July 1st, 2022

Seven Chosen to Serve

In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:1-7

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen's Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. They also presented false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Scripture quotations have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

From Adam to Abraham

Adam, Seth, Enosh,

Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,

Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,

Noah, Noah's sons:

Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Japheth's sons: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

Gomer's sons: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.

Javan's sons: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.

Ham's sons: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

Cush's sons: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabteca.

Raama's sons: Sheba and Dedan.

Cush fathered Nimrod, who was the first to become a great warrior on earth.

Mizraim fathered the people of Lud, Anam, Lehab, Naphtuh, Pathrus, Casluh (the Philistines came from them), and Caphtor.

Canaan fathered Sidon as his firstborn and Heth, as well as the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.

Shem's sons: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.

Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber. Two sons were born to Eber. One of them was named Peleg because the earth was divided during his lifetime, and the name of his brother was Joktan. Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All of these were Joktan's sons.

Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,

Eber, Peleg, Reu,

Serug, Nahor, Terah,

and Abram (that is, Abraham).

Abraham's Descendants

Abraham's sons: Isaac and Ishmael.

These are their family records: Nebaioth, Ishmael's firstborn, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

These were Ishmael's sons.

The sons born to Keturah, Abraham's concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

Jokshan's sons: Sheba and Dedan.

Midian's sons: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah.

All of these were Keturah's descendants.

Abraham fathered Isaac.

Isaac's sons: Esau and Israel.

Esau's sons: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

Eliphaz's sons: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, and Kenaz; and by Timna, Amalek.

Reuel's sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

The Edomites

Seir's sons: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.

Lotan's sons: Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan's sister.

Shobal's sons: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam.

Zibeon's sons: Aiah and Anah.

Anah's son: Dishon.

Dishon's sons: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.

Ezer's sons: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan.

Dishan's sons: Uz and Aran.

These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom

before any king reigned over the Israelites:

Bela son of Beor.

Bela's town was named Dinhabah.

When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.

When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the territory of Moab, reigned in his place.

Hadad's town was named Avith.

When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place.

When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates River reigned in his place.

When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place.

When Baal-hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place.

Hadad's city was named Pai, and his wife's name was Mehetabel

daughter of Matred, daughter of Me-zahab.

Then Hadad died.

Edom's chiefs: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel, and Iram.

These were Edom's chiefs.

Scripture quotations have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.