2. GUIDANCE BY COUNSELLING SERVANTS

The ascended Christ gave gifted servants able to equip the saints (Ephesians 4:11-12 ). Their counsel can prove to be very valuable in guidance. Acts provides us with some clear examples.

The Lord the Spirit guides by the wise counsel of trusted counsellors.

Proverbs 11:14 "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. " (KJV)

	Safety is provided by those who are really counsellors.
	Safety is provided by consulting from a number of counsellors.

A good leader gathers wise counsellors and is a person open to advice. The Lord has provided shepherds for the flock. The New Testament always speaks of elders in the plural, one man guidance can be faulty. The Lord has given us counsellors, to give to us advise, bur ultimately the Lord is the only Counsellor. The Lord the Spirit guides us by counsellors, into right paths.

Psalm 23:3 "... he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. " (KJV)

	They are to lead in paths of righteousness.
	Their godly counsel will keep from wrong paths.

Shepherds have been given by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to assist each individual in the flock, regarding God's plan for their lives. The Lord the Spirit guides by confirming counsel of his servants.

Acts 9:6 "... Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. " (KJV)

Ananias. (Acts 9:10 ). He was a devoted follower of the Lord Jesus. He was a man who was open to instruction from the Lord, and readily obeyed the Lord.

	Saul was a chosen vessel of the Lord.
	Saul was to bear the name of the Lord before Gentiles, kings, and Israel.
	Saul was to suffer for the Lord's name's sake.

In the using of Ananias we have an outstanding example of a servant of the Lord being available and useable in supernaturally helping a believer to understand the Lord's call and plan for his life. Later, Saul/Paul was used to supernaturally prophecy the Lord's plan for Timothy's life.

1 Timothy 4:14 "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. " (KJV)

2 Timothy 1:6 "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. " (KJV)

Acts 6:1 "... there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution." (NKJV)

They saw they were too busy, and sensibly decided to disburden themselves. They delegated authority to seven men selected by the congregation - men who qualified according to Acts 6:3 - Men well thought of by everyone - wise - full of the Holy Spirit. Leadership should be chosen from those who are spiritually mature, who have good reputations, and who are Holy Spirit empowered.

Acts 6:4 "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. " (KJV)

Prayer is a priority to those who labour in the Word. Administrative burdens should not be allowed to hinder the priority of preparation and proclaiming of the Word. Secular ministry should be shared with others in order to concentrate on spiritual ministry.

Seven good men were set apart to serve (Acts 6:6 ).

Acts 6:7 "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." (KJV)

Guidance by sanctified reasoning resulted in hastening the fulfilment of the command to witness in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8 ). In a short time the message infiltrated the city centre, and all levels of society - even priests were converted. The Holy Spirit uses sanctified common sense in perfect leading. He anoints men with natural gifts and sets them apart for His own use. This results in infecting a community with the gospel.

Acts 15:19,20 "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. " (NKJV)

	As a spiritual leader he had listened discerningly to the dispute and testimonies.
	He was guided by knowledge of the Word of God.
	He was enlightened in his spirit by the Holy Spirit.

Unity was achieved, the whole company felt the Lord had directed their minds. They all witnessed in their spirits that this was the mind of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 15:28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, ..." (NKJV)

We can have knowledge made known to us inwardly by the Holy Spirit, and knowledge of the Scriptures, so as to be able to give informed judgment that gives clear understanding in a given situation, and to impart the mind of the Holy Spirit.