Devotion for Friday, 17 June 2011 Anno Domini (Acts 6)

Devotion for Friday, 17 June 2011 Anno Domini (Acts 6)
“1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:1-15)
“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” In government (including church government), nothing stirs resentment more than a feeling of unfair or unequal treatment. Even at times when it was not intended, the very perception of it has led to mischief in the civil arena as well as the division of churches. Sensitive wisdom and consideration must be applied in our dealings with others. In the case related in this verse, the perception is aggravated by a difference in cultures and perhaps languages. It seems that while the assembly was quite small in number, they were of one mind; but when they grew into a multitude, division entered in.
“Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” The trifling squabbles in church often detract from the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. This must not be allowed! The Apostles had attempted to follow the very letter of Christ’s teaching on ministry: “…….whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” (Matt 20:27) God will always provide for the smaller things of the church. If a child can perform a task, why ask an adult to do it? The child learns in doing the small tasks, and the adult learns by performing the more challenging, but all have a role in the House of God to perform. Certainly, the Apostles needed to care for the more pressing task of preaching the Gospel (which they had both heard and seen) since none other knew that role. So it is reasonable that others be designated to perform the more menial task of serving tables. The Apostles may serve the spiritual bread while the disciples serve the physical.
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” This counsel is directed to the ‘multitude.” Search out for the best in character and wisdom. Seek out men whose hearts are filled, not with gifts, but the Holy Ghost itself to serve the people. Church service of every kind requires spiritually endowed members, not just those who can perform the task itself. The assembly nominated the men for the business, but the Apostles ‘appointed’. This bears testimony to our own Episcopal government of Apostolic Succession in the Anglican Orthodox Church. This done, the Apostles would be made free to devote their complete focus to the preaching of the Gospel.
“And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” God calls and his clergy recognize the call. The wisdom of recognizing God’s call upon these men is revealed in their life and works which we will see shortly, especially that of Stephen and Philip. The multitude was quite pleased at the governance presented, and the men ordained apostolically were full of faith and the Holy Ghost! The succession was expressed outwardly by the laying on of hands of the Apostles, but received doctrinally in the inward hearts of those ordained. Apostolic Succession is nothing worth without a corresponding Doctrinal (of the Apostles) Succession. The matter was concluded by prayer of the people, and laying on of hands of the Apostles.
“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” When service is performed according to truth and good order, the results will be pleasing to God. The Word of God increased in an environment of reverence and faith. If the priests are not obedient to the faith, of what good are they to God and man? These priests must have recognized the nature of sacerdotal service being vested in God and not the individual priest otherwise they could not have been ‘obedient in faith’.
Stephen, a deacon with uncommon faith and courage, wastes no time in satisfying his overwhelming burden to preach the Gospel. He may have, indeed, served tables, but that did not (or perhaps COULD not) restrain him from allowing himself to be a channel whereby the Holy Ghost might work to the conviction of many souls. “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” One of the foremost of miracles we may observe in life is the birth of a child. Stephen, too, was led to perform miracles of new birth to men and women of less tender age. Moreover, wonders followed in his shadow as they had done with the Apostles.
The devil cannot abide competition coming into his camp. Stephen was so strong in his conviction and wisdom, and effective at communicating the same, the devil’s minions were aroused to action. “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.” There is no word that will gather greater opposition than the Word of God. It causes the wicked to writhe in the sun and salt of their sins. They disputed with Stephen, but not having the advantage of faith and truth on their side, they were failing in their meager arguments. “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” No they could not because that Spirit and Wisdom was of God!
“Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.” This is the fruit, still, of the sickest religion on the face of the earth – Islam. They instigated false witnesses to come forward and bear false witness against Stephen. Shari'at Law of the Shi’a Islamic sect requires only the word of two witnessed, regardless the circumstantial evidence, to convict a man to stoning in our modern day! The words of Christians are not acceptable among this brood of vipers. So these Judaizers will stoop to any extreme to win – truth is of no concern to them.
“And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council; And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.” Stephen never preached this. He preached, perhaps, that Christ fulfilled the Law, and Grace had entered in to the saving of souls of the Elect of God. When truth and common sense prevails against the wicked of this world, they resort to lies and mob violence. Just as they had stirred the people up to call for the Crucifixion of Christ, they now return to a familiar modus operandi that has worked so well for them in the past in spilling the blood of the innocent.
“And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” The child and servant of God has the peculiar quality of calm comfort and even joy under affliction. Though his face appeared as that of an angel, innocence will garner no sympathy from the wicked. Even though they sat, focused on his innocent face, they would not relent in their plans of murder. Though his countenance may have taken on the appearance of an angel, this would not stop those who did not blink at the murder of the very Son of God! The lesson for us is that the world will never treat a child of God with fairness and justice. Do not be surprised when they drag you before courts and tribunals to accuse you falsely, and then commit you to a final punishment which is far more severe than the crime for which you were falsely accused. This is becoming more and more of a possibility in our beloved land of America today. Will you have the conviction and faith of Stephen at that hour they call?