Acts

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Acts Chapter 6
Acts
Acts
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Chapter 6 1 Now in those days, when the number of
the disciples was multiplying, there arose a
complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,
because their widows were neglected in the daily
distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the
multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not
desirable that we should leave the word of God
and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out
from among you seven men of good reputation, full
of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business 4 but we will give
ourselves continually to prayer and to the
ministry of the word." 5 And the saying pleased
the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a
man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and
Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and
Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
3
Acts 61 (a) 1 Now in those days, when the number
of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a
complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,
because their widows were neglected in the daily
distribution.
What days?
The problem arouse in those days, that is, during
the days in which the apostles were busily
preaching and teaching (542). As a result of
their efforts during time, the number of the
disciple multiplies. In this verse we have the
first use of the word disciples in the book of
Acts.
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disciple
A disciple is a pupil who adheres to the
principles he learns from his teacher and models
his life after his teacher. Christians are
Disciples of Christ, our Teacher and Example.
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Acts 61 (b) 1 Now in those days, when the number
of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a
complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,
because their widows were neglected in the daily
distribution.
Please take note that at this point there are
almost 9,000 members of the church of Christ, now
Luke says that they are multiplying. How many
more? We dont know but the number of the
brethren is growing.
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First persecutions, then sin in the church that
has to be punished. When there is growth we are
to also expect problems. Until now Luke has been
talking and teaching about harmony in the new
church. Acts 114 21 424, 32 512), But as a
faithful historian that does not write only the
positive but also hill mention the negative that
existed in the church. The church is growing,
keep that in mind. There is no way that the
church of the Lord will stay only with 70 members
in the beginning
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Acts 61 (c) 1 Now in those days, when the number
of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a
complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,
because their widows were neglected in the daily
distribution.
Complaints in the church are no good. Complaints
or division are something very lethal in the
church. 1 Corinthians. 33 Galatians. 520
Philippians. 23, 14 1 Pet. 49
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The complain comes from the Greeks. The term
rendered Grecians is Hellenists. Which denotes
Hellenists these are the people who speak the
Greek language and imitate Greek customs. In this
case they would have been Greek Speaking Jews
from outside Palestine. The Hebrews on the other
hand, were Jews from Palestine who spoke the
Jewish language (Aramaic). Both the Grecians and
Hebrews were Christians but even among Christians
there sometimes rose problems rooted in ethnic
differences.
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Acts 61 (d) 1 Now in those days, when the number
of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a
complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,
because their widows were neglected in the daily
distribution.
What was the complain? Because their widows were
neglected in the daily distribution. This was
the reason for the murmuring of the Hellenists.
The daily administration. Their widows were
"Overlooked" by those whom the apostles employed,
and who were probably of the Hebrew class, as
being the most numerous. The complaint was in all
likelihood well founded.
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The daily ministration -- the daily distribution
of alms or of food, probably the latter. Luke
does not state the reason for this oversight, but
the Hellenists, quite naturally, complained. This
problem was potentially disastrous for a failure
to resolve and it would have resulted in a split
within the church.
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Acts 62 (a) 2 Then the twelve summoned the
multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not
desirable that we should leave the word of God
and serve tables.
Then the twelve. That is, the apostles. Matthias
had been added to them after the apostasy of
Judas, which had completed the original number.
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The (apostles) or the leaders of the church
called the whole church together. Note They did
not deny the problem but they graciously
acknowledge that the problem might or did exist.
The leaders knew how easily people, in particular
groups feel when they are neglected.
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Acts 62 (b) 2 Then the twelve summoned the
multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not
desirable that we should leave the word of God
and serve tables.
It is not reason. The original words used here
properly denote, it is not pleasing, or
agreeable but the meaning evidently is, it is
not fit, or proper. It would be a departure from
the design of their appointment, which was to
preach the gospel, and not to attend to the
pecuniary affairs of the church.
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Acts 62 (c) 2 Then the twelve summoned the
multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not
desirable that we should leave the word of God
and serve tables.
Leave the word of God. That we should neglect,
or abandon the preaching of the gospel so much as
would be necessary, if we attended personally to
the distribution of the alms of the church. The
gospel is here called the word of God, because it
is his message it is that which he has spoken
or which he has commanded to be proclaimed to men.
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Acts 62 (d) 2 Then the twelve summoned the
multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not
desirable that we should leave the word of God
and serve tables.
Serve tables. This expression properly denotes
to take care of, or to provide for the table, or
for the daily wants of the family. It is an
expression that properly applies to a steward, or
a servant. The word tables is, however, sometimes
used with reference to money, as being the place
where money was kept for the purpose of exchange,
etc., Here the expression means, therefore, to
attend to the pecuniary transactions of the
church, and to make the proper distribution for
the wants of the poor.
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Acts 63 (a) 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from
among you seven men of good reputation, full of
the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business
Seek out
Are these deacons? Can we say that they are the
same men as 1 Timothy 38-11?
Select, or choose. Who is going to do this? The
church.
There is no clergy who will come and appoint a
preacher in the church, there is no school that
will come and appoint a preacher in the church.
If I am a preacher it is because the church has
desired it so. If the church has elders it is
because the church has desired it so, if the
church has deacons its because the church has
desired it so. The church and not one man has
the right to appoint her leaders.
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Acts 63 (b) 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from
among you seven men of good reputation, full of
the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business
From Among you.
Preacher, Elders and deacons and member comes
from the church. Every good preacher of the
gospel is made in the church and for the church.
From among you.
That is, from among the Grecians and Hebrews,
that there may be justice done, and no further
cause of complaint.
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Acts 63 (c) 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from
among you seven men of good reputation, full of
the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business
seven men of good reputation
Seven was a sacred number among the Hebrews, but
there does not appear to have been any mystery in
choosing this number. It was a convenient number,
sufficiently numerous to secure the faithful
performance of the duty, and not so numerous as
to produce confusion and embarrassment.
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Acts 63 (d) 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from
among you seven men of good reputation, full of
the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business
Good Reputation.
Of honest report. Of fair reputation regarded
as men of integrity. Greek, testified of, or
borne witness to, i.e. whose characters were well
known and fair.
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Acts 63 (e) 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from
among you seven men of good reputation, full of
the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business
Full of the Holy Spirit
This evidently does not mean endowed with
miraculous gifts, or the power of speaking
foreign languages, for such gifts were not
necessary to the discharge of their office but
it means men who were eminently under the
influence of the Holy Ghost, or who were of
distinguished piety. This was all that was
necessary in the case, and this is all that the
words fairly imply in this place.
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Acts 63 (f) 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from
among you seven men of good reputation, full of
the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business
And Wisdom
Prudence, or skill, to make a wise and equable
distribution. The qualifications of deacons are
still further stated and illustrated in 1 Timothy
38-10. In this place it is seen that they must
be men of eminent piety and fair character, and
that they must possess prudence, or wisdom, to
manage the affairs connected with their office.
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Acts 63 (g) 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from
among you seven men of good reputation, full of
the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business
Whom we may appoint
Whom we may constitute, or set over this
business. The way in which this was done was by
prayer and the imposition of hands, Acts 66.
Though they were selected by the church, yet the
power of ordaining them, or setting them apart,
was retained by the apostles.
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Acts 64 (a) 4 but we will give ourselves
continually to prayer and to the ministry of the
word."
But we will give ourselves continually. The
original expression here used denotes intense and
persevering application to a thing, or unwearied
effort in it. Acts 114. It means that the
apostles meant to make this their constant and
main object, undistracted by the cares of life,
and even by attention to the temporal wants of
the church. In order for them to continue with
prayer and the preaching of the word, they and
the church select the seven men. Note please
how important prayer is in the life of the
leaders of the church.
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Acts 64 (b) 4 but we will give ourselves
continually to prayer and to the ministry of the
word."
Also, they want to continue with the preaching of
the Word. That is, with the ministry of the Word.
They are servants of God, not of the tables. They
dont want to be distracted by the world with the
regular affairs of life. It is not fair to leave
the Word of God on the side for being distracted
by the world.
d?a????? Servant or Deacon
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Acts 65 (a) 5 And the saying pleased the whole
multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of
faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a
proselyte from Antioch,
And the saying. The word, the counsel, or
command. Rather than wanting to argue and place
blame, all the disciple desired to resolve the
problem and were pleased with the solution
proposed by the apostles.
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Acts 65 (b) 5 And the saying pleased the whole
multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of
faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a
proselyte from Antioch,
And they chose Stephen, A man who soon showed
that he was every way qualified for his office,
and fitted to defend also the cause of the Lord
Jesus. This man had the distinguished honour of
being the first Christian martyr, Acts 7.
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Acts 65 (c) 5 And the saying pleased the whole
multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of
faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a
proselyte from Antioch,
And Philip. Philip Is the second man selected by
the church. Who was Philip? Philip who later
becomes a prominent figure in Acts. Stephen and
Philip are the only two who are mention again in
Acts.
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Acts 65 (d) 5 And the saying pleased the whole
multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of
faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a
proselyte from Antioch,
From the remaining five men we dont know much
about them. Many believe that this Nicolas was
the same man that Jesus mentioned in the book of
Revelation as having a different doctrine.
(Revelation 26, 15). We are not sure about
that. He was a proselyte from Antioch. Luke calls
him proselyte, that means that he was a Gentile,
who had converted to Judaism.
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Acts 66 (a) 6 whom they set before the apostles
and when they had prayed, they laid hands on
them.
When the whole congregation selects the 7 men,
they then present them to the apostles. The
Apostles were the authority, they represent
Christ on earth and they will give the approval
unto the new servants.
And when they had prayed. Invoking in this manner
the blessing of God on them to attend them in the
discharge of the duties of their office. In every
decision that the church makes we need to ask for
the blessings from God. Prayer is the sign of
approval that God is with us and the he is tying
in heaven what we are tying on earth.
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Acts 66 (b) 6 whom they set before the apostles
and when they had prayed, they laid hands on
them.
Can we do this now days? Can we lay our hands on
somebody?
Among the Jews it was customary to lay hands on
the head of a person who was set apart to any
particular office, Numbers 2718 comp. Acts
819. In this case the laying on of the hands
conveyed of itself no healing power, but was a
sign or token that the power came from the Lord
Jesus. Ordination has been uniformly performed in
this way. See 1 Timothy 522 Though the seven
deacons had been chosen by the church to this
work, yet they derived their immediate commission
and authority from the apostles.
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Acts 67 (a) Then the word of God spread, and the
number of the disciples multiplied greatly in
Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were
obedient to the faith
Again the church continues to grow and not only
to grow but to grow GREATLY! And the word of God
increased. That is, the gospel was more and more
successful, or became more mighty and extensive
in its influence. An instance of this success is
immediately added.
The Word of God increase as never before. The
Apostles were freed to concentrate on prayer and
the Word. There was a new power in their
witnessing and teaching.
They worked and now they can see the results!
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Acts 67 (b) Then the word of God spread, and the
number of the disciples multiplied greatly in
Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were
obedient to the faith
And a great company of the priests.
The Priests were obedient in both receiving
Christ and in following Christ. They embraced the
Gospel and lived the Gospel.
But the number of the priests in Jerusalem was
very great and their conversion was a striking
proof of the power of truth. Even among the
Sanhedrin we knew that there were many believer
so it was just a matter of time before they come
and obey the Gospel.
Romans 15 Colossians 26 1 John 26 Galatians
220
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Acts 67 (c) Then the word of God spread, and the
number of the disciples multiplied greatly in
Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were
obedient to the faith
This is not a Good day for the elders, for the
scribes and especially for Anas and Caiaphas.
Many of their followers are obeying the Gospel of
Jesus. Great numbers from the Sanhedrin are
changing to the true faith!
Acts 45,6  And it came to pass, on the next
day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as
well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,
and Alexander, and as many as were of the family
of the high priest, were gathered together at
Jerusalem.
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Acts 68 (a) 8 And Stephen, full of faith and
power, did great wonders and signs among the
people.
In here we have a good man that was selected
among the seven that were chosen by the church.
From the others were not going to hear of any
other but Philip. Of Stephen we will talk about
this man when his turn comes in the Men of The
Bible
Stephen was layman, an excellent layman, a great
servant of God. His name means crown. Note these
facts about him. He was
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Acts 68 (b) 8 And Stephen, full of faith and
power, did great wonders and signs among the
people.
Full of faith (68) Full of the Holy Spirit (63,
5, 10) Full of Grace (Acts 68) Full of Power
(Acts 68) Full of wisdom (Acts 63, 10) A man of
great reputation or testimony (Acts 63) A man of
great works (Acts 68) A great defender of the
faith (Acts 610) The first servant of the church
(Acts 65) The first martyr of the church (Acts
759-60 2220)
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Acts 68 (c) 8 And Stephen, full of faith and
power, did great wonders and signs among the
people.
The first point that calls our attention is that
this man was full of faith (Grace) and power. He
was doing great works of God.
He was full of grace (Charitos). This is the idea
that Stephen was under the grace or the favor
from God. He was under the love of God, the gift,
the blessings from God. We all have the favor
from God and the Bible declares that those who
love God are under His favor.
1 Corinthians 14-5 2 Corinthians 112
Ephesians 37 1 Timothy 114 Titus 211-13
James 46 1 Peter 410
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Acts 69 (a) 9 Then there arose some from what is
called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians,
Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia),
disputing with Stephen.
Soon opposition arose. This time it came from the
Greek-speaking Jews who, like Stephen had
returned from the dispersion to live in
Jerusalem. Some arose from the synagogues of the
freedmen (or libertines) according to other
versions. Five synagogues in particular stood up
against Stephen. They opposed what he was
preaching.
Libertines or freedmen who were those?
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Acts 69 (b) 9 Then there arose some from what is
called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians,
Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia),
disputing with Stephen.
Probably they were Roman slaves who were
transferred to Judea in those days and that have
embraced the Jewish religions. At that time they
were free and were fanatics of the Jewish
Religion. Others believe that probably the term
freedmen describes the origin or their city. The
ones who favor this idea says that the word
freedmen is a Latin word and means Libertina
which is this is the case then is true because
there was a city in Africa called Libertina or
libertines which is equal to freedmen.
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Acts 610 (a) 10 And they were not able to resist
the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
Stephen was a man who defends the faith. Note
what Luke said please They were not able to
resist the wisdom. He was full of wisdom. They
can stand against Stephen but they cannot stand
against the Holy Spirit who was in Stephen
speaking through him. The Holy Spirit was
supplying the answers, the thoughts and the words
to say.
Luke 2215 James 15
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Acts 610 (b) 10 And they were not able to resist
the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
Brothers, men often do stand against believers,
but the man who opposes and argues against the
believers witness is resisting the Holy Spirit,
not the believers.
Acts 751 Psalms 329-10 Isaiah 4612-13
Jeremiah 3233 Malachi 22
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Acts 610 (c) 10 And they were not able to resist
the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
The Holy Spirit gives the genuine believer the
thoughts and words to say in bearing witness to
the world. But note In order to receive the
guidance of the Holy Spirit we need to be full of
the Holy Spirit like Stephen was.
John 1426 John 1526 John 167-11 John
1613
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Acts 611 (a) 11 Then they secretly induced men
to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous
words against Moses and God."
Every false teacher has his own way in order to
destroy the truth. Satan has many ways to put us
down. People will come falsely accusing us
because they want to see us down. They want to
see us in sin and they will invent anything in
order to get rid of us.
Stephen was not the exception. They induce men.
The King James says That they Suborned men, that
is they buy them, they paid a price in order for
them to lie against Stephen. To suborn in law,
means to procure a person to take such a false
oath as constitutes perjury.Webster's.
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Acts 611 (b) 11 Then they secretly induced men
to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous
words against Moses and God."
They were instructed to say "We have heard him
speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."
What a lie! Have you heard something like that?
No! Stephen hasnt said anything against Moses
and the law. Moses was very respected among them
and they new that by accusing Stephen with Moses
for sure he will be put to death in no
time. Stephen and Lord Jesus have something very
similar in their trials. Lets see the Bible
please
Matthew 2665 Mark 27
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Acts 612 (a) 12 And they stirred up the people,
the elders, and the scribes and they came upon
him, seized him, and brought him to the council.
This is the best that they can do. They cannot
stand against the truth, they stirred up the
crowds. And they continue until now doing the
same.
Luke says that the words of Stephen Stirred up!
The idea is to shake as a volcano to move and
rock together as a violent shaking. This is the
first time that the people rose against the
disciples
45
Acts 612 (b) 12 And they stirred up the people,
the elders, and the scribes and they came upon
him, seized him, and brought him to the council.
They stirred up not only the people but also The
Elders . The few that were left! The Scribes. The
one who read and write the Law of God unto the
people. Matthew 24.
They came upon Stephen. This means that they
rushed at him in fury, anger, and
violence. Finally Stephen is in front of the
council, he is in front of the 71 members of the
Sanhedrim and they are ready to false accuse
him.
46
Acts 613 (a) 13 They also set up false witnesses
who said, "This man does not cease to speak
blasphemous words against this holy place and the
law
This is what dishonest people will do for the
love of money. Many are willing to lie and
falsely accuse the children of God. On this
occasion the false witnesses testify against
Stephen as if they are speaking truly
They are doing exactly what others did with Lord
Jesus. The elders and the scribes also hired
false witnesses in order to accuse Jesus.
Matthew 2661
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Acts 613 (b) 13 They also set up false witnesses
who said, "This man does not cease to speak
blasphemous words against this holy place and the
law
The charges against Stephen are three fold
Blasphemy against the temple. The Jews had
always taught that God dwelt in the temple. The
temple was the very center of His presence.
Stephen was teaching that God now dwelt in the
hearts and lives of people and not just in the
temple. The hearts of Gods people were the very
special place where Gods presence dwelt. What
Stephen was saying about the Holy Spirit was
true, now God dwells in the hearts of the
Christians.
1 Corinthians 619-20.1 Corinthians 316-17.
48
Acts 613 (c) 13 They also set up false witnesses
who said, "This man does not cease to speak
blasphemous words against this holy place and the
law
Blasphemy against the law. By law the Jews means
the scribal law. All the commentary and
interpretations of the scriptures. What Stephen
was saying is that Christ fulfills all the law.
Gods law is not destroyed contrariwise, it is
fulfilled in Christ. Christ is now the Ideal, the
Pattern, the Standard which we are to follow.
49
Acts 614 (a) 14 for we have heard him say that
this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place
and change the customs which Moses delivered to
us."
The third accusation is on verse 13. They
accuse Stephen of preaching the destruction of
the temple and of Jewish traditions. This is a
repeat of the above. The emphasis is that it was
Jesus of Nazareth who was to destroy the temple
and the custom of the people. The point to note
is that the charges were false. Stephen was
preaching that Christ fulfills mans need for God
and for salvation.
50
Acts 615 (a) 15 And all who sat in the council,
looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the
face of an angel.
Looking steadfastly on him. Imaging please how
crazy these men were for the law, plus listening
to the false accusations that they set against
Stephen, their anger is uncontrolled, they want
to kill somebody, they want to see blood again,
same like the Blood they saw not to long ago when
they killed the Life Giver.
Fixing the eyes intently on him. Probably they
were attracted by the unusual appearance of the
man, his meekness, and calm and collected
fearlessness, and the proofs of conscious
innocence and sincerity.
51
Acts 615 (b) 15 And all who sat in the council,
looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the
face of an angel.
While they got their eyes fixed on Stephen, they
saw in him like the face of angel. What was
exactly what they saw. What was in Stephen
The face of an angel. This expression is one
evidently denoting that he manifested evidence of
sincerity, gravity, fearlessness, confidence in
God. It is used in the Old Testament to denote
peculiar wisdom,
Matthew 172 Luke 929
52
Acts 615 (c) 15 And all who sat in the council,
looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the
face of an angel.
This expression Face of and Angel is used in
the Old Testament to denote peculiar wisdom,
2 Samuel 1417, 1927. Exodus 3429,30,
2 Corinthians 37,13. Comp. Revelation 116,
Matthew 172
Dont forget that Stephen was full of the Holy
Spirit, Full of Wisdom and also full of power.