Preaching the gospel from Acts 6:1-7

There are many true, useful and interesting things on could say from Acts 6:1-7.

For example, one might say:

• The church can grow despite persecution when the good news of Jesus is proclaimed. 
• Growth can bring problems.
• The early church had problems which threatened the growth of the church.
• It is important to address issues which might impede the spread of God’s word.
• Prayer and ministry of the word are priorities for the church.
• Practical acts of caring and good administration are important too.
• Practical jobs should ideally be done by those who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
• Leadership and service are shared with people having different responsibilities and roles.
• The Apostles led the church but everyone was involved in making / agreeing decisions.

But what is the burden and thrust of the passage that will not only inform the mind but move the heart and activate the will?

And in particular how does it proclaim the biblical gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, for that is surely the purpose of Scripture and of all faithful preaching?

Yes, we need teaching about church life and how we might organise things and so on, but we need each Sunday to hear good news which will be life and joy to us as we trust in Christ.

So how would you do that from Acts 6:1-7. Oh, and one of the services is an all age too!

One of the issues with reading this and other passages in Acts might be expressed as the narrative / normative dilemma: when is Luke telling us what happened and when is he telling us what should happen? Or perhaps more accurately, how and in what respects is this narrative normative? Acts is not first of all a handbook for church government. Granted, for example, that the early church took a decision by casting lots, and even that it was right to do so, does not mean that all church decisions should be taken in this way in the future. Or to relate it to this passage, the seven were all men with Greek names. Does that mean that all deacons should (a) be men and / or (b) have Greek names? Thinking about this can alert us to our own assumptions. The whole of Scripture will help to inform our reading and applying of this passage. And we must do that with the good news of Jesus front and centre.

The spirit formed community of the church serving one another in love is one fruit and expression of that gospel. She is the New Israel experiencing new covenant blessings in which all are invited to partake.