Organized for Mission

MEMORY VERSE: “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” —Ephesians 4:11,12

ACTS 6:1-7

WHILE the Holy Spirit of enlightenment came upon the waiting disciples at Pentecost, and God, through the power of the Gospel, was attracting more and more people to be followers of Jesus, apparently the Lord had not provided those first believers with any definite organizational arrangement through which to carry on the work of the ministry. They had been instructed to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, but no particular outline of procedure had been given to them.

The first verse of our lesson speaks of “those days, when the number of disciples was multiplied.” The apostles and other disciples simply made use of every available opportunity to be witnesses for Jesus, and their efforts were being blessed, for the number of the disciples was multiplying.

But these labors of love were not without difficulties, for “there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” The reference here apparently is to the arrangement to have all things in common. The brethren put their material resources into a common treasury, and apparently the “daily ministration” refers to the distribution from this general fund for the needs of all. But the Grecians in their midst were not happy over the way this service was rendered, thinking, seemingly, that the “Hebrews” were being favored.

Then the Twelve—that is, the apostles—called the brethren as a whole together, and suggested that the arrangement for the daily administration be changed. It would seem that the burden of this undertaking was being carried by the apostles. They explained that actually their main work was to preach the Gospel and to conduct religious services; and they recommended that seven men be chosen, who, when approved by the apostles, could give themselves entirely to the “daily ministration,” which included waiting on tables.

The disciples suggested the names of seven brethren to the apostles for consideration for this needed service. Stephen, who later was stoned to death for his faith, was at the head of the list. Of him it is said that he was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” No information is given concerning the others, except Philip and Nicolas, and of the latter it is said merely that he was “a proselyte of Antioch.”

The apostles accepted those suggested by the congregation, and “they laid their hands on them.” The new arrangements worked out well. The record is that “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.”

EPHESIANS 4:11-16

While the brethren in the Early Church were left free to arrange most of their own affairs, the Lord did supply them with various servants who were qualified to minister to them in spiritual things: “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” Among these, the apostles alone spoke and wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and their teachings were infallible. The others were able, Spirit-filled servants, but the Holy Spirit did not give them infallibility.

The work of all these was “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

One of the evidences of maturity in Christ is to be stable in our faith and doctrine—“no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, … whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” In I Corinthians 16:13 Paul writes, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” The expression “quit you like men” would be better translated “act manly,” or “do not act childishly.”

QUESTIONS

Explain the circumstances under which deacons were first appointed in the church.

What “gifts” of the Holy Spirit were bestowed upon the church?

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