[:en]SCRIPTURE: ACTS 6
“Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give more attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:3-4)
THE CHOOSING OF THE SEVEN (vs. 1-7)
The assembly increased rapidly. The growth of the church started from 3,000 (Acts 2:41) to 5,000 (Acts 4:4) and continued to multiply greatly (Acts 6:7). The Grecian Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the distribution of food. So the 12 apostles gathered the disciples and agreed to choose 7 men from among them who were full of the Spirit and wisdom. They will be responsible for the distribution of food while the apostles would concentrate on the ministry of the Word of God and prayer. The 7 men chosen were: Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas.
STEPHEN SEIZED (vs. 8-15)
Stephen was a man full of God’s grace and power. He did great wonder and miraculous signs. Members of the synagogues of the Freedmen – Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Calicia and Asia were envious of Stephen’s wisdom. They opposed him and stirred up people to persecute him. They hired false witnesses and accused him of blaspheming Moses and the Law when he said: “This Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the temple”
SUMMARY:
The prime ministries of a pastor are prayer and the Word of God. If we want to increase the spiritual power of the church, do not burden them with other ministries. “Deacons” are to take care of the material needs of the church members and assist the pastor in counsel and service.
The name of Stephen means “crown”. He had a good reputation among the believers and was a man with Spirit and wisdom. The synagogues of the Freedmen was made up of Roman Jews who were descendants of Hebrew slaves but had been set free. They argued with Stephen but could not withstood his wisdom. So they testified that he spoke against Moses’ Law. When they seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin, they saw Stephen’s face radiated the glory of God like the face of an angel.
In your faithful service to the Lord, expect oppositions and trials. But fear not because God will honor your faith and give you the power of the Spirit to exercise your gifts.
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