But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
Acts 6:1 (NLT)
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Acts 6:2-4 (NLT)
In the midst of the messiness of life, the Holy Spirit speaks through the people of God.
Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
Acts 6:5-6 (NLT)
So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Pentecost came 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus. It was not the first time the Holy Spirit shows up in the Bible, but on and after Pentecost, the Holy Spirit who used to speak in and through a few select people, is given to all followers of Jesus. Christ following men and women, young and old alike, are given the privilege of hearing from God. In this series, we will discover together how to hear from the God who still speaks from the Book of Acts.
Ed Horne was born and raised in Fort Myers. His grandparents were charter members of Central UMC when it started in 1922. He grew up in the church, and gave his life to Christ in 1972 at a Vacation Bible School. After high school he took a job managing movie theaters. God used his time there to develop his leadership skills. Ed spent the next 17 years seeking after success and money. In 2001 God got his attention when he lost the theater job. He came back to the church and made his walk to Emmaus in 2005. He finally let Jesus have his full life and became a lay speaker at Central. He was there when the it was adopted by Grace Church, and became part of the Guide Team.
Shortly after he received a call into the ministry. He served in Charlotte Harbor at Trinity UMC. During his three years there, the church experienced growth and in 2017 was awarded the One Matters award by the Conference for the greatest increase in professions of Faith and attendance.
He has now returned home to Grace Church Central Campus.
Ed is also very involved in The Kairos Prison Ministry, which brings the love of Christ to the incarcerated. He also serves on The District Leadership Committee.
Ed is married to Jami and has three children. Son's Lin and Chris, and daughter Lea. He has two grandsons, Xavien and Cas.
But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
Acts 6:1 (NLT)
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Acts 6:2-4 (NLT)
In the midst of the messiness of life, the Holy Spirit speaks through the people of God.
Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
Acts 6:5-6 (NLT)
So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
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