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