Acts 6 reminds me of the first day of Kindergarten. I remember immediately hating it. It felt just like the new shoes I was forced to wear after being barefoot all summer. I just wanted to escape. Today’s lesson is about challenging the establishment. As the early church grew in number, simple tasks became more difficult to manage, raising complaints of unfairness. “The Hellenistic Jews” that had adopted the Greek language and culture “complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked“. Schisms can develop over minor things when no one listens. The twelve apostles agreed together “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God in order to wait on tables”. The work was not beneath them; they had larger responsibilities that required their time. So they “choose seven men” who were “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom”. Delegating duties and authority to the right people is an essential step in the successful management of every organization. Wisdom is observable. Those that are faithful with the little things are easily trusted with more. How do we know if someone has God’s Spirit upon them? When their words line up with actions and attitude it often confirms their calling. “We will turn this responsibility over to them and… give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word”. This proposal pleased everyone. Are you willing to let go of things to focus on what is best?
We are given the names of those selected, and the process for approving them. Only a few of the names are familiar, reminding us that true servants rarely receive public recognition. “They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism”. Their names were primarily Greek, a wonderful reminder of the equality of God’s grace. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). After they were selected, the apostles “prayed and laid their hands on them”. Touch is such an important need for all people. Faith can be released in others when we combine prayer and a simple point of touch. “So the Word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith”. When God’s Word is spoken, lives are changed, but do not expect the establishment to accept that change.
As lives are transformed by faith, old allies can become adversarial. When I willingly chose to accept the authority of Christ, some friends saw that as a personal accusation of their lifestyle. “Stephen…performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue”. First they publically debated, “But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke”. Next they began to spread false rumors, claiming “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God”. They stirred up the corrupt Temple leadership, and “They seized Stephen”, brought him before the Jewish High Court, and “They produced false witnesses”. When those in power encounter opposition, they restrain freedoms even more. They falsely charged, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law… we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down”. It is very uncomfortable to be falsely accused. Stephen offered freedom from the bondage of the Law because he too experienced forgiveness. The high court officials “looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel”. Friend, are you ready to be educated in God’s grace?