First Fruits

But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.

If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.

Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.

But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming.

But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;

These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. — read the full passage →

not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.

Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

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

Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.

Now I beg you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints),

I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. — read the full passage →

Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. — read the full passage →

for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, — read the full passage →

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. — read the full passage →

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, — read the full passage →

The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,

I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven,

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;

For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.”

So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.

If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. — read the full passage →

This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John, — read the full passage →

for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,

However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.

Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, — read the full passage →

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? — read the full passage →

Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him.

Don’t you know that you are a temple of God, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,

how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.”