Stewarding a Growing Apostolic Community
    Exposition of Acts 6:1-8:

    Acts 6:1-8
    6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring
    against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
    2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should
    leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of
    good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit 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 the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor,
    Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when
    they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples
    multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.   8 And Stephen,
     full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
    NKJV

I. PRESSURE POINTS IN THE CONTEXT OF A RAPIDLY GROWING APOSTOLIC COMMUNITY (VS. 1-2)

A.        Dealing with the history of falling away of leaders (John 13-21)

    1.        Judas betrayed Jesus Christ in fulfillment of Psalms 41:9.
    2.        Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crow and was restored to the fellowship later.
    (John 13:38; John 21: 15-18; Luke 23:32)
    3.        The disciples were scattered- some away from Jerusalem. (John 16:32)

B.        Dealing with new revelations about Jesus Christ (Acts 1:1-8)

    1.        Resurrection of Christ is now a reality (John 1:1-30)
    2.        Jesus taught them plainly about the kingdom of heaven (Acts 1:8)
    3.        Jesus points their attention to the ends of the earth and His return (Acts 1)

C.        Dealing with their new relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit (Acts 2-3)

    1.        The apostolic community was baptized in the Holy Spirit with power (Acts 2)
    2.        The apostolic community grew rapidly in the presence of the Spirit of Christ (2:47)
    3.        Apostolic power was evident in preaching and in ministries (Acts 2:42; 3:9)
       
D.        Dealing with persecutions from religious orthodoxy and the increasing wealth (Acts 4)

    1.        The apostles were arrested by the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-22)
    2.        The apostolic community continue in corporate prayers for more boldness (Acts 4:23-31)

E.        Dealing with Increasing wealth in the community (Acts 4:32-Acts 5:11)
              
F.        Dealing with sheer pressures of numerical growth (Acts 6:1)

    1.        Tangible exponential growth in the numbers of disciples (Acts 2:15, 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14; Acts 6:1)
    2.        Growing visibility and influence in an adversarial context in Jerusalem. (Acts 5:17)
               
G.        Dealing with internal cultural schism, diversity and historical cultural animosity (Acts 6:2)

    1.        Various people were added to the apostolic community e.g. priests, proselytes, Hellenists, Hebrews,
    Galilean etc.
    2.    Many needy people e.g. widows, orphans, sick were added to the apostolic community.
               
H.        Dealing with growing numbers of poor and needy being added to the community (Acts 6:2)

    1.        An apostolic community served as a beacon of hope, healing and restoration for many needy people
    in Jerusalem. (Acts 5:14-16)
    2.        Extravagant giving and receiving was active among the community members along with sharing of common
    goods (Acts 2:42-47)


II. SPIRITUAL ADMINISTRATIONS THAT EDIFIED A RAPIDLY GROWING APOSTOLIC COMMUNITY (VS. 3-6)

A.        Identifying and Proclaiming the spiritual priority in the apostolic community (v. 2b)

    1.        Ministry of the word of God as the spiritual priority in the apostolic community
    2.        Adoption of spiritual priority as a core value of the apostolic community

B.        Identifying the spiritual strategy to cope with the pressures of growth (vs. 3-5)

    1.        Strategy #1: Business of administration is vital and indispensable (v. 3)
    2.        Strategy #2: We need a team of seven ministers to focus on this business (v. 4)
    3.        Strategy #3: The team of minister must possessed these basic qualifications (v. 4)
    a.        Good reputation
    b.        Full of the Holy Spirit
    c.        Full of wisdom
    4.        Strategy #4: The apostolic leadership must continue to focus on “word and prayer”. (v.4)
    5.        Strategy #5: The community needs to embrace these strategies and moves in unity of the Spirit (v.5)

C.        Identifying the spiritual leadership that will steward the spiritual strategy (vs. 3-6)

    1.        Good reputation- someone with a history of spiritual life and ministry in the context of apostolic
    community not a novice.
    2.        A group leadership was chosen and empowered not just an individual.
    3.        Spiritual men were chosen not just those with skills and experiences in administration. There was no
    precedent for such ministry and no evidence that the seven had much experience before.


III. TANGIBLE IMPACTS AND FRUITS OF EXCELLENT STEWARDSHIP IN A RAPIDLY GROWING APOSTOLIC
COMMUNITY (VS. 7-8).

A.        The Word of God continues to spread unhindered despite real pressure points. (v. 7)

    1.        Excellent spiritual administrations do not grow an apostolic community but removed stumbling blocks and
    hindrances to the rapid growth of an apostolic community.
    2.        Word and prayer fueled the growth of the community in the Holy Spirit power.
    3.        Excellent spiritual administrations allowed the word of the Lord to run swiftly.

B.        The numerical growth continue rapidly and significantly (v. 7)

    1.         The apostles continued to focus on prayer and word while the seven continued to serve with excellence
    the needs of the widows and needy. In that instance, many people were added to them and even many religious
    leaders joined them.

C.        Signs and wonders continue to be manifested among the growing leadership of the apostolic community (v. 8)

    1.         Growth in this context did not just cover the numerical realm but the realm of power and the quality of the
    vessels. Stephen, one of the seven, began to exhibit the signs of apostolic power in preaching and ministries. Philip,
    one of the seven, brought a great revival to Samaria with many mighty signs and wonders. They did not just serve
    tables; they were mighty in words and deeds.