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Since Sarai is unable to bear children, she gives her servant, Hagar, to Abram to bear his children. Hagar gives birth to Ishmael. The arrangement results in significant family drama.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 16 ESV Text: Genesis 16 Genesis 16 (Listen) Sarai and Hagar 16:1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said… Since Sarai is unable to bear children, she gives her servant, Hagar, to Abram to bear his children. Hagar gives birth to Ishmael. The arrangement results in significant family drama.

Jesus is the vine and believers are the branches. We receive life from Him. He feeds us and makes us fruitful in lives of obedience and love. Since the world hated the vine, the world will hate the branches.

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BibleGateway: John 15 ESV Text: John 15 John 15 (Listen) I Am the True Vine 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit… Jesus is the vine and believers are the branches. We receive life from Him. He feeds us and makes us fruitful in lives of obedience and love. Since the world hated the vine, the world will hate the branches.

Saul approves of the execution of Stephen. Persecution rages and spreads, scattering the faithful throughout Judea and Samaria. Simon the magician believes the preaching of Philip and is baptized. Simon offers Peter and John money in exchange for the power to convey the Holy Spirit. Peter calls Simon to repentance. Philip preaches to and baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch.

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BibleGateway: Acts 8 ESV Text: Acts 8 Acts 8 (Listen) Saul Ravages the Church 8:1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and… Saul approves of the execution of Stephen. Persecution rages and spreads, scattering the faithful throughout Judea and Samaria. Simon the magician believes the preaching of Philip and is baptized. Simon offers Peter and John money in exchange for the power to convey the Holy Spirit. Peter calls Simon to repentance. Philip preaches to and baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch.

Before the high priest, Stephen preaches an impressive sermon on a series of Old Testament leaders, finally calling the Jewish leaders to account for their disobedience toward God and their murder of Christ. They stone Stephen to death.

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BibleGateway: Acts 7 ESV Text: Acts 7 Acts 7 (Listen) Stephen’s Speech 7:1 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to… Before the high priest, Stephen preaches an impressive sermon on a series of Old Testament leaders, finally calling the Jewish leaders to account for their disobedience toward God and their murder of Christ. They stone Stephen to death.

The church chooses seven men, including Stephen, to serve in the daily distribution of food. Enemies seize Stephen, bring him before the council, and accuse him falsely.

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BibleGateway: Acts 6 ESV Text: Acts 6 Acts 6 (Listen) Seven Chosen to Serve 6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists1 arose against the Hebrews because… The church chooses seven men, including Stephen, to serve in the daily distribution of food. Enemies seize Stephen, bring him before the council, and accuse him falsely.

Ananias and Sapphira sell a piece of land and promise to give all of the proceeds to the church, but secretly keep some of the money for themselves. Both are struck dead as a result of their pretentious dishonesty. The apostles perform many signs and wonders. Out of jealousy, the high priest and the Sadducees imprison the apostles. Defiantly the apostles continue to proclaim Christ. At the advice of Gamaliel, the council has the apostles beaten and released.

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BibleGateway: Acts 5 ESV Text: Acts 5 Acts 5 (Listen) Ananias and Sapphira 5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back… Ananias and Sapphira sell a piece of land and promise to give all of the proceeds to the church, but secretly keep some of the money for themselves. Both are struck dead as a result of their pretentious dishonesty. The apostles perform many signs and wonders. Out of jealousy, the high priest and the Sadducees imprison the apostles. Defiantly the apostles continue to proclaim Christ. At the advice of Gamaliel, the council has the apostles beaten and released.

After Lot has been captured during a battle, Abram uses his own personal army to restore Lot, the people of Lot’s household, and his possessions. Melchizedek blesses Abram. (Refer to Hebrews 7 for more information regarding Melchizedek.)

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BibleGateway: Genesis 14 ESV Text: Genesis 14 Genesis 14 (Listen) Abram Rescues Lot 14:1 In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 these… After Lot has been captured during a battle, Abram uses his own personal army to restore Lot, the people of Lot’s household, and his possessions. Melchizedek blesses Abram. (Refer to Hebrews 7 for more information regarding Melchizedek.)

Jesus proclaims Himself to be the Good Shepherd. Jesus teaches that He is one with God the Father. The Jews attempt to stone Jesus and to arrest Him, but Jesus escapes and crosses the Jordan. Many people believe in Him.

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BibleGateway: John 10 ESV Text: John 10 John 10 (Listen) I Am the Good Shepherd 10:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by… Jesus proclaims Himself to be the Good Shepherd. Jesus teaches that He is one with God the Father. The Jews attempt to stone Jesus and to arrest Him, but Jesus escapes and crosses the Jordan. Many people believe in Him.

The priests and the Sadducees arrest Peter and John for their proclamation of the resurrection of Christ. On trial before the high-priestly family, Peter boldly proclaims Christ. Even though Peter and John refuse to cease proclaiming Christ, their captors release them because the crowds are praising God that Peter and John have healed a lame man. The believers pray to the Lord. The believers pool their possessions and have everything in common.

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BibleGateway: Acts 4 ESV Text: Acts 4 Acts 4 (Listen) Peter and John Before the Council 4:1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees… The priests and the Sadducees arrest Peter and John for their proclamation of the resurrection of Christ. On trial before the high-priestly family, Peter boldly proclaims Christ. Even though Peter and John refuse to cease proclaiming Christ, their captors release them because the crowds are praising God that Peter and John have healed a lame man. The believers pray to the Lord. The believers pool their possessions and have everything in common.