ACTS 6
But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.
The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.
GROWTH OF LEADERSHIP
As the Church grows, more people will create more work for the local church leaders. Division begins to occur within the congregation, which creates disunity among the believers. To resolve this, the 12 disciples decide to grow the body of leaders to continue the work of teaching and evangelizing as well as taking care of those within the body. One of those new leaders is Stephen. Stephen comes on the scene, filled with the Holy Spirit, teaching and doing great wonders among the people, and he immediately draws the attention of the religious leaders. Tension has been rising for a few chapters now, and we officially get a glimpse into the evil intent of the religious council. They are willing to lie and manipulate to shut down the church leadership. As opposition increases, the Lord remains present and faithful for those fighting to spread the gospel.
REFLECT
The early Church experienced division because they allowed worldly distinctions to become greater than God’s distinctions. The Greek speaking vs Hebrew speaking members were not getting along, causing the body to become disunified. Have you ever seen this happen in your local church? What about in your small group? How can you grow in being unified with the community the Lord has given you?
In Exodus 34:29-33, Moses' face is also described as being like an angel after being in the presence of the Lord. These religious leaders would have known that meant God’s presence was with Stephen, and yet, they did not back off. What does this say about the state of their hearts?