Acts 6 - 9.9.24

Scripture 

Acts 6:3-7

3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Observation

This chapter covers the appointment of deacons and Stephen being falsely accused of blasphemy. (Matthew Henry’s commentary on Christianity.com)

The disciples needed help with ministry. In order for them to focus on prayer and teaching of the Word, they appointed 7 other men to take on some responsibilities that they didn’t have time for. In choosing these men, they didn’t look for the strongest, most talented, or most educated men. They chose 

based on 2 things: Being full of the Spirit and wisdom. 

The Word of God spread as a result of those men being full of the Spirit and wisdom. 

As we fast forward in the chapter, one of the men chosen, Stephen, would be falsely accused of blasphemy. I won’t spoil the next chapter if you are unfamiliar with his story, but those traits of being full of the Spirit and wisdom is what would sustain his faith through the hard tests, trials and persecution he was about to face. 

Application

There is a cost to discipleship. There will be times in our walk with Jesus where we will need to take up our cross in order to follow him. (Matthew 16:24)

I love how the Bible/God’s Word, doesn’t sugar coat anything. The Christian faith is definitely an adventure, which includes bumps along the way. Not only are we made aware of the joys of ministry in this chapter, like in verse 7 where “the Word of God spread and the number of disciples increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” 

Through Stephen’s story, we are also made aware of the trials of ministry, and how important being filled with Him is during those times. 

What area of your life is God calling you to lay down for Him?  Pride, offense, time, money, control, comforts of this world, self, etc.?

Pray to be full of the Spirit and wisdom and plug into the Source who gives His Spirit and wisdom fully. 

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” -Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” -James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Prayer

Dear Lord, please give us more of Your Spirit and more wisdom through this adventure of faith with You. I want to come out of any trial or test that the enemy throws at me, refined, instead of defeated. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi