Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
They brought these men to the apostles, who prayed over them and then placed their hands on them to officially set them apart for this work.
Sometimes the most important moments happen when people pray over you and send you out to do what you're called to do.
📚 Historical Context
In the early days of the Christian church in Jerusalem, the apostles were overseeing a rapidly growing community that faced practical challenges, such as ensuring fair distribution of food to widows. The believers selected seven reputable men to handle these administrative duties, allowing the apostles to focus on prayer and teaching the Word. The apostles then prayed and laid hands on these men as a symbolic act of commissioning them for service, which was a common practice in Jewish and early Christian traditions to confer authority and blessing.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.