Sermons From Acts - The Selection Of The Seven (6:1-7)

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                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                  The Selection Of The Seven (6:1-7)

INTRODUCTION

1. As the disciples in Jerusalem increased, problems increased as
   well...
   a. Problems from without - Ac 4:1-3; 5:17-18
   b. Problems from within - Ac 5:1-11

2. In chapter six of Acts, difficulties continue...
   a. Complaints from those within - Ac 6:1-7
   b. Persecution from those without - Ac 6:8-15

[In Ac 6:1-7, with "The Selection Of The Seven" we read how the church
successfully addressed a serious complication...]

I. THE PROBLEM

   A. CHURCH GROWTH...
      1. The number of the disciples was multiplying - Ac 6:1; cf. Ac
         2:41; 4:4; 5:14
      2. Increasing numbers in a congregation often lead to problems
         a. It is more difficult to know everyone
         b. Cliques begin to form based on common interests
         c. Misunderstandings become more frequent

   B. HELLENISTS VS. HEBREWS...
      1. Hellenists 
         a. Jews living in Jerusalem but originally connected with
            Diaspora Judaism and characterized by the use of Greek as 
            their principle language, especially for worship and 
            scripture - AYBD
         b. The Hellenists in Ac 6:1 are Christian Jews, while in Ac
            9:29 they represent the larger group of Diaspora Jews who 
            have not converted - ibid.
      2. Hebrews
         a. Aramaic-speaking Jews who held to their native language and
            culture
         b. In this passage they are evidently Christian Jews as well

   C. DAILY DISTRIBUTION...
      1. Feature of communal Christianity practiced in Jerusalem - Ac
         6:1; cf. Ac 2:44-45; 4:35
      2. Which was not the norm practiced elsewhere - see "Communal
         Christianity"
   
   D. NEGLECT OF WIDOWS...
      1. Churches would provide support for widows, with qualification
         - cf. 1Ti 5:3-16
      2. The Hellenist widows were being neglected - Ac 6:1
      3. Leading to a complaint by the Hellenists against the Hebrews

   E. DISTRACTING THE APOSTLES...
      1. The twelve (apostles) summon the multitude - Ac 6:2
      2. "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and
         serve tables"
      3. Leaders should not be distracted from their primary
         responsibilities - e.g., Exo 18:13-26  
      4. Note well:  The apostles' duty was prayer and the ministry of
         the Word - cf. Ac 6:4

[The problem threatened the care of the widows, the unity of the church
and the spread of the Word.  The solution serves as an example for
solving church-related problems...]

II. THE SOLUTION

   A. THE APOSTLES PROPOSED...
      1. The apostles summon the multitude of disciples - Ac 6:2
      2. The apostles explain the problem to the disciples - ibid.
      3. The apostles propose a solution - Ac 6:3-4
         a. The congregation to select seven men
         b. Men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom
         c. Whom the apostles could appoint over the distribution
         d. So the apostles can be devoted to prayer and the Word

   B. THE MULTITUDE PLEASED...
      1. The proposal pleases the multitude - Ac 6:5
      2. They select seven men - ibid.
         a. Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, later the
            first martyr - Ac 7:57-60
         b. Philip, who later served as an evangelist - Ac 8:4; 21:8
         c. Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a
            proselyte from Antioch
      3. Note well:  the church, while mostly Hebrews, appointed seven
         Hellenists!

   C. THE SEVEN APPOINTED...
      1. Set before the apostles by the multitude - Ac 6:6
      2. Appointed with prayer and the laying on of hands - ibid.
         a. Indicating acceptance and approval of those who have been
            selected by the congregation - cf. 1Ti 5:22
         b. Beseeching God's blessing and protection on those who serve
            - cf. Ac 13:1-3
         c. It may have also involved imparting a miraculous measure of
            the Holy Spirit via the apostles - cf. Ac 6:8; 8:6-7,18; 
            19:6; Ro 1:11

[The congregation was pleased, and the widows' need was met.  Not
surprising, therefore, was...]

III. THE RESULT

   A. WORD WAS SPREAD...
      1. Once again the Word of God had free course - Ac 6:7; cf. 2Th
         3:1
      2. They were able to devote themselves to the ministry of the
         Word - cf. Ac 5:42 

   B. DISCIPLES WERE MULTIPLIED...
      1. Once again the growth of the church grew exponentially - Ac 6:7
      2. Which is what happens when the Word of God is spread - cf. Ac
         2:41,47; 4:4
    
   C. PRIESTS WERE OBEDIENT...
      1. A great many of the priests were obedient to the faith - Ac 6:7
      2. Perhaps many who earlier believed but were ashamed to confess
         - cf. Jn 12:42-43

CONCLUSION

1. Church problems are a common occurrence...
   a. Especially as churches grow rapidly
   b. Satan does what he can to hinder growth - cf. Mt 13:24-25

2. Church problems can be a great hindrance...
   a. Creating ill will among members
   b. Distracting members from important tasks

3. Church problems can be solved successfully...
   a. By informing the congregation of the problem
   b. By involving the congregation in finding a solution

From "The Selection Of The Seven", a congregation can learn how to turn a
trial into a triumph...!
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