Acts 6:1-7 | "Power in Appointing"

1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 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. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 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.

Pray

Introduction of Theme

God is pleased when His Church grows.

God is not against Church growth. Instead, it is God who gives growth to His Church! In terms of depth and maturity but also numbers.

When God’s Church grows, it is because God is at work!

How is God at work in the growing of His Church?

How does the book of Acts present God at work in the growing of His Church?

God is at work in the growing of His Church through the ministry of His Spirit and His Word.

Introduction

Twice God is mentioned in Acts 6:1-7, and both mentions of God are in association with His word.

Acts 6:2 — “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God”

Acts 6:7 — “the word of God continued to increase”

Something was competing with the ministry of God’s word. Something that threatened to hinder the growth of the early Church.

But in the end, the word of God continued to increase! In the end, God said “Amen” to a prioritizing of His word and caused His Word to spread. And as His Word spread, the number of disciples increased greatly! And even a large number of priests began obeying the faith!

The Church growth model that God always blesses, is the one that does not compromise, distract or devalue the priority and essentiality of the ministry of His word!

May we never be a church that says: “Word and Spirit have I none, but what I have I give to you, in the name of aimless programs, baseless experiences, and purposeless events — rise and walk!” (See Acts 3:6).

No work of the church is healing and life-giving unless it proceeds forth in the power of God’s Spirit and Word!

And a devotion to the ministry of God’s word takes just that…devotion! It takes intense effort and persistence!

So many things compete for our time and attention that if the Word of God is not fought for as a priority then we become like a massive ocean liner being pulled in various directions by small tug boats, rather than being propelled by the power of our own engine!

Our adversary doesn’t have to reach far to stunt our growth in the Lord. He only needs to throw a few emergencies, or urgencies in the way that will turn our time, attention and devotion away from God’s word.

As it applies to a local church, the adversary only has to steer the time and attention of those who minister or support God’s word away from their office, gifting and calling to render a local church powerless.

You may wonder: “How much time do I spend studying and preparing a sermon?”

My answer will always be the same — “It feels like never enough!”

It is easy to be pulled in many different directions and if I’m not careful, and if I don’t prioritize what is important, I can easily find myself on a Saturday night writing what preachers call a “Saturday night special.”

This was the sentiment the apostles were experiencing in Acts 6.

They had a problem. A problem that threatened to hinder or even stop the growth of the Church because it was causing the ministry of the word of God to be neglected for other urgent needs

And that problem wasn’t persecution!

The Apostles in Acts 5 had been arrested, threatened, and beaten and that didn’t stop them from preaching, it encouraged them to preach Jesus all the more!

The problem the apostles faced in Acts 6 was a hidden threat. That of distraction.

It is as economists would call it, the “law of diminishing returns.”

It is that point where the the benefits gained becomes less than the amount invested (Oxford). Meaning, as the apostles took on more responsibilities, there came a point when their ministry was no longer as effective, and the spread of the Gospel was in jeopardy of being hindered.

Put another way, it is where urgent and pressing needs take more attention from what is important and essential.

It is where the needs become too many for the few workers to handle. It is where growth itself becomes a problem, and adjustments have to be made.

I. The Problem

Acts 6:1 ESV

1 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.

The “days” referred to here are when the “disciples were increasing in number.”

When “the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32).

When “there was not a needy person among them (Acts 4:34).

When the apostles were performing many signs and wonders among the people regularly (Acts 5:12).

When “more than ever” believers were being added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women (Acts 5:14).

In “these days” of prosperity a complaint arose.

Prosperity is not a protection from problems!

Prosperity virtually guarantees there will be problems!

It is from this perfect fellowship and unity of the early church, a complaint arises because a need is not being met.

That word “complaint” means to murmur. It is a grumbling. This wasn’t the formal lodging of a complaint and dropping it in a collection box. It was “behind the scenes talk” in “a low tone of voice” (BDAG). It’s the sound of a small rumble of tremors that precedes a large earthquake!

This is what the people of Israel did when they complained against Moses when they had nothing to eat in the desert after being delivered from Egypt (Exodus 16).

This is what Paul warns against in Philippians 2:14 when he writes:

Philippians 2:14 ESV

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Grumblings or complaints of this nature destroy fellowship from within, and distract from mission.

Acts 6:1 ESV

1 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.

The Hellenists and Hebrews were both Jewish, but the Hellenists spoke Greek, and the Hebrews spoke Hebrew & Aramaic.

The Hellenists were influenced by Greek culture and Greek thinking. The Hebrews were influenced by Hebraic culture and Hebraic thinking.

A division springs up in the church — a division of language and even culture.

As the apostles distribute what has been donated to any who had need, the Hellenists begin to grumble that their widows are being neglected, or overlooked in this daily distribution.

That word “distribution” is the word (διακονία) and is the same word for “service” or “ministry.” This was a service, or ministry the apostles were involved in, but they couldn’t keep up with the numbers and demand, and some grumbled that certain widows were being overlooked.

These murmurings threatened the unity of the fellowship of believers, and it threatened their testimony .

II. The Proposed Solution

Acts 6:2 ESV

2 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.

This problem became a congregational matter. The “full number of the disciples” were summoned. The solution is not to be found with the few, but with the many!

God has well supplied and equipped His Church to meet the needs from within.

The apostles recognize they have limits! And this recognition is a blessing from God!

For if the apostles had not recognized their limits, then the Great Commission could never be accomplished! The good news about Jesus could never spread to all the earth! The church would be doomed to burnout and failure only 6 chapters in!

God gives the apostles and disciples grace to prioritize and organize.

“It is not right (desirable) that we should give up (neglect) the word of God to serve tables.”

Two services emerge: A service to the eternal word of God, and a service to the temporal needs of the community. The service of the word is food for the soul, the service of tables is food for the body.

Both are important. Both are not to be neglected. Both work together to enable the disciples to glorify God and enjoy Him and to be on mission in the world.

Acts 6:3–4 ESV

3 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. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

So the congregation of the disciples is given an assignment from the apostles. They are to pick out seven men, whom the apostles will then appoint to meed the need.

There are four qualifications mentioned for these men:

First, they were to be selected “from among you.” These were not to be men from outside the fellowship brought in to serve, but were to be disciples of Jesus themselves, men in the faith, fellow believers.

Second, these were to be “men of good repute.” That word “repute” is the same word for “witness, or testimony.” They were to have a good testimony - to be well spoken of.

Third, these men were to be “full of the Spirit.” This does not mean they had more of the Spirit than anyone else, but it means they were controlled by the Holy Spirit of God.

Stephen is a good example of this. Right after these events in Acts 6, Stephen, one of these seven chosen men, is going to perform great wonders and signs among the people. His face will appear “like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15), and against opposition Stephen will preach a powerful sermon that will cost him his life as the first martyr for Jesus recorded in the New Testament.

These men were not immature, selfish, or living for their own interest. They were in step with the Lord and involved in His mission through His church, empowered and filled by the Holy Spirit.

And lastly, these men were to be “full of…wisdom.” Wisdom is a quality that is gained first through a fear of the Lord.

These were God-fearing disciples, with good testimonies, controlled by the Holy Spirit and they were wise.

Verse 3 makes the purpose of these seven men clear — they would be “appointed” for this “duty” or “need.”

These seven would serve ( διακονέω ) tables. Through their ministry they would ensure that the unity of the fellowship was maintained and that the grumbling was silenced by giving attention to the need that became known.

With their assignment, both needs, for word and table would be served, and the ministry of the word would continue to flourish under the apostles’ teaching.

James 2:15–16 ESV

15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

It is important to care for the real physical needs among us.

Jesus said:

Matthew 25:41–45 ESV

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

Serving tables is not viewed as less important than the service of the word, but devotion is needed to the word, which means appointment needs to be made for serving tables…it is a task to be delegated because it too is an important task for their testimony of the power of God!

What the apostles are experiencing is very similar to what Moses experienced after God used him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt.

On one occasion, Moses’ father-in-law came to visit with Moses. The Scriptures say:

Exodus 18:13–26 ESV

13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves.

As this was good with Moses, what the Apostles’ suggested was good to all the people. The seven will attend to serving tables, and the apostles will be devoted to prayer and the ministry (διακονία) (or service) of the word.

III. The Implementation of the Solution

Acts 6:5–6 ESV

5 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. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

The congregation selects seven men.

These servants are named. Their names tell us something very important!

These are not Hebrew names (like Joshua, Hannahiah, Hezekiah, or Jeremiah).

These are Greek names. Stephen, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolaus . . .

And of Nicolaus we are told that he is a proselyte (that is, a convert) from Antioch. Antioch was a center of Hellenistic Judaism (Wikipedia).

The names of these seven tell us that these men were Hellenists, chosen by the congregation, to meet the needs of not only the Hellenist widows, (but even the Hebrew widows). These men would take over the daily distribution from the apostles.

The church had such a concern for one another that they ensured the needs of the Hellenist widows were cared for, by selecting Hellenists to serve them.

They did not further perpetuate any appearance of division by language or culture within the church, but showed that the Lord had equipped the church with servants to meet each need.

The apostles pray and lay hands on these seven — an image of blessing and commissioning them as co-laborers in the service of the word, each with special assignments that all work for the same goal of being witnesses for Jesus to the ends of the earth!

IV. The Result of the Solution

Acts 6:7 ESV

7 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.

That word “obedient” is not unimportant. It is a word that conveys a sense of being subject to, and an understanding of where authority exists. Where the power is located.

That’s the benefit of getting organized. When a church is properly organized, it clearly communicates to the world what the priority of that church is! It points to the word of God and the God of the word!

The Scriptures tell us that even Jesus understood what it means to be humble, obedient, and a servant.

Philippians 2:3–11 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In a world with so many urgent things pulling our attention and devotion away from important things, God appointed One to be exalted above all — God appointed Jesus, and his salvation as the priority and the only way to be made right with God.

If we will keep our eyes on Jesus, we will not fail!

Philippians 4:19 ESV

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion

When the early church got organized, when the early church prioritized, the early church continued to grow as the word of God spread.

The Church became a visible expression of Jesus who came not to be served, but to serve.

Related Media

Related Sermons