More About Jesus

1  

More about Jesus would I know,  

More of His grace to others show;  

More of His saving fullness see,  

More of His love who died for me.   

2  

More about Jesus let me learn,  

More of His holy will discern;  

Spirit of God, my teacher be,  

Showing the things of Christ to me. 

3  

More about Jesus in His Word,  

Holding communion with my Lord;  

Hearing His voice in ev'ry line,  

Making each faithful saying mine.  

4  

More about Jesus on His throne,  

Riches in glory all His own;  

More of His kingdom's sure increase;  

More of His coming, Prince of peace. 

Refrain:  

More, more about Jesus,  

More, more about Jesus;  

More of His saving fullness see,  

More of His love who died for me.

 

Author: E. E. Hewitt  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9FhQICSJX4&list=RDX9FhQICSJX4&start_radio=1

This is probably not the best version of this song, but sometimes it's just fun to listen to a good-old Baptist church pianist tear it up.

 "Spirit of God, my teacher be"  

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  

Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.  

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

 "hearing his voice in every line, making each faithful saying mine"  

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  

John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  

Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  

Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Standing On the Promises

1  

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,  

Through eternal ages let His praises ring,  

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,  

Standing on the promises of God.  

2  

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,  

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,  

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,  

Standing on the promises of God.  

3  

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,  

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,  

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,  

Standing on the promises of God.  

4  

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,  

List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.  

Resting in my Savior as my All in all,  

Standing on the promises of God. 

REFRAIN  

Standing, standing,  

Standing on the promises of God my Savior;  

Standing, standing,  

I’m standing on the promises of God.

     

Lyrics: Russell Kelso Carter (1849-1928)  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpUJD_47VCQ&list=RDhpUJD_47VCQ&start_radio=1

 "By the living word of God I shall prevail"   

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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.    

 "Overcoming daily by the Spirit's sword"   

Ephesians 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:     

"List'ning every moment to the Spirit's call"   

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.   

* * * 

 What are the promises of God? 

According to one source I found in a Google search, there are 7000 promises of God in the Bible. (It was a video, and I didn't watch it -- I was looking for a printed source.) Of course, the Bible is full of God's promises from cover to cover, far too many to include here. So I am going to pick and choose just a few of them.    

 Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.    

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.    

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.    

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.    

Psalm 50:15 Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.    

Matthew 6:31–33 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.    

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  

 [Here's a little dilemma that I struggle with -- and maybe I'm not the only one: We know that our prayers are NOT always answered. Not in the way we want them to be, anyway. Why is that? There are two verses that I can think of that give us some answers:]    

 Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.    

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  

 [Like a good parent, God works all things together for our good -- which is not always the same thing as what we would like to have happen. When bad things happen to us, and we don't understand why, we have to remember that God promised to be with us at all times.]    

 Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Break Thou the Bread of Life

1  

Break thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,  

As thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;  

Beyond the sacred page I seek thee, Lord;  

My spirit pants for thee, O living Word!  

2  

Bless thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,  

As thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;  

Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall,  

And I shall find my peace, my all in all.

3

Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,

Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;

Give me to eat and live with Thee above;

Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.

4

O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,

That He may touch my eyes and make me see;

Show me the truth concealed within Thy word,

And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.

    

Lyrics: Mary Ann Lathbury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSS2KCvrZWg&list=RDgSS2KCvrZWg&start_radio=1

    

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. -- John 14:21

Matthew 14:15  And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said, Bring them hither to me. 19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. 

* * *

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I have sometimes heard this hymn used as the song before the communion service (The Lord's Supper). However, that is based on a misunderstanding of the meaning of the lyric, in which the "bread of life" is the word of God. Therefore, it more appropriate to use it as the song before the sermon. 

THE BIBLE 

One of the first songs I ever learned, very early in life, was this:        "The B-I-B-L-E   Yes that's the book for me.   I stand alone on the Word of God   The B-I-B-L-E"    

The history of the Restoration Movement, the genesis of the Church of Christ and other fundamentalist Christian denominations rests on one central premise:    

“Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; and where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.” 

-- Thomas Campbell    

It is not surprising, then, that many gospel songs emphasize the importance of the Bible as our sole guide for personal faith and standard of  doctrine for the church.

By Christ Redeemed

 
1  

By Christ redeemed, in Christ restored,  

We keep the memory adored,  

And show the death of our dear Lord  

Until He come.  

2  

His body broken in our stead  

Is seen in this memorial bread,  

And so our feeble love is fed  

Until He come.  

3  

The drops of His dread agony,  

His life-blood shed for us, we see;  

The wine shall tell the mystery  

Until He come.  

4  

And thus that dark betrayal-night  

With the last advent we unite,  

By one blest chain of loving rite,  

Until He come.

    

Lyrics: George Rawson (1807-1889)    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewuto1rvr6Y&list=RDEwuto1rvr6Y&start_radio=1

Matthew 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve... 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.    

Mark 16:12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? 13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve... 22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.    

Luke 22:7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.    

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.    

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

* * *

COMMUNION  

 Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is a ritual celebrated in almost all Christian churches. In the Catholic Mass it is called "Eucharist." (Please note that whenever I refer to Christian churches I am including Catholic and all the mainstream protestant denominations -- Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, etc., as well as the multitude of Baptist offshoots. I use the term 'Christian' in a broad sense, only to differentiate from Eastern religions, Jewish and Muslim faiths, Buddhist, Hindu, etc.) The celebration of the Lord's Supper is a practice instituted at the Passover feast Jesus celebrated with his disciples immediately preceding his arrest and crucifixion. The remainder of the New Testament writings indicate that the followers of Jesus adopted this practice from the very beginning of what would become the church. The ritual consists of  prayers and 'breaking bread' in which all partake of a morsel of unleavened or leavened bread, followed by all sharing in drinking a small amount of 'fruit of the vine' -- either wine or grape juice. This follows precisely the pattern that is described in the gospel accounts of the Last Supper.  Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.  7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.  14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 

Jesus Saves

 1  

We have heard the joyful sound:  

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!  

Spread the tidings all around:  

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!  

Bear the news to every land,  

Climb the mountains, cross the waves;  

Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command;  

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!  

2  

Waft it on the rolling tide:  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!  

Tell to sinners far and wide:  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!  

Sing, you islands of the sea;  

Echo back, you ocean caves;  

Earth shall keep her jubilee:  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!  

3  

Sing above the battle strife:  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!  

By His death and endless life  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!  

Sing it softly through the gloom,  

When the heart for mercy craves;  

Sing in triumph o’er the tomb:  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!    

 

Priscilla J. Owens, pub.1882    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAEbYc2DK1k&list=RDOAEbYc2DK1k&start_radio=1

 Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.    

Acts 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.    

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.    

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)    

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 

Lift Him Up

1   

How to reach the masses, men of ev'ry birth?  

For an answer Jesus gave a key,  

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,  

Will draw all men unto Me.”  

2   

O the world is hungry for the living bread,  

Lift the Savior up for them to see,  

Trust Him, and do not doubt the words that He said,  

“I’ll draw all men unto Me.”   

3   

Don’t exalt the preacher, don’t exalt the pew,  

Preach the gospel simple, full and free,  

Prove Him and you will find that promise is true,  

“I’ll draw all men unto Me.”  

4   

Lift Him up by living as a Christian ought,  

Let the world in you the Savior see,  

Then men will gladly follow Him who once taught,  

“I’ll draw all men unto Me.”    

Refrain:  

Lift Him up, (Lift the precious Savior up),  

Lift Him up, (Lift the precious Savior up),  

Still He speaks from eternity:  

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,  

Will draw all men unto Me.”

  

 Author: Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr.    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XNo1aTllzY&list=RD3XNo1aTllzY&start_radio=1

John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.    9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.     12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.   17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.    20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.    27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. 34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.  

Send the Light

 1  

There's a call comes ringing o'er the restless wave,  "S

end the light! Send the light"  

There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save,  

Send the light! Send the light!  

2  

We have heard the Macedonian call today,  

"Send the light! Send the light!"  

And a golden off'ring at the cross we lay,  

Send the light! Send the light!  

3  

Let us pray that grace may ev'rywhere abound,  

"Send the light! Send the light!"  

And a Christ-like spirit ev'rywhere be found,  

Send the light! Send the light!  

4  

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,  

"Send the light! Send the light!"  

Let us gather jewels for a crown above,  

Send the light! Send the light!    

Refrain:  

Send the light, the blessed gospel light;  

Let it shine from shore to shore!  

Send the light the blessed gospel light;  

Let it shine forevermore! 

 

 Hymn lyrics: Chas. H. Gabriel (1890)    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se2DyCyLSuA&list=RDSe2DyCyLSuA&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cly3Sl8PvLA&list=RDcly3Sl8PvLA&start_radio=1

What does it mean -- "We have heard the Macedonian call"? 

This passage is used often in sermons in the Church of Christ and similar churches, illustrating the obligation of evangelism -- to teach and preach and try to convert sinners. (Hence, the current use of the umbrella term "Evangelicals") 

Here is the whole passage -- 

Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.  13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.  16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely. 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.