Acts 6:8-7:60

A Model to Follow

This is the start of a two parts here and this is something you are going to see more of.

I’ll do two weeks then Bob will come up and do two weeks,

Let’s go back for a minute to where Bob left off last before we stepped away from Acts for Christmas.

To put things in context historically there were a couple of groups of Jews that were beginning to follow the Apostles and Accepting Jesus as Lord.

But were still bringing baggage of prejudice with them from their own cultures.

The two groups we’re talking about are the Hellenistic Jews and the native Hebrew Jews.

 6   Only he who believes is obedient. Only he who is obedient believes.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Cost of Discipleship (1937)

He who does not prepare for death is more than an ordinary fool. He is a madman.

Charles Spurgeon

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

It is curious how forgetful we are of death, how little we think that we are dying daily, and that what we call life is really death, and death the beginning of a higher life.

This statement was central to Stephen’s thesis. There was holy ground outside the holy land. Wherever God is, is holy.

John Stott

I have heard of people being afraid of the pains of death. There are no pains of death: the pain is in life. Death is the end of pain. It is all over. Put the saddle on the right horse. Do not blame death for what he does not do. It is life that brings pain.

Charles Spurgeon

If I may die as I have seen some die, I court the grand occasion. I would not wish to escape death by some by-road if I may sing as they sang.

Charles Spurgeon

Stephen’s speech was not so much a self-defence as a testimony to Christ. His main theme was positive, that Jesus the Messiah had come to replace the temple and fulfil the law, which both bore witness to him.

John Stott

Max Müller

Thirdly, if Stephen’s martyrdom led to persecution, and the persecution to the dispersion, the dispersion now resulted is widespread evangelism.

John Stott

The main difference between them is language.

Hellenistic were from other areas outside of Jerusalem and spoke primarily Greek.

While the native Jews spoke primarily Aramaic.

The differences between the two was primarily sociological not theological.

But because of these differences their and the ever growing number of followers. The gospel was spreading like a fire. The Apostles were brought a dilemma that needed corrected. Primarily the widows of the Hellenistic believers were being overlooked.

What results is ultimately the inception of the first deacons. Those selected to look after the physical needs of the people, which would afford the Apostles the time to pray and focus of the spiritual needs of the people.

Remember. Go back a few chapters it says many were coming to saving faith and were selling their things and and providing for each other.

But what was the process, I would sell all that wasn’t necessary for me to survive, and give it to the apostles and they would distribute to any that had need.

I’m sure that became quite a burdensome task.

It is also assumed that the seven men chosen were all of the Hellenistic group primarily because they all had Greek names.

So we’ve laid the groundwork for, the backdrop if you will for what is about to take place.

The seven are chosen and Luke continues on to tell us about one man specifically from them.

Stephen.

I think we’ve all heard of Stephen.

he is most well known for being the first martyr.

But we are not getting into that part of the story yet.