11/15/25

Acts 19:7 NASB95 There were in all about twelve men.

If you just read the verse God took me to for today's Devotional you might immediately jump to the conclusion that it is speaking of Jesus' disciples. In doing so you would be incorrect. These 12 or so men were actually disciples without a teacher.

Paul had come to the church at Ephesus and found twelve or so men who were claiming repentance of sin. I wonder if Paul noticed the twelve in number, and did he remember the twelve disciples of Jesus? Did he remember Judas Iscariot, who was numbered with the twelve but was not actually one of them? If he did or didn't isn't relevant, but I do believe the number is relevant. This is why God brought me to this scripture. The size of the group and what Paul did with the twelve is important. He desired to teach them.

He first sought their Holy Spirit conversion testimony. He then, upon realizing they didn't have one, shared the gospel. They had heard of repentance and baptism from John the Baptist but hadn't placed faith in Jesus and His work. They had not heard the gospel. We must be careful not to just assume because of a religious life that salvation has occurred. We must seek a Holy Spirit Conversion Testimony. If you do not have this then you can not be a disciplemaker.

After their salvation, he began discipleship. He started with baptism in the name of Jesus. This was a Sharing of the Way through obedience. We must disciple people in the importance of obedience to God and His guidance in the Word. Obedience draws us closer to God and enhances our Joy and excitement. There is no better feeling than following God in obedience.

He then brought them into the church for corporate worship. This is a vital part of discipleship. It is required for true growth. Discipleship is not complete if corporate worship is not included. This also enhanced fellowship.

We also see that he focused their teaching into a small group where there was little to no dissent. He took them to a school a short distance away for more focused and intense teaching. This shows the importance of Sunday School. This is where more individual growth occurs as discipleship can be more individually focused. It also fosters fellowship and accountability. This is why I think God included the number. It is to remind us of the importance of small, intensely focused discipleship without dissension. This is also the place where fellowship is nurtured into full-grown brotherly love.

Lastly, he discipled the group on the importance of evangelism. Sharing the Way is where discipleship reaches maturity creating a disciplemaker.

Discipleship never stops, we always need it, and we should always be doing it. All of these steps are important in discipleship. Jesus refers to Himself as the Shepherd. We are his sheep if we have placed faith in Him. Sheep without a shepherd often stray away all alone and lose their life. Sheep that remain in the flock under the watchful eye of the Shepherd and His undershepherds are protected.

Stay in the flock and teach others to do the same this is discipleship. Whose small group of about twelve are you a part of? Whose flock are you a part of? Who are you inviting to be part of your small group?

The groups meet Sunday mornings at 10.

Here are the verses that teach us these things

Acts 19:2-10 NASB95 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. There were in all about twelve men. And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

Love Bro. Scott