New Testament: Acts 6.5–6

To read the Bible in a year, read Acts 6 on June 23, In the year of our Lord Christ 2024

By Don Ruhl 

A matter arose in the church that threatened to take the apostles away from the work the Lord appointed them to do. Therefore, they asked the congregation to find seven men whom they could appoint over the matter: “And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them” (Acts 6.5–6). 

The congregation liked what the preachers stated and found men whom the apostles could appoint to take care of the matter. The apostles showed their approval, praying for the seven and laying hands upon them. 

The laying on of hands may have also been for giving to the seven, miraculous gifts, but the physical touching shows so much. 

Would you lay approving hands upon someone whom you despise and believe could not do the job? No, you would keep away from such a person. However, friends, when you do find people whom you can approve, show it. 

Questions from today’s reading and devotional: 

• What group did the complaining? 
• What charge did some Jews make against Stephen? 

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Don preaches with the Savage Street Church of Christ in Grants Pass, Oregon. 

Listen to his sermons here: GrantsPassChurchOfChrist.com