I have spent this past week writing about the appointment of church leaders in Acts chapter six. As I studied the text, I found three compelling things that took place as the Apostles dealt with the issue at hand, and moved the church forward. The points I discovered, I found not only to be important for the church at that time but also applicable to us today as we choose leaders to help us in the body of Christ.
1. WORD
The Apostles made it clear, that they should not be distracted from studying, teaching, and preaching the Word of God. They understood the importance of God’s Word, and that everything else was built on that foundation. Without compromise, we too must continue to be a Bible-believing, teaching, preaching church.
2. ORDER
The next thing they did was establish a system by appointing leaders in the church. They realized, as the congregation was growing, they would need people in leadership positions to help administrate the different ministries of the church. That is what I referred to as order. God is not the author of confusion, and He expects us to put things in order by choosing leaders that have a good reputation, are Spirit-Filled and have Godly wisdom.
3. BLESSINGS
The final thing that I want to share with you is how God responded to their conclusion. Notice what happens as the scriptures explain it in detail.
Acts 6:4-7 (ESV)
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Once the seven leaders were chosen, the apostles laid hands on them and prayed for God’s anointing to rest upon each of them. Notice what happens in the next verse.
“AND THE WORD OF CONTINUED TO INCREASE, AND THE NUMBER OF DISCIPLES MULTIPLIED SUBSTANTIALLY.”
That was God’s Blessings!!! He responded to them standing firm on His Word and placing things in order by blessing the church.
I believe the same blessings of God will be bestowed upon our churches when we follow the same pattern. Let us make sure we are preaching His Word, and putting God-fearing men and women in leadership positions to help bring order to our congregations. When this happens, God is going to pour out His blessings.
I hope and pray for anyone who reads my blogs on this subject will be encouraged and inspired to continue the process of “WORD, ORDER, AND BLESSINGS!!!”
