Saul and his message about Jesus.[61] In Jerusalem, Saul spoke boldly in the Name of the Lord Jesus and disputed with other Jews about Jesus, so some Jews attempted to kill Saul.[62] While in Jerusalem, the Resurrected Jesus also came to Saul in a vision, and He instructed Saul to leave Jerusalem and go to the Gentiles because the people would not accept his testimony about Him in Jerusalem.[63] Saul left Jerusalem, went into the regions of Syria, and returned to his hometown of Tarsus in Cilicia.[64]
Many biblical scholars believe that while Saul was in Syria, he continued to proclaim the Good News about Jesus, and Saul’s message about Jesus may have influenced many Gentiles located in Antioch of Syria. Many Jews scattered from Jerusalem after Stephen’s stoning, and they traveled into Judea, Samaria, Phoenicia, Cyrus, and Antioch of Syria, proclaiming the Gospel message of Jesus to Jews at first, then later to Gentiles.[65] The Lord Jesus’s Hand (Power and Presence) was with Jesus’s disciples, and many Jews and Gentiles began coming to Jesus.[66] The Jerusalem church heard of those coming to Jesus in Antioch and sent Barnabas to Antioch.[67] Then, Barnabas went to Tarsus, found Saul, and brought Saul to Antioch to minister and teach the Gentile church at Antioch.[68] For a whole year, Barnabas and Saul met with the church at Antioch and proclaimed the Gospel message about Jesus.[69] The disciples at Antioch were first called Christians.[70]
Then, Saul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem for a second visit with Titus after fourteen years to meet the apostles of Jesus.[71] During this period, Jerusalem was suffering a great famine.[72] Also, many biblical scholars believe Saul received a “thorn in the flesh” during these fourteen years to keep him humble because of his many revelations from God.[73] The Holy Scriptures do not identify the “thorn in the flesh” that Saul received, but the thorn made Saul trust in the Sovereign LORD God for His grace and mercy.[74] Afterward, Saul and Barnabas left Jerusalem when they completed their service and brought with them, John Mark.[75] Many biblical scholars believe this John Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark – the second New Testament Gospel. John Mark accompanied Saul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. God’s Word continued to increase and multiply.[76]
D. Paul’s Missionary
After Saul met the Resurrected Jesus, his life was forever changed.[77] Once Saul began his missionary journeys, his name was changed from Saul to Paul.[78] The Apostle Paul repeatedly told the early church the Good News (Gospel) that Jesus was ALIVE.[79] On the Damascus Road, the Apostle Paul witnessed the glorious Light of the Resurrected Jesus, and he devoted his life as a servant and an apostle proclaiming Jesus’s resurrection and hope of salvation through faith in Him.[80] The Apostle Paul was convinced that the Resurrected Jesus was the promised Jewish Messiah (Christ, Anointed One) and Son of the living God, as promised in the Old Testament prophecies.[81] Notably, the Apostle Paul felt his life was worthless, and he was willing to die to proclaim the Good News about the extraordinary grace of God in Christ Jesus.[82]
After seeing the Resurrected Jesus, the Apostle Paul was willing to give his life, suffer, and even die for the Gospel and Name of the Lord Jesus.[83] The Apostle Paul explained to the early church that he was caught up to the third heaven into Paradise and received a revelation from the Resurrected Jesus.[84] Significantly, the Apostle Paul’s encounter with the Resurrected Jesus is told by Luke – the author of the book of Acts – in Acts 9:3-8, Acts 22:6-11, and Acts 26:12-18.
Personal profit from the Gospel was never Paul’s aim.[85] By trade, Paul was a tentmaker, and he worked hard as a tentmaker to provide for his personal needs so that he would not burden the church as he proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus without charge.[86] Significantly, Paul did not cheat nor peddle the Gospel of Jesus for money and profit.[87] Paul knew that the Resurrected Jesus appointed and empowered him by His Spirit as an instrument and witness to proclaim the Good News of hope, salvation, and an abundant life now and for eternity through faith in Jesus.[88]
The Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys were very successful.[89] The Resurrected Jesus encouraged Paul not to be afraid nor keep silent but to continue proclaiming the Gospel message because He was with Him.[90] Like the Old Testament prophets, the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus helped and protected Paul to reveal His Word through His holy angels.[91] Moreover, the Sovereign LORD God opened many doors to the Apostle Paul to proclaim the Good News about His Son Jesus to many world regions.[92]
During his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul proclaimed the Word of God and encouraged and strengthened the people to remain faithful to Jesus.[93] The Apostle Paul was committed to proclaiming the message to both Jews and Gentiles of REPENTANCE toward God, faith in Jesus as Lord, and turning from Satan’s dark deeds and evildoing.[94]Importantly, the Apostle Paul knew that the Gospel message about Jesus was the power of the Holy Spirit to bring salvation, healing, and deliverance from Satan’s darkness and death.[95] The Apostle Paul encouraged everyone to REPENT, turn from Satan’s wrongdoing, and follow the living LORD God found in His Son, Jesus the Messiah.[96]
Through the Apostle Paul’s ministry, the early church was strengthened in faith and grew daily in numbers.[97] The Apostle Paul had encouraging words of hope and thanksgiving to God for the people.[98] During his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul encouraged the people to remain faithful to Jesus even during hardships and suffering to enter God’s Kingdom.[99] The message of repentance of sins and faithfulness in Jesus was the message of the Kingdom of God that the Apostle Paul faithfully proclaimed to everyone.[100] The righteousness and goodness the living LORD God required came only through faith in His Son Jesus, who called EVERYONE to repent and turn from sinful living.[101] Through repentance of sins and faithfulness to Jesus, the Sovereign LORD God poured into believers’ hearts and lives His abundant grace and forgiveness through the Holy Spirit of God.[102]
The Apostle Paul traveled from town to town on several missionary journeys proclaiming to the world that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah (Christ, Anointed One) and calling everyone to find God’s salvation and peace through repentance (turning from Satan’s evildoing) and faith in the Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Jesus.[103] The book of Acts gives the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys and visits to Syria, Cilicia, Antioch, Jerusalem, Cyrus, Macedonia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Galatia, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Caesarean, Crete, and Roman.[104] The Apostle Paul gave everyone his Gospel teaching about Jesus during his many missionary journeys, and the message about Jesus spread throughout the region.[105] During his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul was steadfast in calling everyone to repent and to faithfully worship and serve the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth and His Son, Jesus, and not man-made gods, which is idolatry.[106] Luke devoted chapters 13 through 28 of the Book of Acts to the Apostle Paul and his missionary work for Jesus.[107] Luke sometimes accompanied Paul on this missionary journey, as referred to in the “we” sections in the book of Acts.[108]
On his first missionary journey, the Apostle Paul witnessed about the Resurrected Jesus in Cyrus and southern Galatia with Barnabas and John Mark. The church at Antioch commissioned the Apostle Paul and Barnabas to witness about Jesus on the island of Cyrus and in the southern cities of the Roman province of Galatia.[109] Previously, Barnabas and Paul and the Antioch church witnessed the Resurrected Jesus to the Gentiles.[110] Now, the church at Antioch commissioned Paul and Barnabas for a broader mission beyond the borders of Syria. Then, Barnabas and Paul made another trip to Jerusalem at the famous Jerusalem Council.[111] After the Jerusalem Council, the Apostle Paul started his second missionary journey, and he was this time accompanied by Silas, Timothy, and Luke. By the grace of God, the Apostle Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.[112] The Apostle Paul also traveled through Debre, Lystra, Asia Minor, Macedonia (Philippi), Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.[113] In Corinth, the Apostle Paul met his faithful ministry partners, a Jew named Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, and they were tentmakers like him.[114] On his third missionary journey, the Apostle Paul traveled again through Antioch, Galatia, and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples of Jesus.[115] T hen, the Apostle Paul traveled to Ephesus, Corinth, and Macedonia, returning to Jerusalem, where he is unjustly arrested.[116] Many biblical scholars believe the Apostle Paul made a fourth missionary journey after being released from Roman imprisonment and traveled to Spain and Crete proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.[117] Then, many biblical scholars believe the Apostle Paul was rearrested and wrote his final letter documented at 2 Timothy in Rome before his execution and death in Rome around 67 AD.[118]
The Apostle Paul became the church’s prolific teacher, writer, and preacher of the Good News proclaiming faith in the Name of Jesus as the Messiah (Christ) and Son of God.[119] In fact, the Apostle Paul wrote the greatest number of New Testament books (epistles or letters) to the early church. Many biblical scholars believe the Apostle Paul’s book of Romans is one of the most important books in the Holy Bible. In Romans, the Apostle Paul explained the Sovereign LORD God’s way of salvation for ALL PEOPLE comes through faith in His Son, Jesus the Messiah (Christ).[120] The other epistles written by Apostle Paul included First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First and Second Thessalonians, the pastoral letters – First and Second Timothy, Titus, and finally Philemon. Some biblical scholars argue that the Apostle Paul also wrote the book of Hebrews, but the author of Hebrews is unknown.
E. Paul and the Holy Spirit
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit of God was the divine power of the early church and the Apostle Paul’s ministry.[121] In the book of Acts, believers of Jesus were strengthened and empowered by the Holy Spirit of God to bear witness to the Good News of Jesus amongst both Jews and Gentiles and in doing so established the church.[122] The Holy Spirit of God empowered and energized the Apostle Paul’s ministry and mission to preach and teach the message and salvation of Jesus in Jerusalem, Samaria, Rome, and throughout the world and to continue Jesus’s ministry.[123] The Resurrected Jesus spoke through the Apostle Paul’s teaching by the Holy Spirit.[124] Furthermore, the Spirit of the living God worked through Apostle Paul, and He opened and sometimes closed many doors for Paul to proclaim the Gospel message.[125]
The Apostle Paul committed his life to proclaiming the Gospel message about Jesus – the Gospel of God’s grace.[126]Paul the Apostle discovered in his weakness he became strong as he relied upon the Holy Spirit of God for his help and guidance.[127] Physically, the Apostle Paul did not look as an imposing and impressive appearance but timid and gentle.[128] Moreover, Paul admitted that he was unskilled in speech.[129] The Holy Spirit of God empowered the Apostle Paul to proclaim the message about Jesus with boldness and power.[130] Notably, the Apostle Paul was afflicted by a “thorn in the flesh,” but this thorn was an infirmity from Satan that forced him to rely upon God’s grace and power.[131] By the Holy Spirit, the Resurrected Jesus comforted and protected Paul and encouraged Paul to continue teaching the Word of God about Him.[132] The Resurrected Jesus assured Paul that He would deliver and rescue him from his accusers.[133]
Furthermore, the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus confirmed and empowered the Apostle Paul’s teaching message about Jesus by allowing Paul to perform extraordinary divine signs, miracles, and wonders.[134] In fact, even the Apostle Paul’s clothing and touch had Jesus’s healing powers.[135] The Apostle Paul had healing power from the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus to heal the sick and raise the dead.[136] Notably, the Sovereign LORD God gave His Son Jesus by His Holy Spirit the ability to perform many divine signs, wonders, healings, and miracles to confirm that Jesus’s message was from Him.[137] Moreover, the Sovereign LORD God appointed and empowered His faithful servants Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and the holy prophets by the Holy of Spirit of God to perform many divine signs, wonders, healings, and miracles.[138] As God incarnate (human flesh), Jesus also empowered His disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God with boldness, and He gave His disciples authority and power to heal sickness, diseases, and authority over all demons (unclean spirits) so His Name would be magnified.[139]Significantly, Jesus’s disciples preached a message of REPENTANCE as they healed sickness, cured diseases, and had authority over unclean spirits (demons).[140]
F. Persecution for the Gospel
The Apostle Paul’s ministry about Jesus came with severe suffering, hardship, pain, and oftentimes imprisonment.[141]For example, the Apostle Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city for dead in Lystra during his first missionary journey about Jesus.[142] In fact, the Apostle Paul frequently had beatings, prison chains, and threats against his life from Romans and his fellow Jews because of his teaching ministry about Jesus.[143] The Apostle Paul experienced sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, abuse, and weakness.[144] During his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked and persecuted for the Gospel.[145]
The Jews and their leaders often conspired to kill and falsely accuse Paul because of his faith and his Gospel teaching about Jesus.[146] Sadly, some Jews became jealous of the Apostle Paul because many Jews, God-fearing people, and prominent women responded to his Gospel message about Jesus in the synagogues and so these envious Jews caused some evil characters to hurt and attack Paul and his ministry.[147] In fact, some Jews accused Paul of being a troublemaker, stirring up riots amongst the Jews worldwide, and violating their Jewish laws because of Paul’s faith and belief in Jesus the Nazarene.[148] The Jews falsely accused Paul of teaching the Jews who lived among the Gentiles to turn away from the teaching of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to Jewish customs.[149]
However, the various claims and rumors against the Apostle Paul were all false. The Apostle Paul was NOT a troublemaker, and he had committed no crimes against the Romans, Jewish laws, or their customs.[150] Paul’s only crime was his declaration that Jesus was ALIVE and faith in Jesus for hope and salvation.[151] The Apostle Paul did not object to Jewish believers voluntarily following the Old Testament ceremonial laws and customs such as circumcision.[152] In fact, the Apostle Paul did nothing against his fellow Jews or Jewish traditions.[153] Because of his innocence, the Roman officials and some Jews wanted to release the Apostle Paul from his false imprisonment, but Paul appealed to Caesar in Rome to protest his complete innocence.[154]
G. Paul’s Faithfulness to Judaism
The Apostle Paul never abandoned his Jewish heritage and their customs.[155] He kept a deep and abiding love for his fellow Jews – the Israelites, and he considered himself a Hebrew of the Hebrews.[156] He was a devout Jew and a Pharisee, and he was cradled in orthodox Judaism.[157] Paul advanced in Judaism beyond many of his fellow Jews as he was zealous for the Jewish traditions of the elders.[158] The Apostle Paul received a thorough Jewish training among his people from his childhood, and he was strict about the Law of God and Jewish traditions of the elders.[159] He was educated by Gamaliel – a respected Jewish teacher according to the strict manner of the law of the Jewish fathers.[160]However, the Apostle Paul considered all his Jewish training, education, and heritage worthless because he acknowledged that knowing Jesus by faith was supreme overall.[161]
Importantly, the Apostle Paul loved and delighted in the Law of God with all his heart.[162] As a devout Pharisee, the Apostle Paul knew the Old Testament laws, customs, and rituals.[163] The Apostle Paul had Timothy circumcised when he took Timothy on his missionary journeys so Timothy would not offend the Jewish Christians.[164] Timothy was half-bred because his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, were Jewish, but Timothy’s father was Greek.[165]
During his ministry, the Apostle Paul often quoted from the Law of God to support his message about Jesus.[166] In Acts 13, the Apostle Paul gave his fellow Jews a great sermon on the Law of God, the Psalms, and the Prophets about Jesus.[167] According to the Apostle Paul, the Old Testament predicted Jesus the Messiah’s suffering, death, and resurrection to bring salvation to the world through Him.[168]
The Apostle Paul always began first in the Jewish synagogue and proclaimed the Gospel message about Jesus from the Old Testament Scriptures – the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets.[169] The Apostle Paul’s custom was to go to the Jewish synagogues first and reason with the Jews and other God-fearing Greeks on the Sabbath Day from the Old Testament Scriptures, explaining the Gospel message and proving that Jesus is the promised Jewish Messiah (Christ, Anointed One) and why Jesus had to suffer and rise from the dead to bring God’s forgiveness and salvation (justification) to ALL who believe in Jesus.[170] The heart desire and prayer of the Apostle Paul was that his fellow Jews would come to faith in Jesus as their Messiah and receive God’s salvation.[171] Many Jews and their leadership warmly welcomed the Apostle Paul, and these Jews accepted his message about Jesus, who was also Jewish.[172] Although some Jews accepted the Apostle Paul’s message about Jesus, other Jews rejected the Gospel message and rejected Jesus.[173]
For the Apostle Paul, becoming a believer in Jesus did not mean abandoning and departing from the religious hopes of Israel as found in the Old Testament.[174] The Apostle Paul believed the Law of God and the Prophets pointed to Jesus the Messiah, His resurrection, and God’s salvation found in Jesus.[175] He proclaimed that the teaching of Jesus was a continuation of the Old Testament story. The Apostle Paul taught that Jesus DIED as the Passover Lamb of God to atone (propitiate) for our sins, that He was BURIED, and that He ROSE AGAIN from complete death on the third day as predicted by the Old Testament Scriptures.[176]
The Apostle Paul spent his missionary journeys and wrote announcing to everyone – Jews and Gentiles – about Jesus as predicted by Moses, the prophets, and the Jewish forefathers.[177] In the Old Testament, the prophet Moses wrote about Jesus, and the prophet Isaiah saw Jesus’s Glorious Light.[178] Paul the Apostle believed the Law of God and the Old Testament prophets predicted the coming Hope of Israel – Jesus the Messiah and His resurrection.[179] The Apostle Paul was committed to proclaiming the entire message of God from the Law of God given through Moses and the Prophets to explain that Jesus is the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah (Christ).[180]
The Apostle Paul explained how Christianity (the Way) is the one true religion, rooted deeply in the Sovereign LORD God’s eternal promises given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Moses, and the Old Testament prophets.[181] The Sovereign LORD God’s redemptive plan and salvation for ALL PEOPLE – Jews and Gentiles – began in His Old Testament Scriptures.[182] The history of Jesus comes from Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Israel (Jacob), and David.[183] Jesus is the Root and Branch of fairness, faithfulness, and truth from King David’s family.[184] The Holy Scriptures point to the Sovereign LORD God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah (also known as Christ, Anointed One).[185] The Mosaic laws, the sacrificial systems, the kingdom of Israel, and the Old Testament prophets all pointed to Christ Jesus – the Redeemer.[186] In fact, the Apostle Paul wrote that Jesus was with God’s people during their Great Exodus from Egypt as the Spiritual Rock that provided refreshing water.[187]
Jesus was the goal of the Old Testament prophets as the Old Testament writings pointed to Him.[188] The Sovereign LORD God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham, Israel, and David was fulfilled in His Son Jesus – a King and Jew from King David’s family line.[189] Jesus is the Word of God from heaven that became human (incarnate), and the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth was with Him.[190] The Holy Scriptures – the New and Old Testaments are the voice of God and the Voice of Jesus. Jesus brought God’s glory to the earth.[191]
The Apostle Paul spoke about God’s Kingdom and explained about Jesus and His suffering for our sins and forgiveness from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.[192] He admitted that he worshipped the Sovereign LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel and his twelve sons) as a follower of Jesus (the Way), and he believed by faith all the teachings written in the Law and the Prophets regarding the Hope of Israel – Jesus the Messiah (Christ) – and Jesus’s suffering and resurrection from complete death for our salvation and redemption from our sins.[193] Indeed, Jesus is the Hope of Israel written in the Law and the Prophets.[194] The Apostle Paul believed that Jesus the Messiah is the Hope of Israel and the world.[195]
Moreover, the Apostle Paul and his fellow Jews did not demand that Gentiles (non-Jews) coming to faith in Jesus follow the Jewish customs, circumcision, and rituals.[196] The Jerusalem Council agreed that Gentiles should not be troubled and burdened with keeping the Jewish customs and ritual laws because salvation and forgiveness come through repentance and faith in Christ Jesus alone.[197] When we come to Jesus by repentance and faith in Him, believers are circumcised not by a physical procedure, but Jesus performs a spiritual circumcision – the cutting away of our sinful nature from within our hearts.[198] However, the Jerusalem Council decided that Gentiles coming to Jesus must abstainfrom sexual immorality (sex outside the marital bonds – fornication and adultery), abstain from things polluted by idols (worshipping others gods), abstain from what has been strangled, and abstain from eating blood (kosher).[199] As the Apostle Paul went on his missionary journeys, he declared to the Gentiles the decrees from the Jerusalem Council determined by the apostles and elders, and the churches were strengthened.[200]
H. Theology of Paul
The Apostle Paul wrote that he received his Gospel message and theology that he preached not from human teaching but a direct and personal revelation from the Resurrected Jesus.[201] The Resurrected Jesus first appeared to the Apostle Paul on the Damascus Road, and He appointed Paul to take His Name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.[202] The Apostle Paul was called by the Resurrected Jesus to be His witness and open the people’s eyes so they can REPENT AND TURN FROM SATAN’S DARKNESS and TURN TO GOD’S LIGHT so they can receive forgiveness, sanctification, and entrance into God’s Kingdom.[203] The main core of the Apostle Paul’s message was FAITH in Jesus Christ’s crucifixion for our sins (the Cross of Jesus) because faith in Jesus’s sacrificial death on the Cross is the power of God to deliver us from Satan’s darkness.[204] The Sovereign LORD God anointed His Son Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power to heal and deliver ALL who were under the power of Satan because He was with His Son Jesus.[205] The Apostle Paul worked hard during his missionary journeys to encourage and proclaim God’s Word to both Jews and Gentiles that they must turn to the Sovereign LORD God in REPENTANCE and have FAITH in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and hope.[206]
After the Apostle Paul received his calling from the Resurrected Jesus, he made known to EVERYONE about the Sovereign LORD God’s grace, righteousness, salvation, new life, and peace found through His Son, Jesus.[207] Paul the Apostle taught that our faith in Jesus brought our wisdom, righteousness (making us acceptable and good before God), sanctification (declaration of holiness), our glory, and redemption (deliverance) from Satan.[208] The wages of following and obeying Satan’s sin and evildoing are death, but the free gift of the Sovereign LORD God’s forgiveness and new life comes through faith in His Son, Jesus.[209] Even more, the Apostle Paul taught that believers of Jesus are united and reconciled as one with peace and grace to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus by the Holy Spirit of God.[210]Through the Resurrected Jesus, the Apostle Paul declared that believers in Jesus are united and reconciled with the Sovereign LORD God, washed clean of their sins, and declared righteous, forgiven, accepted, and redeemed through faith in Jesus’s sacrifice of His life and blood on the Cross.[211] The Apostle Paul wanted EVERYONE to know that the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus demonstrated eternal love for the world in that while we were still sinners, Jesus died for our sins.[212] Even more, Paul the Apostle wanted believers of Jesus to know that the same resurrection power – the Holy Spirit of God – that raised Jesus from the grave lived within their hearts.[213] The Sovereign LORD God gave believers of Jesus the Holy Spirit of God as a pledge and seal of the fulfillment of His salvation, love, and grace.[214]
Furthermore, Paul the Apostle taught that the Sovereign LORD God, through His Son Jesus, gave believers of Jesus spiritual gifts (endowments) by the Holy Spirit of God to edify and build up the church as one.[215] The church has many members, but all believers are one body in the Sovereign LORD God through faith in His Son, Jesus.[216] The Resurrected Jesus is the Head of the church body.[217] The Apostle Paul taught that the Sovereign LORD God through His Son Jesus by grace has appointed believers of Jesus with gifts of prophecy (revelation from God), teachers with words of wisdom and understanding, encouragers and counselors, givers, healers and miracle workers, the spirit of discernment (judgment), leaders and administrators, pastors, care ministers, apostles, evangelists, speakers in tongues and the spirit of interpretation of tongues.[218] Notably, 1 Corinthians chapters 12 through 14 provide the Apostle Paul’s extensive teaching on spiritual gifts.[219] However, the Apostle Paul taught that the greatest of all spiritual gifts are love and goodness toward one another.[220]
The Apostle Paul proclaimed to the church that the Resurrected Jesus must be worshipped and honored.[221] TheResurrected Jesus is the Head of the church and Ruler over all principalities and power.[222] The Sovereign LORD God anointed His Son Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, and the fullness of the Sovereign LORD God was pleased to dwell and live in His Son, Jesus.[223] Jesus is the image of the invisible Sovereign LORD God and Creator of the heavens and earth.[224] During times of trouble, the Apostle Paul urged believers of Jesus to worship the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus with songs, prayers, and hymns. [225] The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus are a Refuge during times of trouble, and He promised never to abandon nor leave those who love and seek Him.[226] The Apostle Paul knew our faithful prayers and singing to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus bring deliverance, joy, and the Holy Spirit of God.[227]
The Apostle Paul encouraged and strengthened believers in Jesus through his teaching and letters to live HOLY, FAITHFUL, AND GOOD LIVES LIKE JESUS because the Sovereign LORD God’s grace and mercy are given to everyone through faith in His Son, Jesus.[228] He did not want the people to tempt and test the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus by abusing and exploiting God’s patience, grace, and eternal love.[229] Often, the Apostle Paul quoted from the Old Testament Scriptures when teaching salvation, ethics, and integrity to followers of Jesus.[230] The Apostle Paul proclaimed a message of righteousness, sanctification (holiness), self-control (personal integrity, honorable behavior), and the coming judgment (eschatology or doctrine of last things).[231] Notably, the Apostle Paul’s letters in 1 and 2 Thessalonians are filled with Jesus’s second coming and Jesus’s final judgment for our earthly deeds – both good and bad. [232] Many biblical scholars refer to 1 and 2 Thessalonians as the Apostle Paul’s eschatological letters. The Apostle Paul believed in the final judgment – resurrection of the just and unjust.[233]
In his writings, the Apostle Paul taught the moral requirements and instruction on a holy lifestyle found throughout Leviticus, particularly the Levitical Holiness Code, as to wholehearted devotion to God, giving God our best, social justice, honesty, obedience to parents, loving one another, honoring the elderly, and sexual purity.[234] The moral teaching of the Old Testament applies to all generations.[235] According to the Apostle Paul, the Old Testament teaches believers of Jesus the Sovereign LORD God’s moral ways against idolatry, worshipping handmade gods, sexual immorality, and evildoing.[236] The Apostle Paul encouraged men and women to live good, humble, and honest lives and not give into slander, drunkenness, and evildoing.[237] God’s grace that brings salvation through commands believers of Jesus to turn from ungodliness and worldly lusts and live sober and righteous lives.[238]
As a New Testament writer, the Apostle Paul instructed believers of Jesus to live out their holy lifestyle and righteousness by becoming a living sacrifice for Jesus and doing good works, not Satan’s instruments of evil deeds and lusts of the flesh.[239] The Apostle Paul called ALL PEOPLE to turn from Satan’s evildoing, repent, and follow Jesus’s example of good deeds.[240] He taught that our faith in Jesus must lead to loving actions, good fruit, peaceful living, and kindness toward others.[241] The Apostle Paul encouraged believers of Jesus to never abuse and misuse the Sovereign LORD God’s grace and forgiveness by continuing Satan’s lies, drunkenness, rebellion, sexual sins, lawlessness, jealousy, and hatred.[242] Instead, the Apostle Paul called believers of Jesus to be wholeheartedly devoted, holy, and faithful to Jesus as a bride devoted to her husband and obedient to the Sovereign LORD commandments.[243]
The Apostle Paul prayed that believers’ genuine love for one another would continually grow and that this love would be accompanied by knowledge of God and discernment (wise actions) so they would be holy, blameless, and filled with the good fruit and good deeds of righteousness that comes through continual faithfulness to Jesus Christ.[244] In addition, the Apostle Paul instructed believers not to live selfish, self-centered, and prideful lives but instead to live in all humility for God’s glory and love and care for the needs of others.[245] Everyone that walks in the LORD God’s good ways and seeks to obey Him is called blameless and righteous.[246]
The New Testament teaches that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus was a Man of goodness and compassion.[247] During His public ministry on earth, Jesus did good deeds with acts of love, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion to EVERYONE.[248] The Apostle Paul encouraged believers in Jesus to follow and imitate Jesus’s example and produce good deeds of truth, peace, faith, prayer, forgiveness, humility, and love for one another.[249] Believers of Jesus are called to always do what are good, truthful, and right.[250] Heaven’s rewards and peace come to those who diligently seek and have faith in the LORD God and do good.[251]
The Apostle Paul did everything possible to bring EVERYONE – Jews and Gentiles – REPENTANCE and FAITH IN JESUS.[252] He made himself a servant to the Jews and Gentiles to bring them together as one and win everyone to faith in the Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Christ Jesus.[253] In the Apostle Paul’s eyes, everyone that believes and accepts Christ Jesus are all ONE AND EQUAL children of the living God.[254] The Sovereign LORD God is the loving and holy God of the heavens and earth for ALL PEOPLE – Jews and Gentiles.[255] The Apostle Paul proclaimed the Gospel message to men, women, Jews, and Gentiles, and he taught mutual love, humility, and submission towards one another out of respect for Jesus.[256] The Sovereign LORD God wanted to unite ALL PEOPLE – Jews and Gentiles without distinction into one body with His Son, Jesus as the Head of this new body – the church or new Israel.[257]
Significantly, the Apostle Paul proclaimed the message of God’s grace, forgiveness, and peace that comes through faith in Jesus because he personally expressed Jesus’s grace and forgiveness as Saul.[258] Jesus forgave the Apostle Paul’s former life as a persecutor and murderer of His people – the Way.[259] Importantly, Paul the Apostle knew and taught that the Gospel message of Jesus was the power of God to make everyone new and whole from heaven.[260] The Apostle Paul gave an autobiographical account of his former life as Saul, his suffering, and God’s grace in 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; 2 Corinthians 11:21-12:10; Galatians 1:13-24; Philippians 3:4-14; 1 Timothy 1:12-16. For the Apostle Paul, he proclaimed that the Sovereign LORD God’s grace, peace, and salvation from heaven come to EVERYONE by faith alone in His Son, Jesus.[261]
[1] See e.g., Acts 9:15-16; Acts 13:2; Acts 18:9-10; Acts 22:14-15, 21; Acts 23:11; Acts 26:12-18; Romans 1:1, 5; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:8-11; 2 Corinthians 4:5-7; Galatians 1:1, 11-12, 15-16; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:7-8; 1 Timothy 1:12.
[2] See e.g., Matthew 1:21; Matthew 20:28; Luke 2:11; Mark 10:45; John 3:16-17; John 1:29, 49; John 4:42; Acts 4:10-12; Acts 5:31; Acts 13:23, 38; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 5:23; 1 John 4:14; Jude 1:24-25.
[3] See e.g., Isaiah 53:5-6; Matthew 26:28; Luke 24:46-47; John 1:29, 36; John 3:16-17, 31; John 11:50-52; John 14:27; John 16:33; Acts 10:43; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:26-29; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 2:2.
[4] See e.g., Ezekiel 18:30-32; Joel 2:32; Luke 24:27, 47; John 1:12-13; John 17:2-3; John 20:30-31; Acts 2:38-40; Acts 3:19; Acts 4:10-12; Acts 10:36, 43; Acts 11:18; Acts 13:38-39; Acts 15:8-11; Acts 16:30-34; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:20-21; Acts 26:18-20; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 8:1; Romans 10:4, 9-13; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16, 20-21; Galatians 3:6-9, 24, 26-29; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9, 14-17; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 3:15.
[5] See e.g., John 3:16-17, 36; Acts 15:7-11; Romans 3:27-28; Galatians 2:16-20.
[6] See e.g., Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 53:5-7, 12; Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 22:27; John 13:13-16; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Peter 2:24-25; Revelation 5:5.
[7] See Acts 7:57-60; Acts 8:1; Acts 22:20; Acts 26:10. Saul’s name is changed to Paul when he began his missionary journeys for Jesus (see Acts 13:9).
[8] See Acts 6:5, 8-10; Acts 7:55-60.
[9] See Acts 7:1-53.
[10] See Acts 8:1-3.
[11] See e.g., Acts 9:1-2, 13-14; Acts 22:4-5, 19-20.
[12] See e.g., Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-2, 13-14, 20-21; Acts 22:20; Acts 22:4-5, 8, 19-20; Acts 26:9-12; Galatians 1:13, 23; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:13.
[13] See e.g., Acts 9:1-2; Acts 22:4-5, 19-20; Acts 26:9-12, 14-15; 1 Timothy 1:12-13.
[14] See e.g., Acts 9:1-2; Acts 22:4-5.
[15] See e.g., Acts 9:21; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Philippians 3:6.
[16] See e.g., Acts 26:9-11; Galatians 1:13, 23; 1 Timothy 1:13.
[17] Acts 8:1-4; Acts 9:31; Acts 11:19-21; see also Exodus 1:12; Zechariah 4:6; Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8.
[18] See e.g., Acts 7:58; Acts 9:1, 11; Acts 13:9.
[19] See e.g., Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3; Acts 23:1, 6; Acts 26:4-5; Romans 11:1; Galatians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:5-6.
[20] See e.g., Romans 9:3-4; Romans 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5.
[21] See e.g., Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2-3.
[22] See e.g., Acts 9:11, 30; Acts 21:39; Acts 23:34.
[23] Philippians 3:5; see also Genesis 17:10-12; Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59; Luke 2:21; Acts 7:8.
[24] See e.g., Acts 16:37-38; Acts 21:39-40; Acts 22:2, 25-29; Acts 23:27; Galatians 2:15; Philippians 3:4-5.
[25] See 1 Corinthians 7:7-8; 1 Corinthians 9:5-6.
[26] See Acts 23:16-17.
[27] Acts 9:1-3; see also John 14:6; Acts 19:9, 23; Acts 22:4-6; 24:14, 22; Acts 26:12-13.
[28] Acts 9:3-4; Acts 22:6; Acts 26:13; see also Isaiah 6:8; 1 Corinthians 15:8.
[29] Acts 22:6; Acts 26:13; see also Ezekiel 1:26-28; Revelation 1:16.
[30] See Acts 9:4; Acts 22:9; Acts 26:14.
[31] Acts 9:7; Acts 22:9; see also Daniel 10:7; John 12:28-29.
[32] See Acts 9:3; Acts 22:6; Acts 26:13.
[33] See e.g., Numbers 24:17; Psalm 104:1-2; Matthew 4:16; John 1:4-5; John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46; John 17:5; 1 Timothy 6:15-16; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 1:5-7; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:16.
[34] See e.g., Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 9:1-2; Daniel 10:6-7; Matthew 17:1-2; Mark 9:2-3; Luke 9:28-29, 32; John 12:41; Acts 9:3-5; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Revelation 1:16.
[35] See e.g., Exodus 34:29; Daniel 12:3; Matthew 13:43.
[36] See Acts 9:4-5; Acts 22:7-8; Acts 26:14.
[37] See e.g., Acts 9:5; Acts 22:4-5, 7-8; Acts 26:14-15.
[38] See Acts 26:14.
[39] See Acts 22:10-11.
[40] See Acts 9:3, 8-9; Acts 22:6, 11.
[41] See Acts 9:10-12, 17-18.
[42] Acts 22:12; see also Luke 1:5-6.
[43] See Acts 8:3; Acts 9:2, 13-14, 21; Galatians 1:13.
[44] Acts 9:15-16; Acts 13:2; Acts 20:20-21; Acts 22:14-15, 21; Acts 23:11; Acts 26:16-18; see also Acts 13:2; Romans 1:1, 5, 16-17; 1 Corinthians 9:16-17; Galatians 1:15-16; Galatians 2:2, 7-9; Ephesians 3:7-8; 1 Timothy 1:12-16.
[45] 1 Corinthians 9:1; 1 Corinthians 15:8-9; see also Acts 9:3-8; Acts 22:6-11; Acts 26:12-18.
[46] Acts 26:15-18, 23; see also Luke 2:32; Luke 24:47; Acts 5:30-31; Acts 13:38; Acts 15:9; Acts 17:30-31; Acts 20:20-21; Romans 10:12-13; Titus 2:11-12.
[47] See Acts 9:17-18; Acts 22:13.
[48] Acts 9:18; Acts 22:16; see also Romans 10:12-13.
[49] See Acts 26:13, 19.
[50] Acts 26:20; see also Jeremiah 18:11; Ezekiel 18:4, 30-32; Matthew 3:8; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 7:15-23; Luke 3:8; Acts 2:38; Acts 9:19-20, 26-29; Acts 11:26; Acts 13:46; Acts 14:15; Acts 16:30-32; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:20-21; Acts 22:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 5:7-11; Titus 3:8.
[51] Acts 9:19-25; Acts 13:31; Acts 17:1-3; Acts 18:4-5, 28; Acts 25:19; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; see also Matthew 16:16; Luke 2:10-11; John 20:30-31.
[52] See e.g., Psalm 110:1; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:2, 9, 12; Acts 2:24, 33; Acts 5:30; Acts 7:55-56; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; 1 Peter 3:22; Hebrews 1:3.
[53] See e.g., Acts 9:1-2, 19.
[54] See Acts 9:19-20, 22.
[55] See Acts 9:23-25; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33; Galatians 1:17-18.
[56] See Galatians 1:17.
[57] See Galatians 1:18-19.
[58] See Acts 9:26.
[59] See Acts 9:26; Acts 22:17; Acts 26:20; Galatians 1:17-18.
[60] Acts 9:20-22, 27-28; see also Acts 4:36; Acts 13:2.
[61] See Acts 9:26-30.
[62] Acts 9:29; see also 2 Corinthians 11:26.
[63] Acts 22:17-18, 21; see also Acts 9:15; Acts 13:46; Acts 23:11.
[64] Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:21; see also Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3; Acts 23:34.
[65] See Acts 8:1, 4; Acts 11:19-20.
[66] See Acts 11:21.
[67] See Acts 11:22-24.
[68] See Acts 11:25-26.
[69] See Acts 11:26.
[70] See Acts 11:26.
[71] See Galatians 2:1-10.
[72] See Acts 11:27-30.
[73] See 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.
[74] See 2 Corinthians 12:9.
[75] See Acts 12:12, 25.
[76] See e.g., Acts 12:24.
[77] See e.g., Acts 9:3-8; Acts 22:6-11; Acts 26:12-18.
[78] See Acts 13:9.
[79] See e.g., Acts 13:32-35; Acts 17:18; Acts 23:6; Acts 24:20-21; Acts 25:19; Acts 26:8; 1 Corinthians 15:8-12.
[80] See Acts 9:3-8, 15, 27; Acts 22:6-11, 14; Acts 26:12-18; Titus 1:1.
[81] See e.g., Daniel 10:6; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 17:2; Acts 9:3, 5, 20, 22; Acts 22:6, 9, 11; Acts 26:13, 15; Revelation 1:16.
[82] Acts 20:21, 24; Acts 21:13; see also John 1:14; Acts 11:23.
[83] See e.g., Acts 20:19, 21, 24, 34-35; Acts 21:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; 2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 1:20-21; Philippians 2:17; Philippians 3:8; Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:7.
[84] 2 Corinthians 12:1-7; see also Luke 23:43.
[85] See e.g., Acts 20:32-35.
[86] Acts 18:3; see also Acts 20:33-35; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 9:12-18; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 11:9, 23; 2 Corinthians 12:14-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8
[87] See e.g., 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:5.
[88] See e.g., John 10:10; Acts 9:15; Acts 22:10, 14-15, 21; Acts 23:11; Acts 26:16; Romans 11:13; Romans 15:15-18; Galatians 1:15-16; Galatians 2:7-8; Ephesians 3:7.
[89] See e.g., Acts 14:27; Acts 15:12; Acts 21:19; Romans 15:18-19.
[90] Acts 18:9-10; see also Matthew 28:20.
[91] Jeremiah 1:8; Ezekiel 2:6; Ezekiel 3:9; see also Acts 26:22; Acts 27:22-26; 2 Corinthians 1:10; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 13:5-6.
[92] See e.g., Acts 14:27; Acts 15:4, 12.
[93] See e.g., Acts 13:43; Acts 14:21-22; Acts 15:41; Acts 16:5; Acts 18:23; Acts 19:4-7; Acts 20:1-2.
[94] See e.g., Acts 18:5, 28; Acts 20:21, 25; Acts 21:18-19; Acts 26:18, 20; Romans 6:13-16; Romans 15:15-19.
[95] Romans 1:16-17; Romans 6:23; see also Isaiah 61:1-2; Matthew 11:2-6; Luke 4:8-9; Luke 7:22.
[96] See e.g., Acts 17:30-31; Acts 20:20-21; Acts 26:15-20; Romans 6:11-14.
[97] See e.g., Acts 13:48-49; Acts 15:41; Acts 16:5; Acts 17:10-12; Acts 18:23; Acts 19:18-20.
[98] Acts 27:22-26, 33-38; Acts 28:3-5; see also Mark 16:15-18; Luke 10:19.
[99] See e.g., Acts 13:43; Acts 14:22; Philippians 1:29-20; 2 Timothy 3:12-16.
[100] See e.g., Acts 20:25; Acts 28:23, 30-31; Philippians 3:7-10.
[101] See e.g., Matthew 4:17; Luke 5:32; Luke 13:3, 5; Luke 15:10; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:26; Acts 13:39; Acts 26:18-20; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 9:30-32; Romans 10:3-4, 6-13; Galatians 3:24; Galatians 4:5; Philippians 3:9.
[102] See e.g., Acts 2:38; Acts 10:43-44; Acts 20:24, 32; Acts 26:18; Galatians 3:2, 14.
[103] See e.g., Acts 13:23, 38-39; Acts 14:14-15; Acts 16:30-31; Acts 17:30-31; Acts 18:5, 28; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:20-21; Romans 5:1-2; cf. Matthew 28:18-20; John 17:18-19; John 20:21; Acts 1:8.
[104] See Acts 9:30; Acts 11:25-26; Acts 12:24-25; Acts 13:4-14:28; Acts 15:1-29; Acts 15:40-18:23; Acts 18:23-21:17; Acts 23:23-26:32; Acts 28:16-31; see also Galatians 1:21; Galatians 2:1-10.
[105] See e.g., Acts 13:46-51; Acts 15:12; Acts 18:6; Acts 28:28.
[106] See e.g., Acts 14:15-17, 22; Acts 17:29-30; Acts 19:26; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6
[107] See Acts 13:1-28:31.
[108] See e.g., Acts 16:10; Acts 20:5-8, 13-15; Acts 21:1-18; Acts 27:1-28:16.
[109] See Acts 13:1-14:28.
[110] See Acts 11:19-26.
[111] See Acts 15:1-29.
[112] See Acts 15:40-41.
[113] See Acts 15:36-18:22.
[114] See Acts 18:1-3, 18.
[115] See Acts 18:23.
[116] See Acts 18:23-21:36.
[117] See Romans 15:23-24, 28; Titus 1:5.
[118] See 2 Timothy 4:6-8.
[119] See e.g., Acts 9:15-16, 20, 22; Acts 18:28; Acts 22:6-14; Acts 26:12-18; Romans 1:16-17.
[120] See e.g., Romans 1:3-4, 16-17.
[121] See e.g., Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:2, 4; Acts 4:8, 31; Acts 13:2-4, 9, 50; Romans 1:16-17.
[122] See e.g., Acts 2:1-4, Acts 8:15-17; Acts 10:44; Acts 11:15-16; Acts 15:7-9
[123] See e.g., Acts 9:17; Acts 13:9.
[124] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, 16; 2 Corinthians 13:3.
[125] See e.g., Acts 14:27; Acts 15:3-4, 12; Acts 16:6-10; Acts 21:19; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12.
[126] See e.g., Acts 20:23-24; Acts 21:10-13; 2 Corinthians 11:23; 2 Timothy 4:7.
[127] See e.g., Romans 5:3; Romans 8:35; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Peter 4:14.
[128] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 10:1, 10; 2 Corinthians 11:6; Galatians 4:13.
[129] See e.g., 2 Corinthians 11:6.
[130] See e.g., Acts 9:27; Acts 13:46; Acts 14:3; Acts 19:8.
[131] 2 Corinthians 12:5, 7-10; Philippians 4:12-13; see also Job 2:6-7; Matthew 26:39; 2 Corinthians 11:30; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:7-9.
[132] See e.g., Matthew 28:20; Acts 18:9-11; Acts 23:11.
[133] See e.g., Acts 26:17.
[134] See e.g., Acts 14:3, 7-10; Acts 15:12; Acts 19:11-12; Romans 15:19.
[135] See e.g., Acts 19:11-12.
[136] Acts 20:9-12; Acts 28:8-10; see also Mark 16:18; James 5:14-15.
[137] See e.g., Matthew 4:23-24; John 3:2; John 5:6-8; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38.
[138] See e.g., Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 28:15; Genesis 31:3; Genesis 46:2-4; Exodus 3:2, 10, 12; Exodus 4:1-9, 17, 21, 28, 30-31; Exodus 11:10; Numbers 11:17; Numbers 27:18; 1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
[139] See e.g., Matthew 10:1, 7-8; Mark 6:7, 13; Mark 16:20; Luke 9:1-2, 6; Acts 3:6-7; Acts 4:13, 29-31.
[140] See e.g., Mark 6:12; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:20-21; Acts 26:15-20.
[141] See e.g., Acts 9:16; Acts 20:23; Acts 21:10-11; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11; 2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Philippians 3:10; 2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:3, 9; 1 Timothy 3:10-12.
[142] See Acts 14:19.
[143] See e.g., Acts 9:23-25, 29-30; Acts 14:4-5; Acts 16:19-24, 37-38; Acts 20:3, 19; Acts 21:27-36; Acts 22:25-29; Acts 23:12-16, 21, 27; 2 Corinthians 11:23-25; Ephesians 6:20; Colossians 4:3.
[144] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 4:11-13; 2 Corinthians 11:27-29.
[145] See e.g., Acts 27:1-44; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Philippians 1:7; Ephesians 3:1; Philemon 1:1, 9-10, 13.
[146] See e.g., Acts 9:23-25, 29; Acts 20:3, 19; Acts 21:27-31; Acts 23:12-22, 27-30; Acts 25:1-3; Acts 26:21; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33.
[147] See e.g., Acts 13:42-45, 50; Acts 14:1-2, 5, 19; Acts 17:5, 13; Acts 18:6, 12-13.
[148] See e.g., Acts 24:5-9; Acts 25:1-7, 15, 24; Acts 26:1-3.
[149] See e.g., Acts 21:21, 28; 1 Corinthians 7:18-19.
[150] See e.g., Acts 24:10-13, 18-20; Acts 25:8-11, 18, 25; Acts 28:17-19.
[151] See e.g., Acts 25:19; Romans 6:23.
[152] See e.g., Acts 16:3; 1 Corinthians 7:18-19.
[153] See e.g., Acts 28:17.
[154] See e.g., Acts 23:9, 29; Acts 25:11-12, 25; Acts 26:30-32.
[155] See e.g., Acts 18:18; Acts 21:17-27; Acts 24:18; see also Numbers 6:13-20.
[156] See e.g., Romans 9:2-3; Philippians 3:5-6.
[157] See e.g., Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3; Acts 23:1, 6; Acts 26:4-5; Romans 9:3-5; Romans 10:1-3; Romans 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:22; Galatians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:5-6.
[158] See e.g., Galatians 1:14. Traditions of the elders were extra-biblical rules and regulations created by the Jewish rabbis – rabbinic teaching – to prevent Jews from violating the Law of God – the Ten Commandments (e.g., Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13).
[159] See e.g., Acts 22:3; Acts 23:5; Acts 24:14-16; Acts 26:4.
[160] See e.g., Acts 5:34; Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:14.
[161] See e.g., Philippians 3:7-10.
[162] Romans 7:22; 1 Corinthians 7:19; see also Psalm 1:2; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 112:1; Psalm 119:35.
[163] See e.g., Acts 23:3-5; Acts 26:4-5; Philippians 3:4-5.
[164] See Acts 16:1-3; Romans 16:21.
[165] See Acts 16:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:5.
[166] See e.g., Romans 9:15, 17, 25-29.
[167] See Acts 13:14-41.
[168] See e.g., Acts 13:27-33; Acts 26:22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.
[169] See e.g., Acts 9:20; Acts 13:4-5, 14-41; Acts 14:1; Acts 17:1-3, 10, 16-17; Acts 18:4, 19, 28; Acts 19:8; Acts 24:14; Acts 26:22; Acts 28:23.
[170] See e.g., Isaiah 53:11; Jeremiah 31:34; John 3:15-17; Acts 9:20-22; Acts 13:14; 26-39; Acts 17:2-3, 10-12, 18; Acts 18:4-5, 19, 28; Acts 19:8; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:21-28; Romans 5:1-2.
[171] See e.g., Romans 9:1-5; Romans 10:1.
[172] See e.g., Acts 9:30-31; Acts 15:4; Acts 21:17-20; Acts 28:17-18; Romans 9:4-5.
[173] See e.g., Acts 14:4; Acts 17:4-5; Acts 19:9; Acts 23:7; Acts 28:24.
[174] See e.g., Acts 13:32; Acts 24:14-16; Acts 26:5-7, 22; Romans 3:21; see also John 5:46.
[175] See e.g., Luke 24:26-27; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:23, 26-30, 32-34, 37-39; Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3; Acts 24:14-16; Acts 26:5, 22-23; Romans 1:2-4; Romans 3:21; Romans 9:4; 2 Corinthians 11:22.
[176] Acts 17:2-3; Acts 26:22-23; Romans 3:21, 24-31; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, 21; 2 Corinthians 13:3-4; cf. Leviticus 16:15; Psalm 16:9-11; Psalm 22:15; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 13:7; Luke 24:25-27, 44-47; John 1:29, 36; Acts 2:22-24; Acts 10:39-41; Hebrews 2:17-18; 1 Peter 1:11; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:10.
[177] See e.g., Acts 9:15-16; Acts 13:27-29; Acts 26:6-7, 19-20, 22, 27; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 2:5-6.
[178] See e.g., Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 42:6-7; Isaiah 49:6, 8-9; Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 61:1-2; John 5:46-47; John 8:12; John 12:41.
[179] See e.g., Jeremiah 23:5-6; Zechariah 9:9-10; Luke 24:27, 44-47; John 5:45-46; Acts 13:32; Acts 23:6; Acts 24:14-16, 21; Acts 26:6-8, 22-23; Acts 28:20; Romans 1:2-5; Galatians 3:8.
[180] Acts 9:20, 22; Acts 13:27; Acts 17:2-3; Acts 18:5, 28; Acts 20:26-27; Acts 28:23, 30-31; Galatians 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; see also Matthew 16:16; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 1:29-37; Luke 2:10-11; John 10:24-25, 36; John 20:30-31.
[181] See e.g., Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 24:25-27, 44-47; Acts 3:18, 24; Acts 10:43; Acts 11:17; Acts 13:38; Acts 15:9; Romans 3:21; Romans 9:33; Romans 10:11; Galatians 3:22.
[182] See e.g., Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:1-3; Luke 24:27, 44-47; Acts 13:16-41.
[183] See Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 1:32, 69; Luke 3:23-38; Romans 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:8; Revelation 22:16.
[184] See e.g., Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1, 4-5; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16.
[185] See e.g., John 1:18, 45; John 5:39-40; 1 John 4:9-10. Messiah is the Hebrew version of the Greek word Christ. Both Messiah and Christ mean Anointed One of God.
[186] See e.g., Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:3; Numbers 21:9; Numbers 24:17; Deuteronomy 18:15-18; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 40:10-11; Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Isaiah 61:1-2; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 34:23; Daniel 7:13-14; Daniel 9:24-27; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 6:12; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 13:7; Malachi 3:1; Luke 24:27, 44-45; John 1:45; John 5:46; Acts 7:52; Acts 9:22; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:27; Romans 1:2; Romans 3:21.
[187] See 1 Corinthians 10:4; cf. Exodus 17:6.
[188] See e.g., Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; Luke 24:27, 44-45; John 5:39-40, 46-47; Romans 3:21.
[189] See e.g., Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:17-18; Matthew 1:1, 6; Matthew 21:9, 15; Romans 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:8; John 4:9.
[190] See e.g., John 1:1-3, 14; John 3:2, 13, 31; Philippians 2:6-8; 1 John 1:1.
[191] See e.g., John 1:14; John 12:41; Acts 26:6; Romans 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 4:6.
[192] See e.g., Acts 17:2-3; Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; Acts 26:22-23; Acts 28:23; Romans 3:21; Romans 14:17-18.
[193] See e.g., Luke 24:25-27, 44-48; Acts 2:24-36; Acts 3:17-26; Acts 9:20, 22; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:32-39; Acts 17:2-3; Acts 23:6; Acts 24:14-16, 21; Acts 25:19-20; Acts 26:6-8, 22-23; Acts 28:20, 23; Romans 1:1-5; Romans 3:21; Romans 15:8; Galatians 3:8; Titus 1:2; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:10.
[194] See e.g., Luke 2:25; Luke 3:15.
[195] See e.g., Acts 28:20.
[196] See e.g., Acts 15:1-2; Colossians 2:11-12, 16-17.
[197] Acts 15:7-9, 11, 19; see also Ezekiel 18:30-32; Luke 24:27, 47; John 17:2-3; John 20:30-31; Acts 2:38-40; Acts 3:19; Acts 4:10-12; Acts 10:36, 43; Acts 11:18; Acts 13:38-39; Acts 16:30-34; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:20-21; Acts 26:18-20; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 8:1; Romans 10:4, 9-13; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16, 20-21; Galatians 3:6-9, 24, 26-29; Galatians 4:5.
[198] Colossians 2:11; see also Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4.
[199] See e.g., Acts 15:19-21, 28-29; Acts 21:25; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; 1 Corinthians 10:7-8; Colossians 3:5; see also Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 3:17; Leviticus 7:26; Leviticus 17:13-14; Deuteronomy 12:16, 23-25. However, Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1 permitted believers to consume and eat meat offered to idols.
[200] See e.g., Acts 16:4-5; see also Acts 15:19-21, 28-29.
[201] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:1-9; Galatians 1:11-12; Ephesians 3:3-5.
[202] See e.g., Acts 9:3-6, 15; Acts 22:6-8, 10, 14-16; Acts 23:11; Acts 26:12-16; 1 Corinthians 15:8; Galatians 1:15-16; Galatians 2:7, 9, 11.
[203] See e.g., Acts 9:15; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38; Acts 20:21; Acts 22:14-15, 21; Acts 26:15-20.
[204] See e.g., Romans 1:16-17; Romans 6:4-6; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; 23; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24.
[205] See e.g., Matthew 4:23-24; Matthew 11:2-6; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 4:18-19; Luke 7:22; John 3:2; John 5:36; John 10:30, 38; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38; cf. Isaiah 61:1-2.
[206] See e.g., Acts 18:5; Acts 17:30-32; Acts 20:20-21, 27; Acts 24:24.
[207] See e.g., Romans 1:2-5, 16-17; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
[208] 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30-31; Ephesians 1:17; see also John 17:21-22; Hebrews 9:14.
[209] Romans 6:23; see also John 3:35-36; John 10:10; John 17:2-3.
[210] Romans 5:1-2, 5, 10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12; see also John 17:20-24.
[211] See e.g., Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:24-25; Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 1:6-7; Colossians 1:20; Titus 3:5-6; see also Hebrews 9:12; Revelation 1:5.
[212] Romans 4:25; Romans 5:6, 8; Romans 8:23, 35-39; see also John 3:16; 1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:10.
[213] See e.g., Ephesians 1:19-20; Philippians 3:10-11; Colossians 2:12.
[214] See e.g., Acts 2:33; Acts 10:44-45; Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13.
[215] Romans 12:3-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Ephesians 4:1-7, 12-13; see also 1 Peter 4:10.
[216] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 17-20.
[217] See e.g., Ephesians 1:22-23.
[218] Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, 27-28; Ephesians 4:11; see also 1 Peter 4:11.
[219] See 1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40.
[220] Romans 12:9, 21; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; see also Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:39-30; John 13:34-35; John 15:12.
[221] See e.g., Acts 9:20, 22; Romans 1:3-4, 7; Romans 9:5; Romans 10:9; Romans 14:8-9; 2 Corinthians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:2-3; Philippians 2:9-11; Philippians 3:20.
[222] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:21-23; Ephesians 5:23-25; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 2:10; Revelation 1:5.
[223] See e.g., Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 4:18-19; Luke 6:19; John 1:1-3, 14, 32-33; John 3:2; John 5:18; John 10:30, 38; John 14:9-11; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9.
[224] 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:15-16; see also John 8:16, 29; John 14:9-11.
[225] Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:16; see also Deuteronomy 10:21; Psalm 57:5; Psalm 100:1-5; Psalm 105:1; Hebrews 13:15; James 5:13.
[226] See e.g., Psalm 9:1-2, 9-11; Psalm 27:1; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6.
[227] Acts 16:25-26; Ephesians 5:18; see also Acts 4:31.
[228] See e.g., Romans 12:1-15:13; Galatians 5:13-6:10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-6:9; Colossians 3:1-4:6; Titus 2:11-15.
[229] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 6:1.
[230] Romans 10:6-13; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 11; cf. Deuteronomy 22:30; Deuteronomy 27:20; Deuteronomy 30:12-14; Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 53:1; Joel 2:32.
[231] See e.g., Acts 21:32; Acts 24:25; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 5:22-23.
[232] See e.g., 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Thessalonians 2:1.
[233] See e.g., Acts 23:6; Acts 24:15, 25; Romans 2:16; Romans 14:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1, 8, 18; cf. Matthew 25:31.
[234] Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:17-19; Ephesians 4:17-5:20; Colossians 3:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; cf. Leviticus 6:1-7; Leviticus 18:6-23; Leviticus 19:1-18, 28-31, 35-36; Leviticus 20:6-21; Leviticus 22:17-30.
[235] Romans 13:8-10; see also Exodus 20:13-17; Deuteronomy 5:17-21.
[236] Acts 14:15; 1 Corinthians 10:6-14; cf. Exodus 16:2; Exodus 17:2, 7; Exodus 32:6; Numbers 11:4, 34; Numbers 14:27; Numbers 25:1-9.
[237] See e.g., 1 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:1-10.
[238] See e.g., Titus 2:11-14.
[239] Romans 6:6, 13; Romans 13:8-10, 13-14; Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-10; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; Titus 1:16; see also Hebrews 13:1-6, 16; 1 Peter 2:9-10, 24; 1 Peter 4:2.
[240] See e.g., Acts 26:18, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1.
[241] Romans 12:1-2, 9-21; Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:22-23; see also Psalm 34:14; James 2:20, 24, 26.
[242] Romans 3:8; Romans 6:1-2, 13-15; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5-9; see also John 8:44; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 3:8.
[243] 1 Corinthians 7:19; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:26-27; cf. Exodus 20:1-17; 1 John 2:3-5.
[244] See e.g., Matthew 7:15-20; Romans 13:8-10; Colossians 1:4; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Timothy 1:5; Philemon 1:4-5.
[245] See e.g., Romans 12:10; Romans 15:1-3; 1 Corinthians 10:24, 31, 33; 1 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 5:26; Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3-4.
[246] See e.g., Genesis 5:21-24; Genesis 6:9; Job 1:1; Psalm 18:20-24.
[247] See e.g., Matthew 9:35-36; Matthew 14:14; Luke 4:18-21; Acts 2:22.
[248] See e.g., Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 9:35-36; Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:34; Acts 10:38.
[249] See e.g., Luke 6:36; Ephesians 4:1-3, 21-24; Ephesians 5:1-2, 6-9; Ephesians 6:14-18; Philippians 1:11; Colossians 3:12-13; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 3:8.
[250] See e.g., Romans 12:9; Galatians 6:9-10; 1 John 2:28-29; 1 John 3:6-7, 9; 1 Peter 2:24.
[251] See e.g., Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 11:29; Ephesians 6:8; Hebrews 11:6.
[252] See e.g., Acts 17:30-31; Acts 26:19-20; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
[253] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Ephesians 2:14-22.
[254] 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14-18; Colossians 3:11; see also John 1:12-13; John 10:16; John 17:11.
[255] See e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 22:37; John 3:16; Romans 3:22, 29-31; Romans 10:12-13; Galatians 3:14, 28; 1 Timothy 2:3-5.
[256] See e.g., Acts 16:13-16; Romans 12:9-10; 1 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3-4.
[257] See e.g., John 17:11, 20-23; Romans 12:5; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 2:14-22.
[258] See e.g., John 1:14; John 14:27; Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 15:13; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Timothy 1:15; Titus 3:3-8.
[259] See e.g., Acts 8:3; 1 Corinthians 15:8-10; Ephesians 3:7-8.
[260] See e.g., Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17.
[261] See e.g., John 3:15-18, 36; John 20:30-31; Acts 2:36; Acts 4:12; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 1:3-4; Romans 3:20-21, 24-25, 28; Romans 4:25; Romans 5:1-2, 18; Romans 8:3-4; Romans 10:4, 9-13; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 2:16, 20; Galatians 3:11, 24; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9, 15-16; Colossians 2:14.
