The Preaching of God’s Word

“So the Word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” - Acts 6:7

When the Word of God is prioritized, amazing things happen. This is what happened in the early Church, “The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly” (Acts 6:7b). This literally means that the Church multiplied. The growth was so explosive that believers weren’t just being added to the Church, they were being multiplied to the Church.

Notice it was not the number of decisions that was multiplying, but the number of disciples. What is the difference? In 1st Century Palestine the word “disciple” didn’t just refer to a pupil in a school who studied under a famous teacher. The word referred to more like an apprentice than just a student. A disciple was someone who not only learned information but also became a follower of that teacher and adopted the way he lived. These multiplying disciples were hearing the preaching of the Word of God, and it was penetrating deep into their hearts. Their decision was not only to follow Christ but also to live their lives like He lived His.

You don’t have to be a pastor, a theologian, or seminary trained to share the Word of God with others. You don’t have to be at a church building to draw others to Christ. You are a magnet that God can use to draw others to Himself. Think of your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and other people that God places in your life on a daily basis. God wants to use you in their lives. All you have to do is live as His disciple.

Father, show me today what it means to be Your disciple. Use my life to multiply Your Church. In Jesus’ name, amen.