Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Acts 6:7 (KJV)
Context
Acts 6:7 comes from the early days of the Christian church, after the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. The church was growing rapidly in Jerusalem, and this verse summarizes a moment of remarkable expansion. It follows the appointment of seven men to serve widows, showing that even internal challenges did not stop the spread of the gospel.
Meaning
The verse begins by stating that “the word of God increased.” This phrase points to the spread and impact of the gospel message. It highlights the power of God’s Word to transform lives and bring people to faith in Jesus Christ. Despite opposition and persecution, the message of salvation was reaching more and more people, resulting in the growth of the early church.
The verse continues by stating that “the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly.” The term “disciples” refers to the followers of Jesus Christ. This growth demonstrates the effectiveness of the apostles’ teaching and the power of the Holy Spirit at work. The early church experienced exponential growth as people embraced the truth of the gospel and committed themselves to the teachings of Jesus.
The latter part of the verse reveals that “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” This statement is significant because it highlights the impact of the gospel message even among the Jewish religious leaders. These were priests from the temple system, part of the religious establishment that had largely opposed Jesus. Their obedience to “the faith” means a personal commitment to Jesus as the Messiah, not just intellectual agreement. Their conversion demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel and its ability to reach people from all walks of life, even those most connected to the old order.
Biblical connections
This verse fits the pattern of the early church’s expansion recorded throughout Acts, where the word spreads from Jerusalem outward. The inclusion of priests also shows that the new covenant surpasses the old, as God was calling people from every background, including the religious elite, into the body of Christ. The growth here is not merely numerical; it is the effective proclamation and reception of God’s truth.
Application
The verse encourages us to trust in the power of God’s Word to transform lives and impact communities. It reminds us of the importance of sharing the gospel with others.
It reminds us that the growth of the church is not solely dependent on human effort but is ultimately a work of God. We should pray for the growth of the church and actively participate in sharing the gospel.
The conversion of the priests serves as a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. We should not underestimate the potential for transformation in the lives of those who seem unlikely candidates for faith.
Reflection
The unstoppable nature of God’s word and the transformative power of the gospel stand at the heart of this verse. The obedience of the priests signifies the inclusive nature of the gospel, as it reaches even those who may have been initially opposed to it. This verse calls us to recognize that God’s word continues to increase and that his grace can reach anyone.
