Passage Read: Acts 6-7
Meditation Verse: 6:8
Thought
Up to this point it seems that the signs and wonders, apart from tongues, were all performed by the original apostles. Stephen and Philip and the rest of the Seven were chosen because they were of good reputation and full of the Spirit and wisdom. But there was no mention of them performing signs and wonders until after their selection and the apostles prayed for them and laid their hands on them. Is that how it really was, or were their signs and wonders just not important to the narrative until this point. Were signs and wonders part of the evidence that they were full of the Spirit and wisdom or did they only come after the apostles ordained them? In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul makes no distinction between appointed leaders and common believers in the giving of spiritual gifts, but he did mention the gift Timothy received when the elders laid their hands on and prayed for him. The apostles would soon be praying for and laying hands on Samaritan believers. Is that more significant than we consider today? Is that a missing piece of our modern Christianity?
Application
Lord, I ask You for boldness and courage and power in witnessing for Jesus. Signs and wonders would be great as well. And if I need the laying on of hands, then direct me to the right community, by which Your power could be imparted to me.