Acts chapter SIX

                                       

This latest entry examines the challenges of a multicultural church and the persecution of Stephen.

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Verse 6:1 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”

The first, great interior conflict of the Acts church involved culture. Notice that both groups were Jews, but some were Hellenized Jews (those who had been living in Greek/Roman cultures and were adapted to their customs) and traditional Jews. Not everyone was treated equally by culture. The first church provided for the needs of the members who were destitute, so that no person “lacked.” One of these groups was widows and the Grecian widows were now being left out.

The following commentary from the Apostolic study Bible is helpful: “The Greek speaking Jews from surrounding areas did not speak Aramaic, the language of the locals. Either due to cultural differences or the language barrier, some widows were not receiving as much assistance as others.”

Verse 6:2 “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them”

A note on “the twelve”: remember that Judas Iscariot is no longer one of the twelve disciples, having met his demise, but rather a new man, Matthias has been chosen in his place. He has not been specifically mentioned since Acts Chapter 1, but every time the Bible mentions –the twelve—it can be safely assumed that he is still among their number.

Verse 2: The twelve: “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.”

This is not a statement of arrogance, but rather an acknowledgement that the Apostles were encumbered with many responsibilities. Those called to pray and minister were being entangled with Church administration. Packaged within this statement would also be represented the time they spent in studying the word. This brings to mind Moses, who would judge people’s cases from “morning till evening,”…he must have been very tired! However, then he was given wise advice to instead appoint other people who would handle the smaller cases. This does not demean the “smaller” cases, situations, or ministries; however, there is an order of importance.

Prayer and the study of the word, along with the ministry of the word (to borrow a 2020 word) are deemed “essential” activities. In the same way today, a modern pastor can become swamped with trying to run all the responsibilities of the church…

Verse 6:3: The twelve decide to have others become caretakers of the ministry of helping the widows. They ask the assembled Christians to choose the men themselves. The response to this cultural conundrum was not to dismiss the complaint or to pull rank—instead the Apostles took it seriously. Obviously, they believed that showing favoritism to different cultural groups was not right.

“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

“Seven” men: the number seven has been called the biblical number of completeness.

“Men of honest report”: Obviously, if these were the men who would be handling the church money or resources… they had to be honest. Perhaps the memory of Judas Iscariot still lingered. He was the disciple who carried the purse, but who would help himself to the coins, embezzling the money.

Men… “full of the Holy Ghost.” Being full of the Holy Ghost, prayed up, is not just for ministers. It is essential. Remember that the difference between the Acts Chapter One believers and the Acts Chapter TWO (through twenty-eight) believers is stark. Like night and day. One group is waiting on the promise and arguably, losing members. The other group is empowered, guided by God, and growing. The Holy Ghost (the spirit of God) makes the difference.

Men of “wisdom”: This could also be read as “men…full of wisdom.” This final qualifier was extremely important. Being honest and spiritual was not enough because these men would handling the Church’s money or resources. There are spiritual people who sometimes make unwise decisions with money. Managing finances, scheduling and logistics is a talent and skill. Some people are better at it than others. Therefore, wisdom was also asked for.

Verse 6: 4 “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

This scripture cannot be emphasized enough for the success of an Apostolic church. The Apostles were men of PRAYER. To put this into context, history says that James the brother of Jesus, the future pastor of Jerusalem, prayed so much on his knees that his knees grew disfigured; he was described in history as having the “knees of a camel.”

To put this into even greater context, the disciples had learned from the ministry of Jesus (of whom they had spent around three years with). Jesus spent many hours in prayer and sometimes all night. In the Gospels, Jesus did primarily three things: He slept, he prayed and he ministered. When they followed Jesus, it was the disciples who helped by gathering the baskets of fish and bread that fed the 5,000. Now, as the disciples were the ones ministering the word of life to people, those who had learned from Jesus were asking others to step forward so that they may devote themselves “continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

Verse 6:5: “they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:”

The deacon Stephen is given special mention as being “full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.” Perhaps this is done to foreshadow his upcoming account in the same chapter. Or perhaps, it is the case, that even among the seven, Stephen was someone who stood out.

“All seven men had Greek names and were probably Greek-speaking Hellenistic Jews.” –the Apostolic Study Bible

Verse 6:6 “Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”

1.) The seven deacons assembled before the twelve. This could be seen as an act of submission to their leadership but also of commissioning for the task at hand. The public nature of this event would let Christians know that these seven acted with the Apostle’s approval.

2.) The Apostle sought the blessing of God.

3.) The Apostles laid hands on them. Many Pentecostals today believe in a transmission or impartation of a spiritual gifting from one person to another through the laying on of hands. Paul encouraged his protégée Timothy to stir up the gift that he had received by the laying on of Paul’s hands. (2 Timothy 1:6). Is it any wonder then that people like Stephen and Philip became great preachers in their own right?

Verse 6: 7 “and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith”

This is a great landmark for the Christian community. These Levites would have been natural sources of strength for the Apostolic church due to their teaching and training. However, these many priestly converts also had a temptation due to their pedigree. To paraphrase Paul, these priests, while “beginning by means of the Spirit,” would be tempted to “finish by means of the flesh?” They would be tempted to lean on their knowledge and tradition rather than the leading of the Spirit and revelation. I wonder if this is where the Judiazer movement came from—as many Jewish Christians would exert pressure on Gentile converts to follow the Jewish law…something that Paul saw as false doctrine.

Verse 6: 8 “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” As has been pointed out in the Apostolic Study Bible, the ministry of miracles was not just to the Apostles.

Verse 6:9 : “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines”

The Synagogue of the Libertines were ex-Jewish slaves and Grecian Jews from abroad who had settled in Jerusalem. Stephen was likely a Grecian Jew. His name speaks to this identity. It would make sense then that his ministry is to the Grecian Jews of Jerusalem as he is able to identify with them. Also, it says “certain of the synagogue” meaning that not all of its members were obstinate. They disputed with Stephen but were not able to “resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.”

Verse 6: 10 “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.”

For me, this is the interesting paradox of Stephen. He has the ministry that would be the aspiration of many beginning ministers. He is anointed, used in the supernatural and cannot be out-debated by unbelievers in the Word. Yet, Stephen is also the first Christian martyr. Many young-ministers would want the beginning of Stephen’s preaching ministry but not its end.

Verse 6:12 “And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council”

A little while ago in the book of Acts, the Apostles were so popular that even the officers of the temple brought them “without violence.” Such a strong move against them would have been politically damaging. So what changed?

Two points to make here. The synagogue of the Libertines did not move against the Apostles directly. Perhaps the great respect afforded to the Apostles by the community did not protect Stephen…a deacon. Also…one must also take into account how quickly the people of Israel turned against Jesus. In the same week, they were welcoming him into Jerusalem shouting “Hosanna” and not long after-- they were shouting “Crucify him.”

“The mob believes everything it is told, provided only that it be repeated over and over.” -- Alexandre Koyré

Verse 6: 15 “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”

The people, the elders and scribes are all stirred up against Stephen. He is brought before the council.

There is a divine shift that is about to happen. The young Christian church has been sheltered not predominantly by people’s public opinion, but by the protection of God. Now God is going to allow the threats to rage against the church, not to destroy it, but to commission it to the world. The worldwide revival to come will not be birthed cheaply.

Stephen’s face does not look like a blasphemer but rather serene. The same council that had before allowed the disciples to go free, will make a much different judgement against Stephen. Someone is invulnerable when under the protection of God. Jesus walked right through a crowd that was intent on killing him. It was not the timing or place of God’s will (Luke 4:29-30). The peace on Stephen’s face points to an understanding of the “peace that passesth understanding”. This is a man who trusts in God’s timing.

This is God’s timing. Whether or not Stephen has foreknowledge of what is about to happen—he is at peace.

(A special thank you to Rev Timothy J. Wachtstetter)