Growing pains and provisions

As the church grows, so the demands increase. Satan strikes again: persecution has come, corruption has erupted, and now tension and division advance. A battle breaks out over compassion!

The apostles' response, taking account of their proper priorities, is to lead the disciples through the identification and appointment of godly men who will take responsibility for genuinely good things while they pursue their necessary things. In this way, peace is secured, and the progress of the gospel is established.

The way that the church deals with these challenges is full of lessons for churches today in how to order ourselves, how to respond to practical challenges, and the blessings that the Lord gives to churches which walk in peace before him.