But only the high priest could go into the inner room, and he could only go in once a year. He never entered without bringing blood with him, which he had to offer for himself and for the sins the people had committed without knowing any better.
But God’s solid foundation stands firm, with this message written on it: “The Lord knows who his own people are.” Also, “All those who say that they believe in the Lord must stop doing wrong.”
They were afraid we would crash against the rocks, so they dropped four anchors from the back of the ship. Then they prayed that daylight would come soon.
That’s why the promise comes by faith, so that it can be based on God’s grace and be guaranteed to all of Abraham’s children. That means not only those who are his children under the law, but also those who are Abraham’s children because have the same faith that he did. He is the father of us all.
So they cut the anchors loose and left them in the sea. At the same time, they untied the ropes that held the rudders. They lifted the sail at the front of the ship to the wind and headed for the beach.
My dear brothers and sisters, remain strong in the faith. Don’t let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord, your work isn’t for nothing.
Paul knew that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees. So he called out to the members of the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I’m a Pharisee. I come from a family of Pharisees. I’m on trial because I believe that people will rise from the dead.”
Even though there was no reason for hope, Abraham still had hope, and he believed. That was how he became the father of many nations, exactly as God had promised. God had told him, “That is how many children you will have.”
God has chosen to make known to them the glorious riches of that mystery among the Gentiles. And here’s what it is: Christ is in you, the hope of glory.
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be praised! In his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.