When the Church Has Problems
[ READ ] Acts 6:1-15
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.
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.
In the early days of the church, enthusiasm and growth quickly collided with the realities of ordinary life. In Acts 6:1–7, Greek widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. No one had planned for this. The new believers were learning what it meant to live not simply as individuals but as a new family. Language differences, cultural familiarity, and old loyalties created fault lines beneath the surface. Tiny distinctions can loom large when people live closely together.
The apostles did not rush to do everything themselves. Like Moses before them, they delegated wisely, appointing men “well spoken of,” full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Stephen was among them. Hands were laid on these servants, and the result was not organizational efficiency alone, but growth. Luke reminds us, “the word of God continued to increase.” God’s work remained God’s work, even as people faithfully served within it.
Then the story narrows to Stephen. Chosen simply to help distribute food, he suddenly stands at the center of controversy. The church can never anticipate who God will choose to speak through. Stephen was “full of grace and power,” and his ministry overflowed beyond his assigned task. Soon accusations flew. He was charged with attacking the temple, the law, and the traditions that shaped Jewish identity. Whenever God does a new thing, people often fear that faithful things are being abandoned.
The tragedy is familiar. Rather than listening carefully, opponents threw mud. We still do this today. New ideas are branded dangerous; old convictions are mocked as backward. Yet Stephen stood calmly in the storm. Before the council, his face appeared “like the face of an angel.” There was serenity, confidence, and peace at the overlap of heaven and earth.
Faithfulness does not always prevent conflict. Sometimes it places us directly in it. But God still gives grace, wisdom, and quiet courage to those He chooses.
- Mary Gunther
The apostles did not rush to do everything themselves. Like Moses before them, they delegated wisely, appointing men “well spoken of,” full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Stephen was among them. Hands were laid on these servants, and the result was not organizational efficiency alone, but growth. Luke reminds us, “the word of God continued to increase.” God’s work remained God’s work, even as people faithfully served within it.
Then the story narrows to Stephen. Chosen simply to help distribute food, he suddenly stands at the center of controversy. The church can never anticipate who God will choose to speak through. Stephen was “full of grace and power,” and his ministry overflowed beyond his assigned task. Soon accusations flew. He was charged with attacking the temple, the law, and the traditions that shaped Jewish identity. Whenever God does a new thing, people often fear that faithful things are being abandoned.
The tragedy is familiar. Rather than listening carefully, opponents threw mud. We still do this today. New ideas are branded dangerous; old convictions are mocked as backward. Yet Stephen stood calmly in the storm. Before the council, his face appeared “like the face of an angel.” There was serenity, confidence, and peace at the overlap of heaven and earth.
Faithfulness does not always prevent conflict. Sometimes it places us directly in it. But God still gives grace, wisdom, and quiet courage to those He chooses.
- Mary Gunther
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Why do you think Luke connects faithful service, prayer, and the growth of God’s word?
+ Where do you see both practical need and spiritual wisdom in Acts 6:1–7?
+ Why do you think Luke connects faithful service, prayer, and the growth of God’s word?
+ Where do you see both practical need and spiritual wisdom in Acts 6:1–7?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where might I be overlooking someone because of familiarity, busyness, language, culture, or status?
+ Am I willing to serve faithfully in the small assignment, trusting God may use it in ways I cannot anticipate?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where might I be overlooking someone because of familiarity, busyness, language, culture, or status?
+ Am I willing to serve faithfully in the small assignment, trusting God may use it in ways I cannot anticipate?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, give me the wisdom to notice those who are being overlooked and the humility to serve where I am needed. Fill me with grace, faith, and the Holy Spirit so that when conflict comes, I may speak with courage and carry Your peace. Help me trust that Your word is still increasing, even when the work is hard. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, give me the wisdom to notice those who are being overlooked and the humility to serve where I am needed. Fill me with grace, faith, and the Holy Spirit so that when conflict comes, I may speak with courage and carry Your peace. Help me trust that Your word is still increasing, even when the work is hard. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
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