Lesson 10 – The Choosing of the Seven

Lesson 10 – The Choosing of the Seven January 6, 2013

Review • The date is uncertain, but probably within the first few years of the church • Early ‘30s AD • It has been estimated that the church in Jerusalem could have been as large as 20,000 men, women and children by this time • The movement continues to grow and spread The Acts of the Apostles

A Problem … • Acts 6:1 • 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. The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • Who were the Hellenistic Jews? • Jews of the Diaspora • What distinguished them from Hebrews? • Hellenistic Jews spoke Greek, read from the Septuagint and attended Greek-speaking synagogues • Hebrews spoke Hebrew or Aramaic, read from the Hebrew scriptures and attended Hebrew-speaking synagogues or the Temple services The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • What was the complaint that arose? • At whom was it directed? • The Grecian widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution from the common “purse” • Either food or the money to buy it • There may have been some preferential treatment towards Hebrews involved – or at least perceived The Acts of the Apostles

The Response of the Twelve • Acts 6:2-4 • 2So 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. 3Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • It would appear that the daily distribution was been handled personally by the Twelve • Why would the Twelve think it undesirable for them to continue to serve tables? • They were eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus • It was imperative that they be involved in preaching and ministry • The time has come to charge others with daily service The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • How do they propose to handle the issue? • Note that the Twelve did not choose those who would serve • This is an example of the congregation making the selection of servants • A foundational principle of Restoration churches The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • What were the qualifications to be for these men? • Good reputation • Full of the Spirit • Full of wisdom • What value would each provide in this service? The Acts of the Apostles

Seven Men Chosen • Acts 6:5 • 5The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • All seven have Greek names • Stephen is singled out as being full of the Spirit • Nicolas is singled out as being a proselyte and an Antiochian • We never hear of the last five again • Though some commentators would associate Nicolas with the Nicolaitans mentioned in Revelation The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • Were these men deacons? • The Greek word for deacon, diakonos, does not appear in the text • Though the related word diakonia does as “distribution” and “ministry” • The verb diakoneō also appears as “serve” • While these men were not noted as deacons here, the service that they performed was worth of the role The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • This again as an example for Restoration churches • We don’t have recorded the first appointment of deacons before Paul’s instructions to Timothy and Titus • Likewise, we don’t have record of the first appointment of elders before the Jerusalem Council The Acts of the Apostles

The Seven “Installed” • Acts 6:6 • 6And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • What was the purpose of the laying on of hands? • Passing on the power of miraculous works? • All were to be full of the Spirit • Stephen specifically mentioned as such • Symbolic? • At the very least, it was a symbolic gesture signifying blessing and empowerment • Numerous OT examples The Acts of the Apostles

Continuing to Grow • Acts 6:7 • 7The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. The Acts of the Apostles

For Discussion • The “defection” of a large number of priests is indicative of the emptiness of the remnants of the Jewish system • Probably not those of the High Priestly order • With this problem addressed, the church continues to grow and spread • The church MUST address her problems, solve them, and move on in order to grow! The Acts of the Apostles

Next Week • Lesson 11 – Stephen Arrested QUESTIONS? The Acts of the Apostles

Lesson 10 – The Choosing of the Seven