The Magnificent Spirit-Filled Seven (Acts 6:1-8)

A Brief Study in Just Conflict Resolution

It’s hard for me to read this passage and not think about the classic Western movie, The

Magnificent Seven, when a poor Mexican village, oppressed by a cruel criminal gang seeks the help of a flawed group of gunfighters in their pursuit of justice. While there was no cruelty or active injustice in our passage in Acts 6, there were seven men chosen to deliver a marginalized community from an injustice. We too are called by God to combat injustice and contend for “the least of these” but we are not to use the weapons of this world but cooperate with the Holy Spirit in his work of reconciliation (2 Cor.10:3-5).

Let’s look at this text together…

1) The Problem: Growing Pains (v.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.

The context of this first major problem in the early church is that of rapid and sustained growth. The apostles were focused on evangelism and discipleship, but their ministry structure needed a tune-up. They were experiencing growing pains. Both groups were Jewish, however, they didn’t really speak each other’s language. The Hebrews were Aramaic-speaking native residents of Israel, while the Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews from the dispersion. Apparently, there were Hellenist widows, who likely came to Jerusalem to live out their last years. At that moment, they were not getting a fair share of the food distributed to the poor. Likely it was not intentional, however, we tend to pay more attention to those who are the most like us. The language difficulties certainly would not have helped. If this issue was not dealt with justly, and completely, it would certainly have been a stumbling block to growth. In many communities today, there is residual passive racism that must be dealt with if the Word of God is to spread! We may not understand each other’s culture or speak their language, or personally know their hurts but we must come together in one heart and soul—to listen to their concern and to act together to correct injustice. We are all commissioned as ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:16-20).

Lessons:

• If there are problems in the church, don’t let them linger or they will put down roots of bitterness. This is not a justification for a critical complaining spirit, but a challenge to respectfully bring serious concerns to those in leadership roles. John 17:22-23 says that one of our greatest apologetics for Jesus being the Christ is our being "perfectly one" and not divided along racial, cultural, and linguistic lines.
• As a corollary to this let me caution you, don’t assume that your leaders are already aware of the problem. Often people leave their church over an issue the pastor was unaware of. We need to be more relational than that and actually have an honest conversation before we make any decision to leave.
• With growth come challenges and for growth to continue those challenges must be addressed, especially in regard to social justice.

2) Their Response: It’s Not Right (v.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.

At first glance, this answer might be off-putting. However, this response doesn’t deny the problem or suggest that serving tables was beneath their dignity. It was just not their specific mission. Instead, it was a confession of inadequacy. I. Howard Marshal said it well.

“They responded to the criticism which was ultimately directed against themselves by recognizing that the combined task of teaching and poor relief was too great for them.” (Marshall, Acts, 126)

When the church grows quickly, those who are called to evangelism, discipleship, and prayer are often forced into more administrative roles. I love the Apostles’ steadfastness in fulfilling their specific calling, without ignoring the valid problem. This situation is similar to Exodus 18 when Moses was worn out by judging all the issues of all the people. His father-in-law, Jethro, suggested that he empower qualified men to judge the majority of the mundane cases and pass the more serious ones to Moses.

Lessons:

• A faithful ministry will require us to decide between the best and the good.
• Leaders need to be honest when something is beyond their ability and get help. 
• It is important for us to know our God-given role.

3) Therefore… a Solution is Proposed (v.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. 

                      But we will devote ourselves

                                              to prayer and

                                              to the ministry of the word.”

We have seen too many issues over the years that have been swept under the rug or dealt with slowly and ineffectively. That was not the case in Acts 6. The apostles knew that they were not the ones to fix the problem, but they did come up with a pretty good plan!  Let’s walk through the process revealed here.

• “You pick”: The apostles didn’t micromanage the situation but released the selection of those who would address the problem to those who would be served by them.
• “From among you”: In language that is reminiscent of the requirements for a high priest, we see the first indications of the rapid incorporation of indigenous leadership in order to correct this oversight in the care of the poor. They were given three criteria to use in the selection process: 
1. Men of good repute, 
2. Full of the Spirit (for injustice is not merely a natural problem but a spiritual issue),
3. Full of wisdom (needed for the complexity of the situation). 
• What did they mean by “Full”, i.e. filled up (as opposed to empty)… a) of hollow vessels; b) of a surface, covered in every part; c) of the soul, thoroughly permeated with. Inside, outside, and throughout they were to be in obedience to, in relationship with, and empowered by the Holy Spirit! This was the important thing, upon which their works and words were based. Note that they weren’t chosen on the basis of wealth and power, and neither is there any indication that these men were campaigning for this position.
• “Seven men”: The apostles called for a full team to face the challenge. It was a Jewish custom to appoint seven men to deal with various issues in the community. This was no halfway symbolic appeasement, but a powerful statement of their total commitment to correct this social injustice.
• “We will appoint”:  After the people chose the seven men, then the apostles would put them in charge of making it right. Authority and responsibility go together. Responsibility without authority only brings frustration. This was no token panel but in today’s language a fully-funded, fully-staffed task force. In addition, the text gives no indication that they were commissioned as “deacons.” Ironically, “ministry” (diakonia) the word from which we get “deacon” is only used here of the Apostles, not of the seven. This assignment was not necessarily a permanent one but seems to have been tied to the problem at hand. Later, all these men moved on to other places and roles of kingdom service.
• We will “stay on target” (be devoted) with “the Word and Prayer.” The verb translated as "devoted" (proskartereo) is commonly used for a steadfast and single-minded faithfulness to a certain course of action. We understand the necessity of teaching the Word to a vast group of new believers, but why was prayer so important? Peterson comments,

Prayer was a necessary accompaniment because it expresses dependence on the Lord, to give boldness in speaking the word, to protect its agents, and to provide opportunities for the word to be heard and believed (cf. 4:24-31; 12:5-17; 13:1-3; 20:28-36; Col. 4:2-4; 2 Thess. 3:1-2). [Peterson, Acts of the Apostles, 234]

4) An Enthusiastic Response & Results (v.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. 

This was the “Roll call” or “casting list” of those selected to correct the problem of food distribution to the Hellenist widows. Stephen was given first place as being especially noted as “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” and we will read more of Stephen’s ministry and early death in the rest of chapters 6-7. Philip was mentioned second as chapter 8 tells of his supernaturally evangelistic missions after persecution breaks out. The following is a full list of the magnificently “Spirit-Filled Seven” compiled from various sources based on early writings and traditions of the church. Some specifics are disputed, but overall we can discern a pattern.

• Stephen died in Ch. 7 as the first martyr of the faith.
• Philip tirelessly preached the Word of God in many of the lands of the Near East adjoining Palestine. At Jerusalem, the Apostles made him a bishop and sent him to Tralles in Asia Minor, where he also baptized many. St. Philip died in old age.
• Prochorus at first accompanied Peter who later appointed him as bishop in the city of Nicomedia…after the death of Mary, he was a companion and coworker of the Apostle John and was banished to the island of Patmos together with him. Upon returning to Nicomedia, Prochorus converted pagans to Christ in the city of Antioch and there he was martyred.
• Nicanor is believed to have been martyred in 76 ad, however, others believe that he died earlier when Stephen died, in the persecution of Saul.
• Timon was later appointed by the Apostles as bishop of the city of Bostra in Arabia and suffered at the hands of both Jews and pagans for preaching the Gospel. He reportedly was thrown into a furnace, but by the power of God, he came out of it unharmed. The tradition of the Roman Church says that St. Timon eventually died by crucifixion.
• Parmenas, After preaching for many years in Asia Minor, settled down in Macedonia. Hippolytus says that Parmenas was the Bishop of Soli. He is thought to have died a martyr in Philippi, Macedonia, in the year 98 ad, during the persecution of the Christians under Emperor Trajan. 
• Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. Became the bishop of Samaria. he is the one who may not have finished well as several of the early church fathers, including Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Epiphanius, and Theodoret mentioned the “Nicolaitans” (condemned in the Book of Revelation) and stated that the deacon Nicolaus was the author of the heresy and the sect.

Hippolytus would include these seven men in his list of 70 apostles. Certainly, “Their experience doing humble service to the poor and helpless ‘prepared them for more prominent roles as ministers of the word.’” [Peterson, 235]

My former pastor was in the habit of allowing young pastors to be prepared for ministry (after finishing Bible training) by serving as custodians or doing other menial tasks. It is also reported that the founder of our denomination was known to strategically plant gum wrappers on the Bible College campus to see whether students would pick them up or just walk by. She said, “Someone who is above picking up litter is not fit for the ministry.” So on that note, if we see litter around here, let’s pick it up!

5) Commissioned in Prayer to the Task at Hand (v.6)

         These they set before the apostles,

             and they prayed and 

                                 laid their hands on them.

They not only chose the seven men but brought them before the apostles clearly communicating that we have done what you asked, now the ball is in your court. This commissioning is often seen as being done by the apostles, but it seems that the actual text suggests that the whole community of disciples prayed and laid hands on them in a show of community solidarity.

As I was preparing to speak on this I considered the two primary reasons for the laying on of hands in the Old Testament. The first reason was to confer a blessing for a purpose. The second thing I thought of was surprising. The congregation of Israel would lay hands on their sacrifice in a confession of their sins. It is likely that here at this community commissioning, they were not only blessing and empowering the "Spirit-filled Seven" but also confessing their collective failure in just distribution of food and their inability to correct it without the Spirit-filled help of these chosen men.

Lessons:

• Ministry (and leadership) should be Spirit-motivated, not man-manipulated.
• Leaders need to confess their inadequacy to meet every need and empower others for the good of the entire community.

6) The Results of a Problem Righteously Resolved (v.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.

As a result of the people and their leaders working together in love, the problem was resolved. Animosity and bitterness were given no place in the church. The community lived out the counter-cultural values that they said they believed in.

“At three points in the narrative, he writes about the word of God growing and multiplying (6:7; 12:24; 19:20). Each reference climaxes with a section recording the resolution of some conflict or the cessation of opposition and persecution.” [Peterson, 229]

Don’t miss the part about “a great many of the priests” getting saved and becoming “obedient to the faith.” Weren’t the priests the main persecutors of the church at that time? Yes. Weren’t they Sadducees? Yes, they were the ones who didn’t believe in miracles, angels, the resurrection, etc. However, they were seeing the supernatural, and miraculous, in a growing community of the resurrection lived out before them in love and justice. How could they not be persuaded? Such a decision would have cost the priest their livelihood, so they would have needed a strong support system for their transition.  

Lessons:

• Their unity and power in the Spirit increased their witness.
• A just and loving witness can melt even the most "unsavable" hearts.

7) Back to an Amazing Witness (v.8)

                              And Stephen,

                                              full of grace and power,

                                          was doing great wonders and signs

                                                                         among the people.

Once this distribution problem was solved, the text makes it clear that it was back to business. Stephen distributed the food justly, but he was not just a food server. He was “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (v.5), and “full of grace and power” (v.8) Those whom he debated, the Hellenist “Freedmen” turned out to be both sore losers and liars. They couldn’t withstand Stephen’s wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. However, that story is for another week. 

Let me conclude with another quote from Peterson,

“The gospel is shown to prosper in spite of, and even because of, struggle and suffering. Most importantly, however, the present context suggests that, if decisive action had not been taken to deal with the social issue disturbing the church, ‘growth’ of the word may not have continued.” (Peterson, 229)