Acts Chapter 6 1~~And in those days, when the number of the disciples {'mathetes' in the Greek means pupil- a disciple was a 'student of doctrine'} was multiplied there arose a quarrel of the Hellenists {Greek-speaking Jews} against the Hebrews {followers of the Mosaic Law}, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. {Note: locally in Jerusalem, the church was growing and divisions were there based on backgrounds of the believers. First was economic status - rich versus poor. Next, There were cultural differences - there were followers of Greek culture and followers of the old Jewish ways. Also there were political differences - backers of Herod, the Sadducees, Pharisees, etc. Whoever was passing out the charity - called 'serving tables' - was not caring for those THEY did not like.} 2~~Then the twelve {eleven true apostles and the one they 'elected'} called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, "It is not fitting that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables." {Note: This is an important message to Men with the gift of communication (pastor/teacher today). Their job is to study and teach, study and teach. But the administration (in this case the distribution of funds) HAS to be done fairly, without personal bias.} 3~~Wherefore, brethren, observe carefully among you for seven Noble Men having stability of character, full of the Holy Spirit {habitually filled with the Spirit} and wisdom {application of doctrine to experience}, whom we {the apostles} may appoint over this business. {Note: Future tense of 'may appoint' indicates this is setting a precedent in the future -will always be this way in the Church Age. The administrators are not chosen by a popular vote, they are appointed by the leader of the local church.} {The job of the Apostle while that temporary gift existed . . . and the job of the pastor-teacher today is to study and teach doctrine - with prayers thrown in.} 4~~But we {Apostles and Pastors} will give ourselves to prayer, and to the teaching of the Word. 5~~And the message pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith {maximum faith rest technique} and of the Holy Spirit; and Philip; and Prochorus; and Nicanor {means Victorious}; and Timon {means Worthy}; and Parmenas {lived a long life then was a Martyr}; and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. {Note: Stephen is subject of next chapter. He is one of the first deacons and the first martyr of the Church Age. Philip is a deacon now and an evangelist also - see Acts 8. Prochorus is a Greek name and means 'leader of a chorus' - the best of the dancers - assume then is a member of the Hellenist Jewish party. Nicolas later turned apostate - he was a gentile that became legalistic and was circumcised. He started a great cult later. Rev Chapter 2: 6 and 15.} 6~~Whom they stood before the apostles and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. {Note: this is a matter of identification - they are now identified with the leadership of the church}. 7~~And the word of God increased {the Apostles could study and teach, study and teach}. And the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly. And a great company of the priests {the gospel got through to even the very legalistic Jewish Priesthood} were obedient to the faith. 8~~And Stephen, full of grace and power {Power of the Holy Spirit}, kept on doing astounding things and miracles among the people {unbelievers}. {Note the temporary gift of miracles was strictly for the use of bringing unbelievers together to give the gospel a hearing -all temporary gifts ended when 'that which is perfect is complete - 'that' being in the neuter tense then refers to the completed canon of scriptures.} 9~~Then 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 - and tried to refute with Stephen. {Note: This synagogue was the meeting place of choice for the foreign born Jews who returned to Jerusalem. The Libertines were the pro-Roman group. They were Jews who were liberated slaves whose families lived in Rome and grew up under the influence of Roman culture - first to resist Christianity - did not bode well for the Christians of the day! The Cyrenians took over the Carthaginian trade when Rome destroyed Carthage. Rest are better known.} {Side note: Saul of Tarsus {later known as the Apostle Paul} would have been considered part of the Cilicia crowd.} 10~~ And they did not have the information nor the mental ability to stand against the wisdom and the spirit by which he {Stephen} spoke. 11~~ Then they bribed men, which said {gave false witness}, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God." 12~~ And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him violently, and brought him to the council, 13~~ And paid false witnesses {hearsay and perjury in front of the Supreme Court of the day}, who said, "This man ceased not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law." 14~~"For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us." 15~~And all that sat in the council, stared intently in amazement on him, and saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel. {Note: This is a similar statement to what was said about Moses in Exodus 34:30. Stephen was filled with the Spirit. He had such contentment and peace under the circumstances that his face just radiated or shined and they could not look away.} ************************************************** Joshua_Sozo™ and Syndein ™ are the Trademarks of Syndein a California DBA of Kenneth Sidley & Associates, Inc., a California Corporation. All rights reserved. Copyright© Syndein 1982-2010. All rights reserved. This page is sponsored by Kenneth Sidley, CPA, an Orange County California CPA (949) 706-3133. Please call Ken for high quality, low cost CPA services in Orange County California. This includes audit, review, compilation, tax returns, Quickbooks, and business consulting services. This page is sponsored by Moxxor For Pain Free Living. Moxxor is a highly concentrated Omega 3 product that has reduced inflammation in this writer. Please go to this website to read more about Moxxor.