Acts 6. SERVING Leadership in the assemblies of God's people is not based on popularity or natural talents and skills developed in the work-place. In the work of administration of God's things there are gifts given by God to be used for the benefit of others - not self-serving. People who are spiritually mature need to recognize the needs of the moment so that when issues arise that can lead to problems, these can be "nipped in the bud." Spirit-led self-control helped the apostles to look calmly at a potential problem and deal with it by God-given wisdom. Serving (ministering) is not some easy task to be done by just anyone. There are often those who think they are being treated unfairly when there was no such intention on the part of those who serve. Whether it is service to meet the needs of the body or to meet the needs of the soul, both need reputable people who are honest, spiritual and wise to respond to the work at hand. Whether one is called to a leadership role or a ministering work, we need the filling of the Holy Spirit.
The apostles were right in not neglecting the Word of God and prayer. It is not possible for a few to do everything for the many. It is for this very reason divine Persons have given gifts to the church. Those who were responsible for the teaching and preaching showed their approval and fellowship with those who designated as deacons to deal with other parts of the work. The work of deacons has a very large scope of responsibility. It involves both material and spiritual service as we read about ministry through the New Testament. The word "deacon" and "minister" come from the same word and have the same meaning. In whatever service one does for the Lord the listed qualifications of "honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom" does apply. No work we can do or are willing to do is insignificant.
As the number of saved people increased, and "a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith," the need of teaching the doctrines of the new covenant became more imperative. Often people who are saved by God's grace from some religious or denominational background, bring with them some vestiges of what they followed in the past. The Jewish believers would be inclined to still adhere to the legal demands of the law. Hellenists would bring with them some of the humanistic tendencies they had thought were important. The apostles by virtue of being in the foundation of the work had to carefully teach orally the mind of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit. They had the Old Testament types and shadows. They had the historical books, the prophets and the psalms, so they had to use them to show the fulfillment of types, shadows and prophecies in the coming of Christ. Then they needed to apply them to the present development of the New Testament church so the saints would know where they fit in this new work God was doing. He was making of both Jews and Gentiles, "one new man (body)."
People who are trusted and faithful in one work are often given more to do. Usually if you want to get something done, you look for a busy person, not someone who is just lazily hanging around without showing any initiative. The Spirit of God used Stephen to do more than serve tables. He used Stephen to also serve the Word of God and reach out to people in general with the Gospel. A person committed to the Word of God will be committed to the people of God and to the Gospel of God. Stephen was willing to get involved. he was willing to associate with people. And he was willing not only to do the physical work of serving tables, but to go on further with the great commission. Disciples today who serve the Lord will witness for Christ. They will also be committed to establish the believers in the faith and in the Word of God. Training others so there will not be a vacuum left when older saints move on to other work is part of the responsibilities we have.
It may be that former slaves who were freed formed their own synagogue in Jerusalem. It is not uncommon for groups to arise calling themselves "Christian," to have an unknown agenda they are following. Such a diverse group of discontented people will often misrepresent the teaching of scripture in order to forward their own personal opinions. The people of the synagogue of the Libertines were not above lying to get their agenda heard. The accusations against Stephen were false but they were used by Satan to seek to stop the mouth of Stephen. We must never turn aside from the work to which we have been called, and we must remain consistent in the message we proclaim to the people. Stephen knew what he was talking about when he was called to the council. The Spirit of God had prepared him. But it was also obvious to them all that something was special about Stephen. May the uniqueness and reality of our faith be obvious to those around us.