Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah^(A)

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;^(B) others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”^(C)

¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”^(D)

¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood,^(E) but by my Father in heaven.^{(F) 18} And I tell you that you are Peter,^[a](G) and on this rock I will build my church,^(H) and the gates of Hades^[b] will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys^(I) of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be^[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[d] loosed in heaven.”^{(J) 20} Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone^(K) that he was the Messiah.

Dealing With Sin in the Church

¹⁵ “If your brother or sister^[a] sins,^[b] go and point out their fault,^(A) just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’^{[c](B) 17} If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;^(C) and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.^(D)

¹⁸ “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be^[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[e] loosed in heaven.^(E)

¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them^(F) by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”^(G)

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.^{(A) 19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,^(B) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,^{(C) 20} and teaching^(D) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(E) always, to the very end of the age.”^(F)

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”^(A)

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(B) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(C) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^{(D) 39} The promise is for you and your children^(E) and for all who are far off^(F)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”^{(G) 41} Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number^(H) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching^(I) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread^(J) and to prayer.^{(K) 43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.^{(L) 44} All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(M) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(N) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(O) They broke bread^(P) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(Q) And the Lord added to their number^(R) daily those who were being saved.

³ Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized^(A) into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death^(B) in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead^(C) through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.^(D)

²³ For I received from the Lord^(A) what I also passed on to you:^(B) The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body,^(C) which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant^(D) in my blood;^(E) do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.^(F)

²⁷ So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.^{(G) 28} Everyone ought to examine themselves^(H) before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. ³⁰ That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.^{(I) 31} But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.^{(J) 32} Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined^(K) so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.^(L)

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit,^(A) brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.^{(B) 2} You know that when you were pagans,^(C) somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.^{(D) 3} Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,”^(E) and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,”^(F) except by the Holy Spirit.^(G)

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit^(H) distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone^(I) it is the same God^(J) at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.^{(K) 8} To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,^(L) to another a message of knowledge^(M) by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith^(N) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing^(O) by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers,^(P) to another prophecy,^(Q) to another distinguishing between spirits,^(R) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a](S) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^{[b] 11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,^(T) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,^(U) so it is with Christ.^{(V) 13} For we were all baptized^(W) by^[c] one Spirit^(X) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free^(Y)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.^{(Z) 14} Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.^(AA)

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed^(AB) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.^{(AC) 19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.^(AD)

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ,^(AE) and each one of you is a part of it.^{(AF) 28} And God has placed in the church^(AG) first of all apostles,^(AH) second prophets,^(AI) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,^(AJ) of helping, of guidance,^(AK) and of different kinds of tongues.^{(AL) 29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^[d]?^(AM) Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire^(AN) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

13 If I speak in the tongues^[e](AO) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy^(AP) and can fathom all mysteries^(AQ) and all knowledge,^(AR) and if I have a faith^(AS) that can move mountains,^(AT) but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor^(AU) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[f](AV) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient,^(AW) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.^{(AX) 5} It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,^(AY) it is not easily angered,^(AZ) it keeps no record of wrongs.^{(BA) 6} Love does not delight in evil^(BB) but rejoices with the truth.^{(BC) 7} It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.^(BD)

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,^(BE) they will cease; where there are tongues,^(BF) they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part^(BG) and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes,^(BH) what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood^(BI) behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;^(BJ) then we shall see face to face.^(BK) Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.^(BL)

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.^(BM) But the greatest of these is love.^(BN)

Intelligibility in Worship

14 Follow the way of love^(BO) and eagerly desire^(BP) gifts of the Spirit,^(BQ) especially prophecy.^{(BR) 2} For anyone who speaks in a tongue^[g](BS) does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them;^(BT) they utter mysteries^(BU) by the Spirit. ³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,^(BV) encouraging^(BW) and comfort. ⁴ Anyone who speaks in a tongue^(BX) edifies^(BY) themselves, but the one who prophesies^(BZ) edifies the church. ⁵ I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,^[h] but I would rather have you prophesy.^(CA) The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,^[i] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.^(CB)

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation^(CC) or knowledge^(CD) or prophecy or word of instruction?^{(CE) 7} Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸ Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?^{(CF) 9} So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.^{(CG) 12} So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,^(CH) try to excel in those that build up^(CI) the church.

¹³ For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.^{(CJ) 14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,^(CK) but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit,^(CL) but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing^(CM) with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,^[j] say “Amen”^(CN) to your thanksgiving,^(CO) since they do not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.^(CP)

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹ But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.^(CQ)

²⁰ Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children.^(CR) In regard to evil be infants,^(CS) but in your thinking be adults. ²¹ In the Law^(CT) it is written:

²² Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,^(CV) however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. ²³ So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?^{(CW) 24} But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, ²⁵ as the secrets^(CX) of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”^(CY)

Good Order in Worship

²⁶ What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?^(CZ) When you come together, each of you^(DA) has a hymn,^(DB) or a word of instruction,^(DC) a revelation, a tongue^(DD) or an interpretation.^(DE) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.^{(DF) 27} If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. ²⁸ If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Two or three prophets^(DG) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.^{(DH) 30} And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. ³¹ For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. ³² The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.^{(DI) 33} For God is not a God of disorder^(DJ) but of peace^(DK)—as in all the congregations^(DL) of the Lord’s people.^(DM)

³⁴ Women^[l] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,^(DN) but must be in submission,^(DO) as the law^(DP) says. ³⁵ If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.^[m]

³⁶ Or did the word of God^(DQ) originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? ³⁷ If anyone thinks they are a prophet^(DR) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,^(DS) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.^{(DT) 38} But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.^[n]

³⁹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager^(DU) to prophesy,^(DV) and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly^(DW) way.

¹¹ So Christ himself gave^(A) the apostles,^(B) the prophets,^(C) the evangelists,^(D) the pastors and teachers,^{(E) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(F) may be built up^{(G) 13} until we all reach unity^(H) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(I) and become mature,^(J) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(K)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(L) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(M) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(N) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(O) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(P) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(Q) and builds itself up^(R) in love,^(S) as each part does its work.