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Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd.   P.O. Box #3762   Gillette, WY  82717   (307) 686-1516

 

- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 -

 

 

 

 

THE DELEGATION OF DEACONS AND THE ARREST OF STEPHEN

 (Ac 6:1-7) 10/6/13

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

 

I.     APOSTLES DELEGATION OF THE SEVEN TO SERVE

 

A.    The development of the church and its organization were recorded in Acts. The church was not necessarily following a set plan. Rather, as situations and problems arose, the apostles dealt with them.

B.    [1] Acts Six begins with a problem stemming from the increasing number of disciples. Some have estimated as many as 20,000 disciples by that time. In addition, there was a division between the Hebraic and Hellenistic Jews (from Diaspora). The former viewed the latter as having compromised both language and culture. Aramaic and Hebrew was the language of the Hebraic Jews while Greek was the main language of the Hellenistic Jews. Such prejudice seems to have led to a “complaint” (goggusmos - mutter or grumble) about “overlooking” (paratheōreō - overlook, disregard) the serving (diakonia - serving, giving aid) of the daily provisions for the Hellenistic widows..

C.    [2] While the apostles could not neglect the Hellenistic widows, they had an even a greater area that they could not be “neglected” (kataleipō - leave behind, neglect). They maintained that it would not be “right” (arestos - pleasing, acceptable, right, proper) to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to “serve” (diakoneō - serve, wait on tables) tables. If the apostles had to solve this problem though their own actions, they would neglect their divine commission.

D.    [3] So, they decided to solve the problem through delegation. They had the church “select” (episkeptomai - look carefully, consider, seek out) seven man to handle the task. These were not to be just any men, but godly and spiritual men. Regardless of the task in the church, it is only done successfully when done in a spiritual sense for the Lord.

1.     They first had to have a “good reputation” (martureō - good witness, good report, 1Ti 5:10; 6:13). They had to be above reproach with those inside and outside the church (1Ti 3:2, 12-13).

2.     They needed to be men under the influence of and “filled” with the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:2, 4; 4:8, 31; Ep 5:18).

3.     Being filled with the Holy Spirit is related to having wisdom from the Word through the Holy Spirit (Ex 31:3; 35:31; Ac 6:10; Col 3:16).

4.     They had to be committed and faithful in order to complete the tasks of ministry (2Ti 2:2).

E.    [Office of Deacons] Though the name and office of Deacons was not explicitly mentioned here, the description in this passage strongly supports its institution. First, the word “Deacon” itself is the Greek word diakonos, which has the same root word as in Ac 6:1, 2. Secondly, Deacons are depicted as assistants to the apostles and elders, not only in menial tasks, but also in ministry (Ac 6:10; 8:5, 26). Thirdly, this passage gives spiritual qualifications for Deacons (Ac 6:3) as does 1Ti 3:8-13. Therefore, this passage establishes the prototype of the office of Deacons.

F.     [4] The apostles reaffirmed their divine commission and philosophy of ministry. They continually devoted themselves (proskartereō - attend to continually, persist at, stay by, be loyal or attached to) to this divine ministry. This ministry was the ministry of prayer and the Word. Anything less would have been less than the divine commission that Jesus intended for His chosen apostles. The Word is the divine prescription for His apostles and prophets because it is God’s revelation to man

G.    [5-6] This apostles plan for delegation found approval by the congregation. It is here that we are first introduced to Stephen, who indeed was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Philip, not to confused with the apostle Philip (Mt 10:3; Jn 12:22; 14:8-9; Ac 1:13) plays an important role in the church. He is identified as “the evangelist” in Ac 21:8 and is taken by most to be the Philip in Ac 8:5ff and Ac 8:26ff. As for Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas, nothing else was written about them. All we know of Nicolas was that he was a proselyte (Gentile converted to Judaism before becoming a Christian) from Antioch. The laying on of hands, which has various meanings, here suggested the symbolic ordination of these seven by the authority of the apostles (cf. Num 27:18, 23 (cf. Num 11:25); Ac 13:3;1Ti 4:14; 5:22; 2Ti 1:6).

H.    [7] This organizational delegation appears to have ended the complaints from the Hellenistic Jews. More importantly, the word of God continued to spread and the converts increased. Luke makes note that a “great many” of priests came to Christ.

 

II.    THE ARREST OF STEPHEN

 

A.    [8] Stephen not only fulfills his duty to the Hellenistic widows, but also the ministry of signs and wonders (“full of grace and power”), accompanied with preaching the Word.

B.    [9] Such preaching brought more persecution upon the early church. Men from the “Synagogue of the Freedmen” opposed and “argued” (suzēteō - dispute, debate, argue) with Stephen. It appears that they were a Hellenistic Jewish group (Synagogue) that was comprised of former slaves or descendants of slaves (Freedmen). They were either part of the same group but from different locations, or several different groups (of the Synagogue … of Freedmen and of Cyrenians and of Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia)

C.    [10] Though they engaged in debate with Stephen (probably over the death and resurrection of Christ as well as the OT Messianic evidence), they were not able to withstand (anthistēmi - set against, resist, refute) Stephen’s Spirit-filled wisdom.

D.    [11] A thematic response has been developed in Acts that when the truth could not be refuted, it was resisted through any means possible. Here these men “secretly induced” (hupoballō - lit. throw under, illegal, secrecy, instigate) lies and straw men against Stephen. They falsely claimed that Stephen blasphemed against Moses and God. Blasphemy was punishable by death (Le 24:16).

E.    [12] Such men need an audience as well as supporters, so they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes. Stephen was “dragged” (sunarpazō - seize and carry away) away and to the Council.

F.     [13-14] In keeping with resistance against the truth, false witnesses were produced, even  as with Jesus (Mt 26:59-61).They claimed he spoke against the holy place and the Law. They falsely accused Stephen of saying that Jesus will destroy the temple and the Jewish customs which Moses handed down. This was the same false accusation against Jesus, who referred to His body when He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (Jn 2:19-21 cf. Jesus also said the temple would be destroyed but did not say He would do it, Mt 24:1-2; Mk 13:1-2; Lk 21:5-6). Stephen will testify in Ch. 7 that they disobeyed God’s ultimate prophet, Jesus Christ (Ac 7:37-39, 52), and that God does not dwell in a house made by human hands (Ac 7:7:48-49).

G.    [15] Though the Council had been incited, when they fixed their gaze upon Stephen, his face was like an angel. Though Moses’s face shone from the glory of God (Ex 34:29, 35), this expression here may mean that Stephen’s demeanor was one of confidence and peace in God’s will (cf. Ac 7:55).

 

III.  OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

 

A.    Organization in the Church - The early church gives the church today the model for organization and leadership. Leadership is not chosen on the basis of status but rather on it spiritual qualifications. The Lord’s ministry is not simply concerned with getting things done, but doing things for spiritual purposes and through spiritual persons.

B.    Priority for Leadership - There are many needs within a church and they all have a place of importance. But the highest importance in the church is the ministry of Prayer and the Word. Ultimately, it is preaching the gospel to the lost and edifying believers that has ultimate priority.

C.    Ministry of Prayer - No prophet or servant of God neglected the ministry of prayer, including Jesus. Prayer was a major part of their relationship with God (Mt 26:26; Mk 1:35; Lk 5:16). Prayer was the basis for their ministries (Ac 4:29-31). And unceasing prayer was the impetus for the growth of their hearers (Col 1:9-12).

D.    Ministry of the Word - Without the Word of God, there is no ministry. It simply becomes a self-devised and self-serving agenda of mere men. The Word is the guide to an understanding of God and the knowledge of God (Pr 2:1-6; 2Ti 3:15). The Word becomes the instruction of God for the behavior of God’s people (1Ti 3:15; Tit 2:1). And the Word is the basis, goal, and catalyst for ministry (Ac 6:4 cf. 2:42; 2Ti 4:1-4).