Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:13-14
I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.
John 15:15-16 (John 14:24-26)
Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ... He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world... having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself... He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:2-6
When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son... to redeem them that were under the Law, that they might receive the adoption of sons... God hath sent... the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:4-7
In Whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Ephesians 1:7-8 (Romans 5:6-11)
If we believe on Him Who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead: Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 4:24-25
The church of God, which He hath purchased with His Own Blood.
Acts 20:28 (Romans 3:24-25; Colossians 1:12-14; Hebrews 9:12,28)
I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.
Romans 1:16 (Romans 10:9-11)
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel.
Colossians 1:23 (Galatians 1:6-9; Galatians 2:4-5)
[The Gospel did not come from any man]
The Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12 (1 Peter 1:18-19)
[Gospel Truths declared]
I declare unto you the Gospel... which I... preached unto you... and wherein ye stand... also ye are saved... Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures... He was buried, and... He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Some of many eyewitnesses that Jesus Christ was raised from death: after His crucifixion]
He was seen of Cephas... After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once... He was seen of James; then of all the apostles... He was seen of me also... So we preach, and so ye believed.
1 Corinthians 15:5-11,20 (John 1:42; Matthew 4:18-22)
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you... in every prayer of mine for you... for your fellowship in the Gospel.
Philippians 1:3-5
[The Gospel comes by God’s power to believers in Jesus]
Our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance... Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word...with joy of the Holy Ghost.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-6
For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord... In every place your faith to toward God is spread abroad... Ye turned to God from idols to serve and to wait for His Son from Heaven.
1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 (1 Thessalonians 2:8-16)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ... to an inheritance... reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (Jude 1; 2 Timothy 4:18)
Ye greatly rejoice, though now...it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (Acts 3:2-21
They set them before the Council... Saying, "Did we not... command you that you should not teach in this Name?"... Peter and the apostles answered, "We ought to obey God rather than men... We are His witnesses... also the Holy Ghost Whom God has given to them who obey Him."
Acts 5:27-32
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 Peter 1:8-9 (John 20:29)
Oh how great is Thy goodness... which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee!... He hath showed me His marvellous kindness... Love the LORD, all ye His saints.
Psalm 31:19,21,23-24
We love Him, because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19,8-12
As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love... This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 15:7-12 (1 John 3:11,16-19)
We have seen and do testify... the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world... We have known and believed the love that God hath to us... And this Commandment... from Him... "He who loveth God love his brother also."
1 John 4:13-16,21
Manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him... that your faith and hope might be in God... obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren.
1 Peter 1:20-22
Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 (Matthew 18:15-24)
[Called to live worthily as God purposes for believers in Him]
Forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... But unto every one of us is given grace... the gift of Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-7
Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving... even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you... And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us,and hath given Himself for us.
Ephesians 4:32 to 5:2
God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9 (Deuteronomy 7:9,11)
And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:3,7
Now in Christ Jesus ye who... were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ... For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Ephesians 2:13,18-19
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.
1 John 3:1-2
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26
[God’s children must be born again into God’s family]
I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:3,7 (John 1:1,10-13; 1 Peter 1:23,25)
Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father... If a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4:4-7 (1 Corinthians 2:5,9-13,16)
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God... The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Romans 8:14,16 (Titus 3:4-7)
Whosoever shall do the will of My Father Who is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.
Matthew 12:48-50 (Matthew 7:21)
Where it was said... Ye are not My people: there shall they be called the children of the Living God.
Romans 9:26 (Hosea 1:10)
Ye are no more strangers… but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God... builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19,22
The Living God... said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them... Ye shall be My sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (Leviticus 26:12)
I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. That He would grant you... by His Spirit... that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
Called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:2-5 (Acts 22:16; Acts 2:21)
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved... for whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:9-13
[God comforts us, and powerfully acts for us]
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you... When ye see this, your heart shall rejoice... the hand of the LORD shall be known toward His servants.
Isaiah 66:13-14
(Examples: Acts 4:19-31; Acts 13:7-12; Acts 16:23-33; Acts 27:21-25)
That ye would walk worthy of God, Who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:12 (Colossians 1:10-11)
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works... That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Titus 2:7-11
It is God Who worketh in you... to will and to do of His good pleasure... That ye may be blameless... the sons of God... as lights in the world; holding forth the Word of Life.
Philippians 2:13-16 (Philippians 1:27; Philippians 4:6-9)
This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 15:10-13 (John 3:16; John 13:34)
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.
1 John 3:11,16-18,23 (1 John 4:9-14)
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.
1 John 4:15-16,21
By love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Galatians 5:13-14 (Leviticus 19:18; James 2:8)
Be kindly affectioned one to another… in honour preferring one another
Romans 12:10
[Jesus showed how His way of loving is serving]
Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end... and began to wash the disciples’ feet...He said... Know ye what I have done to you?
John 13:1,3-12
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet... If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
John 13:13-17
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:12-15
When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father in Heaven... may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:25-26 (Colossians 3:13)
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be... provoking one another.
Galatians 5:25-26
If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Galatians 6:1
If any have caused grief... ye ought rather to forgive... lest Satan should get an advantage of us.
2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (Revelation 12:9-11)
Minister… to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:9-11
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Romans 12:13
As the body is one, and hath many members... so also is Christ... Now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him... The members should have the same care one for another.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14,18,25
In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:3-4,13-14
Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren.
1 Peter 3:8 (Romans 12:16)
I beseech you, brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ... that there be no divisions among you… be perfectly joined together.
1 Corinthians 1:9-13
Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11
[The Lord Jesus prays with God His Father about God's Family]
Father... glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee... Thou hast given Him power... that He should give Eternal Life to many... This is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee the Only True God, and Jesus Christ.
John 17:1-5
I pray for them... whom Thou hast given Me... all Mine are Thine... Holy Father, keep... those whom Thou hast given Me.
John 17:9-11
For those... also who shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one: as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also... be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.
John 17:20-22 (2 Thessalonians 1:10-12)
God... grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God.
Romans 15:5-7
Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (1 Corinthians 7:23)
[Blessing each other in His Name]
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:2-8 (Colossians 1:2-3; 2 Peter 1:2; 2 John 3)
[By praying, teaching and encouraging each other]
Because we trust in the Living God, Who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe. These things command and teach… be thou an example of the believers.
1 Timothy 4:6,10-13 (Acts 12:5; Acts 14:21-23; Jude 2-4,17-21)
[Rejoicing, praising and thanksgiving to God together]
Rejoice in the Lord alway... in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:4-6 (Acts 2:46-47; Psalm 66:8; Psalm 145:2)
As He Who hath called you is Holy, so be ye holy... If ye call on the Father, Who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass...your sojourning… in fear.
1 Peter 1:14-17 (Matthew 5:34-35,48; Leviticus 20:26)
Ah, Lord GOD! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power... and there is nothing too hard for Thee.
Jeremiah 32:17-20,27
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever:... I will make known Thy Faithfulness... O LORD God of hosts, Who is a Strong LORD like unto Thee? Or to Thy Faithfulness?... Thou art my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.
Psalm 89:1-2,7-8,26,52
Thou, O LORD, art our Father, our Redeemer, Thy Name is from everlasting... We are Thine.
Isaiah 63:16,19
Blessed be Thou, LORD God... our Father, for ever and ever... Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as Head above all... Praise Thy Glorious Name.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give... a reason of the hope that is in you.
1 Peter 3:15
Speak not evil one of another, brethren... There is One Lawgiver, Who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
James 4:11-12
He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men... And they immediately left the ship... and followed Him.
Matthew 4:17-22 (Mark 1:14-20; John 1:32-44)
Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.
John 15:16 (Acts 9:15)
He called unto Him His disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles.
Luke 6:12-13 (Mark 3:13-15)
The elect of God… Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.
Colossians 3:12,16-17
His disciples came and He... taught them.
Matthew 5:1-28 (Matthew 15:15-20; Matthew 23:1-12)
All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... Teaching them to observe all... I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway.
Matthew 28:18-20
Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant… as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but... to give His life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:26-28 (John 10:15)
The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship... but ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be... as he that doth serve.
Luke 22:24-27 (Mark 10:42-45)
Peter began to say... We have left all, and have followed Thee.
Mark 10:28 (Luke 18:28)
[Answers by The Lord Jesus]
There is no man that hath left house, or brethren... for My sake, and the Gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now... with persecutions; and... eternal life.
Mark 10:29-31 (Luke 18:29-34)
If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself... take up his cross, and follow Me... whosoever will save his life shall lose it.
Matthew 16:24-26
Whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, the same shall save it... Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:34-37 (Luke 9:22-25)
Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His Own glory, and in His Father’s.
Luke 9:26 (Mark 8:38)
The disciple is not above his master... If they have called the Master of the house Be-el-ze-bub, how much more... them of His household?
Matthew 10:24-25
What I tell you... that preach ye... And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.
Matthew 10:26-31
If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye... If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God.
1 Peter 4:14-16,19 (Acts 11:19-21,26)
[Some may offer to follow Jesus- but avoid the costs?]
Lord, I will follow Thee... Jesus said... Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.
Luke 9:57-58 (Matthew 8:19-22)
I will follow Thee; but let me first go... home... Jesus said... No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:61-62 (Luke 21:12-15; Mark 13:10-11)
A man’s foes shall be… of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 10:32-37 (Matthew 13:54-57; Mark 3:21,31-34; John 7:3-10)
[Relatives can be won, and become servants of God and Jesus Christ.]
1 Corinthians 15:7; Acts 1:12-14; Galatians 1:19; Jude 1
He called His twelve disciples... And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick... And they departed... preaching the Gospel, and healing every where.
Luke 9:1-6 (Luke 10:1-9; Luke 24:44-49)
He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:1-3 (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
He said... Ye shall receive power, after... the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me... unto the uttermost part of the earth
Acts 1:4-8 (Acts 2:4,14-17,21-24)
And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:14
We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us... Be ye reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (Acts 5:41-42; Acts 8:29,35; Acts 10:34-43)
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God... concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord... for obedience to the faith.
Romans 1:1-6,14-16 (Acts 16:12-13;1 Thessalonians 2:1-4,13)
If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost... we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord... that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:1-3,5-10 (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)
Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
Philippians 1:28-29
That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings... I press toward... the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:10,12,14 (Acts 9:16)
Blessed be God... the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort: Who comforteth us... As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ... Ye also helping together by prayer for us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7,11 (2 Corinthians 11:24-31)
I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel... And many of the brethren in the Lord... are much more bold to speak the Word without fear.
Philippians 1:12-14 (Acts 28:16-31)
[Church persecution cannot separate His people from His love]
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us... neither death, nor life... shall be able to separate us from the love of God... in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:18,32-39
At that time there was a great persecution against the church... therefore they that were scattered... went everywhere preaching the Word.
Acts 8:1-6,9 (Acts 12:1-5; Acts 26:8-25)
Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ... I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3,8-10,12 (2 Timothy 4:2-5,18)
Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God... unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13
That we... be no more children, tossed to and fro... with every wind of doctrine... but... may grow up into Him in all things, Who is the Head, even Christ.
Ephesians 4:14-16
Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory.
2 Peter 3:18 (1 Peter 2:2-5; Hebrews 5:12-14)
That ye may know... the hope of His calling... the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power towards us.
Ephesians 1:18-21
To make all men see what is the fellowship... hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ... according to the Eternal Purpose... which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 3:9-11
Being confident of this very thing, that He Who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6,11 (Jude 24; 2 Peter 3:14)
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned... knowing of Whom thou hast learned them... through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:12-14,15-17