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Acts 6       English Standard Version (ESV)

Seven Chosen to Serve

¹ Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. ² And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. ³ Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.⁶ These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Is Seized

⁸ And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.¹⁰ But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. ¹¹ Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ¹² And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, ¹³ and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, ¹⁴ for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” ¹⁵ And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

 

REFLECTION:

• The life of early church was full of miracles, sharing, and fellowship. Don’t you wish to be a member of this “perfect” church?  Yet, in fact, the early church also had problems just like today.
• The Grecian Jews were most likely Jews who had come to Judea from foreign lands, but spoke only Greek. Such Jews were usually looked down upon by the natives. The dispute over neglect of Grecian Jewish widows may reflect a split in the Jerusalem church.
• However, the Jerusalem church faced, and overcame, the threat raised by prejudice and differences. We need to face and overcome such threats too.
• If you have been frustrated with your church, are you willing to spend the same amount of energy to pray for your church and pastors?
• Spend a few minutes now to pray for your church, pastors, ministries and other believers.

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, just as there has never been a perfect person in the world, there has never been a perfect church on earth. I know deeply that apart from the God who created the heavens and the earth, the incarnate Christ, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts and intercedes for us with inexpressible groaning, there is nothing perfect or good in the world. Sin has become the king of the world, corrupting every one of us who are of flesh and blood. Heavenly Father, it is only through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, as a redeeming sacrifice for us, unworthy as we are, that we are justified before You and become Your children. Our bodies are formed from dust and will return to dust, but by Your grace, our souls are saved from perishing, and our hearts can hold on to the hope of future resurrection and transformation, sharing in the glory of Christ. While we are still in the world, may we always have a humble and hopeful heart, giving thanks for everything we encounter, and entrusting our church, ministers, and ministries into Your hands, so that we do not harbor grievances or complaints due to human flaws and difficulties. Everything in this world, including our humble bodies, will fade away like dewdrops on grass or flowers on branches. On that day, when we receive the glorious crown of incorruptible life, we will truly understand what perfection and glory mean. Amen!

 

HYMN:

One Voice – youtu.be/Ecr1NTfN_wk