Acts Chapter 6.

Acts Chapter 6.

The Seven.                    6:1-6.

Progress summary.      6:7.

Steven.                          6:8-15.  (B-D. 1216).

           

The chapter contains the second threat to the internal unity of the Church, - a murmuring over the neglect of a section of widows.

           

Christianity was still confined to Jews, but Jewish believers could be classed as Hebrews, or as Hellenists.  B-D. 494.

           

Various opinions have been expressed about these two classes of Jewish believers.  Cullmann regards the Hellenists as converts from a non-conformist Judaism in Palestine, that included Hellenistic elements.  Matthew Black disagrees with Cullmann and holds that the Hebrews provide the general connection with this non-conformist Judaism and primitive Christianity.  Moule thinks the Hellenists were Jews who read the Scriptures and worshipped only in Greek, but that the Hebrews understood Aramaic, perhaps also Hebrew, and probably used Greek as well.  The Hellenist spoke only Greek.  See Greek, B-D. 494.

Theological Assessment.

           

Church Ministry.

           

*   The chief concern was the unity of the Church.  Discontent and murmuring are the product of division.  The unity of the Empire was maintained by military force but the unity of the Church is maintained by mutual love among the members of the Christian brotherhood.  It is not Institutionalism that confers unity upon the Church.  However, a measure of organization is sometimes necessary to promote love and to avoid friction.  When such is the case, the necessary organization is justified.

           

In the face of this threat to unity the apostles took immediate action.  They did not hesitate to establish a new precedent if the situation required it.  They saw no reason to hold to a procedure that was no longer adequate.

           

*   The appointment of the Seven.   Numbers 11:1-25, provide them with a Biblical precedent, (see also, 27:16-23).  The Church at Jerusalem now faced a similar crisis to ancient Israel, the Church in the Wilderness (7:38).  It was the problem of unity.  The revolt against Moses and the murmurings were a sign of Israel's weakening purpose, but steps were taken to maintain unity.  The apostles did not ignore this threat to unity.

           

*   Social service.  The relief of the poor was taken seriously in the early Church.  Such ministry strengthened the sense of brotherhood.  Its exercise required spiritual men.

           

*   Evangelism.  Steven (a crown), was a model witness.  Preaching is essentially a form of witnessing.  He had an excellent knowledge of the Scriptures.  This is always a great source of power to the witness of Christ.

           

He understood the Divine plan and the significance of the Gospel age.  He saw the temporary character of the Law of Moses, the Temple and its worship.  He battled against nationalism and traditionalism and by his ministry made possible the rise of a distinctly Christian Church.

           

His boldness and Joy.   He saw opportunities and seized them in the face of bitter opposition.  His courage never failed and his joy could not be suppressed.  There was a quality in his witness that marked him out as one of the greatest men of the early Church.  His brief career must have had far-reaching implications for future times.

           

His Christ-like character.   The spiritual man has the Spirit and character of Christ.  This was fully displayed in his prayer for his enemies.  This was the climax of his witness and the manifestation of the mind of Christ.  He was marked out as a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit.  (6:5).

           

His arrest.   His opponents were no match for Steven's argument, but they perceived the logical outcome of his teaching and resorted to violence to stop it.

           

His death.   After his death persecution - led to the expansion of the Church.  Thus his death accomplished more than his life.