Acts 6:1 But with the believers multiplying rapidly, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke only Greek complained that their widows were being discriminated against, that they were not being given as much food in the daily distribution as the widows who spoke Hebrew. 2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers.
“We should spend our time preaching, not administering a feeding program,” they said. 3 “Now look around among yourselves, dear brothers, and select seven men, wise and full of the Holy Spirit, who are well thought of by everyone; and we will put them in charge of this business. 4 Then we can spend our time in prayer, preaching, and teaching.”
5 This sounded reasonable to the whole assembly, and they elected the following: Stephen (a man unusually full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolaus of Antioch (a Gentile convert to the Jewish faith, who had become a Christian).
6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them and laid their hands on them in blessing.
Well, it had to happen sooner or later. Once large amounts of resources were coming into the church to be distributed, somebody was going to complain that their ethnic group was being slighted. And that might have truly been the case, for the original disciples were Hebrews, and many of them might not have spoken Greek. The Greek widows might have been shy to come forward for assistance, or they might have assumed that things would happen automatically; meanwhile, the disciples were having to make things up as they went along.
The disciples wisely realized that they must re-examine their calling. Trying to preach and teach as well as administering a feeding program was more than anyone could handle by themselves, no matter how energetic or skillful they were. Humbly, the disciples did not simply sit down and arbitrarily pick people; instead, they solicited advice from seasoned believers as to whom to select for this program. The men thus selected became church leaders and evangelists in their own right. Looking at the names of those selected to administer the feeding program, we see that both Jews and Greeks were included. Some of those men might also have been well enough educated to speak Latin, a distinct help when interacting with the Roman government. The ability to speak fluent Latin would definitely impress a Roman governor resentful at being stuck with this obstinate group of Hebrews.
7 God’s message was preached in ever-widening circles, and the number of disciples increased vastly in Jerusalem; and many of the Jewish priests were converted too.
8 Stephen, the man so full of faith and the Holy Spirit’s power, did spectacular miracles among the people.
9 But one day some of the men from the Jewish cult of “The Freedmen” started an argument with him, and they were soon joined by Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria in Egypt, and the Turkish provinces of Cilicia, and Asia Minor. 10 But none of them was able to stand against Stephen’s wisdom and spirit.
What was the Jewish cult of the “Freedmen?” Jerusalem had one temple, the place of sacrifice, but many synagogues. The Synagogue of the Freedmen had Jews from North Africa (Cyrene and Alexandria are in Libya and Egypt, respectively) and modern-day Turkey (“Cilicia and Asia”) who once had been slaves or prisoners of Rome, and who had settled in Jerusalem after being freed. The Synagogue of the Freedmen had these freed Jews and their children. https://www.bibleversestudy.com/acts/acts6-synagogue-of-the-freedmen.htm
Why would these former slaves pick a grievance with Stephen? While these people are Jewish believers, in Jerusalem they are ethnic outsiders, perpetually scorned by Jewish religious leaders. And they began life as slaves. In many cultures, a history of former slavery is sufficient to limit a family’s social standing for generations. When we first came to our little village 33 years ago, we were told of families descended from slaves. These people were now two or three generations away from slavery; yet, there were those who remembered and perpetuated the stories. Opposing Stephen might have been a ploy to gain recognition and legitimacy with the head Jewish religious leaders at the main temple. After all, everybody knew that these Jesus believers were unpopular with the Jewish religious big men. For all we know, someone might even have slipped leaders from the Freedmen’s Synagogue some money, encouraging them to argue with Stephen.
11 So they brought in some men to lie about him, claiming they had heard Stephen curse Moses, and even God. 12 This accusation roused the crowds to fury against Stephen, and the Jewish leaders arrested him and brought him before the Council. 13 The lying witnesses testified again that Stephen was constantly speaking against the Temple and against the laws of Moses.
14 They declared, “We have heard him say that this fellow Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and throw out all of Moses’ laws.” 15 At this point everyone in the Council chamber saw Stephen’s face become as radiant as an angel’s!
Some things never change, and false accusations continue to abound. Sometimes lies have long legs Now the same accusations Jesus faced are now surfacing again.. What’s so ridiculous is that if Stephen is a fervent Jesus follower, he would certainly know that Jesus told his disciples, “17 Don’t misunderstand why I have come—it isn’t to cancel the laws of Moses and the warnings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them and to make them all come true. 18 With all the earnestness I have I say: Every law in the Book will continue until its purpose is achieved. 19 And so if anyone breaks the least commandment and teaches others to, he shall be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But those who teach God’s laws and obey them shall be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-19) Encouraging people to ignore the Law of Moses would be anathema to Stephen.
Jesus never threatened to destroy the temple but was rather prophesying his death and resurrection. But when people passionately desire to believe lies, they will refuse to acknowledge truth. Jesus did prophesy that eventually the temple would be destroyed, but he was prophesying about the Roman destruction of Jerusalem that took place in 70 A.D., not claiming that he himself would do anything to the temple. But the religious leaders are not interested in truth but in maintaining power.
The Torah specifically denounces anyone bearing false witness. Deuteronomy 19:15-21 tells us, 15 “Never convict anyone on the testimony of one witness. There must be at least two, and three is even better. 16 If anyone gives false witness, claiming he has seen someone do wrong when he hasn’t, 17 both men shall be brought before the priests and judges on duty before the Lord at the time. 18 They must be closely questioned, and if the witness is lying, 19 his penalty shall be the punishment he thought the other man would get. In this way you will purge out evil from among you. 20 Then those who hear about it will be afraid to tell lies on the witness stand. 21 You shall not show pity to a false witness. Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot; this is your rule in such cases.”
How ironic! Here are the very men who claim to uphold the Mosaic Law deliberately soliciting false testimony, knowing full well that they are endangering the lives of their own false witnesses. While claiming to fulfill every tiny bit of the Law, these men are committing sacrilege.
Why is Stephen being persecuted in the first place? As Stephen is distributing foodstuffs, he is telling people about Jesus, encouraging people, and praying for people. That trifold ministry is extremely powerful, for those being served realize that Stephen is truly acting as a channel of God’s love. The same people who have received encouragement from Stephen will now be able to share with others and encourage them, spreading the ministry in places and among people whom Stephen will never reach. Those opposing Stephen may have all kinds of good reasons that they have used to convince themselves, but they are actually fighting God.
We are never told of Stephen’s reaction when he is selected. Evidently, Stephen simply agrees and begins joyfully doing the work. Stephen does not protest to the disciples that he too should be on the main preaching and teaching team. Stephen does not complain about hardships, long hours, the difficulties of settling arguments among the widows. Stephen simply accepts the assignment and carries it out to perfection.
In missionary circles, there’s a lot of talk about various people groups. One set of friends used to minister to taxi drivers in Hong Kong, who generally lived in their cabs when they weren’t picking passengers. Another friend ministered to factory workers in Taiwan, visiting them in their dormitories. In December 2003, we lived in a slum in Accra while a young friend was having heart surgery at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. We were taking tro-tro’s, the small buses most people depend on to commute throughout Accra. We developed a simple “Cough drop evangelism,” giving out cough drops to the tro-tro drivers and telling them a little about Jesus. My husband has a prayer ministry here in Ghana. Having served in the U.S. Navy, my husband wears his Veteran’s cap in public. This allows him to approach uniformed personnel of all kinds-police, fire service, prisons, immigrations, customs-and pray for them. Not once has anybody refused prayer; in fact, those who have seen him previously request prayer again. For Stephen and those working with him, those Greek widows constituted a unique people group, one reached by kindness and generosity.
Look around you. Perhaps there are lonely people who would be encouraged if you repeatedly made some small gesture. And remember God uses mountaintop experiences to fit us for service.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be sensitive to the needs of those around us so that we might be Your hands and feet to serve them. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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