ACTS 6
4 Outlines
Acts 6
STEPHEN
Stephen was a very
special man.
HIS CHARACTER - Vss.3, 5
Stephen met the
qualifications for being a deacon.
He had an honest report.
He was full of the Holy
Ghost.
He was full of wisdom.
He was full of faith.
HIS CONDUCT - Vs. 8
HIS CONFLICT - Vss. 9-14
HIS COUNTENANCE - Vs. 15
Despite his struggle he
had the face of an angel.
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SANCTIFIED PROBLEM SOLVING
Acts 6:1-8
There will be times when there will be
misunderstandings.
The Apostles here teach us some good principles for
handling these difficulties.
DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM Vs. 1
The early church was made up of two distinct groups of
Jewish Christians. There were those who grew up in the homeland (Hebrews) and
those who grew up somewhere else within the
CONSULTATION AMONG THE APOSTLES Vs. 2
It is obvious to me that the Apostles had discussed
this problem before they actually met with the congregation to solve it.
Leaders must communicate and work together to solve difficulties.
RECOMMENDATION TO THE SAINTS Vss. 2-4
Notice that the Apostles kept their own priorities in
order by not leaving the job they were called to do. They continued their
ministry of preaching and praying, but recommended that Godly men be appointed
to take care of the problem. Delegation can often relieve a pastor and other
church leaders of tasks, which someone else can do.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOLUTION Vss. 5-6
An election was held. Those elected appear to be
members of the Grecian portion of the church.
The Apostles put their blessing on the ministry of
these men.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RESULTS Vss. 7-8
The word of God increased.
The number of disciples multiplied.
Many priests believed.
Stephen ministered effectively.
When there is love in the church, there will be
blessing. John 13:34-35
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Acts 6:1-8
LEADERS AT WORK
One of the jobs of
leaders is to handle difficulties as they come along.
One of the problems
leaders have is solving difficulties without getting themselves distracted from
what God has called them to do. Often leaders can solve problems by doing
things themselves and robbing time from other important tasks. The Apostles solved a major problem in Acts
6:1-8 without being taken from the jobs which God had given them.
DIFFICULTY IN THE
FELLOWSHIP - Vs. 1
There were two groups of
Jewish believers in the early church.
The "Hebrews" were the Palestinian Jews who grew up in the
The "Grecians"
were the Hellenistic Jews who grew up in other parts of the world.
The early church
supported widows. The Grecians felt that
their widows were not being properly taken care of.
DISTRACTION FROM THE
WORK - Vs. 2
The Apostles saw the
potential for distraction. Their main ministry was the Word of God.
It would not make sense
for them to leave their important ministry to do something that others could
just as easily do. Proper care of the widows was important, but others could do
it.
Leaders must remember to
do the most important things that God has called them to do, and to let others
have part in ministry as well.
DECISION OF THE APOSTLES
- Vs. 3
The first deacons were
to be appointed.
They were to be men of
good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost, and full of wisdom.
DETERMINATION FOR
MINISTRY - Vs. 4
The Apostles were
determined to stick with their most important ministries, which were the
preaching of the Word and prayer.
DEPLOYMENT OF DEACONS -
Vss. 5-6
The deacons were elected
and deployed by the Apostles.
DESCRIPTION OF GROWTH -
Vss. 7-8
There was peace in the
church.
The Word of God
increased and so did the number of Apostles.
Stephen "...did
great wonders and miracles among the people."
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Acts 6:1-8
SIMPLE SOLUTION
There are many things
that have caused church splits.
Sometimes a disagreement is doctrinal in nature, and other times a
disagreement has more to do with personalities and preferences. In the early
church there was potential for a church split but the matter was resolved by
apply a simple solution.
THE PROBLEM IN THE
CHURCH - Vs. 1
There were two groups of
widows receiving food from the church.
One group of Jews making up the church had not grown up in
THE PROPOSAL FROM THE
APOSTLES - Vss. 2-3
They suggested that it
would not be wise for them to leave their own ministry to wait on tables and
solve the problem. They proposed that seven men full of the Holy Spirit be
chosen to take care of the problem.
THE PRIORITY OF THE
LEADERS - Vs. 4
The leaders would
continue their ministry of preaching the Word and praying.
Some churches need to
pitch in and help the pastor out so he can have the same priorities.
THE POWER OF A RIGHT
DECISION - Vss. 5-8
Seven men full of faith
and the Holy Spirit were chosen.
There was peace.
The Gospel advanced.
Stephen performed great
wonders and miracles.