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Acts 6: 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. According to biblical historians, there was a huge number of priests in Jerusalem during this time. I'm sure it must've been frustrating for them to continue going thru the ritual of slaughtering all these animals, only to see the people return the next day with another animal because they sinned again and needed another sacrifice. Then they saw the joy on the face of Christians who had their sins PERMANENTLY forgiven, not to mention that the number of Jewish people to come for sacrifices was probably dwindling. This must've had an impact on their faith in the Jewish religious system with all it's laws and regulations. Oye vey, there must be a better way. Lo and behold, there WAS a better way, it was the gospel of Jesus Christ, the greatest story ever told, about the greatest person who ever lived. So, as these priests were being converted, that added more fuel to the fire that threatened the status quo for the Sanhedrin. Christianity and Judaism couldn't go hand in hand. Nope, with Jesus’ death and resurrection, Judaism was finished. These Jewish leaders knew it, and were fighting tooth and nail for their job security. We, in our day and age look at these guys as the nincompoops that they were, but, how many of you have been faced with a new system that threatened your job. How did that make you feel? Let's see, my choice here is to give up all I know to be true, all my training and education to do what? Get a job asking, "would you like fries with that? " But these guys just didn't get it, and they just got more and more stiff necked. Oh Papa God, please don't let me harden my heart or stiffen my neck to any work You do, but by the same token, don't let me fall for any new wave of doctrine coming down the like. Let me stay lock stepped with You at all times, in Jesus name, Amen

God's word is powerful.

I love the progress report recorded by Luke...and that God gave great liberty to Stephen, a man full of grace and power! It amazes me that the Sanhedrin (and possibly those that resided over the trials of the Lord...)saw his face and professed that it was like the face of an angel...Yet still reject...This is evidence of the hardening of the heart and that the heart is desperately wicked...!

I chose this verse because it shows the wonderful results of what happens when there is order in the church (the body not the building). in verses 2 and 3 shows that spreading the Word of God could not be neglected or pushed aside; nor should the physical needs of the people. it shows the complete workings of the Holy Spirit. this is what can and will happen when we, the body of Christ, learn our calling and operate in it, every need will be met. this is why the Word of God spread so quickly, they not only spoke the word of God, they demonstrated it. Praising God as He continues to perfect us so this result will happen more often than not. be blessed...