Written ~ 06-10-2024
Read Acts Chapter Six
Acts 6
Today’s chapter is just fifteen verses, it might be that this chapter during your own study of the Bible is just skimmed over or overlooked completely. But it is important to see how the Apostles deal with discontent within the church, which will have us witness the assignment of the very first “deacons.”
Acts 6:1…
1 “But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.”
During this explosion of new believers in the first century church, there were people coming from all over to hear the message of Jesus and to have their sick healed. We see here in verse one that the Greek-speaking believers and the Hebrew-speaking believers were having a disagreement. The grievance was that widows from the Greek-speaking believers were getting overlooked during the food distribution. This caused discontent within the church and the complaining had reached the ears of the “Twelve.”
The Twelve Apostles made it clear that they were not going to handle a disagreement about food distribution, so in verses 6:2-4 they said…
“We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Seven men were chosen by the people to help with the more menial tasks among the people so the Apostles could focus on praying, teaching and preaching.
One of the men who was chosen was Stephen, he is described as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (vs.6:5). In verse 6:8 it says, “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.” As we can see here, Stephen was chosen to help with the distribution of food and help with what we would think of as mundane tasks. But this was important, the Twelve Apostles laid hands on the seven men, prayed for them and set them into this position for a reason.
Have you ever wondered what your purpose should be in the church? You know you want to be used by God, then an opportunity presents itself and it’s not exactly what you had in mind? God chooses us for reasons we may not fully understand at first. When I read about Stephen, here’s a man who is full of faith and God’s grace, he is filled with the Holy Spirit’s power and is performing miracles and signs among the people and God places him in food distribution and handling the discontent and grumbling of the believers. Doesn’t seem to fit, does it? But God used him right where he was, he may not have a lofty title or accolades and recognition, but God used him mightily among the people. When we are called to serve, we must complete the task at hand with everything the Lord has bestowed on us. Look at Stephen, he had these gifts bestowed on him – faith, grace, power to do miraculous signs and wonders, yet God placed him as a servant to the people and to help with the daily distribution of food. But that didn’t stop his gifts to shine through!
Stephen caught the attention of other men in the church, opposition arose when he spoke and performed amazing signs and wonders! These men would debate with him and in verse 6:10 it says… “None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.”
It seems, from the very first church there were doctrinal differences and debates about denomination contrasts. But instead on heeding to the Holy Spirit’s wisdom, these men decided to smear Stephen’s name and the message he preached.
Acts 6:11-14…
11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” 12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.
13 The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. 14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
Was it jealousy that caused these men to lie about Stephen? When he was arrested did they ever wonder if what Stephen said was truth and needed to be adhered to? Instead of consulting the Lord and pursuing an in-depth study of the Scriptures to see what Stephen said and did was from the Holy Spirit, they took matters into their own hands. In their lie, they said Stephen was actually speaking against the law of Moses and they even twisted the words of Jesus. All this was going on because there was a disagreement between what Stephen was saying and what the other men wanted to believe.
Never once do we see Stephen lash out or protest, from what I can tell, as accusations were flying about, he was calm, he let the Holy Spirit do what needed to be done in that situation…
Acts 6:15…
15 At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.
Many of us may not like confrontation, but when we walk in the footsteps of the Lord, we will come up against some kind of opposition… Is it right to get into heated debates? Is it time to firmly push your point to get it across? Or do you stand back, let the accusations fly and watch the Holy Spirit take over? If we stop, wait, and allow the Holy Spirit to show the Lord’s presence, those in opposition will be stunned by the light of Jesus shining through us.
No matter how God puts you to work for the Kingdom of Heaven, it does not mean your gifts cannot be used to the fullest extent. Even if you feel like you should be in a “higher” position, remember Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. God can use our gifts in many different capacities. We can learn from Stephen, it’s obvious this man had the Holy Spirit’s power working through him, but God wanted him to distribute food. Don’t limit what God can do in your life by waiting for a position that fits what you think your greatest gifts to be. You could miss out on beautiful opportunities to spread the Gospel message and have your light shine.
In Acts chapter seven we will witness what happens to Stephen when he answers the question, “Are these accusations true?”
For now, pray to your Father in Heaven, ask Him to place you in the area of service where He sees fit, allow your heart to be humbled if it isn’t what you expect. Be like Stephen and shine your light wherever you are!
~AMEN~