Acts 6:1-7 “Choosing the Seven” “Division in the Body of Christ”

Introduction. 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.

Introduction 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 5 A vibrant community empowered by the Holy Spirit indwelling their livesA vibrant community empowered by the Holy Spirit indwelling their lives God strengthened his people to resist and persevere God moved with powerful discipline The religious rulers began to persecute the church Hypocrisy began to develop within the community

Review of chapter 5 A vibrant community empowered by the Holy Spirit indwelling their lives A third attack to render them ineffective = Internal division

Acts 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. 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; 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; - Division What 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; - Division Effects 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; - Division 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 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:

What we must strive to ACHIEVE A Unified Group Loving 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 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) Key Event Key Event

Grecian 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? The Hellenists were complaining the Hebrews were receiving more then they were.

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; 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 Complaint The 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 Proposed A 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 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; - Division 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; - Division 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” 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 - Solution 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. 21 3

Acts 6:3; - Solution 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 - Sahara

Acts 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: “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? Acts 6:3; QUESTION:

Fruit of the Spirit NIV Paul lists the fruit(s) of the Spirit in Galatians 5: 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: 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 - 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; - Solution This profile for spiritual leadership fits with other NT examples