Bible Study series Acts 6:1-7. The early church was learning as it went. It never lost sight of power of the Spirit to qualify servants for special missions.

Friendly greetings and a warm welcome to this Bible study! I write to learn. Let’s learn together and apply these truths to our lives.

I also translate to learn. The translations are mine, unless otherwise noted. If you would like to see many others, please click on this link:

biblegateway.com.

At the link to the original post, next, I write more commentary and dig a little deeper into the Greek. I also offer a section titled Observations for Discipleship at the end. Check it out!

Acts 6

In this post, links are provided in the commentary section for further study.

Let’s begin.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

¹ In those days, while the number of disciples was multiplying, there was a complaint among the Hellenist Jews against the Hebraic Jews, for their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution. ² So the twelve summoned the community of disciples and said, “It is not best that we leave behind the word of God to serve the tables. ³ Therefore, brothers and sisters, look for seven men who are well attested and full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint for this office. ⁴ For we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.” ⁵ This reasonable proposal was satisfactory to the entire community. And they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas, the proselyte from Antioch. ⁶ They stood in front of the apostles, who prayed and laid hands on them.

⁷ And so the word of God was increasing, and the number of disciples was growing strongly in Jerusalem, and a large group of priests obeyed the faith. (Acts 6:1-7)

Comments:

I really like Polhill’s comments, describing the transitional chapters 6-8 (I could add 9-10). Let’s see what he has to say:

Chapters 6–8 may thus be described as transitional. They show Christianity breaking out from the bounds of its Jewish heritage, taking a first step toward its mission to the wider world. This is more than a story of the geographical spread of Christianity. It is much more the story of the gospel becoming a truly universal gospel, breaking the racial, national, and religious barriers in which it was born and carrying out a genuinely worldwide witness. It is the triumphant story of the inclusive gospel. (p. 176)

1:

Who were the Hellenistic Jews and the Hebraic Jews? The older NIV translates “Hellenist Jews” as “Grecian Jews.” Bruce answers the question succinctly: “The main distinction between the two groups was probably linguistic: the Hellenists were Jews whose habitual language was Greek and who attended Greek-speaking synagogues; the Hebrews spoke Aramaic (or Mishnaic Hebrew) and attended synagogue where the service was conducted in Hebrew” (comment on v. 1).

Peterson expands on Bruce’s brevity:

The Hellenistic Jews in 6:1 would have been Greek-speaking Jews from the Dispersion or their descendants, who lived in or around Jerusalem and attended synagogues where Greek was spoken (cf. 6:9). Those who had come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah had joined the church, where they were in close fellowship with Christian Hebraic Jews. It cannot be assumed that there was a doctrinal rift between the Hellenists and the Hebrews, but language and culture are closely linked, and it is likely that these two groups brought differences of outlook and attitude with them into the community of disciples. Old prejudices and resentments may have reasserted themselves—or appeared to have been an issue—when practical problems relating to the care of widows became obvious. Christians in every age and social context need to be more aware of the threat that cultural and racial differences can pose to their unity in Christ. (p. 231).

Polhill explains why the Greek-speaking Jewish widows were attracted to the Christian community:

The Hellenist widows may have been a particularly sizable group. Diaspora Jews often moved to Jerusalem in their twilight years to die in the holy city. When the men died, their widows were left far from their former home and family to care for them and were thus particularly in need of charity. Many of them may have been attracted to the Christian community precisely because of its concern for the material needs of its members. (comment on v. 1)

See 2:44; 4:32-34. I add: the gospel and the signs and wonders attracted them, as well.

These were Greek-speaking Messianic Jews, and the other Messianic Jews spoke Hebrew. A synagogue around Jerusalem was discovered to serve Greek-speaking Jews.

It does not take long for strife and neglect to happen in a growing Jesus community—or any community for that matter. The complaint did not seem unjust. In fact, the twelve never denied it, but came up with a solution. We must overcome our differences and move towards unity and fairness. That’s the call of God for his kingdom. We are all equal in our essence (soul) before his eyes. We need to be equal in our essence (soul) before each other’s eyes in the church. We receive his love and acceptance equally. Our vision must match up and catch up with his.

“distribution”: It meant those who did practical service, but this does not limit their service away from the Word, as we shall observe with Philip and Stephen. But it gradually came to mean those people at the church who did practical service (1 Tim. 3:10, 13).

So we have minority and foreign voices against the majority and native voices. There is a lesson here. We need to take care of both.

In any case diakonia is used both for administering the tables (food distribution) and ministering the word (v. 2).

2:

“community”: normally the Greek word means “crowd” or “people,” but in other contexts it means the “congregation.” I chose an updated word: community.

What Is Fellowship?

The Spirit in the Church and Believers

“Word of God”: here the word logos means how we usually take it: the proclamation of the word. In their case it was the Old Testament, particularly the Messianic prophecies, and the storyline about Jesus: his life and ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation; in our case the Word is this storyline and the entire Bible, rightly interpreted. Always be a “Word guy” or a “Word girl.” Don’t listen to the voices around the web that dismiss or treat Scripture lightly. It can change your life.

The Power of Scripture and Doctrine in the Church

Here is a table of Messianic prophecies:

Messianic Prophecies

At that link, there is a long table of quoted verses in the OT and NT, but Jesus fulfills more than just quoted verses. He also fulfills themes and patterns and types and shadows, like the entire sacrificial system and all the covenants and many more things.

“word”: It comes from the Greek noun logos (pronounced loh-gohss). Let’s explore the noun more deeply. It is rich and full of meaning. It always has built into it rationality and reason. It has spawned all sorts of English words that end in –log-, like theology or biology, or have the log– stem in them, like logic.

People have the deepest need to receive solid teaching. Never become so outlandishly supernatural and entertaining that you neglect the reasonable and rational side of preaching the gospel and teaching the Bible. Yes, the book of Acts is very charismatic, but it is also very orderly and rational and logical.

On the other side of the word Word, people get so intellectual that they build up an exclusive Christian caste of intelligentsia that believe they alone can teach and understand the Word. Not true.  Just study Scripture with Bible helps and walk in the Spirit, as they did in Acts. Combining Word and Spirit is the balanced life.

3:

“brothers and sisters”: The Greek adelphos (pronounced as it looks) is not exclusive, but includes women, like our word mankind does. Never exclude women in your ministry. And women themselves should never feel excluded, either, just because they are women.

“Seven”: is a special number in the Bible, implying completeness and perfection. But here the number is literal.

The whole scene here of selecting men to whom service can be delegated looks like Ex. 18:17-23, where Jethro advised Moses to select God-fearing men to share in the judicial burden (Bruce, p. 182). Pastors and church leaders need men to whom they can give away or share the responsibility and burden of ministry.

“well attested”: to whom witness is born; that is, the community can all testify that these men were tried and true. They are not so difficult to find nowadays, or they can be developed.

“full of the Spirit and wisdom”: the Spirit is the Holy Spirit, not a disposition of spirituality (v. 5). “Full of” means that these men overflowed with the Spirit’s goodness and power. As we shall see with Stephen, he worked wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). Philip too was effective for the kingdom. Just because Luke does not reveal the details of the power and manifestations of the Spirit does not mean they had none. Luke-Acts is elliptical and suggestive—the entire NT is. Rather, Philip and Stephen are accurate and full representations of the other five.

“wisdom”: Let’s define it broadly and biblically. BDAG is considered by many to be the authoritative Greek lexicon, and it translates the noun sophia (pronounced soh-fee-ah and used 51 times) as “the capacity to understand and function accordingly—wisdom.”

So biblical wisdom is very practical. It is not like the wisdom of the Greek philosophers, which was very abstract. But let’s not make too much of the differences. In the classical Greek lexicon, sophia can also mean: “skill in handcraft and art … knowledge of, acquaintance with a thing … sound judgment, intelligence, practical wisdom.” In a bad sense it can mean “cunning, shrewdness, craft” (Liddell and Scott).

Wisdom is really lacking in our society. What is the clever saying I’ve heard several times recently? “You may have a smart phone, but not a wise one. You don’t have a wisdom phone.” Wisdom is discernment or seeing through appearances and making the right decision, at the right time, at the right place, and in the right spirit (disposition), with the right people.

Go to biblegateway.com, and type in the word “wisdom.” You will get marvelous verses. Here are some themes:

Wisdom begins with the reverential awe of God (Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10; 15:13).

Wisdom is a gift of God (1 Kings 3:11-12; 4:29; Prov. 2:6; Dan. 2:21 Jas. 1:5).

Wisdom can be received as a gift of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:8; Eph. 1:17).

Wisdom leads us to avoid evil (Prov. 2:12-19; 5:1-6; 13:10).

Wisdom blesses us (Prov. 3:13; 3:16; Ecc. 7:12). It protects us (Prov. 4:6).

Wisdom exalts us (Prov. 4:8-9).

Wisdom brings us joy (Prov. 27:11; 29:3).

Wisdom gives us strength (Ecc. 7:19);

Wisdom brings us healing (Prov. 12:18).

Most important of all, Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24, 30; Col. 2:3). 1 Cor. 1:30 says that Christ has become our wisdom. That means we can receive his wisdom as our minds are transformed by their being renewed day by day (Rom. 12:2).

You can too much head knowledge. You can even get too much love. But you can never get enough of wisdom!

Please see my post about wisdom:

Word Study: Wisdom

4:

“we will devote ourselves”: It is a very strong word and here it means the apostles are leaning in to the Word and prayer (see Acts 1:14; 2:42, 46; 8:13; Rom. 12:12; 13:6; Col. 4:2; in most of those verses people are devoted to prayer).

Longenecker has some advice for today’s ministers of the word and church boards and councils: “While Christian ministers might wish such qualities [full of the Spirit and wisdom and service for food distribution] of their boards and councils, it is only fair to say that church boards and councils often wish their ministers were given more ‘to prayer and ministry of the word’! A pattern is set here for both lay leaders and clergy. Undoubtedly, God’s work would move ahead more effectively and efficiently were it followed more carefully” (comment on vv. 2-4).

“prayer”: Christians took over the word and directed it towards the living God. I like to believe that they leaned in toward him and prayed their requests fully expecting an answer. It is not a mere wish or heartfelt payer to a pagan deity.

Prayer flows out of confidence before God that he will answer because we no longer have an uncondemned heart (1 John 3:19-24; Rom. 8:1); and we know him so intimately that we find out from him what is his will is and then we pray according to it (1 John 5:14-15); we pray with our Spirit-inspired languages and our native languages (1 Cor. 14:15-16). But that’s what all believers should do; however, too often theory outruns practice. Pray! For a theology on how to respond when God does not answer our prayers, as when James was executed by Herod, see Acts 12 and the Observations for Discipleship section.

Prayer can be (1) for oneself, like overcoming sins and vices in your heart and mind or receiving wisdom from above (James 3:17) and not being double-minded about receiving it (Jas. 1:5-8), but (2) it is also for the needs of the community. It was coming under attack, so prayers were offered. Praying for boldness to reach out and spread the word is wonderful. We should do it more often. (3) Further, prayer brings down the manifest presence of God. God is omnipresent (everywhere) of course, but his presence can make itself felt and experienced. God showed up and shook the place where they were gathered.

Prayer can be visualized like a pebble in a pond, and the ripples go outward. (1) It starts with oneself and one’s needs; (2) then it goes outward to one’s own family and (3) to the Christian community (your home church). (4) It goes out to evangelism and the needs of the world around the community, (5) and finally to parts around the globe. But this prayer here in Acts varies the order, which you may do, if you like. Prayer is ultimately and most deeply a conversation with God.

What Is Prayer?

What Is Petitionary Prayer?

What Is Biblical Intercession?

“Serving”: Serving is the same word as in v. 1. It is dishing out ladles full of the word, more and more Word, all the time. It starts with what was said in v. 2.

“word”: see v. 2 for a close look.

5:

Note that the names are Greek, so it looks like the Hellenists would be pleased with this development. But remember many Jews took a second name, either Greek or Latin, to fit in the larger Greco-Roman world, so they probably had biblical Hebrew names. Yet, the fact that Luke lists them with their Greek names indicates his care of the Hellenist widows. Bruce says that these seven men probably led the Hellenist synagogues (comment on v. 5).

Philip will reappear in the outreach to the Samaritans (8:26-39) and later in Caesarea with his four daughters who were prophetesses (21:8). Nicolas was a proselyte from Antioch. This means he was not born Jewish but converted. Antioch will turn out to be a major Christian center, where the believers will first be called Christians (11:26). So he first converted to Judaism, and then it did not take long for him to convert to the new Jesus Movement.

“this reasonable proposal”: the phrase comes from the one noun logos, so the word is very versatile. It always carries embedded in it “reason” or “rational.” Yes, God may make a promise to you that defies reason and logic, like Abraham and Sarah having a child in their old age. Wait on him for its fulfillment. However, in daily living even Abraham and Sarah had to take care of daily duties and chores and business; he was rich, after all, because God’s blessing was on him and he was savvy. Renewalists should never lose sight of the reasonable side of daily life. God granted reason to us in our brains. It’s his gift.

“A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit”:

“faith”: Its basic meaning is the “belief, trust, confidence,” and it can also mean “faithfulness” and “trustworthy” (Mounce p. 232). It is directional, and the best direction is faith in God (Mark 11:22; 1 Thess. 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:21; Heb. 6:1) and faith in Jesus (Acts 3:16; 20:21; 24:24; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 1:15; Col. 1:4; 1 Tim. 3:13). Believing (verb) and faith (noun) is very important to God. It is the language of heaven. We live on earth and by faith see the invisible world where God is. We must believe he exists; then we must exercise our faith to believe he loves us and intends to save us. We must have saving faith by trusting in Jesus and his finished work on the cross.

True acronym:

F-A-I-T-H

=

Forsaking All, I Trust Him

It is the language of the kingdom of God. It is how God expects us to relate to him. It is the opposite of doubt, which is manifested in whining and complaining and fear. Instead, faith is, first, a gift that God has distributed to everyone (Rom. 12:3). Second, it is directional (Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 20:21). We cannot rightly have faith in faith. It must be faith in God through Christ. Third, faith in Christ is different from faith in one’s ability to follow God on one’s own. It is different from keeping hundreds of religious laws and rules. This is one of Luke’s main themes in Acts, culminating in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) and Paul’s ministry for the rest of Acts. Faith in Jesus over faith in law keeping. Fourth, there is faith as a set of beliefs and doctrines, which are built on Scripture (Acts 6:7). Fifth, there is also a surge of faith that is poured out and transmitted through the Spirit when people need it most (1 Cor. 12:9). It is one of the nine charismata or manifestations of grace (1 Cor 12:7-11). Sixth, one can build faith and starve doubt by feasting on Scripture and the words about Christ (Rom. 10:17).

See my word study on faith:

Word Study on Faith and Faithfulness

It is like the infilling and empowerment of Jesus at his water baptism with the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove (Luke 3:31-22; 4:18-19). From then on, Jesus worked miracles of nature and healing and demonic expulsion in the third Gospel, and Luke does not have to announce every time Jesus did those things: “Remember when I wrote that Jesus was filled with the Spirit with the Spirit? He worked that miracle based on those verses!” Rather, Luke expects us to fill in those omissions with the power of the Spirit. Likewise, in the many cases of Christian witness from town to town in Acts, Luke expects us to fill in the omissions with the same empowerment because of Acts 2:1-4. And so Luke-Acts is all very charismatic, which is normative for the church throughout its history. Spirit-filled empowerment and infilling continues.

Nicholas was a convert to Judaism, a proselyte. Inch by inch, centimeter by centimeter, the earliest church is gradually admitting in outsiders who were not born Jewish. But this won’t happen fully until Peter receives his vision and ministers to Gentiles (non-Jews), Cornelius and his household in Acts 10-11. Even then some Messianic Jews had a tough time with the new, uncircumcised converts.

As noted, the names of the seven are Greek, so no doubt they were chosen since the Messianic, Greek-speaking Jewish widows were the ones who were neglected.

6:

“stood in front of the apostles”: Commissioning must be done publicly, so the community can see the transference of authority and power.

“laid hands on”: In the OT, the ritual of laying on of hands had these functions: it ordained Levites (Num. 8:10); it ordained leaders (Num. 27:18, 22-23); it transferred guilt to the sacrificial animal (Lev. 16:20-21).

In the NT, the ritual transfers healing (Mark 6:5l; Luke 4:40; Acts 28:8); it transfers the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17; 9:17; 19:6); it ordains missionaries (Acts 13:3); it ordains church leaders (Acts 6:6; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6).

From those verses, Renewalists believe these things about laying on of hands: (1) hands can be the conduit of the presence and power of God; (2) public acknowledgement that the leaders or friends are close to and support the receiver of the hands; (3) the leaders or friends identify with the receiver; (4) combining all three, it means commissioning. Here it means the fourth.

Further, Renewalists believe those four points because they have seen it happen with their own eyes. And it starts and ends with God, not the human vessel. It is shortsighted for the human vessel to take on the burden that he is the source of the power supply. “Hey everybody! Look at me! I’m powerful, and you’re not!” He is in danger of being shipwrecked.

7:

This verse ends the first of the so-called six “panels” of Acts, each one lasting about five years. Here they are:

1:1 to 6:7

6:8 to 9:31

9:32 to 12:24

12:25 to 16:5

16:6 to 19:20

19:21 to 28:31

But this verse is not to be thrown away as a mere summary or transition. The number of disciples and the word of God really were growing. Bruce says that this panel mentions the priests who were still drawn the temple and the old order, though they had come to believe in the Messiah, yet Stephen has also been introduced because the old temple order was now superseded (comment on. v. 7).

“was increasing” and “was growing”: both verbs are in the imperfect tense, which indicates unfinished or incomplete action. The growth kept happening—and Renewalists believe it is happening right now, nonstop!

Even religious priests can obey the faith. Don’t discount the super-religious from receiving the gospel that is ministered in great power and signs and wonders. In this case, however, their conversions to Messianic Judaism would mean that the Jesus movement would adhere too closely to the temple and look (and remain) very Jewish. It is possible that some of these priests were the Judaizers who later went down to Antioch and told non-Jewish Greeks that they had to be circumcised (Acts 15 and Gal. 5:1-12). But God intended that his gospel would go around the world and touch all people of any religion or creed. Circumcision would not work physically or theologically.

At this stage Stephen may have been the only prominent member of the Messianic community who saw the deficient vision of remaining stuck in a hybrid Judaism and Jesus movement and temple religion. It was time, God was about to say, to move beyond all of it.

GrowApp for Acts 6:1-7

1.. We see a division of labor: apostles speak the word and pray, while servants serve practical needs. How do you serve in your church?

2. The seven servants had a good reputation and were full of faith and wisdom. How can you grow in these things?

RELATED

The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts

Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistles: Match Made in Heaven?

SOURCES

For the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the very bottom:

Acts 6