The explosive growth of the church in Jerusalem led to the first threat of division between two groups, as recorded in Acts 6:1-7. Wisely the apostles recommended that the church choose a few good men to handle the urgent need that had arisen. These seven men freed up the apostles to preach and pray, and the church grew even more. The threat to unity and the way the church handled it can teach us how we also can maintain unity and promote continued growth in our church.
Although many Jews did not believe the gospel and many non-Jews did, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
After noting how little the people had accomplished, in Haggai 2:1-9 God told them to be strong because of his presence with them.
In Ruth 1, we meet three men and three women, who suddenly separate, leaving all in apparently impossible situations. By the end of the...