7 Bible Verses about Fathers, Examples Of

In the time of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest, named Zacharias, of the family of Abia, whose wife; nam'd Elizabeth, was of the race of Aaron: they were both of them sincerely pious; observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; with unspotted reputation. they had no children, because Elizabeth was steril, and they were both advanced in years.read more.
now Zachary was to officiate in divine service, in the order of his family, and according to the custom of distributing the parts, it fell to his lot to burn incense in the sanctuary. and all the congregation of the people stood praying without, at the time of offering incense, when there appear'd to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the incense-altar. Zacharias startled at the sight and was seized with fear. but the angel said to Zacharias, don't be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard: and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall name John: he shall be your joy and transport, and numbers shall rejoice at his birth. he shall appear as a divine messenger. he shall drink neither wine, nor any other strong liquor: he shall be filled with the holy spirit, even from his infancy: he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. and he shall march before him, in the spirit and power of Elias, to reconcile parents and children together, and the unruly to the practice of justice, that the people may be duly dispos'd to receive the Lord. But Zacharias said to the angel, by what sign shall I know this? for I am old, and my wife is of a great age. the angel replied, I am Gabriel, who attend in the presence of God, and am sent to communicate to you this agreeable message. you shall now become dumb and not recover your speech, till the very day when these things shall happen; because you distrusted my words, which in due time shall have their effect.

they therefore ask'd his father to signify how he would have him call'd. then he made signs for a writing-book, and writ these words, "his name is John:" at which they were all surprized. immediately he had the use of his speech: and he uttered himself in praises to God.read more.
All the neighbourhood were struck with reverence, and the rumour of these events ran thro' all the mountains of Judea, and made an impression upon all that heard of them. what a child will this be? said they, for the divine influence does attend him. Then Zacharias his father, inspired by the holy spirit, vented his divine enthusiasm in these words. "blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he hath regarded and wrought a deliverance for his people: he hath rais'd up a powerful saviour for us, in the family of his servant David, according to the antient promise he made by the mouth of the holy prophets, to deliver us from our enemies, and from the power of all that hate us: to show regard to our forefathers, in performing his holy covenant, the oath which he made to our father Abraham, to grant us this favour, that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security, in the sincere practice of holiness and justice, all our days. and you, dear babe, you shall be the prophet of the most high: for you shall go before the Lord, in order to prepare his way, by acquainting his people how they may be saved by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun has visited us from on high, to enlighten those, who are in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to direct our steps into the ways of peace." Now the child continued to grow, and greatly improv'd in sense; and was in the desarts till the time, when he was to be manifested to Israel.

Again he said: a certain man had two sons; the younger of which said to his father, father, give me that portion of the estate which falls to my share. accordingly he divided his estate among them. a little while after the younger son turn'd all he had into money, and travell'd into a foreign country, where he squander'd away his fortune in luxurious living.read more.
when he had spent all, there happen'd to be a severe famine in that country; and he was reduced to want, which forc'd him to make his application to one of the inhabitants there, who sent him to his farm to look after his swine. for he would have been contented to have liv'd upon the carruways, with which they usually fed the swine: but nobody would supply him. at length coming to himself, how many, said he, does my father keep in pay, who have bread in abundance, whilst I am dying here with hunger? I will depart, and go to my father, and say to him, father, I have sinned against heaven, and against thee; I am no longer worthy to be called your son: treat me as one of your hir'd servants. so he departed and went to his father. but while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him, and mov'd with compassion, ran and threw himself upon his neck, and kissed him. then the son said to him, father, I have sinned against heaven, and against you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son. but the father said to his servants, bring hither the finest robe, and put it on him: put a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. take the fatted calf, and kill it: let us eat and be merry: for this son of mine was dead, and is come to life: he was lost, and is found again. and then they began their feast. In the mean time his elder son was in the country. at his return, when he came near home, he heard the musick and dancing: and calling one of the servants, he ask'd what was the occasion of it, who reply'd, your brother is return'd, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him in good health. upon this he was full of resentment, and refused to go in: and when his father came out to persuade him, he replied to his father, how many years have I serv'd you, without having ever disobey'd your orders? and yet you never bestow'd a kid upon me, to make merry with my friends: whereas this son of yours, who has eat up his fortune among a pack of loose creatures, is no sooner come but you must kill the fatted calf for him. son, said he to him, you shall continue to be with me, and all that I have shall be thine.

And when they were come to the multitude, a man came kneeling to him, and cry'd, Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is grievously afflicted with the epilepsy; he often falls into the fire, and frequently into the water.

and one of the crowd answer'd, master, I have brought to you my son, who is possess'd with a dumb spirit, which no sooner comes on him, but it throws him down: then the child foams, gnashes his teeth, and grows meager.

when one of the company cry'd out, master, I beseech you, cast your eyes upon my son, for he is my only child: he is frequently seized by a spirit, which makes him immediately roar, then throws him into convulsions with foaming, and never leaves him, but with difficulty and bruises.

Jesus went therefore a second time to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. now a certain nobleman was there, whose son was sick at Capernaum. who having heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went there to desire him to come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. but Jesus said to him, except you see signs and miracles, you will not believe.read more.
the nobleman said to him, sir, pray come down before my child be dead.