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Acts: The Seven Deacons
June 18, 2016

Last week we saw the power of God when two people tried to lie about how they were supporting the church, and how God worked a miracle so that the gospel could continue to be preached. This week we find out that as the church grew quickly, so did tension among the congregation. The apostles had a choice to make of either abandoning the preaching of the gospel or taking care of the physical needs of the church. Instead, they came up with a third option and appointed deacons to run the day-to-day affairs of the church.

Acts 6:1-4
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Ethnic tension was part of the church from its inception. The widows of Jews of Grecian heritage were not receiving their part of the daily food distribution and claimed that only the widows of Hebrew heritage were receiving this food. The apostles understood the urgency of the situation but also saw that this issue could potentially disrupt their ability to preach the gospel. Instead of abandoning their mission to preach the gospel, they asked everyone to think about and find seven men who were known for their honesty and spiritual connection to God who could be trusted to make sure the food distribution would be handled fairly.

Acts 6:5-10
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

The congregation did select seven men to be deacons including Stephen. Several other men were also selected including a recent immigrant from Antioch. The apostles prayed over these men using the laying on of hands as part of a religious ceremony. Because the apostles could now focus on preaching the gospel, the church in Jerusalem grew quickly. Even priests became members of the church. Even as a deacon, Stephen was known for his communication skills. It was hard to dispute his words as he was found to be right. He also became known as a person surrounded by wonders and miracles.

Acts 6:11-15
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Losing the debate with Stephen time after time, they convinced a few people to lie about what Stephen had said. They would go on to claim that Stephen had said blasphemous words against Moses and God and told this lie over and over to other people on the street, and people who worked in the temple. Stephen was brought to the council to hear the case and witnesses lied to the council about what he said. When the council looked at Stephen for a reaction, he seemed to be incredibly at peace with himself. His face reminded everyone of what an angel's face would look like.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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