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

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.”

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!

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.

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).

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”!

Practical Points of Application for Our Lives 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?