All About Families

Our Vision

“A TRANSFORMED PHILIPPINES THROUGH GOD’S WORD”

The BIBLE is manual to life for all Filipinos and in every Filipino home

so that lives are transformed resulting in national righteousness,
economic sufficiency, social peace,
public justice, and God-fearing citizenry.

Our Mission

“MAKING THE BIBLE KNOWN”

We exist to achieve the widest possible
effective and meaningful distribution
of the Holy Scriptures

In languages that people understand
In media and formats that meet people’s needs, and
At prices that people can afford providing everyone the opportunity to pray, give, volunteer and engage with the Word of God.

Philippine Bible Society, Inc.
890 United Nations Avenue
Ermita, Manila 1000
Philippines
+63 (2) 526-7777

All About Families

by Rev. Edgar B. Ebojo

Did you know that:

that an ancient Israelite family and the Filipino family have many things in common? In ancient Israel, there were three types of family structures. The nuclear family was composed of the parents, children, and slaves (if they can afford them) all living under one roof. The extended family included the nuclear family and relatives (widowed grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and unmarried siblings). And the multiple-family household was made up of two or more married couples who resided in a shared compound under the headship of the father (or grandfather) or the eldest married brother. Sounds familiar?

that the first family in the province of Achaia to be converted to Christianity was the family of Stephanus (1 Corinthians 16:15). The book of Acts recorded that the first Gentile family to be converted and become followers of the Way was the family of Cornelius (Acts 10:24ff). The conversion of the Philippian jailer paved the way for the conversion of his whole family (Acts 16:31-34). Indeed, when fathers are converted, everyone else in the family follows.

that the first reported husband-wife gospel expositors in the book of Acts were Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:26). The perfect model for a good wife itemized by King Lemuel was advised by his mother (Proverbs 31:10-31).

that the siblings of Jesus were James, Joseph, Simon, Jude and other unnamed sisters (Matthew 13:55-56). Though an unbeliever during the lifetime of Jesus, James the younger brother of Jesus is believed to be the one who wrote the NT epistle bearing his name.

that there were two pairs in the twelve Apostles who were siblings: James and John were fishermen, sons of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21); then, Peter and Andrew were siblings from Bethsaida, Galilee (John 1:40-41). Of the four, James is believed to be the first to be martyred and John, the last; one time they asked Jesus to let them sit in his right and his left.

that the Bible shows biyenans (in-laws) are important assets in the ministry. Peters mother-in-law stayed with them and helped in the ministry of Jesus (Matthew 8:14-15). Moses successful leadership was attributed to his father-in-law, Jethro, who taught him the art of delegation (Exodus 18:13-24). Good models of in-law relationship, arent they?