DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR OCTOBER 21, 2022 (FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST)
TOPIC: FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST
TEXT: Acts 6:1-8
1. And 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.
2. 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.
3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5. 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;
6. Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
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.
8. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
KEY VERSE:
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” – (Acts 6:3).
MESSAGE:
Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, “Why do we need this ‘Mr. Moody’? He’s uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?” A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, “No, but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody.”
The passage under consideration tells us of the life and deeds of one of the seven disciples of Christ chosen by the church to serve as attendant in the congregation at Jerusalem. The reputable character among them was Stephen – “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5). It was reported of him that he “…did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8).
Spirit baptism, as a Christian experience, is required for enlisting servants in the Kingdom work as aptly demonstrated by the elders in the early Church. This experience is sequel to salvation, that is, repentance and turning away from all sins and the sanctification experience, which addresses the inward depravity that all men inherited from Adam and Eve. It was obvious that Stephen had a full dose of divine peace, purity and power.
The promise of the Father is also available for contemporary believers. If we desire this experience, pray and wait patiently on the promise, we shall obtain the glorious experience and the power to preach the gospel with boldness and pungency.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Be filled with the Spirit for greater usefulness and fruitfulness.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Proverbs 1-3
DCLM Daily Manna 21st October 2022 || Full of The Holy Ghost
