Acts 6
6
Choosing of the Seven
1Now about this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, a complaint was made by the #6:1 Jews born outside the Holy Land who spoke the Greek language and had adopted much of the Greek culture.Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) against the [#6:1 Native-born Jews who spoke Hebrew and/or Aramaic and lived according to Jewish custom.native] Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2So the #6:2 See note Matt 10:2.Twelve called the disciples together and said, “It is not appropriate for us to neglect [teaching] the word of God in order to serve tables and manage the distribution of food. 3Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4But we will [continue to] devote ourselves [steadfastly] to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected #6:5 These seven men had Greek names, so they may have been Greek in ancestry, language, or way of life; however, Stephen, in his defense before the Sanhedrin (ch 7), exhibited an extensive knowledge of Jewish history.Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch. 6They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service].
7And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation].
8Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing, favor) and power, was doing great wonders and signs (attesting miracles) among the people. 9However, some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (freed Jewish slaves), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and [the province of] Asia, rose up and questioned and argued with Stephen. 10But they were not able to successfully withstand and cope with the wisdom and the intelligence [and the power and inspiration] of the Spirit by whom he was speaking. 11Then [to attack him another way] they secretly instructed men to say, “We have heard this man [Stephen] speak blasphemous (slanderous, sacrilegious, abusive) words against Moses and against God.” 12And they provoked and incited the people, as well as the elders and the scribes, and they came up to Stephen and seized him and brought him before the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court). 13They presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the Law [of Moses]; 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will tear down this place and will change the traditions and customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15Then all those who were sitting in the Council, stared [intently] at him, and they saw that Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel.
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Acts 6
6
Seven Chosen to Serve
1Now in these days #ch. 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14; [ver. 7] when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists#6:1 That is, Greek-speaking Jews arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in #[ch. 4:35]the daily distribution. 2And 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. 3#[Deut. 1:13] Therefore, brothers,#6:3 Or brothers and sisters pick out from among you seven men #[1 Tim. 3:7] of good repute, #ver. 5; ch. 7:55; 11:24; [Luke 1:15; 4:1]full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4But #See ch. 1:14we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, #ch. 11:24 a man full of faith and #ver. 3 of the Holy Spirit, and #ch. 8:5; 21:8 Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, #ch. 2:11; 13:43; Matt. 23:15a proselyte of Antioch. 6These they set before the apostles, and #ch. 1:24; 13:3 they prayed and #1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6; [ch. 8:17; 9:17; 19:6; Heb. 6:2]laid their hands on them.
7And #ch. 12:24; 19:20; [Col. 1:5, 6] the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests #See Rom. 1:5 became obedient to #ch. 13:8; 14:22; 16:5the faith.
Stephen Is Seized
8And Stephen, full of grace and #See ch. 1:8power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10But #See Luke 21:14, 15they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11Then #[1 Kgs. 21:10, 13; Matt. 26:59, 60]they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13and they #ver. 11 set up false #ch. 7:58 witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against #[ch. 21:28; 25:8; Matt. 24:15]this holy place and the law, 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth #[Dan. 9:26; Matt. 26:61] will destroy this place and will #[Matt. 5:17] change #ch. 15:1; 21:21the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face #[Judg. 13:6; Eccles. 8:1]was like the face of an angel.
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