1. In Those Days

2. There is work we all can do, Matt. 10:42 There is work we all can do, Matt. 10:42 Snapshot of the Jerusalem church: Snapshot of the Jerusalem church: – Chosen to SERVE, Acts 6:1-6 – Chosen for SALVATION, Acts 6:7 – Chosen to SUFFER, Acts 6:8-15 Acts 6 2

3. I N THOSE D AYS The gospel continued to be preached, Acts 5:40-42 The gospel continued to be preached, Acts 5:40-42 Many miracles confirmed the word, Acts 5:14-16 (32); Mk. 16:20 Many miracles confirmed the word, Acts 5:14-16 (32); Mk. 16:20 The church was growing, Acts 6:1, 7 The church was growing, Acts 6:1, 7 Acts 6:1 3

4. I N THOSE D AYS A complaint arose A complaint arose – Problem: Neglected widows, Acts 4:35 – Appearance of favoritism Hebrews: Local, native speakers Hebrews: Local, native speakers Hellenists (Grecian Jews): Lived in Gentile regions and spoke Greek Hellenists (Grecian Jews): Lived in Gentile regions and spoke Greek – Murmuring: Secret displeasure not openly stated, Phil. 2:14; 1 Pet. 4:9 Potential disruption, Jas. 2:1 Potential disruption, Jas. 2:1 Acts 6:1 4

5. T HE C HURCH IN T HOSE D AYS Problems to address, 6:1 Problems to address, 6:1 – Growth for the sake of numbers is not apostolic, Acts 5:14 – Neither is ignoring problems for the sake of peace – Unity along with Bible solutions produce the climate for more and proper growth, Acts 6:7; Eph. 4:11-16 Acts 6:1-7 5

6. T HE C HURCH IN T HOSE D AYS Under apostolic authority, 6:2-6 Under apostolic authority, 6:2-6 – Not: Church-wide meeting to exercise its own authority in the matter – Apostles told the church the solution, and the church gladly did it Pleased (6:5): “to strive to please” (Thayer) Pleased (6:5): “to strive to please” (Thayer) Church is committed to pleasing Christ Church is committed to pleasing Christ Church is under apostolic authority, Acts 2:42; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Cor. 5:9 Church is under apostolic authority, Acts 2:42; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Cor. 5:9 Acts 6:1-7 6

7. T HE C HURCH IN T HOSE D AYS Everyone had work to do, 6:2-6 Everyone had work to do, 6:2-6 – Serve tables: Help needy saints, 6:1-2 Select seven men, 6:3 Select seven men, 6:3 Qualifications given to follow, 6:3 Qualifications given to follow, 6:3 Endorsed and blessed by apostles (probably included miraculous gifts), 6:6 Endorsed and blessed by apostles (probably included miraculous gifts), 6:6 Met the need and solved the problem Met the need and solved the problem – Serve the word: Prayer and preaching, 6:2, 4 Acts 6:1-7 7

8. T HE C HURCH IN T HOSE D AYS Everyone had work to do, and everyone was taught to respect and encourage each other in the work, 6:2-6 Everyone had work to do, and everyone was taught to respect and encourage each other in the work, 6:2-6 – Serve tables: Help needy saints, 6:1-2 – Serve the word: Pray and preach, 6:2, 4 Acts 6:1-7 8

9. Everybody, Somebody, Nobody, and Anybody Once upon a time there were four people: Their names were Everybody, Somebody, Nobody, and Anybody. Whenever there was an important job to do, Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. When Nobody did it, Everybody got angry because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Somebody would do it, but Nobody realized that Nobody would do it. So, Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done in the first place. Acts 6:1-7 9

10. S TEPHEN IN T HOSE D AYS Full of faith and power, 6:8 (miraculous spiritual gifts) Full of faith and power, 6:8 (miraculous spiritual gifts) Full of the word of God, 6:8, 10 Full of the word of God, 6:8, 10 – Spoke it clearly to opponents, 6:9 – Dispute: Inquire, question, reason, Acts 17:2-3, 11-12; Jude 3 Wisdom: Use of knowledge to apply truth Wisdom: Use of knowledge to apply truth The Spirit: Inspiration The Spirit: Inspiration 10 Acts 6:8-15

11. S TEPHEN IN T HOSE D AYS Reactions and accusations, 6:11-15 Reactions and accusations, 6:11-15 – Persuaded men to lie about him, 6:11, 13 – Charge: Blasphemy, 6:11, 13 (Lev. 24:16) Against Moses and God: Preached Jesus, Acts 3:22-23; cf. Jno. 5:45-47 Against Moses and God: Preached Jesus, Acts 3:22-23; cf. Jno. 5:45-47 Against the temple and the law: Judgment against Jerusalem and fulfillment of the law Against the temple and the law: Judgment against Jerusalem and fulfillment of the law – Effect: Agitated people and leaders, 6:12 11 Acts 6:8-15

12. S TEPHEN IN T HOSE D AYS Reactions and accusations, 6:11-15 Reactions and accusations, 6:11-15 – Brought before the Sanhedrin, 6:15 Face as the face of an angel: Calm dignity, strength and confident messenger of God, Eccl. 8:1 Face as the face of an angel: Calm dignity, strength and confident messenger of God, Eccl. 8:1 – Hour of trial had arrived: Stephen faces it with a calmness of faith that impressed the audience 12 Acts 6:8-15