September 30, 2022
Operation Delegation
Acts 6
Christine Behling
Central Truth
The twelve disciples' response to conflict within the church body is an example to follow. They give a model of how to delegate ministry responsibilities to wise, Spirit-filled church members in order to further advance the kingdom of God.
Key Verse | Acts 6:3-4
"Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Acts 6
Seven Chosen to Serve
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists 1 6:1 That is, Greek-speaking Jews arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, 2 6:3 Or brothers and sisters pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Is Seized
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | Acts 6
Have you ever felt spread thin in your ministry responsibilities? Do you struggle knowing what to say "yes" or "no" to in the church?
In Acts 6, we see conflict arise within the early church, with a complaint that the Hellenist (Greek-enculturated Jewish) widows were not having food distributed to them fairly. The way that the twelve disciples responded to this conflict within the body is one to take note of and use as a model. The disciples 1) called others into the conversation to resolve conflict, 2) looked for men of reputable character to delegate ministry responsibility to, and 3) devoted themselves to prayer and to the ministry that Christ had given them.
The twelve disciples knew that the church is one body with many parts. Therefore, in making decisions as leaders, it was important to resolve conflict by bringing others into the conversation and gaining consensus within the church body. The twelve also knew that they couldn't take all the weight and responsibilities of the church needs on their own shoulders. They decided to give away ministry to other members of the church for the sake of furthering the kingdom even more than they could on their own.
It is important to note that the twelve disciples were looking for men with certain character, not with certain giftings or knowledge. They were looking for men whose character qualities were well respected and affirmed, whose hearts were filled with the Holy Spirit, and whose lives were marked by wisdom. Last, the twelve disciples knew that their role was to devote themselves to prayer over the church and to continue in the ministry that Jesus commissioned them to pursue. They didn't get distracted by saying yes to every leadership opportunity that came their way, but instead focused on spreading the Word of God.
In your own life, consider how you might delegate responsibility in ministry to those around you. Take note of men and women of well-attested character in your own church body. Trust that God is in control of the details. And watch how God uses each of you to further His kingdom!
Discussion Questions
1. Would those who know you best say that your life is marked by well-attested character, fullness of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom?
2. Is there any area of your life that you need to give up control and allow someone else to lead?
3. Do you know the ministry that God has called you to in your current season of life?