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Internal Dissension/Appointment of the Seven Deacons
This very short chapter narrates the preliminaries of Stephen’s martyrdom, noting that it occurred following a period of great growth and prosperity for the new church, that Stephen’s rise to prominence was a result of his appointment as one of the seven chosen to administer the distribution of food to the needy, an appointment brought about by complaints of neglecting the Grecian widows (6:2-7). Stephen’s popularity, ability in debate, and his fearless proclamation of the truth resulted in a Pharisaical plot against him, leading to his arrest (6:8-15). Many things of very significance come to view in this little chapter: there was the first instance of the laying on of the hands of the Apostles; there appeared the first violent opposition of the Pharisee; there occurred the first expansion of the church’s organization beyond that of the governing Apostles; and there was the exceedingly significant record of “a great company of priests” accepting the faith in Jesus Christ.
The church at Jerusalem had two groups of people in it by now. There were Jews who had always lived in Judea. They spoke the “Aramaic” language most of the time. This was more like the Hebrew language. Almost all of the Old Testament writers wrote in Hebrew. There were other Jews who spoke mostly Greek. The Greek speaking Jews were referred to as “Hellenistic Jews”. They were Jews by race, but not by culture. Many Jews who were scattered by the Diaspora (Acts 9:29), adopted the Greek culture, therefore they did not speak Aramaic, the language of the Hebrew Jews. This is where the problems arose. The Hebrews for the most part regarded the Hellenists as non Jewish, and the Hellenists considered the Hebrews as holier-than thou. This favoritism was probably not intentional but was more likely because of the language barrier. The early church took the responsibility to help support the widows because they had no other means of support (Acts 4:32-37). Despite the help that both groups received, they continued to complain.
The Apostles felt that their time should be spent in prayer, preaching, and teaching the word of God, so they chose others to administer the food program. This administration was not taken lightly. Notice the requirement for the men who would handle the food program. They were to be honest, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. With these qualifications the men would be spiritually and practically minded. In the early church, the chosen men were commissioned (set apart by prayer and laying on of hands) by the Apostles. Laying hands on someone, an ancient Jewish practice, was a way to set a person apart for special service (Num. 27:23; Deut. 34:9).
The seven chosen all had Greek names, thus implying that the people and Apostles showed great love and sensitivity to the offended Greeks by choosing them to served tables. Jesus had told the Apostles that they were to witness first in Jerusalem (1:8). In a short time their message had infiltrated the entire city and all levels of society. Even some Priests were being converted, an obvious violation of the wishes of the Jewish council, this would endanger their position and power. Stephen who was chosen first (6:5) is now again introduced to us as being a man full of faith, having the Holy Spirit, and full of power. Stephen performed many wonders and miracles among the people. The Bible does not tell us what wonders or miracles Stephen performed, but all of these acts were evidences of the grace of God working through him. After disputing with Stephen and suffering defeat, these men induced false charges against Stephen causing him to be arrested and brought before the Jewish council. The Sadducees, the dominant party in the Jewish council, accepted and studied only the writing of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). In their view, to speak blasphemy against Moses was a crime. As it was with Jesus our Lord (Matt.26:59-61), they recruited false witnesses against Stephen. The face of Stephen revealed a clam, unruffled composure revealing the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Questions/answers: What is meant by “serve tables”?
The word “serve” has the meaning of “minister to”, and is rendered from the Greek word (diakonia), a derivative from (diakonos), and the latter term being rendered by three English words in our version: Minister, servant, and deacon. It is here that the office of the deacon is though to have been established.
Who was Nicolaus?
Nicolaus was a gentile who converted to Judaism then to Christianity. It is interesting that he is the only one designated a proselyte and the only one whose native city is given. He was from Antioch.
Who were the “Libertines”?
Libertines would be better translated “freedmen”. Members of this group had once been slaves, but had received their freedom. A great many Christians in those early years were slaves, the same being indicated by their names as given in Romans 16; but the Libertines had been freed. The places named here refer to non-Palestinian areas of the Roman Empire populated by Jews of the Diaspora. Alexandria, aside from Rome and Jerusalem, was the largest Jewish city of Antiquity; and Cyrene and Cilicia might have been mentioned by Luke because of the connection of Rufus (a son of Simon of Cyrene), Alexander (a son of Simon of Cyrene and brother of Rufus), and Simon from Cyrene, this Simon that carried the cross of Jesus (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).
This very short chapter narrates the preliminaries of Stephen’s martyrdom, noting that it occurred following a period of great growth and prosperity for the new church, that Stephen’s rise to prominence was a result of his appointment as one of the seven chosen to administer the distribution of food to the needy, an appointment brought about by complaints of neglecting the Grecian widows (6:2-7). Stephen’s popularity, ability in debate, and his fearless proclamation of the truth resulted in a Pharisaical plot against him, leading to his arrest (6:8-15). Many things of very significance come to view in this little chapter: there was the first instance of the laying on of the hands of the Apostles; there appeared the first violent opposition of the Pharisee; there occurred the first expansion of the church’s organization beyond that of the governing Apostles; and there was the exceedingly significant record of “a great company of priests” accepting the faith in Jesus Christ.
The church at Jerusalem had two groups of people in it by now. There were Jews who had always lived in Judea. They spoke the “Aramaic” language most of the time. This was more like the Hebrew language. Almost all of the Old Testament writers wrote in Hebrew. There were other Jews who spoke mostly Greek. The Greek speaking Jews were referred to as “Hellenistic Jews”. They were Jews by race, but not by culture. Many Jews who were scattered by the Diaspora (Acts 9:29), adopted the Greek culture, therefore they did not speak Aramaic, the language of the Hebrew Jews. This is where the problems arose. The Hebrews for the most part regarded the Hellenists as non Jewish, and the Hellenists considered the Hebrews as holier-than thou. This favoritism was probably not intentional but was more likely because of the language barrier. The early church took the responsibility to help support the widows because they had no other means of support (Acts 4:32-37). Despite the help that both groups received, they continued to complain.
The Apostles felt that their time should be spent in prayer, preaching, and teaching the word of God, so they chose others to administer the food program. This administration was not taken lightly. Notice the requirement for the men who would handle the food program. They were to be honest, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. With these qualifications the men would be spiritually and practically minded. In the early church, the chosen men were commissioned (set apart by prayer and laying on of hands) by the Apostles. Laying hands on someone, an ancient Jewish practice, was a way to set a person apart for special service (Num. 27:23; Deut. 34:9).
The seven chosen all had Greek names, thus implying that the people and Apostles showed great love and sensitivity to the offended Greeks by choosing them to served tables. Jesus had told the Apostles that they were to witness first in Jerusalem (1:8). In a short time their message had infiltrated the entire city and all levels of society. Even some Priests were being converted, an obvious violation of the wishes of the Jewish council, this would endanger their position and power. Stephen who was chosen first (6:5) is now again introduced to us as being a man full of faith, having the Holy Spirit, and full of power. Stephen performed many wonders and miracles among the people. The Bible does not tell us what wonders or miracles Stephen performed, but all of these acts were evidences of the grace of God working through him. After disputing with Stephen and suffering defeat, these men induced false charges against Stephen causing him to be arrested and brought before the Jewish council. The Sadducees, the dominant party in the Jewish council, accepted and studied only the writing of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). In their view, to speak blasphemy against Moses was a crime. As it was with Jesus our Lord (Matt.26:59-61), they recruited false witnesses against Stephen. The face of Stephen revealed a clam, unruffled composure revealing the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Questions/answers: What is meant by “serve tables”?
The word “serve” has the meaning of “minister to”, and is rendered from the Greek word (diakonia), a derivative from (diakonos), and the latter term being rendered by three English words in our version: Minister, servant, and deacon. It is here that the office of the deacon is though to have been established.
Who was Nicolaus?
Nicolaus was a gentile who converted to Judaism then to Christianity. It is interesting that he is the only one designated a proselyte and the only one whose native city is given. He was from Antioch.
Who were the “Libertines”?
Libertines would be better translated “freedmen”. Members of this group had once been slaves, but had received their freedom. A great many Christians in those early years were slaves, the same being indicated by their names as given in Romans 16; but the Libertines had been freed. The places named here refer to non-Palestinian areas of the Roman Empire populated by Jews of the Diaspora. Alexandria, aside from Rome and Jerusalem, was the largest Jewish city of Antiquity; and Cyrene and Cilicia might have been mentioned by Luke because of the connection of Rufus (a son of Simon of Cyrene), Alexander (a son of Simon of Cyrene and brother of Rufus), and Simon from Cyrene, this Simon that carried the cross of Jesus (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).
1 comment:
To whom much is given much is required comes to mind as I read this chapter. When you are truly a soldier of the Lord expect to be attacked but know it is a win-win situation.The enemy may not physically kill you but he will try to kill your spirit. Only what you do for Christ shall last. Live for Christ he already won the war. You do not have to fight every battle. Fight the good fight of Faith! This is all word God Bless.
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