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In more than three decades of my Christian life, I have been blest by 2 types of Daily devos'
(matter not exceeding 500 words) in universal Christian literature. Not only those Devos'
which have a different theme everyday but also the ones which revolve around a certain
theme over a period of time, say a fortnight, have richly edified me. In fact, both
styles have their own inherent advantages. If the former style caters to the varying
spiritual needs of a christian from day-to-day, the latter aims 'to ground'
a child of God in a certain subject in order he derives the full benefits of the
deep insightful study of a certain topic, spread over a fixed span of time.
In my Daily devo page, I have consciously tried to go in for 'a blend of both the
styles' whereby within a constant theme, I would be aiming to focus on different
facets of it which admittedly is a closer imitation of the 'Constant theme' style
than the 'Varying topics' one.
Having dwelt on the topics
- “The Christian journey”
- “ The Conquest of Canaan” and the
- “Lent season”.
in the previous months, now in the months of April and May, considering that
post resurrection of Christ (one of our concluding themes’ you would remember
in the meditations of March, was Resurrection), birth of the Church was a
landmark event in Biblical history, I want to cast the spotlight on the Book of
Acts (which records the birth and growth of the Church). This would ensure to a large
extent continuity of thought albeit under the ambit of new subject.
Once again, let me wish you a happy and an edifying read…
Suresh Manoharan
April 26th
The “First Deacons”
“…They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip,
Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them” – Acts 6:5-6
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With burgeoning responsibilities, brought about by rapid Church growth what did the early Church do? Much
like in the Mosaic times
(Exodus 18:13-26),
they went wisely for some effective “division of Labour”. So welcome to
the “First deacons”, on the subject of “Firsts”! Deacons’ were to assist the Apostles’ in the administration of the Church.
Apostle Paul in his first epistle to Timothy emphasizes on the spiritual fiber of the Deacons, as they like
the Pastors would be role model in their congregations
(I Tim 3:8-13).
So high was the commitment of the First deacons of the Early Church, that it was from the First
deacons emerged the First martyr Stephen! It was yet another deacon from the set of “First deacons”-
Phillip- who paved the way for the evangelization of entire continent of Africa by leading the high-ranking
Ethiopian official to the Saving faith of the Cross
(Acts 8:26-39).
Say Church elder, are you living a life worthy of your calling?
Prayer:
Father, even as we take up any responsible post in the Church,
inspire us to live exemplary lives, worthy of our office. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
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