Summary:
...God,
who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto
the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto
us by his Son: The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and
we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full
of grace and truth. He was in the world, and the world was made
by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and
his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them
gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe
on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of
the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
...God
hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification
of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you
by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ (in that they received the word with all readiness
of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things
were so. Therefore many of them believed.) For this cause also
thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye
received the word of God which ye heard of us (desciples whom
he names Apostles), ye received it not as the word of men, but
as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh
also in you that believe. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the
words of God. He that hath received his testimony hath set to
his seal that God is true.
...Not
many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the
foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath
chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which
are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are
despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring
to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
...Many are called, but few are chosen: Not every one that
saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Wherefore?
Because they sought righteousness not by faith, but as it were
by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone:
He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them
not, because ye are not of God.
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion
a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth
on him shall not be ashamed. For Christ is the end of the law
for righteousness to every one that believeth. Ye have been called
unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,
but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in
one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
...But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord
hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I (Paul)
in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? let him
not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let
him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision
is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every
man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou
called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be
made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being
a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called,
being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price (with
the precious blood of Christ); be not ye the servants of men.
Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with
God.
...And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
...But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Further reading:
(1) Paul,
a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated
unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets
in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And
declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit
of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have
received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among
all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of
Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to
be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the
Lord Jesus Christ, Rom0101-07.
(2) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the
gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should
be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them
that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the
power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of
the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer
of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co0117-20.
(3) I (Paul) marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, Gal0106-11.
(4) And I (Paul), brethren, if I yet preach circumcision (Moses and the customs, Act2121;1510,11), why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulful the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law, Gal0511-18.
(5) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh (for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God, Jhn1243), not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, 1Co0126-31.
(6) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men, 1Co0121-25.
(7) As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe, 1Th0211-13.
(8) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all, Eph0117-23.
(9) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God, 1Co1103.
(10) Jesus ... said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life, Jhn0643-48. For as ... bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth, Isa5510,11.
(11) Jesus
saith ..., I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me (the Word made flesh, Jhn0114), Jhn1406.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:
the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are
life, Jhn0663. The word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this
is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you, 1Pe0125.
(12) The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things
into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the
wrath of God abideth on him, Jhn0335,36.
(13) We (apostles of Christ, Luk0613:1Co1509) are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you (for many are called, but few are chosen, Mat2214) to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle, 2Th0213-15.
(14) That
if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the
scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for
the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they
preach, except they be sent? (For he whom God hath sent speaketh
the words of God, Jhn0334) as it is written, How beautiful are
the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad
tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel,
Rom1009-16. Foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that
they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive;
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness
instructing those that
oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance
to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves
out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at
his will, 2Tm0223-26.
(15) How shall we escape (the wrath to come, 1Th0110),
if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to
be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that
heard him, Heb0203.
(16) I (Paul) therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love, Eph0401-16.
(17) But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price (with the precious blood of Christ); be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God, 1Co0717-24.
(18) For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance, Rom1129. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it, 1Th0524.
(19) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 2Tm0106-10.
(20) I
(Paul) thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God
which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are
enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even
as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come
behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless
in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom
ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord, 1Co0104-09.
(21) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh
and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that
through death he might destroy him that had the power of death,
that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death
were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took
not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of
Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like
unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high
priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for
the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being
tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Wherefore,
holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was
faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful
in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory
than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more
honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man;
but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful
in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things
which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own
house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and
the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end, Heb0214-0306.
(22) Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 2Pe0101-11.
(23) Brethren, I (Paul) count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself, Phl0313-21.
(24) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, 2Th0110-12.
(25) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words, 1Th0413-18.
(26) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do, 1Th0501-11.
(27) And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation ... they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations, Num1001-03.
(28) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture, Jhn1007-09.
(29) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure, 1Jn0131-03.
(30) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy, 1Pe0115,16.
(31) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses, 1Tm0612.
(32) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 2Tm0108-10.
(33) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it, Rom0818-25.
(34) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us 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 the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, Rom0826-33.
(35) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are 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 powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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, Rom0834-39.
(36) This
is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief,
suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted
for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do
well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable
with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow
his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered,
he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but
are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls, 1Pe0219-25.
(37) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men,
but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are
built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also
it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief
corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall
not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:
but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders
disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone
of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble
at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,
a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him
who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of
God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy,
1Pe0203-10.
(38) For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated, Rom0903-13.
(39) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction, Rom0914-22:
(40) And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed (which is Christ, Gal0316), we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha, Rom0923-29.
(41) What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth, Rom0930-1004.
(42) Finally,
be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love
as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing
that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain
his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let
him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears
are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against
them that do evil, 1Pe0308-12.
(43) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the
knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine
power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and
godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to
glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the
divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust, 2Pe0102-04.
(44) The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen, 1Pe0510,11.
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