Acts 6-8: Someone's Got To Do It

Public ministry, such as the ministry of the priests, has always been more attractive than serving.  This was true in the early church even after all of Jesus' teachings on being servants.  The early disciples were zealous in spreading the gospel, but not so zealous in taking care of the widows.  'We need someone to do this,' they said, 'so that we can concentrate on prayer and ministry.'  So they looked for men full of wisdom and the Spirit and chose seven to carry out the duties and responsibilities of caring for the widows.  This left the rest of the disciples free for ministry.  So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.- Acts 6:7 NIV

One of those chosen to care for the widows was Stephen.  Like many of the patriarchs, such as Joseph and Moses, or prophets, such as Daniel,  Stephen was thrust into service which became a platform for witness.  And like many of his predecessors, great wonders and miraculous signs followed his service.  Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. - Acts 6:9-10 NIV

The guy serving the widows could not be stopped.  He was not afraid of those who considered themselves righteous.  He was sure of the gospel and recounted the history of Joseph and Moses and how the people reacted to those who presented God's truth.  “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”  - Acts 7:51-53 NIV

Surrounded by their fury, Stephen saw heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  This made them even more furious and they rushed Stephen and stoned him to death.  Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, was one of the wise, religious, Jews standing there, watching this man who took care of widows meet his death because of his beliefs.

As a result of Stephen's death, the church scattered and the gospel was spread even further because they preached the gospel wherever they went.