Biblical Living

Understanding assurance of salvation

On what grounds can I have confidence that I belong to Jesus Christ?

God calls you to trust the Son he has given and the promise of life in him. You can bring both your sins and your uncertainties to Jesus while learning to recognize and walk in the life he gives.

Explore Biblical Living 57 guides

To seek assurance is to ask how you may know that you belong to Jesus and share in his salvation. Scripture answers by directing you first to God's testimony and Christ's work, then teaching you how faith receives his promise and lives before him. Its encouragement is substantial: believers may know that they have eternal life. Its calls to remain in Christ and respond to his warnings are also substantial. These belong together in a life of trust, repentance, love, and hope.

Begin with what God says about his Son

God gives a definite answer to the question of where eternal life is found. In 1 John 5:9–12, John reasons that if human testimony is received, God's testimony has greater authority. What God testifies is that he has given eternal life and that this life is in his Son. Having life therefore depends on having the Son; it is not a possession independent of Jesus. John then explains his purpose in 1 John 5:13: he writes to those who believe in the name of the Son of God so that they may know that they have eternal life. Confidence begins by receiving God's testimony about Jesus as true.

The person in whom you trust matters more than the intensity with which you examine your trust. In 1 John 1:1–4, the message concerns Jesus Christ, whom the apostolic witnesses heard, saw, and touched, and through whom they announce fellowship with the Father and his Son. John 20:24–31 likewise moves from Thomas encountering the risen Jesus to a blessing on those who believe without seeing him. The written signs serve that faith: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and life is received through his name. You are directed to this living Lord through the testimony given about him.

Jesus describes this life as a present gift with a future beyond death. In John 5:24, the person who hears his word and believes the Father who sent him has everlasting life and has passed from death to life. John 5:26–29 also speaks of the Son's authority to give life, the resurrection of the dead, and judgment. Assurance therefore concerns real reconciliation with God and resurrection hope. It is neither a favorable feeling about yourself nor merely a better quality of life now.

Receive the promise together with its address: it is given to those who believe in the Son. Ask whether you are relying on Jesus as the Christ whom God has sent, and return to the testimony that makes him known. A claim to salvation while refusing the Son contradicts 1 John 5:11–12. Yet someone who is looking to Christ need not invent an additional achievement before taking God's promise seriously. The letter's further teaching about obedience, love, and remaining in Christ explains the life of that faith.

Further study: W. Hall Harris III · W. Hall Harris III · Zane C. Hodges

Rest your confidence in Christ's saving work

Romans 4:1–8 distinguishes receiving God's gift from collecting wages. Abraham believed God, and righteousness was counted to him. Wages are owed to a worker; the person Paul describes in Romans 4:5 trusts the God who justifies the ungodly. God receives sinners on a basis they could not establish by presenting a record of sufficient merit. In Romans 4:18–25, Abraham's confidence concerns God's ability to fulfill his promise, and Paul connects that faith with believing in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. The foundation is God's promise and power, not the thought that your faith deserves payment.

Romans 5:1–11 then explains what Christ has accomplished for those justified by faith. They have peace with God and access into grace through Jesus Christ. Paul remembers their helplessness: Christ died for the ungodly, while they were still sinners. His argument then grows stronger. If God reconciled enemies through his Son's death, those reconciled have reason to trust him for salvation through the Son's life. Peace with God here describes a restored relationship; Paul does not say that believers will feel uninterrupted calm. In the same passage they endure suffering and learn hope through it.

Ephesians 2:1–10 gives good works their proper place. God makes people alive with Christ when they are dead in sins, and salvation is by grace through faith, a gift that excludes boasting. Ephesians 2:10 then says that believers are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Obedience belongs to the life God gives. It cannot be turned into a payment that persuades him to give it. Let the order of the passage shape your confidence and your response: receive his mercy and walk in the good he calls you to do.

Christ's help also continues. Hebrews 7:23–28 contrasts priests whose service ended in death with Jesus, who lives forever and has an unchanging priesthood. He can save completely those who come to God through him because he continually intercedes for them. Intercession means that the risen Jesus represents his people before God. Your approach to the Father rests on this living priest and his sufficient sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:1–18 explains why his sacrifice gives confidence. Repeated offerings could not bring the worshipers to the complete cleansing and access they needed; Christ offered himself once, and the promised covenant includes God's forgiveness of sins. The statement that he has perfected those being sanctified in Hebrews 10:14 concerns the effectiveness of his offering, not a claim that believers already behave without sin. The response in Hebrews 10:19–25 follows from what he has done: draw near to God with a true heart, hold firmly to hope because the promiser is faithful, and help one another grow in love and good works.

Further study: Christopher T. Holmes

Trust the Savior who receives and keeps his people

In John 6:26–40, Jesus redirects people who have eaten bread toward the life the Father gives through his Son. When they ask about doing God's works, he calls them to believe in the one God has sent. He identifies himself as the bread of life and promises to receive the one who comes to him. His welcome rests on the Father's will: he has come to accomplish that will, lose none of those given to him, and raise them at the last day. Coming to Christ is a response to a Savior who promises to receive and raise his people.

John 10:11–18 explains the shepherd's care before John 10:27–30 speaks of security. A hired worker flees when danger comes because the sheep are not his own; Jesus knows his sheep and lays down his life for them. He also has authority to take up his life again. This is the shepherd who gives eternal life, declares that his sheep will never perish, and says that no one can seize them from his or the Father's hand. The sheep hear his voice and follow him. Trust both his power to keep you and his personal claim on your life.

Romans 8:28–34 grounds confidence in God's purpose to make his people like his Son. The promise that all things work together for good is addressed to those who love God and are called according to his purpose; the good is explained by conformity to Christ, not by an assurance of ease. Paul then uses the language of a court: who can bring a charge when God justifies, and who can condemn when Christ died, rose, and intercedes? Assurance draws its strength from these acts of God.

Paul names tribulation, distress, persecution, hunger, danger, and death in Romans 8:35–39. His conclusion is that none of these, nor any other created thing, can separate God's people from his love in Christ. Suffering is not evidence that Christ has stopped loving them. The promise gives courage to remain faithful when the circumstances themselves offer little comfort.

1 Peter 1:3–9 brings the same hope into a life of tested faith. God has given new birth to a living hope through Jesus' resurrection. The inheritance is kept in heaven, and the believers themselves are kept by God's power through faith for the coming salvation. Peter acknowledges their grief and explains that their faith is being tested. Depend on the God who guards his people, with your trust directed toward Jesus. These promises deserve their full strength; their relationship to the warnings about abandoning Christ also deserves careful attention.

Further study: Frank L. Crouch · Thomas R. Schreiner

Receive the Spirit's witness that you are God's child

Romans 8:9–17 identifies the Spirit as essential to belonging to Christ. The Spirit is not a prize for an unusually advanced group of Christians. Those led by him are God's children, and they have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom they cry, “Abba, Father.” Paul says that the Spirit bears witness with their spirit that they are God's children. Adoption gives them a place in God's family and an inheritance with Christ.

Galatians 4:4–7 explains the order of this gift. God sent his Son to redeem those under the law so that they might receive adoption, and because they are sons he sent the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying to the Father. The language of sons emphasizes their standing as heirs. Confidence rests on what the Father has done through the Son and Spirit, and prayer is a fitting expression of that relationship.

Ephesians 1:13–14 likewise connects the gift of the Spirit with hearing the gospel and believing in Christ. The Spirit is God's seal upon his people and the pledge of their promised inheritance. A pledge is an assurance of what is to come. The passage directs your attention to God's commitment to complete his redemption and to the praise of his glory.

The Spirit's witness belongs with the rest of his work. In Romans 8:12–17, he enables believers to put sinful deeds to death; their inheritance with Christ includes suffering with him. Romans 8:22–27 describes believers groaning as they await bodily redemption, while the Spirit helps them in weakness and prayer. A troubled or grieving heart does not by itself show that the Spirit is absent. Bring your weakness to the Father while depending on the Spirit's help and obeying his call.

Christians explain the experience of this witness in different ways, including an inward assurance from the Spirit and recognition of his work through God's word, faith, and love. Neither explanation makes every inner impression authoritative. In 1 John 4:1–6, claims to spiritual authority are tested by their confession of Jesus Christ and reception of the apostolic message; 1 John 4:13–16 connects the gift of the Spirit with confession of the Son and abiding in God's love. Seek confidence that agrees with the Christ whom Scripture makes known.

Further study: Jennifer Vija Pietz · NET Bible translation team · John Wesley

Recognize faith at work in obedience and love

John does not leave a profession of faith disconnected from conduct. In 1 John 2:3–6, keeping God's commandments gives evidence of knowing him; a claim to know him while rejecting his commands is false. Yet 1 John 2:12–14 addresses people whose sins are already forgiven for Christ's name's sake and who know the Father. The call to obedience is spoken within that relationship. It teaches you to live truthfully as Christ's disciple, rather than to calculate how much obedience will buy acceptance.

The direction of love is equally clear. In 1 John 3:1–3, the Father's love gives believers their identity as his children, and their hope of seeing Christ moves them to purification. In 1 John 4:9–10, God's love is revealed in sending his Son so that they might live through him and receive the sacrifice that deals with their sins. Their love answers his prior love. The question is whether this received love is taking expression in their life.

1 John 3:14–18 makes that expression concrete. John says that love for fellow believers gives knowledge that they have passed from death to life. He explains love by Jesus laying down his life for them, then asks how God's love can remain in someone who has the means to help a brother in need but shuts off compassion. Love must act in deed and truth. Respond to Christ's love by caring for those he places before you, including sharing what you have when they are in need.

Faith and love belong together. In 1 John 3:23, God's command is to believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and to love one another. In 1 John 4:17–21, love gives confidence concerning judgment, and love for God cannot be separated from love for a brother. The fear being driven out in this passage is fear connected with punishment. Its purpose is to bring God's children into the confidence of his love, not to pronounce every person who still feels fear a stranger to him.

The severe language of 1 John 3:4–10 must also be heard. Sin stands opposed to Christ, who came to take away sins and destroy the devil's works; new birth cannot be reconciled with treating evil as one's rightful way of life. Yet 1 John 1:8–2:2 explicitly says that believers sin and need confession and Christ's advocacy. John therefore gives neither permission to make peace with sin nor a test requiring a record of sinless behavior. Keep turning from sin toward the righteousness and love that fit God's children. The precise force of his absolute statements is explored in further study.

Further study: W. Hall Harris III · NET Bible translation team · Zane C. Hodges · W. Hall Harris III

Bring sin and a condemning conscience to God

When you recognize sin, 1 John 1:5–10 directs you to honesty before God. God is light, so claiming fellowship while walking in darkness is a lie. Walking in the light includes coming into the truth about sin: denying it is self-deception, while confessing it meets God's faithfulness and justice in forgiveness and cleansing. Turn toward him with the truth about what you have done, relying on the cleansing that comes through Jesus' blood.

John writes so that his readers will not sin, and immediately adds in 1 John 2:1–2 that if anyone sins, they have Jesus Christ the righteous as their advocate with the Father. An advocate speaks on another's behalf; Jesus is also the sacrifice that deals with sins. The reason to return is found in who he is and what he has done. Take sin seriously and seek his forgiveness instead of treating a failure as the final word about his mercy.

1 John 3:19–24 also addresses the troubled heart. After calling for love in deed and truth, John speaks of assuring the heart before God and says that God is greater than the heart and knows all things. In this reassuring setting, there is good reason to understand God's knowledge as a source of comfort for the believer whose conscience condemns. God knows the truth more fully than the person's troubled self-assessment. The wording also has a serious alternative reading concerning God's greater judgment, so it should not be used to dismiss every accusation of conscience. Bring the matter into God's light, confess actual sin, and rest in the truth of his promise while continuing in faith and love.

Psalm 130:1–8 gives words for this approach. The psalmist cries from the depths and acknowledges that no one could stand if the Lord kept a strict account of sins. Forgiveness belongs to the Lord, and its result is reverence toward him. The psalmist therefore waits for the Lord and hopes in his word, then calls Israel to hope in the Lord's mercy and plentiful redemption. You can confess your need and wait on God's promise without pretending that sin is small.

Peter's story shows both the seriousness of failure and the reality of Christ's mercy. In Luke 22:31–34, Jesus tells Peter that he has prayed for his faith, foretells his denial, and directs him, once turned back, to strengthen his brothers. Luke 22:54–62 records the denial and Peter's bitter weeping. In John 21:15–19, the risen Jesus addresses Peter's love, gives him responsibility to care for his sheep, and calls him to follow. Peter's particular commission is not assigned to every reader, but his story gives reason to turn back toward the Savior who restores failing disciples.

Further study: W. Hall Harris III

Continue in Christ and receive his warnings

Jesus joins assurance of life with continuing dependence on him. In John 15:1–11, he describes himself as the vine, his disciples as branches, and the Father as the one who tends them. A branch bears fruit through remaining in the vine; apart from Jesus the disciples can do nothing. The Father prunes fruitful branches so that they bear more fruit, and Jesus says that his word has already made the disciples clean. Their response is to remain in him, let his words remain in them, pray, and keep his commandments. The passage leads into love and joy, while the burning of discarded branches gives its warning real seriousness.

In 1 John 2:18–29, the readers face people who deny that Jesus is the Christ. John says that some who left revealed that they did not truly belong, and he calls his readers to let the message heard from the beginning remain in them. Remaining in the Son and the Father is joined to the promise of eternal life and confidence at Christ's appearing. Continue to receive and live by the apostolic message about Jesus.

Hebrews 3:7–19 recalls people who heard God's voice in the wilderness yet hardened their hearts and failed to enter because of unbelief. The writer therefore urges the readers to take care against an unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God, and to encourage one another daily so that sin does not harden them. Sharing in Christ is connected with holding the beginning of their confidence firm to the end. Hebrews 4:14–16 then directs them to hold their confession and approach the throne of grace: their high priest understands temptation and provides mercy and help.

Hebrews 6:4–8 describes falling away in severe terms: people have been enlightened, tasted God's gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, and experienced God's word and the powers of the coming age, yet fall away and expose the Son to contempt. The passage speaks of the impossibility of renewing them to repentance and compares unfruitful ground to land facing burning. This must not be reduced to a passing doubt or an ordinary failure confessed to Christ. Its warning concerns repudiating the Son after the profound experiences the passage describes.

The writer's next words matter just as much. In Hebrews 6:9–12, he expects better things connected with salvation, remembers the readers' loving service, and urges diligence and the full assurance of hope to the end. Hebrews 6:13–20 recalls God's promise and oath to Abraham, recorded in Genesis 22:15–18. Because God does not lie, those who have fled to him for refuge have strong encouragement to hold to hope. That hope is pictured as an anchor reaching within the veil, into God's presence, where Jesus has entered as their forerunner and high priest. Their hope is held by God's faithfulness and Jesus' presence before him.

Hebrews 10:26–31 again speaks of willful sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth. Verse 29 explains its gravity by describing trampling the Son of God, treating the covenant blood as unholy, and insulting the Spirit of grace. The warning does not say that Christ refuses every believer who knowingly sins and then turns back to him. It confronts the rejection of the only sacrifice for sins, and the judgment described is fearful. Hebrews 10:32–39 then reminds the readers of their earlier costly faithfulness, urges them not to throw away their confidence, and calls for endurance in doing God's will.

Christians disagree about how these warnings relate to the final perseverance of a person truly made new by God. Some understand God to preserve all whom he makes new, using the warnings to keep them faithful; others understand the warnings as addressing a real possibility of abandoning saving faith. A further question is whether final departure always reveals that an earlier profession lacked saving reality. The passages themselves give clear present instruction: rely on Christ, receive his word, resist the hardening of sin, and help one another continue. God's promises call for trust, and his warnings call for a response. Give both their place without making confidence a reason to disregard either.

Further study: Thomas R. Schreiner · B. J. Oropeza · Westminster Assembly

Examine yourself with the purpose of following Christ

Self-examination has a place, but its purpose should be learned from Scripture. In 2 Corinthians 13:1–10, the Corinthians are demanding proof that Christ speaks through Paul. He turns the question toward them: examine whether you are in the faith and recognize Jesus Christ in you, unless you fail the test. Paul wants them to do what is right and be restored; he does not seek the appearance of winning an argument. Examine yourself to respond truthfully to Christ and put wrong things right.

Matthew 7:21–27 warns against resting confidence on impressive religious claims. People appeal to prophecy, mighty works, and the use of Jesus' name, yet he rejects workers of lawlessness. Jesus then compares hearing and doing his words with building a house on rock that withstands a storm. His teaching directs you toward obedient discipleship. Religious activity by itself cannot establish that you know him.

2 Peter 1:3–11 places serious effort within God's prior provision. His divine power has given what is needed for life and godliness, and his promises lead his people away from the world's corruption. Peter therefore calls for growth in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. These qualities make believers fruitful in knowing Christ; the person who lacks them has forgotten the cleansing of former sins. The starting point is the gift and cleansing already received, not an entrance fee paid through better behavior.

When Peter urges readers to make their calling and election sure in 2 Peter 1:10–11, he gives a path of continuing growth and promises a rich entrance into Christ's kingdom. He provides no numerical threshold by which to decide that enough virtue has been accumulated. Let examination therefore lead to a faithful response: trust Christ, confess what contradicts his teaching, remember his cleansing, and cultivate the good he commands. Ephesians 2:8–10 keeps this response in its place as the fruit of salvation by grace.

If examination reveals a profession of faith joined to a settled refusal of Christ, take his warning seriously and turn to him. If it reveals weakness that you are bringing to him while seeking to obey, receive the encouragement his promises give. Neither a remembered religious accomplishment nor continual inspection of your own condition can replace living trust in the Savior.

Grow in hope with God's people

Assurance grows within a life shared with God's people. In Philippians 1:3–11, Paul thanks God for the Philippians' partnership in the gospel and expresses confidence that the God who began a good work in them will complete it until Christ's day. He then prays that their love will abound in knowledge and discernment and bear righteous fruit through Jesus Christ. Confidence in God's work moves him to pray for their growth.

1 Thessalonians 5:14–24 tells the church to encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, and be patient with everyone. Paul then prays that God will sanctify them wholly and preserve them blameless at Christ's coming, because the one who calls them is faithful and will do it. Receive the support of believers who bring you back to God's truth, and give the same patient care to others.

Jude 20–25 brings dependence and perseverance together. The readers are to build themselves up in their holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep themselves in God's love, and look for the mercy of Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. They are also to show mercy and help those in danger. Jude ends by praising the God who is able to keep them from falling and present them faultless before his glory with joy. Continue in faith, prayer, love, and hope with your confidence directed toward this faithful God.

Read the related guide on repentance, confession, and returning to God.

Read the passages

Scripture in context

36 contextual selections for this subject, including the passages cited above and further related reading. Every selected range is reproduced in full from the KJV. Context notes identify the setting and kind of evidence.

particular covenant narrative 1 selections
Genesis 22:1–19 KJV · In this guide

Context: Abraham's testing and God's provision conclude in the oath concerning blessing and offspring.

22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

22:3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

22:11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

22:15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

22:19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.

lament and hope 1 selections
Psalms 130:1–8 KJV · In this guide

Context: A cry from the depths acknowledges universal need, forgiveness, reverence, waiting on the word, and Israel's redemption.

130:1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

130:2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

130:6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

130:7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

130:8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

teaching of Jesus 3 selections
Matthew 7:15–27 KJV · In this guide

Context: False prophets and misleading religious claims lead into the contrast between hearing-and-doing and hearing without doing.

7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

7:21 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.

7:22 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?

7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

John 5:19–29 KJV · In this guide

Context: Jesus explains the Son's relation to the Father, life-giving authority, and judgment.

5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

John 15:1–17 KJV · In this guide

Context: The vine and branches explain dependence, fruit, pruning, remaining, prayer, obedience, love, and joy.

15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

particular gospel narrative 3 selections
Luke 22:24–34 KJV · In this guide

Context: The disciples' dispute is corrected by Jesus' service; Jesus then speaks of testing, prayer for Peter, and his coming denial.

22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Luke 22:54–62 KJV · In this guide

Context: Peter denies knowing Jesus and weeps after remembering Jesus' word.

22:54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.

22:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

22:56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

22:57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

22:58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

22:59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilæan.

22:60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

22:62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

John 21:15–19 KJV · In this guide

Context: The risen Jesus addresses Peter's love, entrusts his sheep, foretells Peter's death, and calls him to follow.

21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

teaching and disciple response 1 selections
John 6:22–71 KJV · In this guide

Context: After the feeding, Jesus teaches about the Father's bread, belief, his self-giving, and disciples' divided responses.

6:22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

6:30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

6:31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

6:32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

6:36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

6:39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

6:41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

6:42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

6:43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

6:44 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.

6:45 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.

6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

6:48 I am that bread of life.

6:49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

6:52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

6:59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

6:61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

6:71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

teaching and controversy 1 selections
John 10:1–42 KJV · In this guide

Context: Shepherd imagery, Jesus' self-giving, opposition, and the promise of life and protection interpret his relation to the Father and his sheep.

10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

10:19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

10:21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

10:30 I and my Father are one.

10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

10:39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

10:40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

10:41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

10:42 And many believed on him there.

gospel narrative and purpose 1 selections
John 20:24–31 KJV · In this guide

Context: Thomas meets the risen Jesus; the Gospel explains why selected signs have been written.

20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

apostolic argument 4 selections
Romans 4:1–25 KJV · In this guide

Context: Paul develops Abraham's faith, credited righteousness, promise, and resurrection faith.

4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 5:1–11 KJV · In this guide

Context: The consequences of justification lead from peace and hope to reconciliation through Christ's death and life.

5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Romans 8:1–39 KJV · In this guide

Context: Life in the Spirit and adoption lead through suffering and hope to God's purpose and inseparable love in Christ.

8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

8:3 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:

8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

8:18 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.

8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

8:23 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.

8:24 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?

8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

8:26 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.

8:27 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.

8:28 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.

8:29 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.

8:30 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.

8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

8:32 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?

8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

8:34 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.

8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

8:39 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.

Galatians 4:1–7 KJV · In this guide

Context: The movement from minority and bondage to redemption, adoption, the Spirit's cry, and inheritance.

4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

apostolic pastoral argument 1 selections
2 Corinthians 13:1–10 KJV · In this guide

Context: Paul's approaching visit and their demand for proof prompt self-examination, prayer for right conduct, and a purpose of restoration.

13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

13:2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

13:3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

13:6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

apostolic praise and teaching 1 selections
Ephesians 1:3–14 KJV · In this guide

Context: Praise for the Father's purpose, redemption in the Son, and the Spirit as seal and pledge.

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

apostolic teaching 7 selections
Ephesians 2:1–10 KJV · In this guide

Context: God makes those dead in sins alive with Christ by grace and creates them for good works.

2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 John 1:1–2:2 KJV · In this guide

Context: The witnessed Word of life introduces fellowship; God's light exposes sin and Christ provides cleansing and advocacy.

1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:3–17 KJV · In this guide

Context: Knowing God and walking as Jesus walked lead into love, reassurance of forgiveness, and the command not to love the world.

2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 John 3:1–10 KJV · In this guide

Context: The Father's love, future likeness to Christ, purification, and the incompatibility of sin with birth from God.

3:1 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.

3:2 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.

3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

1 John 3:11–24 KJV · In this guide

Context: Cain's hatred contrasts with Christ's self-giving, followed by practical love, an assured heart, prayer, faith, and the Spirit.

3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

1 John 4:1–21 KJV · In this guide

Context: Testing spiritual claims by Christ and apostolic truth leads into God's prior love, the Spirit, and confidence concerning judgment.

4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1 John 5:1–13 KJV · In this guide

Context: Faith in Jesus, love, God's testimony, and the stated purpose of giving believers knowledge of eternal life.

5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

apostolic thanksgiving and prayer 1 selections
Philippians 1:3–11 KJV · In this guide

Context: Thanksgiving for gospel partnership and confidence in God's work lead into prayer for discerning love and fruit.

1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

apostolic exhortation and prayer 1 selections
1 Thessalonians 5:12–24 KJV · In this guide

Context: Communal respect, patient care, prayer, discernment, and holiness conclude with the faithful God's preserving work.

5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

5:16 Rejoice evermore.

5:17 Pray without ceasing.

5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

5:20 Despise not prophesyings.

5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

scriptural exhortation 2 selections
Hebrews 3:1–19 KJV · In this guide

Context: Jesus' faithfulness introduces Psalm 95's wilderness warning and its application to the addressed community.

3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

3:3 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.

3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

3:6 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.

3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

3:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

3:10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

3:16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:1–16 KJV · In this guide

Context: The promise of entering God's rest and the searching word lead into Jesus' sympathetic priesthood.

4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

4:5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

warning and encouragement 2 selections
Hebrews 5:11–6:20 KJV · In this guide

Context: A call to maturity leads through a severe apostasy warning to encouragement, God's oath, and hope anchored in Jesus' priesthood.

5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.

6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

6:17 Where in God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 10:26–39 KJV · In this guide

Context: A warning about repudiating the Son and his sacrifice leads to remembrance of former endurance and a call to keep confidence.

10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

priestly and covenant argument 2 selections
Hebrews 7:11–28 KJV · In this guide

Context: Jesus' priesthood is grounded in his indestructible life and permanent intercession rather than mortal succession.

7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Hebrews 10:1–25 KJV · In this guide

Context: Repeated sacrifices are contrasted with Christ's offering and the promised covenant, leading to three communal exhortations.

10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

apostolic encouragement 1 selections
1 Peter 1:3–9 KJV · In this guide

Context: Praise for new birth and a preserved inheritance addresses people whose faith is tested through grief.

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

apostolic exhortation 1 selections
2 Peter 1:1–11 KJV · In this guide

Context: Received faith and divine provision introduce the call to grow in virtues, remember cleansing, and confirm calling and election.

1:1 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:

1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

1:3 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:

1:4 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.

1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

1:8 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.

1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

apostolic warning and encouragement 1 selections
1 John 2:18–29 KJV · In this guide

Context: Departures and denial of the Son prompt a call to let the original message remain and to abide in Christ.

2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

apostolic exhortation and praise 1 selections
Jude 1:17–25 KJV · In this guide

Context: Remembered apostolic warnings lead to building faith, prayer, keeping in love, mercy, and praise of God's keeping power.

1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Bible text and permissions

Go deeper

Sources & interpretation

The teaching starts with the cited Scripture. These consulted works inform wording, context, and interpretive questions. No qualified human review has been recorded for this guide.

How do the keeping promises and apostasy warnings belong together?

John 6:37–40 and 10:27–30 use strong language about Christ's receiving, keeping, and raising his people. Hebrews addresses its hearers as a participating community, warns them against unbelief and falling away, and calls for endurance. 1 Peter 1:5 explicitly says that protection by God's power is through faith. The disputed issue includes the spiritual status of those warned and how the warnings accomplish their purpose.

  • A Reformed account holds that all whom God truly regenerates will finally persevere. Some explain final departure as exposing an earlier profession without saving reality, drawing in part on 1 John 2:19. That verse concerns particular secessionists and cannot, without further argument, identify every person described in Hebrews.
  • Schreiner's means-of-salvation account says that the warnings truly address believers and that apostasy would end in destruction, while God uses those warnings to ensure that his people persevere. This differs from saying that a warning has no real relevance to believers.
  • A conditional-perseverance account understands the descriptions in Hebrews 6 and the inclusive exhortations as addressing people who genuinely share in salvation and must continue in faith. Oropeza's critique gives substantial support to this reading of the warning recipients; it must still explain the full force of Christ's keeping promises.
  • An account limiting the threatened loss to temporal discipline or reward is discussed secondhand in Oropeza's survey. Hebrews 10:27–31 and 10:39 place strong pressure on that limitation because they speak of fearful judgment and the contrast between destruction and preserving the soul.

Christ's faithful keeping and the call to continue in faith both stand clearly in these texts. The warnings concern serious judgment and people described in strong terms, and they are followed by encouragement to hope. How God secures perseverance and whether a regenerate believer can finally fall away remain disputed. Taking the warnings seriously does not itself settle that dispute or make endurance a payment for salvation.

Further study: Thomas R. Schreiner · B. J. Oropeza · Westminster Assembly

Further examination: Does the exposition give each promise and warning its actual force while keeping the competing accounts of final perseverance identifiable?

Does 1 John use obedience and love as evidence of life or only of fellowship?

The letter announces fellowship in 1 John 1:3–4 and knowledge of eternal life in 5:13. It also links knowing God with keeping his commands in 2:3–6 and knowing a passage from death to life with love in 3:14–18.

  • A whole-letter assurance reading treats Christ-confession, obedience, and love as interconnected evidences of life, with Christ and God's promise as their foundation. Harris reads 5:13's purpose across the letter.
  • Hodges argues that assurance rests on the promise alone and reads the wider letter chiefly as instruction about fellowship. He relates 5:13 to the immediately preceding testimony and compares the local scope of similar writing statements in 2:1 and 2:26.

Love and obedience give real evidence of life because these statements explicitly concern knowing God and passing from death to life. That conclusion fits the letter's wording better than confining every conduct statement to the quality of fellowship. Such evidence does not earn life, require sinless performance, or supply a numerical test. God's testimony still locates eternal life in his Son.

Further study: W. Hall Harris III · W. Hall Harris III · Zane C. Hodges

Further examination: Are the letter's explicit evidence statements and its objective promise both explained without turning fruit into the price of salvation?

What does John mean when he says that those born of God do not sin?

1 John 3:6–9 makes absolute statements about sin and new birth. In the same letter, 1:8–10 warns against denying sin, and 2:1–2 provides an advocate when a believer sins. Any account must make sense of both.

  • Many interpreters understand the contrast as a settled practice of sin versus a life directed toward righteousness. That may fit the context, but the Greek present tense alone does not establish a technical distinction between occasional and habitual sin.
  • Another account emphasizes the letter's absolute moral contrast: sin does not arise from or express God's life in a person. The statement defines the incompatibility of new birth and evil without asserting that each believer already realizes that identity flawlessly.
  • A reading that makes any sin prove the absence of new birth faces the direct difficulty of 1 John 1:8–2:2, addressed within the believing community.

Making peace with sin contradicts belonging to Christ, while believers who sin are directed to confession and Jesus' advocacy. These conclusions are clear even where the exact force of John's absolute language remains debated. Neither a permitted frequency of sin nor a demand for sinless self-certification follows from the whole letter.

Further study: NET Bible translation team

Further examination: Does the main explanation preserve John's sharp moral contrast without creating a sinless-performance requirement or a quantitative threshold?

Is God's greater knowledge in 1 John 3:20 comforting or alarming?

The statement that God is greater than the heart and knows all things follows love in deed and truth and the prospect of assuring the heart before him. Its syntax and the force of God's greater knowledge are disputed.

  • A consoling reading says that God's greater knowledge can reassure a sincere believer whom conscience accuses.
  • A warning reading argues that if one's own heart condemns, God's more searching knowledge gives still greater reason to take sin seriously.
  • Harris prefers an impartial-knowledge account: God knows the actual state of both believers and opponents, which serves reassurance for the readers without making divine omniscience a blanket acquittal.

A reassuring force is probable because the immediate context concerns love in action and assuring the heart before God. God's greater knowledge nevertheless includes the truth about sin; it is not a blanket acquittal of every claim to faith. Confidence belongs with honest confession and practical love, under either major reading.

Further study: W. Hall Harris III

Further examination: Does the probable reading sound appropriately qualified, and does the response remain faithful under the major alternative?

How is the Spirit's witness recognized?

Romans 8:15–17 joins the cry to the Father and the Spirit's witness with adoption, inheritance, and suffering with Christ. The verb can be understood as testimony with or to our spirit; neither English choice fully settles the experience being described.

  • Wesley distinguishes a direct inward testimony of the Spirit from a person's inference from spiritual fruit, while requiring the two to agree and rejecting a need for an audible voice.
  • Other accounts place greater explanatory weight on the Spirit's work through the gospel and the recognition of faith, filial prayer, holiness, and love. Confessional formulations can combine promises, graces, and the Spirit's testimony rather than choosing only one.
  • The passage may describe aspects of assurance that belong together without prescribing a single intensity or sequence of conscious experience for all believers.

The Spirit truly bears witness to believers' adoption, and the passage joins that gift with prayer to the Father, holiness, inheritance, and suffering with Christ. It does not prescribe one extraordinary experience or make distress proof that adoption is absent. Claims about the Spirit's work remain accountable to the Christ revealed in the apostolic message.

Further study: John Wesley · Jennifer Vija Pietz · NET Bible translation team · Westminster Assembly

Further examination: Does the guide teach what the passage affirms while leaving the debated phenomenology open?

What kind of certainty may a believer have?

1 John 5:13 speaks of knowing that one has eternal life. Other texts express confident hope, commend growth, and warn against unbelief. Present belonging to Christ, one's felt assurance, and a claim to guaranteed personal final perseverance are related questions, but they are not interchangeable.

  • Westminster Confession 17–18 teaches final perseverance and a possible infallible assurance founded on promises, graces, and the Spirit. It also says that assurance is not of the essence of faith and may be delayed, weakened, or interrupted.
  • Catechism §2005 says that grace belongs to the supernatural order and cannot be concluded from feelings or works as a certainty of justification and salvation; reflection on grace's fruits can nevertheless encourage trust that God is at work. The surrounding section begins with grace as God's free gift.
  • Wesley's sermon argues for a real present witness of adoption whose strength can vary. This particular sermon should not be treated as a complete statement of every Wesleyan position on final perseverance.

Scripture expressly offers believers knowledge of life in the Son and strong confidence in God's faithfulness. Those affirmations do not by themselves settle every question about infallible knowledge of one's own final perseverance. The traditions differ at that point and in how assurance is understood. A believer's fluctuating feeling is not a measure of God's faithfulness.

Further study: Westminster Assembly · Catholic Church · John Wesley

Further examination: Is the guide clear about its encouragement while avoiding an unstated denominational definition of assurance?

Do material textual differences affect these assurance passages?

The pinned KJV displays a longer ending in Romans 8:1 and a heavenly-witness clause in 1 John 5:7–8. Many modern critical editions and translations do not include these expansions in the main text.

  • Romans 8:1's shorter form ends with being in Christ Jesus. The KJV also includes walking according to the Spirit, wording securely present in the chapter at 8:4. The textual question changes the wording of verse 1 without removing the chapter's teaching about life in the Spirit.
  • The expanded heavenly-witness wording in 1 John 5:7–8 belongs to the later textual tradition represented by the KJV. The testimony to Jesus in 5:6–12 and the assurance statement in 5:13 do not depend on that expansion.

These differences affect particular clauses, but the surrounding passages still ground confidence in belonging to Christ, the Spirit's work, and God's testimony about his Son. The longer KJV wording is therefore not necessary to establish those conclusions. This account relies on published textual scholarship; no independent manuscript collation was performed.

Further study: NET Bible translation team · W. Hall Harris III

Further examination: Are readers informed of the relevant textual differences without a silent alteration of the displayed Bible or an argument dependent on disputed wording?

  1. Exegetical Commentary on 1 John 5:13–21

    W. Hall Harris III · Bible.org; 1, 2, 3 John: Comfort and Counsel for a Church in Crisis · n.d.

    Supports reading the assurance purpose across the letter rather than restricting it to the immediately preceding testimony.

    What was reviewed

    Introduction to the conclusion and exegesis of 5:13, including whether 'these things' refers to the letter as a whole. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    Partial chapter access; no claim to have inspected every discussion of sin unto death or the whole commentary series. This export does not display a publication date.

  2. Exegetical Commentary on 1 John 5:4b–12

    W. Hall Harris III · Bible.org; 1, 2, 3 John: Comfort and Counsel for a Church in Crisis · 2004-08-02

    Documents the textual issue in the KJV's expanded heavenly-witness wording and examines the testimony to the Son.

    What was reviewed

    Selected exegesis of 5:6–12, especially textual discussion of 5:7–8 and God's testimony in 5:9–12. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    The author's distinctive water-and-blood account and proposed identity of the human witness are not adopted as established conclusions.

  3. Assurance of Salvation (1 John 5:9–13)

    Zane C. Hodges · Zane Hodges Library; transcript of a Dallas Theological Seminary chapel message · 1976; online transcript n.d.

    Presents a promise-centered, fellowship-oriented alternative to treating the letter's conduct statements as tests of possessing eternal life.

    What was reviewed

    Transcript argument on 1 John 1:3–4; 5:9–13; and the scope of 'these things,' through the comparison with 2:1 and 2:26. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    Selected transcript inspected, not the audio or a peer-reviewed commentary. Its anecdotes and polemical judgments are not used.

  4. Commentary on Hebrews 10:11–14 [15–18] 19–25

    Christopher T. Holmes · Working Preacher, Luther Seminary · 2024-11-17

    Tests perfection in its priestly context and connects accomplished sacrifice to approaching God, holding hope, and communal love.

    What was reviewed

    Full short commentary, especially sacrifice, perfection/access, new-covenant forgiveness, and the three exhortations. Accessed 2026-09-26.

    Lectionary scope. An incidental verse-number slip about the end of offerings is corrected against Hebrews 10:18; an asserted audience location is not used.

  5. Commentary on John 10:22–30

    Frank L. Crouch · Working Preacher, Luther Seminary · 2010-04-25

    Checks the keeping promise within the dialogue about Jesus and the Father rather than as an isolated slogan.

    What was reviewed

    Full short commentary, especially the Father's works, Jesus' identity, and keeping the sheep. Accessed 2026-09-26.

    The guide does not derive a complete doctrine of John 10:30 from this short functional emphasis.

  6. Perseverance and Assurance: A Survey and a Proposal

    Thomas R. Schreiner · Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 2.1 (Spring 1998), pp. 32–62 · 1998

    Provides a Reformed account in which warnings address believers and function as God's means of preserving them, rather than being empty hypotheticals.

    What was reviewed

    Introduction and selected parts of 'The Means of Salvation View: A Proposal,' especially printed pp. 52–55 and the concluding discussion on p. 57. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    Article inspected in part, not every surveyed position or the books it cites. Its synthesis is one disputed theological account.

  7. Commentary on Romans 8:12–17

    Jennifer Vija Pietz · Working Preacher, Luther Seminary · 2021-05-30

    Connects adoption to divine initiative and the Spirit's witness to belonging, holiness, and shared suffering.

    What was reviewed

    Full short commentary, especially adoption, the Spirit's witness, and suffering with Christ. Accessed 2026-09-26.

    A lectionary commentary on a limited unit, not a full Romans commentary; its contemporary analogy is not used.

  8. NET Bible translator and textual notes on Romans 8

    NET Bible translation team · Biblical Studies Press; classic NET Bible online · n.d.

    Makes the longer KJV ending of 8:1 and the interpretive choice in 8:16 visible without changing the pinned Bible text.

    What was reviewed

    Textual note 1 on 8:1; notes on adoption and the 'to/with our spirit' alternatives at 8:15–16. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    Only these notes inspected; suggested motives of scribes are not adopted as historical fact.

  9. Sermon 11: The Witness of the Spirit, Discourse II

    John Wesley · ResourceUMC; Wesley Center transcription · 1767; online republication n.d.

    Explains an inward witness distinguished from inference, while requiring agreement with Scripture and the fruits of the Spirit.

    What was reviewed

    II.2–8; III.1–5; IV.6–8; V.1 on direct witness, its relation to fruit, and variations in experience. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    Historical theological interpretation; no claim to have inspected all Wesley's teaching on perseverance or every sermon.

  10. Exegetical Commentary on 1 John 3:11–24

    W. Hall Harris III · Bible.org; 1, 2, 3 John: Comfort and Counsel for a Church in Crisis · 2004-07-28

    Tests practical love as evidence of life and distinguishes mercy, greater judgment, and impartial divine knowledge in 3:20; the author favors the third with reassurance for his readers.

    What was reviewed

    Exegesis of 3:14–20, including the discussion of the conscience, reassurance, and three readings of 3:20; selected concluding notes on 3:24. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    Only identified sections inspected. His reconstruction of the opponents is not treated as directly stated history.

  11. NET Bible translator notes on 1 John 3

    NET Bible translation team · Biblical Studies Press; classic NET Bible online · n.d.

    Warns against deriving habitual sin simply from the Greek present tense; compares contextual accounts of the letter's statements.

    What was reviewed

    Translator notes 24–25 and 32–34 on 3:6–9, including the discussion of present tense and absolute language. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    Classic online notes, not a claimed inspection of a specified print edition. Works cited by the notes were not independently read.

  12. The Warning Passages in Hebrews: Revised Theologies and New Methods of Interpretation

    B. J. Oropeza · Author manuscript of a Currents in Biblical Research article · 2011

    Challenges assumptions that warning recipients must be unregenerate and weighs the wilderness example, inclusive address, and severity of threatened judgment.

    What was reviewed

    PDF pp. 1–6: Calvinist/Arminian revisitations and the test-of-genuineness account; PDF pp. 10–11: synthetic approaches to the warnings. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    Inspected author manuscript contains editorial queries; locators are PDF pages, not verified final journal pagination. Reports of other authors remain secondhand.

  13. Westminster Confession of Faith, chapters 17–18

    Westminster Assembly · Orthodox Presbyterian Church, official online text · 1647; online text n.d.

    Defines a confessional account of final perseverance and assurance from promises, graces, and the Spirit; distinguishes saving faith from uninterrupted assurance.

    What was reviewed

    17.1–3 and 18.1–4 in full. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    Primary evidence for this tradition's position, not a neutral statement of Christian consensus.

  14. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Grace, §§1996–2005

    Catholic Church · Vatican, official English online text · 1992; English online text n.d.

    Supplies a different account of confidence: grace is God's gift, while feelings and works cannot establish a conclusive judgment that one is justified and saved.

    What was reviewed

    The grace section, especially §2005 on knowing grace and reflecting on its fruits. Accessed 2026-09-26 · Read in part.

    This limited section is not a complete account of Catholic justification, sacraments, or final perseverance.