Acts Chapter 6
At a Glance
- Acts 6 marks a pivotal transition in the infant church’s life, balancing organizational need with the spiritual aims of mission.
- The selection process itself is telling.
- The chapter also introduces Stephen, described as “a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost,” who begins to perform great wonders and miracles.
- Historical & Literary Context.
- Acts 6 sits in the early, transitional section of Luke’s Acts (likely written in the late 60s CE).
Chapter Overview
Acts 6 marks a pivotal transition in the infant church’s life, balancing organizational need with the spiritual aims of mission. As the number of disciples in Jerusalem increases, a murmuring dispute erupts: Greek-speaking widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, a practical care that reveals both generosity and potential bias. The Twelve respond by reframing the problem: they must not abandon prayer and the ministry of the word to “serve tables.” Their solution is pastoral and administrative: appoint seven men “of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” to oversee the daily distribution, allowing the apostles to devote themselves to prayer and teaching.
The selection process itself is telling. They propose a gospel-shaped leadership model—men known for integrity, filled with the Spirit, capable of wise administration. The community agrees, and Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte, are chosen and prayed over. The immediate outcome confirms the wisdom of this move: the word of God increases, the number of disciples multiplies, and even many priests come to faith.
The chapter also introduces Stephen, described as “a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost,” who begins to perform great wonders and miracles. This signals a broader trajectory: the church’s witness expands beyond Jewish boundaries into the wider Greco-Roman world. Yet Stephen’s preaching incites fierce opposition from a synagogue of debate, culminating in false accusations that lead to his arrest. Although the chapter ends mid-scene in the Sanhedrin’s line-up of witnesses against Stephen, the narrative sets the stage for a dramatic theological confrontation about the Messiahship of Jesus and the true meaning of the temple, foreshadowing a major shift in how God’s people understand worship and approach to God’s presence.
Historical & Literary Context
Acts 6 sits in the early, transitional section of Luke’s Acts (likely written in the late 60s CE). Genre: narrative history with theological aims, blending travelogue, miracle stories, and pastoral instruction to show how the church grows under the Spirit’s power. The immediate context is the Jerusalem church under intense pressure as it expands beyond its initial Jewish boundaries. Luke juxtaposes practical church governance with spiritual vitality to illustrate that true witness requires both devotion to Scripture and compassionate care for the vulnerable.
In the arc of Acts, this chapter follows the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7) and precedes the scattering of believers (Acts 8), which accelerates the gospel’s reach. The “seven” deacons become a prototype for lay leadership and service, and Stephen’s role foreshadows the later, more controversial missionary role he will play in the following chapter’s speeches. The chapter also highlights early church norms: communal care, a fair and transparent selection process, and the integration of diverse cultural groups (Greeks and Hebrews) within a single fellowship. Theologically, it foregrounds the harmony of Word, Prayer, and Service as the backbone of mission.
Key Themes
- Unified missional leadership: The Twelve delegate a vital service task to trustworthy, Spirit-filled leaders, preserving prayer and proclamation as the church’s core vocation.
- Hospitality and justice within community: The complaint about neglected widows exposes social bias and the need for equitable care across cultural groups.
- Spirit-enabled wisdom: The criteria for selection emphasize honesty, Holy Spirit, and wisdom—qualities that empower sustainable growth.
- Witness and controversy: Stephen’s rapid rise in spiritual power invites opposition, signaling that faithful proclamation will confront hostile scrutiny and false testimony.
- The interlocking of service and gospel: Practical acts of service become a platform for the gospel to advance, illustrating that care for the vulnerable is integral to evangelism.
Modern Application
- Organizational wisdom in church life: Churches today can learn from the early model that leadership should be distributed and supplemented by trusted lay leaders to free pastors for prayer and teaching.
- Equity in care: The complaint about the widows invites contemporary reflection on how communities address needs without favoritism, ensuring transparent processes for distributing resources.
- Reputation matters and integrity: The early church’s selection criteria—honesty, fullness of the Spirit, wisdom—offer a practical template for leadership development and accountability.
- Faith under pressure: Stephen’s boldness in debate and readiness to testify before authorities invites Christians to engage culture with wisdom and courage, balancing truth-telling with love.
- Growth through service: Demonstrating love in tangible ways (care for the vulnerable) often opens doors for gospel witness, reinforcing that mission includes social and relational dimensions.
- Acts 4:32-37 (sharing among believers; communal care)
- Acts 6:1-7 (appointing deacons; growth through service)
- Acts 7:1-60 (Stephen’s defense and vision, martyrdom)
- Galatians 6:2 (bearing one another’s burdens)
- 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (qualifications for deacons)
Recommended Personas (Which Biblical figures offer unique insight)
- Peter (for leadership authority and pastoral wisdom)
- Stephen (for courage, preaching under threat, and the deaconate model)
- Moses (for organizing a people and leadership structures)
- Jesus (for service, prioritizing the Father’s work, and conflict with opposition)