How does Jesus Christ govern and care for His local church? Preaching from Acts 6:1–7, Pastor Adam Parker unpacks the vital, often-overlooked biblical pattern of congregational consent and officer ordination. Rather than operating like a detached hierarchy or a secular business, the New Testament church thrives when members actively discern God’s calling, nominate qualified leaders, and confirm them through their vote. Listen in to discover how participating in church leadership selection is not a mere administrative task, but a sacred act of worship through which Christ strengthens and equips His flock.

 

Sermon Title: Divine Calling & the Congregational Vote

Sermon Text: Acts 6:1-7

 

Acts 6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

Acts 6:2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

Acts 6:3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

Acts 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, 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.

Acts 6:6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

 

Main Point: Christ governs and strengthens His church by calling qualified leaders, confirming them through the free consent of the congregation, and equipping them through the grace of ordination.

Outline:

1. The Needs of the Church (6:1-3a)
2. The Congregation’s Vote (6:3b-5 & Acts 14:23)
3. The Ordination (6:6-7)