|
Acts 6:1-8 As we continue our series in the book of Acts and the first century �ecclesia� we find a situation occuring because of the phenominal growth in believer�s since Pentecost. The words �In those days� indicate a passage of time. In 5:42 we find the believer�s meeting daily, not only in the temple but in every house, teaching and preaching. This resulted in many Jews and Greeks accepting Jesus Christ by identifying with �the name� and living in the �way.� This presented somewhat of a problem for the Apostles. 1. THE PROBLEM (VERSE 1) The problem became a matter of distributing food and goods to those in need. How did this come about. We begin with Jesus on the Mount of Olives giving the command, �GO ye therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.� Mark 16:15. This command was followed by another, �...TARRY in the city of Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high.� Luke 24:49. They were told to GO but before they could go, they needed the power and ability to go.
Today we have many who are going without first receiving the necessary abilitites needed to go. This growth brought with it hardships, reprisal from the religious community, loss of property and means to make a living (jobs). In order to meet this �crisis� the Christians pooled their resources and shared commonly. It appears that prejudice reared its ugly face in this culturally divers new society. The Jewish widows were receiving their portions while the Hellenist were being neglected. (Hellenists were Jews who had adopted Greek language and culture.) Until this time the Apostles were overseeing the distribution of goods (Acts 5:35), but this rapid growth overwhelmed their ability and the ministry of the Word suffered. This created a need for a new order of Christian workers. (6:2) 2. THE SOLUTION (VERSE 3)
A ministry of Servants was needed to assist the Apostles and meet the emerging and existing needs of the people. Somewhere over the years we have lost the idea and incentive for service. This is not only true with �deacons� but with Christians in general. We don�t want to serve in the area of;
We do not want to serve - period. I have heard on many occassions, "Well, that's what we pay a preacher for!" Therefore, the greatest and most necessary work in the world becomes lazy, fat and flabby.
H ow did Paul intend to solve the problem? By creating a new order of workers. This was not creating a new office or position, but servant of the church.
a) Method: Notice in Acts 1:15-26, the Apostles �by lots� sought to replace Judas. With the help of God, they were going to elect another. Here, it was to be from the disciples, �from among you� They would seek out men who met a certain criteria.
b) Requirements: What were the requirements for these new Christian workers?
When the people found men meeting the requirements they we presented to the Apostles . Prayer was made and the men were approved by the laying on of hands. This wasn�t to bestow the Holy Ghost but to bless and identify with them in the work.
c) Results: V.7, the Word of God spread and many were added to the Lord.
3. CONCLUSION
I would like to conclude with a question. Why from among the �seven� do we have two stand-outs as men of distinction in the church? Stephen and Phillip. One thing is for sure, it was not because of position or title but because of personal faithfulness in two
particular areas. It was in their;
Stephen was willing to defend the faith at the risk of his life and Phillip was willing to go and proclaim Christ. In any case, the choice of the seven was meant for service not, as we think today, a board of Deacons to control or give orders, but to help and assist the Apostles so that the study and preaching of the Word of God would not suffer.
There is a seaching for identity and place of usefulness going on among us all. This identity and place of usefulness can be found by setting out to do the will of God through the instrumentality of the church. Remember, God has placed us in the body as it pleased Him - for His purpose. And it is in His body that we find our place of service which will result in more people being added �unto the Lord�
|