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The Book of Acts
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BIBLE STUDY ACTS 6:1-15 REVIEW: Chapter 5 began with an interesting story of what happened to Ananias and Sapphira when they sold a piece of property in order to give the proceeds for the ministries of the church, but kept back some of the proceeds for themselves. The sin seems to be not so much in their keeping some of the proceeds, but misrepresenting and lying about it. When confronted about that, they both immediately died. As Pastor Josh mentioned, this story seems to be reminiscent of the Old Testament story of Achan’s sin in the book of Joshua – when he kept some of the spoils from the Israelite conquest, which had been “devoted” to the LORD, for himself. Offerings to the LORD are holy, and are not to be used for self-gratification in any way. Pastor Josh also noted that when Ananias and Sapphira kept some of the proceeds for themselves and lied about it, they also separated themselves spiritually from the body of believers and from God himself. Their physical deaths thus showed what had already happened to them spiritually. The church, however, continued to grow – and many signs and wonders were being done through the apostles. Many sick persons were healed and many who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured – thus showing that the power of the risen Jesus Christ was now working through his followers. Luke then writes that in reaction to this, the high priest and his party were “filled with jealousy” and arrested the apostles. Even that, however, failed to keep them from teaching and showing the people about the new life that was coming into their midst – they were miraculously freed from prison by an angel. Rearrested, the apostles boldly witness to the Sanhedrin council about Jesus. Thanks to a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel – who counseled the others that the apostles might be doing God’s work, the council leadership decided to adopt a “wait and see” policy. Gamaliel may not have understood or believed in what the apostles were doing, but at least he did not automatically oppose them. CHAPTER 6:1-7 “The Commissioning of the Deacons” “Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” In this section we have a record of the first controversy within the Christian church. The “Hellenists” were probably Jews who had adopted Greek customs in contrast with the more conservative “Hebrews”. This was a tension that was characteristic of first century Judaism, and now it was the source of conflict within the Church as well. The “flashpoint” that brought these tensions out into the open was that the Hellenists felt that their widows were not being treated fairly by the Hebrew Jewish-Christians in the daily distribution of food. Even if not intended, prejudice was leading to discriminatory practices. If nothing else, this was threatening the unity of Christian community – they were no longer “of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32). Prior to this, the twelve had been administering the financial affairs of the community. As we heard in chapters 4 and 5, people would bring their money at “lay it at the apostles’ feet.” As Luke portrays it, their administrative responsibilities were taking up more and more of the apostles’ time, so that they had less and less time to do what they felt called to do – teach and preach the word of God. The apostles’ solution was that the community should select seven men from among themselves to do the work of administration. The phrase “wait on tables” means to be in charge of financial affairs and to do the work of providing for physical needs of people. “Apostolic authority” was preserved in the sense that these seven were then appointed and commissioned by the twelve. It is noteworthy that of the seven chosen by the community, most if not all of them apparently were “Hellenists” – these are all “Greek” names! Now that their “own” were in charge of the finances and distribution of food, the Hellenists had no further grounds for complaining against the Hebrews. Besides recording the actual conflict and its solution, Luke also apparently had another reason for writing about it at this point in his book. This story serves as a “bridge” to show how spiritual authority was bestowed on those who would carry the gospel message beyond Jerusalem. From now on the “twelve” is never mentioned again as a group. From now on, there is a “transition” in the leadership of the church. Although the “seven” are supposedly commissioned to “wait on tables”, there is no mention of them actually doing that! Instead, Stephen and then later Philip are shown as proclaiming the word of God and doing “signs and wonders” in the very same way that they apostles had been doing (the other five are never mentioned again)! The point here is that just as the apostles had originally been in charge of both “proclaiming the word” and “administering the financial affairs of the church” – so now their “apostolic authority” has been transmitted to a new group of leaders through the laying on of hands. Now the “seven” are recognized as worthy prophetic successors of the “twelve” – just as Joshua had been commissioned and recognized as being a worthy successor of Moses in Deuteronomy 31:7-8, 23. CHAPTER 6:8-15 “The Arrest of Stephen” “Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” Stephen is described by Luke in precisely the same terms as used previously about Jesus and then later the twelve. He is “full of grace and power” and does “great signs and wonders”. For similar descriptions about Jesus, see Lk. 4:1, 4:14, 5:17. About the twelve, see Lk. 9:1, 24:49, Acts 2:43, 4:8, 4:31, 5:12. Like Jesus and then the twelve, the prophetic ministry of Stephen also generates opposition. This time, however, the opponents are Hellenistic Jews from the “Diaspora” – that is, Jews who primarily lived in countries other than Judea. Their rejection of Stephen’s message anticipates the future rejection that Paul and others will later encounter from Diaspora Jews during their missionary journeys. Stephen is shown to be a prophet in that his ministry models that of Jesus himself. First, as Luke states, “they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke” – explicitly fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy in Lk. 21:15 that “I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.” Secondly, the succession of events leading to Stephen’s speech in chapter 7 imitates the sequence of Jesus’ passion as detailed by Luke and other Synoptic Gospel writers – such as having opponents confront and argue with him (see Lk. 20); seizing him and bringing him before the council (see Lk. 22:54, 66); accusing him of blasphemy (see Mt. 26:65); stirring up the people (see Mt. 27:20, Mk. 15:11); the setting up of false witnesses (see Mt. 26:59-61) and their charge that Jesus would destroy the temple (see Mt. 26:61, Mk. 14:58). The overall point is that the Church, here specifically as represented by Stephen, is continuing and “re-enacting” the ministry of Jesus. So it continues to be with us today. Even now, “signs and wonders” will continue to be done through the power of Jesus’ Spirit working among us and through us. Even now, opposition will arise when the Gospel is proclaimed. But yet even now, Jesus will continue to be with us and give us his wisdom and power as we do his ministry in the world today! So may it be – in his Name. Amen! -------------------- George R. Karres, Pella Lutheran Church 418 W. Main Street Sidney, MT 59270
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