The seven men in Acts 6
AT TIMES DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, COMPANIES, OR BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT SEEK HELP.
A. This is precisely what we find in Acts 6.
B. The apostles were occupied with communicating the word of God to others.
C. When a benevolent need arose, they asked for 7 Christian men to help meet this need.
2. Tonight we want to look at one of the qualifications for these 7 men.
3. In the ASV Acts 6:3 says they were to have a “good report.”
4. The KJV says “honest report.”
5. It is easy to read this description and keep right on reading.
A. Tonight we want to stop and see what this expression means.
B. We also want to apply it to our lives.
C. For this to be done, we need to first know what a “good/honest” report is.
6. In the New Testament the word translated “good report” has several different meanings.
7. One of these meanings, and this is the idea here, is “a good reputation.”
A. Most know that people have different reputations.
B. Reputations start early; babies might be known as “good” or “cranky.”
C. Teens can be known as good kids or troublemakers.
D. There are people who are known for their dishonesty. Others are known for their integrity.
E. There are reputations because of generosity and stinginess.
F. Speakers may be known for their long windedness or brevity.
G. Workers may be known for attention to deal or sloppiness.
8. By using this word and idea in Acts 6:3, the Bible teaches that people have reputations.
9. Our reputation may be known to a few people or many, but we do have a reputation.
10. God believes it is important for His people to have a good reputation.
A. When we look at the word used in Acts 6:3 we find it being used elsewhere in the book of Acts.
B. In the passages I am about to give the term has the same sense as expressed in Acts 6.
C. The first of these passages is Acts 10:22.
11. Luke wrote about a centurion (military officer) named Cornelius.
12. When this man is described attention is usually focused on how God viewed him.
13. The Bible tells us how he was also seen by his other human beings.
14.
READ Acts 10:22A
A.
This is an
intriguing passage.
B.
Cornelius was
a Gentile.
C.
Jews and
Gentiles came from very different backgrounds.
D.
There was
often frication between these two nations.
E.
This Gentile,
however, was known to the Jews.
F.
Not
only did Jews know him, the text says “all the nation of the Jews” were
familiar with him.
G.
What did the
Hebrews think of this man?
What was his reputation?
15.
They gave a “good report” about him (they said he had a good reputation).
16.
In Acts 6 we find that people inside the kingdom of God can have a
good reputation.
17.
In Acts 10 we find that people outside the church can also have a good
reputation.
A.
To some,
having a good reputation is enough.
B.
People believe
if they have a good reputation this all they need to please God.
C.
This is not
right because Acts 10 says this is not right.
D.
Cornelius had
good standing among the people but he was not saved.
E.
He was on the
right road but he still needed to become a New Testament Christian.
F.
God
wants people to have a good reputation, but this is not all He requires.
18.
As we look at this word we find it occurs again (in the same sense) in
Acts 16:2.
19.
Paul came to the area of Derbe and Lystra.
A.
If you know
where Cyprus is, these communities are directly north.
B.
Colossae was
in this same area.
C.
In this region
Paul met a person who is mentioned quite a few times in the New
Testament.
D.
Let’s see who
this is – Acts 16:1-2 – READ.
20.
This passage takes on added meaning when compared with 1 Tim. 4:12.
21.
In 1 Tim. 4 the word youth is applied to Timothy.
22.
Timothy was a young man, but he had a good reputation (Acts 16:2, well
reported).
A.
We do not need
to be past the prime of life to have a good reputation.
B.
Earlier it was
noted how small children have reputations.
C.
There are
young people who are known as thieves, being violent, and generally
wicked.
D.
Others are
trustworthy, loyal, and good.
23.
It is a good thing when non-Christians (young and old) have a good
reputation.
24.
A truly good reputation is achieved in the way described by Acts 6.
25.
People have a good reputation because they are faithful Christians.
26.
God has a lot of uses for Christians who have good reputations.
A.
Most of us
know that Saul became a Christian.
B.
His named was
changed to Paul.
C.
Who had a part
in converting Saul?
D.
Luke says it
was a man named Ananias.
E.
This detail is
found in Acts 22:12.
F.
Along
with giving the name of this individual, a small but important detail is
included about him.
27.
This detail is the same word used in Acts 6:3.
28.
Let’s look at 22:12 now – READ.
29.
Ananias was a “devout” man (he was religious).
30.
He also had a good reputation (“well reported of by ALL the Jews”).
A.
This man was a
Christian, but people of another faith spoke well of him.
B.
His reputation
may have been the reason God used him to further instruct Paul.
C.
This man’s
reputation may have helped established the credibility of Paul’s
conversion.
31.
The word we are looking at describes good reputations from several
vantage points.
32.
We have not, however, said much about this word and Christian ladies.
33.
Let’s now introduce another passage where this word occurs and has the
same meaning.
34.
This passage is 1 Tim. 5:10.
A.
In this text
widows are being described.
B.
A widow can be
any age so we would not want to necessarily associate them as older.
C.
Some of what
Paul says in 1 Tim. 5 makes it sound like older widows are being
described.
D.
Here is what
the text says – 1 Tim. 5:10 – READ
35.
This information relates to the previous verse.
36.
In verse 9 Paul spoke about widows being “enrolled.”
37.
Tonight is not the time to explore what this “enrolling” may have been.
38.
Suffice it to say that some type of enrollment existed for first
century widows.
39.
To qualify for this enrollment a widow needed a “good reputation” (well
reported, 10a).
40.
Verse 10 helps explain how women (and ultimately men) can achieve a good
reputation.
A.
When someone
has children, properly care for them.
B.
Children can
have some bearing—perhaps significant bearing—on our reputation.
41.
Hospitality or the lack thereof (verse 10) can also affect our
reputation.
42.
Are we willing to give and share or are we not?
43.
This comes home to us in regard to the upcoming campaign.
44.
If we have room in our homes to keep people, will we fill our empty beds
with fellow Christians?
45.
We had some additional signatures on the foyer sheets this morning and I
commend you for that.
46.
The choices we make when it comes time to help partly determines the kind
of reputation we have.
47.
Washing feet (verse 10) was a necessary act because people had open shoes
and the roads were dusty.
A.
What needs
cleaning is now different, but cleaning still needs to be done.
B.
Are we willing
to help clean and pick up, or do we have a reputation for not?
C.
Are we willing
to help set up and take down what is needed for a group function?
D.
Some are
givers and some are takers.
E.
1 Tim. 5:10
says we develop a good reputation by being a giver.
48.
Another point in 1 Tim. 5:10 is helping the afflicted.
49.
We sometimes discuss the story of the good Samaritan.
50.
Do the people Jesus described in Lk. 10:30-37 have reputations?
51.
Yes they do, and the reputations are based upon what Paul described in 1
Tim. 5:10.
52.
One man is still known for his good works/acts of kindness.
53.
The widows in 1 Tim. 5 “followed every good work.”
54.
What we do leaves in life us with a reputation.
55.
We have a reputation on the earth and in heaven.
56.
A long time ago God said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?”
57.
Job had a reputation. God was
proud of him.
58.
What kind of reputation do we have?
59.
If people falsely attribute things to us, that cannot be helped.
60.
When we strive to live as the New Testament describes, we will develop a
very good reputation.
61.
This is important because at times people will be needed (just like the
time in Acts 6).
62.
Will our reputation be such where people will look to us as the right
helper?