Acts 6 (Elective Oct. 23, 2024)
Acts Elective 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Acts 6
Acts 6
Caring for Widows
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
A complaint is heard (v. 1)
Verse one tells us the time frame of the events recorded. “in these days when the disciples were increasing in number”.
These were the days immediately following the outward persecution by the religion elite.... and the inward deceit by Ananias and Sapphira.
Now, as we come to chapter 6, we have seen several of Satan’s attempts to quench the multiplication of disciples and the building of Christ’s Church through deception persecution and… and now he is attempting to slow the growth of the church through internal conflict.
God will use that conflict to bring clarity… and ultimately begin something here that will be later developed as the church is established.
Who raised the complaint? Hellenists (v. 1)
What was the complaint? Hellenistic widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food/ supplies.
Questions:
What is the difference between Hellenists and Hebrews?
Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews. who had lived abroad for centuries and had returned home to Jerusalem. The spoke no Hebrew. Many of these Jews returned to Jerusalem so that they could send their last days in their “holy city”.
Why would the Hellenists be neglected?
As a result of the Hellenists returning to Jerusalem in their “older years”, there were an abundance of Greek speaking women who had outlived their husbands. These widows felt discriminated against by the Aramaic speaking Jews. The Pharisees looked down at the Hellenistic Jews in contempt… considering them 2nd class Israelites. The Hellenists thought that the Apostles might follow the same pattern of the Pharisees.
As the early church grew.... this cultural issue with all of its baggage and preconceived ideas was brought into the church.
The complaint was that the leaders of the church (Aramaic speaking Jews), were treating them the same way that the Pharisees treated the Hellenists.... with contempt… and were discriminating against them and not taking care of their physical needs.
In a way… these Hellenists were saying… “Hey guys! You say your different than the Pharisees.... but we are afraid that you are going to treat us just like the Pharisees do!”
From the immediate response in verse 2, we can understand that the apostles did not take the complaint lightly. It was a serious concern.
The priority of the Apostles (v.2)
Why do you think the apostles jumped at addressing this issue right away… instead of just brushing it off?
The apostles saw that the corporate witness of the church was at stake… and immediately called a members meeting to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that this meeting of “all the disciples”.. (the full number).. by this time could have included over 5000 people! Remember the church was growing.... disciples were being multiplied! God was blessing!
Without knowing it.... those who vocalized this concern… were providentially generating an opportunity to address a deeper, more foundational need.... the need for individuals in the body to be identified and set apart to serve the physical needs of those in the church.... (we’ll touch on this again later tonight)
Before we move on… let’s point out an enduring understanding we can take away from this event.
When conflicts/ concerns arise, deal with them immediately. (A lesson for leaders… and church members) - (Matt. 18 principle) (Elders - 1 Tim. 5:17-25)
If there had been no complaint.. then the apostles may not have known about the issues and the needs of the body. If they didn’t know… then they couldn’t address them.
Here is another take away.
When there are questions, conflicts or concerns … communicate those questions/ concerns with the leadership.
A conflict/ concern has been raised.... the unity of the church is at stake
The apostles quick and long-lasting response initiates a scope of work here in Acts 6… that will later (1 Tim. 3) be clarified and established as one of the official offices of the church (Deacons).
Verses 2 and 4 show us that as the apostles respond to this need.... first they make sure to prioritize the ministry of the Word.
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
The verb used in this text as well as others like 1 Timothy 3… is the verb… “to Deacon”..... “to serve”.
In the NT, the word “deacon” comes from a root word that communicates the idea of raising up or stirring up dust in a hurry.... being busy at work.
There is a really cool play on words here.. in verses 2 and 4 that would not have been lost on the original audience.
You could read verses 2 and 4 this way.
“… It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to deacon tables.” (2) — (being busy at work to serve food...)
“But (rather) we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the deaconing of the word”. (4) (being busy at work to serve the Word)
As important as serving the physical needs of the body is..... the apostles priority was to serve the Word of God (if you made a meme about this word play it would look like the apostles… holding a serving platter with a big Bible setting on the plate as the main course).
What was being suggested by the Hellenists was that the apostles themselves should stop what they were doing so that they could distribute the food themselves… to make sure there were no hard feelings.
But, the apostles knew that this would actually take away from the ministry and the power of the apostolic church would have been greatly decreased.
If the apostles would hav done what was being suggested… it would have brought the principles of discipleship and delegation under well meaning, but deadly attack.
And the forward momentum of the church would have come to a screeching halt!
By responding how they did in verses 2-4, the apostles were communicating that if they were to spend their time “waiting on tables”.... deaconing.... then they would have no time left for anything else.
The apostles want to make sure that the people know that while the ministry of the Word must be their priority… the physical needs of the body must also be addressed and cared for.
So, in verse 3, 5 and 6, they lay out a plan that would develop into a self-sustaining system of care for the local church body.... that is still in operation today.
Seven men are to be chosen (v.3)
The names and qualifications of those who were to serve (vv.3, 5)
The apostles pray and lay their hands on them (v. 6)
What we see here in this passage is the apostles responding to a concern / conflict..... that would preserve the priority of the ministry of the Word while also providing for the physical needs of the body.
Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
The apostles asked the body of believers to nominate 7 qualified men… to appoint to this duty.
As the conflict arose… the apostles didn’t assign blame.... but instead invited the people (the members) to be part of the solution.
What were the qualifications to be?
Good repute: Respectable, known for both character and conduct
Full of the Spirit: Christians (indwelt by the Spirit), must be known for submitting to the Spirit’s leadership in their lives. Not thinking they have arrived, but constantly seeing the need to grow spiritually,
G. Campbell Morgan said: “A man full of the Spirit is one who is living a normal Christian life. Fullness of the Spirit is not a state of spiritual aristocracy, to which few can attain. Anything less than the fulness of the Spirit for the Christian man is disease of the spiritual life, a low ebb of vitality. Fulness of the Spirit is not (should not be) abnormal, but normal Christian life.”
Full of Wisdom: Dependent on the Spirit to provide wisdom, known for practicing practical wisdom,
You can summarize these characteristics in two words: Impeccable character
These are character qualities that every believer should strive for, but those in leadership must posses.
These qualifications are expanded upon in 1 Tim. 3
The apostles provided a framework through which the church could appoint Servants (Deacons.. but this specific title and office are not created until later).
Specific, identified, qualified, and called people who would be able to lead the church body in serving the physical needs of the members.
Here is another take away for tonight.
When needs arise we need to: respond quickly, keep our eternal goal in focus, be part of the solution.
We must be able to keep our attention (and focus) on our eternal ministry… without being distracted / derailed by the ever increasing temporal needs that are before us.
(Illustration of Liberia and the good versus best situations)
A balance is needed… and the apostles established the perfect balance.
Elders are not apostles. Later, elders will be charged to lead and shepherd this NT church that has been born and is growing in multiple ways. Here in Acts 6, the charge to leadership begins to take shape that we are to prioritize our focus on teaching/ preaching/ shepherding.
Here is another truth we can take away.
Delegation is at the heart of developing followers.
If the apostles had taken the suggestions of the Hellenists and stopped what they were doing to wait tables then they would have dried up spiritually under the pressure of serving meals plus all the counseling and preaching with little time for preparation and prayer.
And…. if the apostles had taken the lead on running the Jerusalem food ministry then others might have hesitated to step up and perform the smallest task without apostolic direction… and ultimately the people would have become overdependant on the apostles… like we see in some churches today… afraid to make a decision without the permission or a word from their pastor.
Delegation is at the heart of developing followers.
Let’s keep going. In verses 5-6, the church body carries out what the leadership has prescribed.
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
What do you notice about each of the people who were chosen? All of them had Hellenistic/ Greek names. The majority Hebrew congregation came together and chose seven Hellenistic Jewish men to administer this new program! Amazing! The Holy Spirit was at work! So cool!
Not only were the widows now taken care of… but they were taken care of by their own Hellenistic Jewish brothers….oh and by the way…. this opportunity for service also gave an opportunity for two of the greatest New Testament saints to grow to full maturity.
Stephen will soon preach an epic sermon before the Sanhedrin and become the first martyr.
Philip will have a complex ministry as God would transfer him from one place to another (Samaria.. then to the Ethiopian Eunuch).
The Seven appointed that day in Acts 6 are not called deacons… but they are the ones who set the example for the office that Paul would later clarify in 1 Tim. 3.
These spiritual, mature, qualified, Spirit-filled men were to protect the church by allowing the elders the freedom to focus on the ministry of the word while they focused on the physical needs of the body.
***It is worth pointing out that this is the first time we see an appointment, not through a call of Christ… nor through a self-understanding of the Spirit in a believer… but by the election of the members of the congregation.
The apostles have responded to the concerns of the body… and have established a support system for the church by appointing 7 qualified men to “deacon”… to serve the church body.
This leads us to the first summary statement of our study. Acts 6:7.
The apostles have made a wonderfully Spirit led decision to prioritize the teaching of the Word and prayer… while also establishing a system through which the body of Christ can care for one another.
As we come to verse 7, we are told what kind of far-reaching effects this solution had on the ministry of the early church.
As you read through Acts… realizing that it is the origin story of the church… and come across these summary statements… try to imagine this redemptive momentum picking up speed at each turn.
The church is born in Acts 2…. and then soon after its birth begins to pick up momentum. As you work through each section, you will find that there is a pattern similar to what we are seeing here in chapters 1-6. The church is born… experiences growth but stalls a bit. Some kind of conflict or moment of decision takes place and as a result the church explodes in growth and expands into the next phase of life and growth.
Look at chapters 1-6. What was the commission given in Acts 1:8?
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
After the Holy Spirit was given… throughout chapters 1-6:7, where did the church spread to? Nowhere. They stayed in Jerusalem. As they get comfy in Jerusalem, what happens. There is persecution from the Jewish leadership, deception from people in the church. When Satan doesn’t succeed in stopping the church with a full frontal assault. he attacks from within… and conflict is stirred up.
Here is another truth to take away.
When murmuring begins… the devil smiles.
Here is the uncomfortable pill for us to swallow… when believers are unhappy and begin to complain (murmur), the first place we need to look for the problem is in our own hearts.
Praise the Lord, as a result of this conflict and opportunity for growth… as people respond in faith, what happens?
The church grows and we are presented with this first summary statement.
First Summary Statement
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
God’s Word spread! The number of disciples increased! Even priests believed!
I think it would be fair to say that there is a connection with the continued growth of the church and the renewed focus of the apostles on prayer and on the preaching/ teaching of the Word of God… as well as this newly organized care for the body ministry in the church.
Let’s look briefly at what kind of growth is being described here…. and will continue to be described through each of the summary statements.
Geographical/ Ethnic Growth (Where?)
In Acts 1:8, Jesus gives this Commission to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the Earth. In Acts 2, we see that the church is born and as the church grows and gains traction.... we see that the early chapters of Acts area centered around the gospel being proclaimed inJerusalem and the temple courts.
All the events that are recorded between verses 1:1 and 6:7 are focused on the church growth in Jerusalem. The summary statement given to us in Acts 6:7 emphasizes this.
Acts 6:7 (ESV)
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Let’s stop and take a Biblical Theology Pause. (explain if needed)
How does Acts 6:7 fit in with the narrative of Scripture? How does what is happening here in Acts confirm and compliment prophecies that were made in the OT as part of God’s metanarrative… proclaiming things to come?
As the events of Acts 1-6:7 unfold, the prophecies of Isaiah 2:3 and Micah 4:2 are literally being lived out and are beginning to be fulfilled! Both passages proclaim… “… for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”
Now, if you are like me then you are asking… Hey, if 6:7 is the summary statement of the momentum that takes place in Jerusalem… then why is Stephen’s martyr (takes place in Jerusalem) recorded after this summary statement? Why isn’t it recorded prior to this summary statement about all the church growth that is taking place in Jerusalem.
Great question! I’m so glad you asked. :-)
While you might think that it breaks up the narrative… by placing the summary statement before Stephen’s martyr, it is actually helps to progress the narrative… and express the growth and momentum happening. Yes, Stephen’s stoning does happen in Jerusalem but his death does not necessarily stir up more growth in Jerusalem. Growth and redemptive momentum is already building and growing in Jerusalem.
What Stephen’s death does is actually cause the disciples to be “scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria” (8:1), and “those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word” (8:4; 11:19).
When you read through chapters 6-8, we see that Stephen’s sermon and martyr may have happened in Jerusalem but served as a catalyst for the gospel being proclaimed outside of Jerusalem… into Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. Some pretty cool gospel events take place after Stephen’s martyr. You’ll read about events that involve Sorcerers and Ethiopians!
As soon as Paul is converted, Luke seems to point us to verse 31 and summarize what has happened so far.... so that he can move onto recording the next phase of growth as God’s redemptive momentum continues to pick up speed and spreads to the Gentiles.
As you study through Acts, pay attention to how this geographic… ethnic spiral continues to grow and develop.... reaching Europe… Asia.... stretching across the oceans to places like South America.... Australia.... North America....North East Ohio …. Summit County…Akron… Springfield… and even to 1424 Killian Road!
God is doing amazing things!!! You are part of His story!
The next level of growth I want you to see is how Luke points us to the reality that the church was not only growing geographically and ethnically… but the church was developing momentum in Kingdom growth as well.
Kingdom Growth (How?)
Acts 6:7 (ESV)
And the word of God continued to increase (spread), and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
The main emphasis in these next three summary statements is not where the church is growing.... but how the church was growing.
It is helpful for us to understand that our growth, whether personal or corporate… is not because we are smart or amazing. I’m that is true of each one of you! But, that is not the reason you are going to succeed.
It is not because we do all the right things.... it is not because we try all the right techniques. No, as the church developed and grew throughout the entire book… it was because of the Word of God. (Illustration: Maranatha)
What is the content of the Word of God? The Kingdom of God....and that kingdom focuses on Jesus Christ.
The church in Acts grew and expanded by the power of the Word, which is why Paul wrote in Romans 1:16...
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Why am I connecting the reality that the word of God… the gospel... is the power of God for salvation with this concept of Kingdom growth?
The word “kingdom” isn’t used often, but the theme of the kingdom actually plays a central role throughout the entire book. You could say that the “kingdom” provides a frame for the entire book.
After Jesus’s resurrection when he met with the apostles for 40 days, what did He speak to them about?
Look back at Acts 1:3
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
So, the book of Acts begins with Jesus teaching the disciples about the Kingdom of God.... Then He launches them into the world to continue His ministry and to teach all that they had learned from Him!
The book then closes in Acts 28:31, with Paul “proclaiming the kingdom of God”.
The theme of the kingdom serves as bookends to the entire story recorded in Acts.
It’s super important to see that the kingdom centers on Jesus Christ. In the last portion of Acts, Paul explains the gospel to the Jews while under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16, 23).
He “testifies about the kingdom of God,” which means that he “tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets” (28:23).
The message of the kingdom and the gospel Paul proclaimed were not two different messages… they are one in the same.
The Kingdom promises of the OT were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, in His death and resurrection. Why do I say that? Look at Acts 8:12.
But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
These aren’t two different messages. When Philip preached the gospel of the Kingdom… he was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ!
When Luke summarizes Paul’s three months of preaching in Ephesus (Acts 19:8), he says that he was “persuading them about the Kingdom of God”.
Paul describes his ministry among the Ephesians in Acts 20:25 as “preaching the kingdom”.
The word of God… which has power… is the gospel… the message of the kingdom… the good news about Jesus Christ!
So now, let’s look at the summary statements that Luke crafts to help us see how the church cultivates Kingdom growth.... as it spreads and develops.
Acts 6:7 (ESV)
And the word of God continued to increase (spread), and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.;1
We’ve already looked at this verse tonight. Yes, Luke used this verse to help us see where the church was growing… geographically… and ethnically but he also draws our attention to this verse to help us see how the church was growing.
The church was only able to grow geographically because that growth was based in the Word of God....
As the Word of God spread..... the church grew geographically and ethnically.
As the Word of God spread… the gospel Kingdom of Christ spread and grew!
As the Word of God spread..... men like will Stephen lay down their lives..... Sorcerers will be put in their place… Seeking foreigners will be led to salvation and baptized...Men like Saul will find their lives in Christ.... Peter will be sent to the Gentiles.... the gospel will spread from the Jews.... to the Gentiles....
As the Word of God spreads the church will grow to regions beyond… into Gentile territory.... Famine will come.... Herod will violently persecutes the Church.... James will be martyred.... Peter will be jailed.... Peter will be set free… and Herod will be struck dead.
.. In the midst of all of these hardships and holy moments...Luke pens these words in Acts 6:7 (as well as in Acts 12:24)
Acts 12:24 (ESV)
But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Notice that Luke does not say that the church increased and multiplied. That is typically what we focus on.
He doesn’t begin writing reports about how to grow your church. He doesn’t blog about 10 steps to a thriving congregation. He doesn’t make a podcast about how to thrive in a post Herod world....
Luke focuses his readers attention… not on the product… but on the power behind the product..... The momentum behind the movement....
The Word of God increased and multiplied!
When was the last time we acknowledged that? When we see our numbers going up.... when we see attendance climbing.... and the giving increasing..... when was the last time we stopped and acknowledged… not the increase we see.... but the power that has provided?
When was the last time we acknowledged the opposite? We see numbers dropping… we see attendance decreasing.... we see giving going down.... How much of our focus is on the Word of God? Something to think about.
The church was growing.... believers were being discipled.... people were being saved.... congregations were multiplying..... not because of their best life.... not because they found the secret to success.... not because they had the most aggressive strategy.... but because the Word of God… was being taught.... the gospel of Jesus was being proclaimed… and lived out in the lives of each and every believer!
It happened in the early church… and it will still happen today!
As Luke keeps leading us through this Incredible Journey… the Word of God is sent from Antioch to Iconium to Lystra… to Turkey… to Thessalonica… to Athens… to Corinth… to Ephesus....
The last type of growth that I want to draw your attention to tonight is the growth of the gospel as the Word of God continues to expand.
Gospel Growth (Quality of growth)
Acts 6:7 (ESV)
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Look at the two words that are repeated these summary statements.
Increase: To cause to become greater in size, state, and /or quality.
Multiply: to become greater in number/ quantity...
I know what you are going to ask. What is the difference between Kingdom growth… and gospel growth?
Let’s look at it this way. Kingdom growth is qualitative (quality of the growth). The content.... the Word of God.... is growing… it is progressing… it is spreading. The qualitative growth of the Kingdom..... provides the church with the energy/ power for this redemptive momentum to continue to grow and not run out of gas along the way.
Gospel growth is the quantitative. The numbers of believers is growing! The product being produced by this spiraling redemptive momentum.... is multiplying disciples!
Look at these three summary statements with me.
Acts 6:7 (ESV)
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 12:24 (ESV)
But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Acts 19:20 (ESV)
So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
Look at the two words that are repeated these summary statements.
Increase: To cause to become greater in size, state, and /or quality.
Multiply: to become greater in number/ quantity...
As the church gains traction in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria.... this redemptive momentum continues to pick up speed as the church spreads and develops. .... the Word of God spreads! The result is that the church not only grows in quality… because it is being fueled by the Word of God… but it grows in quantity too!
In each of these verses… you could say that the Word of God became richer.... and more abundant.... both fueling the church’s growth.... but also flowing from its development.
These same two words (increase/ multiply) are used in the Greek translation of the Creation account recorded in Genesis, where God says to Man: “be fruitful and multiply) (Gen. 1:28). … grow in quality (effectiveness)… and in quantity (abundance)!
In a unique way… as the church grows and develops… to the ends of the earth.... the creation mandate is being fulfilled! As the Word of God expands… this gospel fueled church grows!
I want to make sure we are connecting what is happening here in Acts to the overall narrative of Scripture that God has revealed. What God promised and did in the Old Testament is now happening here in the NT.
Mankind was created with the ability/ responsibility to clearly represent God to the world. God placed Adam in the garden and gave the responsibility to govern the world.... have dominion over the earth.... to serve as God’s representative on the planet. When Adam chose to rebel against God and sin entered the world.... our ability to clearly represent God to the world was corrupted. God was not surprised.... He already had a plan that would fix our sin problem… and a promise in place that would restore our ability to represent Him to the world.
Fast foward to Abraham....
The promise given to Abraham that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3) is one of the central themes in the covenant made with Abraham. This promise of blessing is repeated regularly in Genesis to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 18:18; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14). The blessing promised to Abraham would ultimately be the means by which God’s plan would be fulfilled…
As the number of believers grows.... God’s redeemed image bearers and representatives extend their gospel influence to the ends of the earth! We see that taking place before our eyes as we read through the book of Acts!
Once you connect the dots.... and see how what is going on in Acts connects to God’s overall plan of redemption.... it’s pretty exciting to see!
The more exciting truth to realize is that while what God is doing in Acts is amazing.... He is still doing those same gospel growing, ends of the earth reaching works through the church today..... through the believers around the world!
God is doing amazing things through the growth of His church! You have an opportunity to be part of this story!!!
As this redemptive spiral grows and spreads it picks up this beautiful momentum that continues to pick up speed as the church increases and multiplies.
First Geographical Expansion (Acts 6:8-9:31)
… into Judea, Samaria, and Galilee…
Stephen Accused
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Stephen ministered to the people (v. 8).
Stephen was a man who lived as Christ lived.
Like Christ, full of grace. (Grace not only pays for our sins… it changes us.)
Shared Christ’s power. As he stands before the Sanhedrin, instructing them in a way that they couldn’t believe… he demonstrates Christ power… not Stephens and lives out Acts 1:8. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you:”
Shared Christ’s Wisdom: (v. 10)… later Paul will pray for a similar “spirit of wisdom” in Ephesians 1:17.
Shared in Christ’s rejection (vv.11-14)
Greek speaking Jews dispute with Stephen (v. 9).
Stephen was one of the Hellenistic Jews from Acts 6. These Jews were not very popular in Jerusalem. Now as Stephen begins preaching, how do you think the members of his Hellenistic Synagogue would have felt about the waves he was making?
Stephen defends himself (v. 10).
As Stephen speaks like Christ… lives like Christ… filled with the Spirit of Christ… no one could find fault in his words. The wisdom and grace with which he spoke was irrefutable. That is why the group had to set up false witnesses to condemn him. Sound familiar?
For the Sanhedrin… this is starting to look like Jesus 2.0. What is going on! They thought they took care of the “problem”.
Stephen is falsely accused (vv. 11-14).
When Stephen became more than they could handle, who do you think it was who handed him over to the Sanhedrin? (v. 9 = the Hellenistic Jews). They were also the ones who, in verse 11, brought up trumped up charges of blasphemy against him.
Remember, this court… the Sanhedrin… was the very same group that had convicted Jesus. It even had the same high priest.
Stephen’s face is like that of an angel (v. 15).
As Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin in the grace and power of Jesus Christ… Living like Jesus lived… he possessed a winsomeness just like Jesus. He possessed a charm of character that touched people… even though they didn’t know why. Just look at the impression he made on the Sanhedrin in verse 15.
Grace had changed him….
Grace is more than a payment for our sins…. but a truth that change what we do…. but more than that… God’s amazing grace changes who we are at our very core.
Questions:
Explain how a non-apostle is doing wonders and signs.
Full of grace and power… doing great wonders and signs.
How did Stephen withstand their attacks?
He spoke the truth of Christ… full of wisdom and filled by the Spirit.
What is the basis of the accusation that Jesus would destroy this place?
In verses 13-14, what are the charges? Who does it sound like the council is referring to? Stephen… or Jesus? Remember, this is the same group that convicted Jesus… and now they are confronted with Stephen… full of Grace, Wisdom, and the Spirit…. Living as Christ lived…. speaking as Christ spoke….
I think they are a bit convicted…. and are not necessarily stating things about Stephen… but remembering back to all that Jesus said. I think, they had hoped that all of this Jesus business would come to an end at his crucifixion. Thankfully for us…. and unfortunately, for them… it didn’t !
Jesus and His followers are alive and well… and actually more effective… and more powerful now than they were when Jesus was on the Earth.
Take notice here at the progression of the Sanhedrin’s actions so far.
Acts 4:17, and 21 - The first interrogation by the Sanhedrin ended in a ban on speaking and a warning.
Acts 5:40 - The second interrogation ended in a renewal of the ban on speaking, and flogging.
Acts 7:60 - The third interrogation by the Sanhedrin ended in Stephen being stoned to death.
The conflict is growing towards a climax. Stephen will be killed and many believers are forced to flee and leave Jerusalem in the first major persecution of the Christians.
Stephen’s death doesn’t stop the church… it actually is used by God to stir up some gospel momentum and church growth outside of Jerusalem… which will lead to the next of Luke’s summary statements found in 9:31.
Stephen’s Message
And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” And Stephen said:
“Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive. At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house, and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
“Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’
“This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets:
“ ‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices,
during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
You took up the tent of Moloch
and the star of your god Rephan,
the images that you made to worship;
and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’
“Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,
“ ‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
Did not my hand make all these things?’
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
Abraham (vv. 2-8a)
Patriarchs (vv. 8b-19)
Moses & Joshua (vv. 20-45)
David (vv. 45-46)
Solomon (v. 47)
Application (vv. 48-53)
Questions:
Why does Stephen rehearse Israel’s history?
What does it mean that Moses was mighty in his words and deeds (v.22)?
How was Christ “a prophet” like Moses (v. 37)?
What does it mean to resist the Holy Spirit (v. 51)?
