Acts 6:4

Greetings,

For the third of three side-studies on 'ministry verses' given by my pastor, we go to Acts 6:4.

Acts 6:4
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Again this week, reading the context is valuable (6:1-7). As the ministry of the Apostles grew, so did the physical, day-to-day needs of the people. So the twelve asked the disciples to pick 7 men to serve in the 'distribution'.

So this one verse nabbed out of the middle of this interaction is valuable in context and valuable on it's own. Service to the poor and the handling of resources is an essential part of any ministry, but not at the expense of the spiritual ministry; prayer and God's Word.

I am struck by the list of people chosen as 'deacons', specifically the first two. Stephen, full of faith and Holy Spirit (later martyred for his faith) and Philip (later to become an evangelist). These were not just 'grunts' chosen at random to do the dirty work. These are spiritually mature men of God who were committed to the ministry of the kingdom. It does not say this, but I would venture to say that even as they dished out food and cared for the poor, the Gospel of Christ was always on their lips.

The main point for them and for us; pray and minister God's Word. I can't say it any better, and won't attempt to.

How does this affect my worship?
Devotion has come up a lot in my study of worship. It hits me as a 'one-ness of mind and commitment'. We devote ourselves to our Father. We devote ourselves to His word. We devote ourselves to the relationship of prayer. And our devotion to Him leads us to service for Him.

How does this affect my discipleship?
My personal devotion to prayer and the Word of God must spill over into any discipleship I do. People that the Lord has put in my life to disciple must see the importance of prayer and His Word and be encouraged to reproduce it in their own lives. Whatever capacity or position someone has in the body of Christ, we all must be devoted to prayer and His Word.

May you continue in true devotion for Him,

Ethan