There are two kinds of conflict in the church: (1) internal (Acts 6:1–7) and (2) external (Acts 6:8–15). Sin is the root cause of both. While internal sin occasionally pops up, it is external opposition to the church that should be the most common. After the internal strife is dealt with (Acts 6:1–7), the work continues, yet so does the opposition. To our amazement, the most opposition the church faces from the outside as a result of the preaching of the gospel, the more it grows. As a church, we will have growing pains, but the main work must stay the main work—and the opposition we face from the lost world should always outweigh the internal strife of the church. If we want the church to grow, we must be faithful in a way that solicits persecution. We must preach the gospel.
2.1 Stephen was full of grace and power…(Acts 6:8)
This story teaches that the apostles do not have a monopoly on the power of God to preach the gospel in word and deed. There is a priesthood of all believers. As is evident through Stephen’s example, God raises up in every generation of believers those to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ with power. Stephen was a table server who became a powerful preacher. Could that be you?
2.2 Opposition arises (Acts 6:9)
Every time the gospel is preached with power, there will be opposition. Note that those opposing Stephen are from Stephen’s own camp of Hellenist believers (Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians). Jesus taught that “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household” (Mk. 6:4). We lose perspective on the power of God in individuals who we are closest to. We tend to elevate those in whom we see the power of God at work, and minimize the power of God at work in our closest friends. Don’t idolize “men of God” nor minimize your closest loved ones. It’s all the power of God at work.
2.3 They could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit… (Acts 6:10)
Christians have the truth. Those who dispute with you will always lose. The most powerful preaching point of the gospel is the resurrection of Jesus. The second is your testimony. We always have those things. Furthermore, secular humanism is the worldview of today that attempts to discredit or disprove the Christian worldview. There are two fatal blows to secular humanism: (1) no explanation for origins, and (2) no evidence of mutation from one species to another.
2.4 Might isn’t right (Acts 6:11)
Just because the crowds are large doesn’t mean they are correct. Jesus hung alone on the cross. When the culture is heading one direction, it will gaslight Christians and Christianity. We must remember that Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matt. 7:13–14).
2.5 Emotions over reason (Acts 6:12)
The opposition appeals to the emotions of those against Christianity to form an affront against it. Often times our emotional responses are biological, not necessarily truth. Love isn’t something biological, it’s a choice. We must keep our emotions in check with truth.
2.6 The sacred cow of tradition (Acts 6:13–14)
The opposition is upset because the gospel is something different than their traditions. Being able to stand the test of time does not make something correct. Often times it is our traditions that need toppled by scripture. Our traditions become the sacred cow, our idols, in which we find our identity rather than in the Word of God. We must be willing to sacrifice the scared cow of tradition when we discover that the tradition is not in line with what the scriptures plainly teach.
2.7 The witness of countenance (Acts 6:15)
Moses in the wilderness, Jesus at the transfiguration, and now Stephen before his enemies; all are examples of a visible manifestation of the brightness of the glory of God. When we serve God—and especially when we face opposition while serving God—his presence rests with us in a special way. Service is the means of our sanctification. Scripture promises that we will be persecuted when we are faithful, but it also promises that there is a special blessing for those who are persecuted.
