Acts 6:7 – “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.”

Extended Explanation

This verse shows the direct results of the church handling an internal problem wisely. Earlier in Acts 6, the early church faced a challenge: some widows were being overlooked in the daily food distribution (Acts 6:1). Instead of allowing this issue to cause division, the apostles led the church in appointing seven godly men to take care of the practical needs of the community (Acts 6:3-6).

Because this problem was handled with prayer, wisdom, and fairness, the church remained unified and continued to grow. God’s word spread, more people became disciples, and even Jewish priests started believing in Jesus. This shows how important it is for the church to handle conflicts in a godly way.

The phrase “the word of God spread” means that the gospel was not just being preached, but it was taking root in people’s hearts. As more people believed and followed Jesus, the church grew not just in size but in faithfulness. The mention of Jewish priests coming to faith is especially significant because they were part of the religious establishment that had been resistant to the gospel. Their conversion shows the power of God to reach even those who were once opposed to Christ.

Historical Context

At this time, Christianity was still closely tied to Judaism. The church was centered in Jerusalem, and many early believers were Jews who had come to accept Jesus as the Messiah. However, the Jewish religious leaders—especially the Pharisees and Sadducees—were strongly opposed to the movement (Acts 4:1-3, Acts 5:17-18).

The fact that “a large number of priests” became believers is remarkable. Jewish priests were responsible for temple sacrifices and maintaining the traditions of the Law of Moses. Many of them had likely resisted the gospel at first, but as they saw the way the church lived out its faith—preaching truth, caring for the needy, and solving problems with wisdom—they were drawn to Jesus.

The rapid increase of disciples also shows that the gospel message was unstoppable. Persecution from religious leaders (Acts 5:40-42) did not slow the church down. Instead, God used faithful believers and wise leadership to keep the church strong and growing.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights three key theological truths:

1. When the church is faithful, the gospel spreads. The early church’s commitment to truth, love, and wise leadership allowed the message of Jesus to reach more people.
2. God’s power can soften even the hardest hearts. The conversion of Jewish priests shows that no one is beyond God’s reach. Even those who once opposed Jesus can come to faith when they encounter the truth.
3. Spiritual growth and practical wisdom go hand in hand. The church didn’t grow by ignoring problems—it grew because problems were handled with godly wisdom, leading to greater unity and effectiveness in spreading the gospel.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the writer of Acts, often uses cause-and-effect storytelling to show how the gospel advances. In this case, the church’s wise decision to appoint godly leaders in Acts 6:3-6 resulted in a stronger, more effective church in Acts 6:7.

The phrase “the word of God spread” is used multiple times in Acts to mark key moments of church growth (Acts 12:24, Acts 19:20). This phrase emphasizes that church growth is not just about numbers—it is about God’s word transforming lives.

The phrase “a large number of priests became obedient to the faith” is especially significant. Throughout Acts, religious leaders were often described as being against Jesus and His followers (Acts 4:1-3, Acts 5:17-18). But here, we see that God was working even among the religious elite, drawing them to Christ.

Biblical Cross-References

• Isaiah 55:11 – “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (God’s word always bears fruit.)
• Matthew 16:18 – “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (The church is unstoppable.)
• Acts 2:47 – “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Church growth is God’s work.)
• Acts 12:24 – “But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” (The gospel cannot be stopped.)
• Romans 10:17 – “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Faith grows through God’s word.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse reminds us that when the church stays faithful to God’s word, it will grow—not just in numbers, but in spiritual strength.

1. Spreading God’s word should be our priority. The early church didn’t grow because of programs or marketing—it grew because people were sharing the gospel. We should also be bold in telling others about Jesus.
2. No one is beyond God’s reach. If even Jewish priests, who were deeply embedded in religious tradition, could come to faith in Jesus, then God can save anyone. We should never give up praying for people who seem far from God.
3. Handling church issues with wisdom leads to growth. When believers work together in humility, love, and prayer, the church becomes healthier and more effective in spreading the gospel.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He continues to draw people to Himself. Even as the church faced challenges and opposition, God was at work behind the scenes, softening hearts and bringing people to faith.

His love is also seen in how He provides wisdom for His people. The apostles didn’t come up with their leadership solution on their own—God gave them the wisdom to handle problems in a way that strengthened the church.

Finally, this verse shows that God’s love is for all people—not just those who were quick to believe, but even those who had once been opposed to Jesus.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Everything in this verse points back to Jesus:

• The word of God spread – Jesus is the living Word (John 1:1), and His message continued to change lives.
• The number of disciples increased – Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), and this verse shows that they were obeying His mission.
• A large number of priests became obedient to the faith – Jesus often confronted religious leaders, but He also invited them to believe in Him. Now, His invitation was being accepted.

Jesus Himself promised that His church would grow and nothing could stop it (Matthew 16:18). This verse is a direct fulfillment of that promise.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does this verse teach us about the power of God’s word?
2. Why do you think Jewish priests were drawn to the Christian faith?
3. How can we apply the example of the early church in spreading the gospel today?
4. Are there people in your life who seem far from God? How does this verse encourage you to keep praying for them?
5. How can we make sure that our own churches remain faithful to preaching God’s word and caring for people wisely?

This verse reminds us that when the church stays focused on God’s word, prayer, and serving others, He will bring the growth. Our role is to be faithful and trust Him to do the rest.