Lesson 10 : The Selection of Seven Servants & The Arrest of Stephen (6:1-15)

1. Lesson 10:The Selection of Seven Servants & The Arrest of Stephen (6:1-15)

2. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Seven servants were selected to serve the church (6:1-6). • With the growth of the church, it was now made up of a mixture of Jews (6:1). • A need among the Grecian brethren was raised by way of complaint (6:1). • The wisdom of the inspired plan ensured the proper men served in the proper roles. • The apostles served in the preaching and teaching of the word of God (6:2-4). • They would “put [other men] in charge of this task” (NASB), “over” it (6:3). • The apostles would steadfastly continue in the “service” of the word (6:4).

3. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • In the church, there is not a serving class and a class being served. • The Hebrew & the Hellenist Christians were equally members of the body of Christ. • Therefore, the Hellenists could equally be appointed “over” a task to serve. • There is a need in the church today for men to be able to serve in their proper roles! • Shepherds need to be able to shepherd. Preachers need to be able to preach. • Deacons need to be able to “deac” – i.e., serve (Greek diakonos). • When “every part does its share,” it “causes growth of the body” (Eph. 4:11-16).

4. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Seven servants were selected to serve the church (6:1-6). • The wisdom of the inspired plan empowered the disgruntled to fix the problem (6:3-6). • Neither the apostles nor the “Hebrews” fixed the problem for the Hellenists. • The Hellenists were to seek out from among themselves qualified men. • The church desired to maintain unity, so the solution was well-pleasing to them. • The Hellenists chose seven Hellenists (the names in verses 5-6 are Greek names). • The apostles laid hands on the seven men to bestow miraculous gifts of the Spirit.

5. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • While Scripture gives the qualifications for church leaders, it does not specify a selection and appointment process. That is an expedient, left up to each individual congregation. • There is apostolic precedent, though, for the choosing of church leaders in Acts 6. • The congregation was involved. They looked out among them, using qualifications.

6. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • The growth of the church reached another level with many priests being converted (6:7). • “The word of God was spreading constantly” – the cause is stated for the effect. • “The number of the disciples kept on multiplying greatly” because the word spread. • “A great many of the priests were obedient” – the power of the gospel was at work. • The priests were “obedient to the faith.”

7. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The church continued to grow & multiply because the word was continually spread (6:7). • When we don’t “leave the word of God” but instead “give ourselves continually…to the ministry of the word,” then “the word of God [will] spread” (6:2, 4, 7). • There’s a direct link between the spread of God’s word & the growth of the church. • Conversion requires “obedience to the faith”! • Salvation is not by faith alone! Full obedience to God’s plan is required to be saved!

8. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • “The faith” is not subjective faith in one’s heart but an objective body of truth (6:7). • “The faith” is “the gospel” system (read Galatians 1:11, 23; 1 Timothy 5:8; Jude 3). • There is only “one faith” (Eph. 4:5), and it is absolute, emphasized by “one” & “the”! • The apostles devoted themselves to serving and spreading “the word” (6:2, 4, 7). • “The faith” involves facts to believe, commands to obey and promises to receive.

9. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Stephen was arrested and put on trial after disputing with the Pharisees (6:8-15). • God’s favor & power were evident thru the signs & wonders that Stephen did (6:8). • There were many synagogues in Jerusalem, set up during the intertestamental period. • Pharisees from the synagogue were having an on-going dispute with Stephen (6:9). • The divine truth was inescapable and could not be withstood (6:10). • The Pharisees were not only losing the dispute, but losing publicly. • Stephen was arrested & brought before the Sanhedrin (like Jesus & the apostles) (12). • False witnesses were “set up” to claim Stephen blasphemed Moses & God (6:11-14). • Members of the Sanhedrin stared at Stephen, as his face was like an angel (6:15).

10. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Early Christians were openly engaging in debates about the truth of God’s Word (6:9). • Christianity is not a passive, get-pushed-around religion. • With open debates, at the least people are able to hear both sides of an argument. • While truth can be disobeyed, it cannot be escaped. Truth cannot “be answered”!

11. III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives • It is possible (and beneficial) for needs to be expressed without complaining! • If one is bold enough to complain about something, he should be willing to work the fix! • Am I one of good reputation, bearing the fruit of the Spirit and full of wisdom? • If church growth depended on me (and it does), how much am I spreading the gospel?