God is the head of the local congregation

June 9, 2020
Today’s devotion is based Acts 6:1, “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”

While we would like to think that the first congregation was an ideal congregation comprised of solely consecrated, loving, pious people, it was not. Just like today, the old sinful Adam was present in each of its members.

The wonderful thing about the congregation, something we today need to learn from is how they handled the complaints. First, the Apostles summoned the entire congregation together and took care of it in a Godly manner. Everyone was willing to let God put things right. They did not cast blame or punish anyone, for everyone had their share of blame.

They recognized that the congregation is Christ’s congregation. He is the head of the congregation. While there is an external order, pastors, elders, and others, serving in the congregation, they were acting on behalf of Christ. This recognition of Christ being the true head of the congregation is a characteristic of a living congregation.

Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen, help us in our individual congregations to remember that the congregation we belong to is not our congregation but your congregation. I pray this in the name of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen
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