The Sunday School Lesson

ACTS 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Gre'cians against the He'brews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 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.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Ho'ly Ghost 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 Ste'phen, a man full of faith and of the Ho'ly Ghost, and Phil'ip, and Proch'o-rus, and Nica'nor, and Ti'mon, and Par'me-nas, and Nic'o-las a proselyte of An'ti-och.

8 And Ste'phen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Lib'er-tines, and Cyre'ni-ans, and Al-ex-an'dri-ans, and of them of Cili'cia and of A'sia, disputing with Ste'phen.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Mo'ses, and against God.

12 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,

13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

14 For we have heard him say, that this Je'sus of Naz'a-reth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Mo'ses delivered us.

15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

HEART OF THE LESSON

1. A dilemma for the growing church (Acts 6:1- 2). The growing church in Jerusalem faced both a logistical problem and the apparent intrusion of secular prejudices. The number of people was growing, including the number of widows, but the number of designated people to help the widows was not keeping up with their increasing number,

One group within the church was the Hellenistic or Greek-speaking, Jews, those who came from outside Israel and who did not speak Aramaic. This situation was a reflection of the Jewish world, in which there were conflicts between the Aramaic-speaking and the Greek-speaking Jews. The complaint arose that the Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in favor of the Aramaic-speaking widows.

The twelve disciples recognized their own true responsibilities. They were responsible for studying, teaching, and preaching the Scriptures. To do otherwise would erode the vital role of the Bible in the early church.

2. The solution (Acts 6:3-5). The disciples informed the church about their priorities and advised that seven godly men be selected. Their responsibility would be to carry out the physical duties of caring for the widows. These men were to have exemplary character, and they were to be filled with the Holy Spirit, Although the ministry for which the men were chosen was primarily that of meeting physical needs, they nevertheless needed spiritual qualifications.

The church was given the responsibility of recognizing these men with special gifts and calling them out for special service. The apostles then prayed and laid hands upon them.

Of the seven men chosen, Luke focused on Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.

3. Stephen and his gifts (Acts 6:8-15). Luke wrote that Stephen, empowered spiritually, did great miracles. His ministry blossomed beyond merely serving the widows.

Allowed to use his gifts freely, he became a powerful apologist for the faith. His gifts were tested so successfully against the Synagogue of the Freedmen that they could not dispute him.

Stephen s opponents, unable to dispute his powerful testimony, changed tactics They resorted to false accusations

His testings and opportunities for testimony increased as he was brought before the Sanhedrin Even though his accusers lied about him the Lord used the occasion to allow Stephen to give his greatest speech, a dynamic message that earned a key place in Scripture

Stephen was chosen to free the twelve disciples from earthly obligations and enable them to concentrate on the Scriptures. Ironically, his life as a servant led to his becoming a prominent part of Scripture itself.

Stephen's story is a powerful example for the church as a whole and for individual believers. The church's requirement for ministry tasks was spiritual maturity. Once individuals are recognized for their spiritual maturity, they often have the confidence to grow and serve in greater capacities,

From Stephen's perspective, his opportunity opened for service because he had already demonstrated spiritual maturity, He was not satisfied, however, to serve only in his assigned task. He used the opportunity to grow and become a powerful witness and martyr.

QUESTIONS

1. What was the main function of the apostles at this time? Why did they not want to leave this work?

2. How were the men selected who were to help meet the needs of certain widows?

3. What three qualifications were laid down for these men?

(Reprinted by permission of The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society and Union Gospel Press, P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101)