Verses about the church and community

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is the Messiah. For indeed in one Spirit we all were immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and all were given one Spirit to drink. For indeed the body is not one member but many.

And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you, or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. On the contrary, much more the members of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary, and those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have greater decorum, whereas our presentable parts have no need. But God has put together the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacks it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may care equally for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if a member is glorified, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of the Messiah and members individually.

For just as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, the many, are one body in the Messiah, and individually members of one another. And having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, if it is prophecy, let it be according to the proportion of faith; if service, in serving; if the one who teaches, in teaching; if the one who encourages, in encouragement; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who leads, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

And he himself gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as shepherds and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of the Messiah, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Messiah, so that we may no longer be children, tossed by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men, by craftiness in the scheming of error; but speaking the truth in love, let us grow in all things into him who is the head, the Messiah, from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every joint of supply, according to the working in the measure of each part, makes the growth of the body for its own building up in love.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s possession, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. you who once were not a people, but now are the people of God; who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.

‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. And now, if you will listen carefully to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special treasure out of all the peoples; for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

And I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Therefore welcome one another, just as the Messiah also welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of the Messiah.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as also God in the Messiah forgave you.

So put on, as chosen ones of God, holy and beloved, compassionate affection, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving each other if anyone has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord also forgave you, so also you must forgive. And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of completeness. And let the peace of the Messiah rule in your hearts, to which you were also called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of the Messiah dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God.

Therefore comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are also doing.

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The supplication of a righteous person is very powerful in its working.

Above all, have earnest love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. Each one, as he has received a gift, serving one another with it as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

And they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their properties and possessions and distributing them to all, as anyone had need. And every day continuing with one mind in the temple and breaking bread at home, they shared food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding every day to their number those who were being saved.

And let us consider one another for the stirring up of love and good works, not abandoning our own gathering together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day coming near.

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.”

What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

A song of the ascents. Of David. I was glad with those who said to me, “To the house of YHWH we will go.”

And all the people gathered as one man into the square that is in front of the Water Gate, and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which YHWH had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, from man to woman, and all who could understand to listen, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read in it before the square that is in front of the Water Gate, from the light until the middle of the day, in front of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were toward the book of the law.

Come in, let us bow down and bend low; let us kneel before YHWH our Maker. For he is our Elohim, and we the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,

But I do not ask on behalf of these only, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory that you have given me, that they may be one just as we are one: I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to completion as one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them just as you loved me.

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one immersion; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

So if there is any comfort in the Messiah, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, complete my joy so that you think the same thing, having the same love, united in soul, thinking the one thing. Do nothing from selfish ambition or from empty conceit, but in humility regard one another as surpassing yourselves, each not looking out for their own interests but each also for the interests of others.

Now I urge you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, that all of you say the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been made clear to me about you, my brothers, by those of Chloe that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: each of you says, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of the Messiah. Has the Messiah been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you immersed into the name of Paul?

A song of the ascents. Of David. Look, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell also together. It is like the good oil on the head, coming down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, that comes down over the collar of his garments; like the dew of Hermon that comes down on the mountains of Zion; for there YHWH commanded the blessing, life forever.

There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; there is no male and female; for you are all one in the Messiah Jesus.

And the multitude of those who had believed was of one heart and soul, and not even one said that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds of what was sold and laying them at the feet of the apostles, and it was distributed to each as anyone had need.

Now in these days, as the disciples were increasing, there arose a complaint by the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. So the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. So, brothers, select from among you seven men of good testimony, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this task; but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” And the matter pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

My brothers, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus the Messiah with partiality. For if a man with gold rings in splendid clothing comes into your meeting, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the splendid clothing and say, You, sit here in a good place, and to the poor man you say, You, stand, or sit there under my footstool, have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers: has not God chosen the poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love him?

And we exhort you, brothers: admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all.

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, for building up.

Brothers, even if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, watching yourself, lest you too be tempted.

But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him?

For this is not so that there may be relief for others and affliction for you, but out of equality: at the present time your abundance is for their need, so that their abundance also may be for your need, so that there may be equality. As it is written, “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, to the shepherds, ‘Thus says Adonai YHWH: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? The fat you eat, and with the wool you clothe yourselves; the fattened you butcher; the flock you do not feed. The weak you have not strengthened, and the sick you have not healed, and the broken you have not bound up, and the strayed you have not brought back, and the lost you have not sought; but with force you have ruled them, and with harshness.

If there is among you a needy one, one of your brothers, in one of your gates in your land that YHWH your Elohim is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or close your hand against your brother, the needy one. But you shall freely open your hand to him and freely lend him enough for his need, whatever he lacks.