all Bible<\/em>, except for a few clarifying comments here and there. Subtitles sometimes differ from the published version. They are my own original titles.<\/p>\n*****<\/p>\n
VISIBLE, INSTITUTIONAL, UNIVERSAL CHURCH ESTABLISHED BY JESUS CHRIST<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMatthew 5:13-15 <\/strong>You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.<\/p>\nMatthew 16:18-19<\/strong> And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.<\/p>\nMatthew 18:15-17<\/strong> If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.<\/p>\nActs 8:3<\/strong> But Saul was ravaging the church, . . .<\/p>\nActs 9:3-6<\/strong> Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, \u201cSaul, Saul, why do you persecute me?\u201d And he said, \u201cWho are you, Lord?\u201d And he said, \u201cI am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.\u201d (this appears to refer to the Church as the \u201cBody of Christ\u201d)<\/p>\nEven the Apostle Paul was under the authority of the Church. Compare Galatians 1:18: \u201cThen after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days.\u201d And Galatians 2:9: \u201cand when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas [Peter] and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.\u201d Paul was also sent out by the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-4), which was in contact with the church at Jerusalem (Acts 11:19-27). Later on, Paul reported back to Antioch (Acts 14:26-28).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Acts 20:28<\/strong> . . . the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.<\/p>\nRomans 7:4<\/strong> Likewise, my brethren, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 5:12<\/strong> For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 10:17<\/strong> Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 12:12-13<\/strong> For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body \u2014 Jews or Greeks, slaves or free \u2014 and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (cf. 12:14-27)<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 10:32<\/strong> Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 11:22<\/strong> . . . Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? . . .<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 12:28<\/strong> And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 15:9<\/strong> For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.<\/p>\nGalatians 1:13<\/strong> For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; (cf. Phil 3:6)<\/p>\nEphesians 1:22<\/strong> and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church,<\/p>\nEphesians 2:19-22<\/strong> So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.<\/p>\nEphesians 3:10<\/strong>\u00a0 that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.<\/p>\nEphesians 3:21<\/strong> to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.<\/p>\nEphesians 4:1-5<\/strong> I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,\u00a0 with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,<\/p>\nEphesians 4:12<\/strong> to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,<\/p>\nEphesians 5:23-24<\/strong> For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. (cf. 5:25, 27, 29)<\/p>\nEphesians 5:32<\/strong> This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church<\/p>\nColossians 1:18<\/strong> He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.<\/p>\nColossians 1:24<\/strong> Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ\u2019s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,<\/p>\n1 Timothy 3:15<\/strong> if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.<\/p>\nDISCIPLES AND APOSTLES (PROTO-PRIESTS) ARE CALLED AND CHOSEN (VOCATION) BY JESUS OR THE HOLY SPIRIT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMatthew 4:18-22 <\/strong>As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, \u201cFollow me, and I will make you fishers of men.\u201d Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb\u2019edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb\u2019edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.<\/p>\nMatthew 9:9<\/strong> As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, \u201cFollow me.\u201d And he rose and followed him.<\/p>\nMatthew 22:14<\/strong> For many are called, but few are chosen.<\/p>\nMark 1:20<\/strong> And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zeb\u2019edee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.<\/p>\nMark 3:13-14<\/strong> And he went up on the mountain, and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, to be with him . . .<\/p>\nMark 6:7 <\/strong>And he called to him the twelve, . . .<\/p>\nLuke 6:13<\/strong> And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles;<\/p>\nLuke 9:1<\/strong> And he called the twelve together . . .<\/p>\nJohn 13:18 <\/strong>I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, \u2018He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.\u2019<\/p>\nJohn 15:16, 19<\/strong> You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. . . . If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.<\/p>\nActs 1:2 <\/strong>until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.<\/p>\nActs 10:41<\/strong> not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.<\/p>\nActs 20:28<\/strong> Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.<\/p>\nActs 26:16<\/strong> But rise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and bear witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,<\/p>\nRomans 1:1<\/strong> Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 1:1 <\/strong>Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus,<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 7:17, 20, 24<\/strong> Only, let every one lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. . . . Every one should remain in the state in which he was called. . . . So, brethren, in whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 9:16-17<\/strong> For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 12:28-29<\/strong> And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?<\/p>\n2 Corinthians 1:1<\/strong> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, . . .<\/p>\nGalatians 1:1<\/strong> Paul an apostle \u2014 not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead \u2013<\/p>\nEphesians 1:1 <\/strong>Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,<\/p>\nEphesians 4:11<\/strong> And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,<\/p>\nColossians 1:1<\/strong> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, . . .<\/p>\nColossians 1:25<\/strong> of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,<\/p>\n1 Timothy 1:1, 12<\/strong> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, . . . I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service,<\/p>\n1 Timothy 2:7<\/strong> For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle . . .<\/strong><\/p>\n2 Timothy 1:1, 11<\/strong> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, . . . For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,<\/p>\nDISCIPLES AND APOSTLES (PROTO-PRIESTS) ARE \u201cSENT\u201d BY JESUS OR THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND GIVEN AUTHORITY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMatthew 10:1 <\/strong>And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.<\/p>\nMatthew 10:5 <\/strong>These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, \u201cGo nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,\u201d<\/p>\nMatthew 10:16 \u201c<\/strong>Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.\u201d<\/p>\nMark 3:14-15<\/strong> And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons:<\/p>\nMark 6:7 <\/strong>And he . . . began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.<\/p>\nLuke 9:1-2<\/strong> And he . . . gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal.<\/p>\nLuke 10:1-3<\/strong> After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. And he said to them, \u201cThe harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.\u201d<\/p>\nLuke 10:19<\/strong> Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.<\/p>\nLuke 11:49<\/strong> Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, \u201cI will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,\u201d<\/p>\nLuke 22:35<\/strong> And he said to them, \u201cWhen I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?\u201d They said, \u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\nJohn 4:38<\/strong> I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.<\/p>\nJohn 17:18<\/strong> As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.<\/p>\nJohn 20:21 <\/strong>Jesus said to them again, \u201cPeace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.\u201d<\/p>\nActs 1:8 <\/strong>But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Sama\u2019ria and to the end of the earth.<\/p>\nActs 9:15 <\/strong>But the Lord said to him, \u201cGo, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;\u201d<\/p>\nActs 13:2, 4 <\/strong>While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, \u201cSet apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.\u201d . . . So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleu\u2019cia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.<\/p>\nActs 16:10<\/strong> And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedo\u2019nia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.<\/p>\nActs 22:21<\/strong> \u201cAnd he said to me, \u2018Depart; for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\nActs 26:17<\/strong> . . . the Gentiles \u2014 to whom I send you<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 1:17<\/strong> For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.<\/p>\n2 Corinthians 10:8<\/strong> For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I shall not be put to shame.<\/p>\n2 Corinthians 13:10<\/strong> I write this while I am away from you, in order that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.<\/p>\nTHE CHURCH CALLS, COMMISSIONS, AND SENDS MEN OUT TO DO THE WORK OF MINISTRY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nActs 9:22-30 <\/strong>But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night, to kill him; but his disciples took him by night and let him down over the wall, lowering him in a basket. And when he had come to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists; but they were seeking to kill him. And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesare\u2019a, and sent him off to Tarsus.<\/p>\nActs 11:22<\/strong> News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.<\/p>\nActs 14:23 <\/strong>And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.<\/p>\nActs 15:1-4 <\/strong>But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, \u201cUnless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.\u201d And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoeni\u2019cia and Sama\u2019ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.<\/p>\nActs 15:22, 25<\/strong> Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab\u2019bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,<\/p>\nActs 15:27, 30, 33<\/strong> We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. . . . So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. . . . And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to those who had sent them.<\/p>\nActs 17:10, 14 <\/strong>The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroe\u2019a; and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. . . . Then the brethren immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, . . .<\/p>\nRomans 10:15<\/strong> And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, \u201cHow beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!\u201d<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 4:17<\/strong> Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.<\/p>\n2 Corinthians 8:16-23<\/strong> But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel; and not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which we are carrying on, for the glory of the Lord and to show our good will. We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are administering, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord\u2019s sight but also in the sight of men. And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.<\/p>\nGalatians 1:18; 2:9<\/strong> Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. . . . and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised;<\/p>\nEphesians 6:21-22 <\/strong>Now that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tych\u2019icus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.<\/p>\nPhilippians 2:25<\/strong> I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphrodi\u2019tus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, (cf. 2:19, 23, 28)<\/p>\nColossians 4:7-10<\/strong> Tych\u2019icus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Ones\u2019imus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristar\u2019chus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions \u2014 if he comes to you, receive him),<\/p>\n1 Thessalonians 3:2<\/strong> and we sent Timothy, our brother and God\u2019s servant in the gospel of Christ, to establish you in your faith and to exhort you,<\/p>\nTitus 1:5<\/strong> This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you, (cf. 1 Tim 3:1-13)<\/p>\nLAYING ON OF HANDS FOR ORDAINING AND CALLING MINISTERS OF GOD<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nActs 6:1-6 <\/strong>Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, \u201cIt is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.\u201d And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch\u2019orus, and Nica\u2019nor, and Ti\u2019mon, and Par\u2019menas, and Nicola\u2019us, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.<\/p>\nActs 9:17 <\/strong>So Anani\u2019as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, \u201cBrother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\nActs 13:1-4 <\/strong>Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyre\u2019ne, Man\u2019a-en a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, \u201cSet apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.\u201d Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleu\u2019cia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.<\/p>\n1 Timothy 4:11-16 <\/strong>Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (cf. 1 Tim 5:22; Heb 6:2)<\/p>\n2 Timothy 1:6<\/strong> Hence I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands;<\/p>\nDISCIPLES (PROTO-PRIESTS) AS DIRECT REPRESENTATIVES OF JESUS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMatthew 10:40 <\/strong>He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.<\/p>\nLuke 10:16<\/strong> He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.<\/p>\nJohn 13:20<\/strong> Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me.<\/p>\n2 Corinthians 5:20 <\/strong>So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.<\/p>\nGOD\u2019S FELLOW WORKERS FOR THE KINGDOM<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMark 16:20 <\/strong>And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.<\/p>\nJohn 15:13-15<\/strong> Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 3:9 <\/strong>For we are God\u2019s fellow workers; you are God\u2019s field, God\u2019s building.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 9:22<\/strong> . . . I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.<\/p>\n2 Corinthians 4:15<\/strong> For it [his many sufferings: 4:8-12, 17] is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.<\/p>\n2 Corinthians 6:1<\/strong> Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain.<\/p>\nEphesians 3:1-2<\/strong> For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles \u2014 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God\u2019s grace that was given to me for you,<\/p>\n1 Timothy 4:16<\/strong> Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.<\/p>\nGOD\u2019S SERVANTS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
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