Daily Scripture

ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY

Friday, January 20, 2040

Synaxis of St John the Baptist

Fasting: FastDoxologyJulian: January 7

Epistle — Forerunner

Acts 19.1-8

Read in context

1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7And all the men were about twelve.

8And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Epistle

Titus 1.15-2.10

Read in context

1:15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

1:16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

2:1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2:2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

2:3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

2:4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

2:5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

2:6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

2:7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

2:8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

2:9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

2:10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Gospel — Forerunner

John 1.29-34

Read in context

29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Gospel

Luke 20.19-26

Read in context

19And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

21And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

22Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no?

23But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

24Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cesar’s.

25And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which be Cesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.

26And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.