The Prudence of the Church

Introduction

How prudent are you? The word prudent means to be discerning of right and wrong. It helps us to make intelligent decisions. As Christians, we should have the upper hand on being prudent because we have Christ living within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. It is understandable that the word prudent occurs multiple time in scripture. I invite you to look at its use in the Book of Proverbs, particularly Proverbs 1:1-3

Proverbs 1:1–3 (NIV84)

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 for attaining wisdom and discipline;

for understanding words of insight;

3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,

doing what is right and just and fair;

It also is understandable to see the early church would be prudent. As followers of Christ, we can see how God-given wisdom, discipline, and insight all are necessary for a prudent life. God gave us these abilities in our lives and therefore we should be able to use them in our churches as well. Acts 6 show us just how this is played out.

The Prudent Church Deals with Distraction

Acts 6:1–2 NIV84

1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

Understanding the Attack of the Enemy

To give you a bit of insight from the previous chapters, satan’s schemes have demonstrated two attempts to disrupt the work of the church. First, there was the attempt to overcome the church with persecution. Peter and John heal a crippled man in the Name of Jesus and the Sanhedrin and religious leaders all go crazy! The religious leaders try to stop this proclaiming the Name of Jesus by putting Peter and John in jail and flogging them. It did not work. The second scheme satan tried to do was corruption within the church. Ananias and Sapphira were scandals that tried to deliberately premeditated the use of deception. Their sin literally cost them their lives. In Chapter 6, satan tries another scheme in the form of distraction. The apostles were called to the ministry of the Word and prayer. But a problem arose in the care of the widows and in the daily distribution of food. Theologian John Stott wrote, “If he could preoccupy the apostles with social administration which though essential was not their calling, they would neglect their God-given responsibilities to pray and to preach, and so leave the church without any defence against false doctrine.”

1 Peter 5:8 NIV84

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The apostles were made of men that realized they could be distracted with not necessarily a lesser ministry, but one that they were not specifically called.

Understanding the Appeal of the Event

We cannot skip over the appeal of this event. There was a need within the church that had to be taken care of and from the way it was presented, it was an immediate need and not one that would go away. The apostles did not bash that need, they recognized it as a true need. They sought counsel among each other and determined they were seeing a situation that was real and needed direction. At the same time, they also realized the focus of their calling. Peter would later write in one of his epistles, 2 Peter 1:10

2 Peter 1:10 NIV84

10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,

This is why we as a church offer studies on spiritual gifts. Each of us are called to ministry if we call ourselves Christians. Did you know that? Let me reiterate, if you are a Christian, you are called to ministry. That ministry might not be preaching or teaching, but it is doing everything in the Name of Jesus; just like the apostles!

Understanding the Acknowledgement of the Edict

The apostles understood the appeal of the event, but they also understood the acknowledgement of the edict or command. What was their command? Please allow me to remind you of their command in the following verses in previous chapters:

Acts 1:8 NIV84

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 4:33 NIV84

33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Acts 5:29 NIV84

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!

Their command was to preach the word and pray over the people.

The Prudent Church Determines the Direction

So we see that the early prudent church determined the direction they needed to take.

Acts 6:3–4 NIV84

3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

The Pre-qualifications

Notice the pre-qualifications. They were to be men that were “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” If they were to be full of the Spirit, they had to have made Jesus Christ Lord of their lives and upon doing so, they would have received the Holy Spirit. It was not a popularity contest. This was not based on anything outward. Rather it indicated that these people should be distinguished by the leadership of God in their lives and their submission to them. They were to be evident of the words of Jesus in John 6:63

John 6:63 NIV84

63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

John 10:10 NIV84

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

We are to have leaders that are the same! Leaders that are full of the Spirit and full of wisdom.

The Presentation

Notice the presentation. The church is told to choose seven that were full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. I am thinking they would have had evidences in their lives of the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV84

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Proposal

We see in verse five the proposal is given and pleasing.

Acts 6:5 NIV84

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

It was the church by the way that approved, not just manifested by the Apostles! Notice the names of these and particularly what they meant:

Stephen: “crowned”

Philip: “lover of horses”

Procorus: “leader of the chorus”

Nicanor: “conquer”

Timon: “honorable”

Parmenas: “abiding”

Nicholas: “victor of the people”

The Prudent Church Delegates the Distribution

Look at what happens when the prudent church delegates this distribution.

Acts 6:6 NIV84

6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

With Prayer

They laid hands on them and prayed over them. This already followed the pattern that was shown in chapter 1, but also stems from what happened when Joshua became the successor of Moses. Numbers 27 gives lots more insight, but I will summarize in one verse: Numbers 27:18

Numbers 27:18 NIV84

18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him.

That chapter goes on the tell us that this was done to indicate conferring an authority on him. A prayer would follow as well. An example of what happened as a result is Deuteronomy 34:9

Deuteronomy 34:9 NIV84

9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.

With Purpose

That reminds me that the apostles were delegating this distribution with purpose. Remember, the apostles had already declared their purpose: Acts 4:33

Acts 4:33 NIV84

33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Specifically, they were called to take care of the widows. James 1:27

James 1:27 NIV84

27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

With Power

And they were delegated to distribute with power. Not a power of self-righteousness but that of holiness and servitude. Isaiah 40:29

Isaiah 40:29 (NIV84)

29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

The Prudent Church Develops Disciples

As a result, the prudent church began the process of developing disciples and it grew.

Acts 6:7 NIV84

7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

To demonstrate this even more, Luke begins a narrative about Stephen. Let’s take a minute to read the rest of this chapter.

Acts 6:8–15 NIV84

8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. 11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

We will spend more time next week about Stephen as we look at chapter 8. However, I want you to see four examples of what it means for the prudent church to develop disciples.

Encouraging a closer walk with with Christ

First, they encouraged a closer walk with Jesus. Stephen gifts, “a man full of God’s grace and power,” were present before he was appointed. This means for you and I that we need to make sure we are walking close with Christ, studying His Word daily, and being obedient to His commands. We should have a daily time of devotion and prayer time. You need to make it happen!

Emulating God-given gift

Secondly, they emulated their God-given gifts. Each person is created by God in a unique way and in a way that He would be glorified as we carry out His purpose through those gifts. If you are not aware of your spiritual gifts, there are many resources available. In fact, your Deacon can help you find out what that is or you can use the link in today’s outline. God has a purpose and ministry for you! Pray Psalm 57:2

Psalm 57:2 NIV84

2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.

Expecting Opposition

Now one thing you can count on is to expect opposition. We have mentioned that already in our study of Acts, we have seen the schemes of satan manifested in persecution, corruption and distraction. Satan will use all of these to keep you from your ministry. Another thing he will use is being too busy. Make sure you take the time to Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10 (NIV84)

10 “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

Experiencing Peace

Finally, know that even if you face opposition, if you remain in the Lord, you will experience peace.

Acts 6:15 NIV84

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Having a face like an angel doesn’t necessarily mean you are good looking. It means you are in the presence of God.

Philippians 4:7 NIV84

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The famous theologian Karl Barth was asked once about the millions of words he had written about the Bible and the great success he had as a renown theologian. His response was simply,

“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”