Acts 6

Here we see the first church in action and growing. They number about 5,000--not counting women and children.

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs." John 21:15

Jewish widows, orphans and sick would get their "social security" or charity from their place of worship--the temple or synagogue. The church continued this care because once a Jew converted to Christianity, they lost their help and it was not the place of the government to take care of them. Today the opposite is true, the government takes care of the people and the church has given up a lot of their responsibility for people.

So the grumbling begins by the foreign Jews who became Christians. They felt their widows were being overlooked--that there was favoritism by the "hometown" Jews.

The people need to be fed or cared for and the Apostles find themselves tied up in waiting tables. They have no time for study and prayer. So they ask the people to appoint seven men to "feed the flocks". The Apostles come across the common issue of being over-extended...they need to delegate. Much like Moses in Exodus 18:13-27 and Jesus in Matthew 14:13-21.

So seven men are chosen and they are a wide range of people, not just hometown guys. If we look at their names, we might have some insight as to who they were.

Timon means honorable or worthy. Philip means lover of horses. He took the Gospel to Samaria and later lived in Caesarea. Prochorus, he that presides over choirs. Nicanor means conqueror. Parmenas, that abides. Nicolas means victory of the people. He was a Gentile Greek who converted to Judaism, then became a Christian. Stephen is Greek for crown.

So seven were chosen by the people, not the Apostles, and they got to work. And the grumbling stopped. Of note, Stephen actually takes his ministry above and beyond. Note that he is the only one that scripture mentions, "full of grace and power, was performing great wonders ". He fed the people spiritual food. Even the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

So in verse 9 we see that Stephen is making an impact at the different synagogues.

But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. Acts 6:9

A little background on the different synagogues:

• The "freedmen" were descendants of thousands of Jews that had been enslaved by Pompey in 63 BC. These or their children were freed at a later period. Those who came to Jerusalem had their own synagogue.
• The Cyrenians came from a Grecian city on the cost, west of Egypt where 1/4 of the population were Jews. So they had their own synagogue.
• The Alexandrians were Jews from the city of Alexandria in Egypt, where 1/3 of the population were Jews.
• The Cilicia synagogue was where Saul/Paul was supposedly attending.
• The Asian synagogue had Jews from the Roman province in Asia Minor of which Ephesus was capital.

These were all considered Grecians or foreign Jews. And since Stephen's name was Grecian--this was probably who he preached to. (Click here for commentary notes.)

Isn't it interesting that the synagogues were divided into places where people attended that had hometowns in common? Today, our churches are divided into denominations...Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic. People attend where they feel the most comfortable...usually in the church where they were raised, their "hometown" denomination. Sometimes it is difficult to get the denominations to agree on some teachings. Some denominations split because of disagreements on theology.

It is a similar situation when you witness to someone. A lot of times that is why we're afraid to witness. We're afraid of rejection...of getting ridicule from our circle of friends or family because we might challenge what they have always believed. Are you afraid of a discussion going quickly from debate, to slander to violence?

If we take a cue from Stephen, we should jump into the job God assigns us with gusto. But take heed that you are like Stephen in that you are led by the Holy Spirit, and are willing to give 110% in your work!

What can you do today to help your church leaders? Are there people who need a visit, a phone call or a card? Is there somewhere you can help with weekend services? Do you have a skill that would free someone up to do something you aren't able to? Pray on it. Your service is needed!

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24