Acts 20 - it is more blessed to give than to receive

"how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house" (Acts 20:20)

This made me ponder whether I have kept back anything to myself that might have been helpful to others.

You know how tv drama of ancient times always show the shi fu keeping some secret martial arts moves to themselves because they did not want their disciples to fully learn what they know, for fear that they would become better than them?

In the kingdom of God, it should be the other way round and Paul has set us an example. He gave all that he has to the believers that he shepherd, his time, his effort, his energy, his money, his heart, his love, and most importantly, the word of God.

"For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:27)

As a teacher in school, I wonder if I have kept back anything that might have been helpful to my students. It could be that little extra time to listen to a student in need, or making the extra effort when students are always absent from school to call and find out why.

As a Christian, have I kept back anything from fellow believers or from God? Have I shunned to declare the whole counsel of God to someone? This is scary because Paul's words suggest that if we have shunned, or if we have not declare the complete whole truth, we would be guilty of someone's blood (Acts 20:26)!

I often feel that I have not done enough, whether towards God, or towards fellow believers, or towards man in general. When was I ever stoned for the Word of God? When did I ever have to flee for my life? When have I even perspire much for someone else, or for God?

We are all living in a far too comfortable place. Many times, we are not so willing to go all out for others, or for God. Because doing that requires much mental and physical energy, and we are reluctant to tire ourselves out like that. But reading Acts, and seeing Paul and the other apostles and disciples going all the way for the kingdom of God, makes me ashamed. Although I know I am limited in what I can do, with the help of God, surely I can accomplish some things. The important question is, have I kept back anything?

Have I kept back time for myself? Have I kept back money for my own enjoyment? Have I kept back love that others need? Have I kept back the truth because of pride?

Some things I hope to do one day:

Volunteer and preaching work in a developing country

Share the truth with my students and their family

Be a listening ear and a counselor to whoever is in need

and of course, share the salvation grace with my own family members

Acts 19 - ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly

Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. (Acts 19:32)

I never like crowds.

When a big group of people come together, it is very easy for things to go out of control. And when things go out of control, scary things happen.

Like, a stampede. A fight. Or a riot.

This mob here is scary. Most of the people did not even know why they had come together! They were just led and swept along, and they followed along. Almost like demon-possessed. If one was to ask him what led him to do all these things, he would probably not remember much, and just said, "I don't know..."

The group has a power to make individuals submit. We call this the group psychology.

I never like crowds.

I don't want to be led to do something crazy, something which I never wanted to do in my sane mind.

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"Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly." (Acts 19:36)

I like these words. Very wise.

There had been times when I ought to be quiet, since "these things cannot be denied", yet I had done things rashly.

The city clerk is right. Even if we feel that we are the victim, and we demand some kind of compensation, we should not go about creating a hoo-ha about it. Because these things cannot be denied anyway. Even if men can deny them, God knows. These things cannot be denied before God.

"Therefore,.... you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly."

It is not easy.

It would require us to always fix our eyes on Jesus.

Acts 18 - Apollos

And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews..... But Gallio took no notice of these things. (Acts 18:14-17)

I am just thinking that... sometimes, we do not even have to open our mouth, God has already taken care of the situation for us.

"for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:10)

---

... they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (Acts 18:26)

Aquila and Priscilla were wise to take Apollos aside before explaining to him the way of God more accurately.

I feel that they were wise in love. For they took note of how publicly correcting him would probably bring some embarrassment to him. Because it is not that Apollos was preaching heresies; he was just not so accurate at some points.

Some points for us to consider are:

Are we also wise in love, making the extra effort to take a brethren aside to correct and teach more accurately, or we simply refute them publicly?

Do we even make the effort to correct a brethren when we hear inaccuracies in his sermon?

Sometimes we may be intimidated by the speaker's eloquence and how he is mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24-25). We think that surely this brethren knows more than me! However, when we hear something that didn't quite sound right or accurate and we make no effort to clarify or correct him, that is not love too.

So, not saying anything is not loving our brethren.

Saying something but harshly and publicly might not be so wise, and is not love too.

We really need wisdom in our love.

On the other hand, if we were Apollos, do we have the humility to listen and correct ourselves?

Acts 17 - finding God

"so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:27)

As I read this chapter again today and particularly this verse, I am reminded of my student who I visited yesterday and was really dying to preach to him and his family!

He is already reading the bible and going to church because of his second aunt who is a Christian. However, our church is SO NEAR to his place! I can't believe how I have been passing by his place everytime I go to church. How I have the grace of going to the house of God, while this dear boy is at home taking care of the family.

His mother also feels sorry for him. From a young age, he has to face the stress of the family being poor. He also faces the stress of taking care of the house, because his mother is often sick and he still has a younger brother to look after. Furthermore, I was only just told of his eye problem, which he does not want anyone to know, so I am not to mention about it.

Despite all these, he did not grumble, he did not murmur. He only cries in a corner, because he does not want his mother to worry. And he often comforts his mother! He is also positive, and very eager to learn new things and be better.

God has put him and his family at this certain place and time, and allowed me to cross their paths. Doesn't this mean something?

I can feel them groping for Him, seeking Him, though not explicitly; but I am sure they are hoping for something to .... deliver them.

Even if they are not (for they give me the impression that they live by the day and they are happy), they deserve more, don't they? They deserve the love of God. If I, as ugly and horrible as I am, can enjoy the love of God, don't they deserve too, or even more? Don't they deserve to be under Your wings?

He is really not far from each one of us. I believe God sees and God knows. It is just up to me to be sensitive to the call of Jesus to be that bridge, to bring them before God.

Acts 16

"Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek." (Acts 16:3)

"But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out."" (Acts 16:37)

I didn't quite understand Paul in this two incidents, for their motives seemed to contradict.

If Paul had wanted to avoid unnecessary troubles by having Timothy circumcised, why had he not chosen to leave quietly when he had the chance to? Yet, we see him kind of demanding his rights as a Roman.

When we meet with situations today, do we minimise trouble or do we stand up for our (Christian) rights?

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In my reading of Acts this time, I am able to appreciate what Paul went through for Christ better. Somehow, in my reading this time, I am able to follow Paul's footsteps and witness for myself what he suffered for Jesus. I have seen how he was beaten up, how he was stoned, how he often had to flee, and how he often was thrown into prison.

Yet, he kept going! Preaching the Word of God everywhere he went, praying and singing hymns even in prison!

Even as I pride myself on my own evangelism work, when I look at Paul (and company) now, I have to wonder if I am doing enough? Am I already contented with what I have done?

Paul's attitude in evangelism and servitude is really admirable and I am really impressed. And as I continue to read about Paul's ministry since his conversion, I am able to appreciate the verse below much better.

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

If I were to be stoned one day, will I still be able to get up? If I were to be beaten and thrown into prison, will I still pray and sing hymns? Just imagining it already feels so painful and tiring.... I got to remember Paul.... as the last days approaches and there will be even more terrible persecutions...

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Acts 15 - Lessons from the Council at Jerusalem

The chapter that records the Jerusalem Council and the decision made.

“… that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.” (Acts 15:29)

The verse in the Bible that we often turned to after a Baptism Sacrament. Hence, the conclusion at the Council has also become a starting guideline for new believers today.

Coming together…
It all started when certain men started teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation. I am not sure if these men were sincerely teaching something which they believed is true, or they were just trying to create trouble within the church. In any case, it seems that even after serious debates with Paul and Barnabas, no conclusion can be made. And so, what did they do? Did they break off into their own factions, holding on to what each believe to be true? When we cannot reach an agreement with our co-workers in church (especially for matters concerning the truth), what do we do?

I like how the church decided that Paul, Barnabas and some others should go up to Jerusalem to ask the apostles and elders about the issue (Acts 15:2).

I like how the apostles, leaders, elders of the early Church saw the need to come together to discuss about the matter (Acts 15:6).

They saw a need to come together to work out something when things are going separate ways. Do we also see that need, or have we unknowingly allowed some slight deviations to fester and grow into a huge divide within the church?

… to reach a consensus
I believe that the Council at Jerusalem was not a short one. Judging from how they had much dispute (Acts 15:7), and how one by one the apostles stood up and spoke (Peter reminded them about the grace given to the Gentiles, then Barnabas and Paul reported on the doings of God among the Gentiles, James concluded the meeting), it must have taken quite a long while. However, they had come together… to have a consensus and a conclusion. That was a goal they had in mind. Therefore, it was not an option that they end the meeting without any conclusion.

How often have we had meetings that had no conclusions (I think these meetings are such a waste of time!)? Is it because there was no same goal in mind?

I also like how the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:12).

And how James waited for Barnabas and Paul to finish before he spoke (Acts 15:13).

Giving everyone a chance to speak up, and listening when others are speaking, perhaps these are little lessons we can pick up so that every meeting or discussion is time well spent.

The need to come together to reach a consensus, giving everyone a chance to speak and listening while others are speaking; these are lessons for me from the Council at Jerusalem. What are some other lessons you have learnt?

Acts 14 - struck down, but not destroyed

In this chapter, we see how crazy people can be when they have seen miracles.

I wonder if this is perhaps also why Jesus was hushed over the signs and wonders He performed, often telling the person not to spread it. He did not want people to be mistaken about His true ministry - which is not simply to heal and to perform signs and wonders, but to call sinners to repentance and to believe in Him.

The people at Lystra decided that Paul and Barnabas were gods coming down in the likeness of men and were so determined to worship them!

However, there is something else that really left a deep visual impression on me.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city, supposed to be dead; yet he rose up and went into the city when the disciples gathered around him. And the next day, he even left for Derbe with Barnabas (Acts 14:19-20)!

And we know that he and others continued on their missionary journey, preaching the word whenever they go.

打不死的小强！

These people are just going, going, going!

Hear the testimony of Paul himself:
Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned.
Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

I wonder how many percent of Paul am I today? After I have been stoned and assumed dead (must have been pretty bad!), do I climb back on my feet again and continue to preach the Word? Paul was also dragged out of the city, but when he rose up on his feet, he entered into the city again.

We see the stubbornness of Paul here. The stubbornness to go about the ministry of the Word, the work of God. And nothing can stop this man.

We are often stubborn over many things. Have we been stubborn over the things of God? Has anything easily stopped me from going about my King's business?

Acts 13 - knowing the Word

... they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath... (Acts 13:27)

Isn't this scary?

It's like something supposedly so familiar, yet we do not really know...

It's like friends with someone for years, and then only we discover some secrets about him and we start to think twice whether we have really known him.

Those people read the words of the Scriptures every week. They read about the coming Messiah; they know that He is coming. Yet when He is here, they did not know Him. And it also turns out that they did not even know the voices of the Prophets which they read every week.

Aren't we also reading the words of the Bible every week at church? In fact, we could be reading the Bible every single day! The Word of God is something so familiar to us. Perhaps we could even go on and on telling bible stories without even referring to the Bible!

However, do we really know the Word that we read? Do we really know Him, the Word made flesh?

Something that is crucial for a writer of God to think about..

Acts 12 - the power of intercessory prayers

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church (Acts 12:5).

In this chapter, we see how the angel of the Lord rescued Peter out of prison, without the knowledge of any of the soldier guards! Peter was even lying between two soldiers, yet he was able to literally walk out of the prison doors! There is indeed nothing impossible with the Almighty God.

There is one important lesson we can learn from the early church amidst persecutions: Their constant, earnest, unceasing prayers made to God.

...where many were gathered together praying. (Acts 12:12)

God heard their prayers and sent an angel to Peter in prison. Do you believe that intercessory prayers are powerful? It is not the prayer itself that makes magic, but that this spirit of interceding in love for someone else (not only for ourselves) really pleases God, and so He especially listens and answers.

The Church's constant prayers despite persecutions also revealed their level of faith. Although they are already facing some setbacks in their beliefs, having at least two martyrs by then, yet we see them still gathered together to pray.

I think they not only believed in prayers; they truly believed in the One who listens to their prayers. If not, why would they still gathered together in prayers during those kind of times?

I wonder if I believe in prayers like they do, and so will be willing and happily devoting my time to prayers. I wonder even more if I truly believe that He is listening to my every prayer...

Acts 11 - good co-workers

好同工。

It is not easy to find a good co-worker.

Someone who is not necessarily like you in terms of work habits, but someone whose work style is a good fit to yours.

Or maybe someone who can bear with your idiosyncrasies and you can put up with his.

But most importantly, someone who has the same goal as you, the same destination that both of you want to reach. Because with the same goal in mind, any differences or mismatch or conflict can be ironed out. It is still possible to work together, for that same end.

A good co-worker is also probably one who can share your sentiments on various issues. Someone who can speak freely in front of you, and you can too in front of him, because you both know that neither will hesitate to correct any wrong words.

A good co-worker is one whom you will feel most at ease with, because you know that this is not an opponent or a rival, but someone who is helping you to walk the right path towards heaven. And you too have a duty towards him in that way.

I think Barnabas found that in Saul (Paul) and in their initial ministry together, even though not recorded explicitly in the Bible, somehow I get the sense that they enjoyed working together and they supported each other. As they serve others, they also serve each other, and are served by the other.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul (Acts 11:25).

And when he had found him, ...... for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people (Acts 11:26).

...sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:30).

And Saul is blessed to have Barnabas, someone who started on this journey earlier, but took the time and effort to provide the opportunity for Saul to serve. Barnabas probably also took time and put in his heart to 'mentor' Saul as he begins his ministry.

We all need our Barnabas. We all need to be Barnabas. Only then can this baton be passed on, until the day of His coming.

Acts 10 - hear in the presence of God

A very familiar story of the first record of a Gentile convert.

A devout Gentile's prayers and deeds were remembered before God, and God sent Peter to preach to him. And because of one man's faith, so many others heard the Word too and received the Holy Spirit.

These verses really spoke to me...

"What God has cleansed you must not call common." (Acts 10:15) - we should not despise or reject anyone, even the old man with the funny smell who sits at one corner of the chapel.

"Stand up; I myself am also a man." (Acts 10:26) - Do we remember we are mere dusts too? So why should we think we deserve another man's praise?

"But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." (Acts 10:35) - God's love extends to everyone, and anyone.

But what set me thinking is the attitude of the people and how they subsequently received the Holy Spirit.

These people were called by Cornelius rather abruptly and yet they were all gathered together in one place because they were eager, like Cornelius, to hear.

"Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God." (Acts 10:33)

I was trying to imagine the manner in which they were listening. Were their eyes wide open and gaze fixed on Peter while he spoke? Were their attention undivided and every word tasted like honey such that they yearn for more and more? Were they like deers which pant for the water, thirsting for the way the Word can quench?

What does "present before God" mean? Are we always "present before God" whenever we hear or read His word? When we are in a church service, do we see the presence of God?

If we do, we wouldn't be inspecting whether our nails are painted properly or not. If we do, we wouldn't be checking our phones every other minute to see if there is a new message or perhaps a fb update. If we do, we wouldn't be checking the time or planning when is our next toilet break.

If we see the presence of God, if we are truly present before God, we would have our gaze fixed on Him, ears wide open to hear Him, and hearts emptied to receive Him. We would be listening with our hearts and our minds, and thinking, "More, more of Jesus. I want more of Him."

And, at that moment, while we are still listening, the Holy Spirit would fall upon us and fill us.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. (Acts 10:44)

The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard... All those who were present before God, to hear all the things commanded by God (Acts 10:33).

God delights in the attitude of these people.

It has nothing to do with the speaker, but everything to do with how the hearer hears.

How have you been hearing the Word? Is it in the presence of God?

Acts 9 - a Paul in our midst?

"Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name..." (Acts 9:15)

Chapter 9 marks the start of Paul (Saul)'s sufferings for the Lord.

"For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." (Acts 9:16)

In this chapter alone, we read of him fleeing twice. First, from Damascus to Jerusalem (9:25). Then, from Jerusalem to Tarsus (9:30).

With such, Saul started his life for the Lord.

I don't think many of us started our lives for the Lord in this manner. In fact, we are all very blessed. We do not have to be killed just because we preach Jesus. Have we then counted our blessings?

However, the main point I would like to make in today's sharing is how Ananias was initially reluctant to go to Saul.

"Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ..." (Acts 9:13)

But the Lord asked him to go ahead for He has chosen him.

I was just encouraging an elderly truth-seeker to grab hold of every opportunity to preach to her mother. Her mother is already very old and frail, and while we were chatting, this truth-seeker kept insisting that she cannot do anything anymore. In fact, her mother did mention about baptism, but this truth-seeker was saying that she cannot do it, because all her siblings and relatives will come after her. She also mentioned about how water baptism in living water is impossible for her mother since she is already so weak physically.

And so I told her to take a step at a time. I told her to tell her local church's ministers first and see what they say. Perhaps they can arrange a visiting and help to pray. Taking a step at a time, who knows how God will guide, right?

I also told her that we cannot be the ones to decide another person's salvation. If we refrain from sharing the truth to another, we are as good as declining that person's salvation. And that person's blood will be on our heads! God has placed us in this time and place to reach out to the people around us. We are the ones in their lives that may ever give them the chance to know about the truth, and if we don't share, we are the ones responsible for their souls in hell, isn't it?

As I was sharing these thoughts with her, I was also thinking of my own family members. And I know those words that came out of my mouth were also meant for my own edification.

"Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name..." (Acts 9:15)

While it may seem impossible at the moment for our unbelieving loved ones to believe in Lord Jesus, who knows whom God might choose right? We need only just to go, and be witnesses for Christ. Who knows, there might be another Paul in our midst, whom God has chosen among the "impossibles", to work for Him.

Everything, and anything, is possible with God, right? :)

Acts 8 - Simon the sorcerer vs Philip

The effortless
And when Simon saw..., he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also,..." (Acts 8:18-19).
Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, ..." (Acts 8:24).

The effortful
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. (Acts 8:5)
...heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (Acts 8:6)
So he arose and went. (Acts 8:27)
So Philip ran to him, ... (Acts 8:30).
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. (Acts 8:35)
And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:38)
...he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:40)

Are we able to see the contrast?

In our life of faith today, are we more like Simon the sorcerer or Philip the evangelist? Do we put in the necessary effort in our faith?

Or, worse still, like how Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the gift of God with money, do we suppose that godliness is a means of gain (1 Timothy 6:5)?

Do we strive to enter through that narrow gate? Do we exercise ourselves towards godliness?

从 施 洗 约 翰 的 时 候 到 如 今 ， 天 国 是 努 力 进 入 的 ， 努 力 的 人 就 得 着 了 。(Matthew 11:12)

Many verses in the Bible suggest that believing in Jesus is not a sit-back-on-the-couch-and-enjoy-the-rewards faith.

While it is absolutely true that we are saved solely by grace, as true followers, we need also to repay the love of Christ and bear the cross together with Jesus.

Have we been sitting on the couch?

Acts 7 - what Stephen says and does

"Lord, do not charge them with this sin." (Acts 7:60)

I like to listen to what Stephen said in this chapter. I imagine myself in their midst in that time, a passer-by and listening intently to what this man, with the face of an angel, is trying to say. It is like listening to a sermon. He really must have known his Bible well. When the need arise for me to share about my faith, will I be able to share as he did?

While we really need to brush up on our bible knowledge (and that begins with reading the Bible everyday), I guess the Holy Spirit is also the one who will teach us what to say when the need comes. And we know that Stephen was a man full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5; 7:55).

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12)

I have personally experienced this on a few occasions when I was trying to share my faith with friends or strangers. Somehow, words will come to me and as I speak, sometimes, I myself am also edified and strengthened with faith.

Our faith should not only be about what we say, but also what we do. What we do must complement what we say. Stephen was really very good with the word of God, but what is even more admirable about Stephen is his courage and love even while facing death. Perhaps that is the power that comes from having seen Jesus.

But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:55-56)

When Stephen saw Jesus, he knew that his faith was true, and that Jesus acknowledges what he was doing for Him, and that Jesus was waiting to receive him into glory. He became fearless.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18)

With the love of God, he went on to love others, and with his last breath, he prayed for them that God would not charge them with this sin (Acts 7:60).

Are we able to see Jesus today?

It is not easy to see Jesus today, because there are far too many other things which compete for our sight. Too many things cloud our vision and too many temptations lure us away from Him. But the Bible tells us to fix our eyes on the Author and Finisher of our faith.

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

This was what Stephen did, wasn't it?

In our hearts, have we always look unto Jesus? I believe that if we have, we would be able to face any circumstances with courage and hope and love, as Stephen did.

If we are able to see Jesus, we too can become fearless even as we face an unknown and uncertain future, because we know that Jesus is always with us in any circumstances.

And how many of us can pray for those who maliciously hurt and destroy us? Look at how horrible the people are, behaving like a mindless mob (Acts 7:57). Yet Stephen could do it, because of the love of God which was poured into his heart.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Stephen emulated the example of Jesus' love. May we be full of the Holy Spirit and be able to do so too.

Acts 6 - the Seven

"It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables." (Acts 6:2)

The choosing of the Seven suggests to me that the word of God must never be neglected, whatever the circumstances. It should still be the most important, whether we are doing pastoral work, or preaching work.

Sometimes, when the church gets too big, and we become too focused on managing the people, we might forget to feed them what is most important. Martha almost forgot about this too (Luke 10:38-42).

But the apostles knew, and they proposed to have deacons so that they can give themselves "continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:4)

Likewise, when we do evangelism work, while we may volunteer acts of kindness to the people we are trying to reach out too, for example, cleaning up the house for the elderly, we must never forget the one element that saves only - the Word.

This is not to say that "serving tables" is not important, or that the work of deacons are of a lower value than the apostles. The fact that the apostles saw the need to appoint the Seven shows how important this work is. We need people to manage a growing church. The crucial point is balance. Our service cannot compromise the Word of God.