Prayed For and Hands Laid Upon - Acts 6:6

The physician Luke wrote, “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. 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 you 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:”, and in chapter six and verse six of the book of Acts Luke shared how the seven men chosen were, “set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them” where we read:

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

The verse begins, “Whom they set before the apostles:” Luke began with the words, “whom they set” which means “the seven men were place and put in the appearance” “before the apostles” or “in front and in the presence of the twelve delegates, messengers and sent forth ones”. Luke shared how the “seven men” were brought in front of the “twelve disciples or apostles”, and they did the following.

The verse goes on to say, “and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” Luke continued with the words, “and when they had prayed” which means “and at the time and moment the twelve apostles made oration and supplication to God”, “they laid their hands on them” or “the twelve apostles put their physical hands upon the seven men”. Luke shared how the “twelve disciples or apostles” “prayed” for the seven men and put their “hands” upon them as well.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “twelve apostles” of Jesus demonstrated the work of ministers to those who will “work” in the church. First, they were to have good reputations both spiritually and physically, and then they were “prayed for”, blessed and ordained to their commission. The order for God's church and workers was followed by the “twelve apostles”, and now the “widows” and people in need in the church would be adequately supplied. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they submit to Him, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and commission them to a function within His church. Let all who read these words see the “wisdom” employed by the “twelve apostles” and surrender their lives to Jesus who knows how to bring order and function to His church.

Next time Luke shares how the seven men chosen were, “the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".