Exposition of Acts: Fundamentals
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. CRISIS
A. CAUSE
>>1. COUNTING
Acts 6:1a Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number,
>>2. COMPLAINT
Acts 6:1b a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
B. COROLLARY
>>1. CHURCH BUSINESS
Acts 6:2a And the twelve gathered the full number of the disciples and said,
>>2. CRIPPLE THE MINISTRY
Acts 6:2b “It is not desirable that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables. (Exodus 18:17)
II. CONDITIONS
A. CHOICE
>>1. CONGREGATION
Acts 6:3a Therefore, brothers, select from among yourselves seven men
>>2. CHARACTER
Acts 6:3b of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this duty. (I Chron 12:32)
B. CANDIDATES
>>1. CONSENSUS
Acts 6:5a And what they said pleased the whole gathering,
>>2. CONFIRMATION
Acts 6:5b 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.
>>3. COMMISSIONING
Acts 6:6 These they set before the apostles, who then prayed and laid hands on them. (I Tim 3:13)
III. CONCLUSION
A. CONCERN
>>1. CONCENTRATION
Acts 6:4a But we will devote ourselves to prayer
>>2. CONVICTION
Acts 6:4b and to the ministry of the Word.” (Eph 4:12; Neh 8:8)
B. CONTINUATION
>>1. CUMULATION
Acts 6:7a And the Word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem,
>>2. CONVERSION
Acts 6:7b and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
~~Added notes~~
Fundamental dichotomy in the Jerusalem church:
Hellenists were Christian Jews that embraced Greek culture
a) From the Diaspora (from all over the Roman Empire).
b) Regarded Hebrews as holier-than-thou traditionalists
c) Not mired in ancient “rules”, but “liberated” (liberals)
d) Used the LXX as Scripture (modern version)
e) Spoke Greek in daily life
Hebrews were Christian Jews that embraced Jewish culture
a) From Judea/Palestine
b) They regarded Hellenists as unspiritual compromisers with little standards/values or follow the Bible
c) They were “fundamentalists” and proud of heritage
d) Used the Hebrew texts as Scripture (KJVonly)
e) Spoke Aramaic in daily life
How would the Church do business?
Option #1 = “COMMUNE”
Option #2 = “COPORATION”
Option #3 = “ORGANISM”