Acts 6 - Choosing the Seven

Acts, Chapter 6 - Choosing of the Seven

6 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

-          Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number

o   The church was growing and more and more people became followers of Jesus

-          A complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews

o   What is a Hellenistic Jew?

§  Hellenistic Jews were those who adopted Greek language and culture

§  They lived outside of Jerusalem and spoke Greek rather than Hebrew

o   What is a native Hebrew

o   These were Jews who lived in Jerusalem and spoke Hebrew

o   They took pride in living and speaking like their forefathers

o   They made the Hellenistic Jews feel like outsiders (less important)

-          Because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food

o   In other words, the native Jews didn’t always feed the widows that were Helenistic Jews

o   This has the potential to become a real wedge among the Jews who believed in Jesus Christ (let’s read on and see how they handled it)

 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

-          The twelve apostles summoned the congregation

o   When all twelve summon the congregation it must be serious

-          It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God

o   In order to serve tables

o   They were placing a higher value on the word of God than feeding widows

 3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

-          Therefore (because the widows were being neglected because the apostles were too busy)

-          Brethren (these are Christian brothers in the faith)

-          Select from among you seven men of good reputation

o   Seven is the number for completion and perfection

o   Of good reputation (what others said about them; not their own testimony)

o   Full of the Spirit and of wisdom (it could be seen and their conduct would display God’s wisdom in all matters)

-          Whom we may put in charge of this task

o   What task?

o   Feeding the widows

o   Notice that the widows deserved to be served by men

o   It would an honor to become a bondservant to serve God by serving these women

o   Jesus said if you want to be the greatest in heaven, be the servant of all

 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

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