Problems!Problems!

Viewing Acts Chapter 6

Prepared by: Soon Siak. February 2010

Topics covered ...Topics covered ...Understanding the problem the

apostles faced – ice breaker.

Distribution of work – a wise move!Church continues to grow greatly.

Persecution starts. Watch out!

Try balancing the box on your head without the box falling while doing various tasks…

swinging your hand, balance on one leg, catching a ball with one hand, turning around three time.

Election of the Seven DeaconsElection of the Seven Deacons The leaders of the early church were having difficulty balancing the many things they had to do.

What was the situation faced by them(v1)?

They were busy doing worthwhile things like praying and spreading the Word. As they tried to take care of the needs of the people, they were accused of providing food for the local Jewish widows but not for the ones from outside that immediate area (the Grecian Jews).

Election of the Seven DeaconsElection of the Seven DeaconsThree classes of hearers of the Gospel:

1. Hebrews – home Jews, born and bred in Palestine, speaks Aramaic, a dialect of Hebrew.

2. Grecians – foreign Jews, born and bred in foreign parts speaks Greek, called Hellenists in Greek Testament.

3. Greeks – natives of Greece or Gentiles (as opposed to Jews).

The GreciansThe Grecians The Hellenes were the early inhabitants of Greece (in our time now,

Greece is still officially known as the Hellenic Republic, after the ancient Hellenes). From the Hellenes came the term "Hellenism," which was used to describe Greek language and culture; from that, "Hellenists" were non-Greeks who spoke Greek and lived according to Greek ways.

The GreciansThe Grecians ...Thanks largely to the grand imperialistic accomplishments of the young Greek

king/warlord Alexander the Great whose military conquests covered a vast region from across southern Europe, through the Middle East and deep into Asia, Hellenists were found in many varied nations, and the Greek language in the ancient world was used very much like English is now in the modern world (the fact that the New Testament was originally written in Greek is the most obvious evidence of that).

Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great

Alexander’s EmpireAlexander’s Empire

Election of the Seven DeaconsElection of the Seven Deacons What did they propose to remedy the situation (v2-4)?

While the apostles continued to take care of the spiritual needs of the church, they appointed seven others to tend to people’s material needs. Note that both types of service are important and required such qualifications:

1. Good character

2. Wisdom

3. Full of the Spirit

Election of the Seven DeaconsElection of the Seven Deacons What happened as a result of this division of labour (v5-7)?

Because of the willing service of both groups, the number of believers continued to grow rapidly and many priests believed.

(Willingness and wholeheartedness are necessary in this free willed service.)

Early Church showing concern for those with social needsEarly Church showing concern for those with social needs1. Right from the beginning, after the day of Pentecost when the disciples had grown in number to more than 3000, they had all things in common.

They sold their possessions and distributed to those who had need. (2:44; 4:34)

2. Barnabas, whose real name was Joseph, encouraged the believers greatly when he sold his field and gave the proceeds to the apostles for distribution. (4:36-37)

3. The widows always received special attention. The seven deacons were elected to look after the distribution of money or food to them. (6:1-6)

4. Dorcas sewed garments for the widows and she was full of good works and acts of charity. (9:36,39)

5. When the first Gentile church was founded in Antioch-of-Syria, the disciples there, on hearing of the famine, immediately sent relief to the disciples in Judea. (11:27-30)

The Preaching of StephenThe Preaching of Stephen Not all the priests believed. Jealousy still exists on the part of some of the Jewish

religious leaders. Rather than go up against the apostles or the church as a whole, they selected one of the appointed leaders, Stephen, to oppose. Why do you think they singled him out (v8)?

He was very effective in showing God’s grace and power – great wonders and signs happened, which got people’s attention.

The Preaching of StephenThe Preaching of Stephen What tactics did the religious leaders use to oppose Stephen (v8-11)?

First they tried to debate him, but he spoke with wisdom provided by the Holy Spirit. So when that didn’t work, they convinced people to accuse him falsely.

Does the treatment of Stephen remind you of anyone else who experienced the same opposition? Hint: Someone close to him.

Analogy between our Lord’s trial and Analogy between our Lord’s trial and Stephen’sStephen’s

1. False witnesses.

2. False charge: Jesus – “I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.” Stephen – “always talking against our sacred Temple and the Law of Moses.”

3. Prayed for their murderers.

4. Commended their souls to God.

The Accusation Against StephenThe Accusation Against Stephen How did Stephen respond to his arrest and the lies brought against him (v12-15)?

“His face was like the face of the angel.” No one could tell that he was even upset or discouraged.

1. The calm and body aspect with which he stood before the council or

2. A supernatural appearance glorifying the face of Stephen.

What About You?What About You? How do you think you would have responded if you had been in the

same situation?

What is the worst opposition (persecution) you have faced in your own Christian life?

A ReviewA Review

A peek into the assignment done by Susie…

Rounding UpRounding Up SPM95 Seven men were chosen to help the

apostle in their work. Describe: (a) the problem that led to the choosing of the seven deacons, and (b) the election of these seven deacons.

[abt 11 marks] (see Chapter 8 for second part)

Ensure all the questions assigned to be completed and marked! Practice makes perfect.

Target to complete all the questions for LUKE and ACTS before SPM!