Acts — Chapter 6
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1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
11Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
1Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.
3Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: 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;
6whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.
7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.
9But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.
11Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.
12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,
13and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:
14for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.
15And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
1Now in those days, when the disciples were growing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the native Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables.
3But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task.
4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5The proposal pleased the entire group, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch.
6They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on them.
7The word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
8Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.
9But some men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, as well as some from Cilicia and the province of Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen.
10Yet they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
11Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard this man speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12They incited the people, the elders, and the experts in the law; then they approached Stephen, seized him, and brought him before the council.
13They brought forward false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop saying things against this holy place and the law.
14For we have heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
15All who were sitting in the council looked intently at Stephen and saw his face was like the face of an angel.
1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
2The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
3Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
5These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;
6whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
9But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
10They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,
13and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.
14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
15All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
Summary
The church appoints seven deacons to serve tables so the apostles can devote themselves to prayer and the word, and Stephen — full of faith and power — performs wonders until false witnesses drag him before the council.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Jerusalem: The appointment of the seven deacons occurred in Jerusalem as the church grew. The Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jews and Hebraic (Aramaic-speaking) Jews were both part of the Jerusalem church.
- The Synagogue of the Freedmen (v.9): A synagogue in Jerusalem attended by Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia — showing the diversity of Jerusalem's Jewish population.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the Hellenist/Hebrew conflict, the apostles' delegation, the qualifications of the seven, and Stephen's introduction.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Full of the Holy Ghost" on v.5 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 605) "Full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom — that is the qualification for serving tables. Not just for preaching, not just for leadership — for serving tables. Every task in God's kingdom requires the Spirit's filling. There is no secular work in the church; there is only Spirit- filled service or empty activity." Sermon: "Prayer and the Ministry of the Word" on v.4 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1340) "We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. These two — prayer and the Word — are the engine of the church. Everything else is important but secondary. When leaders prioritize these two things, the word of God increases and disciples multiply (v.7)."
Reflection
- 1. The apostles said "we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word" (v.4). These are the two non-negotiable priorities of spiritual leadership. How much of your time is devoted to prayer and Scripture? What would need to change to make these your top priorities?
- 2. The qualifications for serving tables were "full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom" (v.3). Even practical, "non-spiritual" tasks require Spirit-filling. Do you approach your daily work — your job, your chores, your responsibilities — as Spirit-filled service? Or do you reserve "spiritual" for church activities?
- 3. The church solved an internal conflict by empowering the affected group to lead the solution (v.5 — all seven have Greek names). When conflict arises, do you empower others or control the outcome? What would it look like to trust others with leadership?
- 4. "The word of God increased" (v.7) — the result of proper priorities and structure. When leaders focus on prayer and the Word, and practical needs are delegated to qualified servants, the church grows. What structural changes might be needed in your community for the Word to increase?
- 5. The Hellenist widows were being "neglected" (v.1) — not intentionally but through oversight. Neglect is often unintentional but still harmful. Who in your community might be overlooked or neglected? What would it take to notice and address it?
- 6. The apostles didn't try to do everything themselves — they delegated (v.3). Many leaders burn out because they won't delegate. Where do you need to release control and trust others with responsibility?
- 7. Stephen was "full of faith and power" (v.8) — and his opponents "were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake" (v.10). When you can't be defeated by argument, the world resorts to false accusation (v.11). Have you ever been falsely accused because your faith was irrefutable? How did you respond?
- 8. Stephen's face shone "as the face of an angel" (v.15) — even before the Sanhedrin that would condemn him. Peace in the face of persecution comes from being full of the Spirit. How do you maintain peace and composure when facing hostility?
- 9. The church grew because the apostles focused on their calling and delegated the rest (v.7). What is YOUR specific calling? Are you focused on it, or are you distracted by things others should be doing?