Continuing in Prayer and the Word

Acts 6:1-15 

Seven Chosen to Serve

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us." 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Here we find the apostles being distracted by much necessary serving like Martha in Luke 10:40-42 when she could not be attentive to the things of God because she did not stop to rest and concentrate on hearing God’s word.  Likewise, the apostles in the early church noticed their time for the word of God and prayer being consumed by the necessary service to the needy and looked to the Lord for a solution as the Spirit guided them.  They gathered all the growing number of disciples together and tasked them to choose faithful and godly men to be those dedicated and devoted to serving the needs of the growing church community.  This is the pattern which evolved later into deacons as we know them today, servants in the church much like the Levites had responsibilities for the tabernacle and temple maintenance but extending to the needs of the people themselves in the new temple of the church.  The church was asked to identify seven good men filled with the Holy Spirit and godly wisdom in applying God’s word to be put into this role of service.  This freed the apostles which can be view as the role of elders/bishops as overseers and shepherds who are also committed to praying and ministry of God’s word to the flock.  This was most acceptable to the church and they put seven into service by laying hands on them and praying to install them into this ministry, among whom was the notable Stephen whom we read more of soon, “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” as the account tells us.  Then God’s word of the gospel spread even more once the apostles had more time devoted to the word and prayer in shepherding the new flock to increasingly maturity in Christ and effective witnesses for the gospel themselves.  Yes, this pattern begun with Moses appointing seventy men as elders to minister and Levites to take care of the temple service (Numbers 18:6)  had come to a more full employment in the church of Jesus Christ in Acts by the enabling and guidance of the Holy Spirit’s acts through the apostles and their designated servants for the work of the body of Christ which is the church.  Even Jewish priests saw the pattern of scripture in the gospel of God’s word come to life and believed into Jesus with obedience to the faith (John 6:29) to receive and follow Him.  We seee the first fruit of this institution of the servants (deacons) in the life of Stephen, “full of faith and power” who spoke with God’s wisdom as he served.  Unfortunately, there were ungodly men who opposed God and His word ministered through this godly man and set false witnesses against him as they did to the Lord Jesus that they might find a lawful excuse to kill him and stop the work and word of God observed in this man.  In face of all these false accusations, this godly servant of Christ looked as an innocent angel before those false allegations just as Jesus had before Pilate.  Those who serve God will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12) for the gospel because our enemy is in hot pursuit (Revelation 12:9, 17) of all who serve and follow Jesus Christ but the Lord will crush the enemy (Genesis 3:15, Romans 16:20) in the end just as He conquered death and our sins’ consequences by His sacrifice for our forgiveness of sin.  We therefore continue to serve in our roles as shepherds, servants, and with all the other gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11) to mature the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13, 15-16) in serving Him as we continue in the word of God and prayer through the offices and roles of the church.