How does Acts 6:5 connect with the qualifications for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3? Setting the Scene in Acts 6 The early church in Jerusalem faced a practical problem—Hellenistic widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles called the congregation together and said: “Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty” (Acts 6:3). Snapshot of the Seven: Key Qualities Highlighted Acts 6:5 records the congregation’s response: “Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.” From verses 3 and 5 we see three core traits: • Good reputation—publicly recognized integrity • Full of the Holy Spirit—evident spiritual vitality and power • Full of wisdom and faith—practical discernment grounded in trust in Christ Paul’s List for Overseers and Deacons in 1 Timothy 3 Decades later Paul writes to Timothy: Overseer (vv. 2–7) • “above reproach” • “temperate, self-controlled, respectable” • “able to teach” • “not given to drunkenness… gentle” • “manages his own household well” • “must have a good reputation with outsiders” Deacon (vv. 8–13) • “worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine” • “holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” • “first be tested; then let them serve” • “blameless” —all quotations. Points of Convergence: How Acts 6 Anticipates 1 Timothy 3 Reputation • Acts 6:3 “good reputation” ↔ 1 Timothy 3:2, 7 “above reproach… good reputation with outsiders.” Character and Self-Control • “full of wisdom” (Acts 6:3) ↔ “temperate, self-controlled, respectable” (1 Timothy 3:2). Spiritual Depth • “full of the Spirit” (Acts 6:3, 5) ↔ “holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9). Faith • Stephen is “full of faith” (Acts 6:5) ↔ leaders must be “trustworthy in everything” (1 Timothy 3:11) and “able to teach” (v. 2), implying strong personal faith. Testing Before Service • The seven were publicly chosen and affirmed (Acts 6:5–6) ↔ deacons are to be “first tested; then let them serve” (1 Timothy 3:10). Why the Connection Matters for Today’s Church • Consistency: The Holy Spirit inspired both Luke and Paul, so the same qualities echo across decades, showing God’s unchanging standard. • Balance: Acts emphasizes Spirit-fullness; 1 Timothy adds domestic faithfulness and doctrinal stability—together giving a holistic portrait. • Practical Guidance: When selecting elders, deacons, ministry team leaders, or committee chairs, the church still looks for reputations untarnished, lives Spirit-led, and faith proven in everyday conduct. Acts 6 gives the seed; 1 Timothy 3 provides the fully developed blueprint. Both call leaders to visible godliness that springs from genuine faith in Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. |
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