ACTS 6
Act 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples were
multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because
their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Many times murmuring and complaining cause trouble rather than good things but
there are some cases where the complainers need to be heard and a decision made
as to whether they have valid complaints. In this case the Grecians had a good
point. Widows were being neglected. I liked the way the apostles handled this.
They didn't forsake the most important things which was seeking God and giving
themselves to prayer and fasting and start to do charity work. Instead they
appointed others to do the work they had neglected so they could continue in the
work God called them to do and not neglect it.
This is a vital lesson to learn. Sometimes we tend to overdo things and neglect
important things. When we learn of our mistake though, we tend to over correct.
The apostles could have stopped what they were doing and give all their time and
energy into the work of helping the poor and widows. They would have been
disastrous for the gospel.
We can do the same things. When the church tended to become overly strict and
harsh in doctrine, adding to the gospel in many cases, they corrected that but
now sin is seldom warned against and holiness is left in the ditch somewhere out
of fear of legalism. We now find the church full of divorce, people living
together without marriage, abortion, lack of moral restraints, greed,
worldliness, pride and much materialism which is idolatry.
We need to correct wrong teachings of our past but not forsake sound doctrine
that feeds the soul and keeps us mindful of the things of God.
Act 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and
said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report,
full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of
the word.
Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a
man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor,
and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Notice that even though these good men were chosen to serve in this manner they
still preached the gospel and did the same work as the apostles but gave
themselves to practical things also. The main requirement in choosing these men
were that they was to be full of the Holy Spirit. Why would this be? Because the
Holy Spirit was given for the purpose of spreading the gospel and doing what
Jesus told them to do. We have no business preaching, teaching or ministering
the gospel without being full of the Holy Spirit. If we try to spread the gospel
without the power of the Holy Spirit we would have to rely on manmade programs,
manmade doctrines, rituals and other means to appear holy. We would have a form
of godliness but deny the power thereof. The power to transform a life seeking
God would not be among us, the power to convict a sinner of his sin would not be
present and we might gain converts to Christianity but we would not get anyone
"born again" by the spirit of God that they be able to enter into eternal life.
We are not saved by accepting the religion of Christianity, we are saved by
faith in Jesus to free us from sin and grant us eternal life. Jesus is the way
of salvation and the only way.
Act 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they
laid their hands on them.
Act 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were
obedient to the faith.
These priests were formerly priests performing the duties of a priest. After
Christ came, died and rose from the dead the priesthood was changed and He alone
becomes our only mediator between us and God. We still need preachers and
workers for Christ but the office of a priest performing duties like before, is
no longer necessary. To return to priestly type of intercession and rituals is
to put back what Jesus died to take away. Our sins are forgiven by our faith in
Christ and praying to Him for that forgiveness, not by joining a church,
religion or confessing to a priest.
The Old Testament way of worship was fulfilled and changed with the coming of
Jesus who made Himself the final sacrifice for sins. There remains no other
sacrifice or way of salvation.
Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles
among the people.
This wonderful person is an example for all of us to imitate. Just because he
was appointed to take care of the need of the widows did not stop him from
performing miracles to spread the gospel.
Act 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the
synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of
Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he
spake.
All his wisdom was given to him by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can turn an
ordinary shy quiet person into a powerful preacher of the word.
Act 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak
blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
They couldn't find any fault with Stephen so they had to hire people to lie
against him just as they did against Jesus Christ.
Act 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and
came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
The speeches and words of just one troublemaker can stir up a multitude to do
evil. Just like millions were deceived by Adolph Hitler, people were deceived
into killing an innocent man who only wanted to obey God and save the lost from
eternity in hell.
There is a way we can easily see that the apostles spoke the truth. Their
message did not get them riches like some preachers today. Their message
threatened to get them killed. They could have drawn followers after themselves
but they drew followers after Christ. They could have used their influence to
gain money, fame or a big rich organization with large salaries but instead they
preached the truth that got most of them killed off.
They went to places that were dangerous to go, they went to remote places where
the Holy Spirit sent them. They didn't send someone ahead of them demanding a
large offering, a private jet and a grand hotel before they went to speak. They
had to sleep in deserts, ships, and through storms. I'm sure that the people to
whom they were sent often opened their hearts and supported them making sure
that they were fed and clothed but the apostles did not know ahead of time when
they would be well received.
Some speakers today will not go to a church that can't pay them a large sum of
money for coming. I heard of one that charges 50,000 dollars and a promise of a
private jet before he will go to speak.
I haven't the slightest desire to hear such a person myself. I would rather hear
someone that is sent by the Holy Spirit and has a burning message on their
hearts that was given to them by the Lord Himself.
Act 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to
speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy
this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
They did not yet understand the purpose of the coming of Jesus. No one can
possibly keep the law in every point. If it was broken in just one point, it was
enough to keep us out of heaven. Just one broken commandment could send us to
hell.
Jesus didn't come to destroy the law and make God's commandments of no effect.
He came to fulfill the sacrificial requirements of the law and usher in a
perfect way to where when we just believe in Him and turn away from sin, the
commandments contained in the law would not be held against us. Instead He gives
us His Holy Spirit to cause us to desire the word of God and lose our desire to
sin. In other words the law of God comes into our hearts. We love the things of
God and hate the things which once held us in bondage. We still can be drawn
away and tempted but the power is within us to overcome by faith and continue
walking in the spirit rather than be overcome by the flesh. Before Jesus we had
to use our own will power and we would fail miserably. After Jesus we have
access to the power of the Holy Spirit and His continual indwelling.
Act 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his
face as it had been the face of an angel.
How they could kill this person, I don't know but when we hear the truth and
reject it, we usually will become angry with the person who is telling us the
truth.
Little do we appreciate the preachers of the gospel that will risk all he has,
even his own life to tell us how to be saved. The faithful preacher of the
gospel is the best friend we could ever have. Would we rather hear someone tell
us that we are okay and have no need of repentance? Would we rather hear someone
tell us that the way to God is easy and we can be rich, increased with goods and
live the good life? Would we rather hear someone who tells us that God loves us
and it doesn't matter what we do or how we live, all of us will make heaven? Or
would we rather hear the truth instead of lies? Some may get rich but some of us
may lose all we have if we live for Christ. We still may be able to attend our
sports, theaters and entertainment but God may require some of us to walk away
from that to better serve Him.
Actually God has something better for us than what we think are good things. The
inheritance of the spiritual things far outweigh anything in this life. Stephen
had a reward waiting him in heaven that no person can ever take away. He is
enjoying that right now as I write. Eventually he would have died anyway so what
if he would have stopped preaching and saved his life? Where would he be today?
It will be worth it all in the long run but we need to tell people the truth. We
don't promise them that if they receive Christ, they will get rich and live the
life of Riley. It might not turn out that way but I can promise that once we
receive Jesus Christ in truth, we will never be sorry that we did.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that
love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
