Distribution, Delegation, and Preaching the Word (Acts 6)

• We continue in the book of Acts or our Summer Reading Challenge of 2022.  
• Today’s reflections from Acts chapter 6, address how the church took care of each other, and how delegation of responsibilities lead to the increased preaching of the Word. 
• Acts 6, one of the shortest chapters in Acts at 15 verses, has two main movements: (1) Seven men are chosen to serve the physical needs of the church (6:1-7); and (2) Stephen is arrested (6:8-15).
  • Today’s episode focuses primarily on the choosing of seven men to serve the church.

Part 1: Growing Numbers & Growing Challenges

• Chapter 6 open with the statement that the disciples were increasing in number.  What a beautiful thing – the good news about Jesus is being received by an ever widening circle.  However, with that growth came challenges.  We see that there were significant numbers of Hellenistic — that is Greek-speaking — Jews joining the church.
  • What we see here is a natural division along the language barrier.  While the believers had a common faith and religious background (unlike Gentiles – that is, non Jewish people), they did not all speak the same language.
  • The result was that the Greek-speaking widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food (6:1) — this appears to be an unintentional overlooking as the installment of the Seven resulted in resolution of the problem.
    • As a quick side note, Luke simply mentions this daily distribution – like it was an established fact, a well known part of how the Church operated.  We learned from Acts 4:35 that the Apostles distributed the sacrificially donated goods “to each as any had need.”  The regular part of how the church functioned was to take care of its needy members — they saw themselves as a body.
      • There were some who tried to game the system, and Paul would later write to Timothy about how to ensure it was those truly in need who received the aid (see 1 Timothy 5:9-16).
• It is also clear that the Apostles were the ones involved with the distribution – and it was becoming so demanding that they were being pulled away from the task of preaching the Word of God,  so they called together the whole group of believers.
  • They were charged with picking out from among themselves 7 men to be appointed to the duty of serving the needy among them.
  • What would be the qualifications for those who would be in charge of serving widows and helping meet the physical needs of the church?
    • First, they be men of good repute; Second, full of the Spirit and; Third, full of wisdom.
      • Friend, what things do you, and what things does the world, emphasize as important?  What makes you a good candidate for a job?  What are the top characteristics?  Let us be focused on the things the Scripture focuses upon!
    • So, what the Apostles said pleased the whole church — and they chose from among them:
      • Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus.
      • Stephen is the only one who is further described as “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (6:5).  This additional description is likely because he will be the focus of the rest of this chapter as well as chapter 7.
      • Philip will be the focus of chapter 8 – but of the other five, we do not have any further record.  
        • And that brings me to another point — how will you be remembered?  In the story of your life, you many only have one line of honorable mention – but what would that line say?  Would it be that you were of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom?
  • After the seven have been brought forward, the apostles prayed and laid their hands on these seven men – an act of commissioning to the ministry.  So, what was the result?

Part 2: The Result of Delegation

• Verse 7 shows us two explicit results and one implied result of this delegation.
  • First, the word of God was proclaimed – in fact, Luke puts it this way, “the word of God continued to increase” — as the Apostles are now dedicated to the work of prayer and to the ministry of the Word its impact and influence increase!  And as the preaching of the Word increases, so does something else.
  • Second, the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem — in fact, a great many of the priests, those who operated in the temple, believed.  Look at the phrase used at the end of verse 7 – “became obedient to the faith.”
    • Their lives reflected the reality of the proclamation they believed!
  • Third, and this by implication, the widows are taken care of — the apostles could not perform every function of the church and caring for the body of believers.  They needed the aid of good and faithful followers of Jesus!
• So, what is the result of delegating essential functions to faithful men?  With the work of the seven – the church grew! 

Conclusion:

• So my friend, as we look at this chapter, I want to ask you a few of application questions:
  • First, what is important to you?
    • What kind of character attributes do you find vital for your life?
  • Second, if you have the attributes which describe the Seven, are you serving in your local body of believers? 
    • You are not called to warm benches or pews — you are called to serve, whoever you are, wherever you are — you are called to serve.  That service might look different, but a growing Christian is a serving Christian!
    • There is no job too small to tackle with excellence in the power of the Holy Spirit!
  • Third, are you willing to suffer for the name of Christ? 
    • As we will see in our next episode, the path of service often leads to suffering of some sort – and this was no exception for Stephen.
  • Fourth, what place does prayer and the faithful preaching of the Word have in the guiding of your church and life?  
    • Notice that the whole body of believers were supportive of these seven men taking up the role of servant in order to enable the Apostles to be all the more dedicated to proclaiming the Word.  May we always be people of the book!

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