"But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to [Me,] strengthen your brethren."

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, [son] of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, [son] of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting [them] to continue in the faith, and [saying,] "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit [of all:]

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,

that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary [principles] of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

"for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry."

"to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place."

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

or ministry, [let us use it] in [our] ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

Now all things [are] of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.

And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting [me] into the ministry,

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Therefore let us pursue the things [which make] for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Let each of us please [his] neighbor for [his] good, leading to edification.

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies [is] greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual [gifts, let it be] for the edification of the church [that] you seek to excel.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But [we do] all things, beloved, for your edification.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

[There is] one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,