Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,^(A) you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”^(B)

³³ They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants^(C) and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.^(D)

⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter^(A) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out^(B) even on Gentiles.^{(C) 46} For they heard them speaking in tongues^[a](D) and praising God.

Then Peter said, ⁴⁷ “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.^(E) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”^{(F) 48} So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.^(G) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

¹¹ No! We believe it is through the grace^(A) of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

²¹ Rather, as it is written:

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[a](A) Since we have that same spirit of^[b] faith,^(B) we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead^(C) will also raise us with Jesus^(D) and present us with you to himself.^(E)

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for^(A) and assurance about what we do not see.^(B)