Scripture to Read: Acts 6:5
After the apostles let it be known what kind of men the congregation needed to put in charge of the ministry to the widows, we read in Acts 6:5, “The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.” Notice that there was no further discussion, no committees were put together to figure out how to find these seven men, and no small group gatherings were held to discuss all that needed to happen to ensure this ministry did not fail. What we see is that the people approved of what the apostles had said and then immediately they chose the seven men. The fact that these seven men were chosen so quickly says a lot about them. Even before these men had been filled with the Holy Spirit, they had in some way been living lives that had a high impact on those who knew them and therefore, had good reputations among their peers. But once the Holy Spirit filled these seven men, everyone knew that these were the men who needed to lead. God did have Luke mention that Stephen was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Though God’s Word does not say it, the others were chosen for the same reason, as God had said through the apostles that they must be men full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom. Our lives must also reflect that we are full of the Holy Spirit.
Challenge & Application
• What did God challenge you through the devotion today, and what changes must occur because of God’s challenge?
• How do others know that you are filled with the Holy Spirit?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!