A Study In Acts...Chapter 6

Seven Men are Chosen

We find in Acts 6 the disciples trying to figure out how this new ministry was going to work. We start with... Acts 6:1-7

The New King James Version Chapter 6

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint 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.

The Apostles were set to pick 7 men to serve, but there were stipulations...

Acts Seven Men Chosen to Serve / 6:1–7

Five requirements were clearly spelled out: the candidates had to be (1) men (andras—a specific Greek term for men); (2) believers (from among yourselves); (3) possessing good reputations (good standing), known as men of integrity; (4) solid spiritually (full of the Spirit); (5) full of wisdom—demonstrating their ability to apply God’s truth appropriately to life situations. Seven was the typical number of men used to handle public business in a Jewish town, the official council.

Full of the Holy Spirit...

This phrase expresses a continuing quality of spiritual life in the believers that results from experiencing the Spirit’s fullness and that enables them to minster in the power of the Holy Spirit and to speak under the prophetic inspiration as He gives the utterance.

This term is used in 3 ways…To indicate the reception of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit...To indicate the empowering of believers on specific occasion under Holy Spirits influence…To indicate a general prophetic ministry under the inspiration and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

After the initial Baptism of the Holy Spirit, those that walk faithfully in the Spirit, putting to death the misdeeds of the body. Also those that maintain this fulness of the Spirit may receive a fresh outpouring of His Spirit for a specific task or purpose, in particular for speaking under His influence, healing the sick, and or having faith for miracles.

Acts Seven Men Chosen to Serve / 6:1–7

MATCHING GIFTS WITH NEEDS

As the early church increased in size, so did its needs. One great need was to organize the distribution of food to the poor. Since the apostles were called to focus on preaching and praying (6:4), they chose others to administer the food program. A prominent New Testament teaching is that each person has a vital part to play in the life of the church (see 1 Corinthians 12). If you are in a position of leadership and find yourself overwhelmed with responsibilities, prayerfully determine what your priorities should be, and then find others to respond to the other legitimate needs. If you are not in leadership, realize that you have gifts that can be used by God in various areas of the church’s ministry. Serve him with these gifts.

Realizing that this Baptism of the Holy Spirit alone isn’t enough for Christian leadership. Leaders must be devoted to prayer and the preaching of the Word! These two things were of the highest priority to the Apostles.

The bible says that they prayed for these servants and they laid hands on them. 5 significant things for the laying on of hands...

In connection with healings and miracles.

Blessing others.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

In commissioning for a specific work.

Imparting spiritual gifts.

These had become the foundational doctrine of the first century church...

Hebrews 6:1–6 NKJV

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

It must not be disassociated from prayer, because prayer indicates that the gifts of grace, healing or Baptism of the Holy Spirit are from God and not from the person who are ministering.

Acts 6:8–15 NKJV

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

The Holy Spirit empowered Stephen to perform “great wonders and miraculous signs among the people” and gave him great wisdom to preach the Gospel in such a way that his opponents couldn’t refute his arguments.