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Summary

Acts 6:1–7 – Choosing the Seven

What happens:
As the number of disciples multiplies, a complaint arises because Hellenistic widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The Twelve gather all the disciples and instruct them to select seven men of good repute, full of Spirit and wisdom, to handle this task. They present Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. The apostles pray, lay hands on them, and the seven begin serving, freeing the apostles to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. The word of God continues to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increases rapidly.

What it means:
This episode shows the church’s commitment to both justice and prayerful ministry. Delegating practical responsibilities prevents resentment and ensures that spiritual leaders remain focused on teaching and communion with God. The appointment of these seven highlights the importance of character and gifting in service, modeling a balanced community where every role honors the mission.

Acts 6:8–15 – Stephen’s Witness

What happens:
Stephen, full of grace and power, performs great signs and wonders among the people. Opposition arises from members of a synagogue who cannot refute his wisdom and the Spirit by which he speaks. They secretly instigate false accusations of blasphemy, claiming he spoke against the Temple and the Law. Stephen is seized and brought before the Sanhedrin, where his accusers produce false witnesses.

What it means:
Stephen’s example demonstrates that Spirit-empowered witness provokes both belief and hostility. His bold proclamation of Christ’s lordship threatens established authority, revealing that the gospel confronts human systems and calls people to divine accountability.

Application

  • – Seek to serve the church with both compassion and competence, ensuring practical needs are met
  • – Value prayer and teaching as the foundation for all ministry, guarding time for communion with God
  • – Identify and affirm gifts in others, empowering them to serve according to their calling
  • – Rely on the Holy Spirit’s wisdom when facing opposition, knowing truth is your greatest defense
  • – Stand firm in faith when false accusations arise, trusting that God upholds his witnesses

Bible

1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

11Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

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