The Mission: Studies In The Book Of Acts

#8: Spirit Inspired Structure

November 1, 2006

1. Seven Spirit-Filled Servants (Acts 6:1-7)

1

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. 2 And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, 4 while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." 5 What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:1a "Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number..."

  1. Timeline: Life Application diagram..
  1. Growth in the church... "the disciples" (first time this term used for the believers in Acts)
  2. Luke introduces his readers to these Hellenists.

1. FF Bruce quote on coming evangelism transition

Acts 6:1b " the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. "

  1. Hellenists: Greek speaking Jews who attended Greek-speaking synagogues, diaspora community...
  2. Hebrews Aramaic speaking Jews who attended Hebrew-speaking synagogues...Palestinian Jews
  3. Widows...daily distribution...an extension of the Judaism's tradition to serve the poor

Acts 6:2-4 The Twelve speak...

  1. Whole community...friends...select seven men

1. Criteria: Good standing (well-respected)...full of the Spirit...full of wisdom

  1. Apostles will appoint...don't neglect the word...devote to prayer and to serving the word.

    1. The idea of diakonoi = noun...diakonos = deacons (not in Acts)

2. "Wait on tables" = serving bread

3. The Apostles are going to serve as well: serve the word (Bread of life)...prayer essential

4. The ingenuity of the apostles to create new leadership roles from below, not above.

  • Acts 6:5-6 Men chosen...Stephen...Greek and Hebrew names (Keller)?...All Hellenists? (Bruce)

A. Full of faith and the Holy Spirit...

B.Validated by the Apostles...prayer and laying on of hands

  • Acts 6:7 The results of this Spirit-inspired structure

A. Word of God continued to spread...cf 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:31

B. Number of disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem

C. A great many of the priests became obedient to the faith

1. "Priest" = "many in the temple"... "Jews"

i. Textual variant

ii. Priests = peoples' priest, not ruling priests?

2. This was a Jewish movement...not only the poor and lower classes but even the priests..

i. Later we will see more prominent people becoming Christians.

2. Putting it all Together: How the Spirit has Moved so far (Acts 1 - 6)

(1)Summary: Risen Christ...Pentecost...Peter leads...Resistance begins against sect...gathering in the Temple...more resistance to these followers of the Nazarene...good name among the people...growth
  • Timeline...Acts 6 is roughly 5 years since Pentecost

    1. Bruce quote

  • The Gospel Message

A. Focus on the empty tomb...the resurrection is central

1. Even the opponents may have been open to the possibility...FF Bruce quote

2. Christ alive is emphasized...not just "we can't find his body"...resurrection foundational to message

i. Bruce quoting CT Craig"

B. Jesus is the Messiah...fulfillment of Jewish prophecy...true Jews follow Jesus

  • Jesus' earthly ministry is continued through the Church

    A. His body is gone but his Body remains!...We have the Spirit of Jesus within us!

    1. Hybel's quote

  • Spirit-filled (4:31 "boldness")

    A. Fearlessness (Rom. 8:15-16)

    1. Confidence in the Father's love that gave them the ability to be bold

    i. Bold in Two Ways: Word (4:31) and Deed (4:32-36)

    ii. Praise and Obedience are marks of being filled

    B. Signs and Wonders

    1. Tongues...healing...escapes...speaking...Jesus' name is powerful!

  • Community is central...not so much church as we understand it as an organization

    A. .sharing, together, inviting..ekklesia....the gathered community...not a building...people

  • Spirit led movement (Spirit filled doesn't neglect strategy)

    A. Strategic...Pentecost...Jewish centered...

3. Looking ahead in Acts (Acts 6 - 28) and Beyond

(2) Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Jude and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
  • Timeline diagram


  • 2:41 & 47 (30-35AD) Pentecost, Peter, gathered in Temple


  • 6:1 (35-40AD) Widow issue; Stephen and Barnabas; Paul converted and goes to Tarsus


  • 9:31 (40-45AD) Barnabas finds Paul; James martyred; gospel to Gentiles; Peter in prison; Herod dies


  • 12:24 (45-50AD) Paul's first missionary journey; Jerusalem council; Paul & Barnabas split


  • 16:5 (50-55AD) Paul's second missionary journey; Luke joins "we"; Apollos; Paul in Ephesus


  • 19:20 (55-60AD) Paul's third missionary journey; arrested, imprisoned and off to Rome


  • 28:31(60-65AD) Paul under house arrest in Rome; Paul released in 62AD?


  • 65-70AD Paul martyred in 67AD?


  • 70AD Jerusalem destroyed by Rome

4. Concluding Remarks

"Christianity did not grow because of miracle working in the marketplaces (although there may have been much of that going on), or because Constantine said it should, or even because the martyrs gave it such credibility. It grew because Christian constituted an immense community, able to generate the "invincible obstinacy" that so offended the younger Pliny but yielded immense religious rewards. And the primary means of its growth was through the united and motivated efforts of the growing numbers of Christian believers, who invited their friends, relatives, and neighbors to share the "good news".Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity

  • What can St. Andrew's learn from Acts 1 - 6?
  • Nouwen "Communion, Community, Compassion" Luke 6:12

1. 1 The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

2. 1 The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.