Acts 6

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

7 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.

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."

12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

13 They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us."

15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

“As the church grew it began to encounter all the

problems of an organization and an institution.”

William Barclay, Acts, 50

“No church continues to be problem-free forever, but when godly, brotherly attitudes prevail, problems can be resolved and harmony can prevail.”

J. Stringer, Acts, 112

Circumstances

1.Social & Cultural Barriera) Hellenist = Greek Jews - born in foreign

country - did not speak Hebrewb) Hebrews - Native to Palestinec) Sometimes the Hebrews looked down

on the Hellenist (Grecians) Though we are not told that here

1.Social & Cultural Barrier

2.Disciples multiplieda) Church is smaller - those in need not as

likely to be overlookedb) Church grew & grew (4:4; 5:14)c) Means:

1) More diversity2) Numbers make it more likely to

overlook…

Circumstances

1.Social & Cultural Barrier

2.Disciples multiplied

3.Nature of the distributiona) “Daily distribution” – needsb) Coffman: “In the very nature of such

distributions, it was inevitable that some should receive less, others more, and that almost any person desiring to find fault could easily have ‘discovered’ some basis for alleging it.” (Acts, p. 122)

Circumstances

Young Growing Church Facing Multiple Problems

• Problems from outside (Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-

42)

• Problems from inside (Acts 5:1-11)In this Chapter:

Complaints from within (vv. 1-7)False reports from without (vv. 8-

15)

Acts 6

Growing Pains

Growing PainsI. Church Must Do its Own Work

I. Church Must Do its Own Work

A. Church sees to its own needy1. Daily distribution already being done2. Some widows needed more care3. Church selected men to see that it was

done4. No organization formed to do the work

I. Church Must Do its Own Work

A. Church sees to its own needyB. Institutionalism – Church cannot do its

own work1. Church’s work is to furnish the money2. “Home” (Institution) is to furnish the

care3. Form another organization between

church & workLocalChur

ch Widow(Work of Care)

“Home”Separate

Organization(Arrange, Oversee

& Provide)

Do its own work(Arrange, Oversee &

Provide)

$$ Care

I. Church Must Do its Own Work

A. Church sees to its own needyB. Institutionalism – Church cannot do its

own workC. The Church is All Sufficient to do Its

Work

1. Preach the gospel (1 Tim. 3:15) – No Missionary organization needed

2. Relieve its own (1 Tim. 5:16) – No Benevolent organization needed

3. Edify its own (Eph. 4:16) – No Sunday School organization needed

Growing PainsI. Church Must Do its Own Work

II. People Might be Neglected

II. People Might be Neglected

A. Neglect Defined1. Means: “to look beyond - to overlook” (A.T.

Robertson, Word Studies)2. Translated: “overlooked” (Darby, NIV, YLT).

Who Might Be Neglected

• Widows

• Any Needy Christian

• Sick

• Single

• Older

• Spiritually Weak

Ways We Might Neglect

• Not Encouraging

• Not Including Them

• Not Demonstrate Love

• Not Inform

• Being Partial

Neg

lect

- O

verl

ooke

d

II. People Might be Neglected

A. Neglect DefinedB. Not Always Intentional

1. This case may have been intentional – but not necessarily

2. Seems - not intentionala. If so - seem that a rebuke in orderb. If so - why didn’t apostles/disciples

defend their neglect?c. Not a rebuke to those who complained

nor to the disciples3. Times we may neglect some among us -

when that is done - not assume intentional

II. People Might be Neglected

A. Neglect DefinedB. Not Always IntentionalC. Neglect Causes Discouragement &

Complaints

1. Must have discouraged the Hellenist - They murmured!

2. Must have discouraged their widows

3. They complained - “our widows being left out!”

4. Today – results will be the same

II. People Might be Neglected

A. Neglect DefinedB. Not Always IntentionalC. Neglect Causes Discouragement &

ComplaintsD. Criticism Is Justified

1. The actions of the apostles - indicated that those who murmured had a valid point!

2. Else - catering to grumblers!3. When complaints are made - need to

consider: possibilities:• Could be overstated – invalid• Could be misunderstanding• Could be valid point!

A. Neglect DefinedB. Not Always IntentionalC. Neglect Causes Discouragement &

ComplaintsD. Criticism Is JustifiedE. Neglect Needs to be Corrected

1. Immediately the apostles sought a remedy2. Then & only then did the complaints help

II. People Might be Neglected

II. People Might be Neglected

A. Neglect DefinedB. Not Always IntentionalC. Neglect Causes Discouragement &

ComplaintsD. Criticism Is JustifiedE. Neglect Needs to be CorrectedF. When Not Being Included is Not

“Neglect”

1. Some were not included in our text:a. Seven appointed to serve “deacons”

1. Of the 1,000's were there not more? 2. Means some who qualified not

appointed3. Perhaps more qualified – but only 7

needed

b. Widows that were not “widows indeed” (1 Tim. 5:16)

2. Those who persist in sin - purposely excluded from some thingsa. 1 Cor. 5:9-13b. 2 Thess. 3:6-14c. By including them - encourage them in

their sin

When Not Being Includedis Not “Neglect”

Growing PainsI. Church Must Do its Own Work

II. People Might be Neglected

III. Men Must be Selected to

Serve

III. Men Must be Selected to

ServeA. Servants Selected Because of a Need1. If men not appointed – apostles have to do it

(v. 2)2. Not appointed – just so they could be

“deacons”

III. Men Must be Selected to

ServeA. Servants Selected Because of a NeedB. Selection Done by the Congregation

1. Apostles (leaders) asked the congregation to do the selecting (v. 3)

2. They were given the qualification – asked to “seek out among you…”

3. Not just selected by the leadership

Acts 6:3Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

III. Men Must be Selected to

ServeA. Servants Selected Because of a NeedB. Selection Done by the CongregationC. Appointed by the Leadership

1. Apostles said, “Whom we may appoint…”2. The brethren chose the men (v. 5)3. Apostles appointed them (v. 6)

III. Men Must be Selected to

ServeA. Servants Selected Because of a NeedB. Selection Done by the CongregationC. Appointed by the LeadershipD. Number was Determined by Need &

Leadership

1 23 4 5 6 7

Acts 6:3Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

Nu

mb

er

was

Dete

rmin

ed

by

Need

&

Lead

ers

hip

• Need: enough work for seven• Fewer men would not be enough• More men would be too many• Leadership suggested the number needed

III. Men Must be Selected to

ServeA. Servants Selected Because of a NeedB. Selection Done by the CongregationC. Appointed by the LeadershipD. Number was Determined by Need &

Leadership

This is the only passage

that tell us how to select men to

serve

Growing PainsI. Church Must Do its Own Work

II. People Might be Neglected

III. Men Must be Selected to

Serve

IV. Must Emphasize the Spiritual

IV. Must Emphasize the Spiritual

A. Not Want to Neglect the Spiritual (v. 2)1. In the midst of a “crisis” of physical needs2. In the midst of trying to fix a complaint

B. Emphasis on Prayer (vv. 4, 6)1. Apostles would give themselves to prayer &

word2. Prayed before appointed the seven

C. Wanted Men Full of Faith (v. 5)1. One thing to have faith2. Another thing to be FULL of it!

Growing PainsI. Church Must Do its Own Work

II. People Might be Neglected

III. Men Must be Selected to

Serve

IV. Must Emphasize the Spiritual

V. Will be False Reports

V. Will be False Reports

A. Those Who Opposed Stephen – Totally Misrepresented Him1. Charge: Blasphemes Moses and God (v. 11)2. Charge: Speaks against holy place and law (v.

13)3. Reasons:

a. They could not refute what he said (v. 10)b. Misapplied what had been said (v. 14)

V. Will be False Reports

A. Those Who Opposed Stephen – Totally Misrepresented Him

B. Don’t Be Surprised When False Reports are Spread1. May be about you2. May be about this church3. May be about what we believe or practice4. May be about some preacher / church5. Don’t believe everything you hear!

Growing PainsI. Church Must Do its Own Work

II. People Might be Neglected

III. Men Must be Selected to

Serve

IV. Must Emphasize the Spiritual

V. Will be False Reports