3 Afterfeast of the Holy Theophany

In those days, it came to pass that while Apóllos was at Córinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Éphesus. And finding some disciples he said unto them, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” And they said unto him, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.” And he said unto them, “Unto what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Unto the baptism of John.” Then said Paul, “John truly baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all. And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the Kingdom of God.

Brethren, what does it profit if a man says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe— and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not only by faith. Likewise, was not Ráhab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.