Chosen to Serve

We Worship God
A Guide for Worship Leaders:
Worship Inspires Service

Acts 6:1-6 (The Message)

The Word of God Prospered

 ^1-4 During this time, as the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds, hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers—"Hellenists"—toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines. So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, "It wouldn't be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor. So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we'll assign them this task. Meanwhile, we'll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God's Word."  ^5-6The congregation thought this was a great idea. They went ahead and chose—

   Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,
   Philip,
   Procorus,
   Nicanor,
   Timon,
   Parmenas,
   Nicolas, a convert from Antioch.
Then they presented them to the apostles. Praying, the apostles laid on hands and commissioned them for their task

For Reflection 

There it is again, that laying on of hands.  Is it just a sign of the granting of authority to act on behalf of the Christians or for that matter God?  Prayer commends them to God.  Laying on of hands not only passes authority but also the grace of God.  Could it be that these seven, of high repute, chosen by peers to act on behalf of the believers, commissioned to act with authority some how, miraculously, with the laying on of hands, become the conduits for the grace of God?  Is there something mysterious about the practice that extends beyond the obvious confirmation?

Pray
for all those who serve in the name of the Lord.  Pray for the grace of God to flow through you and wash over those whom you serve in His name. Pray for opportunities to encourage justice.