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
Acts 6
6
The Seven Helpers
1#Ac 4:35; 2:41Now in those days, as the disciples were multiplied, there was murmuring among the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution. 2So the twelve called the multitude of disciples together and said, “It is not reasonable for us to leave the word of God and serve tables. 3#Dt 1:13; Ac 2:4Brothers, look among yourselves for seven men who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this duty. 4#Ac 1:14But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5#Ac 11:24; 6:3And what was said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, who was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Procorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6#Ac 1:24; 8:17whom they presented before the apostles. And when they had prayed, they placed their hands on them.
7#Ac 12:24; 19:20So the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples grew rapidly in Jerusalem, and a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The Arrest of Stephen
8Now Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9#Mt 27:32; Ac 15:23Then some men rose up from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and of Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10#Lk 21:15But they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11#Mt 26:59–60Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and came upon him and seized him and led him to the Sanhedrin, 13#Ac 6:11; 21:28and set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. 14#Da 9:26; Ac 15:1For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us.”
15#Ecc 8:1All who sat in the Sanhedrin, gazing at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
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Military Bible Association