Acts 6
6
Seven Chosen to Serve
1Now in those days, #Acts 2:41; 4:4when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the #Acts 9:29; 11:20Hellenists, because their widows were neglected #Acts 4:35; 11:29in the daily distribution. 2Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, #Ex. 18:17“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3Therefore, brethren, #Deut. 1:13; 1 Tim. 3:7seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this #Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8–13business; 4but we #Acts 2:42will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, #Acts 6:3; 11:24a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and #Acts 8:5, 26; 21:8Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and #Rev. 2:6, 15Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6whom they set before the apostles; and #Acts 1:24when they had prayed, #Num. 8:10; 27:18; Deut. 34:9; (Mark 5:23; Acts 8:17; 9:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6); Heb. 6:2they laid hands on them.
7Then #Acts 12:24; Col. 1:6the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many #John 12:42of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great #Acts 2:43; 5:12; 8:15; 14:3wonders and signs among the people. 9Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10And #Ex. 4:12; Is. 54:17; Luke 21:15they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11#1 Kin. 21:10, 13; Matt. 26:59, 60Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14#Acts 10:38; 25:8for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
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Acts 6: NKJV
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Acts 6
6
1At this time, when the number of believers was increasing rapidly, the Greek-speaking believers started arguing with the Aramaic-speaking believers.#6:1. Literally, “Hellenists” and “Hebrews.” They complained that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2The twelve apostles called all the believers together, and told them, “It's not appropriate for us to give up spreading the word of God so we can wait at tables. 3Brothers, choose from among you seven trustworthy men full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will hand this responsibility over to them. 4We ourselves will give our full attention to prayer and the ministry of spreading the word.”
5Everybody was happy with the arrangement, and they chose Stephen (a man full of trust in God and of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus (originally a Jewish convert from Antioch). 6These men were presented to the apostles who prayed for them and placed their hands on them in blessing. 7The word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem greatly increased, with a large number of priests committing themselves to trusting in Jesus.
8Stephen, full of grace and God's power, performed wonderful miracles among the people. 9But some started arguing with him. They were from the synagogue called “the Free,”#6:9. Presumably a synagogue made up of former slaves. as well as Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia Minor. 10But they weren't able to stand against Stephen's wisdom or the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11So they bribed some men to say, “We heard this man blaspheme Moses, and God too!”
12They stirred up the people, and together with the elders and the teachers of the law, they came and arrested him. They brought him before the council, 13and called false witnesses who testified against him.
“This man is always slandering the holy Temple#6:13. Literally, “this holy place,” also in 6:14. and the law,” they said. 14“We've heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple, and will change the laws#6:14. Also translated “customs”; however in the context this has far more to do with legal and ceremonial requirements. we received from Moses.”
15Everyone sitting on the council looked closely at Stephen, and his face shone like the face of an angel.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com