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- Stephen. Stephen was one of the first seven deacons appointed by the apostles to serve the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). He was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5) and was also said to be full of grace and power, performing great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8).
- Philip. Philip was another of the first seven deacons chosen to serve the church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). After opposition arose against the church and believers scattered, Philip went to Samaria and powerfully proclaimed Christ there, performing signs and miracles, leading many Samaritans to believe in Jesus (Acts 8:5-13).
- Prochorus. Prochorus was also one of the first seven deacons commissioned to serve the church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). According to tradition, he accompanied the apostle John as an assistant and secretary, recording much of the content that John dictated in the Book of Revelation.
- Nicanor. Nicanor was another of the first seven deacons appointed to aid the apostles by serving the church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). Little else is known about him directly from Scripture.
The First Seven Deacons Appointed. 6 Now in these days, as[ a] the disciples were increasing in number,[ b] a complaint arose by the Greek-speaking Jews[ c] against the Hebraic Jews[ d] because[ e] their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.[ f] 2 So the twelve summoned the community of disciples and[ g] said, “It is ...
Acts 6:1-7 - The First Seven Deacons Appointed. Acts 6:8-15 - Stephen Arrested. Acts 7:1-53 - Stephen's Defense. Acts 7:54-60 - Stephen's Martyrdom. Acts 8:1-3 - Saul Attempts To Destroy The Church. Acts 8:14-25 - Simon's Sin. Acts 6:1-7 - 1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the ...
Jan 29, 2014 · 3. The congregation was to select and the apostles appointed the seven to the task. Discussion: I. The apostles involved the whole congregation in solving the problem. A. It might be reasoned that the apostles had a position that would have allowed them to have selected their own men as deacons, but they did not do this. 1.
- 1 Problem Solved
- 2 Progress Enjoyed
- 3 Persecution Endured
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). 1. Grecians.The term “Grecian” or “Helenist” refers to Jews from regions of Greek culture. Broadly, the term might refer to Jews or proselytes (Gentile converts to Judaism) who were not locals and didn't speak the local languages but spoke Greek. 2. Widows. The “widows” mentioned were...
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). 1. To serve tables. When people sold property and brought the money for the needy, they "laid it at the apostles’s feet and distribution was made to each according as anyone had need" (Acts 4:34-35). The apostles were manning the money tables and apportioning the money. But they were also supposed to be preaching the word and attending to the...
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). 1. Choosing and appointing.This is the first case of any officials in the church other than the apostles. These officials were chosen by the congregation, but only according to the word of the apostles, and having been ch...
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). 1. The word of God increased.More and more people were accepting and spreading the apostles’ message, and that message was having an ever growing effect. 2. The number of disciples multiplied. At last count, Luke has the number at 5000, and that was counting only men (Acts 4:4).Luke does not give us a new number, but says the number multip...
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). 1. Signs among the people. Stephen is now helping in the work begun by the apostles. Not only is he serving in the ad...
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 Mo...
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). 1. Face of an angel. God was granting to the opponents of the gospel evidence of its divine nature: God was performing miracles by the apostles and recently also by Stephen. Now here is Stephen on trial before the Sanhedrin. They can look at him long and hard, and be sure their eyes do not deceive them; they can check whether there are any lights and...
The Appointment of the First Seven Deacons. 6 Now in those[ a] days, when the disciples were growing in number,[ b] a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews[ c] against the native Hebraic Jews,[ d] because their widows[ e] were being overlooked[ f] in the daily distribution of food.[ g] 2 So the twelve[ h] called[. i.
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One of the Canons of the Council of Neo-caesarea (An). 314) enacted that "there ought to be but seven deacons in any city," and St. Mark is said to have ordained seven deacons at Alexandria (see Bingham, 'Christ. Antia' vol. 1. p. 232). But the needs of the Churches gradually superseded all such restrictions. Whom we may appoint. The multitude ...
