|
In order for us to go forward in life it takes a certain level of trust. Every part of our lives is affected to one degree or another by that trust. Trust is critical in our relationships both in and outside of our personal life. The apostles recognized the importance of established trust and how critical it was in the work of the gospel:
"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 ministrations.
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. 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. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
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: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
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." Acts 6: 1-7
The Apostles had a need for help in serving the widows. Even for this task, which to us may seem small or menial, they were concerned that they would find men who were honest, full of the Holy Ghost, and wise; in other words trustworthy.
In these verses it is apparent they were looking at the history, or past performance of those to be chosen. Trust is not something we can build overnight. It takes a time of proving ourselves faithful in the little things. Trust is established by a consistency of life that honors what is right and proper in God's eyes. After the men were chosen then followed a public acknowledgment of the leadership's trust in those who were chosen, by the laying on of hands. This public acknowledgment lead to trust in the people. The Apostles knew that trust was important for the people to accept the new positions and for God to honor their labors. Finally, the culmination of the process- the word of God Increased. If the men chosen did not have the history of an honest life or if the Apostles had not transferred their trust in the men in a public way, their efforts in the gospel would have been hampered. They would have had to go back to the step they overlooked and start from there. We know that God can use any situation or being for his work, but we can hinder the ongoing work of the gospel if we don't follow God's plan.
Trackback(0)
|
Mature Adult 
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
