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Thematic Selections from the Bible

Start Reading the Bible part 3 - Suggestions by Norwegian Bible Society created by Voxbiblia shown in American Standard Version

Start Reading the Bible part 3 - Suggestions by Norwegian Bible Society

This is continued from the first step of getting to know the Bible. In the first part, you got to meet Jesus and hear about his life. Now it is time to focus on the early church. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the apostles went out in the world to spread the Gospel - the good news that Jesus died for our sins. One of the core books is the Acts, depicting the travels of S:t Paul, a former prosecutor of the early Christians who was converted en route to Damascus. Paul became the foremost proclaimer of Christianity and in his letters he lays out the theological teachings for the young church, and advices them in many different situations. We end with Revelations chapter 21 and the promise of a new Jerusalem.

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Acts 2

And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.

And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans?

And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born?

Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,

in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.

And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, , Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words.

For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is the third hour of the day.

but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:

And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams:

Yea and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:

The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable .

And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;

him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:

whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:

Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.

Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.

Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day.

Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set upon his throne;

he foreseeing spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.

For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.

Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

Now when they heard they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

And Peter unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.

And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.

They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.

And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.

Acts 9

But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:

and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he , I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:

but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I , Lord.

And the Lord unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth;

and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.

But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:

and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:

for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake.

And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;

and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus.

And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.

And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests.

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:

but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him:

but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem,

preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him.

And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda.

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise and make thy bed. And straightway he arose.

And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.

And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us.

And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord.

And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Acts 10

Now a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian ,

a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.

And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter:

he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side.

And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:

and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance;

and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth:

wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven.

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean.

And a voice unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.

Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate,

and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there.

And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them.

And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee.

So he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends.

And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

And as he talked with him, he went in, and findeth many come together:

and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean:

wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me.

And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel,

and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.

Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord.

And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.

The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.) --

that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.

Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,

not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God the Judge of the living and the dead.

To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.

And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Rom 8

There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:

because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:

and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:

for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God:

and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with , that we may be also glorified with .

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward.

For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God.

For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope

that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, , the redemption of our body.

For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?

But if we hope for that which we see not, do we with patience wait for it.

And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for with groanings which cannot be uttered;

and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to God.

And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, to them that are called according to purpose.

For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God for us, who against us?

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth;

who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1Co 13

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

And if I bestow all my goods to feed , and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

Love suffereth long, is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;

rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth;

beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Love never faileth: but whether prophecies, they shall be done away; whether tongues, they shall cease; whether knowledge, it shall be done away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;

but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.

For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Eph 6

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise),

that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.

Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men:

knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether bond or free.

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual of wickedness in the heavenly .

Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil .

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,

And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible.

Rev 21

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven of God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, their God:

and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.

And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true.

And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal:

having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

on the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And he that spake with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

And the city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal.

And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.

And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass.

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the several gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof.

And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof the Lamb.

And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it.

And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there):

and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it:

and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb's book of life.

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