The church is exploding . In Acts 2 God added daily. In Acts 6 God multiplied (KJV & NKJV). Now growing pains are setting in. The Apostles could have easily been sucked into this need. But they wisely concluded that they should have others fill it. And because they kept their focus sharpened (v2), and priorities clear, this is the result.
In Chapters 4-5 the church subtracted Ananias and Sapphira. It’s never easy, usually painful, personally. But the good news is that God will explode the work.
During this multiplying, there is a tendency to feel neglected, and this causes murmuring Three things were happening in the early church:
- Discriminating – Felt by the Hellenists (Greeks) by the Hebrews. Do we do this? You bet! We do this almost every Sunday. Former (?) sinners, bikers, “losers”, and those we don’t like.
- Professionalizing – If you are aware of a problem, you are probably being called to be the solution. This is the sign of a healthy church.
- Prioritizing – Keeping the eye on the prize (Rom 12)
Jesus and the mustard seed comparison is rather puzzling as mustard plant is a smallish bush (Mat 13:31-33, Mar 4:31-32, Luke 13:18). The implication is that the church would start out right, but would grow large and distended, and birds would lodge in it; the birds a symbol of evil. And truly that has come to pass. Acts pleads for simplicity (Act 2:42).
Stay focused on the Word of God as our best source for “Church Growth.” Romans 12 says we are His body. Look at, to, and on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. As with Him:
1) His body was conceived by a miracle, birthed supernaturally. Perhaps He moves in a new virgin territory. And we give God the glory when it happens.
2) All His members functioned – Every member is to function.
3) His body was physically coordinated. How? The body responds to the impulses from the head and responds. Eph 4:15-16 says He is the head, we are the body, the HS the nervous system.
4) Upon birth, the body was attacked. Herod threatened Him immediately. And so us.
5) He grew in wisdom and stature and found favor in God and man. Luk 2:40
6) He was attacked again
7) He cannot be destroyed. Story of Jesus going through the center of the crowd.
8) In His body baptized in water and in spirit. His knowledge of the Word confounded the teachers at age 12. He was receptive to baptism. Mat 3:13-17, Mar 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-23
9) Jesus was all these offices (Ephesians 5)
- Apostolic – Governing – sent by God
- Prophetic – Guiding ministry
- Evangelical – Gathering
- Pastoring – Guarding
- Teaching – Grounding in Scripture and doctrine
10) Flowing in the Gifts in Romans 12 and Manifestations in 1Co 12
11) Being broken – recall Jesus on the road to Emmaus. When they broke bread, they recognized Him. So too we must be broken to receive the life of Christ. See v2
Acts 6:1
People who are productive have proper priorities. Why give ourselves to the Lord for service?: Rom 12:1-2
1)Present your body to the Lord wholly acceptable to God
2) Where we are going to spend eternity.
3) What it does for me presently, it brings us happiness.
Acts 6:2-4
Exodus 18:17 shows the original distribution of responsibilities by Moses’ father -in-law, Jethro. God’s intention is to delegate the work. Spiritual gifts are the tool God gives to do the work of the church. In Exodus, God used Jethro to communicate this to Moses. Here the Holy Spirit. Often God will communicate to us through other people. One way to know: It makes sense, it may sting a little, and our and others spirit will be settled in the matter. (v5)
The ones chosen are good, Godly, and gifted. The leaders concentrate on the most important tasks of leadership:
- Prayer – Communication with and on behalf of the people
- Ministry of the Word – Correctly hearing back from God and communicating to the people.
Acts 6:5
Stephen was a powerful Bible expositor. Paul says the deaconate would be given great boldness in ministry. Phillip was the father of 4 prophetesses. Prochorus, secretary, bishop of NIcodea(?).
Some believe that Nicolas veered off the track into heresy and founded the Nicolaitains. Meaning shepherds of the laity, heavy oppressors of the flock instead of helpers of their joy. Not overbearing oppressors. Not dominion. Rev 2:6,15
A Table of Possible Gifts of the Early Church
| Name | Meaning | Spiritual Gift |
| Stephen | Crowned | Prophesying |
| Phillip | Fond of horses or lover of horses | Serving |
| Prochorus | Before the dance or leader of the chorus | Teaching |
| Nicanor | Victorious or conqueror | Encouraging |
| Timon | Valuable or honorable | Giving |
| Parmenas | Constant, faithful or abiding | Mercy |
| Nicolas | Victorious over the people, Victor of the people | Leading / Administering |
Acts 6:6
Note the order: pray first and then lay on hands. Is that what Paul says when he says not to lay hands on too quickly? Laying on of hands goes back to the consecration in Numbers 8:10. This is identifying with those dedicated for service, a linkage between the parties.
Acts 6:7
Spreading the Word of God – Very very important. Acts 12:24 & 19:20 and here show the crucial link between spreading the Word of God, and the building of the Church. It simply cannot nor should be attempted without God’s Word, the Gospel.
The priests would have to come to that conclusion, given the things they saw; the veil rent in half. And that was no ordinary veil. It was 10 inches thick 60’x30′, it took a hundred priests to manipulate it. Mat 27:51, Mar 15:38, Luk 23:45
Acts 6:8
A dynamic deacon indeed!
Acts 6:11
These men resorted to deception, as they were outgunned by him by the HS.
Acts 6:13
They are in to churches Jeremiah 7:4 and rituals, and not the one behind them. Churches, cathedrals and rituals can draw us away from real fellowship
Acts 6:14
They are STILL misrepresenting Jesus statement of John 2:19 destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in three days..
Acts 6:15
His face glowed like an angel, being near to God. Exodus 34:35. The Israelites had the very same reaction to Moses as they did with stephen. Paul adds the reasoning for this, in the reading of the Old Covenant, the veil over their heart remains until they turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away, the liberty of the New Covenant shines. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 explains the dynamics of this and the next chapter of Acts.
Some of the notes in this chapter are taken from sermons by Jon Courson at Searchlight from my earliest days as a Christian.