A great many priests

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. – Acts 6.7

Sometimes we can be tempted to think that there are some folks who are just not going to be saved. We think we can put God in a little box and determine who we think will or will not be saved.

At the top of the list of the 'unsaveable' might be religious leaders who don't know Christ. These priests were some of the first opponents of the church. Many of them would have remembered Jesus. Some may have sat on the councils that condemned Jesus or tried to shut up the apostles.

But we read here in Acts 6.7 that ‘that the number of disciples multiplied greatly, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.’

The first part alone would be a great cause for encouragement and hope, but the second part is quite amazing. Did you catch it? ‘A great many priests were obedient to the faith.’

I like this because it reminds me that no one is beyond the scope of salvation. Even the most religious, dedicated, and set in their ways can come to Christ. These priests were dedicated to the old way. The Law was their life and Jesus really shook things up. And yet they still came to Christ.

This gives us hope today that no one is beyond the reach of the gospel. Even the most religious of people dedicated to their customs and traditions and way of life can still be saved. Let us not limit our witness to those only those we think can be saved but realize that God can reach anyone!