The Word Multiplied

Picture this: Seven men, chosen not for their titles but for their character, standing before the apostles. Hands laid upon them. Prayers ascending. The Holy Spirit moving powerfully in that moment of unity. Something extraordinary happened—not just organization, but supernatural multiplication that could only come from heaven.

The early church discovered what we often forget: God multiplies what we unite around His purposes under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When the apostles refused to let good works divide them from their primary calling of prayer and the ministry of the Word, and when the community chose servants "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3), heaven responded with explosive growth that defied natural explanation.

The Unity That Transforms

"It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables" (Acts 6:2) wasn't about hierarchy; it was about spiritual order and divine gifting. This reflects the Pauline principle: "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills" (1 Corinthians 12:11). When everyone operates in their God-given gifting under the Spirit's direction, the Body functions as it was designed to—in unity that produces results.

The apostles understood something: their calling to prayer and the ministry of the Word wasn't just preference—it was an assignment. Prayer opens heaven's windows, and the Word, when preached in the Spirit's power, never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). When they protected this calling, they protected the very pipeline through which God's power flows.

Unity isn't uniformity—it's harmony in diversity, each part contributing to the whole under the Spirit's orchestration. As A.W. Tozer wrote, "Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow." In the Spirit-filled church, that standard is the Holy Spirit Himself, tuning our hearts to the right frequency.

The Multiplication Mindset

God's Word doesn't just grow—it multiplies exponentially when empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word for "multiplied" (plēthynō) suggests not gradual increase, but explosive, supernatural multiplication. This is the same power that multiplied the loaves and fishes, the same Spirit that filled the upper room and birthed the church on Pentecost.

When we align our hearts with His purposes, when we choose Spirit-led unity over flesh-driven division, when we steward our gifts for His glory rather than our gain, we position ourselves for increase that defies natural explanation.

The priests—those who had systematically opposed the Gospel—now became "obedient to the faith." Opposition became opportunity. Resistance became revival. Religious hearts that had hardened against truth were suddenly softened by the undeniable demonstration of God's power flowing through a unified church.

This is what happens when the church operates in Spirit-led unity: even the most resistant hearts are pierced by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. As Smith Wigglesworth declared, "God is more eager to answer prayer than we are to pray." When we unite in His purposes, heaven responds with breakthrough that transforms entire communities.

Living the Multiplication

Today, the Spirit offers the same invitation to us: Choose unity. Choose your calling. Choose to see God's bigger picture through Spirit-filled eyes. When we stop competing in the flesh and start complementing in the Spirit, when we stop protecting our territory and start expanding His Kingdom, when we prioritize prayer and the Word above all else, we create space for His supernatural multiplication.

The question isn't whether God wants to multiply His work through us—the question is whether we'll create the conditions for that multiplication. Will we choose the difficult path of unity? Will we protect our primary calling while honoring the gifts of others? Will we trust the Holy Spirit to orchestrate what we could never organize in our own strength?

The seven deacons weren't just administrators—they were Spirit-filled servants who understood that every role in the Kingdom is sacred when empowered by the Holy Spirit. Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). Even in serving tables, the Spirit's power was manifest. This is the Pentecostal understanding: every believer is called to be filled with the Spirit, and every act of service becomes a platform for God's supernatural power.

A Prayer for Multiplication

Holy Spirit, help us choose unity over division, Your divine purpose over human position, and Your Kingdom advancement over our personal comfort. Fill us afresh with Your power and wisdom. Let Your Word multiply through us as we walk in harmony, each operating in our God-given gifts for the glory of Your name. Pour out Your anointing upon our leaders, our servers, our prayers, and our proclamation of the Gospel. May revival come as we unite under Your lordship. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

From a place of abiding.

– The Living Gospel Letters Team