acts 6:1-7 “choosing the seven” “division in the body of christ”
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction. Acts 6:1-7Introduction. Acts 6:1-7• In our study of Acts 5, we saw
four important events:– The deception of Ananias and
Sapphira.– Miracles were used to confirm
the words of the apostles. – The angel of the Lord delivered
the apostles from prison. – Gamaliel’s wise advice regarding dealing with the
apostles .
• In our study of Acts 5, we saw four important events:
– The deception of Ananias and Sapphira.
– Miracles were used to confirm the words of the apostles.
– The angel of the Lord delivered the apostles from prison. – Gamaliel’s wise advice regarding dealing with the
apostles .
IntroductionIntroduction
• Up to this point the twelve Apostles have had the full responsibility of the leadership of the
church.• Although the number of members added to the church has increased rapidly. The church
has not expanded beyond Jerusalem and has NOT needed more LEADERS.
• But with the events recorded in this chapter, that situation will change.
• Up to this point the twelve Apostles have had the full responsibility of the leadership of the
church.• Although the number of members added to the church has increased rapidly. The church
has not expanded beyond Jerusalem and has NOT needed more LEADERS.
• But with the events recorded in this chapter, that situation will change.
Review of chapter 5Review of chapter 5• A vibrant community empowered A vibrant community empowered
by the Holy Spirit indwelling their by the Holy Spirit indwelling their liveslives
• A vibrant community empowered A vibrant community empowered by the Holy Spirit indwelling their by the Holy Spirit indwelling their
liveslives
God strengthened his people to resist
and persevere
God moved with powerful discipline
The religious rulers began to persecute the
churchHypocrisy began to develop within the community
Review of chapter 5Review of chapter 5• A vibrant community empowered by the
Holy Spirit indwelling their lives• A vibrant community empowered by the
Holy Spirit indwelling their lives
A third attack to render them A third attack to render them ineffective =ineffective =
Internal divisionInternal division
Acts 6:1-8; - DivisionActs 6:1-8; - Division• 1-Now at this time while the disciples
were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native
Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving
of food.
• 1-Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a
complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native
Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving
of food.
Cultural differences began to create a rift in this community that had grown so close
What is Division?
• Two Types of division
What is Division?
• Two Types of division
Acts 6:1-8; DivisionActs 6:1-8; Division
Passive Division- Disengaged from healthy relationships.
No outward hostility, but unwilling to invest deeply in relationships.
Active Division- Members are actively divided against each other in
bitterness or suspicion
Acts 6:1-8; - DivisionActs 6:1-8; - DivisionWhat Division Isn’t
• Dissention- Issue oriented conflict, or differences of
opinion• Organizational diversity-
Differences in approaches to Christ’s work can be good
What Division Isn’t• Dissention- Issue oriented
conflict, or differences of opinion
• Organizational diversity- Differences in approaches to Christ’s work can be good
Acts 6:1-8; - DivisionActs 6:1-8; - DivisionEffects of Division
• Koinonia (sharing) is lost-
• Bitter gossip and rivalries
• Witness of the church is lost
• Potential devastation
Effects of Division
• Koinonia (sharing) is lost-
• Bitter gossip and rivalries
• Witness of the church is lost
• Potential devastation
Matt 12:25 “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house
divided against itself shall not stand”
Acts 6:1-11; - DivisionActs 6:1-11; - DivisionDanger Signs of Division
• Offenses and annoyances prominent
• A focus on the negative aspects of others
• Increasing suspicion of others’ motives
• Aversion to, or disinterest in being around other members
Danger Signs of Division• Offenses and annoyances
prominent • A focus on the negative aspects
of others• Increasing suspicion of others’
motives• Aversion to, or disinterest in being around other members
• Do we see the same kinds of divisions
today?• What can we do about it?
• Do we see the same kinds of divisions
today?• What can we do about it?
Acts 6:1; DISCUSSION QUESTION:DISCUSSION QUESTION:
What we must strive to ACHIEVEWhat we must strive to ACHIEVE
A Unified GroupA Unified GroupLoving each other from the heart (1 Pet
1:22)
United in Purpose (Phil. 2:2)
Bearing one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)
Strongly unified across ethnic, cultural, and sociological boundaries (Gal. 3:28)
Acts 6:1; A Problem with the Daily Distribution
Acts 6:1; A Problem with the Daily Distribution
• During the first days of the church, some of the Hellenist widows were being neglected during the daily distribution. (Acts 6:1)
• The apostles told the brethren to select seven men to be entrusted with the daily distribution. (Acts 6:2-4)
• The multitude chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. (Acts 6:5-6)
• As the word of God spread, the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. (Acts 6:7)
• During the first days of the church, some of the Hellenist widows were being neglected during the daily distribution. (Acts 6:1)
• The apostles told the brethren to select seven men to be entrusted with the daily distribution. (Acts 6:2-4)
• The multitude chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. (Acts 6:5-6)
• As the word of God spread, the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. (Acts 6:7)
KeyEvent
KeyEvent
Grecian Widows NeglectedGrecian Widows Neglected
• Acts 6:1
• 6:1 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.
• People were selling their possessions and giving the proceeds to the apostles for the
care of those in need.
• Acts 6:1
• 6:1 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.
• People were selling their possessions and giving the proceeds to the apostles for the
care of those in need.
What was the difference between the "Grecian" and “Hebraic” Jews? What was the difference between
the "Grecian" and “Hebraic” Jews?
The Hellenists were complaining the Hebrews were receiving more then
they were.
Grecian Widows Neglected Acts 6:1;Grecian Widows Neglected Acts 6:1;• Who were these "Hellenistic Jews"? In the
time when the Gospel was first preached, there were two classes of Jews
• The Hebrews — those who were born in Palestine and who spoke the Hebrew
language; and
• The Hellenists — those who were born of Jewish parentage outside of Palestine, who
spoke the Greek language, and who used the Septuagint in their synagogues.
• Who were these "Hellenistic Jews"? In the time when the Gospel was first preached,
there were two classes of Jews
• The Hebrews — those who were born in Palestine and who spoke the Hebrew
language; and
• The Hellenists — those who were born of Jewish parentage outside of Palestine, who
spoke the Greek language, and who used the Septuagint in their synagogues.
Grecian Widows Neglected Acts 6:1;Grecian Widows Neglected Acts 6:1;• The Hellenistic Jews, to a greater or lesser degree,
had adopted more of the Greek ideals and customs after Alexander the Great had carried them over the
world when he had conquered it about 300 years earlier.
• In Jewish communities the Hebrews, who had not adopted the Greek customs, tended to look down on the Hellenists as being somewhat less holy.
• Perhaps some of the old feelings are in the background of this present dispute. Hellenistic
Jews were also known as "those of the Dispersion.”
• The Hellenistic Jews, to a greater or lesser degree, had adopted more of the Greek ideals and customs after Alexander the Great had carried them over the
world when he had conquered it about 300 years earlier.
• In Jewish communities the Hebrews, who had not adopted the Greek customs, tended to look down on the Hellenists as being somewhat less holy.
• Perhaps some of the old feelings are in the background of this present dispute. Hellenistic
Jews were also known as "those of the Dispersion.”
The ComplaintThe Complaint
• The Greek-speaking Jews complained because their widows were being overlooked by the Hebrew-speaking Jews, those whose permanent residence was Jerusalem and its
environs. • These Hebrew-speaking Jews were
expected to be the hosts of the others and the money and goods that were being
donated daily to take care of the needs of these Greek-speaking Jews for some reason
was not getting to them.
• The Greek-speaking Jews complained because their widows were being overlooked by the Hebrew-speaking Jews, those whose permanent residence was Jerusalem and its
environs. • These Hebrew-speaking Jews were
expected to be the hosts of the others and the money and goods that were being
donated daily to take care of the needs of these Greek-speaking Jews for some reason
was not getting to them.
A Solution ProposedA Solution Proposed
• Acts 6:2-4• 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. 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."
• Acts 6:2-4• 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. 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."
Solomon’s PorchSolomon’s Porch
Thousands of people had become Christians by this point.
It is difficult to know how many of these gathered for this meeting but according to Luke
it was all who were considered disciples.
It is possible Solomon’s Porch was the place of a meeting of this magnitude.
This would also be a friction point with the Jews. The Church conducting it business in
full view of the worshipers at the temple.
• If we have a problem in the congregation!
• What is the proper way to complain? or sort it
out?
• If we have a problem in the congregation!
• What is the proper way to complain? or sort it
out?
Acts 6:2; DISCUSSION QUESTION:Acts 6:2; DISCUSSION QUESTION:
Acts 6:2; - DivisionActs 6:2; - Division2 And the twelve summoned the congregation of
the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "But select from among you, brethren, seven men
of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
2 And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "But select from among you, brethren, seven men
of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
They call for the recognition of spiritual leadership to resolve the problem
Good leadership OUGHT to be a safeguard against division
Acts 6:2; - DivisionActs 6:2; - Division2 And the twelve summoned the
congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we
may put in charge of this task.
2 And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we
may put in charge of this task.
Indigenous servants
“From Among You”“From Among You”
• The Apostles’ proposed solution was that the Greek-speaking Jews should appoint from
among themselves the seven men who would then take over this responsibility.
• The “ministry” these seven were to perform was, in Greek, “diakonia” (“ministration,” verse 1 - Young’s Literal Translation). This is the kind of service deacons in the church today might be
asked to do. It is often CLAIMED that these seven were the first deacons.
• The Apostles’ proposed solution was that the Greek-speaking Jews should appoint from
among themselves the seven men who would then take over this responsibility.
• The “ministry” these seven were to perform was, in Greek, “diakonia” (“ministration,” verse 1 - Young’s Literal Translation). This is the kind of service deacons in the church today might be
asked to do. It is often CLAIMED that these seven were the first deacons.
• These men did not have the qualifications later required for the proper organisation of the
church• The word “deacon” itself comes from a Greek
word made up of two parts: “dia,” meaning “through” or “by means of,” and “konos,” from
which “koinonia,” meaning “fellowship,” “sharing” and “communion” come as
translations.• The idea is that the deacon serves the church
by using the common or shared resources.
• These men did not have the qualifications later required for the proper organisation of the
church• The word “deacon” itself comes from a Greek
word made up of two parts: “dia,” meaning “through” or “by means of,” and “konos,” from
which “koinonia,” meaning “fellowship,” “sharing” and “communion” come as
translations.• The idea is that the deacon serves the church
by using the common or shared resources.
Ministering to the Grecian Widows
Acts 6 - SolutionActs 6 - Solution2 And the twelve summoned the
congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to
neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "But select from
among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put
in charge of this task.
2 And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to
neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "But select from
among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put
in charge of this task.
221133
Acts 6:3; - SolutionActs 6:3; - Solution• Good Reputation = Proven
record of serving love• Good Reputation = Proven
record of serving love
John 10:4 “When the good shepherd puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 And a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they
do not know the voice of strangers.”
“Full of the Spirit”“Full of the Spirit”
• The qualifications at this point in time for serving in this manner, was being “full of
the Spirit and wisdom.”• What does it mean to be “full” of the
Spirit?• Jesus gave a clue when He described to
Nicodemus how a person was to know someone had been “born” of the Spirit.
• He gave the illustration of the wind, an invisible force, being “seen” by its effects.
• The qualifications at this point in time for serving in this manner, was being “full of
the Spirit and wisdom.”• What does it mean to be “full” of the
Spirit?• Jesus gave a clue when He described to
Nicodemus how a person was to know someone had been “born” of the Spirit.
• He gave the illustration of the wind, an invisible force, being “seen” by its effects.
Evidence of Wind - SaharaEvidence of Wind - Sahara
Acts 6:3; - SolutionActs 6:3; - Solution
•Full of the Holy Spirit = A SPIRITUALLY minded man
•Willing to put Gods will first and sensitive to his responsibility to
others •Prepared to be a PEACEMAKER rather than a POWER SEEKER
•Full of the Holy Spirit = A SPIRITUALLY minded man
•Willing to put Gods will first and sensitive to his responsibility to
others •Prepared to be a PEACEMAKER rather than a POWER SEEKER
SCRIPTURE:SCRIPTURE:
• “18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. “
- Eph 5:18
• “18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. “
- Eph 5:18
• Does one have to be able to do miracles to be full of the
Spirit?
• Does one have to be able to do miracles to be full of the
Spirit?
Acts 6:3; QUESTION:Acts 6:3; QUESTION:
Fruit of the SpiritFruit of the Spirit
NIV
• Paul lists the fruit(s) of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control.
• If we see these qualities in a person’s life we know he or she is “full of the Spirit.”
• We require no miraculous sign to make this decision about whom to choose to appoint to
a position to serve the church.
• Paul lists the fruit(s) of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control.
• If we see these qualities in a person’s life we know he or she is “full of the Spirit.”
• We require no miraculous sign to make this decision about whom to choose to appoint to
a position to serve the church.
•Full of Wisdom = Applied knowledge
of God’s word.
•Full of Wisdom = Applied knowledge
of God’s word.
Acts 6 - SolutionActs 6 - Solution
Prov 9:8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you, reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
14:16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless.
1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
•Good Reputation = Proven record of serving love
•Full of the Holy Spirit = A SPIRITUALLY minded man •Full of Wisdom = Applied knowledge of God’s word.
•Good Reputation = Proven record of serving love
•Full of the Holy Spirit = A SPIRITUALLY minded man •Full of Wisdom = Applied knowledge of God’s word.
Acts 6:3; - SolutionActs 6:3; - Solution
This profile for spiritual leadership fits with other NT examples