Chapter 6

You remember yesterday I said the Zombie Apocalypse was still to come for the disciples?

Well, it’s starting in chapter 6.

Sadly, it feels like it’s going to be such a nice chapter – the Church is growing apace, and it’s even growing beyond the abilities of the Twelve to administrate it. Specifically, we’re seeing tension on racial lines – there was a definite difference between so-called “Hebraic” jews, who were native to Judah and spoke Aramaic, and “Grecian” jews who generally spoke Greek and came from around the empire.

It’s clear that the Twelve need to do something, and this situation is taxing them.

They need assistance, so they choose a group of men to administer the distribution of aid. Note the names: Stephen (or more exactly “Stephanos”), Philip, Nicolas – All Greek names! The Disciples are making a very clear statement here that they’re not going to hand over this task to people who are likely to have a prejudice against the Greek speakers.

It’s all looking so good.

Then, when he’s barely had time to take on his new responsibilities, he engages in debate and embarrasses a mixed bag of Grecian jews. You can see why this happened – being from a Grecian Jewish background himself, Stephen knows them well – and presumably that means that he knows what issues they find difficult, and what areas to attack. He does so brilliantly.

Unfortunately for Stephen, these guys don’t take kindly to being embarrassed in front of the public, so they begin to plot against him, ultimately leading to his arrest.

At his trial, Stephen’s face looks “like the face of an angel”. That’s got to be a bad sign right there – this man isn’t long for this world.

Okay, so now let’s look at why this passage matters.

It’s funny that I should read this right now. I feel some kinship with the disciples here since I (along with others at my church) am now looking at the possibility of employing someone to take on a ministry role. I understand the excitement and even euphoria these men must be feeling. It may be tempting to think that your problems will be over with the new appointment.

Sadly, this isn’t the case – and one of the messages I draw from this personally is that no, when we have our family worker, things won’t suddenly become all easy and happy. The problems we face will, if things go well, start becoming problems of growth rather than problems of stagnation. That’s all. In fact, it is possible that our problems might grow larger – we might attract the attention of a certain individual popularly portrayed as wearing a red jumpsuit with horns . . .

Certainly Stephen’s problems became (at one level) larger with the success of his ministry.

Another lesson I draw from this is related but different. Not everyone appreciates the Gospel and/or Christ. There are those who are opposed to anything to do with Him. And if I (or those around me) become skilled at debating them, sometimes that opposition may even increase.

This doesn’t mean that I should stop – far from it! In fact, I should continue on – but just be aware that this is a war, and I could get hurt.

In the words of Michael Card, “When the world begins to see you change, don’t expect them to applaud; just keep your eyes on Him and tell yourself “I’ve become the work of God!”