ACTS

ACTS 6

• Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples were multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 

Many times murmuring and complaining causes trouble rather than good things but there are some cases where the complainers need to be heard and a decision made as to whether they have valid complaints. In this case the Grecians had a good point. Widows were being neglected. I liked the way the apostles handled this. They didn't forsake the most important thing which was seeking God and giving themselves to prayer and fasting and start to do charity work. Instead they appointed others to do the work they had neglected so they could continue in the work God called them to do and put that aside to help the widows. 

This is a vital lesson to learn. Sometimes we tend to overdo things and neglect important things. When we become aware of our mistakes though, sometimes we tend to over correct. The apostles could have stopped what they were doing and give all their time and energy into the work of helping the poor and widows. That would have been disastrous for the gospel. I've seen this happen in modern times. While there heart is in the right place in caring for the poor, the greater need all over the earth is the gospel reaching the masses. Sometimes that in itself will cause those that come to Christ for salvation being able to help their own poor which before they neglected. 

Its easy for us to make the same mistakes. When the church tended to become overly strict and harsh in doctrine, adding to the gospel in many cases, they corrected that but now sin is seldom warned against and holiness is left in the ditch somewhere out of fear of legalism. We now find the church full of divorce, people living together without marriage, abortion, lack of moral restraints, greed, worldliness, pride and much materialism. 

We need to correct wrong teachings of our past but not forsake sound doctrine that feeds the soul and keep us mindful of the things of God. When it comes to feeding the hungry, do so but not at the expense of losing the gospel which will save their souls because that is the main call of the church. That is the first love. The love for Jesus Himself and for the souls of those that are lost.  

• Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 
• 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 
• 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 
• 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 

Notice that even though these good men were chosen to serve in the manner of helping the widows, they still preached the gospel and did the same work as the apostles but gave themselves to practical things also. The main requirement in choosing these men were that they was to be full of the Holy Spirit. Why would this be? Because the Holy Spirit was given for the purpose of spreading the gospel and doing what Jesus told them to do.

We have no business preaching, teaching or ministering the gospel without being full of the Holy Spirit. If we try to spread the gospel without the power of the Holy Spirit we would have to rely on manmade programs, manmade doctrines, rituals and other means to appear holy. We would have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.

Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we would not have the power to transform any life that is seeking God, the power to convict a sinner of his sin would not be present and we might gain converts to Christianity but we would not get anyone "born again" by the spirit of God that they be able to enter into eternal life. We are not saved by accepting a religion, we are saved by faith in Jesus to free us from sin and grant us eternal life. Jesus is the way of salvation and the only way. 

• Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 
• 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 

These priests were formerly priests performing the duties of a priest. After Christ came, died and rose from the dead the priesthood was changed and Christ alone became our only mediator between us and God. We still need preachers and workers for Christ but the office of a priest performing duties like before, was no longer necessary. To return to priestly type of intercession and rituals is to put back what Jesus died to take away. Our sins are forgiven by our faith in Christ and praying to Him for that forgiveness, not by joining a church, religion or confessing to a priest. 

The Old Testament way of worship was fulfilled and changed with the coming of Jesus who made Himself the final sacrifice for sins. There remains no other sacrifice or way of salvation. 

• Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

This wonderful person is an example for all of us to imitate. Just because he was appointed to take care of the need of the widows did not stop him from performing miracles to spread the gospel. 

• Acts 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 
• 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. 

All his wisdom was given to him by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can turn an ordinary shy quiet person into a powerful preacher of the word. 

• Acts 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 

They couldn't find any fault with Stephen so they had to hire people to lie against him just as they did against Jesus Christ.

• Acts 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 

The speeches and words of just one troublemaker can stir up a multitude to do evil. Just like millions were deceived by Adolph Hitler, people were deceived into killing an innocent man who only wanted to obey God and save the lost from eternity in hell. 

There is a way we can easily see that the apostles spoke the truth. Their message did not get them rich. Their message could get them killed. They could have drawn followers after themselves but they drew followers after Christ. They could have used their influence to gain money, fame or a big rich organization with large salaries but instead they preached the truth that got most of them killed off. 

They went to places that were dangerous to go, they went to remote places where the Holy Spirit sent them. They didn't send someone ahead of them demanding a large offering, a private jet and a grand hotel before they went to speak. They had to sleep in deserts, ships, and through storms. I'm sure that the people to whom they were sent often opened their hearts and supported them making sure that they were fed and clothed but the apostles did not know ahead of time if they would be well received. 

I love to hear someone that is sent by the Holy Spirit and has a burning message on their hearts that was given to them by the Lord Himself. It is a joy to give willingly to those that the Lord calls to preach God's word.

• Acts 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 
• 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 

They did not yet understand the purpose of the coming of Jesus. No one can possibly keep the law in every point. If it was broken in just one point, it was enough to keep us out of heaven. Just one broken commandment could send us to hell. 

Jesus didn't come to destroy the law and make God's commandments of no effect. He came to fulfill the sacrificial requirements of the law and usher in a perfect way to where when we just believe in Him and turn away from sin, the commandments contained in the law would not be held against us. Instead He gives us His Holy Spirit to cause us to desire the word of God and lose our desire to sin. In other words the law of God comes into our hearts. We love the things of God and hate the things which once held us in bondage. We still can be drawn away and tempted but the power is within us to overcome by faith and continue walking in the spirit rather than be overcome by the flesh. Before Jesus came, everyone had to use their own will power and many would fail miserably. After Jesus, we have access to the power of the Holy Spirit and His continual indwelling. 

• Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. 

How they could kill this person, I don't know but when we hear the truth and reject it, we usually will become angry with the person who is telling us the truth. 

Little do we appreciate the preachers of the gospel that will risk all they have, even their own lives to tell us how to be saved. The faithful preacher of the gospel is the best friend we could ever have. Would we rather hear someone tell us that we are okay and have no need of repentance? Would we rather hear someone tell us that the way to God is easy and we can be rich, increased with goods and live the good life? Would we rather hear someone who tells us that God loves us and it doesn't matter what we do or how we live, all of us will make heaven? Or would we rather hear the truth instead of lies? Some may get rich but some of us may lose all we have if we live for Christ. We still may be able to attend our sports, theaters and entertainment but God may require some of us to walk away from that to better serve Him. 

Actually God has something better for us than what we think are good things. The inheritance of the spiritual things far outweigh anything in this life. Stephen had a reward waiting him in heaven that no person can ever take away. He is enjoying that right now as I write. Eventually he would have died anyway so what if he would have stopped preaching and saved his life? Where would he be today? It will be worth it all in the long run but we need to tell people the truth. We don't promise them that if they receive Christ, they will get rich and live the life of Riley. It might not turn out that way but I can promise that once we receive Jesus Christ in truth, we will never be sorry that we did. DC

• 1Corinthains 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 
• 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 

Acts 7