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Author: Ron Graham

Book of Acts

Acts 6:1-15
—Verse by verse

A verse by verse study of Acts 6:1-15. These verses describe how seven men were chosen as special ministers, and one of them, Stephen, fell foul of the authorities.

Seven Men Chosen Including Stephen

Acts Acts 6:1-7

¶“1At the time, the number of the disciples was greatly increasing. A complaint arose from the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews because the Grecian widows were being neglected in the daily ministry. 2The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, 'It's not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. 3Therefore brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom. 4Then we can appoint those men over this business, and we apostles will continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.' ” (Acts 6:1-4).

¶“5This proposal 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. 6The congregation presented these men to the apostles. When the apostles had prayed, they laid their hands on the chosen men.” (Acts 6:5-6).

¶“7The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests obeyed the faith.” (Acts 6:7).

1 Problem Solved

Verse 1

¶ "At the time, the number of the disciples was greatly increasing. A complaint arose from the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews because the Grecian widows were being neglected in the daily ministry." (Acts 6:1).

Verse 2

¶ "The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, 'It's not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.' " (Acts 6:2).

Verses 3-4

¶ " 'Therefore brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom. Then we can appoint those men over this business, and we apostles will continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.' " (Acts 6:3-4).

Verses 5-6

¶ "This proposal 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. The congregation presented these men to the apostles. When the apostles had prayed, they laid their hands on the chosen men." (Acts 6:5-6).

2 Progress Enjoyed

Verse 7

¶ "The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests obeyed the faith." (Acts 6:7).

END OF THE FIRST SECTION OF ACTS

With this progress report Luke concludes his description of the origin of Christianity in Jerusalem and the establishment of the church there by the twelve apostles. Persecution is about to scatter some of the converts to other places where new congregations will be planted. The second section of Acts records this spread through Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. It begins with the persecution and killing of Stephen (Acts 6:8 to 9:31).

 

Acts 6:8-15

¶“8Stephen was full of faith and power. He performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9But some of the people rose up against Stephen and disputed with him. These were men of the synagogue called The Libertines, and some of the Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians and Asians. 10They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which Stephen spoke.” (Acts 6:8-10).

¶“11Then Stephen’s opposers secretly bribed 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. They dragged Stephen to the Sanhedrin 13and put false witnesses in the stand. They said, 'This man won't stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. 14We've heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.' ” (Acts 6:11-14).

¶“15All who sat in the council fixed their eyes on Stephen. They all saw that his face had the appearance of the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15).

3 Persecution Endured

Verses 8-10

¶ "Stephen was full of faith and power. He performed great wonders and signs among the people. But some of the people rose up against Stephen and disputed with him. These were men of the synagogue called The Libertines, and some of the Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians and Asians. They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which Stephen spoke." (Acts 6:8-10).

Verses 11-14

¶ "Then Stephen’s opposers secretly bribed men to say, 'We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God'. They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him. They dragged Stephen to the Sanhedrin and put false witnesses in the stand. They said, 'This man won't stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. We've heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.' " (Acts 6:11-14).

Verse 15

¶ "All who sat in the council fixed their eyes on Stephen. They all saw that his face had the appearance of the face of an angel." (Acts 6:15).



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