As the work of God progresses, obstacles will present themselves. In this chapter, the legitimate work of the ministry was keeping the apostles away from their priority, which was "giving themselves to the word of God and prayer".
That this should be their main priority, and not "social responsibility", or "CSR", is clearly attested to by the Lord by vindicating the apostles' decision to do so, by the outcome of their decision to give themselves to "the word of God and prayer", as mentioned in verse 7 of chapter 6, "And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multipled greatly!"
Note, not just multiplied, but multiplied greatly!
With this multiplication and excitement, will come, tests and trials, as what happened to Stephen, which then went on to become a full blown time of persecution of the church by Saul, who stood consenting to Stephen's matyrdom.
When the Holy Spirit is allowed to do His "thing", persecution is the least of our worries. The Holy Spirit joy which Jesus promised will be our experience during times of persecution will see us through.
More LORD!
No comments:
Post a Comment