Acts 6:7

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and. great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

'AND THE WORD OF GOD INCREASED'-The very goal the apostles were after (Acts 6:4). One writer pointed out that the word of God (i.e. the spreading of it) will naturally increase when people are devoting themselves to the preaching of that word (Acts 6:4). More people using their talents, the apostles free to devote themselves to unhindered preaching--the result-growth!

'THE NUMBER OF THE DISCIPLES MULTIPLIED IN JERUSALEM EXCEEDINGLY'-'This is the third instance where, after telling us about some difficultly faced and overcome by the Church, Luke tells the heartening news that the difficultly was but. stepping stone to greater growth for the Church.' (Reese p. 256)

Point to Note:

As the word of God increased, the disciples multiplied. There is no secret to Church growth. The congregation will only grow to the extent that the word is being proclaimed.

'A GREAT COMPANY OF THE PRIESTS'-'The priests were so numerous that they were divided into twenty-four courses, with each course working. week at. time in the temple services.' (Reese p. 256) Bruce also notes, 'The ordinary priests were socially and in other ways far removed from the wealthy chief-priestly families from which the main opposition to the gospel came. Many of the ordinary priests were no doubt men holy and humble of heart, like Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist...' (pp. 131-132) (See Luke 1:5 ff).

Here we are witnessing the creme of the crop, the remnant, the true Israel, the honest and good hearts coming out of Judaism (Romans 11:5). McGarvey notes, 'The peculiar relation which the priesthood sustains to any religion must always render the priests the chief conservators of old forms, and the most persistent opponents of revolutionary changes. When they begin to give way, the system which they have upheld is ready to fall.' (p. 109)

The same type of thing had happened when Jeroboam established idolatry in Israel, the priests migrated to the true religion that still existed in Judah (2 Chronicles 13:9; 2 Chronicles 11:14).

This stands as. great testimony to the truthfulness of the gospel message, for even those most dedicated to the Jewish faith, could see the truth and became Christians.

One writer put it this way, 'The addition of. great multitude of priests was an important incident in the Church's history..as they were..a class very liable to be prejudiced against the faith which would rob them of their (earthly-MD) importance.' (P.P. Comm. p. 193)

'WERE OBEDIENT TO THE FAITH'-i.e. which infers that there is something in "the faith", the gospel message to be obeyed (Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26). Evidently,. man's initial salvation involves more than faith only or mere mental assent. Obedience to the faith in this book involves repentance, confession and baptism (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:36).