July 4
Bible Reading: Acts 6:1-7
Acts 6:3, “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.”
The early church was characterized by its eagerness to show loving concern for the needs of others (Acts 2:44-45, 4:34-35). Thus, the church cared for its widows by providing meals. But “a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution” (Acts 6:1). The twelve Apostles, wanting to give attention to the “preaching of the word,” wisely purposed to delegate the matter to others (Acts 6:2, 4).
They brought the matter to the congregation, who were tasked with choosing seven men to serve. The job demanded oversight by well-qualified men. Left unresolved or mismanaged, the situation might easily have given rise to division and dissension, undermining the unity of the church.
The men to be selected were to be men of “good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3), men that others could and would vouch for. They were also to be men “full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” They chose “Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch” (Acts 6:5). No other information is given — in the immediate context—regarding their backgrounds, resumes, accomplishments, or experience. Their selection was not based on such things, but that they were spiritual men who evidenced that reality in their day-to-day lives.
The soon-to-be martyred Stephen was amongst those who filled that role. He was not only “full of the Spirit and of wisdom,” (Acts 6:3) he was “full of faith” (Acts 6:5) and “full of grace and power” (Acts 6:8). He was full of the Spirit and was “doing great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). That later proved problematic for him, but that’s another chapter.
What lesson can we garner from this episode in church history? An effective servant is not so because of his own abilities, but his availability to be used by the Spirit of God. Stephen was “full of it” in the positive sense. Being full of the Holy Spirit, he was well-qualified and equipped to serve God in various ways. He was open to the Spirit’s leadership and empowered to do things that he could have never done otherwise. “To be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:16) is a matter of preeminent relevance to any would-be servant of Christ. By this means alone, can we be well-qualified for whatever ministry God calls us to. Are you even now being led by the Spirit? Is that reality being evidenced before others so that they would vouch for your reputation?
By the Spirit alone are any of us equipped to be well-qualified to serve.
O TO BE LIKE THEE!
Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Refrain:
Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find. [Refrain]
Oh! to be like Thee, while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 