And certain ones, descending from Judea, were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
15:2
Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas made no small uprising against them, they decided that Paul and Barnabas, and some from the opposing side, should go up to the Apostles and priests in Jerusalem concerning this question.
15:3
Therefore, being led by the church, they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy among all the brothers.
15:4
And when they had arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the Apostles and the elders, reporting what great things God had done with them.
15:5
But some from the sect of the Pharisees, those who were believers, rose up saying, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and to be instructed to keep the Law of Moses.”
15:6
And the Apostles and elders came together to take care of this matter.
John 15: 1- 8
15:1
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
15:2
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he will take away. And each one that does bear fruit, he will cleanse, so that it may bring forth more fruit.
15:3
You are clean now, because of the word that I have spoken to you.
15:4
Abide in me, and I in you. Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so also are you unable, unless you abide in me.
15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without me, you are able to do nothing.
15:6
If anyone does not abide in me, he will be cast away, like a branch, and he will wither, and they will gather him and cast him into the fire, and he burns.
15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, then you may ask for whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
15:8
In this, my Father is glorified: that you should bring forth very much fruit and become my disciples.
But as the disciples were standing around him, he got up and entered the city. And the next day, he set out with Barnabas for Derbe.
14:20
And when they had evangelized that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
14:21
strengthening the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them that they should remain always in the faith, and that it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations.
14:22
And when they had established priests for them in each church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed.
14:23
And traveling by way of Pisidia, they arrived in Pamphylia.
14:24
And having spoken the word of the Lord in Perga, they went down into Attalia.
14:25
And from there, they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had now accomplished.
14:26
And when they had arrived and had gathered together the church, they related what great things God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
14:27
And they remained for no small amount of time with the disciples.
John 14: 27- 31
14:27
Peace I leave for you; my Peace I give to you. Not in the way that the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and let it not fear.
14:28
You have heard that I said to you: I am going away, and I am returning to you. If you loved me, certainly you would be gladdened, because I am going to the Father. For the Father is greater than I.
14:29
And now I have told you this, before it happens, so that, when it will happen, you may believe.
14:30
I will not now speak at length with you. For the prince of this world is coming, but he does not have anything in me.
14:31
Yet this is so that the world may know that I love the Father, and that I am acting according to the commandment that the Father has given to me. Rise up, let us go from here.”
Now when an assault had been planned by the Gentiles and the Jews with their leaders, so that they might treat them with contempt and stone them,
14:6
they, realizing this, fled together to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the entire surrounding region. And they were evangelizing in that place.
14:7
And a certain man was sitting at Lystra, disabled in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
14:8
This man heard Paul speaking. And Paul, gazing at him intently, and perceiving that he had faith, so that he might be healed,
14:9
said with a loud voice, “Stand upright upon your feet!” And he leaped up and walked around.
14:10
But when the crowds had seen what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice in the Lycaonian language, saying, “The gods, having taken the likenesses of men, have descended to us!”
14:11
And they called Barnabas, ‘Jupiter,’ yet truly they called Paul, ‘Mercury,’ because he was the lead speaker.
14:12
Also, the priest of Jupiter, who was outside the city, in front of the gate, bringing in oxen and garlands, was willing to offer sacrifice with the people.
14:13
And as soon as the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, had heard this, tearing their tunics, they leapt into the crowd, crying out
14:14
and saying: “Men, why would you do this? We also are mortals, men like yourselves, preaching to you to be converted, from these vain things, to the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them.
14:15
In previous generations, he permitted all nations to walk in their own ways.
14:16
But certainly, he did not leave himself without testimony, doing good from heaven, giving rains and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness.”
14:17
And by saying these things, they were barely able to restrain the crowds from immolating to them.
14:18
Now certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived there. And having persuaded the crowd, they stoned Paul and dragged him outside of the city, thinking him to be dead.
John 14: 21 -26
14:21
Whoever holds to my commandments and keeps them: it is he who loves me. And whoever loves me shall be loved by my Father. And I will love him, and I will manifest myself to him.”
14:22
Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him: “Lord, how does it happen that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?”
14:23
Jesus responded and said to him: “If anyone loves me, he shall keep my word. And my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and we will make our dwelling place with him.
14:24
Whoever does not love me, does not keep not my words. And the word that you have heard is not of me, but it is of the Father who sent me.
14:25
These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you.
14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will suggest to you everything whatsoever that I have said to you.
And when he had arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
9:27
But Barnabas took him aside and led him to the Apostles. And he explained to them how he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him, and how, in Damascus, he had acted faithfully in the name of Jesus.
9:28
And he was with them, entering and departing Jerusalem, and acting faithfully in the name of the Lord.
9:29
He also was speaking with the Gentiles and disputing with the Greeks. But they were seeking to kill him.
9:30
And when the brothers had realized this, they brought him to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
9:31
Certainly, the Church had peace throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and it was being built up, while walking in the fear of the Lord, and it was being filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
First Letter of John 3: 18-24
3:18
My little sons, let us not love in words only, but in works and in truth.
3:19
In this way, we will know that we are of the truth, and we will commend our hearts in his sight.
3:20
For even if our heart reproaches us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows all things.
3:21
Most beloved, if our heart does not reproach us, we can have confidence toward God;
3:22
and whatever we shall request of him, we shall receive from him. For we keep his commandments, and we do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
3:23
And this is his commandment: that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
3:24
And those who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And we know that he abides in us by this: by the Spirit, whom he has given to us.
John 15: 1- 8
15:1
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
15:2
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he will take away. And each one that does bear fruit, he will cleanse, so that it may bring forth more fruit.
15:3
You are clean now, because of the word that I have spoken to you.
15:4
Abide in me, and I in you. Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so also are you unable, unless you abide in me.
15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without me, you are able to do nothing.
15:6
If anyone does not abide in me, he will be cast away, like a branch, and he will wither, and they will gather him and cast him into the fire, and he burns.
15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, then you may ask for whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
15:8
In this, my Father is glorified: that you should bring forth very much fruit and become my disciples.
Yet truly, on the following Sabbath, nearly the entire city came together to hear the Word of God.
13:45
Then the Jews, seeing the crowds, were filled with envy, and they, blaspheming, contradicted the things that were being said by Paul.
13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas said firmly: “It was necessary to speak the Word of God first to you. But because you reject it, and so judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
13:47
For so has the Lord instructed us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
13:48
Then the Gentiles, upon hearing this, were gladdened, and they were glorifying the Word of the Lord. And as many as believed were preordained to eternal life.
13:49
Now the word of the Lord was disseminated throughout the entire region.
13:50
But the Jews incited some devout and honest women, and the leaders of the city. And they stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas. And they drove them away from their parts.
13:51
But they, shaking the dust from their feet against them, went on to Iconium.
13:52
The disciples were likewise filled with gladness and with the Holy Spirit.
John 14: 7- 14
14:7
If you had known me, certainly you would also have known my Father. And from now on, you shall know him, and you have seen him.”
14:8
Philip said to him, “Lord, reveal the Father to us, and it is enough for us.”
14:9
Jesus said to him: “Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me? Philip, whoever sees me, also sees the Father. How can you say, ‘Reveal the Father to us?’
14:10
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I am speaking to you, I do not speak from myself. But the Father abiding in me, he does these works.
14:11
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
14:12
Or else, believe because of these same works. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me shall also do the works that I do. And greater things than these shall he do, for I go to the Father.
14:13
And whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14:14
If you shall ask anything of me in my name, that I will do.
Noble brothers, sons of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, it is to you the Word of this salvation has been sent.
13:27
For those who were living in Jerusalem, and its rulers, heeding neither him, nor the voices of the Prophets that are read on every Sabbath, fulfilled these by judging him.
13:28
And although they found no case for death against him, they petitioned Pilate, so that they might put him to death.
13:29
And when they had fulfilled everything that had been written about him, taking him down from the tree, they placed him in a tomb.
13:30
Yet truly, God raised him up from the dead on the third day.
13:31
And he was seen for many days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who even now are his witnesses to the people.
13:32
And we are announcing to you that the Promise, which was made to our fathers,
13:33
has been fulfilled by God for our children by raising up Jesus, just as it has been written in the second Psalm also: ‘You are my Son. This day I have begotten you.’
Gospel
The Holy Gospel According to John 14: 1-6
14:1
“Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also.
14:2
In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. If there were not, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you.
14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will return again, and then I will take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be.
14:4
And you know where I am going. And you know the way.”
14:5
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Similarly, young persons, be subject to the elders. And infuse all humility among one another, for God resists the arrogant, but to the humble he gives grace.
5:6
And so, be humbled under the powerful hand of God, so that he may exalt you in the time of visitation.
5:7
Cast all your cares upon him, for he takes care of you.
5:8
Be sober and vigilant. For your adversary, the devil, is like a roaring lion, traveling around and seeking those whom he might devour.
5:9
Resist him by being strong in faith, being aware that the same passions afflict those who are your brothers in the world.
5:10
But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself perfect, confirm, and establish us, after a brief time of suffering.
5:11
To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
5:12
I have written briefly, through Sylvanus, whom I consider to be a faithful brother to you, begging and testifying that this is the true grace of God, in which you have been established.
5:13
The Church which is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you, as does my son, Mark.
5:14
Greet one another with a holy kiss. Grace be to all of you who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Mark 16: 15 – 20
16:15 And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16 Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17 Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18 They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19 And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20 Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.
But the word of the Lord was increasing and multiplying.
12:25
Then Barnabas and Saul, having completed the ministry, returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John, who was surnamed Mark.
13:1
Now there were, in the Church at Antioch, prophets and teachers, among whom were Barnabas, and Simon, who was called the Black, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
13:2
Now as they were ministering for the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them: “Separate Saul and Barnabas for me, for the work for which I have selected them.”
13:3
Then, fasting and praying and imposing their hands upon them, they sent them away.
13:4
And having been sent by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia. And from there they sailed to Cyprus.
13:5
And when they had arrived at Salamis, they were preaching the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John in the ministry.
Gospel
John 12: 44- 50
12:44
But Jesus cried out and said: “Whoever believes in me, does not believe in me, but in him who sent me.
12:45
And whoever sees me, sees him who sent me.
12:46
I have arrived as a light to the world, so that all who believe in me might not remain in darkness.
12:47
And if anyone has heard my words and not kept them, I do not judge him. For I did not come so that I may judge the world, but so that I may save the world.
12:48
Whoever despises me and does not accept my words has one who judges him. The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him on the last day.
12:49
For I am not speaking from myself, but from the Father who sent me. He gave a commandment to me as to what I should say and how I should speak.
12:50
And I know that his commandment is eternal life. Therefore, the things that I speak, just as the Father has said to me, so also do I speak.”
And some of them, having been dispersed by the persecution that had occurred under Stephen, traveled around, even to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the Word to no one, except to Jews only.
11:20
But some of these men from Cyprus and Cyrene, when they had entered into Antioch, were speaking also to the Greeks, announcing the Lord Jesus.
11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them. And a great number believed and were converted to the Lord.
11:22
Now the news came to the ears of the Church at Jerusalem about these things, and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch.
11:23
And when he had arrived there and had seen the grace of God, he was gladdened. And he exhorted them all to continue in the Lord with a resolute heart.
11:24
For he was a good man, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord.
11:25
Then Barnabas set out for Tarsus, so that he might seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.
11:26
And they were conversing there in the Church for an entire year. And they taught such a great multitude, that it was at Antioch that the disciples were first known by the name of Christian.
John 10: 22- 30
10:22
Now it was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem, and it was winter.
10:23
And Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
10:24
And so the Jews surrounded him and said to him: “How long will you hold our souls in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
10:25
Jesus answered them: “I speak to you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in the name of my Father, these offer testimony about me.
10:26
But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep.
10:27
My sheep hear my voice. And I know them, and they follow me.
10:28
And I give them eternal life, and they shall not perish, for eternity. And no one shall seize them from my hand.
10:29
What my Father gave to me is greater than all, and no one is able to seize from the hand of my Father.
Now the Apostles and brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God.
11:2
Then, when Peter had gone up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision argued against him,
11:3
saying, “Why did you enter to uncircumcised men, and why did you eat with them?”
11:4
And Peter began to explain to them, in an orderly manner, saying:
11:5
“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw, in an ecstasy of mind, a vision: a certain container descending, like a great linen sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners. And it drew near to me.
11:6
And looking into it, I considered and saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the flying things of the air.
11:7
Then I also heard a voice saying to me: ‘Rise up, Peter. Kill and eat.’
11:8
But I said: ‘Never, lord! For what is common or unclean has never entered into my mouth.’
John 10: 1- 10
10:1
“Amen, amen, I say to you, he who does not enter through the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up by another way, he is a thief and a robber.
10:2
But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
10:3
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out.
10:4
And when he has sent out his sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.
10:5
But they do not follow a stranger; instead they flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
10:6
Jesus spoke this proverb to them. But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
10:7
Therefore, Jesus spoke to them again: “Amen, amen, I say to you, that I am the door of the sheep.
10:8
All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not listen to them.
10:9
I am the door. If anyone has entered through me, he will be saved. And he shall go in and go out, and he shall find pastures.
10:10
The thief does not come, except so that he may steal and slaughter and destroy. I have come so that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.