The Ministry

 May 6, 2025 – One Week Compilation of Morning Meditation from the Book of Acts 6KJV

For Mithcah Bible Baptist Church – Bahrain 

Morning Online Group Bible Study and Prayer Fellowship – May 7, 2025

 

[3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
[4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
[5] And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
[6] Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

 

Lesson: The Ministry

 

If there is murmuring, there should be something to be settled.

And from here, is the discernment the LORD has given to His apostles how to handle the matter. The apostles action is a clear instruction for us: even in this generation’s churches. The apostles ordered the church to look upon themselves credible men to do the ministry of serving tables; Church here hold vital roles in raising concerns, recommendations, and resolution; referring from these verses:

 

Acts 6:1-8 KJV
[1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
[2] Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
[3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
[4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
[5] And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
[6] Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
[7] And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
[8] And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

From this chapter’s point of view, ministry of serving tables in the LORD are not just about willingness. There are certain and specific characteristics candidates should have; a requirement which could not only be gained through academe, experience or training, not even only about high moral values or diligence; but it was precisely spoken of by the apostles themselves; of which such are:

• honest report- sincerely
• full of Holy Ghost- sanctified, surrendered life
• and wisdom- sage or sagaciousness- full of heavenly wisdom and discernment

 

This implied to us that in the service of the LORD, dishonesty, half-heartedness, self- centeredness, nor double standard life and mediocrity could not stand. How much more for those who preach and teaches the word of GOD?
We may stand firm, and tried our very best to evade the scrutinizing eyes of others, but not GOD’s. These encourage us to have high regards on honesty, sincerity, humility, singleness of heart, godliness and discretion. These are GOD’s testing barometer for every believer that even our menial service to GOD will be noticed with recompense and valued with reward. Mentioning our name as among the faithful, such are these chosen mighty men, who serves not only tables but even use by GOD for His great miracles and wonders of whom among the mentioned to be man of faith and full of HOLY GHOST was Stephen. That it was tried through fire.

This ministry comprises the Love for GOD first, then for others before self. And this kind of love most of the time, concludes sacrifice; risking our very own lives and happiness for the sake that the truth be shared even to the hardhearted, adversaries and unbelieving. Just as what happened to Stephen in the following verses:

Acts 6:9-10 KJV
[9]Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
[10] And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

The wisdom of GOD which He has given to Stephen is too great for them who can’t bear to hear glad tidings. Taking note about Stephen’s recorded faithfulness to GOD, he first gave all of his possession to GOD by laying it on the apostles’ feet, then gave himself wholly in the LORD’s ministry, that he was named as the man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. But those who heard him testifying about JESUS, instead of believing they disputed with him.

Implying to us that, not because we are faithful to GOD and filled with the HOLY GHOST, everything will be well with us.  
For even in this present time It happens. The called and chosen to whom wisdom are given, daily faces disputations from the unbelieving.
We must not be affrighted; but we have to let the word of GOD which gives us understanding stands still within us, so that it will continually prevail.

For even in our sufferings, the truth will surely stands still.

Acts 6:11-15 KJV
[11] Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
[12] And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
[13] And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: [14] For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
[15] And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

A bit of exaggeration, an added subtlety to the truth and a malicious intention is a form of subornation misjudging the truth spoken by the righteous.
This happened to Stephen as he was taken and set to be judged by the magistrate and counsel.
But even them who have seen Stephen being accused of blasphemy in that counsel seen him as if they saw an angel.


May these be a reminder to us about testifying GOD’s Words to others, will not always be easy. Sometimes we may face harsh disputation that it will makes us tremble. But be challenged to keep on. Be reminded that we will face such, particularly when truth is spoken with boldness and sharpness as a sword:

➢ those who will be rebuked from their errors will surely retaliate as wounded wolves.
➢ they will exaggerate and add lies to make us look guilty and accuse us for disturbance and false issues.
➢ they will even drag us to the rulers to silence us; but trust The LORD; for He is in control of everything. For sometimes He allowed things to happen, so that the scent of our faithfulness in sharing His gospel, be emanated through our sufferings.

 

Let the Ministry of the LORD continue to be sown through our sharing of the word of GOD to others, through the help and strengthening of The HOLY GHOST; giving ourselves to JESUS the best we can with prayers, that our works for the gospel mayenter into the heart of others through our testimonies every day and ever.

Good morning!


Acts 6:1-8 KJV
[1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
[2] Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
[3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
[4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
[5] And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
[6] Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
[7] And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
[8] And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9]Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
[10] And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

[11] Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
[12] And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
[13] And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: [14] For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
[15] And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

 

 

 

 

 


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