From Dream to Deliverance
Thursday, September 23, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for instituting processes among us for providing for leadership when ministry is needed. Thank You for showing the apostles in today’s Scripture lesson that they couldn’t do everything, that it wasn’t even desirable, but that there were certain things only they could do. I pray that not only I, but also all the folks who are part of New Life, and who are part of your larger Church will rely on You to discern our gifts, passion, abilities, personalities and experiences and then will do the ministry that we were created to do. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and through Your Spirit give me discernment for what it is that only I can be and do in advancing Your Kingdom. Glorify Yourself today and always in and through me. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Acts 6:1-7
1But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke Greek complained against those who spoke Hebrew, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers.
“We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program,” they said. 3“Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business. 4Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word.”
5This idea pleased the whole group, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (a Gentile convert to the Jewish faith, who had now become a Christian). 6These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
7God’s message was preached in ever-widening circles. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Reflecting on God’s Word
What is the most significant worship-related event that you have ever been part of in your life?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
What process was followed in making the new leaders’ positions “official”?
What direct action did the apostles take in this process?
What is there in what the apostles did that reminds you of Jesus?
Understanding God’s Word
Why do you suppose that the Apostles laid their hands on the new leaders as they were being “installed” for ministry?
What do you think it would have been like to be one of those leaders in that moment?
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
What is going on in your life right now that you need to officially dedicate to the Lord?
Thoughts...Praying and Laying on of Hands...
Through the history of Jesus’ Church there has been significance in prayer and laying on of hands when a ministry is developed or extended. The Roman Catholic Church believes in an official line of “apostolic succession,” through which they believe they can trace all the popes back to St. Peter. While this is rooted in tradition rather than reality, the important point of the tradition is that throughout church history, the apostles’ authority, which is authority delegated to them by Jesus, has been “passed on” by the process of prayer and laying on of hands. This is not “magic,” nor is it merely a ritual. The power and authority of God in same way is part of the process of prayer and laying on of hands. That is why we continue to practice prayer and laying on of hands when we commission missionaries or those going out into the field, when we ordain leaders, or dedicate our children to the Lord. The key for us to remember as we pray and lay hands on another (and parents may certainly do this with their children!) is that this action was established by the church, for both the recognition and empowering of leaders, and also as an aspect of prayers of blessing and healing. The touch of one person to another is not necessary for a prayer to be effective, but it is obviously important, since it was practiced by the early church from the first time new leaders were added!