# Acts 06 📖: Seven Chosen to Serve [[📚 Explore the Bible Books]] [[-Acts Overview]] | [[Acts 05]] | [[Acts 07]] > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] > [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]] > [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] > [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]] > [[#🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application]] > [[#💬 Discussion Questions]] > [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🔗 Related Passages]] > [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] > [[#📄 Outline]] > [[#📂 Internal Notes]] ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) (The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005) ### The Appointment of the First Seven Deacons **Principle**: There are many types of ministry and all are needed. [[#Verse 01.]] Now in those days, when the disciples were growing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the native Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. [[#Verse 02.]] So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables.  [[#Verse 03.]] But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task.  [[#Verse 04.]] But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”  [[#Verse 05.]] The proposal pleased the entire group, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch.  [[#Verse 06.]] They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on them.  [[#Verse 07.]] The word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. ### Stephen is Arrested **Principle**: Obeying God’s will doesn’t always bring good attention. [[#Verse 08.]] Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  [[#Verse 09.]] But some men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, as well as some from Cilicia and the province of Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen.  [[#Verse 10.]] Yet they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.  [[#Verse 11.]] Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard this man speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”  [[#Verse 12.]] They incited the people, the elders, and the experts in the law; then they approached Stephen, seized him, and brought him before the council.  [[#Verse 13.]] They brought forward false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop saying things against this holy place and the law.  [[#Verse 14.]] For we have heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”  [[#Verse 15.]] All who were sitting in the council looked intently at Stephen and saw his face was like the face of an angel. ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary ###### Overall. ###### Verse 01. ###### Verse 02. ###### Verse 03. ###### Verse 04. ###### Verse 05. ###### Verse 06. ###### Verse 07. ###### Verse 08. ###### Verse 09. ###### Verse 10. ###### Verse 11. ###### Verse 12. ###### Verse 13. ###### Verse 14. ###### Verse 15. ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights 1. The "Greek-speaking Jews" (6:1) were Jews from outside Israel whose main language was Greek. The "native Hebraic Jews" spoke Aramaic and were from the land of Israel. 2. All seven men chosen have Greek names (6:5), which suggests the church chose people from the group that had been overlooked. 3. Nicolas was a proselyte from Antioch (6:5), a Gentile who had converted to Judaism. 4. Widows were especially vulnerable in the ancient world, and caring for them was a long-standing command in Israel (Deuteronomy 14:29). 5. Laying on of hands (6:6) recalls Moses commissioning Joshua (Numbers 27:18-23). 6. Luke notes that a large group of priests became obedient to the faith (6:7). 7. The Synagogue of the Freedmen (6:9) was likely made up of Jews who had been slaves, or descendants of slaves, who had been set free. 8. Stephen was accused of speaking against the temple and the Law (6:13-14), much like the charges brought against Jesus. 9. Stephen and Philip, chosen to serve tables, also became powerful preachers (6:8; 8:5). 10. Many see these seven as a forerunner of the office of deacon, though Acts does not use that title for them. ## 🧠 Chapter Summary > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter Christ is the servant Lord whose people share His heart for the overlooked (6:1-3). Stephen, falsely accused like Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61), shows the grace and power of the Spirit of Christ (6:8). ## 🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 💬 Discussion Questions 1. The Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution (6:1). Who might be overlooked in your church or community? 2. The apostles focused on prayer and the ministry of the word while others served tables (6:2-4). Why does the church need many different gifts? 3. The seven were chosen for being full of the Spirit and wisdom (6:3). Why does character matter for every kind of ministry? ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 verse 3: Choose seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom. - 📖 verse 4: The apostles devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. - 📖 verse 7: The word of God spread, and many priests became obedient to the faith. - 📖 verse 15: Stephen's face looked like the face of an angel. ## 🔗 Related Passages - 🔗 [[Deuteronomy 14#Verse 29.|Deuteronomy 14:29]] - Care for the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. - 🔗 [[James 01#Verse 27.|James 1:27]] - Pure religion cares for orphans and widows. - 🔗 [[Numbers 27#Verse 18.|Numbers 27:18-23]] - Moses lays hands on Joshua. - 🔗 [[Matthew 26#Verse 59.|Matthew 26:59-61]] - False witnesses against Jesus. - 🔗 [[Exodus 34#Verse 29.|Exodus 34:29-30]] - Moses' face shines. ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection 📝 SOAP: [[Acts 06 - SOAP|We All Can Make A Difference]] ## 📄 Outline (Acts 6:7) So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. Big Idea: We Need Each Other To Get the Work of God Done 1- The Apostles needed to preach the Gospel and study to prepare. 2- There were others with other gifts that were needed. 3- When we all lean into our gifts, the church wins and can move forward. ## 📂 Internal Notes %% ### Outline **Big Idea**: **Point 1**: **Point 2**: **Point 3**: %%