The Way - Day 030 (Acts 6)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Acts 6:1-15
The apostles' boldness in speaking the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit had resulted in many people repenting of sin and believing in the work of Jesus Christ. Thousands were being added to the church and the apostles, no doubt, became overwhelmed in their daily responsibilities. In fact, Luke writes that the number of Christ followers were multiplying so fast that some began complaining of neglect (6:1). Specifically, a group was upset with the apostles for not providing food for their widows. According to 1 Timothy 5:3-16, the church helped widows by providing the necessities of life if they had no other family around to assist them.
 
The apostles decided to address this problem so they gathered the many followers of Christ saying, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 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; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word" (6:2-4). Some may think the apostles are not fulfilling their duties in being servants, but God had commanded them to give their time to preaching/teaching the word and prayer. Being men of God's word and prayer were the ways they served the people. The people were to care for the needs of others and not expect the apostles to do all the work.

The people responded positively responded to the apostles' advice so they chose seven men, whom Luke mentions in Acts 6:5. As a result of people serving each other and the apostles being free to witness of Jesus Christ, the word of God continued to spread and many people were added to the church (6:7). Luke even mentions that many priests were also being converted (6:7b). One of the men who was chosen to assist the apostles in ministering to the people was named Stephen who was said to be "full of faith and power, [doing] great wonders and signs among the people" (6:8). Maybe because so many priests were being converted to Christ, the leadership of several synagogues became upset and seemingly engaged Stephen in a debate (6:9). This debate probably surrounded his teachings about Jesus Christ; however, because of Stephen's wisdom and the "Spirit by which he spoke" the leaders were not able to overcome him (6:10).
 
The leaders decided to spread lies about Stephen saying that he had spoken blasphemous words against Moses and God (6:11). As a result of their deception, "they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council" (6:12). A false witness rose up saying, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us" (6:14). This was a lie since Jesus was not referring to destroying the temple, but that His own body would be destroyed (John 2:19-22). As the council peered at Stephen, Luke writes that they "saw his face as the face of an angel" (6:15). Even on the verge of persecution, Stephen remained calm and focused on the truth about Jesus Christ. He was not willing to give in or compromise.

Dear God, thank You for raising up men of faith and boldness in the early church who stood firm even in the face of opposition. May You fill the modern day church with men of faith and power who will also stand against attacks on the truth.