Acts 6 - Choosing the Seven

Outbless Weekly

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.

Intro to Outbless Weekly

Thanks for listening to Outbless.com